tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71738240856076773552024-03-12T18:20:23.315-07:00Pine Mountain ReviewPine Mountain, Life, Product Reviews, Coffee, Travel Adventures, and Alternative EnergyPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-66556522203514551002010-05-07T18:58:00.000-07:002010-05-08T01:56:58.910-07:00St John US Virgin Islands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-UbSgnugvI/AAAAAAAAB_I/DSXlepDxwv0/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-UbSgnugvI/AAAAAAAAB_I/DSXlepDxwv0/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468807327319491314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">May is here and that is the busy time of the</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">year here at the ranch. It is the time when</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">we fill the barn with spring hay so the animals</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">have food for the winter</span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><pre><span style="font-size:100%;">How Small it Feels<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Udq9RvDEI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/NT7H1SIJk3s/s1600/bigstockphoto_Beach_Conch_184514.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Udq9RvDEI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/NT7H1SIJk3s/s320/bigstockphoto_Beach_Conch_184514.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468809946351995970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >I step from cooling tile to concrete slabs<br />as they are heating up, the sun is hot<br />so i soak in its rays & watch crabs<br />scurry into the grass in shade that dots<br />the green & blue landscape (sweetie the gray<br />concrete will barely register) it's bright<br />like saturated neon lights that play<br />and dance and move with the island night<br /><br />and sweetie, do you know how small it feels<br />to stand on the shore and look at the sky<br />and realize those colors bring you real<br />or closer to it than you see with your eyes<br /><br />under those sunglasses, and I will paint<br />you a picture on your palm, but don't cry<br />sweetie when it washes away with the rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span>Story of the Week</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >St John US Virgin Islands</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Uaq0ZuBAI/AAAAAAAAB-4/WIW1vsKAEH8/s1600/bigstockphoto_St_John_in_the_US_Virgin_Islan_6684516.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Uaq0ZuBAI/AAAAAAAAB-4/WIW1vsKAEH8/s320/bigstockphoto_St_John_in_the_US_Virgin_Islan_6684516.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468806645434680322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">If you want to experience the natural beauty<br />of the Caribbean and still stay in United<br />States territory, One of the best places to<br />go is St John in the US Virgin islands.<br /><br />St John is one of three islands that make up<br />the U S Virgin island. the other 2 are St Thomas<br />and St Croix.<br /><br />The original inhabitants were Arawak Indians.<br />Columbus was the first European to see the islands.<br />The United States purchased the islands in 1917<br />from Denmark for 25 million.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Ua27w9cyI/AAAAAAAAB_A/4oCZJaOygg0/s1600/bigstockphoto_Trunk_Bay_St_John_Usvi_2516209.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S-Ua27w9cyI/AAAAAAAAB_A/4oCZJaOygg0/s320/bigstockphoto_Trunk_Bay_St_John_Usvi_2516209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468806853569639202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >ST John is a little east of Puerto Rico. In 1956<br />Laurance Rockefeller donated his holdings or<br />about 3/4 of the island to the National Park Service<br />on condition the park would stay in it's natural state.<br />Today it is known as Virgin Islands National Park.<br />Walking through the park you get a glimpse of how the<br />eco system of a sub tropic island functions.<br /><br />Walking the park is a great way to relax and enjoy the<br />leisurely pace of the islands. To take a nice video<br />journey through the park click on the following link<br /><a href="http://bit.ly/9Cc0vj">http://bit.ly/9Cc0vj</a><br />and journey with the travel show<br />Travelista, The Map.<br /><br />Once you have relaxed and become used to island time<br />it is very difficult to pull yourself away and rejoin<br />the hectic pace real world.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /><br />It is evening once more a the Pine Mountain ranch.<br />We have just finished dinner and are gathered by the<br />warm fire in the fireplace in our family room. Laurel<br />and Grace are watching a movie and I am reading my<br />Discover magazine. Tonight my after dinner coffee from<br /><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a> is Puerto Rican Yauco. This<br />Americzn roast coffee has a coffee and rich cocoa taste<br />that goes well with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br />Well the movie is over and so is my coffee and cookies.<br />It is time for bed.Good night everyone see you in 2 weeks.<br /></span></pre><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br />Resources<br /><br />http://www.travelistic.com/video/show/2177/The-Map-in-St.-John:-Salomon-Beach<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John,_U.S._Virgin_Islands</span><br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-14593141940012104312010-04-23T13:32:00.000-07:002010-04-23T23:30:27.551-07:00The Lighthouses of Marin County<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KKLb6zokI/AAAAAAAAB-w/h6YtvtDTaTc/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KKLb6zokI/AAAAAAAAB-w/h6YtvtDTaTc/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463581227031437890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span><br /></span><br />It is mid April already but that did not stop old<br />man winter from trying one last attempt at<br />bringing a winter storm to the area. At least the<br />lower elevation rains helped fill the reservoirs<br />with much needed water.<br /><br />The hay in the field is growing fast and as soon as<br />the weather dries out, it will be time to cut and<br />bale hay. This cutting is the most nutritious and<br />we mix it with the rest of the cuttings to have a<br />nutritious mix.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Area News</span><br /><br />The five year old girl from Frazier Park,<br />Missty Gamblin that was severely bitten in the<br />face by her neighbors dog is now home after<br />$35,000 in surgery costs. Her mother is a single<br />mother with 2 kids and no medical insurance.<br />A fund has been set up to help with the costs.<br />Donations can be taken to the Mountain Communities<br />Family Resource Center (above the library at<br />3015 Mt. Pinos Way, Ste. 201 in Frazier Park,<br />8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.) or checks can<br />be made to the MCFRC, P.O. Box 1902,<br />Frazier Park, CA, 93225, with the note<br />“Missty Gamblin Medical Fund.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><pre><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mimosas in Marin County</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KCed4DKuI/AAAAAAAAB-A/YG9naIK-rW4/s1600/24470_821733861693_10202876_47001891_2954597_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KCed4DKuI/AAAAAAAAB-A/YG9naIK-rW4/s320/24470_821733861693_10202876_47001891_2954597_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463572757881236194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'll play pretend for a day<br />late brunch, organic omelets<br />orange juice champagne<br />a lifestyle whimsy,<br />I can't complain.<br /><br />Stroll through the boutiques,<br />jump on my bike, head up<br />to the view for picture & hike.<br /><br />Water cerulean, & sun-splashed<br />cheeks, the walk is lovely,<br />water opening between peaks.<br /><br />Stop for a moment, toes in the sand,<br />force my mind to remember<br />this beautiful marine land.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lighthouses of Marin County<br /><br /></span>by G Smith<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFLeLpYEI/AAAAAAAAB-I/6X2TqsXY_zA/s1600/bigstockphoto_Golden_Gate_Bridge_5668626.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFLeLpYEI/AAAAAAAAB-I/6X2TqsXY_zA/s320/bigstockphoto_Golden_Gate_Bridge_5668626.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463575730080800834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Marin county is north of San Francisco<br />on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.<br />It is an area of scenic beauty and<br />waterfalls.<br /><br />Marin county is one of the 27 original<br />California counties and was a county even<br />before California became a state.<br />The county has a long coastline and even<br />it's own bay called Drakes Bay after<br />Sir Francis Drake who sailed their in his<br />ship the Golden Hind in 1579<br /><br />To protect ships from crashing on the shore<br />Marin county built several lighthouses. Today the<br />time of the lighthouse keeper is past and<br />automated means are used to keep the<br />remaining lighthouses operating.</span><br /><br />Point Reyes and Point Bonita are the 2 most famous<br />ones.<br /><br />Point Reyes<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFg5AYRDI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/s8yPCHGi3Aw/s1600/bigstockphoto_Point_Reyes_Lighthouse_1611466.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFg5AYRDI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/s8yPCHGi3Aw/s320/bigstockphoto_Point_Reyes_Lighthouse_1611466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463576098058552370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This lighthouse was built in 1870 and served as </span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">a lighthouse for over a hundred years.Built below</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">the edge of the cliff to keep the light out of </span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />almost constant fog, the lighthouse is 308 steps</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">down the cliff. you need to be in top physical </span><span style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">shape if you want to try the tour on this one.<br />Between the high </span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">winds and the fog visiting<br />this lighthouse is an adventure. The </span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;">walkway<br />to the lighthouse is shut down when the winds<br />hit</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;"> 40 miles per hour.<br />The light tower is a 37 ft high 16 sided structure<br />built in 1870.<br />It housed a 6000 pound first order Fresnel lens<br />that magnified the light and split it into 24<br />individual light beams. This powerful light<br />could be seen up to 24 miles out to sea.<br /><br />In 1975 a small building was built below the<br />station . This building houses the modern light,<br />fog horn and radio automated signal equipment.<br /><br />Point Bonita<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFXCvYHaI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/Z7_PgV7zmJU/s1600/bigstockphoto_Point_Bonita_Lighthouse_5409566.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KFXCvYHaI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/Z7_PgV7zmJU/s320/bigstockphoto_Point_Bonita_Lighthouse_5409566.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463575928872902050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br />The lighthouse was built a half mile down a trail. In the middle<br />there is a tunnel. The lens is a second order Fresnel able to be seen<br />18 miles away.To save money the back side against the cliff was<br />not lens ed.<br /><br />Lime Point<br /><br />Lime point existed as a fog horn station from 1833 to 1900 when lights<br />were also added. This station was on a small spur of land just east of the<br />north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. It had a 3 story keepers station and<br />two 12 inch steam powered fog horns. The station was automated in 1961<br />and the 3 story station keepers building was torn down. All that is left of<br />the station today is the automated fog horn building.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KG5G0A0oI/AAAAAAAAB-g/1X-4nSL8_B0/s1600/bigstockphoto_Muir_Woods_National_Park_1763727.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S9KG5G0A0oI/AAAAAAAAB-g/1X-4nSL8_B0/s320/bigstockphoto_Muir_Woods_National_Park_1763727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463577613593268866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br />Besides light houses another point of interest in Marin County is Muir Woods<br />a stand of old grove coastal redwoods from 500 to 1200 years old. Well<br />maintained trails add to the enjoyment.<br /><br />Marin County is a wealthy county with the medium income around 92,000 a year.<br />Lukas films of Star Wars fame used to be in San Rafael the Marin county<br />government seat but they have now moved to the Presidio.<br /><br /></span></span></pre><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain Ranch. we have gathered<br />in the family room to enjoy a movie on TV. We have just finished dinner<br />and I am relaxing in my easy chair with fresh apple pie and a cup of the<br />sample coffee of the day from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com </a>Tonight I am<br />having Panama Boquete. This American roast coffee is filled with fruity<br />sensations and just a hint of chocolate taste. It goes well with apple pie.<br /><br />Well my pie, coffee,and movie are over and it is time for bed. Hope<br />everyone has a great couple of weeks. we will see you in 2 weeks.<br />Good night everyone. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">resources<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marin_County,_California</span><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-39361229702442654542010-04-09T14:20:00.000-07:002010-04-11T07:40:18.639-07:00Wyoming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8AfIYlrqII/AAAAAAAAB94/3VbK5rUP7DU/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8AfIYlrqII/AAAAAAAAB94/3VbK5rUP7DU/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458396977272957058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We are now well into spring at the ranch.<br />This years beef cattle are out in the pasture<br />munching away and already gaining weight.<br /><br />The aquaponic garden in the greenhouse has<br />just switched beds. One bed produces while<br />the other bed is replanted. That way there<br />is always a crop ready to produce when an<br />old bed finishes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In local news</span><br /><br />Last year we had too many bears wandering<br />around raiding garbage cans etc. Now this<br />year we have reports of bear poaching by the<br />chairman of the PMC board no less.<br /><br />On Easter a hiker found a dead body in Hungry<br />Valley. No one is saying if it is a homicide or<br />natural causes yet.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8ARw6lXjvI/AAAAAAAAB9o/kYOE35ircj0/s1600/bigstockphoto_Yellowstone_National_Park_Wat_2212876.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8ARw6lXjvI/AAAAAAAAB9o/kYOE35ircj0/s200/bigstockphoto_Yellowstone_National_Park_Wat_2212876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458382280430423794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /></span></span><pre><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Desolation and Charm</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />And I'll miss you<br />Wyoming, as I careen<br />out of tumbleweed<br />scenes, grass wishing<br />to be green, lone<br />strips of asphalt inter-<br />rupting vacant views.<br /><br />I'll miss the wind<br />that whistles through<br />your ghost towns<br />like a memory unfound.<br /><br />And I'll miss you Wyoming,<br />but mostly I'll miss your<br />desolation and your charm.</span><br /></pre><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wyoming</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The state of Wyoming is the 10th largest in land<br />mass but the population at 544,270 is the least<br />amount of any state. Almost half of the state,<br />48 % is owned by the US government through<br />the bureau of land management and the US forest<br />service.<br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8ASp6Y4sbI/AAAAAAAAB9w/dkryZTmRbwk/s1600/bigstockphoto_Devils_Tower_6846696.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S8ASp6Y4sbI/AAAAAAAAB9w/dkryZTmRbwk/s200/bigstockphoto_Devils_Tower_6846696.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458383259630612914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Wyoming is a place of big sky and large mountains.<br />It is where the high plains meet the rocky mountains.<br />Wyoming is a place of unique natural beauty and a<br />place to get away from everyone and contemplate<br />nature. Just do it in the summertime because<br />Wyoming winters are harsh and bitter cold with lots of<br />snow.<br />Wyoming is bordered by Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska,<br />Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.<br /><br />Wyoming has 10 different mountain ranges and the state<br />elevation ranges from 13804 ft to 3125 ft. More than 40<br />mountain peaks in the state are over 13,000 ft.<br /><br />Wyoming has 3 interstates I-80 and I - 90 which run east<br />and west and I - 25 that runs north and south.<br /><br />The continental divide runs north and south through the<br />center of the state.The rivers on the east side, North Platte,<br />Wind, Big Horn, and Yellowstone end up in the Mississippi<br />and the rivers on the west side the Snake and the Green end<br />up in the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br />French trappers in the late 1700's and Lewis and Clark in 1807<br />were the first Europeans to enter the area. One of the members<br />of the expedition, John Colter described the wonders of<br />Yellowstone but people thought he was making up tall tales.<br /><br />Wyoming was the first state to let women vote and in 1924<br />became the first state to have a woman governor.<br /><br />Wyoming has 98 towns but all but 9 have populations under<br />10,000. The largest town in Wyoming is the state capital,<br />Cheyenne at 57,000. There is one university, the University<br />of Wyoming and seven community colleges.<br /><br />Mining , ranching and tourism are the main income producers<br />for the state and Yellowstone national park is one of the<br />main attractions.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /></span><br />It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch. We have<br />just finished dinner and are in the family room watching a movie.<br />We are having cherry pie for desert and my sample coffee of the<br />week from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://coffeefool.com</a>. Tonight we are having<br />Chocolate Covered Cherry. This American roast coffee with the<br />taste of cherry and chocolate go just great with fresh cherry pie.<br /><br />Well the movie is over and my pie and coffee are finished too. It<br />is time for bed. Good night everyone see you in 2 weeks.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">resources<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyoming<br /></span></span><br /><br /></span></span>googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-24974363513872574142010-03-26T11:28:00.000-07:002010-03-28T16:15:37.223-07:00The Columbia River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mYVB9jXI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/qVWHel3zjhM/s1600/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mYVB9jXI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/qVWHel3zjhM/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453127291963805042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />Spring has sprung with full force on Pine Mountain.<br />Everything is green and the wildflowers are beginning<br />to bloom. It is a time to mend the fences and prepare<br />the ranch for spring and summer.<br /><br />The greenhouse and the fish in the aquaponic tank<br />survived the winter and are doing well.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S6_i5_OueqI/AAAAAAAAB9g/F3p4aup4xgA/s1600/portland_night_skyline_IMG_4149.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S6_i5_OueqI/AAAAAAAAB9g/F3p4aup4xgA/s320/portland_night_skyline_IMG_4149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453827159622580898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><pre style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday Night in the City of Roses</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />and the locals are listless under-<br />neath their tortoise shell eyes.<br /><br />Inside, in gray low lights<br />and cigarette clouds<br />new age music wafts<br />lazy-like over to the crowds.<br /><br />In studio lofts, art galleries and bars,<br />put on emphatic facade<br />'cause we're all gonna be stars.<br /><br />Clutching pints, the perfect accent<br />for those black fingernailed hands<br />of the hipster rockstar tattooed fans.<br /><br />It's Friday night in the city of roses,<br />the river's eerie outside, it's bubbling,<br />for the sea, but tonight the babble's<br />inaudible<br />over the band and the Friday night scene.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Columbia River</span><br /><br />by G Smith<br /></span></pre> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Columbia river at 1243 miles is the longest river in</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Pacific Northwest. It drains an area roughly the size<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">of France. The Columbia forms much of the border<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">between Oregon and Washington and drains 7 states.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> It is the 4th largest river in the United States.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61lwLzB5eI/AAAAAAAAB8w/Pj7ARfqK_Fk/s1600/DSCN1365.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61lwLzB5eI/AAAAAAAAB8w/Pj7ARfqK_Fk/s320/DSCN1365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126602290488802" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Columbia begins at 2690 feet ( 820 meters) above</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> sea level in the Rocky Mountain trench that forms the<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">border between British Columbia and Alberta in Canada</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">. The river flows northwest for the first 200 miles then turns</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> sharply south at the north end of the Selkirk mountains.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Columbia turns west at the Spokane river then South<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">at the Okanagan river then southeast at the Wenatchee<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">river forming a big C. The river then heads west at the<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Washington- Oregon border. The River then becomes</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Washington -Oregon border for the final 309 miles</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> to the coast.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61listfAiI/AAAAAAAAB8g/AHrBdyssjFE/s1600/DSCN1375.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61listfAiI/AAAAAAAAB8g/AHrBdyssjFE/s320/DSCN1375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126370607432226" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">During the last ice age about 15,000 to 10,000 years ago,</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Columbia took a more direct course through the<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">big c area when the ice dams on ancient Lake Missoula<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">would break sending the entire lake down the Columbia river.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> When the flood was over the direct route formed a dry river</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> bed. This dry river bed was called a Coulee. Grand Coulee</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> dam was built during the depression forming lake Roosevelt<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> opened in 1942. It is the largest dam on the Columbia at<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">5223 feet (1586 meters) wide and 550 feet ( 168 meters high).<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Normal water height is 380 feet ( 115 meters). In 1951<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">with the addition of Dry Falls dam and North dam, Banks<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">lake was formed in the dry coulee valley above lake Roosevelt.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Twelve 14 inch pipes and pumps lift water 280 feet from<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">lake Roosevelt into lake Banks forming a 27 mile long lake</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> for irrigation of the surrounding area. Six of the pumps can</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> be reversed and turned into turbines during peak electric<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">demand times. Total power output of the Grand Coulee</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> dam with 33 Turbines is 6809 megawatts. The biggest<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">problem with the Grand Coulee dam is that salmon can</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> not get by the dam. This keeps the salmon in the last 243<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">miles of the river instead of 1243 miles like they once roamed.</span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Columbia continues through Gorge Amphitheatre,<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Priest Rapids dam, then the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> The Hanford Reservation is the only untamed part of the<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Columbia that is left.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61lqCMDiNI/AAAAAAAAB8o/nPGdDINSIyk/s1600/DSCN1374.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61lqCMDiNI/AAAAAAAAB8o/nPGdDINSIyk/s320/DSCN1374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126496631883986" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Snake river and the Yakima river join the Columbia</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> and the river turns sharply west at the Washington Oregon<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">border. The Columbia becomes the border for the two states</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> for the final 309 miles of its journey. The Columbia reaches</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Dalles. Between The Dalles and Portland, the Columbia<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">cuts through the Cascade mountains forming the breath taking<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Columbia River gorge.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61l1i9fW_I/AAAAAAAAB84/8jXdswe3NfY/s1600/DSCN1360.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61l1i9fW_I/AAAAAAAAB84/8jXdswe3NfY/s320/DSCN1360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126694407724018" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The gorge is 4000 feet at the deepest part and 77 streams<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">flow into the gorge before the Columbia reaches the ocean.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Many of these 77 streams form spectacular water falls as</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> they deposit their water load into the gorge.</span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mK8L3f1I/AAAAAAAAB9Q/E_-BkgS4iRY/s1600/bigstockphoto_Bonneville_Dam_205958.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mK8L3f1I/AAAAAAAAB9Q/E_-BkgS4iRY/s320/bigstockphoto_Bonneville_Dam_205958.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453127061956165458" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The last dam of the 14 dams on the Columbia before the<br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Pacific is the Bonneville dam. This dam has an island in the</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> middle and 2 hydroelectric dams one on each side of the island.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> The Bonneville dam also has a lock for river traffic and fish</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> ladders to help the salmon navigate the river.</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mABEp_eI/AAAAAAAAB9A/T0PVS4Vednk/s1600/bigstockphoto_Fish_Ladder_205962.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mABEp_eI/AAAAAAAAB9A/T0PVS4Vednk/s320/bigstockphoto_Fish_Ladder_205962.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126874289536482" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mF9msjeI/AAAAAAAAB9I/gw0hloAqvdw/s1600/bigstockphoto_Columbia_Gorge_Viewpoint_1590898.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S61mF9msjeI/AAAAAAAAB9I/gw0hloAqvdw/s320/bigstockphoto_Columbia_Gorge_Viewpoint_1590898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453126976437784034" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">At Portland a few miles from the Pacific, the Columbia</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> turns to the north and slows dropping a load of silt. It then</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> turns west again and joins the Pacific. The last turn keeps</span></p><p style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the Columbia from forming a delta at the ocean.</span></p> <pre style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain<br />Ranch. We have just finished dinner and are<br />gathered in the family room to watch a nature<br />movie on TV.<br /><br />I am seated in my favorite reclining chair and<br />have fresh baked sugar cookies with this week's<br />sample coffee from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com </a><br />Tonight my flavor is Dutch Chocolate. This American<br />roast coffee is a chocolate lover's dream with just a hint of<br />coffee flavor to round it out.<br /><br />My coffee and cookies are finished now and the movie is over.<br />It is time for bed. Good night all, see you in 2 weeks.<br /><br />resources<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River<br /></span></pre> <pre><br /></pre><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-51292695960046222452010-03-12T11:48:00.000-08:002010-03-13T00:22:43.879-08:00Malta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tHc2zN48I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ae-SdC-ZsoA/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tHc2zN48I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/Ae-SdC-ZsoA/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448026735306990530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />It is nearly the middle of March already.<br />Winter has been strange this year. One<br />minute we have a winter storm and the<br />next the snow has all melted.<br /><br />This year we have a full eco system in<br />our greenhouse called aquaponics. All<br />we have to do is keep the water<br />chemistry right and keep the water<br />flowing from the fish tank to the grow<br />beds and back again. The plants love<br />the constant nutrients and grow like<br />crazy.<br /><br />Our little wood shop is doing well.<br />when everything crashed in 2008<br />no one was buying anything. The<br />smaller pieces are now selling.<br />People are downsizing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tHCTuQyVI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/Z7I5ffGlXVw/s1600-h/n10202885_39192447_5135.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tHCTuQyVI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/Z7I5ffGlXVw/s320/n10202885_39192447_5135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448026279214369106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><pre style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mediterranean Momentos</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />Midday sun sways soft in the sky<br />deciding to be blue or to dip<br />into blue--an aquamarine sun-<br />bathe for Mediterranean rays.<br />The boat's carving aqua ripples,<br />churning blue to white in its wake.<br /><br />We cruise over Grotto Azura,<br />adjust eyes to turquoise hues<br />and exquisite views<br />as if the gods had bathed there.<br /><br />And with a turn, we're sliding<br />back to Sorento. Dip our feet,<br />a final reprieve from the sun<br />and a sip of<br />lemoncello--<br />sun-filled imprint<br />for my tongue.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Malta</span></span><br /><br /><br />Malta is an island in the Mediterranean.<br />It is 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km<br />north of Tunisia. The island has had a<br />rich and varied history.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">History</span><br /><br />Malta was first settled around 5200 BC<br />by people from Sicily. They built megalithic<br />stone temples that still stand to this day.<br />Disease or famine or both wiped them out<br />about 2500 BC.<br /><br />Next came the Greeks, Phoenicians, Carthage,<br />and finally Rome. Next came the Arabs,<br />Germans,The Spanish from Aragon, then the<br />Knights Hospitalier who turned the island<br />into a fortress. The French under Napolean<br />occupied the island for 16 years then the<br />British took over in 1814 and kept the island<br />until it became independent in 1964.<br />Malta became a republic in 1974.<br /><br />Today Malta is made up of 3 main islands.<br />Gozo, Malta, and Comino and numerous<br />small uninhabited islands. More than 404,000<br />people call the islands home.<br /><br />We landed at Malta International in Valetta,<br />then rented a car and drove to the Baystreet<br />Hotel in St Julian. The hotel was a 4 star that<br />rented for $97 a night.<br /><br />Malta is a people place. There are more things<br />to do than there is time to do them.<br /><br />On Gozo there is Dwejra inland sea. In Valleta<br />St John Cathedral of John the baptist fame.<br /><br />The restored 5000 year old temple at Hypogeum.<br /><br />Ggantija temple. Impressive slabs and pillars<br />from 5000 BC.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tGwOQ7t8I/AAAAAAAAB8I/T8vwFa1pSaI/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Ggantija_Prehistoric_Temple_3865493.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tGwOQ7t8I/AAAAAAAAB8I/T8vwFa1pSaI/s320/bigstockphoto_Ggantija_Prehistoric_Temple_3865493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448025968511530946" border="0" /></a><br />Ggantija<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Some of the best diving in the world in the blue<br />green waters of Malta. if you prefer not to get wet,<br />There is the MV Sea Below. You can look through<br />38 windows to see the ocean below.<br /><br />There are museums and fortresses.There are so many<br />restaurants you hardly know where to start to sample<br />the local cuisine.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tGGQPZHGI/AAAAAAAAB8A/VV3WMTQ9pyA/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Marsaxlokk_Fishing_Village___1880459.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S5tGGQPZHGI/AAAAAAAAB8A/VV3WMTQ9pyA/s320/bigstockphoto_Marsaxlokk_Fishing_Village___1880459.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448025247487433826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Marsaxlokk</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />There are rocky beaches and sandy beaches but there<br />are always people. No seclusion here.<br /><br />Malta does not have enough natural water to supply<br />everyone so desalinization plants provide over half<br />the water on the island.<br /><br />Many British retirees call the island home.<br /><br />The official languages of the island are English and<br />Maltese. Driving is on the left since it was a former<br />British colony.<br /><br />Time went by so fast and finally we had to leave<br />and return home.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /></span><br />We are gathered once more in the family room of<br />the Pine Mountain ranch. Dinner is over and we are<br />watching a movie and eating fresh baked cookies.<br />tonight's coffee from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com">http://www.coffeefool.com</a><br />is Raspberry Squared. This American roast coffee<br />is mixed with the finest black and red raspberries<br />to give it a distinctive taste. It goes great with<br />fresh sugar cookies.<br /><br />The movie is over and so is my coffee and cookies.<br />It is time for bed. Good night all see you in 2 weeks.<br /><br />resources<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta<br /><br /><br /></span>googlef90539838d7357c8.html</pre>Pine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-76254964256031058522010-02-26T19:57:00.000-08:002010-02-27T07:40:56.598-08:00Sidney Australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i1NzVzTWI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/5A5JC6VLVz4/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i1NzVzTWI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/5A5JC6VLVz4/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442799398401822050" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span>
<br />
<br />It has been another week of Winter at the
<br />Pine Mountain ranch. ther4 have been col temperatures and on and off rain and snow. It has been windy but our wind turbines make the most of it.
<br />
<br />The fish and plants are doing well in the heated greenhouse.
<br />The roads and highways have been treacherous at times but you get used to it.
<br />
<br />Rocket and Starburst have been staying close to the barn for shelter from the winter winds.
<br />
<br />We have been making furniture in our wood shop so the economy is improving slightly.Last year this time our little shop was mostly idle.
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span>
<br /></span>
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i00n1neJI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/dhbDVMjeyYg/s1600-h/DSCN0918.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i00n1neJI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/dhbDVMjeyYg/s320/DSCN0918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442798965817309330" border="0" /></a>
<br /><pre style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Other Side of the Bay</span>
<br />
<br />by emily d stine
<br />
<br />It's February and sunny
<br />and we're sliding across the bay
<br />away from Frisco and onto Berkeley
<br />explore the college town.
<br />
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4iz46d4EEI/AAAAAAAAB7A/adCU1Mm8Hr4/s1600-h/DSCN0910.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4iz46d4EEI/AAAAAAAAB7A/adCU1Mm8Hr4/s320/DSCN0910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442797940025856066" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />
<br />The sun's setting and we fly
<br />like bandits, ribbon-roading up the
<br />ridge, racing the sun.
<br />
<br />We pull off at the top to see
<br />sun slipping under the three
<br />bridges that cross-stitch the bay.
<br />
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i0ZNssP7I/AAAAAAAAB7I/G8fuZ1mOk_Q/s1600-h/DSCN0914.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i0ZNssP7I/AAAAAAAAB7I/G8fuZ1mOk_Q/s320/DSCN0914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442798494944083890" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />Sounds of silence whistle under
<br />our feet and the sky grows pink with haze.
<br />And we left that place days ago
<br />but I can't shift my gaze.
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span>Story of the Week</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br />
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><st1:city style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span><st1:country-region st="on"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Australia</span>
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<br /></st1:country-region></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i7jGX0KPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/iLcJySMpLIs/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Opera_House_3772933.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i7jGX0KPI/AAAAAAAAB7g/iLcJySMpLIs/s320/bigstockphoto_Opera_House_3772933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442806361357560050" border="0" /></a>
<br /></pre><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><st1:country-region st="on"></st1:country-region></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:country-region st="on">by Justin Jordan</st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p>In virtually all of my trips to <st1:country-region st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I end up doing something fairly outdoorsy,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> being it doing a walkabout or seeing the <st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on">Great Barrier Reef</st1:place>. Which is great, and I
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">love it, but there’s only so much outside
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">a man can take, or at least only so much
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">that this man can take.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So this time, I decided to go urban and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">visit <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city>. Situated
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">on the southeast corner of the continent,
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">nestled around the</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> appropriately named <st1:placename st="on">Sydney</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Harbor</st1:placename>,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> it’s <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s largest
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">city, and in many respects its cultural center. <o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s very urban and very large, with about
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">five million people living there (out of about</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> twenty two million in the whole country)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> and getting something like ten million visitors</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> a year. It’s a popular place to visit, and with
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">good reason.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Probably the most iconic image of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">is the Opera House, the clamshell like
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">construction that can be seen in dozens of
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">movies. This was, quite frankly, why I
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">decided on a <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Sydney</st1:city></st1:place> trip. <o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Almost as soon as construction was finished</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> in 1973,the Opera house was hailed as one
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">of the new <st1:place st="on">Seven Wonders of the World</st1:place>.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Frankly, seeing it in person and getting a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">sense of the scale and beauty of it,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I agree. It’s really something
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">worth seeing in person.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Of course, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city> has more to offer than
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">just a funky beautiful opera house. There</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> are, for instance, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Royal</st1:placename><st1:placetype st="on"> Botanic
<br /></st1:placetype></st1:place></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place>, which are open year round and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">home to hundreds of different kinds of
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">plants, including some of the most beautiful</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> flowers in the world.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It also has glass pyramid,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> which is the sort of thing that I always
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">appreciate.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">If your tastes run towards the more</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> people oriented side of culture, then
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I recommend you see The Rocks which</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> is not, you know, just a bunch of rocks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> The Rocks is one of the oldest
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">neighborhoods in <st1:city st="on">Sydney</st1:city>, with a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">spectacular view of another of <st1:city st="on">Sydney</st1:city>’s</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> landmarks, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Sydney</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Harbor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">These days, The Rocks is home to any
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">number of craft and souvenir shops, as
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">well as a healthy number of pubs. If
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">you’re there on the weekend, you can
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">see The Rocks market where more than</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> a hundred stalls open up to sell, well,
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">just about everything. If you want to
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">get something that’s not junk to take</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> home with you, this is the place.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i75mVV4fI/AAAAAAAAB7o/YrhWI1RJCv4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Flywheel__788089.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S4i75mVV4fI/AAAAAAAAB7o/YrhWI1RJCv4/s320/bigstockphoto_Flywheel__788089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442806747894243826" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For those of a more historical bent, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city> is not short on museums either.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> My particular favorite was the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Powerhouse</st1:placename>
<br /></st1:place></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, which focuses on steam powered</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> machines. You can (and should) visit the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">
<br /></st1:placename></st1:place></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Australian</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">National</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Maritime</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, if for</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> no other reason than they have a ship named
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Vampire.<o:p></o:p>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sydney Wildlife World was also a lot of fun.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is a sort of massive zoo, where you can</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> walk in tunnels through animals in enclosures</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> that mimic their natural habitats. This is the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">place to go if you’re in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sydney</st1:place></st1:city> and hankering
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">to see koalas and kangaroos without leaving
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">the cool crispness of air conditioning.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> ranch. We have just finished dinner and are
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">relaxing in the family room by a warm fire in
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">the fireplace. Tonight my after dinner coffee
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">from</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://%20www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a> is Chocolate Mint.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This American roast coffee is just the ticket
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">on a cold winter night.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The minty taste wakes up the senses. It
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:100%;">goes just right with a plate of
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:100%;">fresh baked sugar cookies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well my coffee and cookies are history.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The adventure movie we were all watching</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> is over and it is time for bed. Good night all.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >See you in 2 weeks.</span>
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<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-54927998994289473712010-02-12T20:27:00.000-08:002010-02-12T21:57:23.620-08:00India<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y9sP-JXHI/AAAAAAAAB64/xPgQ7HuxDWw/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y9sP-JXHI/AAAAAAAAB64/xPgQ7HuxDWw/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437601430507183218" border="0" /></a>
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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>We have had several snow storms in the last 2 weeks.</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> We get some snow and then in a few days it melts.
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>The fish and vegetables in the green house are doing</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> well even though it is mid winter.
<br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>We are still making a few pieces of furniture in the</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> wood shop. This week we take a travel visit to India</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> with Roxana</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Poem of the Week</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Indian Dreams</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y5WVLivmI/AAAAAAAAB6A/Yn9zEiiLv5g/s1600-h/n11001365_35983680_2759.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y5WVLivmI/AAAAAAAAB6A/Yn9zEiiLv5g/s320/n11001365_35983680_2759.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437596655901916770" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
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<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >by emily d stine</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Shiver through the sheets as my mind<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >wanders back to the place and I see<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >saris blowing through the wind, soft<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >reds, pinks, blues spinning in my head.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Casting clay pots and spitting fat camels<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Indian children laughing through streets<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >where we walked, Western in our wear<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >the colors so vivid I feel that I'm there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >There's a cow in the road but nobody<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >honks.<span style=""> </span>A foggy view of the Taj Mahal<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >invades my thoughts. Varanasi,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >the world's oldest city, laundry and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >funerals flounder in the ghat.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >My Indian dreams, the saris bring<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >me back, a gentle breeze, how the<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >wind makes the colors sing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story of the week</span></span>
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">India</span></span>
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<br />by Roxana Arzamazova<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>My big travel across India the Route:<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Delhi, Agra (Fatehpur Sikri), Gwalior, Dzhansi, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Orcha, Kadzhuraho, Varanasi, Calcutta, Puri <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >(lake Chilika), Konark, Bhubaneswar, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Kanijakumari, Kovalam, Karkalla, Kollam, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Alaputsa, Kochin, Udipi, Karvar, Goa <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >(in transit), Vengurla, Malvan, Devgarh, Alibag, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Mumbai.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I decided to take a trip to India. I had a six week<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > vacation so I started in <span style=""> </span>Delhi, Tadj-Mahal, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Kadzhuraho Varanasis places everyone knows. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I developed a route by means of guidebooks <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >to India "Dorling Kindersley" And " lonely planet". <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >India is very cheap country. With a TV and a bathroom<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > I paid for hotels on the average 5 dollars. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The cheapest-$3 (Kadzhu - ÒÁÈÏ), $7 Delhi on Mejn ,<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > and a maximum of $ 14 Mumbai. Without conveniences <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >in the room. my expenses would have been less. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Many people are afraid to go to India because of the dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Really, Hindus like to throw dust under feet. But in <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >good hotels and the tourist centers it is very clean. I never<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >suffered digestion frustration. For this purpose it is enough <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >to wash your hands before a meal, to drink <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >bottled water and not to eat in doubtful places. In a couple <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >of days you cease to notice the dirt. In India there are a lot <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >of beggars. Do not give them money or they will follow you <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >forever.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Transport in India is cheap. In the city it is possible to move<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > by tuk-tuk. They cost less than a city bus. Twice I used night<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > buses with berths and twice I slept on trains. I stayed at <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >25 hotels. Certainly, that is a lot, but I saw so much! <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>Why do people go to India? It is a country not similar to others.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > It has a special charm. There it is not accepted to steal. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The Indian women dressed in sari’s, and look like <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >queens.
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<br />In the south is it eternal summer. There are the high <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >mountains, deserts, jungles, and seas.
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<br />Many people go there in <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >ashrams to do yoga, medical experts, surprising <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >philosophy. Pursuit of money and success can lead to depression<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >and you loose the meaning of life. Hindus can explain to you that<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >all is not necessary. Consumer society philosophy it is not the <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >cleverest. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>"Exclusive dynamism, continuous activism tear to pieces the <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >person, or transform a person into a machine. In India no one<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >hastens anywhere. Be ready for it! <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In Delhi the most interesting sites are the 800-year-old <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Kutb-Minar (height of 70 meters), the Lotus temple,<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > the Red fort, the Gate of India, Radzhput.
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<br /></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > I headed south. Two hours and you in Agra where there is<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > the most beautiful building in the world. The Taj-Mahal,
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y50ojcfrI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/BqyHcGhezeg/s1600-h/i.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 110px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y50ojcfrI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/BqyHcGhezeg/s320/i.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437597176498519730" border="0" /></a>
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<br />and also the big fort. Nearby there is Fatehpur-Sikri the <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >capital of emperor Akbara. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In the city of Gwalior at top of a 100-metre hill the beautiful<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > fort is located. In Orchhe there is an interesting palace. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Further on my way there was a world famous village <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Kadzhuraho with it’s 25 temples and erotic sculptures. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Varanasi. the most sacred city of India, (from which Shiva <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >has risen to the sky). On the bank of Ganges are 90 Ghats<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > (ladders) and 2 places of cremation. Hindus dream to die in <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Varanasi. Normal cemeteries are not present, Bodies burn <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >down to ashes and ashes are swept away by the Ganges.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >10 kilometers from Varanasi in 500 years B.C. Buddha<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > gave his first sermon.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Calcutta. One of the greatest cities of India. Victoria's<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > memorial the most beautiful building of the city. On the<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > bank of Bay of Bengal in Konarke there is a temple of <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >the Sun a XIII century building with erotic couples on <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >all the facade.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Nearby, in the open air a scene where <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >the festival of India is annually held. For 20 rupees you<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >receive weight of pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In the city of Chennaj (Madras) of veins Foma the <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >non-believer also is buried. In a Catholic church on <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >seacoast it is possible to see his tomb. Tourists like to <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >visit a temple complex in honour of Shiva in the city <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >of Madurai. Twelve 50-meter gates are entirely covered <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >by figures of people, demons, gods, and animals. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In the south of India the city of Kannijakumari is located.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > The most interesting here its 2 islets on which it is possible<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > to get, having stood the big turn, after<span style=""> </span>all Hindus <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >wish to visit on "The end" of India and to visit the island <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >where philosopher Vivikenanda and others meditated. There <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >is a 40-meter monument to the local poet <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >who lived 2000 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>
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<br /></o:p></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y6SIkGhXI/AAAAAAAAB6o/jfZ0p8FFEzI/s1600-h/49.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y6SIkGhXI/AAAAAAAAB6o/jfZ0p8FFEzI/s320/49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437597683307414898" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Here there is the Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. Further on <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >my way is Kerala. One of the <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >most beautiful beaches- khovalam. Here always there are a <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >lot of tourists. Tourists love Varkalu. Nearby are Silent creeks <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >a system of fresh-water channels and lakes. Travel by <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>tourist ship from Kollama in Alaputsu (70 km) occupies a <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >whole day and leaves unforgetable impressions. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Narrow small streets in the city of Kochin with the Portuguese, <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Dutch and English constructions are charming. In earlier times<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > there were warehouses with spices.<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > State of Karnataka was next on my way. Near the city of Udipi <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >is the fine and deserted <span style=""> </span>beach of Malpi. And such beaches are<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >in considerable quantity!
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y5qEJCUGI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/TgaYBqsA42g/s1600-h/images_image_522.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y5qEJCUGI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/TgaYBqsA42g/s320/images_image_522.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437596994925383778" border="0" /></a>
<br /></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Most tourists visit Goa. Tourist possibilities in India are huge! <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >To the south of Goa in the city of Karvar there is a good beach,<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > but instead of tourists a herd of cows there sunbathe! <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I have passed through Goa by trip bus and arrive in fishing village<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Vengurla. The beach there is multi-kilometer, and tourists appear <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >seldom. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In the city of Malvan it is possible to look at the big island, and in <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The village Devgarh There is a big peninsular fort.
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y6apoH4RI/AAAAAAAAB6w/TTGUZdZGeDA/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 98px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S3Y6apoH4RI/AAAAAAAAB6w/TTGUZdZGeDA/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437597829621604626" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >in Alibage there is an island fort. During low tide outflow <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >(during the lunchtime) it is possible to pass on foot. From <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Alibaga to Mumbai it is possible to get there by <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >sea. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >30 minutes by bus and an hour by a ship and you are in <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >12-million Mumbai. The city looks fine from the sea. There<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > are many high-rise buildings, and many beautiful English <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >constructions. <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >India is a country which you will desire to come back to again<o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >and again!
<br /><o:p></o:p></span></pre> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch. We are in the family room by a warm fire in the fireplace.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Laurel and Grace are playing a game of scrabble.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >We have just finished dinner and I am enjoying my after dinner coffee with a plate of fresh chocolate chip cookies. Tonight my coffee from </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >http://www.coffeefool.com</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > is Celebes Kalossi. This American roast coffee has a spicy syrupy taste with just a hint of oak.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well my coffee and cookies are finished now and Grace won the game of scrabble. Now it is time to get some sleep. Good night see everyone in 2 weeks.
<br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size:100%;">
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<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-32764924174226274942010-01-29T19:32:00.000-08:002010-01-30T10:24:23.424-08:00St Thomas U S Virgin Islands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R5LYTBtQI/AAAAAAAAB5o/EKh_8M9Jyuk/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R5LYTBtQI/AAAAAAAAB5o/EKh_8M9Jyuk/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432600286923437314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain News</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><br />The last week of January is almost over</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and<br />February is almost here.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">We have published<br />this weekly newsletter for over 2 years now.<br />We have traveled many places but costs have<br />risen and demands on our time have risen<br />even faster so we are going to a twice a<br />month format.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">See everyone in two weeks.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Poem of the Week</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ode to a Writer<br /><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">by emily d stine</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2RuFmHXaKI/AAAAAAAAB5A/gqgqo-RjfKI/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Close_Up_Of_Hand_With_Pen_2875834.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2RuFmHXaKI/AAAAAAAAB5A/gqgqo-RjfKI/s320/bigstockphoto_Close_Up_Of_Hand_With_Pen_2875834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432588092925503650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And a man who's just died.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />it's Holden Caulfield,<br />from that</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">book Catcher in the Rye.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Late in his life, he was labeled</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">misanthrope.<br />But there was a time</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">when his eyes held<br />cynical hope,</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">embodied in a fresh-faced kid</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">with a fast-talk mouth.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">A bildungsroman, coming-of-age</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">in the<br />playground of New York City,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Post War America setting the stage.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />It's Mr. Salinger, Mr. Zeitgeist man.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And his voice will live on in his many fans.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Story of the Week</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">St Thomas U S Virgin Islands<br /><br /></span><span>by G Smith<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2RuWuRppMI/AAAAAAAAB5I/YYncpe_f27M/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_St_Thomas_1642339.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2RuWuRppMI/AAAAAAAAB5I/YYncpe_f27M/s320/bigstockphoto_St_Thomas_1642339.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432588387173901506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />This week we went offshore and visited<br />St Thomas in the U S Virgin Islands. The<br />island was originally settled by the Ciboney<br />,Arawak,and Carib people. It was a Danish<br />possession until 1917 when it was purchased<br />by the United States. Residents were<br />granted US citizenship in 1927.<br /><br />It is the only place in the United States<br />where you drive on the left side of the road.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We flew into Cyril King airport and checked<br />into a Bed and Breakfast called<br />" At Home in the Tropics" on Blackbeard hill.<br />The place had spectacular views of the harbor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">St Thomas is mountainous and just about<br />every turn in the road offered breathtaking<br />views of the surrounding area. We stopped at<br />"Drake's seat" and took in the view of Megan's<br />Bay.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R3KtR7CAI/AAAAAAAAB5g/8LgiseHEP8E/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Landscape_697176.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R3KtR7CAI/AAAAAAAAB5g/8LgiseHEP8E/s320/bigstockphoto_Landscape_697176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432598076352825346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />We went on the Skyride which is an aerial<br />tram car that takes 7 minutes one way. We saw<br />a bird show and took an Eco tour in a 2 person<br />kayak though the mangrove lagoon. We went<br />snorkeling in the crystal clear waters and saw<br />whole colonies of brightly colored tropical fish.<br />We went to the famous red point blowhole.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />We spent a day at "Coral World Ocean Park"<br />and went through the underwater observatory.<br /><br />We went to Blue beards castle which is a<br />stone tower that is now part of a hotel.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R0fpgbi1I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/3n0si9uwOTc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Swimming_To_Historic_Castle_1451681.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S2R0fpgbi1I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/3n0si9uwOTc/s320/bigstockphoto_Swimming_To_Historic_Castle_1451681.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432595137582304082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Sir Francis Drake used the tower to spy on<br />Spanish ships that traveled through Drake's<br />passage. We went up St Peter mountain<br />which at 1542 feet is the tallest point on<br />the island.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">We visited Tillet gardens which<br />was once a Danish farm but is now a center<br />for artists and performers.You can find paintings,<br />and hand made jewelry here.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />We went to French town with all the many<br />restaurants and bars and watched small<br />fishing boats unload there catch of the day.<br />There are so many activities and places to<br />visit that you never run out of things to do.<br /><br />Time went by rapidly and too soon it was<br />time to leave.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is evening once more on Pine Mountain<br />ranch. We are gathered once more in the<br />family room around a warm fire. I am<br />enjoying fresh chocolate chip cookies with<br />my coffee of the day from<br /></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tonight I am enjoying Caribbean Hazelnut.<br />This American roast coffee is just right for<br />a travel story about St Thomas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Well my coffee and cookies are finished<br />now and it is time for bed. Good night all<br />we will see you in two weeks.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-84374870526553514652010-01-22T13:06:00.000-08:002010-01-22T17:58:26.963-08:00Kenya 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pUa0NXyGI/AAAAAAAAB4w/rCipY6hwmPc/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pUa0NXyGI/AAAAAAAAB4w/rCipY6hwmPc/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429745120416614498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span> </span>
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<br />It is winter on Pine Mountain. the storm last night
<br />dumped nearly a foot of snow so everything is
<br />white and snow covered. It is still windy so our
<br />wind turbines are still turning producing power.
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<br />Our heated greenhouse is still nice and warm. The
<br />fish are swimming in their big pool and the
<br />vegetables are growing.
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGEOFFR%7E1.SMI%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} pre {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><pre><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It’s noontime in Brussels</span>
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pFjU3dGGI/AAAAAAAAB4I/g71OlWjkXnc/s1600-h/brussels.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pFjU3dGGI/AAAAAAAAB4I/g71OlWjkXnc/s320/brussels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429728773947594850" border="0" /></a>
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<br />by emily d stine
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<br />And we’ve paused for a spell
<br />on our scream down from Amsterdam,
<br />to Paris, Tower Eiffel.
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<br />It’s noontime in Brussels, Bruxelles
<br />if you know. And we’re here
<br />for a sandwich, and of course,
<br />a tasty Belgian beer.
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<br />There’s framboise,
<br />abbeys, blondes and browns
<br />and an old girlfriend, Ms. Stella Artois.
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<br />There’s too many choices, we’re
<br />running short of time, Paris is waiting
<br />just shortly down the line.
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<br />So the choice is framboise,sandwich on a lovely
<br />baguette, and we munch, people watching
<br />in Brussel’s stunning Grand Place.<o:p></o:p></span></pre>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGEOFFR%7E1.SMI%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kenya 2008</span></span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >What I had decided is that I wanted to go on a safari.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I hadn’t spent much time in Africa previously, and this</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > is one of the classic things to do. Unlike my buddy
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Rich, I’m not much of a hunter, since huddling in the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >cold or boiling in the heat to wait to shoot something
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I’m not actually angry at has never been my idea of a</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > good time.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Fortunately for me, most safaris these days are photo</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > safaris, where you go and look at animals and what
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >not without actually shooting them unless, of course,
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >they were asking for it. The trick was deciding where</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > I wanted to go and what I wanted to see.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Africa is a huge place, with thousands of cultures,
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >dozens of climates and a pretty much infinite number</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > of places and things to see. So choosing what you
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >want to see and where you want to go is tricky.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I chose Kenya, one of Africa’s most prosperous and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > stable countries. Kenya is in eastern Africa, and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >along with neighboring Tanzania, is one of the biggest</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > tourist destinations in the continent, with safari travel</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > being a large part of it. Considering all that and my
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >relative unfamiliarity with Africa, I figured Kenya was
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >the way to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Kenya is a fairly small country, geographically, but it
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >has a population of close to forty million people, with
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >a stable government and a wealth of cultures. It is
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >home to the Maasai people, whose stately presence</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > is one of the key images of Africa.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pGKHAMx7I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/ACcOIcC0a-o/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Lioness_On_Lookout_4470467.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pGKHAMx7I/AAAAAAAAB4Y/ACcOIcC0a-o/s320/bigstockphoto_Lioness_On_Lookout_4470467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429729440241076146" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I’m an animal kind of guy, so getting to go see new
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >and interesting beasties is one of my great pleasures
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >in life. I’d never seen a lion outside of a zoo, so I
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >decided to take a big cats safari, where I would get</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > to see a bunch of the big cats that inhabit the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >My particular safari had me making my way from the</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > international airport in Nairobi, the country’s capital
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >and largest city, to just outside the Maasai Mara
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >park. I’d have liked to have spent some time rambling</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > around Nairobi, but I was on a fairly tight schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I stayed in a very large tent with some fellow safari
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >goers, which was an interesting but not unpleasant
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >experience, since the tent had a bathroom and was
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >rather nicer than some of the hotels I’ve stayed in. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Everyday we started out with a hearty breakfast
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >before we were lead out into the field to go and find
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >some big cats by our Maasai guide. Our guide was
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >pretty awesome, funny and great at his job.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pFzg5LJwI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/fKojE7B6Gzc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Cheetah_Masai_Mara_Preserve__5293948.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1pFzg5LJwI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/fKojE7B6Gzc/s320/bigstockphoto_Cheetah_Masai_Mara_Preserve__5293948.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429729052053939970" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I’d expected things like lions and cheetahs to be hard</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > to find, but as it happens they were all over the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >place. The big cats are not particularly shy and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >getting to see them in the wild was spectacular.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >And a wee bit scary; I was glad we were in a vehicle.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >I had a great time with my safari, and there are a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >variety you can choose from. You can go see elephants,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > or the home of the Maasai, or the native habitat of the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >gorillas. I know I will definitely be heading back to
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Kenya for more exploring.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >
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<br /></span></p><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGEOFFR%7E1.SMI%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain Evening</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >We have just finished dinner and are gathered in the<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>family room. There is a fire in the fireplace and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Laurel and Grace are watching a movie. I am seated<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>in my easy chair reading my magazine and enjoying <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >a plate of sugar cookies with the coffee flavor of the <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >day. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Tonight my coffee from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">is Dutch Chocolate. This American roast coffee is
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">just right with a plate of fresh roast sugar cookies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sitting by a warm fire drinking this chocolate coffee
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> is peaceful and relaxing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well my coffee and cookies are finished now and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">the movie is over.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >It is time to end another day.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Good night all see you next week.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGEOFFR%7E1.SMI%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span>
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<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-26173686269012857292010-01-15T10:59:00.000-08:002010-01-16T12:45:32.117-08:00Dubai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1FyTaAlGEI/AAAAAAAAB3o/0VJ0O-2gbRE/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1FyTaAlGEI/AAAAAAAAB3o/0VJ0O-2gbRE/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427244703682992194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain News</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><br />It is the middle of January. Winter has taken it's<br />time getting here this year. A series of storms are<br />on the way so winter will soon make an appearance.<br /><br />Here at the ranch we are raising fish and vegetables<br />in the greenhouse. The holidays are over and the<br />decorations are stored away for another year.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span> </span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fydvl0ZRI/AAAAAAAAB3w/hH7s062aj9M/s1600-h/sonoma.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fydvl0ZRI/AAAAAAAAB3w/hH7s062aj9M/s320/sonoma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427244881275020562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><pre style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">It's Always Sunny in Sebastopol</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />Well it's not all the time, but sun<br />shines in my mind, about that day<br />when light splashed out o the clouds<br />and sprinkled itself haphazard, all<br />o'er the ground. We watched it fall as<br />we sat unwinding a lowly white kite,<br />set it off to the sky with all of our might.<br /><br />It flitted softly o'er bo.deg.a bay,<br />& we raised our wine glasses<br />and toasted the day. Later, the kite fell<br />down along with the sky as the light fell<br />away from the iris of its eye.<br /><br />But It's Always Sunny in Sebastopol<br />and it'll stay that way in my mind.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span>Feature Story of the Week</span> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dubai </span><br /><br />by Roxana Arzamazova<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fw6rQPTjI/AAAAAAAAB3I/3ozZ2sgoxHU/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Beach_4450022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fw6rQPTjI/AAAAAAAAB3I/3ozZ2sgoxHU/s320/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Beach_4450022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427243179303718450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I stayed at hotel Al Bustan Residence.<br />The boarding house was near to 2 terminals<br />of the Dubai airport.Private country houses<br />are opposite the hotel. Behind the hotel<br />apartment houses are located.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1FxNgLI2tI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/W9vC22EIkj4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Mall_Shopping_And_Entert_6299461.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1FxNgLI2tI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/W9vC22EIkj4/s320/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Mall_Shopping_And_Entert_6299461.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427243502747048658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />On the hotel ground floor is a shopping<br />center, small restaurants of ethnic cuisine,<br />a grocery store, children playground, cafe,<br />Internet cafe, beauty salons.<br /><br />My room was equiped with a kitchen.<br />The kitchen was equipped completely.<br />The Pool at the hotel was small simply a<br />toy.<br /><br />The restaurant was in a hotel hall near<br />ethnic cuisine restaurants. Every day<br />for a breakfast there was one menu.<br />Fried eggs or an omelette, Fruit: apples,<br />bananas, a water-melon. Four kinds of<br />juice, Etc.<br /><br />Two times I visited small restaurants<br />at the shopping center. Chinese and Indian<br />cuisine. The food was to hot to be pleasant.<br />In the center city, the food is tastier and<br />cheaper. The best food was at a small<br />restaurant called the Golden Fork. In the<br />Golden Fork you will have a fantastic dinner<br />for 20 dinars.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fwna0BtPI/AAAAAAAAB3A/UJn95Qn5iAU/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Beach_1401519.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1Fwna0BtPI/AAAAAAAAB3A/UJn95Qn5iAU/s320/bigstockphoto_Dubai_Beach_1401519.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427242848472904946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Buses depart from the hotel. Since morning I<br />have been in Al Mazar (on a beach). In the<br />period of festival the price for entrance to the<br />beach has risen from 5 dinars to 10 dinars.<br /><br />It is possible to hire a car near the reception<br />in the hotel. -The rent a car tour firms will<br />organize excursions through the country.<br /><br /><br />The city for the period of festival is very<br />beautiful. There is a lot of illumination,<br />in the discount shops, many any actions<br />are rewarded with prizes and gifts. For a<br />week you simply go mad with shops and<br />sales. Every year the Global village is<br />erected. It is a huge village with many<br />traders , tasty meals, attractions.<br />Trade in souvenirs, local aromatic<br />oils. Magnificent smells. A puppet<br />theater from India, huge scenes,<br />deafening music. Many children,<br />balloons.<br /><br />In Shout Park - children's small town.<br />It is a lot of show for children in all the<br />parks of Dubai.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1F3PqX9u4I/AAAAAAAAB34/2ggvBBgoGpY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Pedestrian_Tunnel_4577397.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1F3PqX9u4I/AAAAAAAAB34/2ggvBBgoGpY/s320/bigstockphoto_Pedestrian_Tunnel_4577397.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427250136914705282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />In the area tunnel Shindaha is located the<br />Village of divers. Each festival the<br />thematic actions devoted to the Arabian world<br />are carried out. We floated by the ship.<br />In the evenings over the cities there are very<br />beautiful fireworks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1F3kHH9YWI/AAAAAAAAB4A/bvZE5CsIV_A/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_fireworks_in_dubai_5721639.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S1F3kHH9YWI/AAAAAAAAB4A/bvZE5CsIV_A/s320/bigstockphoto_fireworks_in_dubai_5721639.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427250488229585250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tourists at our hotel went to a bedouin wedding<br />in heritage Village. It was very pleasant.<br /><br />During festival it is favorable to do purchases.<br />In shops there are discounts of 50 %. There are<br />advertising actions with gifts. I have bought<br />perfume for myself and for friends and have<br />received many gifts. Many buy gold and fur coats.<br /><br />I liked the Latin American club in hotel Kapitol. It<br />was a very good group, the people<br />danced salsa, meringues and so forth.<br /><br />I advise you to go to the small restaurant Seville<br />in Pyramids.<br /><br />In the club you need to dress for the occasion.<br />Men must wear dress shoes no thongs or sandals.<br />Everyone must be 21 or older.<br /><br />Dubai is a nice place to visit.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /><br /></span>It is evening once more at Pine Mountain<br />Ranch.We are gathered in the family room<br />after dinner. There is a warm fire in the<br />fireplace.Laurel and Grace are watching a<br />movie and i am reading my Discover<br />magazine.<br /><br />Tonight's after dinner coffee is<br />Irish Cream From <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>.<br />This American roast coffee will give you the<br />luck of the Irish. It is also great with a fresh<br />plate of chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br />Well the movie is over and my coffee and<br />cookies are finished. It is time for sleep.<br />Good night everyone see you next week.<br /><br /><br /><br /></pre><br /><br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-32177051335959768632010-01-08T17:26:00.000-08:002010-01-10T07:33:11.966-08:00The Florida Keys<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hJV5tGgtI/AAAAAAAAB24/lxTPrMOtK8s/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hJV5tGgtI/AAAAAAAAB24/lxTPrMOtK8s/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424666391783834322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span> </span><br />We are into the first week of January already.<br />We had a couple small snowstorms in December<br />but the snow only lasted a few days. Now it is<br />January and winter seems to be taking a break.<br /><br />We have the usual farm chores and this year we<br />have catfish in the greenhouse as well as fresh<br />vegetables.<br /><br />We have a few small furniture orders mostly<br />tables, chairs, and bookcases that keeps the<br />wood shop busy.<br /><br />This mountain is a windy place but our wind<br />turbines turn the wind into electricity.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span> </span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hJCVg-zSI/AAAAAAAAB2w/OyWjGYmYBO4/s1600-h/n10202876_41967873_117897.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hJCVg-zSI/AAAAAAAAB2w/OyWjGYmYBO4/s320/n10202876_41967873_117897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424666055651806498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><pre><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cap Hill Cool</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />It’s the beat.neck neighborhood that<br />grooves<br />above the cap.it.oll in the shadow<br />of the purple<br />mountain majesty. Backboned by<br />tarnished Colfax Ave<br />America‘s longest street, where<br />good time’s always had.<br /><br />The ghosts of Kerouac and Ginsberg<br />streaking<br />through the streets like demons in the<br />night, whispering<br />poetry and bebop, words glittering in<br />the light.<br />Flash forward sixty, the place feels<br />the same.<br /><br />Reeking of hippies and hipsters, the<br />dive bars<br />and the fast cars zooming east, forever<br />east<br />until they chance upon some spot, hang<br />their<br />boots for a walking few. It’s the<br />conversation that<br />surrounds the scenester bars, the<br />tattooed arms,<br />the snow on your boots as you arriving<br />on the scene,<br />& it’s the enigma in that cap hill cool<br />feeling.<br /><br />Feature Story of the Week<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Florida Keys</span><br /><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hI542LO1I/AAAAAAAAB2o/VlNh3TX_Tw4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Sevenmile_Bridge_in_Florida_Ke_6607926.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 152px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hI542LO1I/AAAAAAAAB2o/VlNh3TX_Tw4/s320/bigstockphoto_Sevenmile_Bridge_in_Florida_Ke_6607926.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424665910517119826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br />Just south of Miami a chain of islands called the<br />Florida Keys begins. The islands stretch in a<br />southwestern arc all the way to Key West 127<br />miles later.The islands separate the Atlantic<br />from the Gulf of Mexico. The main islands are<br />connected by by US highway 1.<br /><br />The keys were formed as part of a coral reef<br />about 130,000 years ago when a warming trend<br />after an ice age made the sea level rise about 25<br />feet higher than it is today.<br /><br />Approximately 1/3 of the population of the keys<br />lives in Key West, which is 94 miles from Cuba.<br />Altogether there are over 1700 islands in the keys<br />although most of them especially the section called<br />the Dry Tortugas are uninhabited.<br /><br />The original inhabitants were Tequesta and Calusa<br />Indians. The first European to find the keys was<br />Ponce De Leon on his search for the fountain of youth.<br /><br />Until 1910 the Keys were only accessible by water. In<br />1910 Henry Flagler built a railroad that went all the way<br />to Key West.<br /><br />The railroad lasted until 1935 when a category 5 hurricane<br />with winds over 200 mph took out some of the train trestles.<br />U S highway 1 was being constructed at the time and<br />between 400 and 600 people died most of them in<br />construction camps.<br /><br />The railroad was never rebuilt and the U S 1 highway<br />replaced it. It has one of the longest bridges in the world.<br />This bridge is just under 7 miles in length.<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hIGnbIGoI/AAAAAAAAB2g/9HFSNQtk9GY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Islamorada_Beach_Florida_Keys_6594387.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/S0hIGnbIGoI/AAAAAAAAB2g/9HFSNQtk9GY/s320/bigstockphoto_Islamorada_Beach_Florida_Keys_6594387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424665029666937474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br />Each of the major islands in the chain have a different<br />charm. There is even a shark research center.<br /><br />In the 1980's drug smuggling increased and the U S border<br />patrol set up a checkpoint on the northbound side. Tourism<br />decreased and the mayor of Key West finally decided to<br />succeed from the U S as a publicity stunt. After a minute of<br />succession calling themselves the Conch Republic and asking<br />for one billion in foreign aid, the mayor surrendered to the navy.<br />The stunt worked and the checkpoint was removed.<br /><br />When you travel to the keys life moves at a slower pace than<br />back in the big city like Miami. The tropical climate makes the<br />keys a nice place to live except for hurricane danger.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain Evening</span><br /></pre><pre><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >It is evening once more at Pine Mountain ranch<br />we just finished dinner of mashed potatoes,<br />gravy and a pot roast. A fresh garden salad<br />made from lettuce,tomatoes, and peppers,<br />from the greenhouse.<br />Desert was fresh baked apple pie.<br /><br />Now we are gathered in the family room by a<br />warm fire in the fireplace. Laurel and Grace<br />are watching a movie and I am seated in my<br />favorite easy chair by the fire reading my<br />discover magazine and enjoying the coffee<br />flavor of the day from<br /><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. tonight my coffee<br />flavor is Chocolate Mint. This American roast<br />coffee has the cheery taste of chocolate<br />and mint intertwined. It is just the right<br />after dinner coffee to snuggle up by the<br />fire on a cold winter evening.<br /><br />Well my coffee and the movie are finished now<br />and it is time for bed. Everyone have a good<br />evening and we will see you next week with a<br />new adventure.</span><br /></pre>resources<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Keys<br /><br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-29187005018655213702010-01-01T17:05:00.000-08:002010-01-01T20:12:57.571-08:00Australia – Outback Kununurra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz69bjsV4sI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/1jI1Fd0V4o8/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz69bjsV4sI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/1jI1Fd0V4o8/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421979282535998146" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain News</span> <div style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;">
<br />2009 is behind us and 2010 begins.It is
<br />not just a new year but the start of a
<br />new decade.
<br />
<br />Here at the ranch we have gone from
<br />traditional gardening to aquaponics and
<br />now have fish as well as vegetables in
<br />our greenhouse.
<br />
<br />This year many people saw a decline
<br />in their net worth as the housing bubble
<br />collapsed and prices fell.
<br />
<br />It was the year of the bailouts as all the
<br />big companies and banks found what they
<br />thought were assets turned out to be
<br />complicated worthless junk. The government
<br />kept all of them from going bankrupt.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span>
<br />
<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz67yg2rALI/AAAAAAAAB1o/XG3r0_EkBxA/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Midnight_243998.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz67yg2rALI/AAAAAAAAB1o/XG3r0_EkBxA/s320/bigstockphoto_Midnight_243998.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421977477887754418" border="0" /></a>
<br /><pre style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">“Old long since” by emily d stine</span>
<br />
<br />
<br />It’s the drop of a ball or ten thousand
<br />balloons
<br />that fell from the ballroom and land at
<br />your shoes.
<br />
<br />It's the air, bubbles in your champagne,
<br />as they fizz and they pop, go right to
<br />your brain.
<br />
<br />It's the "old long since," that song that
<br />you sing
<br />when the p becomes an a and dances with
<br />the m.
<br />
<br />The words are a blur but the melody rings,
<br />something you remember, a black & white
<br />scene.
<br />
<br />The end of a decade, the start of a year,
<br />a time to finally make resolutions clear.
<br />
<br />A time to celebrate, find someone to kiss,
<br />and remember tomorrow with champagne
<br />regrets.
<br />
<br />It's the "old long since," that song that
<br />you sing,
<br />close your eyes, and wish for what the future
<br />will bring.
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz69E2X3pXI/AAAAAAAAB2I/kd6MzXt3yCY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Australian_Grey_Kangaroo_5148987.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz69E2X3pXI/AAAAAAAAB2I/kd6MzXt3yCY/s320/bigstockphoto_Australian_Grey_Kangaroo_5148987.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421978892413412722" border="0" /></a>
<br />
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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region style="font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-weight: bold;"> – Outback Kununurra</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">by Jordan Williams</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">The Outback is not, in fact, just a chain
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of steakhouses; it’s also something that
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> Dundee talked about, which is more than
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">enough of a recommendation for me.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Seriously, though, the Outback is a great</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> destination for travelers and although I’d
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">been to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> before, I’d never spent
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">much time there.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz67l3YUcmI/AAAAAAAAB1g/Nmw-UUB1C08/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Road_Train_Makes_Dust_Cloud_1165333.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz67l3YUcmI/AAAAAAAAB1g/Nmw-UUB1C08/s320/bigstockphoto_Road_Train_Makes_Dust_Cloud_1165333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421977260596163170" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Now, first off, you should understand that
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">the Outback is big. Really, really big. <st1:country-region st="on">
<br /></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> has close to the same amount of</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> landmass as the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, with about
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">a fifteenth or so of the population. That
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">population is largely concentrated in a
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">handful of cities in the coastal area, with
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">vast stretches of the country mostly empty.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">What that means is that talking about the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Outback is a lot like talking about the <st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on">Midwest</st1:place>; it’s not specific enough to mean
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">anything. So I needed to choose a specific
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">area of the Outback, so I went with
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Kununurra.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz68Gv5lQgI/AAAAAAAAB1w/ZkJvl5b9CZE/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Kakaduminefromair_1896890.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz68Gv5lQgI/AAAAAAAAB1w/ZkJvl5b9CZE/s320/bigstockphoto_Kakaduminefromair_1896890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421977825523876354" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Kununurra is the largest town in
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">northwestern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Largest town
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">doesn’t quite mean the same thing in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> as it does elsewhere, so</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> Kununurra only had about four thousand
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">people living there. What made it</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> appealing was the access to the Outback</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> and the overall remoteness of it, thousands</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> of miles from the major cities. If you’re
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">going for an authentic Outback experience,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">this is the place to start.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz7CISyLffI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/jPfvZ9NPV4I/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_small_aricraft_on_savanna_land_5713978.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz7CISyLffI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/jPfvZ9NPV4I/s320/bigstockphoto_small_aricraft_on_savanna_land_5713978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421984449137704434" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">One thing to keep in mind is that this is
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">not a vacation for people who are afraid
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of flying. You have to fly into <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of course, but you do that in the comfort</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> of a very large jet. Getting to Kununurra,</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> on the other hand, requires the use of
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">smaller bush planes, unless you fancy
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">spending days driving over barely paved</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> roads.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">I consider this a feature rather than a
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">drawback. <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> is home to some
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of the most beautiful landscapes in the</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> world, and flying over them especially
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">with a pilot who can point out the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">features, is an essential part of the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">experience to my mind.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Kununurra is itself quite small, no
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">surprise, but it’s got ample places
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">to stay. Once I’d settled in and eaten,</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> I was able to take in a rodeo, which
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">was fun, especially when done in the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">typically over the top Australian style.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz68yhQboTI/AAAAAAAAB2A/9m6AxuBm6QQ/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Australian_Water_Hole_1226231.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sz68yhQboTI/AAAAAAAAB2A/9m6AxuBm6QQ/s320/bigstockphoto_Australian_Water_Hole_1226231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421978577507426610" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">The town is right up against half a
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">dozen parks, all of which have great
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">hiking and spectacular views. My
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">favorite was probably the Parry</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> Lagoons, where birds and other wildlife</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> from around the world come to play.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">If you like the water, it’s well worth
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">the seeing.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">I also recommend taking a day trip
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">(again, by plane) out the Argyle diamond</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> mines, where rare pink diamonds are
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">mined. It’s an amazing experience,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">to see what’s involved in harvesting
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">these tiny and valuable stones.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">It is evening once more and a new year has
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">dawned. We are all gathered in the family
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">room after a traditional New Year's dinner of
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Sauerkraut mashed potatoes and pork roast.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Tonight my sample coffee of the evening is</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> Australian from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">This American roast coffee is a flavorful mix
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">that comes on strong disappears for an instant
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">then boomerangs back for a fine finish.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Well my coffee is finished now and it is time to
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">bring this day to a close. good night everyone
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">see you next week.
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<br /></p> googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-71561783128443270642009-12-25T12:16:00.000-08:002009-12-25T23:22:19.804-08:00Lapland or Finland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVs375iziI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/DsRpwq6jdWo/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVs375iziI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/DsRpwq6jdWo/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419357434837913122" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />It is Christmas at Pine Mountain Ranch. Jeff and Squeekers have joined us to make this a memorable and joyous occasion. We had a large breakfast and have just finished lunch.The presents have all been opened and Laurel and Grace are trying to get Squeekers to spell his name with scrabble tiles. Squeekers is being his usual obstinate self. It is hilarious to watch them.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzWvgVGYbnI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hsMgSlbF71g/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Evening_In_The_Mountains_4250208.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzWvgVGYbnI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hsMgSlbF71g/s320/bigstockphoto_Evening_In_The_Mountains_4250208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419430696564846194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winter</span><br /><br />The ground is whitened with snow<br />It means there is no more grass to mow<br /><br />Cold and piercing are the stars at night<br />Fading from sight in the full moonlight<br /><br />From the fireplace comes warm waves of heat<br />Washing over the man on his seat<br /><br />Through the air flies the owl<br />Off in the distance the coyotes howl<br /><br />Underfoot the snow crystals crunch<br />While on a cookie the man does munch<br /><br />Across the heavens a meteor does streak<br />And a wish to be granted a woman does seek<br /><br />The snowflakes on the winds twirl<br />Around the corner of the house they do swirl<br /><br />Darkness comes early it seems<br />Off to sleep go the people to their dreams<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weekly Travel Adventure</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lapland or Finland</span><br /></span><pre style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />by Roxana Arzamazova<br /><br />Lapland met us snow-covered, with a light fros</span><span><span style="font-size:100%;">t.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">The<br />comfortable bus brought us quickly from the airport<br />to hotel in about 20 minutes. We received our room<br />keys,unloaded our luggage and proceeded to a dinner<br />at restaurant " Mango" . The dinner before us was not<br />included in the vacation package and cost on the<br />average of 35-40 euros for two. The menu was not too<br />extensive, but it was tasty. I heartily recommend a<br />fried venison in port wine sauce. I also recommend<br />the salmon soup.<br /><br />Next morning we had breakfast buffet (included in<br />the vacation package)fritters, rolls, sausages,<br />ham, very tasty house cottage cheese, and local<br />dishes of type of baked puddings not giving in<br />to the name, omelets, boiled eggs, fruit salads,<br />yogurts, kefir, milk, juice, cocoa, coffee, tea,<br />and for certain something I have forgotten still.<br />All of it was very tasty and fresh.Having<br />properly filled our stomachs, we rested to<br />digest our food then decided it was time to visit<br />the local tropical aqua park.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVqBISFhBI/AAAAAAAAB1I/DtS_8h3qInU/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Pond_Bridge_6240170.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVqBISFhBI/AAAAAAAAB1I/DtS_8h3qInU/s200/bigstockphoto_Pond_Bridge_6240170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419354294246016018" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />The way to the aqua park lay through the general<br />locker room. In the locker room area per besides<br />the shower there was a Finnish sauna, and a<br />Turkish steam bath.The aqua park had various pools<br />connected by beautiful bridges and transitions,falls,<br />a jacuzzi,and the stream had a current like a river.<br />There was a 30-40 meter hill, a bar at the water,<br />and a children's splash pool.Palm trees and other<br />trees created the effect of tropics.The water was<br />beautifully highlighted from below,and the temperature<br />in the aquapark was really warm (25-30 degrees centigade).<br /><br />We visited this summer place every day , our spirits<br />soared in the saunas, and in the jacuzzi.We sunbathed<br />on the aqua park beach. It was very pleasant to us.<br />When you transition from winter to summer at the aqua<br />park, after you come from skiing or cross mountain skiing,<br />it is really great!<br /><br />In the evening of the second day (and evening in the<br />conditions of polar night is at 3 PM)<br />, we decided to examine the small town of Kuusamo.<br />Even Santa was there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViWJO5NrI/AAAAAAAAB04/BsAnsNR_au8/s1600-h/finland03701.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViWJO5NrI/AAAAAAAAB04/BsAnsNR_au8/s200/finland03701.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419345859185292978" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We arrived at Kuusamo, Finland. The main<br />street was elegantly decorated with firs and<br />garlands, it made lovely impression, with one<br />and two storied houses on either side of the<br />street.<br />There were a lot of little shops, souvenir<br />benches, markets, small restaurants, all clean<br />and sparkling. Local residents ride bicycles<br />on the streets even in winter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVig-VPoTI/AAAAAAAAB1A/wL2rKVR8NfA/s1600-h/finland03702.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 102px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzVig-VPoTI/AAAAAAAAB1A/wL2rKVR8NfA/s200/finland03702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419346045237698866" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />We also saw fantastically beautiful sleighs<br />going through the snow. In an hour of walking<br />we have seen all of the small town and have<br />bought some souvenirs at a bench kiosk. We<br />then proceeded in the opposite direction to<br />the road service station and from there in<br />15 minutes to Ski base A and from<br />there to the hotel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViPmU-VoI/AAAAAAAAB0w/lfi46Pr30wc/s1600-h/finland00201.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViPmU-VoI/AAAAAAAAB0w/lfi46Pr30wc/s200/finland00201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419345746736338562" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Around our hotel there was a remarkable pine<br />wood and nearby a frozen lake. We could not<br />pass by it without enjoying the beauty. On<br />day 3 we have devoted ourselves to studying the<br />vicinities. We began by crossing the lake and<br />climbing up on a porch of a private small summer<br />house. We were photographed against a garland<br />by a small lamp placed next to a deer statue.<br />Very beautiful. We then passed to shined ski<br />lines and walked on them for an order of 5<br />kilometers, admiring the beauty of the snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViJnnXjJI/AAAAAAAAB0o/tf_p41MS4i8/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Reindeer_Transport_2779348.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViJnnXjJI/AAAAAAAAB0o/tf_p41MS4i8/s200/bigstockphoto_Reindeer_Transport_2779348.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419345644002708626" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />On the fourth day of our stay we could not<br />avoid visiting a place called "The Hand"<br />that is 20 km from Kuusamo. The Hand is a<br />well-known Finnish mounting skiing resort<br />in which draws skiers and snowboarders not<br />only from southern areas of Finland, but<br />also from Europe, Russia, and the Ukraine.<br />The same Ski bus delivered us for 5 euros<br />per person for 20 minutes directly to the<br />slopes. The road goes to picturesque places,<br />to the left and on the right is a line of<br />fine wood. When we came closer to the slopes<br />there rising over us were majestic mountains<br />covered with pine trees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViCQ6BY8I/AAAAAAAAB0g/9aNN4LqKkjc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Highlighted_Wooden_House_3521827.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SzViCQ6BY8I/AAAAAAAAB0g/9aNN4LqKkjc/s200/bigstockphoto_Highlighted_Wooden_House_3521827.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419345517647848386" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />It was a very remarkable week.</span></pre><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Christmas is drawing to a close. We<br />have just finished a dinner of prime<br />rib and mashed potatoes with a fresh<br />vegetable salad and apple pie for desert.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >We are now gathered in the family room<br />and are playing an interactive game about<br />a caveman and what he has to do to survive.<br />It is interesting you have to survive the<br />sabre tooth tiger attack and find a cave to<br />get out of the storm and make a fire and<br />so on.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >I am now relaxing in my easy chair<br />while my fine dinner digests. I am trying<br />the sample coffee of the week from<br /><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. Tonight my<br />sample coffee is</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Chocolate Mint. This<br />American roast coffee tastes like coffee,<br />chocolate, and mint all rolled into one.<br />It goes great with some after dinner<br />sugar cookies.<br /><br />Well my coffee is done now and it is<br />getting late. Christmas is over for another<br />year. Join us next week as we welcome<br />the New Year. Good night all.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-40908758499097861952009-12-18T16:19:00.000-08:002009-12-20T15:58:50.196-08:00St Augustine Florida<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyydrajQ1JI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/5BNNTUVzQ7k/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyydrajQ1JI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/5BNNTUVzQ7k/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416877821007025298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">December is half over</span> and with it 2009 is fast drawing to a close. Here at the ranch things are on a normal schedule for this time of year. The Christmas lights are up and we have had a couple of small snows.<br />The vegetables are doing well in the greenhouse and the wind and water turbines and solar panels are performing well.<br /><br />The wood shop is busy again after a slow year and the people and animals are well fed. What more could anyone want.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the week</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyapoIba9I/AAAAAAAAB0I/3J4oPYFXI4k/s1600-h/oregon1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyapoIba9I/AAAAAAAAB0I/3J4oPYFXI4k/s320/oregon1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416874491757947858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><pre><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Wine.taste in McMinnville</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">by emily d stine</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The cool Pacific air ruffles through my hair</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">as we race out of Portland & into Oregon wine</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">country. Windows cracked and music blaring,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">the little black Audi climbs through bridges and</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">interstate exchanges & shuffles out of the mini.city.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The landscape grows quiet, dead as we drive,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">gnarled knots in thin trees sprouting from the sides.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Onward to McMinnville, enter vineyard at the back.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Tour underside of a wine glass, fermenting wine vats.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Forward to the front, after the wine work is done,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and into the tasting room, where all the tourists run.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Step outside, alongside an oaky-tasting Chardonnay,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">& I’m delightfully disheveled in the setting sun’s rays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">One more sip, the flavors swirling inside my mouth,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and I swirl myself inside, set my glass by the fire for warmth.</span><br /><br /></pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Travel Story of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">St Augustine Florida</span><br /><br />After roaming around Mexico for about a week we decided to head east once more.We kept going until we reached Florida. Our first stop was the town of Milton we bought gas then went to Santa Rosa island on the Gulf of Mexico.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyYW2ZdEWI/AAAAAAAAB0A/4jskx9YcN-I/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_SHRIMPBOAT_779692.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyYW2ZdEWI/AAAAAAAAB0A/4jskx9YcN-I/s320/bigstockphoto_SHRIMPBOAT_779692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416871970146685282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We saw a couple of shrimp boats heading out. We spent a couple hours on Santa Rosa then we were back on the road. We kept going until we reached the Atlantic ocean.<br /><br />One of the first things you notice about Florida is the interstate is a lighter shade of gray. This is from the crushed shell in the concrete. We checked out the beach and the Atlantic ocean then headed south on I - 95 and stopped at St Augustine.<br /><br />St Augustine was founded in 1565 and is the oldest seaport in the continental United States. Originally founded by the Spanish, St Augustine became a British possession along with the rest of Florida in 1763. In 1821 Florida became part of the United States. Florida became a state in 1845.<br />One of the cities famous landmarks is the fortress Castillo de San Marcos and it is now a national monument run by the park service.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyXpTn3SXI/AAAAAAAABzw/ifdFG5J9RWc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Castillo_De_San_Marcos__2877863.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyXpTn3SXI/AAAAAAAABzw/ifdFG5J9RWc/s320/bigstockphoto_Castillo_De_San_Marcos__2877863.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416871187717769586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Other old landmarks include the Ponce de Leone Hotel,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyYGPFyhpI/AAAAAAAABz4/P9AIshlzgp4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Saint_Augustine_Lighthouse_5130694.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyyYGPFyhpI/AAAAAAAABz4/P9AIshlzgp4/s320/bigstockphoto_Saint_Augustine_Lighthouse_5130694.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416871684717315730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the Saint Augustine lighthouse, and parts of Flagler college. The city celebrated it's 400th birthday in 1965. The city was a leader in the civil rights movement of the 1960's.<br /><br />St Augustine is served by one major highway I - 95 and has an airport with 5 runways. The airport became a private airport in 2008 when Skybus ceased operations.<br /><br />Visiting the historical section of St Augustine is like a journey back in time to colonial America. the Spanish architecture gives it an old world European feel.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br />It is evening once more at the Pine Mountain ranch. Dinner is over and we are relaxing in the family room by a warm fire. Laurel and Grace are playing scrabble and I am reading my Discover magazine. Tonight I am enjoying Irish Cream from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. This American roast coffee with the Irish Cream taste goes well with the chocolate cream pie that we had for desert.<br />Grace won the scrabble game once more and now my coffee and pie are finished. It is time for bed. See you all next week.<br /><br /><br />resources<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Augustine,_Florida<br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-21160233143934814572009-12-11T12:28:00.000-08:002009-12-11T22:21:42.817-08:00Cape Town, South Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMkWrvSjOI/AAAAAAAABzg/jJHDw_UyS3k/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMkWrvSjOI/AAAAAAAABzg/jJHDw_UyS3k/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414211149146262754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />This week winter showed up as evidenced by<br />the nearly 5 inches of snow on the ground.<br />More storms are on the way so that<br />accumulation could easily double in the net<br />few days.<br />The Christmas lights are up and their<br />multicolored glow is reflected by the white snow.<br /><br />This week winter began and I spent time in the<br />greenhouse checking on the fish and vegetables.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyM0RK2xZkI/AAAAAAAABzo/2-nOHnLOTTY/s1600-h/oregon.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyM0RK2xZkI/AAAAAAAABzo/2-nOHnLOTTY/s320/oregon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414228646605973058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><pre><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Sauntering around Trappist Abbey</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">by emily d stine</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Slamming the car door, I submerge my senses</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">to chill of December, exhaling clouds of white.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We wander up to Abbey Way, quaint crosses</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">affix off-white walls. Indiscriminate we pick</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">a trail, assuming they all lead back to base.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Frost outlines the brush beneath us, I’m reminded</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">wistfully of snow. But it never snows in Oregon</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">and to the hike back my mind goes. We stumble</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">upon Our Lady of Guadalupe, a quiet shrine</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">where coins, flowers, trinkets are left</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">in homage to the lady divine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We keep climbing, and the hills bend into a meadow.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Trees covered in caterpillar green overwhelm the</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">silent beauty of the scene. We pause to breathe</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">one moment,perhaps two, and saunter back down to</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">a little pond, and watch the birds bathe in the</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">frosty blue.</span><br /><br /></pre><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span> </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cape Town South Africa</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMW5ypKH1I/AAAAAAAABy4/GQUQgTJ4PZM/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Cape_Town_Table_Mountain_5234908.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMW5ypKH1I/AAAAAAAABy4/GQUQgTJ4PZM/s320/bigstockphoto_Cape_Town_Table_Mountain_5234908.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414196359132225362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />by Jordan Williams<br /><br />I have to admit, I’ve long been reluctant to travel<br />to Africa, which was a silly kind of phobia for me.<br />But I grew up when all you saw of Africa on the<br />television was starving children in ads for UNICEF<br />, and that combined with a general paranoia about<br />diseases like Ebola had more or less kept me off the<br />continent, except for a trip into Egypt to see the<br />pyramids.<br /><br />So I decided to go to Cape Town, South Africa,<br />which is in fact the most popular tourist<br />destination in Africa. So I figure that millions<br />of tourists can’t be wrong, and I scheduled my<br />trip. Cape Town is the largest city in South Africa<br />and one of the largest on the continent.<br /><br />They also speak English, which my monolingual<br />self considers to be a major benefit. I didn’t have<br />any real plans when I touched down, planning to<br />interrogate the first local I could find who didn’t<br />run away fast enough. But first, I spent some<br />time just wandering around the city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMkF8CPqII/AAAAAAAABzY/nIUze0GI-FY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Cape_Dutch_Style_House_In_Wine_6098863.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMkF8CPqII/AAAAAAAABzY/nIUze0GI-FY/s320/bigstockphoto_Cape_Dutch_Style_House_In_Wine_6098863.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414210861462956162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It was a good time, as there is unsurprisingly<br />quite a lot to see in Cape Town. For one<br />thing, there’s quite a lot of interesting<br />architecture. There’s quite a lot in the Cape<br />Dutch style, which is drawn from the old<br />architectural styles of the Netherlands,<br />Germany and France.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMefqnG7BI/AAAAAAAABzQ/JhIiIpkhbs0/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Table_Mountain_Cape_Town_3639228.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMefqnG7BI/AAAAAAAABzQ/JhIiIpkhbs0/s320/bigstockphoto_Table_Mountain_Cape_Town_3639228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414204706392566802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Cape Town also has the advantage of being<br />placed on a peninsula, allowing it to have<br />close access to a number of beaches with<br />a variety of different environments. I am<br />a fairly big fan of beaches, so I was<br />enjoying it. I also enjoyed the sharks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMbfEu3UtI/AAAAAAAABzI/Mc05pke9vjY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Scuba_Divers_1271068.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMbfEu3UtI/AAAAAAAABzI/Mc05pke9vjY/s320/bigstockphoto_Scuba_Divers_1271068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414201397689668306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, yes, sharks. Now, these were nowhere<br />near the beach, so don’t get worried. But<br />one of the things that you can do in Cape<br />Town is go down in a shark cage and get<br />up close and personal with sharks. Now,<br />I love both Scuba and sharks, so this was<br />a blast for me. I was actually able to<br />reach out and touch one, which was pretty<br />awesome.<br /><br />There’s also sand boarding, where you ride<br />a board down sand dunes like you would a<br />surfboard. I’m not much of a surfer, but I<br />did manage to stand up the whole way<br />down the dunes, which was fun. There’s<br />also, apparently, ostrich riding, but<br />considering my size, I decided to take it<br />easy on the birds.<br /><br />There’s also a lot of natural splendor to<br />take in, as the Table Mountain National<br />Park is nearby. This includes the flat<br />topped Table Mountain, which allows<br />you to get some great hiking and<br />mountain climbing in, if that’s your<br />kind of thing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMXWo-INLI/AAAAAAAABzA/8jL47qlDXrI/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Baboon_In_Bushes_1934656.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SyMXWo-INLI/AAAAAAAABzA/8jL47qlDXrI/s320/bigstockphoto_Baboon_In_Bushes_1934656.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414196854752031922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />One thing that I enjoyed at the park was<br />the baboons, which were plentiful in the<br />southern part of the park. These are<br />fun to look at, and I got some great<br />pictures, but you need to avoid feeding<br />them (and they will try for it) because it<br />makes them too familiar with humans,<br />which is dangerous for everyone.<br /><br />I had a great time in Cape Town, and it’s<br />got me excited for more travels on the<br />continent. If you’re looking for somewhere<br />to travel for the whole family, I don’t think<br />you could wrong with a trip to Cape Town.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span> </span><br /><br />It is another evening at Pine Mountain ranch.<br />We have finished dinner and are relaxing in<br />the family room by a warm fire in the fireplace.<br />Laurel and Grace are watching a movie and I<br />reclining in my easy chair by the warm fire<br />reading my Discover magazine.<br /><br />Tonight I am enjoying a plate of chocolate chip<br />cookies and my coffee flavor of the week<br />African Safari from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a><br />This American roast coffee is a blend of 4 of Africa's<br />finest coffees.Tanzanian Peaberry, Kenya AA,<br />Ethiopian, and Zambian Terranova.<br /><br />Well my coffee and my cookies are finished now<br />and the movie is over so it is time for bed. Good<br />night all see you next week.<br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-49800670014661181692009-12-03T20:23:00.000-08:002009-12-04T23:09:45.075-08:00Milan Italy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxoGCDDY8UI/AAAAAAAAByw/NxAHD5-9HnU/s1600-h/DSCN1881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxoGCDDY8UI/AAAAAAAAByw/NxAHD5-9HnU/s200/DSCN1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411644534488101186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />This week has been a typical first week<br />of December. The temperatures growing<br />slowly colder as the last weeks of fall<br />unwind and winter begins.<br /><br />Christmas is approaching and people are<br />spending just a little more than they did at<br />the first of the year. This week I built a few<br />more pieces of furniture and harvested<br />more vegetables from our aquaponic<br />greenhouse garden.<br /><br />We had our first snow of the season which<br />stayed about a day before it melted.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moving Away</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxoCfzIZKzI/AAAAAAAAByo/8PnG3u2ujIc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Boxes_2703899.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxoCfzIZKzI/AAAAAAAAByo/8PnG3u2ujIc/s320/bigstockphoto_Boxes_2703899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411640647563684658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fold clothes, place neatly in basics<br />eliminating the unnecessary<br /><br />Oneself leaves with so much more<br />than oneself brought, leaving me<br />contemplating <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1259961440_1">conservation of energy</span><br /><br />Accumulate memories only to throw 'em away,<br />a faded laugh to the recycle bin, and others<br />flung to trash, a banana peel half.thought.<br /><br />Pictures of good times paused<br />stripped from the wall, freeze-framed smiles<br />stuffed into envelopes and pressed into albums.<br /><br />Strip the color, de.cheer the room,<br />destination storage room. Color loses<br />vividity in cramped amnesia spaces.<br /><br />In the end, it seems, I'm packing myself<br />in boxes-- labeling them <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1259961440_2">Air Express</span> to <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1259961440_3">China</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><pre style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milan, Italy<br /><br /></span>by Roxana Arzamazova<br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn6QUNrlMI/AAAAAAAAByA/5t7WIrHTRyI/s1600-h/SL700117.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn6QUNrlMI/AAAAAAAAByA/5t7WIrHTRyI/s320/SL700117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411631585473303746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So, Milan. Just the name justifies a rank of<br />capital of the world industry of fashion and design.<br />An acknowledgment of that fact can be seen<br />by the main historical area of Duo-mo. One of the<br />largest trading complexes of the city is located there.<br />The central and side streets are lined with fashionable<br />shops and boutiques.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn7Lw-JpvI/AAAAAAAAByY/-DY9e01eUGw/s1600-h/SL700249.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn7Lw-JpvI/AAAAAAAAByY/-DY9e01eUGw/s320/SL700249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411632606805075698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br />Absolutely Milan looks different at night. Milan rules<br />above all the major cities of Europe in illumination. All<br />the buildings and statues and artwork take on an air<br />of well lit cultural sophistication.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn5F2VgWyI/AAAAAAAABxo/4KMXlJwzaPw/s1600-h/SL700054.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn5F2VgWyI/AAAAAAAABxo/4KMXlJwzaPw/s320/SL700054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411630306142739234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br />The well lit theatre of La Scala is known in all the<br />world.The building is typical enough for the city<br />center but it draws attention to inspired greatness<br />at night.To pass by it without a visit is impossible.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn5nNNoQ4I/AAAAAAAABxw/hBPa-gwVQlE/s1600-h/SL700090.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn5nNNoQ4I/AAAAAAAABxw/hBPa-gwVQlE/s320/SL700090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411630879219401602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn40xm8zpI/AAAAAAAABxg/I-aURGKAU4E/s1600-h/SL700052.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn40xm8zpI/AAAAAAAABxg/I-aURGKAU4E/s320/SL700052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411630012815953554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn56XnpU5I/AAAAAAAABx4/-5Zdk2z-1fU/s1600-h/SL700111.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn56XnpU5I/AAAAAAAABx4/-5Zdk2z-1fU/s320/SL700111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411631208430392210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn67LEtPvI/AAAAAAAAByQ/RJapYEqSxuE/s1600-h/SL700124.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn67LEtPvI/AAAAAAAAByQ/RJapYEqSxuE/s320/SL700124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411632321754119922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br />A separate mention is deserved by a complex<br />of sports buildings that is one of the oldest stadiums<br />of the country.<br />- San Siro looks like and reminds you of a huge<br />intergalactic ship which has landed on deserted<br />suburb of a megacity. To admit, at some<br />instant this large object starts to impress in the<br />grandiose sizes, especially against ascetic<br />constructions surrounding it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn7dIOVmlI/AAAAAAAAByg/3eELumZM9lk/s1600-h/SL700250.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn7dIOVmlI/AAAAAAAAByg/3eELumZM9lk/s320/SL700250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411632905104759378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br />One more curious moment.The activity of club<br />shop of soccer teams "Milan" and "Inter" located<br />in one corner directly inside the Dignity of Siro. To<br />begin with I will notice that the schedule of its<br />work hardly corresponds with interests of the fans.<br />During the day it has opened the doors only at 1600.<br />Even more surprising the total absence in presented<br />production looks. Actually, it offers to the<br />buyer about 30 names of goods of each of the teams.<br />That it is obvious not enough for<br />so eminent of clubs.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn6lsGuPSI/AAAAAAAAByI/5iqtouswKkE/s1600-h/SL700121.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sxn6lsGuPSI/AAAAAAAAByI/5iqtouswKkE/s320/SL700121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411631952663821602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br />Coming back to a theme which in a<br />greater degree interests potential tourists<br />and people who plan to visit the capital of<br />Northern Italy, I will tell you in a stream of<br />words about the food and travel about the<br />city.<br /><br />In Milan you can find just about any food<br />or item you are seeking. Transportation is<br />furnished by trams and underground subways.<br /><br />In the conclusion I wish to warn visitors<br />not to reach the airport at the last minute.<br />Such a focus in Milan won't work.<br /><br />First, the road leading to the airport is narrow<br />and easily clogged by dense traffic.<br />The second problem is the presence at<br />the airport Malpensa of two terminals located<br />apart from each other a distance of 5 km.<br />To travel from one to the other<br />is possible only by a special bus<br />(time takes up to half an hour). Considering<br />the absence of any information displays,<br />you can easily find out that you are at the<br />wrong terminal while your flight takes off<br />absolutely from the other terminal. So be vigilant!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br />It is evening once more at Pine Mountain ranch.<br />We have just finished dinner and are relaxing in<br />the family room by a warm fire in the fireplace.<br /><br />Laurel and Grace are watching a movie while I<br />relax in my easy chair by the fire and read a<br />Discover magazine. This week I am having<br />fresh baked sugar cookies and my coffee<br />of the week from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>.<br />tonight's flavor is French Vanilla. This French<br />roast coffee is intertwined with the taste of<br />the vanilla bean to make a delicious coffee<br />drink.<br /><br />Well my cookies and coffee are finished now,<br />and the movie is over and it is time for bed.<br />Good night all see you next week.<br /></span></span></pre><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-6817619746809542872009-11-27T17:44:00.000-08:002009-11-28T15:04:40.269-08:00Northern Baja Mexico<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGsTJV7PYI/AAAAAAAABxY/2gynowF7xQk/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGsTJV7PYI/AAAAAAAABxY/2gynowF7xQk/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409294072374050178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />It was a holiday week this week. Thanksgiving has come and gone at Pine Mountain Ranch.We had a huge Thanks giving feast and Jeff and Squeekers join us from the Desert Outpost.<br /><br />It is the end of November already and fall is almost over. Winter is about to begin. A winter storm has brought us 2 inches of snow tonight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDcSlEEfbI/AAAAAAAABwo/dq2-_yOeXyE/s1600/ME-HE-CO%21%21+020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDcSlEEfbI/AAAAAAAABwo/dq2-_yOeXyE/s320/ME-HE-CO%21%21+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409065364216905138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Mexican Thanksgiving</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />a suitcase, small smile, a passport (for good measure)<br />and we're the south.side of snow and Estados Unidos.<br /><br />the sun is the weather and the stress is swept<br />seaside via wind and salt. we lay tanning<br />our faces and resting our eyes, eyelids imprinted<br />with impressions of blue skies.<br /><br />soon time meanders around and calls us to eat.<br />ruffle our feathers inside where the staff dons white<br />linen uniforms for the occasion.<br /><br />and the fare is American, Thanksgiving in theme,<br />from the big giant turkey to the banana creme pie.<br /><br />we eat and we eat, though it's not quite like home,<br />and at the end, there's no dishes to wash, no table to scrub,<br />we simply throw on our bathing suits and digest in the sun.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Northern Baja Mexico</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDcD59-pXI/AAAAAAAABwg/MsfJLosGzNY/s1600/bigstockphoto_Cliff_And_Sea_3576862.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDcD59-pXI/AAAAAAAABwg/MsfJLosGzNY/s320/bigstockphoto_Cliff_And_Sea_3576862.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409065112130463090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We entered Mexico at Mexicali. We traveled highway 5 and arrived in San Felipe about 120 miles later. San Felipe is on the sea of Cortez in the northern part of the Gulf of California. The last 19 miles to San Felipe is a paved 4 lane highway. San Felipe is a popular spring break destination. The town has many hotels and restaurants several gas stations and an airport.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">History</span><br /><br />The area was discovered in 1535 by Cortez and the area was named in 1746 by father Konscak. The town was officially established in 1925 as a fishing camp. The town grew slowly until the 1960’s when hotels and nightclubs opened. One of the newest is the Rockodile club and a giant crocodile sign advertises this club as you approach San Felipe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGqETI809I/AAAAAAAABxQ/b0fTj0CacTY/s1600/bigstockphoto_Baja_California_Mexico_4419554.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGqETI809I/AAAAAAAABxQ/b0fTj0CacTY/s320/bigstockphoto_Baja_California_Mexico_4419554.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409291618282689490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When you have seen San Felipe and want to get away from the noise and people a nice trip is Puertecitos. This town is located about 90 kilometers south of San Felipe at the end of the paved road. Puertecitos is on a small peninsula with the Gulf of California on the east and Puertecitos bay on the west side. The bay contains a hot springs. The hot springs is best enjoyed at about mid tide. At high tide it is about the same as the Gulf of California. At low tide it is too hot and will burn you. The town consists of about 200 dwellings and is a mixture of expatriots from the US and local Mexicans. Puertocitos is what San Felipe was before it was developed. It is a great place to relax and unwind. There are several campgrounds and a small hotel.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDbkZ2xNVI/AAAAAAAABwY/YUgquX6RDC4/s1600/bigstockphoto_Baja_California_Mexico_5204156.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxDbkZ2xNVI/AAAAAAAABwY/YUgquX6RDC4/s320/bigstockphoto_Baja_California_Mexico_5204156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409064570934342994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a few days we left San Felipe and made our way to the west coast.We stopped in Ensenada<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGp4AgybAI/AAAAAAAABxI/W2MhKpcSZJE/s1600/bigstockphoto_Ensenada_Mexico_4321501.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGp4AgybAI/AAAAAAAABxI/W2MhKpcSZJE/s320/bigstockphoto_Ensenada_Mexico_4321501.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409291407123966978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGptJd75PI/AAAAAAAABxA/Nr8SQAHIvP8/s1600/bigstockphoto_Ensenada_Mexico_4912315.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGptJd75PI/AAAAAAAABxA/Nr8SQAHIvP8/s320/bigstockphoto_Ensenada_Mexico_4912315.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409291220549362930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGpfBOjXUI/AAAAAAAABw4/GJuKtiEtwNs/s1600/bigstockphoto_Sea_And_Desert_Landscape_1503416.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SxGpfBOjXUI/AAAAAAAABw4/GJuKtiEtwNs/s320/bigstockphoto_Sea_And_Desert_Landscape_1503416.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409290977819188546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />then went to Estero beach. The people were warm and friendly but we did most of our traveling in the daytime. Night time is a time to stay in town especially when you are close to the border. These areas become a bit of a war zone at night with smuggling and so forth.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span> </span><br /><br />We are gathered around a warm fire in the fireplace in the family room of Pine Mountain ranch. We have finished dinner and are relaxing with the coffee of the day from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a> Tonight we are enjoying Irish Cream. This American roast holiday coffee goes well with holiday meals and as an after dinner drink.<br /><br />Well my coffee is finished now and the movie we were watching has ended. It is time for bed. See everyone next week.<br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-55760885346370962042009-11-20T19:11:00.000-08:002009-11-20T23:32:10.929-08:00Australia: Great Barrier Reef/Queensland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweUc2NkPcI/AAAAAAAABwQ/GWOTbpH4pgU/s1600/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweUc2NkPcI/AAAAAAAABwQ/GWOTbpH4pgU/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406453100991233474" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span>
<br />
<br />This week we made more furniture and worked
<br />in the greenhouse. We mended some fences and
<br />did some more preparations for winter.
<br />
<br />We cleaned the intake on the water turbine
<br />and did quarterly wind turbine maintenance.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span>
<br /></span>
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Swd-94ZrewI/AAAAAAAABvQ/OMeuBltT6wI/s1600/n10202876_41975543_7037378.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Swd-94ZrewI/AAAAAAAABvQ/OMeuBltT6wI/s320/n10202876_41975543_7037378.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406429479258782466" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ghost of a Good Time</span>
<br />
<br />by emily d stine
<br />
<br />lurking beneath the folds of a photograph
<br />a winter white ride up the rocky mountain high
<br />a plane we almost didn't catch, wasting minutes
<br />at the bottom of a airport bar gin & tonic.
<br />
<br />it's there in the curves of my L's and the
<br />corner of my suitcase, a seashell abandoned,
<br />a letter forgot.
<br />
<br />it's the mud on my shoes from the vineyard
<br />we walked, a stamp on my passport, a postcard
<br />i bought, all on a whim in the frivolous now.
<br />
<br />today it's all here and it litters the floor,
<br />a faded stamp, crumpled postcard, a
<br />letter unsent. Half journals, some luggage,
<br />a pair muddy flats, it's the silence, the sound,
<br />and the ghost of a good time
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature story of the Week</span>
<br /></span>
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</w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Australia: Great Barrier Reef/Queensland</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I first read about the Seven Natural Wonders of
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">the World, I thought it would be fun, in my globe</p><p class="MsoNormal"> hopping, to try and see them all. Which was how I
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">ended up in Queensland, Australia. It wasn’t my first</p><p class="MsoNormal"> trip to Australia, home of the word’s deadliest
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">everything, but it certainly was memorable.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweMOWaSjrI/AAAAAAAABvY/5dDqhi97m6s/s1600/bigstockphoto_Gold_Coast_In_Queensland_Austr_1172171.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweMOWaSjrI/AAAAAAAABvY/5dDqhi97m6s/s320/bigstockphoto_Gold_Coast_In_Queensland_Austr_1172171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406444055843475122" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Queensland has the Great Barrier Reef, which is why</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I was there. The Great Barrier Reef is a 1600 mile
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">collection of about 3,000 reefs and a couple of dozen</p><p class="MsoNormal"> islands, and it’s one of the most beautiful natural
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">structures on Earth, and one of the down under’s
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">biggest tourist attractions, literally.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweNEyfs6hI/AAAAAAAABvg/LjjCt9mfR68/s1600/bigstockphoto_Gold_Coast_Australia_560014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweNEyfs6hI/AAAAAAAABvg/LjjCt9mfR68/s320/bigstockphoto_Gold_Coast_Australia_560014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406444991095302674" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first city I was in long to take a look around on</p><p class="MsoNormal"> the trip was Gold Coast, which I keep wanting to</p><p class="MsoNormal"> add a ‘The’ to. I’d never been t Gold Coast and,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">frankly, it’s pretty awesome. Also known as surfer’s
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">paradise, it’s right on the water and, as Australia’s
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">sixth or so largest city, there’s plenty to do.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Physically, the city is beautiful, as you might imagine</p><p class="MsoNormal"> something called Gold Coast would be.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> The city is designed around waterways and, much like</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Miami here in the states, feels as if it’s been built out
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">onto the water. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As the surfer’s paradise moniker might have lead you
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">to guess, there are lots of beaches with great surfing.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Or so I’m told; as a huge hairy mammal, surfing is not
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">something I do much of. But it looked fun, and I reckon</p><p class="MsoNormal"> if you’re a bit more graceful than me, it’d be an excellent</p><p class="MsoNormal"> place for it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There’s also, I’m told, a great hinterland behind Gold</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Coast, which basically means the area nearby to the west.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Great, in that contains a rainforest that is part of a national
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">park, and so has a lot of wildlife that is rare or endangered.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I wasn’t there long enough to check it out, but I’m
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">guessing it’s worthwhile.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweNkip-Z2I/AAAAAAAABvo/C8_F81tp6Jk/s1600/bigstockphoto_Barrier_Reef_From_Air__628809.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweNkip-Z2I/AAAAAAAABvo/C8_F81tp6Jk/s320/bigstockphoto_Barrier_Reef_From_Air__628809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406445536599238498" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After Gold Coast, I was off to Lady Elliot Island by way of</p><p class="MsoNormal"> a small chartered plane. Lady Elliot is a tiny island right on
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">the reef, with a resort and a variety of accommodations.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweRR_wAf0I/AAAAAAAABv4/Cqy-Hb8urKg/s1600/bigstockphoto_Landscape_1335768.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweRR_wAf0I/AAAAAAAABv4/Cqy-Hb8urKg/s320/bigstockphoto_Landscape_1335768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406449616038166338" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can get anything from an eco cabin to full on suites. Me,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I picked something in the middle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was lucky enough to get there during turtle season, when</p><p class="MsoNormal"> the big critters come on short to lay eggs and whatnot. I’ve</p><p class="MsoNormal"> always been fond of turtles, so it was cool to get to see them
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">up close. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But mainly, I was there for the water activities. Because of the
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">position near the end of the reef, the water clarity is
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">astounding, pretty much crystal clear.I took a glass bottom
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">boat out to getan idea of there was to see, but after that it
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">was all scuba snorkeling for me, cavorting with the 200 or so</p><p class="MsoNormal"> giant rays that hang out around the island.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweOCf4g0nI/AAAAAAAABvw/6gqIHtLDfQU/s1600/bigstockphoto_Cleaner_Wrasse_And_Parrotfish__4696124.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SweOCf4g0nI/AAAAAAAABvw/6gqIHtLDfQU/s320/bigstockphoto_Cleaner_Wrasse_And_Parrotfish__4696124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406446051250983538" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was well worth the trip. Words don’t do it justice; the
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">natural coral and the wildlife that goes with it are almost
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">indescribably beautiful. Between the warm clear waters
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">and the abundant wildlife, I was immersed in another
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">world, and I can’t wait to go back.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Good evening. It is night once more at the Pine Mountain</p><p class="MsoNormal">ranch..We have just finished dinner and we are gathered</p><p class="MsoNormal">in the family room by a warm fire.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Grace and Laurel are watching a movie and I am enjoying
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">a plate of sugar cookies and trying a new sample coffee
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com">http://www.coffeefool.com.</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Tonight my coffee is Pumpkin Spice. this American roast</p><p class="MsoNormal"> coffee tastes just like pumpkin pie. It goes great with sugar</p><p class="MsoNormal"> cookies.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Well my cookies and coffee are finished and the movie is
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">over so it is time for bed. Good night all see you next week.
<br /></p>
<br /><hr class="messageHeaderDivider colorK2" noshade="noshade">
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<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-89946478394829941792009-11-13T10:06:00.000-08:002009-11-13T21:56:15.806-08:00Australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2otikMvFI/AAAAAAAABvI/aIfAHo8Ejn4/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2otikMvFI/AAAAAAAABvI/aIfAHo8Ejn4/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403660628240677970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />Another week has passed on Pine Mountain. Fall is in full swing, and preparations are being made for the coming winter. the windows and doors have been caulked and weather stripped.The barn is full of hay for the animals. The furnace and chimneys have been cleaned and new filters inserted.<br /><br />The greenhouse furnace has been prepared as well so the vegetables and the fish will stay warm this winter while snow swirls on the outside and the winds howl around the corners of the house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2mqnanZbI/AAAAAAAABuQ/M64g7bGhhyg/s1600-h/poem.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2mqnanZbI/AAAAAAAABuQ/M64g7bGhhyg/s320/poem.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403658378979796402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_0">Disobedience</span>, A Note to Mr. Thoreau<br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_1">No thank you</span>, I prefer obedience.<br />The world is just more placid with my ipod on.<br />Who would protest high speed Internet,<br />semi-annual sales, a case of Key Light?<br /><br />I’m sorry Mr. Thoreau, I just like my things.<br />2Y2M2D at WPMA is an awfully long time*<br />away from the World Wide Web.<br />I know you find beauty in nature, ducks and such<br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_2">therapeutic effects</span> of sauntering through the woods,<br />(I'd rather just get a massage)<br /><br />But I must confess Mr. Thoreau, I just don’t buy it.<br /><br />*2Y2M2D refers to the 2 years, 2 months, 2 days<br /><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_3">Henry David Thoreau</span> spent at WPMA,<br />(<span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_4">Walden Pond</span>, <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1258135447_5">Massachusetts</span>)<br /><hr class="messageHeaderDivider colorK2" noshade="noshade"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Australia</span><br /><br />We arrived at Canberra the capital of Australia. This city began in the 1900's and was laid out like the spokes of a wheel. It is 170 miles ( 280 km) southwest of Sidney and is Australias largest inland city with a population of 345,000. The city spreads out over 314 sq miles ( 814 sq km)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nDpO50pI/AAAAAAAABuY/xdP9En6rptI/s1600-h/163274388_c5d5afd38a_o_800_600.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nDpO50pI/AAAAAAAABuY/xdP9En6rptI/s320/163274388_c5d5afd38a_o_800_600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403658808964272786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> The city is built on a floodplain between high hills. and was subject to annual flooding before Lake Burley Griffin was built. In 2003 bush fires burned 487 homes as well as the telescopes at the national observatory.<br /><br /> The city has a marine west coastal climate with four distinct seasons.The highest temperatures are in January 82 F ( 27 C) and the lowest are in July 52 F ( 11 C) The seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2oD1R-JPI/AAAAAAAABvA/yftAgJ65VOg/s1600-h/kanberra2_500_400.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2oD1R-JPI/AAAAAAAABvA/yftAgJ65VOg/s320/kanberra2_500_400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403659911709992178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We left Canberra, which means meeting place, behind and drove to Sidney. We saw bush lands and plains and kangaroo. Australia still has a lot of wide open spaces.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nPvk2yUI/AAAAAAAABug/GnIPl6heBPQ/s1600-h/sydney_opera_%2819%29_800_600.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nPvk2yUI/AAAAAAAABug/GnIPl6heBPQ/s320/sydney_opera_%2819%29_800_600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403659016825391426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We visited the world famous Sidney opera house and watched a performance by the Sydney symphony orchestra. Sidney is the largest city in Australia with about 4 1/3 million people. The city stretches out over 12,000 sq kilometers.<br /> Sidney is a world banking center as well as a world commerce and cultural arts center. It is considered a world Alpha city. It is a city of parks and multicultural communities.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nlgr2Y-I/AAAAAAAABuw/LJxVUe2FwKI/s1600-h/sydney_opera_%2829%29_155_125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 125px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Sv2nlgr2Y-I/AAAAAAAABuw/LJxVUe2FwKI/s320/sydney_opera_%2829%29_155_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403659390785315810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sidney was first settled by Europeans in the 1770's but the Aborigines have called the area home for more 30,000 years. We took many sightseeing tours and ran out of time before we even saw half of the things we wanted to see. Australia is a large and varied country but you need at least 6 months of time to see the country properly.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br />It is evening once a gain at the Pine Mountain ranch. Dinner is over and we are gathered by a warm fire in the fireplace in the family room. I am in my easy chair reading a magazine while Grace and Laurel are watching a special on Crystal Skulls and how they may predict the a world wide change in 2012.<br /><br />I am enjoying my sample coffee of the day from <a href="http://www.pinemountainreview.blogspot.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. Tonight I am enjoying a brew called Australian. It is an American roast coffee that starts out bold goes away then boomerangs back for a fine finish. It goes great with some chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br />The show is over and it left just mysteries behind. My coffee and cookies are gone as well and it is time to head off for bed. Good night all see you next week.<br /><br /><br />Resources<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra<br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney<br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-56345191186311506502009-11-06T16:16:00.000-08:002009-11-07T02:01:48.057-08:00Arizona<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvU72eYKApI/AAAAAAAABtg/0JCTedyE4-Q/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvU72eYKApI/AAAAAAAABtg/0JCTedyE4-Q/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401289135154135698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><br />Hello again from Pine Mountain. This week was spent making furniture in the wood shop and fixing fences with Pete the mule and his little cart.We harvested some late fall vegetables in the greenhouse. Fall is here and soon it will be winter. The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. Evenings are spent warm and cozy by a crackling fire in the fireplace.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local News</span><br /><br />If you are interested in wine tasting, a local place of interest is Madd Bailey's pub in Pine Mountain Village. They have wine tasting from noon to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUm3ndmEyI/AAAAAAAABso/kGEAp_HNwtA/s1600-h/1695828334_74ddd64529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUm3ndmEyI/AAAAAAAABso/kGEAp_HNwtA/s320/1695828334_74ddd64529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401266065028551458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nighttime in Newport</span></span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />touched down in newport beach where<br />the waves are right, the sand is smooth<br />and the blondes are surgically enhanced.<br /><br />we criss-cross the beach as black spreads<br />out over dusk, music strums straight left,<br />the pacific chimes in ahead,and above us,<br />constellations trace their evening waltz.<br /><br />morning brings irvine, a silicon city across the<br />highway, and conferences on communities<br />on computers. uc irvine--a college gray-built<br />and technologically inclined.<br /><br />in the midst of conferences, powerpoints, and<br />uptight academics, i dream back to the juxtaposing<br />beauty of natural beaches and beautiful blondes.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Arizona</span></span><br /><br /><br />Last time we explored New Mexico. This time we moved on to Arizona.Land of Cactus plants and natural wonders Arizona has desert and wilderness, canyons and lakes.<br /><br />We left New Mexico behind and began our journey into Arizona on Interstate 40.We stayed the night at Wigwam village a unique motel of giant concrete wigwams designed to look like an old Indian village.These giant white structures with red trim were built in 1950 and the classic cars from the 50's add that blast from the past look.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUsONidf7I/AAAAAAAABtI/_xRR9nKz9V8/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Meteor_Crater_3302584.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUsONidf7I/AAAAAAAABtI/_xRR9nKz9V8/s320/bigstockphoto_Meteor_Crater_3302584.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401271950764769202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Next we visited Meteor crater a giant 4000 diameter crater left from an impact with a meteorite some 50,000 years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUoryVf8eI/AAAAAAAABtA/ujGkuJo0zT8/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Upper_Antelope_3665825.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUoryVf8eI/AAAAAAAABtA/ujGkuJo0zT8/s320/bigstockphoto_Upper_Antelope_3665825.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401268060812210658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We visited Antelope Valley with it's fantastically shaped colored rocks that were carved by wind and water erosion.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUoO7AHG7I/AAAAAAAABs4/OWY6u6XvCck/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_River_Canyon_Summer_3215102.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUoO7AHG7I/AAAAAAAABs4/OWY6u6XvCck/s320/bigstockphoto_River_Canyon_Summer_3215102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401267564922215346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We visited the Grand Canyon and a side canyon that had blue green waters called Havasupai.The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and goes from Northeast to Southwest.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUnsTJ7IsI/AAAAAAAABsw/cX0tLiqlCAY/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Cliff_Dwellers_5394995.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SvUnsTJ7IsI/AAAAAAAABsw/cX0tLiqlCAY/s320/bigstockphoto_Cliff_Dwellers_5394995.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401266970110403266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We checked out the cliff dwellers called Anasazi and the wilderness area called the White Mountains.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br />It is another evening at Pine Mountain ranch. We have just finished dinner and are gathered by a warm fire in the family room. Laurel and Grace are playing Scrabble.I am relaxing in my easy chair reading a magazine and drinking my sample coffee of the day. Tonight my coffee is Irish Creme from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com </a> this American roast coffee is just the ticket on a cold late fall night. It goes well with fresh sugar cookies.<br /><br />Laurel won the scrabble game and now my cookies and coffee are finished too. It is time for sleep. Everyone have a great week and we will see you next week.<br /><br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-21729957581140704192009-10-30T15:38:00.000-07:002009-10-30T20:07:29.176-07:00Belize<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuipkTwtgI/AAAAAAAABsg/yMfmaNw1WLQ/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuipkTwtgI/AAAAAAAABsg/yMfmaNw1WLQ/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398587413338568194" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span>
<br />
<br />Hello again from Pine Mountain. Fall is definitely in the air.
<br /> We had our first hard freeze this week with temperatures
<br />below 32F ( 0 C).
<br />
<br />Soon the first snow will be upon us. It will be time to bring
<br /> the skis out. Now it is time for the poem of the week.
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Suud9vtEHUI/AAAAAAAABsI/tm5UtAU3Rhc/s1600-h/n10202876_33519654_6741.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Suud9vtEHUI/AAAAAAAABsI/tm5UtAU3Rhc/s320/n10202876_33519654_6741.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398582262436732226" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Snow flies in </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_0" >Colorado</span><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span>
<br />by emily d stine
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<br />Snowflies in October, civilization slows to a crawl.
<br />trading jack-o-lanterns for snowboots, a blizzard in fall!
<br />Cocoa, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_1">runny noses</span>, and snowdays to boot,
<br /><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_2">snow angels</span>, ice skating, even a snowball or two.
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<br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_3">Blizzards</span> in Colorado--one, two, three feet of snow
<br />so tall you have to shovel a path when your dog has to go.
<br />A time to for a hearty stew--muffins if you're lucky.
<br />
<br />And trees snow decorated like <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_4">Christmas</span> outside,
<br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_5">nightmare before Christmas</span> on the great Hallow's Eve.
<br />The ghouls and the gals knee-deep in the fun
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<br />The mountains in the distance, crisp, frosted in snow
<br />The streetlights on the boulevards, topped with flaky
<br /><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1256943248_6">ice cream</span> scoops. And all in the middle, in between it all,
<br />me, my imagination and snowflakes to dream!
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span></span>
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</w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Belize</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuKPdZCxUI/AAAAAAAABro/-5BKMwG5S68/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Coral_Reefs_Of_Tobacco_Caye_2374992.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuKPdZCxUI/AAAAAAAABro/-5BKMwG5S68/s320/bigstockphoto_Coral_Reefs_Of_Tobacco_Caye_2374992.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398560576526009666" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am, in at least one respect, a terrible world traveler;</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I don’t really speak any language but English. I can
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">sort of understand some stuff in a couple, most notably
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Spanish, but most of my speaking actually consists of</p><p class="MsoNormal"> pointing urgently. I mention this because I recently
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">returned from Belize, where the official language is English.
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The locals don’t necessarily use it at home, but nearly</p><p class="MsoNormal"> everyone I encountered spoke it well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is a legacy of Belize’s past as a British Colony, when</p><p class="MsoNormal"> the small country on Mexico’s southern border was a</p><p class="MsoNormal"> part of an empire on which, they boasted, the sun never set.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> It’s also a fine little place to have a vacation. I say little, and</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I mean it. While it’s not an especially small country in terms
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">of geography, although it’s not huge, it’s only got a
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">population of about 300,000.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What it does have is a wealth of cultural and, especially,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> natural beauty that’s hard to match in Central and South</p><p class="MsoNormal"> America. It’s becoming an increasing popular tourist
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">destination and travel spot. I was there for one reason:</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Jacque Cousteau.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuK_wlppkI/AAAAAAAABr4/b7pwSOvQhks/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_School_S_In_2106632.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuK_wlppkI/AAAAAAAABr4/b7pwSOvQhks/s320/bigstockphoto_School_S_In_2106632.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398561406312883778" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I should probably explain. About forty years ago,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cousteau filmed and charted the Great Blue Hole,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> a huge underwater sinkhole located in the already</p><p class="MsoNormal"> impressive Lighthouse Reef. While watching entirely</p><p class="MsoNormal"> too much PBS as a kid, I saw this and always wanted
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">to go. I was right. The spot is incredibly beautiful, and
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">this was some of the best scuba diving I’d ever done.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I also went to see the Hole Chan Marine Reserve,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">which isn’t far from the Great Blue Hole. It’s an area</p><p class="MsoNormal"> designed to preserve the natural underwater life against</p><p class="MsoNormal"> fishing and pollution. It’s also a great place to dive and</p><p class="MsoNormal"> swim with Nurse Sharks and Spotted Eagle Rays, if
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">you’re into that sort of thing. I am.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuKw49QTmI/AAAAAAAABrw/tjPO-DWY8wo/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Mayan_Stairsteps_1373047.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuKw49QTmI/AAAAAAAABrw/tjPO-DWY8wo/s320/bigstockphoto_Mayan_Stairsteps_1373047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398561150861332066" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I also wanted to see Altun Ha, the ruins of an ancient</p><p class="MsoNormal"> Mayan city. I figured that since the Mayans were</p><p class="MsoNormal"> predicting the end of the world in 2012, it might be
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">good to see some more of what they did before that</p><p class="MsoNormal"> happened. There are five hundred or so structures in</p><p class="MsoNormal"> the central square mile, including the fairly freaking
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">huge Temple of the Masonry Altars, which I feel
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">could do for a catchier name.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuJlthl7lI/AAAAAAAABrg/7LLLd4c-XJs/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Belize_Nature_Reserve_2374957.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuuJlthl7lI/AAAAAAAABrg/7LLLd4c-XJs/s320/bigstockphoto_Belize_Nature_Reserve_2374957.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398559859302329938" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you’re more nature minded, you can catch the
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. While it
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">possesses a plethora of native flora and fauna,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I was really interested in was the Jaguar Sanctuary.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I’ve always been a big cat lover; so getting to see
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">these big cats in action was a real treat, and one</p><p class="MsoNormal"> that no nature lover should miss.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you’re not running from Jaguars, swimming with</p><p class="MsoNormal"> sharks or exploring the ancient Mayan city type,
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">you can take heart in the fact that there are also miles</p><p class="MsoNormal"> and miles of pristine beaches looking out onto the</p><p class="MsoNormal"> pale blue Caribbean. There’s always something
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">interesting to do or see in Belize, and I really wish</p><p class="MsoNormal"> I’d had more time to spend there.</p>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span>
<br /></span>
<br />It is evening once more at Pine Mountain ranch.
<br />We have just finished dinner and are relaxing in
<br />the family room.There is a warm fire in the fireplace
<br />Laurel and Grace are playing a game of scrabble. I
<br />am in my easy chair reading my discovery magazine
<br />
<br />Tonight I am drinking my sample coffee from
<br /><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. Tonight's coffee is
<br />Pumpkin Spice. This American roast coffee tastes
<br />just like pumpkin pie and a slice of pumpkin pie
<br />on the side makes it perfect.
<br />
<br />My pie and coffee are finished now and it is getting
<br />late. Laurel won the scrabble game and now it is
<br />time for bed.
<br />
<br />Good night all see you next week.
<br /><hr class="messageHeaderDivider colorK2" noshade="noshade">
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<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-52591615127954277202009-10-23T12:05:00.000-07:002009-10-23T23:05:40.966-07:00Easter Island<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKYBDw4b1I/AAAAAAAABrY/kxSkB9zSfNU/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKYBDw4b1I/AAAAAAAABrY/kxSkB9zSfNU/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396042447500898130" border="0" /></a><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 4.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Pine Mountain News</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It has been another fall week at Pine Mountain ranch.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Most of the week was spent finishing a small furniture<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">order then harvesting vegetables in the greenhouse.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Local News</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A new Mt Pinos district ranger has been appointed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">His name is Eric L. Van Walden.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Poem of the Week</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKSIP70rBI/AAAAAAAABqY/9B_FSUcEFJQ/s1600-h/1506+I+80+Between+Rock+Springs+%26+Green+River+WY_thumb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 184px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKSIP70rBI/AAAAAAAABqY/9B_FSUcEFJQ/s320/1506+I+80+Between+Rock+Springs+%26+Green+River+WY_thumb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396035973957331986" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">by emily stine</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We ride the highway with the Wyoming wind,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">slithering through this desolate land,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">pausing only a moment to smile at happy jack road.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Far in the distance, two clouds seem to<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">kiss the ground. We stare transfixed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A tornado, quite possible, but too<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">innocuous it stands.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Slowly we swirled toward the clouds as they formed<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">two slippers, a ballet in this white Wyoming morn.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Closer we drew, watching toes of white clouds<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">dusting the landscape floor. Closer and closer,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">til at last we saw, two factories, industrial chimneys--<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">narrow in size, chugging and working<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">spilling smoke to the sky.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Feature story of the week</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Easter island (Chile)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">by Oxana Arzamazova</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKT2VVQbZI/AAAAAAAABqo/9oH3Qf8iy8o/s1600-h/0e6a364d4bdb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKT2VVQbZI/AAAAAAAABqo/9oH3Qf8iy8o/s320/0e6a364d4bdb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396037865191796114" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The next day I departed for Easter island which
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">belongs to Chile. The airport on the island is called
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mataveri). We left Santiago at 9:30 AM, and arrived</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> at 12:25 PM.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is now possible to reach Easter Island by plane -
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">airline LAN CHILE. I bought, the ticket aboard the
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">plane in Santiago on the evening before our departure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style=""></span>It was low season. The plane from Santiago flies to
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tahiti with landing at Easter island twice a week.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKULstD88I/AAAAAAAABqw/IY7lGaAgBRM/s1600-h/581d1b0202ce.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKULstD88I/AAAAAAAABqw/IY7lGaAgBRM/s320/581d1b0202ce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396038232242910146" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>All of Easter Island can be examined in 2 days if
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">there is a car available. But in some places it is only
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">possible to reach on a horse or on foot. Island
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">exploration on a bicycle takes about a week and a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">half, on foot with a tent about 3 weeks. The total
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">island area is 117 sq. km.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The prices for products are 3-4 times more than
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">on the continent,<span style=""> </span>in the cheapest café $ 10 USD
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">for a salad. It is better to take products and water
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">with you from Santiago if you want economy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Souvenirs are expensive and not interesting - a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">simple pen costs nearly $20.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Weather is cool in winter, during the day 15-17
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">degrees C and the breeze, sometimes drizzles rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> After sunset it is cold, and at night often there is
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">rain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Habitation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>On the island is one small, but well arranged
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">village, Rapa Nui. There are <span style=""> </span>hotels which are
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">expensive. At the airport there are local residents</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> with posters in hand about rooms for rent in their</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> own homes. A good big room with a personal
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">bathroom, a toilet and towels, free of charge tea,
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">coffee, fruit from a garden and a roll in the mornings.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> The room in the house I rented was on the main
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">street about 5 minutes of walking from the airport.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Besides, there was not anything cheaper.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The People were decent, the owner was a village</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> trustee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKUcSLCtVI/AAAAAAAABq4/S7sNonwUACU/s1600-h/75149.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKUcSLCtVI/AAAAAAAABq4/S7sNonwUACU/s320/75149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396038517178676562" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
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<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sights</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Since 1935, Easter Island is considered a national</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> park. On the island we traveled on a country road</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> along the coast to see all the sights in 2 days. Huge</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> stone Maoi statues are scattered along all the coast</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Near the village there is a volcano Kau, height of</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">410 meters. In the crater is a bog and small pools.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is possible to reach it on foot <span style=""> </span>from the village.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKXms6cwXI/AAAAAAAABrQ/uR1qgum6xKk/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Easter_Island_5526518.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKXms6cwXI/AAAAAAAABrQ/uR1qgum6xKk/s320/bigstockphoto_Easter_Island_5526518.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396041994690412914" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Nearby is the ceremonial village Orongo with
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">semiunderground dwellings. It is here petrographs</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> on rocks have remained. Egg island is visible from
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">the village</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The second most important place on the island
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">is the volcano Raraku. <span style=""> </span>In the crater is a small lake
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">and the island panorama opens before you. Nearby</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> is another volcano and on its slopes are about 600</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Maoi statues. The statues are made from stone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>In one place on the coast there are well-known
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">caves with color images of <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">birds. In a suburb of the village there is a small</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> museum.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKXXE-ClCI/AAAAAAAABrI/D1oubMoyxqs/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Easter_Island_3068842.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKXXE-ClCI/AAAAAAAABrI/D1oubMoyxqs/s320/bigstockphoto_Easter_Island_3068842.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396041726270018594" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>There are two beaches on the island. One is in</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> the village, the other is in the bay of Anakena.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The beaches have white sand and bays where
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">it was possible to enter the sea. In other places
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;">there are cliffs and thunderous waves break on</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> high rocks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKW8rCYw2I/AAAAAAAABrA/8TtrOQsDIH4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Coast_Easter_Island_3041524.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SuKW8rCYw2I/AAAAAAAABrA/8TtrOQsDIH4/s320/bigstockphoto_Coast_Easter_Island_3041524.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396041272632329058" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Earlier when there was no airport, a ship from
<br /></span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chile once a year would arrive with foodstuffs
<br /></span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">stocks, but because of the rocky coast it <span style=""> </span>could
<br /></span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">not approach close, products had to be
<br /></span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">transported ashore by small boats.</span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>I wanted to remain there longer and simply
<br /></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">have a rest in this <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p>pleasant and silent place
<br /></span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> my schedule would not allow it.</span></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is evening once more at Pine Mountain ranch.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">A warm cheery fire is burning in the fireplace.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">we have just finished dinner and are relaxing<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">in the family room.<span style=""> </span>Tonight my coffee is Organic<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Rain forest. This Vienna roast coffee from<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a> has a fruit<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">and nut taste that goes well with fresh baked<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">sugar cookies.</span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Well my coffee and cookies are finished now<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">and it is time for bed. Good night all.See you</span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">next week.
<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br />
<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-13948218288800798602009-10-16T15:02:00.000-07:002009-10-16T21:28:53.196-07:00New Mexico<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCl8YVh_I/AAAAAAAABpg/dvrs6CpB_1s/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCl8YVh_I/AAAAAAAABpg/dvrs6CpB_1s/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393415248383674354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span><br /><div align="left"><br />It has been another week of working around the ranch getting ready for winter. While trees in other areas are changing the color of their leaves to reds, oranges and browns, most of the trees here are pine trees so there is very little color change.<br /><br />We worked on another small furniture order in the wood shop. We finished cleaning furnaces and chimney flues. We collected more fresh vegetables from our aquaponic garden.<br /><br />We hitched Pete the mule to his cart and mended fence line. We finished a small commercial project just north of Los Angeles.<br /><br />Well enough about Pine Mountain. Now it is time for the poem of the week.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCOMvOrEI/AAAAAAAABpI/P7CYYLXK2s4/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Venice_Beach_In_Los_Angeles_1237198.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCOMvOrEI/AAAAAAAABpI/P7CYYLXK2s4/s320/bigstockphoto_Venice_Beach_In_Los_Angeles_1237198.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393414840457800770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fall in Los Angeles</span><br /><br />by emily d stine<br /><br />It's fall in Los Angeles and sweat drips from<br />palm tree branches into piles on the streets.<br />The temperature drops to a balmy seventy-three.<br />Everywhere people layer designer scarves,<br />ninety dollar long-sleeved tees, imitating the<br />presence of a chill. But the only frost in Los Angeles<br />is the distance its citizens keep from each other.<br /><br />it's fall in Los Angeles and the sidewalk sticks to my feet<br />the dull sun spreads out like gravy on the cement.<br />I crave a shift of season, a spilling of leaves,<br />Vermont deciduous and Colorado pine.<br />The descending temperature, a bite in the air,<br />a cold breeze that runs through and tickles my hair.<br /><br />I need to see the leaves to know that things have changed,<br />but fall in Los Angeles steers me forever the same way.<br /><br />An now our feature story of the week.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature of the Week</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Mexico</span><br /><br />The last time you were with us we had just crossed Texas and were in El Paso. This week we head north into New Mexico on our cross country motor home adventure.<br /><br />Most people think of New Mexico as an arid desert like place. Only the southern part is like that. The northern part is mountainous and has rivers and forests. New Mexico is the land of Enchantment. It has everything from ancient Indian and Spanish cultures to modern astronomy and even a commercial spaceport. It has military missile test ranges and the mysterious Roswell where space aliens are said to have landed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCS5qi4iI/AAAAAAAABpQ/kqkQxCk4Q8U/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Vla_Dish_3821464.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCS5qi4iI/AAAAAAAABpQ/kqkQxCk4Q8U/s320/bigstockphoto_Vla_Dish_3821464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393414921237226018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />New Mexico is home to to Very Large Array which are very large dish antennas mounted on railroad tracks so they can be moved into different positions. There are 27 of these antennnas linked together to form a 22.3 mile diameter listening ear to space.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCYVwNkZI/AAAAAAAABpY/RsqENOwrW0Y/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Wild_Mountain_Sheep_In_Pecos_W_2344373.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCYVwNkZI/AAAAAAAABpY/RsqENOwrW0Y/s320/bigstockphoto_Wild_Mountain_Sheep_In_Pecos_W_2344373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393415014676533650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Northern New Mexico is home to snow covered mountains tranquil lakes and mountain sheep.<br />New Mexico is home to Carlsbad Caverns a series of caves that running water has carved out into fantastic shapes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCDShDU1I/AAAAAAAABo4/315Wh7Y_QIE/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Balloon_Fiesta_____963600.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCDShDU1I/AAAAAAAABo4/315Wh7Y_QIE/s320/bigstockphoto_Balloon_Fiesta_____963600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393414653030388562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Albuquerque is home to the yearly balloon festival where hot air balloons and pilots from all over the world gather. Taos has pueblos and old Indian culture. Santa Fe has Spanish history, Art galleries and gift shops.<br /><br />We began our journey through New Mexico by going north on interstate 25 from El Paso. We took several side trips.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCJIa3DFI/AAAAAAAABpA/E0SpGOT-ofI/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Carlsbad_Caverns_Stone_Formati_945274.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StlCJIa3DFI/AAAAAAAABpA/E0SpGOT-ofI/s320/bigstockphoto_Carlsbad_Caverns_Stone_Formati_945274.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393414753399278674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We took a side trip to Carlsbad Caverns. We visited the very large array in Socorro. We visited Space America about 30 miles east of Truth or Consequences. We went to Roswell to check out the towns alien theme. We checked out the hot air balloons in Albuquerque. the shops and art galleries in Santa Fe and the pueblos in Taos.<br /><br />Finally after all the adventures we headed north into Colorado. Next time we will explore Colorado.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span><br /><br />It is evening once more and we are gathered around the fire in the family room. I am enjoying my sample coffee from <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com</a>. Tonight I am trying Dutch Chocolate. This American roast coffee captures the taste of fine coffee mixed with the sweetness of chocolate. It goes well with fresh chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br />Well my cookies and coffee are finished now and I have finished reading my Discover magazine. It is time for bed. See you next week with a new adventure.<br /><br /><br />googlef90539838d7357c8.html </div>Pine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-36878577589628154282009-10-09T18:06:00.000-07:002009-10-09T21:08:37.822-07:00Venezuela<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StAHXI2AFzI/AAAAAAAABow/PxcmCg6zvAU/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StAHXI2AFzI/AAAAAAAABow/PxcmCg6zvAU/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390816848054851378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span>
<br />
<br />I spent the week finishing a small furniture
<br />order and delivering it. I performed the fall
<br />maintenance on the furnace and turned it
<br />on for the winter.
<br />Our greenhouse garden is still producing
<br />fresh vegetables `and all the windows and
<br />doors have fresh caulking to keep the cold
<br />winter winds outside.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Panoramic</span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ss_3H1UJBUI/AAAAAAAABoI/UJzB3qFjKIo/s1600-h/fall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ss_3H1UJBUI/AAAAAAAABoI/UJzB3qFjKIo/s320/fall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390798992928474434" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />by emily d stine
<br />
<br />because <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1255135582_0">slow death</span> is beautiful
<br /> as chlorophyll fades
<br /> from each leaf point
<br />
<br /> the color spectrum
<br /> spanning from
<br /> life
<br /> to
<br /> death,
<br /> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1255135582_1">paint by number</span>.
<br />
<br />dying perfection
<br />watching each leaf
<br />falling
<br /> onto
<br /> the
<br /> sidewalk
<br /> p a n o r a m i c
<br />
<br />a mosaic of aborted foliage
<br /> coloring
<br /> the blank
<br />concrete
<br /> biodegradable art
<br /> made more beautiful
<br />by
<br /> stepping
<br /> on
<br /> it.
<br /> crunch
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span></span>
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///D:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CGEOFFR%7E1.SMI%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venezuela</span>
<br /></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StADurSv95I/AAAAAAAABog/Q6_vHKvWpEc/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_POVERTY_IN_VENEZUELA__609212.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StADurSv95I/AAAAAAAABog/Q6_vHKvWpEc/s320/bigstockphoto_POVERTY_IN_VENEZUELA__609212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390812854392715154" border="0" /></a><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:country-region></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:country-region></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Amount I knew about <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region> before
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">I went there: zero. Now, I’m not sure I’d</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> recommend this as a general rule,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">because god knows what you’re going to
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">get into. But, since you’re reading this,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">you’re going not going to be in the same</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> boat that I was.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Now, what happened to me was that I
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">was kicking around in South America
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">when an editor I knew managed to get</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> a hold of me to write a story about
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">some goings on in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I argued
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">that since I didn’t know a thing about
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">the country I maybe wasn’t his man,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">but he used the cunning persuasion
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">technique of throwing lots of money.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">So I ended up In Venezuela with a day’s</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> worth of work to do, a fat check waiting</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> for me and no pressing plans. So what
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">you need to know about <st1:country-region st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region> is
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">this; it’s officially called the <st1:placename st="on">Bolivarian</st1:placename>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:placetype st="on">Republic</st1:placetype> of <st1:country-region st="on">Venezuela</st1:country-region>, it’s a medium
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">sized country, highly urbanized and their</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> President is classically not a huge fan
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Don’t let that last one dissuade you
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">from traveling there, because the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">country as a whole is stable and
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">prosperous, and even with my (very)</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> limited Spanish, the people were warm</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> and welcoming. Hugo Chavez, their
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">president, was the reason I was there,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">so <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Caracas</st1:place></st1:city>, the capitol city, was my
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">first stop.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Caracas</st1:place></st1:city> is a very large and very
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">interesting city, and I do mean large,</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> the overall urban area has more than</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> five million people. Like a lot of South</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> American cities, you get a mix of
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">architecture dating back the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">seventeenth century butted right up
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">against skyscrapers. There’s a little
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">less of this in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Caracas</st1:place></st1:city>, but there’s
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">still plenty of stuff to see.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Like the birthplace of Simon Bolivar
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">who is, as you might have guessed
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">from the name of the country, quite</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> important historically. I’m kind of
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">history guy, so I eat this kind of
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">thing up. You might also want to
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">take a look at the Parque Central
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Complex, which is a series of seriously</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> grim looking buildings that are actually</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> the cultural center of the city. If you
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">want to see art and performance, this
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">is the place to go.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">The rest of the country is worth seeing,</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> too. I didn’t quite as into the outdoors
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">things as I usually would when Rich is
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">along, but there’s certainly a lot to see.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> I’d recommend Andean Venezuela,
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">where the <st1:place st="on">Andes</st1:place> stretch through the
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">country and there’s incredible hiking
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">and camping in the area.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StAEh02OaEI/AAAAAAAABoo/h3Y9WBt7AXI/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Beach_Of_Isla_Margarita_4659952.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/StAEh02OaEI/AAAAAAAABoo/h3Y9WBt7AXI/s320/bigstockphoto_Beach_Of_Isla_Margarita_4659952.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390813733130758210" border="0" /></a><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">For those of you less into hiking and
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">more into hedonism, there’s the Isla
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">de Margarita. I admit, I went there
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">because an island named after one
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">of my favorite drinks sounded like a</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> match made in heaven. The beaches</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> there are beautiful, with warm weather</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> and crisp blue waters.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">All in all, I had a lot of fun tooling
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">around <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Venezuela</st1:place></st1:country-region> on my unplanned</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> and under informed trip. I would
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">recommend the trip for nearly anyone</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> who enjoys seeing new cultures and</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"> beautiful countryside.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />I<span style="font-family:verdana;">t is evening once again at the Pine
<br />Mountain ranch.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Fall is here and the
<br />nighttime temperatures approach</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">the
<br />freezing point.
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have just finished dinner and are
<br />gathered in the</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> family room. There
<br />is a cheery fire in the fireplace and</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Laurel and Grace are playing a game
<br />of scrabble.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I am seated in my easy
<br />chair readingmy Discover magazine</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">
<br />and enjoying my
<br />sample coffee of the day from</span>
<br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com.</a> <span style="font-family:verdana;">
<br />Tonight I am enjoying Colombian Supremo.
<br />
<br />This full bodied</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> American roast coffee is
<br />mild and enjoyable in flavor. It is just</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">the
<br />right coffee to relax and end the day.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Grace
<br />won at scrabble and now my coffee
<br />is finished too.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">It is time to head off to bed.
<br />See everyone
<br />next week.</span>
<br />
<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7173824085607677355.post-11475384669879799672009-10-02T20:32:00.000-07:002009-10-04T23:05:58.937-07:00Sanya China<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ssbyzli_BxI/AAAAAAAABoA/OCLm22d5f74/s1600-h/DSCN3881.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ssbyzli_BxI/AAAAAAAABoA/OCLm22d5f74/s200/DSCN3881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388260972261476114" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain News</span></span>
<br />
<br />Hello again from Pine Mountain. This week we began winter preparations on our small attached greenhouse. We cleaned and checked the seals on the panels and made sure the panels that have been open for most of the summer are able to close. We checked the furnace and the circulating fans. This year the systems are more critical than ever because of the fish in the aquaponics tank.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local News</span>
<br />
<br />Cal Trans had another mess to cleanup yesterday on the grapvine when a big rig hauling a large earthmover lost his brakes due to overheating. The driver tried to stop by rubbing against the guardrail. This ruptured the left fuel tank and entangled the guardrail in the truck axles. Northbound traffic was stopped for several hours while the mess was cleaned up.
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Poem of the Week</span></span>
<br />
<br /><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1254540919_1">Luck Be A Lady</span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbyC0wsBUI/AAAAAAAABn4/z433fjsVCek/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Craps_Table_4980436.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbyC0wsBUI/AAAAAAAABn4/z433fjsVCek/s320/bigstockphoto_Craps_Table_4980436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388260134531892546" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />by emily d stine
<br />
<br />Crawling up the I fifteen out of <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1254540919_2">Southern California</span>
<br />sand, sun and a sliver of asphalt greet me.
<br />Two hundred miles trickle by alongside me,
<br />the sweat on the small of my back, the cracks in my throat.
<br />Slowly we slither toward an oasis of simulacrum,
<br />a mechanical paradise grown out of the ground.
<br />
<br />I don't complain about this, but find it amusing to see,
<br />the id, the hedonist, and the fantasies at play.
<br />A place to indulge your vice, a place to escape,
<br />A place to test your luck, if not, your liver.
<br />
<br />I smirk, I smile, throw the dice on green felt for a while.
<br />Stroll by the people on the strip.street, bedazzled in sequins,
<br />slipping over gin&tonic smiles and tempt.me tomorrow toe pumps.
<br />Make my way casino.side, slip past senior citizen chimneys
<br />choking down the slot machines. Past the green felt, the red
<br />the black, and up into the small solitude of a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1254540919_3">crepe paper hotel</span> bed.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feature Story of the Week</span>
<br /></span>
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} pre {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-link:"HTML Preformatted Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.HTMLPreformattedChar {mso-style-name:"HTML Preformatted Char"; mso-style-unhide:no; 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><pre style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sanya China
<br />
<br />
<br /></span></pre><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ssbrya3u9OI/AAAAAAAABng/MEISqSblokA/s1600-h/Sanya.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/Ssbrya3u9OI/AAAAAAAABng/MEISqSblokA/s320/Sanya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388253255634449634" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><pre> I arrived on island Hainan the city of Sanya -
<br />the most southern city of the island and China.
<br />I stepped from the plane onto a gangway and at
<br />once the humidity hit me hard. </pre><pre>It was already almost night - 11 p.m. warm and
<br />cloudy.<span style=""> </span>I Thought that it was the rainy season.
<br />I was mistaken.</pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre> Customs and<span style=""> </span>reception of luggage has passed
<br />quickly and our group is planted on the bus.
<br />The bus took us to our hotel.
<br />Even at night I was surprised at the beauty
<br />of the tropical vegetation around us. I chose
<br />the hotel myself, on the Internet,and did not
<br />regret it.
<br />
<br /></pre><pre>The front desk issued our room<span style=""> </span>quickly. I was
<br />given a number on the 2 floor in the 2 case,
<br />near the pool. It was a standard room with a big
<br />balcony with a kind of vegetation that was
<br />typical of Sanya.</pre><pre><o:p>
<br />
<br />
<br /></o:p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrdeGzfoI/AAAAAAAABnQ/fEylmDzoJhs/s1600-h/normal_05%7E2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrdeGzfoI/AAAAAAAABnQ/fEylmDzoJhs/s320/normal_05%7E2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388252895725715074" border="0" /></a>
<br /><o:p>
<br />
<br />
<br /></o:p></pre><pre>The next day we walked in the city, I was
<br />surprised that even in cloudy weather the
<br />majority of Chinese women walk under umbrellas.
<br />The tropical sun burns even through the
<br />clouds. After the first day, I bought an
<br />umbrella too. </pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Then there was the sea, the big waves and
<br />very warm water.I rocked on the waves in a
<br />small boat. The beach did not have any
<br />jellyfishes or seaweed, just perfect pure
<br />sand.
<br />On the way back to the hotel we were tempted
<br />with live creatures floating in aquariums
<br />about every 10-20 meters.
<br />We stopped at one and they caught an eel
<br />about 1 kg of weight and some shrimp.
<br />They cooked them for us mmmmm yummy it
<br />was so tasty. </pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>On the third day we decided to visit the
<br />sights of a city in the suburbs. We traveled
<br />by motorcycle with side car.
<br />It’s a very cheap type of transport in the
<br />south of China. </pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrB5ZAMzI/AAAAAAAABnA/g9VjbBZtSXc/s1600-h/nan_shan.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrB5ZAMzI/AAAAAAAABnA/g9VjbBZtSXc/s320/nan_shan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388252422013465394" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br /></pre><pre>In Sanya there is a park with the name
<br />"World's end". It is meant that this
<br />park is an earthly paradise embodiment.
<br />Coconut palm trees, heat from the sea,
<br />pure air, the world, the harmony, full
<br />calmness- Here everything that,
<br />according to founders of the park, </pre><pre>is necessary for a person to have
<br />entire happiness. The
<br />park is really, very harmonious.
<br />The sensation of a fairy
<br />tale is created: configured with
<br />toy bridges, islets,
<br />well-groomed </pre><pre>plants, palm trees all together
<br />create an ideal picture.</pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>You feel like Elli in the Emerald
<br />city, like the water-nymph in
<br />the underwater world.
<br />In this place really it would be
<br />desirable to forget about external
<br />world existence, about its vanity,
<br />efforts and cares. </pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrqlMyAjI/AAAAAAAABnY/UT6lVQNmBYI/s1600-h/oceanarium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P0gD5dRe8OU/SsbrqlMyAjI/AAAAAAAABnY/UT6lVQNmBYI/s320/oceanarium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388253120968131122" border="0" /></a><pre><o:p>
<br /></o:p></pre><pre>Nearby to "World's end" the sea reserve
<br />is located.When you buy a ticket it is
<br />possible to take pleasure in all its delights.
<br />There is a dolphin show and a
<br />fur seal. Chinese spectators come to watch
<br />presentations by the whole excursion groups.
<br />That day they filled all the seats, with
<br />mouths opened in awe and they did not
<br />close them until the end of the show. </pre><pre><span style=""> </span></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>After that I went to see the crocodiles.
<br />Three thick green lazy crocodiles have
<br />collapsed on a platform and gradually
<br />shuffled on stage. The handlers then
<br />drag them by the tail and the
<br />crocodiles open their mouths. The
<br />handlers take turns sticking things in
<br />the open mouths of the crocodiles. In
<br />their mouths by turns are thrust a </pre><pre>balloon, a boot, and a stick. The
<br />favorite entertainment of the Chinese
<br />has then begun. The trainer declares
<br />that he will put his hand in a
<br />crocodile’s mouth. He needs to have
<br />money in his hand or the crocodile
<br />will eat his hand. </pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Trustful spectators from different
<br />directions give the trainer money
<br />in fear for his hand.
<br />When he collects 50 Yuans, he puts
<br />his hand in the crocodiles mouth and
<br />takes it back out.
<br />He then takes the crocodile by the
<br />tail and pulls him back on the platform.
<br />
<br />Our stay in Sanya went fast and soon it
<br />was time to head home.
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pine Mountain Evening</span>
<br /></span>
<br />
<br /></pre> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>It is evening once again at the ranch. The fall chill is
<br /></p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">in the air again and it is nice to be able to relax by a
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">warm fire.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dinner is finished and we are relaxing in the family room.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tonight my sample coffee is Chocolate Raspberry. This
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">American roast coffee combines the rich taste of chocolate</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> and raspberrymixed with flavorful coffee beans. . It goes
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">well with a plate of fresh baked cookies. This coffee is</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> available at <a href="http://www.coffeefool.com/">http://www.coffeefool.com
<br /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:85%;">My coffee and cookies are finished now and
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><span style="font-size:85%;">it is time for bed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Everyone have a great week. We will see you next time.
<br /></span></p>
<br />
<br />googlef90539838d7357c8.htmlPine Mountainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16632423793038034557noreply@blogger.com0