tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75535110435194587462024-02-19T02:20:59.823-08:00Doshin on the WayDoshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-45846593249273947942018-09-07T12:43:00.000-07:002018-09-07T12:43:24.368-07:00Big News<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSnsGAEl7iBW4jjsVCLv-yNsyh1DyOM-r9ffupBgLrvWgOYP2ekjYGWiBTFqTYRk9QE6tyehT4d4xuYMv0iAsLVhedW45aFLAHHTPJ-MwYoEki7giNUA8gRFntHQfWMStj8UjXfV-Jk5e/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSnsGAEl7iBW4jjsVCLv-yNsyh1DyOM-r9ffupBgLrvWgOYP2ekjYGWiBTFqTYRk9QE6tyehT4d4xuYMv0iAsLVhedW45aFLAHHTPJ-MwYoEki7giNUA8gRFntHQfWMStj8UjXfV-Jk5e/s400/IMG_1121.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful kitchen at home in Lead</td></tr>
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I have been waiting and waiting and waiting on getting some specific events to happen, and that has kind of put my life on hold. But now things are in motion and I figure I can make a big announcement.<br />
<br />
I'll be moving ... again, but I hope for the last time until I have to move into a protected community of some kind, IF I ever have to do that.<br />
<br />
I don't want to have to write up the tale of all the woes and intrigues involving my condominium in the Black Hills. the story begins when I first bought the place in 2004. It was all about the original owner / developer who turned out to be a person who lies about things and proved to be incompetent about what he needed to do. All the unit owners were often in despair over his actions, but we did comfort ourselves with the thought that he was old enough and in poor health and we knew we would all outlive him.<br />
<br />
Which we did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kPJBVpnd0yUrH39JfS_aaYWXQOkSD619TdPT-RV5VkpE9_G7jjiwcBk-4LWRpUCCKI49h8zVFGVRe3g4gIndwS2kYKLFTddacYrTIpJFO65Bm5PO5IerGQskqvPF-9Ur1fmzDazYUOZq/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kPJBVpnd0yUrH39JfS_aaYWXQOkSD619TdPT-RV5VkpE9_G7jjiwcBk-4LWRpUCCKI49h8zVFGVRe3g4gIndwS2kYKLFTddacYrTIpJFO65Bm5PO5IerGQskqvPF-9Ur1fmzDazYUOZq/s400/IMG_1116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cozy bedroom with the tropical theme</td></tr>
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<br />
But when the dust settled, we ended up living in a building that was owned by a bank and was falling apart due to neglect. A competent buyer / developer was found, but for some reason the process of purchasing the property has taken more than a year<br />
<br />
At first I was in a panic because I had just finally moved into this place for good, having given up my second home in another city. I just kind of went to pieces saying "I just can't move again!!!!!!!!" But I thought about it, and came to the conclusion that indeed I could move again, and in fact, moving would be a good thing. I could use more space. This makes more sense than having two homes in two locations like I had had when I lived in Salt Lake and was thinking about again. I could do something new, have new adventures in a different place, reinvent myself.<br />
<br />
Suddenly the whole USA was open to me because I'm retired. I didn't have to consider the location of a job in order to select the location of a home. I could move anywhere I wanted. ( I guess I could have also considered other countries too, but I did not.) Where would I go? How would I choose?<br />
<br />
As you do, I made a list of what I was looking for in a place to live. Here's what ended up on the list.<br />
<ul>
<li>reasonable real estate prices and cost of living</li>
<li>four seasons but without a real long, severe winter; also not a lot of dreary rain</li>
<li>not a huge city or a suburb of a huge city</li>
<li>property to buy available now</li>
<li>opportunities for volunteer work that I want to do</li>
<li>no farther away from my brother and his family than I already am</li>
<li>interesting things to do, places in visit, in the town & region</li>
<li>easy access to a major airport</li>
<li>cultural and community opportunities</li>
<li>opportunities for life long learning</li>
<li>good community recreation</li>
<li>good restaurants and reasonable shopping</li>
<li>easy to get around in</li>
<li>someplace I have been and have a feel for and have friends who live there now</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfbRIgQitLtN4NOmIuy4X_1EgG7Fvm-kUdhztyf5DWmKFl6Brr2wWpztSu7b-kEvm7_64yySYBug1yArpqx_xkg-6xbkZD9-I-HhmIh6AYsulvooD7dmk7FQK1C4hKgCYn-v6FOUY8UmV/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfbRIgQitLtN4NOmIuy4X_1EgG7Fvm-kUdhztyf5DWmKFl6Brr2wWpztSu7b-kEvm7_64yySYBug1yArpqx_xkg-6xbkZD9-I-HhmIh6AYsulvooD7dmk7FQK1C4hKgCYn-v6FOUY8UmV/s400/IMG_0457.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh, the coast of California!<br />
Just for visiting, not for living at.</td></tr>
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Right away I eliminated one of my favorite places in the US - California. I love California and intend to keep visiting it again and again, but it just did not meet enough criteria, especially the ones about costs, cities, distance from the family and easy to get around in. I also cut out the entire southern US, the whole east coast, Oregon and Washington, and of course Hawaii and Alaska. But that left me the whole intermountain west and midwest, a pretty large chunk of the country.<br />
<br />
Next round had me x'ing off Minnesota, even though I know it well, my niece lives there, I have friends there, and I do like the Twin Cities. Biggest reason is the severe winters, and I really did not want to move to the greater Twin Cities. Places that were never in the running included North Dakota, Iowa and Indiana. I flirted with Ohio where I lived once and also have friends, but I decided no there too. Low on the list but still in the next to the finals were Montana and Wyoming.<br />
<br />
So here's the final list (not in any order):<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Colorado, especially the northern part like Ft. Collins - Boulder</li>
<li>Salt Lake City</li>
<li>Prescott Arizona</li>
<li>Sioux Falls South Dakota</li>
<li>Grand Rapids Michigan or smaller cities in Michigan</li>
<li>various places in Wisconsin especially Madison</li>
<li>Boise Idaho</li>
<li>Rockford Illinois, my hometown</li>
</ul>
And then it was perfectly clear. My new old home would be Rockford, my home for better or for worse. No place is perfect. Nothing meets all the criteria, but Rockford has some things that give it bonus points to make up for some of the minus ones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqICZ49wWocQziRusV0l0QcfiWq6SVIOeKl2u4uXGHMXZeWMZkkX2grO4tbpO9e7q_wsmJ61O9Afw1X0nrqdojwPLKWpAKjESiSePuZ0NvkJe9zeOz-eXJVMsSWXGc-V04msMLwEiiA8O/s1600/me--my-pals_2795213392_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqICZ49wWocQziRusV0l0QcfiWq6SVIOeKl2u4uXGHMXZeWMZkkX2grO4tbpO9e7q_wsmJ61O9Afw1X0nrqdojwPLKWpAKjESiSePuZ0NvkJe9zeOz-eXJVMsSWXGc-V04msMLwEiiA8O/s400/me--my-pals_2795213392_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guardians of the Rock River will be looking after me again.</td></tr>
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<br />
Obviously Rockford is close to my brother ... he still lives there. I know it well, or as well as one can what with being only a visitor for 50 years. But still I have been visiting faithfully for 50 years.<br />
<br />
Rockford has very easy access to O'Hare airport. Enough said about that. The weather.....well, not the best of all the places I might could live, but the autumn is to die for, and winters are not as hard or as long as in places like Minnesota. And it does not rain like in Seattle. Summers can be very hot and muggy with humidity, but finally I'll have a/c.<br />
<br />
Very importantly Rockford has the kind of property I want at good prices. Salt Lake City area, for example, did not have the kind of places I want AND prices there are rising.<br />
<br />
I want one level living, 1-2 bedrooms, but with a basement for storage and a studio. (And a garage of course). I want it to be a duplex or townhouse with a homeowners association that will take care of ALL the outside work. I won't have a large garden, but I also will never have to shovel snow or rake leaves or cut grass. Rockford has property like that, and because the economy there is still in the failed rust belt mode, prices are still reasonable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXhcaLpXm3o_9Jr6bmc0aoaOX0TkF_C-ZrV-ufhsxenaqeLCKyjcUUkOUl8lIe6f9lfapeuXYP50dB01yaOFbONWko_JdlHv-2W29ph7tmt7bwWmFx5r6_fpq-i0xdLLPWtQ-cw1PEk8-/s1600/fullsizeoutput_634.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXhcaLpXm3o_9Jr6bmc0aoaOX0TkF_C-ZrV-ufhsxenaqeLCKyjcUUkOUl8lIe6f9lfapeuXYP50dB01yaOFbONWko_JdlHv-2W29ph7tmt7bwWmFx5r6_fpq-i0xdLLPWtQ-cw1PEk8-/s400/fullsizeoutput_634.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New and improved conservatory </td></tr>
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<br />
Rockford has good lifelong learning via the <a href="https://www.rockvalleycollege.edu/Community/CLR/index.cfm" target="_blank">community college.</a> It has excellent public recreation. I'm especially looking forward to being able to take <a href="https://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/" target="_blank">walks along the river </a>with some regularity. The <a href="https://rockriverymca.org/" target="_blank">YMCA </a>is fabulous, now has several newly built locations, and has a whole lot of water exercise classes. There are f<a href="https://www.gorockford.com/events/" target="_blank">estivals and community events</a> all the time.<br />
<br />
I'm dying to sign up as a volunteer at <a href="https://andersongardens.org/" target="_blank">Anderson Japanese Gardens</a> as well as the other public garden, <a href="http://klehm.org/" target="_blank">Klem Arboretum</a>. I could see myself as a docent at the <a href="https://www.laurenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Laurent House</a> and as an usher at the historic <a href="http://www.coronadopac.org/" target="_blank">Coronado Theater</a>. And I can volunteer at all kinds of festivals and events.<br />
<br />
The region is just a wealth of opportunities to explore. Let's start with Chicago itself. I really don't know Chicago very well, but I sure as heck intend to learn about it and get comfortable there. Next spring I think I'll head right to St. Louis to see its' <a href="http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/" target="_blank">world class botanic garden</a>. I want to really get to know Madison well along with other places in Wisconsin. I intend to explore Michigan. My best friend from high school who lives in Grand Rapids and I already have our alternative 50th high school anniversary pencilled in for next summer. I can take a special train trip from Chicago to <a href="https://www.amtrakvacations.com/destination/glacier-national-park-mt/" target="_blank">Glacier National Park</a> and stay in one of the historic hotels there. I can get to another really important friend in Cleveland easily.<br />
<br />
Having easy access to O'Hare will open up the whole world also. O'Hare has direct flights at reasonable costs for that kind of thing to just about every where.<br />
<br />
And chances are I will not have to be alone on holidays or birthdays and family gatherings ever again. I can also regularly visit the cemetery where Mom & Dad rest and put out flowers and things like that.<br />
<br />
But I'm excited and happy and looking forward to this new chapter. I'l keep you informed along the way.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO3Kz13BMgAYNLgtEH6Qpx9efh4Q4yLtl7LukB8mFqWFtTLiG4eJ7_j-7dCRBqkxKPIjM2xY_lCiC7citsEIte3Cm8jFpx-I2rdZTga_7kMYICrIWVNnJEOJGHFv9TaxZJAMrN6bPndhJ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_65e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO3Kz13BMgAYNLgtEH6Qpx9efh4Q4yLtl7LukB8mFqWFtTLiG4eJ7_j-7dCRBqkxKPIjM2xY_lCiC7citsEIte3Cm8jFpx-I2rdZTga_7kMYICrIWVNnJEOJGHFv9TaxZJAMrN6bPndhJ/s400/fullsizeoutput_65e.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey wasn't living with me at this time.<br />
But I'll get his picture with his big cousin soon.</td></tr>
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<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-43961673782794602532018-08-13T16:21:00.001-07:002018-09-07T12:46:15.981-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: Roadside Attractions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4opYAJISFABjAS4GJXj2oOTTv5Cg6UjeB_OYLt0H9-gT85qTXHn_JbFk-kp-rxV_6Pe_bOE6V6WDMcUjyk6oSqgNbZRdvGVARZvTKYdX_hCdTCr1bZlzO9IYuI9LXMaX5TiDfVd_mF9/s1600/IMG_2648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4opYAJISFABjAS4GJXj2oOTTv5Cg6UjeB_OYLt0H9-gT85qTXHn_JbFk-kp-rxV_6Pe_bOE6V6WDMcUjyk6oSqgNbZRdvGVARZvTKYdX_hCdTCr1bZlzO9IYuI9LXMaX5TiDfVd_mF9/s400/IMG_2648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carhenge, because...why not?</td></tr>
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You all probably know that the US is just fun of odd places to visit and mostly just look at. There's more than one within a day's drive of where I live now. I've decided I need to finally just literally go the extra mile and visit a few of them, so here goes.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I don't have a heck of a lot to say about these places. They were made by local men with ideas that became obsessions. I suppose somewhere there are places like these also made by women, but really this does seem to be a guy thing. (Maybe it's all the big tools that are needed. And concrete. Concrete seems to be a guy thing.)<br />
<br />
And they work. They are here. They have been here for awhile now. People visit. People write blog and Facebook and Instgram posts about the places. More people come.<br />
<br />
So first we have <a href="http://carhenge.com/" target="_blank">Carhenge</a> in <a href="http://www.cityofalliance.net/" target="_blank">Alliance Nebraska</a>. It's a replica of Stonehenge made out of old cars. What more is there to say? Except that there are several more outdoor sculptures now at the same site.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9Gj1ch4PxmwakH8uxJkLfIpn7Mu6hUXQ0cgQl1T1xtxL2UlqIz3VUuITqCxnZFmUns2qqEJNqtetZBK8rcqCR3-YU6pZp0qYutiqEi8_Ov2EtUH3TRE0BNhhnOcxcefdUqIPxH25baJX/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9Gj1ch4PxmwakH8uxJkLfIpn7Mu6hUXQ0cgQl1T1xtxL2UlqIz3VUuITqCxnZFmUns2qqEJNqtetZBK8rcqCR3-YU6pZp0qYutiqEi8_Ov2EtUH3TRE0BNhhnOcxcefdUqIPxH25baJX/s400/IMG_2651.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Fish and dinosaurs also at Carhenge. And more.... you will have to visit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then due north of Alliance for several hours gets you to the town of <a href="http://www.lemmonsd.com/" target="_blank">Lemmon South Dakota,</a> literally on the North and South Dakota border. There is a named place called North Lemmon in North Dakota, but it's not much and was killed off by the different liquor laws in the two states. South Dakota had legal liquor sales at the time while North Dakota was dry. Guess which part was most popular? But I digress.<br />
<br />
In Lemmon we have the world's largest petrified wood park or just the <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/petrified-wood-park" target="_blank">Petrified Wood Park</a>. Another guy just decided one day to build things out of petrified wood that was lying about all over the region. (I wonder if there is a second largest petrified wood park?)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UnZQGld3fhmCMWVIi1DfMVdt8ubDIEiuSPEfqS4IfNhZM9FdLsAprdusCfVFv4jqutwPr-cRCKAPZnj1pCNvTkSIKATQf_9GEWGkqCmP6S3TsBM6tKAhp9BlSvrBQdrBX4DvOcFKQQy-/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UnZQGld3fhmCMWVIi1DfMVdt8ubDIEiuSPEfqS4IfNhZM9FdLsAprdusCfVFv4jqutwPr-cRCKAPZnj1pCNvTkSIKATQf_9GEWGkqCmP6S3TsBM6tKAhp9BlSvrBQdrBX4DvOcFKQQy-/s400/IMG_2678.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey at the petrified wood stronghold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So now there is this whole city block right in the middle of town filled up with things like quasi-buildings and cone shaped "trees" and just stuff all made from concrete and petrified rock.<br />
<br />
I asked the nice lady in the little museum where all the rock came from, and she said people just find it lying around all over the region. The whole area once was a big sea in prehistoric times, and then things changed you know. That got me thinking that because this whole region was once under the water, including and especially what are now the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm" target="_blank">Badlands</a>, we probably do have petrified wood all over the place just like we have marine and tropical fossils and dinosaurs. But I suppose people don't recognize it was wood at first because, after all, it looks a heck of a lot like rock. Which it is.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_Gy1PnGAd7tLHsPwfhdud3LfYw0Awk1kPiwzCglo1eny77R-Mkg4onpavz44kU7WBCWRf2qhTUGY0L-KTMTdiugr2i9Q9zAOj-GPOmlLmWLf-klByI_nIBHlarEi1ev5yPIcuk2UUsbA/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_Gy1PnGAd7tLHsPwfhdud3LfYw0Awk1kPiwzCglo1eny77R-Mkg4onpavz44kU7WBCWRf2qhTUGY0L-KTMTdiugr2i9Q9zAOj-GPOmlLmWLf-klByI_nIBHlarEi1ev5yPIcuk2UUsbA/s400/IMG_2674.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What ARE these things? Who knows? I guess you can call it ART.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, if you find yourself going numb in the mind or the behind while driving on I-80 through Nebraska or I-94 through North Dakota (most likely your intention is to drive THROUGH either state on your way to, say, Yellowstone or the Rocky Mountains or Utah even), you might consider getting off the highway and seeing some sights. Get out of the car, get a snack, use the facilities, walk around, take some pictures, post of your fave social media site. You have probably never seen anything like this before.<br />
<br />
And if you HAVE been to the world's second largest (or the third even) petrified wood park, let me know.Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-61992799809800403802018-08-06T12:42:00.002-07:002018-08-13T16:21:38.361-07:00I Just Have to Say<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lPZwByJYarXTNpkk6GNVwdP1Y8DrIThcfFq6aX_lZWzMmKknkRXJIdctkkNdum8jP5BVxR74J0TjiVTlxWL5sD-9aoDqrarT3YygeJmIj9PvxxPnbha3V5tQOJnwg1XTCUN123Q2kM0x/s1600/US2228114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lPZwByJYarXTNpkk6GNVwdP1Y8DrIThcfFq6aX_lZWzMmKknkRXJIdctkkNdum8jP5BVxR74J0TjiVTlxWL5sD-9aoDqrarT3YygeJmIj9PvxxPnbha3V5tQOJnwg1XTCUN123Q2kM0x/s400/US2228114.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have a different kind of beauty out here in flyover country.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I listen to podcasts fairly often these days. There is one that I like, an accomplished woman who interviews other accomplished women. I don't want to tell you her name or the name of her podcast because if you listen to her, I don't want to color your listening pleasure. On the whole, I do enjoy what she and her guests have to say. Otherwise I wouldn't continue to listen.<br />
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But I find myself feeling kind of bad after listening to her sometimes especially when she expresses her opinion about various things in popular culture. It turns out she does not like at all.... Very Popular TV Host (VPTH), Very Popular Actress (VPAc), Very Popular Memoir Bestseller (VPMB) and its' accompanying Very Popular Author (VPAu) who has written several other bestsellers, Very Popular Film (VPF) and Very Popular Chain Restaurant (VPCR) [Actually I think Podcast Woman does not like any chain restaurants She talks about her own diet from time to time. They don't serve much that she will eat at chains].<br />
<br />
Podcast Woman doesn't like VPTV because in her opinion he is culturally insensitive (although she has never met him in person, she admits, never even came close to meeting him.) She thinks that VPMB is disingenuous because it's not strictly 100% true. (I guess it would be ok if it were labeled as a novel. It reads like a novel because it's well written and edited, I happen to think.) She didn't actually watch VPF because it featured VPAc whom she dislikes ... no reason given, however. And she just turned up her nose at people who went to eat at VPCR; I guess because she thinks they must not know or care about "good food."<br />
<br />
Why do I feel bad after hearing her statements? (And I have to say the statements have all been kind of off the cuff & without thought; nor has she belabored any of these thoughts, just put them out there and kept talking.) Because I happen to really like all of these things and people.<br />
<br />
I watch VPTH all the time. I urged our little public library to purchase VPMB when it was new because I enjoyed the read a lot, and it turns out that many other library patrons did too. The library now owns all the books by VPAu, and they circulate well. I enjoyed VPF in the theater and bought myself a DVD of it so I could watch it whenever I want. VPAc has won Oscars, and I think she is beautiful and talented. I'll go see her in anything she does. I eat at VPCR with some regularity.<br />
<br />
But I guess it's my cultural low self esteem kicking in, because when I hear her talking down any of the above (and others to come no doubt) my FIRST thought is something like, " Well maybe VPWhatever is not that great after all. Maybe I SHOULDN'T like it so much." I think it's a midwestern thing.<br />
<br />
Self assured and very accomplished people can instantly make me feel like a hick from the sticks even if they would say they never intended such a thing. I wasn't raised to ever think that my opinion about things was particularly valuable and should not really influence the opinion of others. I think has made me downgrade my thoughts when confronted with the judgments of others, especially folks who present themselves as "experts" in some way. My FIRST thoughts always run along the lines of, "Well she is very well educated, traveled and accomplished. She must know better than I do about what is worthwhile and what is not." And that's probably why I have not identified any of the particulars under discussion here. (Actually, I don't think the particulars don't matter that much.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SrSkIsyQku-0ocIhqeI64loFTsRJSy6iKp6VuVoLRW2Ftkrh68vLbdjexfn4cWg1GN6yqhC6GbfdenDn-r2Y4i5ETkL_0ug9G94RjJe6W7Q-Qsj4rHvuGJAvFfhY42yy6sgSWFkc0BSQ/s1600/US5307266.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SrSkIsyQku-0ocIhqeI64loFTsRJSy6iKp6VuVoLRW2Ftkrh68vLbdjexfn4cWg1GN6yqhC6GbfdenDn-r2Y4i5ETkL_0ug9G94RjJe6W7Q-Qsj4rHvuGJAvFfhY42yy6sgSWFkc0BSQ/s400/US5307266.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
(This kind of reminded me of the little internet controversy several years ago in which a restaurant critic from North Dakota reviewed an Olive Garden restaurant for her hometown paper and was widely mocked by the coastal elites. But then many others came to the defense of the elderly lady restaurant critic, and I think the coastal elites came out of that one the losing end when the whole thing settled down.)<br />
<br />
I have eaten in very fine restaurants of many kinds throughout the years, but I also happen to live happily in a part of the country which I sometimes call "The Land Where Chefs Don't Go." We don't have many chefs in this part of the world, but we still enjoy dining out just like people do everywhere. We have to make do with what we have. Chain restaurants actually are often the best in town, as it turns out.<br />
<br />
Similarly I once heard someone from away ask why on earth a local couple was having their wedding in the meeting room of a chain motel. Well, because that chain hotel is actually the fanciest place in the little town out here where the couple lived. And the movies that actually make it into our small local theaters? Well, they have to already have made tons of money in other places first, and then some of them will get sent out here to the small theaters in the "wilderness." Otherwise we wait for the DVD or to be on-line. That takes awhile. And we don't often hear about what we "should" be watching unless we happen to read the New York Times regularly. Some people do that even out here, but, really, most don't.<br />
<br />
Although my podcast friend was raised in a pretty middle class home and had a bunch of middle class jobs before her career took a different turn, I realize that now, like it or not, she has become a coastal elite. She actually was raised on one coast and now lives on the other. But, you know, I realized that just because she is accomplished, I don't have to buy everything she says. She might be AN arbiter of taste, but she is not THE one. And culture, popular or high, isn't even her filed of expertise.<br />
<br />
She is entitled to her opinions about everything and is entitled to express them too. But I'm also just as entitled. I can like or not like anything I want, and who cares if some people might label some things that I like as cliche, inauthentic, shallow, popular but not "art", time bound, mundane, or even bad.<br />
<br />
I need to pay more attention to my SECOND thoughts. Probably the first thoughts will continue to just pop up, but I can and should just enjoy what I enjoy. I'm the one experiencing that joy after all, not Podcast Woman or anyone else. And we all needs as much joy as we can get, no matter what stimulates that happy feeling.<br />
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<br />
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<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-74365454415451627332018-07-15T13:14:00.000-07:002018-08-06T12:43:02.480-07:00Smokey Rose Interlude<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzxXrWgXSYa8aQ01sgIP5VaCKLyPeNfcki4rI-qnwlTxNCOV9bv-8aaDuW-Pt6ziqIdmSKWndIoBSzBOcaNwxvz_cyoOWJBGO5CbvJVLDcZX6VsofnF_BdQpBSoV_WPPoEdjOb_ki8Zw8/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzxXrWgXSYa8aQ01sgIP5VaCKLyPeNfcki4rI-qnwlTxNCOV9bv-8aaDuW-Pt6ziqIdmSKWndIoBSzBOcaNwxvz_cyoOWJBGO5CbvJVLDcZX6VsofnF_BdQpBSoV_WPPoEdjOb_ki8Zw8/s400/IMG_2622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two large "bullet" holes and lots of complete cracks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I don't know how well the picture shows my poor car windshield, but the whole thing is just toast right now. We had a large, violent, sudden and short hailstorm on June 29. Lots and lots of hail damage to vehicles and buildings. Insurance adjusters are living in all the extended stay hotels, and of course, fly-by-night people have moved in too, offering to fix you whatever right now for cash and....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwFfTLwwSLlviAbfY94t0W-ePaSeelJTPqTbTg9EfbgfdrCrCuN6E-hHjscT1ezAmw-zDaEBmP_1Mx88LYeG9Jdj_GW3AxjK2In_SZ4ZHxKrPdOlaFmASTjXMB8w0gdfrw5R_YOhZbS8/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwFfTLwwSLlviAbfY94t0W-ePaSeelJTPqTbTg9EfbgfdrCrCuN6E-hHjscT1ezAmw-zDaEBmP_1Mx88LYeG9Jdj_GW3AxjK2In_SZ4ZHxKrPdOlaFmASTjXMB8w0gdfrw5R_YOhZbS8/s400/IMG_2620.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before the storm actually hit us.</td></tr>
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<br />
My insurance fellow was a very nice young man from Georgia who had never been to the Black Hills before. He said he was quite impressed with the place and happy to be out of Texas where he was assigned just before. He said most of the time he was sent to various places in the country after weather disasters because he was a specialist in this kind of damage. He would stay for weeks or months at a time. He also said he had his SUV filled up with camping and outdoor gear and would take advantage of the outdoor life wherever he got sent. Nice life style if you can get it, but I can see it's a young person's career. I think all those extended stays away from home would not work that well for family life.<br />
<br />
So my car was not "totaled," which I was glad about because my sweet little green car is only 3 years old, and you can't get that color anymore. But both the roof and hood (and the windshield, of course) have major damage and will need to be taken off and replaced with new parts. Some dings on the side will just need to be repaired. My appointment to begin to get this done is July 25, and the shop will have the car 2 weeks or so. That was the earliest possible date at the place my insurance told me to go to. I feel pretty good that they will do things correctly. I'll be getting a rental car for the duration of the repair process.<br />
<br />
My windshield is now "protected" with what amounts to super-sized plastic wrap. I was assured by the shop that the whole thing wil not shatter onto me. I hope not. The car is drivable, and the shop people said it is ok to drive where I want. So business as usual except my windshield is held together with saran wrap.<br />
<br />
I have some upcoming plans for short trips in the area which you will be hearing about soon, but meanwhile I just thought I would show you some pictures of Ms Smokey Rose, the wonder cat , who, as you know, is the love of my life.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJjq68IEMHKRjjgFaGq-C3uUBoEhfcJXDlys3F97jgm22sS5T6TKaw4IgdEXKiyU8jGHukZTsUzbilB4qeCtRm7CufAc4NHozBCn8q5PhehkepQ1kEHJGNmUdb84annyPaskk5YJzXvnw/s1600/IMG_2641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJjq68IEMHKRjjgFaGq-C3uUBoEhfcJXDlys3F97jgm22sS5T6TKaw4IgdEXKiyU8jGHukZTsUzbilB4qeCtRm7CufAc4NHozBCn8q5PhehkepQ1kEHJGNmUdb84annyPaskk5YJzXvnw/s400/IMG_2641.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey Rose poses very well for pictures.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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I can't show you a picture of my favorite pastime with her. That's snuggling together with me. She almost never sleeps with me all night for hours at a time, but she does love snuggling for awhile. When I am in bed, she joins me from where ever she was and settles in for some petting and purring. Unlike some of my other cats, she does not like to sit or lie on top of me. She never does it.<br />
<br />
I "wrote" most of my dissertation with my tabby cat from a Maine dairy farm, Emma, lying on my chest. I would lie down on the couch for some thinking time, she would immediately jump up and curl up to sleep on my chest. I would zone out, and what I would write next would happen in my mind. Sometime later I would get up and put it into the computer. I am sure that Emma was a necessary part of the whole process.<br />
<br />
My North Carolina southern ladies, Lily and Poppy, were also fond of sitting or lying on my lap / legs while I would watch TV or knit or read or whatever I might do while sitting on the sofa. They often did that together. (They were not siblings, but were also tabbies and looked a lot alike. Lily came from another farm, and Poppy came a year later from the home of a colleague.) Poppy also thought my head on a pillow was a good place for her to curl up upon.<br />
<br />
Smokey Rose, on the other hand, likes to be right close to me but not upon me. For cuddling she settles in one one side or the other, usually my left, but sometimes when she feels wild and crazy she goes to the right. She stretches out her back up against my midsection and rolls into me a bit so her tummy is exposed. Then it's my turn to start rubbing her from under her chin all down her tummy. The purring begins, the limbs and toes stretch out a bit, and I think there is a smile on her face. And there we stay for quite some time until she kind of falls asleep. The purring stops. She curls in a bit. Do not disturb until suddenly she wakes up, jumps up and goes some place else. But she'll be back, if I stay there in bed, sometime later when she realizes that cuddling is sure a nice thing to do.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KWIp-8LVlslHk2o9sI-fSbCWasGuK5yKYnz-_YqGHYnCkksZrwr9SuNtHt757wtyEw1gG5W-SvgOWzkwZLQnXiMOiFKD6bAUeIh_HbbQisMAiJ4JvAtFCUpY7ESxpED-SYuUk_3uGB5Y/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KWIp-8LVlslHk2o9sI-fSbCWasGuK5yKYnz-_YqGHYnCkksZrwr9SuNtHt757wtyEw1gG5W-SvgOWzkwZLQnXiMOiFKD6bAUeIh_HbbQisMAiJ4JvAtFCUpY7ESxpED-SYuUk_3uGB5Y/s400/IMG_2629.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't make the bed until SR is finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the morning Smokey Rose prefers to sleep on our bed. She'll begin with me there sometimes and just stays. Or else when I get up she knows it's all hers, so there she goes.<br />
<br />
When I got her from <a href="https://bestfriends.org/" target="_blank">Best Friends</a>, they told me how she really liked to get inside cupboards. She would do that here except that all my cupboards are too filled up with stuff for her to find a place to settle into. Every once in awhile she goes exploring, checking out the various doors for ease of opening, just to see if I have moved some stuff and made room for her.<br />
<br />
So here she contents herself with closets. That's where she can usually be found in the afternoon. I can't get a picture because she has found ways to burrow deep inside and curl up for napping. I can find her by touching where I think she might be, not looking.<br />
<br />
And then sometimes she really hides by going far under the bed. I don't think she is frightening of anything. She just likes those dark hideaways where she feels safe and cozy. Cats do that kind of thing.<br />
<br />
Now that she is "geriatric" she doesn't run around chasing things much. Her diet is strictly controlled prescription food, and she is not a chow hound or very interested in food at all except as she needs to be ( I wouldn't be interested in food much either if all I ate was what she gets.) so she does not gain weight. Sleeping is her main activity. Followed by resting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD070MgeKgVv9jxyaU30Kk85V4QsWhsN7ueTCJV7IMFsMPm2K5YbbKlvN07lAWw67570TIZU6Sz-kgb6TsOzTqRSRiTw4avnWcL0yhv_d7aRfz4Rs5hNytry4THxp6P0dgaHMowvDEFfwc/s1600/IMG_2644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD070MgeKgVv9jxyaU30Kk85V4QsWhsN7ueTCJV7IMFsMPm2K5YbbKlvN07lAWw67570TIZU6Sz-kgb6TsOzTqRSRiTw4avnWcL0yhv_d7aRfz4Rs5hNytry4THxp6P0dgaHMowvDEFfwc/s400/IMG_2644.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any box that comes into the place risks getting<br />
taken over by Smokey Rose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the other hand, she is pretty cheap to please. Cardboard boxes are her favorite things. They are her beds and her scratching places. They are places to hide. Eventually they get kind of crummy and I throw out one, as long as a new one has already arrived.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHtq1CRKOkGunxTBdt_k65qL7-xakPY-Khn5ERjj-9T4RdpKSCx5fWM4TgorbobL-NtkXayRxqZVUpB5Rdfxx26jA98Cm9P9DWIv8X3gLTDWaLB3zFyUTunnxHxHJXl8XtPaks8EfKXfi/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHtq1CRKOkGunxTBdt_k65qL7-xakPY-Khn5ERjj-9T4RdpKSCx5fWM4TgorbobL-NtkXayRxqZVUpB5Rdfxx26jA98Cm9P9DWIv8X3gLTDWaLB3zFyUTunnxHxHJXl8XtPaks8EfKXfi/s400/IMG_2646.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she has a little window ledge when the weather is warm. <br />
She does not watch birds much. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Overall Smokey Rose is one of the best cats in the universe. I'm so blessed that she picked me out when I went to find my new companion. I treasure every second I have with her.Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-83607421295113789762018-06-29T11:33:00.000-07:002018-07-15T13:15:22.514-07:00I'm Still Here<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqx0R4w-ERQbE2hq_r9YuD8gyniPhg1mhbo42sB1nAMaftJPBtQCW68kBmw_nFrpJGmSrCx533f2h8beRHQN_okIze8Gr_bdYB32zNoIOuAA20dEJFGB3Sxsm4kKk3P0zsi7KrqGvwEFS/s1600/IMG_2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqx0R4w-ERQbE2hq_r9YuD8gyniPhg1mhbo42sB1nAMaftJPBtQCW68kBmw_nFrpJGmSrCx533f2h8beRHQN_okIze8Gr_bdYB32zNoIOuAA20dEJFGB3Sxsm4kKk3P0zsi7KrqGvwEFS/s400/IMG_2595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tru Hotels feature murals like this showing the location<br />
Notice the cool looking couches and little tables.<br />
Notice that the Salt Lake mural features beer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
End of April! That's to long to stay silent. But as I think about things to write about I keep coming up empty.<br />
<br />
I did spend nine days in May back in Salt Lake. I wanted to keep up being a volunteer at Red Butte Garden. 2017 was my tenth year. I'm aiming for 20 now just like for Sundance. So I did an intensive week+ of volunteering, and put in enough hours to qualify for another annual membership for 2019.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ENiOLKBH1zR7iCiZCJTvZz3PWkZYS5ASPikZQ1Saq74NmkNlYR_nrK8TZKW4jfAIXDruZZwamOJmSvNJqdavohSvMNb4aPm_ET3rtnIucBnxsKm0TQKhFuPRHA3Py5VYifKdXT1UhEj/s1600/IMG_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11ENiOLKBH1zR7iCiZCJTvZz3PWkZYS5ASPikZQ1Saq74NmkNlYR_nrK8TZKW4jfAIXDruZZwamOJmSvNJqdavohSvMNb4aPm_ET3rtnIucBnxsKm0TQKhFuPRHA3Py5VYifKdXT1UhEj/s400/IMG_2573.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California poppies are some of my favorite flowers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I went during the annual spring plant sale week because I knew I could get in extra shifts by working whole days at the sale. It wasn't the greatest experience because it rained, sometimes very hard, the whole time. I had brought with all my rain gear, and made good use of it, but still I was all soggy.<br />
<br />
The other days I worked mornings with my various volunteer groups in various garden sections, and then they let me return alone each afternoon to work alone in the same sections. So many people know and trust me there. I just kind of found places to weed and had at it each session, which was ok with everyone.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmEm9bboRORYqv3jpWQGL8m2EYBjyd865i43buTx-nLnl1FvEyDO_F-JpU-sv2uN7-7OXI1F4wVWY7WHudf3rziI9Ofi_tIRzxFA1wenwWpYoa1pJyiQxzGwPtQA9epqFNO3Et3Ee3_9l/s1600/IMG_2590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmEm9bboRORYqv3jpWQGL8m2EYBjyd865i43buTx-nLnl1FvEyDO_F-JpU-sv2uN7-7OXI1F4wVWY7WHudf3rziI9Ofi_tIRzxFA1wenwWpYoa1pJyiQxzGwPtQA9epqFNO3Et3Ee3_9l/s400/IMG_2590.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisteria was at it's height in May.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The rose gardens were not yet in bloom, but other sections of the garden were just amazingly lovely. The terrace gardens were particularly beautiful. Lilacs were in full bloom. The new water wise terraces had all kinds of interesting things in bloom too.<br />
<br />
I stayed at first with my friend Jen who nows lives at the summit of the mountain where Park City is located. The summit is right off Interstate 80, only a few miles from the Garden. I felt ok about having to come and go from there because I figured (correctly) that there would be no snow. Jen has a very comfy new (to her) mountain home with a large guest suite. She said I could stay as long as I wanted because she knew I would be "low maintenance." I enjoyed her home and got to know her young kids a bit better.<br />
<br />
But I did move out on the Sunday because her mom was coming for a visit from the east coast. I went to my favorite new chain hotel, Tru by Hilton. I had intended to write a bit about this new chain back last fall when I stayed at one of their prototype hotels in Cheyenne, WY. I guess the prototypes worked out because now there is one opening soon in nearby Deadwood and others just starting to get built in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. AND there are two of them in the Salt Lake valley, one an easy drive on I-80 out near the SLC airport.<br />
<br />
The concept of the <a href="http://tru3.hilton.com/en/index.html?WT.mc_id=zLADA0WW1XX2PSH3DA4PPC5PPC6MULTIBR7_153785272_1004635&_vsrefdom=mca&mchxkw=c:276712836,k:43700023871771550,m:e,d:c,ai:75797610728149,s:b" target="_blank">Tru Hotels</a> is that they are low priced, intended to compete with Motel 6, La Quinta, Day's Inn and the likes, but that they are DESIGNED to the max and specifically appeal to younger travelers. But this older traveler loves them. The overall design is modern, colorful and happy. I can see many of the cost-cutting aspects, like having all the products in dispensers not individual packages, not having carpet, having mostly built-ins not freestanding furniture, using glass enclosed showers not bathtubs and shower curtains, not having a pool. But the the bed is very comfy. The TV is big but not too big. The window blinds have a great design on them. The room has everything you need, is designed so well and is just delightful to stay in. The lobby is set up to be a gathering place, and people do that. There is a big pool table in the lobby, plus lots of board games. Coffee is there 24/7. There's a patio with a grill. I'll be selecting Tru Hotels across the country when I find them where I'm going in the future.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv9rlKAaBHj_jzoomrytJIgLOYVmPAlGq4y_a_0orJhJJq0yBQsKE41z4g3LvjbNZxL03KLTHROnMYr_ymL3_dLl-1-cKaIWdIBa5u-9i5JGUeGAR2ORle68ePDcAXoxo87Be_SmZMCH5/s1600/fullsizeoutput_8a0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv9rlKAaBHj_jzoomrytJIgLOYVmPAlGq4y_a_0orJhJJq0yBQsKE41z4g3LvjbNZxL03KLTHROnMYr_ymL3_dLl-1-cKaIWdIBa5u-9i5JGUeGAR2ORle68ePDcAXoxo87Be_SmZMCH5/s400/fullsizeoutput_8a0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circular checkin desk in the Tru Hotel lobby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since returning to South Dakota, I haven't done much of anything that is new or interesting. I've been going out at least once a week for a long drive to and from someplace, but no place that is new to me. But I do like just driving around this part of the world because, as I've said many times before, it's beautiful. For example, I drove down to Hot Springs on the highway just outside the Hills. I checked out a local art fair, and then turned north to go home via highway 385 in the middle of the Hills. I drove through Custer where I had lunch, and then on up to Hill City and home.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8daKEqHlzKrPf3vAr_xc_vudXIS_rQXam9RCr-RGyBtQfDBucVyQCvpc2jrM4FgGy-FRuzNsjqGSsIfneyxvgd4UqeKp-R_xnJcda85ePXKF24xl7VlvK0TDZnVbr1Hx6iyVpvuUFe4sf/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8daKEqHlzKrPf3vAr_xc_vudXIS_rQXam9RCr-RGyBtQfDBucVyQCvpc2jrM4FgGy-FRuzNsjqGSsIfneyxvgd4UqeKp-R_xnJcda85ePXKF24xl7VlvK0TDZnVbr1Hx6iyVpvuUFe4sf/s400/IMG_2616.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SockMonkey had never been to Wind Cave.<br />
We just stopped at the visitor's center. <br />
I have toured the cave before, & you need a reservation for that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While in Custer a total stranger who was a motorcycle rider from <a href="http://www.scottsbluff.org/" target="_blank">Scottsbluff Nebraska</a> bought me ice cream. He was just in a generous mood and paid for everyone nearby including me. I had coffee flavor. Now I need to find an occasion where I can pay for someone else's ice cream some day.<br />
<br />
We have been having a lot of rain here lately. Overall it's on the chilly side too. I'm not complaining in the least unlike when I was in Seattle. In fact I welcome the rain.<br />
<br />
It doesn't rain all day every day. When the rain stops, the sun pops right back, and things dry out quickly. And it's overall real good for the countryside. The reservoirs are filled, too high sometimes even. The danger of forest fires is moderate, always a good thing. But there seems to be no danger of flooding. The rain made all the pine pollen, which causes me really bad allergic symptoms, to wash away. And since I HATE hot weather, as you know, I'm really glad that we don't have that. we'll get it soon enough, and I'll be complaining then, I assure you. But not now. Now I love this rainy weather here. Keep it up!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FNwel_0uEt5qbqpjrzLvaqNk8jQxYub0TNJdHIqE8WjdRs_1vJki2tICE_GtbxyiSJNraw7JMcTUFrnwWOhcpnNV26gUJIjK1BdaV5WpEnCL9UjP3Ksy4SkdVLd-kdUoB9f7tIKK0B-A/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FNwel_0uEt5qbqpjrzLvaqNk8jQxYub0TNJdHIqE8WjdRs_1vJki2tICE_GtbxyiSJNraw7JMcTUFrnwWOhcpnNV26gUJIjK1BdaV5WpEnCL9UjP3Ksy4SkdVLd-kdUoB9f7tIKK0B-A/s400/IMG_2614.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of knitting. Penguin socks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm thinking about going down to Colorado to do some traveling around there. For sure I'm going in August and maybe some in July too. Right now they are having forest fires in the southern part near Durango, but my friend who lives near Boulder says they regularly get bad air from the fires. I've decided to hold off going there for now, but it will be easy to change my mind and just take off if I want.<br />
<br />
So that's my report to you for now. I'll let you all know about anything new that comes up as it happens. Meanwhile I hope you all are having a nice summer so far this year.<br />
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<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-8557579913999481532018-04-30T12:30:00.001-07:002018-07-15T13:40:09.508-07:00The Blue Lady Travels to a Blue Land: Seattle, Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRlmmmTYHHH5bXjkpEEq4XpHFr0oI3fgPFt8Y0DnLupP3HKl1U1F5kMtPhG7KWLOUt-wbkUFJ35skDgApSKC9gW13dXSf8-50qRZJkLnAdCufv_WPeKsXcYXBhhDLxK8m2T0hwOnZFEHs/s1600/IMG_2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRlmmmTYHHH5bXjkpEEq4XpHFr0oI3fgPFt8Y0DnLupP3HKl1U1F5kMtPhG7KWLOUt-wbkUFJ35skDgApSKC9gW13dXSf8-50qRZJkLnAdCufv_WPeKsXcYXBhhDLxK8m2T0hwOnZFEHs/s400/IMG_2527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a clear day, you CAN see Mt. Baker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'm starting with this photo which my friend sent to me a day ago in order to say, 'See, the sun actually DOES shine here....at least sometime." I'm sure that is true. I did see a bit of the sun and the blue sky while I was in the greater Seattle area recently. But mostly it looked like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Ad8I9LeaFnqm5Ohd1huw9XepglUsf7_ZV6-U9a0P8CwEsrUyh57kgGl7sFCf43Ou2_u-ht8YnJeODc1xecF2-XirNyZAqLFGHAWrn-2Sf185Bwzg5BO6P4LmqXPa6OsvckL7GHxGe23/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9dc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1600" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Ad8I9LeaFnqm5Ohd1huw9XepglUsf7_ZV6-U9a0P8CwEsrUyh57kgGl7sFCf43Ou2_u-ht8YnJeODc1xecF2-XirNyZAqLFGHAWrn-2Sf185Bwzg5BO6P4LmqXPa6OsvckL7GHxGe23/s400/fullsizeoutput_9dc.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of downtown Seattle from the Bainbridge Island Ferry</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Most of the time I was there it was gray, gray, gray or gray, and it rained. And rained some more. And rained again. I was constantly stepping into puddles or worse, mud. Even though Seattlites said there wasn't enough rain to actually warrant umbrella use, I used an umbrella a lot, which meant I always had this wet umbrella. And a damp jacket. And damp, if not, wet shoes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8C79n9B0eoWZFJ6aVxIKBsHT1U7Lll95SndCpXrje0gGbo6yDitnn47Qcbqlwz0bV9a-zO1Z0huNzzmKP3GG4OncbuQTH2mMubgcbLn6BcYg1JCZvrzkUubiRit6SmXc2jHsufARyZW_/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8C79n9B0eoWZFJ6aVxIKBsHT1U7Lll95SndCpXrje0gGbo6yDitnn47Qcbqlwz0bV9a-zO1Z0huNzzmKP3GG4OncbuQTH2mMubgcbLn6BcYg1JCZvrzkUubiRit6SmXc2jHsufARyZW_/s320/IMG_2528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This IS a very fine and stylish rain hat,<br />
don't you think?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My main souvenir a really great new rain hat. Actually <a href="http://www.lidwear.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html" target="_blank">made in Seattle</a>. Not cheap, but worth every penny.<br />
<br />
I had to go there for business reasons, and this was one of several trips which I have taken there, so I did not do much in the way of first time tourist stuff. I have been to the Pike's Place Market several times in the past. I have a photo of myself at the foot of the Space Needle. I had taken a sail boat (aka yacht) trip around <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157606931211914" target="_blank">Lake Seattle in the evening</a> so we could look at the back sides of large beautiful properties, such as the one owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gates. Using a ferry boat I had been to the far northeast to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157622589966181" target="_blank">Olympic National Park</a> and nearby towns. I've been to the botanic garden near the university, the <a href="http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/" target="_blank">botanic garden in Bellevue</a> and to <a href="http://www.kubotagarden.org/" target="_blank">Kubota Garden</a>, a lovely Japanese garden.<br />
<br />
I haven't yet been down to Mt. Rainier, and I have not been to many museums. I'm told there are several world class ones. I haven't been to cultural activities like the symphony, opera or ballet, or to any of the professional sports events either. But then I need reasons to return some other time, right?<br />
<br />
Because I would never even consider the idea of living there. But I will return for more visiting someday. not too long, I hope.<br />
<br />
Rain, damp, mold, chill, mud. My joints all ached all the time. I had a constant, mild headache. I did not want to go outside. I felt vaguely crummy most of the time which made it hard to enjoy myself.<br />
<br />
Housing prices are out of this world now. It's one of the most expensive markets in the US. And it's a really, really big city. So much bigger than Salt Lake, or even Denver, which I can handle without a thought.<br />
<br />
Driving is rather difficult especially with all the hills. Parking is virtually impossible (and expensive when you do find it.) In the rain and fog there is very low visibility. And the locals are REALLY RUDE fellow drivers who are all in too much of a hurry and who do REALLY DANGEROUS acts of driving OFTEN.<br />
<br />
You need skills like being able to parallel park into a space that is just precisely the right size while going up or down a steep hill. I can do it. I was taught how to parallel park in my younger days and still retain the skill. But when you are used to living in places where that is a vestigial skill, you get rusty, you know?<br />
<br />
And because the topography is all mixed up with things like rivers, bays, sounds, passages, narrows, inlets and lakes (aka water), you just don't have those straightforward street numbers and addresses. Maybe the early builders got in two or three square blocks before they ran up against some kind of body of water, and therefore had to change the road from straight to meander. More than once, it was clear to me that the building numbers made no sense at all, and you could not anticipate where a street or road would actually go.<br />
<br />
My friend who was looking for an address which sounded pretty straightforward but was not in the least, said these days everyone just uses one or another of those navigator ladies and trusts she knows of what she speaks. Well, this is the land where the most of the navigator ladies were born, after all. They grew up learning Seattle navigation while in their equivalent of kindergarten.<br />
<br />
You get these bottlenecks caused by bridges. They need a lot of bridges out there, but do not actually have that many of them. And the bridges are not all large and high. A single accident can take one out for a long time which means standing in dead traffic with a lot of other people being mystified, plus a long detour to get to the next bridge which is miles and miles out of your way. (I speak from experience.) Or even worse, a given bridge might get flooded out for days, especially at this time of year.<br />
<br />
Evidence of social problems are easy to see, especially encampments for homeless people even though Seattle is a true liberal enclave. A very blue city in a pretty blue state. They have legalized marijuana and assisted suicide for the dying. They city has a livable wage law. The Toyota Prius is the "official" car. Everyone values the environment, education, the arts, multi-culturalism, philanthropy, and of course, politically correct diets. All kinds of famous new economy companies were born here and thrive (in case you can't quite recall, think Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Costco.) Of course jobs can be found, and people want to move to hear from all over the world.<br />
<br />
But not me. I do not want to live in Seattle. Not ever.<br />
<br />
So what did I do there that was interesting and fun? Just a few things, but worth the time, all of them.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Starbucks Reserve, a new concept store</h2>
<div>
This is a <a href="https://www.starbucksreserve.com/inside-hq-starbucks-reserve-sodo" target="_blank">new store</a> in the neighborhood where I was doing the work I was sent to do. It's the one with the address that sounded simple, and seemed to be quite close by, but which actually took some doing to find. If you lived in the neighborhood, it would be easy to find, but my friend was a suburbs lady. Even though this place was less than a mile from where we were working, it was a chore to find. And a &^$##! to park near, but that's Seattle for you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, it is beautiful and worth the effort to find. The centerpiece is a huge actually coffee roasting machine which features a lot of copper. A heck of a lot of copper. For an industrial machine, it's actually beautiful. And, of course makes the whole place smell heavenly.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvA-V33v8NiuBU_vD3vV8ZI_HEJS2AIK4bZQKQVOONM-gNJKtNmzeO1OJJcvkSDh5BRawwFW3_W-WaeulbiQDxibQXxlW0kgyMXL_N80m8YankorYPNbcdUXHuZdd8LIltvinQmAKLv7_/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9e5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvA-V33v8NiuBU_vD3vV8ZI_HEJS2AIK4bZQKQVOONM-gNJKtNmzeO1OJJcvkSDh5BRawwFW3_W-WaeulbiQDxibQXxlW0kgyMXL_N80m8YankorYPNbcdUXHuZdd8LIltvinQmAKLv7_/s400/fullsizeoutput_9e5.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey would have liked some fancy coffee, but we<br />
did not have enough time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
This building was beautifully designed. The store has greeters and tour guides. There are several sections, the big roaster being the centerpiece. There is a huge horseshoe coffee bar, (that also served alcohol) an in house bakery, pizzeria and cafe were the food looked delicious, a large merchandise section with unique items ... none of your usual Starbucks mugs that can be found anyplace. And then tons and tons of space for customers to just sit around in, solo or in groups, having coffee and delectables, and, of course, working always on their laptops. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We only spent a short time there, and did not order any actual food or drink because we needed to get on the road to the next destination. But I certainly would like to come back and spend some time, drinking eating, and maybe writing my blog. (Or visit in another city which I hear is upcoming)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Bainbridge Island Excursion</h2>
<div>
Bainbridge Island is a small island right across Eliot Bay from downtown Seattle. You can get there in a car in a roundabout way that begins down in Tacoma, but taking the short ferry ride seems to be what most people do. By reports most people who live there do commute to Seattle for work. It's a charming little place with a sense of it's own self separate from Seattle. Real estate is expensive there, more expensive than other enclaves or cities, but they do seem to welcome visitors. My friends and I all felt a bit like we were back east in New England, in those lovely picture perfect villages on the coast where people do live but where tourism is also a big part of the economy. </div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3AWQTQJ0SD6yLXgO1geiCHtQewPurUIWkRiRA9f9KZxJRlVp2_VIQdDblYA8Ba4Y8BhuijpSzv5CFkFCiNt0ivgGh5xfuuDJO6XCyHIIcBLMYBBNR6FjH-BRHL3Y5apU3g_oyOlq5QqP/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3AWQTQJ0SD6yLXgO1geiCHtQewPurUIWkRiRA9f9KZxJRlVp2_VIQdDblYA8Ba4Y8BhuijpSzv5CFkFCiNt0ivgGh5xfuuDJO6XCyHIIcBLMYBBNR6FjH-BRHL3Y5apU3g_oyOlq5QqP/s400/IMG_2478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's we were going on the big ferry boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
We took our car in the ferry and then drove ashore distance to the business district where we parked and mostly walked around. One of my friends really enjoyed shopping in several different women's clothing and accessories shops where the clerks were very very helpful. She bought several different things in different places. I found that rain hat in an excellent travel store. They had a lovely local bookstore and several galleries for both fine art and less expensive items made by artists and artisans. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The highlight for me was the destination yarn shop, <a href="https://www.churchmouseyarns.com/" target="_blank">Churchmouse Yarns and Teas</a>. I knew about this place for years and years because the store appears in knitting magazines with some regularly. They have a line of their own self published patterns which are popular. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw9O_HUVJcBZnD0-PTQCaJU6XN9930aqWrzqxNkkg9vbl9GLjMuwQwXYwt5alH31ZJC3TOjuY2X9RgfOnNrj_838tcm1_hSdZEgIj29cndoNUfdL3-CFPDEk9mIX7F5OhhQvx8cXYpzjT/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9d2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw9O_HUVJcBZnD0-PTQCaJU6XN9930aqWrzqxNkkg9vbl9GLjMuwQwXYwt5alH31ZJC3TOjuY2X9RgfOnNrj_838tcm1_hSdZEgIj29cndoNUfdL3-CFPDEk9mIX7F5OhhQvx8cXYpzjT/s400/fullsizeoutput_9d2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior sets the tone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is one of the most elegant yarn stores I have visited. It has this classic east coast style to it, I have to say, which is lovely but not homey. This is not to say the shop and people were not welcoming ... they certainly were. There was a table for just sitting and knitting, but when we were there no one was using it. The shop stocked all kinds of what I call "fashion" yarn. Lovely, lovely yarn made by small high end companies. High end fibers and blends (aka things like cashmere and silk and linen, not just plain merino). ( And I don't recall if I saw any acrylic at all, but there might have been some baby yarn which I normally don't shop for.) </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3IeYV-_TkKX3v-dDOjNGopD_SY6vzC42h4w-Ki1gAqz7UbcFjKiy1zkr63pbe_s1Qbwm5DdeFWGz7laSObbWILXYjYFiAD4KzQOa23jeDWGkLHVB0VpvK2Tx9eF_mAb-PMTlDT6WWgec/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9d7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3IeYV-_TkKX3v-dDOjNGopD_SY6vzC42h4w-Ki1gAqz7UbcFjKiy1zkr63pbe_s1Qbwm5DdeFWGz7laSObbWILXYjYFiAD4KzQOa23jeDWGkLHVB0VpvK2Tx9eF_mAb-PMTlDT6WWgec/s400/fullsizeoutput_9d7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And plenty of tempting yarns on the inside. Sock Monkey was a bit underdressed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
And there was a nice tea section. I don't know why, but obviously the owner / founder likes both yarn and tea, so why not?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This time I did not buy any souvenir yarn because in my mind most of the yarn was best to go to making garments like sweaters, not just socks or a scarf. I could not find any yarn that I wanted to buy in a small amount while I was there. So I bought a book and a scarf pin and called it good. But if and when I decide I do want to make a sweater in a modern yarn to die for, I know one place where I'll go to check out first.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And finally, we did take to car to go to lunch at a place suggested by the yarn store folks, the <a href="http://harbourpub.com/" target="_blank">Harbour Public House</a>. It's right on the water, a bit tricky to find outside the main shopping area. Again, it looks like am old New England fish shack, and that's kind of what it was, but the menu was more expansive and actually did feature fish. But there was plenty of your classic pub food but with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, this being the Seattle area on the west coast, after all. I had their handmade burger, which was handmade with actual beef and a local brew which were both delicious. A good lunch was had by all.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3WoaXE6XWPJjSsWTbOxnpGSsHCgZS13eF0sLmNIMbLFka3DN3djOaC0LAPKjsgD8JZjqRZrYat-y4znpRTaHxHI1B7TcyY9Z4vxgZt0BgzeQOY_q19oatf6_W5assY8dt7bBU9ASZ5Uc/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9ce.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3WoaXE6XWPJjSsWTbOxnpGSsHCgZS13eF0sLmNIMbLFka3DN3djOaC0LAPKjsgD8JZjqRZrYat-y4znpRTaHxHI1B7TcyY9Z4vxgZt0BgzeQOY_q19oatf6_W5assY8dt7bBU9ASZ5Uc/s400/fullsizeoutput_9ce.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can pull up in your boat and go inside for a delicious meal right off the dock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Tolt Yarns and Wool - destination yarn shop #2</h2>
<div>
This place is on the opposite side from Bainbridge Island in the little town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnation,_Washington" target="_blank">Carnation</a>, east of Seattle is another rather famous yarn shop, <a href="https://www.toltyarnandwool.com/" target="_blank">Tolt Yarn and Wool.</a>"Tolt" was the name of the town of Carnation until the Carnation Milk Company came in and started putting their milk into cans. The milk company became the dominant employer, and, you know, money talks, so Tolt became Carnation. But the river beside the town is called Tolt, and plenty of people still like the name, thus you see a variety of different places named in and around the village named Tolt. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRePdvqiMdlShm_b7gjeYei-EleSLtzXZ67Zd50FNoZAcJUFBIi6coVzaCLghKqRnuV00ZcGX7tFfJDJ-B8lq23bbZBtoXe-pGPpUB2Jl05ZnviuHiujEoAwMj4Kh12Dga8K_7z5sjnSs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_9bf.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRePdvqiMdlShm_b7gjeYei-EleSLtzXZ67Zd50FNoZAcJUFBIi6coVzaCLghKqRnuV00ZcGX7tFfJDJ-B8lq23bbZBtoXe-pGPpUB2Jl05ZnviuHiujEoAwMj4Kh12Dga8K_7z5sjnSs/s400/fullsizeoutput_9bf.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The commissioned Iceland sweater of 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
Th yarn shops only about 5 years old, but the owners sure are great at marketing. The place is in magazines and web stories all the time. They produce a line of their own products, especially patterns. They carry yarns totally or almost exclusive to them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The place is on the elegant side, but a bit more homey compared to Churchmouse. For example, there were big armchairs for sitting and knitting around a small fireplace. I asked to be shown things that I could only or mostly find only there, and the clerk kept taking me to here and here and here and here. They had more stock made by small indie artisans as well as yarn from Japan (never seen that anyplace else) and Finland (same) and but artisans from Canada. I told my friend it would take me awhile to make my selection, and she was ok with the because she felt the same way. In the end I got some swag (a bag with one of their logos), one of their self published books and small amounts of yarn from the Canada, Finland and Japan, to make a hat and two pair of socks. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pattern book had a shawl pattern I would love to make, and my book from Churchmouse had a beautiful sweater that would be just the thing. I know I'll be able to get the yarn from either store when the time comes. And meanwhile I'm sending other people I know there when they happen to visit Seattle. And I have more reasons to go back for another trip at another time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But not to live. No, not to live. I'm far too addicted to the sun and sky. </div>
<div>
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<div>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMqyCWW0aqGnpX-MRAx9YqsfbIdSKhm9ajk3nnesJaVHmy_I6-B7NjrGAcHaq1Z07JW11IAW3vGkuRlZCFx7pvvg1tlQc3pl41uN0VcpVlBoTPbQcEEPtJhtmMJXqKndj8kUgR_Lgmx0C/s1600/IMG_2522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMqyCWW0aqGnpX-MRAx9YqsfbIdSKhm9ajk3nnesJaVHmy_I6-B7NjrGAcHaq1Z07JW11IAW3vGkuRlZCFx7pvvg1tlQc3pl41uN0VcpVlBoTPbQcEEPtJhtmMJXqKndj8kUgR_Lgmx0C/s400/IMG_2522.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going, going, soon gone.<br />
Starbucks has a new line of souvenir mugs now.<br />
And these did NOT come from the new concept store.<br />
They have their own separate lines of souvenirs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-89897366447188138222018-04-05T14:03:00.002-07:002018-04-30T12:30:48.172-07:00Spring! It's supposed to be spring! or April IS the Cruelest Month<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX7oUPg17QVPpGM38pgclRXB9A7F1h2wi3asLR4Vv3wpOcJDfyhadDfpxqMYC74TOc4Ix1ryPyZJsnF3xFTyDA3yz-UkbUJqHJN5Q8DpU4jpOhty2-VB1AhyphenhyphenHI9rrNDAelIY5ZdfcFdHp/s1600/IMG_2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="456" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX7oUPg17QVPpGM38pgclRXB9A7F1h2wi3asLR4Vv3wpOcJDfyhadDfpxqMYC74TOc4Ix1ryPyZJsnF3xFTyDA3yz-UkbUJqHJN5Q8DpU4jpOhty2-VB1AhyphenhyphenHI9rrNDAelIY5ZdfcFdHp/s400/IMG_2459.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of my friend Marian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is about all I have to say!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here are some pictures to help me feel better.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFdN-zLnXTMJXuFgLZa8w9AVFM6QoCPTeir5VuSsagM4KrcYq1CTZb-m-wilnAClJgI_QfK7MIGHlByRonXSnEeU6mzf610bp6IL8LxsH3eI2tyJBVC70r2culfGw3vY091hAnqQFhfFp/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFdN-zLnXTMJXuFgLZa8w9AVFM6QoCPTeir5VuSsagM4KrcYq1CTZb-m-wilnAClJgI_QfK7MIGHlByRonXSnEeU6mzf610bp6IL8LxsH3eI2tyJBVC70r2culfGw3vY091hAnqQFhfFp/s400/IMG_2446.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey Rose doesn't seem to notice the constant snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4WS9wpUfEEo_y7novMZ9u9AubpeGFra18KHJHsP4WyMj7R5Ths2D8pmg-O47p2zmWn8bExyADFVHaZhg5n_kg8AO_wECCYq-t0QKhCdHTYOlGooiF17S_gzJD7b5Q8vFRyHN6_AiImlG/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4WS9wpUfEEo_y7novMZ9u9AubpeGFra18KHJHsP4WyMj7R5Ths2D8pmg-O47p2zmWn8bExyADFVHaZhg5n_kg8AO_wECCYq-t0QKhCdHTYOlGooiF17S_gzJD7b5Q8vFRyHN6_AiImlG/s400/IMG_0854.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's cherry time in a lot of places including Red Butte Garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, I'm heading to Seattle for a whole week starting on Sunday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll let you know how that goes.</div>
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-10631779976508232982018-03-02T12:56:00.000-08:002018-07-15T13:41:17.709-07:00I Just have to Say .... February is a Terrible Month<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0hDQGWJUjmk27Tofqu4MK4B7MuXwHnHSrpf-YlhD-3czsF3boy2ERk86bMpS416Yc6x57dLNl0yxktuv7EMX_HlUM_cbgeVWtg3LdTSB8gSEmWIJZ7T2VXCTRV388jd9p2m4Qt-sGSdd/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0hDQGWJUjmk27Tofqu4MK4B7MuXwHnHSrpf-YlhD-3czsF3boy2ERk86bMpS416Yc6x57dLNl0yxktuv7EMX_HlUM_cbgeVWtg3LdTSB8gSEmWIJZ7T2VXCTRV388jd9p2m4Qt-sGSdd/s400/IMG_2434.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February looks like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This post is going to be short. All I need to say is that now it's March, and that means I have lived through another February. Thank goodness.<br />
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I know, I know, I know, every day is or is supposed to be a precious gift. I did not spend my whole days in bed crying or feeling sorry for myself, hoping somehow that it would all go away. I stayed busy and accomplished several things during the month. I did a lot of knitting. I read several books. And magazines. I cuddled with Smokey Rose whenever she was in the mood. I did some baking.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU0VQ6eyGGdYu5Q_CpA1Fxz7WnIrLGQuyqJg_mRvxCMgMd6kOn_Px8rzzP3UqJo6skOxcPkXRHp-Ms0GHF0legGXKWcnL19Idw6z6aNfArjVckmxVvs3UHO3DHwRergpXdBlkKY5-8cXf/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU0VQ6eyGGdYu5Q_CpA1Fxz7WnIrLGQuyqJg_mRvxCMgMd6kOn_Px8rzzP3UqJo6skOxcPkXRHp-Ms0GHF0legGXKWcnL19Idw6z6aNfArjVckmxVvs3UHO3DHwRergpXdBlkKY5-8cXf/s400/IMG_2433.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey Rose knows what to do when the weather is miserable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last year in SLC it was cold, and my apartment was cold because the heating system did not work well, and I was sick. This year I was not sick at all, and my heating system works fine. It was also sunny a far amount which helped. Nor was there much wind.<br />
<br />
But it snowed often. Only once was there a large accumulation, but what kept happening was that it snowed in small layers so we ended up with laminated snow. And it stayed cold. Below zero F quite often. Did I say it was cold? Often? Really cold? It was really cold, A LOT.<br />
<br />
I only made it out to the pool a couple of times. I made it to the grocery store a few of times too. I was able to walk to the library for knitting. I did talk with people on the phone and made liberal use of texting and email to talk to people.<br />
<br />
My friend M. took a short trip ahead of a big storm to the coast of California. I really wished I could have done that too, but it was just too close to coming home from the big SLC trip. I will have to give this a lot of thought in the future. Maybe I could go away the last week of Feb to someplace like SoCal???? Maybe.<br />
<br />
But now it's March. We're counting down to spring. I know we probably will get at least one of those super big March / April snowstorms, but those tend not to last because things warm up pretty fast afterwards. I can live with that because it is starting to become more sunny and warm than not.<br />
<br />
Yeah for March.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvY18pSheZHJ_wKNZbdoAuGtSe4-gstbUb44EWfqErbnLKo8zlwhTjAWvB0khPOxHGasYvtPO_XCBN7U1OxbngecsC04vh5fGCfVnhlJxxRpBpLgdlVx20SDldpy-Qz7upEkLCe4tfIGc/s1600/IMG_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvY18pSheZHJ_wKNZbdoAuGtSe4-gstbUb44EWfqErbnLKo8zlwhTjAWvB0khPOxHGasYvtPO_XCBN7U1OxbngecsC04vh5fGCfVnhlJxxRpBpLgdlVx20SDldpy-Qz7upEkLCe4tfIGc/s400/IMG_2443.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope to use this more next winter instead of this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-70130902975772226222018-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:002018-03-02T12:56:24.621-08:00Sundance Film Festival 2018 - The Story Lives in YouIt's that time of year again. Or rather that time of year is finished for another year. I did go back to Salt Lake and volunteered the whole festival for the 11th year. I found out if you get to 20, you get a personal letter from Robert Redford himself. I hope he stays healthy because that's my new life goal.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4HwvnY2E1Os/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4HwvnY2E1Os?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a little video to get you all in the mood.</div>
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You'll need a film list or guide to make sense of the titles. Here's <a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival/program#/" target="_blank">the official one.</a> But honestly the app for your smart phone has a lot more information. You can download it for free from where ever you get those things.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
As usual I did not get to actually see most of the award winners. But I did not hear any talk that that people thought the awards were misplaced, so you and I will just have to go through the list together and check them out.<br />
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I think most of the premiers will be in theaters sooner or later this year. The one that I did not get to see but that had universal praise was <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5437928/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_6" target="_blank">Collette</a></b>, about the French woman writer from the 19th century. I had it marked as one I really wanted to see, but things didn't work out for that. That's the film I am most eager to see myself.<br />
<br />
I pretty much liked all the films I did see, and this year I stayed through all of them until the end. Several documentaries that I saw I know will soon be on either Netflix, PBS or HBO. These include:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7681902/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Won't You Be My Neighbor?</a></b> (a 100% charming film about Mr. Fred Rogers....look to PBS of course)<br />
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689956/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank"><b>Chef Flynn</b></a> (another delightful film about a rather famous young man who is a real chef)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689924/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Seeing Allred</a></b> ( a bio of the famous ...infamous.. attorney Gloria Allred)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689966/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind</a></b> (what's not to like about seeing Robin Williams at his best?)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689424/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Believer</a></b> (somewhat of a local Utah film, but young people will know the star Dan Reynolds very well)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689960/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">King in the Wilderness</a></b> (about a difficult period of the life of MLK)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689912/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Kailash</a></b> (about the man who won the Nobel Prize for his work about eliminating child slavery)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689910/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Devil We Know</a></b> (about chemical pollution of the environment)<br />
<br />
One that I am not sure will have nationwide distribution is <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7391448/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Quiet Heros</a></b>. This was a big local premier about 2 women, an MD & a PA, who were the first and only people in SLC & UT who would treat people with HIV back at the beginning of the epidemic. It was really heartwarming to be in the theater that was packed with locals who just love Kristen and Maggie, who were there that night. This film brought to mind the one I saw several years ago called <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1787837/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">We Were Here</a></b> which was about the LGBT community in San Francisco at the same time stepping up to the plate and taking care of it's own community. But it was real good to see a story about the early days of HIV that did NOT take place in San Francisco or New York.<br />
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Some documentaries that I heard good things about which I do want to see myself include:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7520286/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Bisbee '17</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6633182/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Dark Money</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7527564/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Inventing Tomorrow</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689926/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Sentence</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689926/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">RBG</a></b> ( this one I really want to see soon)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7693654/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Our New President</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7476236/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Minding the Gap</a></b> (This one is made by a person from my hometown of Rockford, & it won an award)<br />
<br />
AND<br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7153434/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Science Fair</a></b> (in the kids category which won the main audience favorite award)<br />
<br />
However, I did not hear anything bad about any documentary, so, as in previous years, if the subject of a documentary interests you, then I would say go see it. I think I want to catch up with the ones about Joan Jett and Jane Fonda, for example.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD1P0WOs4K-xnnKGrogyV4w5MXgIYt6qG4VRrPvka0UhhWfZCm-Ryn-y-oz_EtfYuDBhb0h_Uri5kJTxDdnMmflSXLSfQr4UhFNb6mGeig_sEG6DzX4eTRgMGhdF5nxsJkia4RpLqVavd/s1600/IMG_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD1P0WOs4K-xnnKGrogyV4w5MXgIYt6qG4VRrPvka0UhhWfZCm-Ryn-y-oz_EtfYuDBhb0h_Uri5kJTxDdnMmflSXLSfQr4UhFNb6mGeig_sEG6DzX4eTRgMGhdF5nxsJkia4RpLqVavd/s400/IMG_2406.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey joined the theater team this year</td></tr>
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Premier, Not in Competition, Films</h3>
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As I said I am really looking forward to Collette.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4669264/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Beirut</a></b> is going to be opening this coming week or so. It's probably a quite good thriller from recent history.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4602066/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Catcher Was a Spy</a></b> ... another thriller from recent history</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4602066/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Come Sunday</a></b> ...I saw this one was liked it a lot. It's going to be on Netflix, I think it was. I really felt for the hero of the story. See this one when it's out.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5881528/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Damsel</a></b> ... I saw this one too. My heavens, it's a western filmed in Utah (except for this odd ocean beach part which I can't figure out) which is a combination of violence and hilarity that reminds me of stories made by the Cohen Brothers. This one is made by the Zellner brothers who look to be the next brother team in the film making world. The violence is not horrible. You've all seen worse. The humor is really good. A miniature horse named Buttercup is one of the stars. Go see this one.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5607096/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Juliet, Naked</a></b> is based on a best selling book of the same name, & the film got good reviews</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690810/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Ophelia</a></b>, about Hamlet's Ophelia, was popular. I want to see this soon also.</div>
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I did not hear anything bad about any of the other main premier films, so once again, if it looks interesting to you, try it.</div>
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US Dramatic Competition</h3>
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I only saw one film in this category, <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4015500/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Tale</a></b>. Talk about being ripped from the headlines. During the festival all the testimony and sentencing for the doctor who abused the gymnasts was all over the news. This film is about the same subject except the sport was running and it wasn't about big time sports. Very well done. I suggest seeing this unless you cannot tolerate seeing things about the subject.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6257174/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">The Miseducation of Cameron Post</a></b> won the biggest award. I hope to see this one.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5314450/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Burden</a></b> won awards too. I had the chance to see it, but it was shown beginning at 2130 and lasting over 2 hours on the very last night. I had no energy to even attempt it. I hope I can see it later.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Volunteers generally liked <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7689906/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Monsters and Men</a></b>. People said they did not like the title, but the title came directly from a book of the same name.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6169694/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">I Think We're Alone Now</a></b> won awards and was shown at Best of Fest. My unscientific survey of people leaving resulted in this. "Did you like it?" "Yeah, it was ok." "Should I go see it?" "If you want." And two women said the whole thing was senseless. Not exactly ringing endorsesments. I plan to skip it if I see it available someplace.</div>
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Other Films</h3>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6958212/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Sweet Country</a></b> is an Australian western set in the outback in 1929. It was shown late one night, and the theater was quite empty, so the managers had all of us volunteers go in to watch. Well, we were all amazed. It was really really good. All of us kept thinking to ourselves ...and then what..and then what.. and then what.... And the ending was a huge surprise. The director was there for the Q&A, and the whole audience was really engaged with him. This one has violence for sure that did make a couple of people walk out, but I have to say, I have seen a lot worse and more graphic in other films. I think this one is worth seeing.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6296764/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">306 Hollywood</a></b> ...some volunteers said this was quite good and worth seeing.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7668870/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">Search</a></b> ... again several volunteers said this was very well done and quite chilling when you start to think about the implications of the basic story.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7562932/?ref_=nv_sr_3" target="_blank">Clara's Ghost</a></b> .... all kinds of people walked out on this one. Let me just say that at the Q&A some one asked the writer / director if her family really did drink as much and as often as was depicted in the film. She hemmed around with a real long answer that said nothing except at the end "yeah, we do. That's what our life is like." You be the judge.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6998518/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Mandy</a></b> .... I think every volunteer who could walked out on this one. One said something like "I should have been clued in from the beginning that the wait list had only about 10 people in it, all men." People said things like you have to already to be a member of the correct cult in order to be able to tolerate this one. It might turn into a cult must-see. But probably none of you belong to that group.</div>
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<br />
This year I did not see any foreign films, dramas or documentaries. The only foreign film that I heard a lot about was Our New President. I did hear a couple of people who liked <b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6776106/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">And Breathe Normally.</a> T</b>he consensus was that is is a good story well told but you won't learn a thing about Iceland where it was made if that's your goal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year the colors were bright blue and orange.<br />
Next year?</td></tr>
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<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-84912633656346287622017-12-28T13:56:00.000-08:002018-02-03T13:59:27.778-08:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: Things We Do In South Dakota, Part 2, Festivals of Trees<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQOOteUPLpXZcQn0whTJVAYf1-fImrB3ud2whVnrhus4LYpSVfEJJN0wuP8_PxofNz6XDz5yi64K8A2qAWMDbDCpMPQEsxYXQKLI3Mw0g_8dLDbi_DzFdJJfjQIyjlS7DacEcLa5n1-Am/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQOOteUPLpXZcQn0whTJVAYf1-fImrB3ud2whVnrhus4LYpSVfEJJN0wuP8_PxofNz6XDz5yi64K8A2qAWMDbDCpMPQEsxYXQKLI3Mw0g_8dLDbi_DzFdJJfjQIyjlS7DacEcLa5n1-Am/s400/IMG_2214.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the corridors at the state capital building this year.<br />
A tree for breast cancer people on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I never realized how much of a "thing" a "Festival of Trees" is until I lived in South Dakota. I imagine lots of places have them, although I do not recall actually attending any except in SoDak. But here, they really are something. Every little place seemed to have one this December, and it's clear these things are traditions in all those towns and cities. <br />
<br />
At home in Lead I was an usher more than once for our festival, held at the <a href="http://www.homestakeoperahouse.org/" target="_blank">Historic Homestake Opera House (HHOH)</a> as one of their regular fund raisers for the place. The Opera House was one of many civic buildings originally built by the Homestake Mine Company to improve the daily lives of the miners and their families.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RcfmcI7oDn4n0HRAVFrOwaJzOZeoCmH-SWTxdXO1t34CHch-bLWYVJHyHhJBu1x19ncLPjLkinggobfpSULPZjP0A0LLfvbZpr8GSalI5wGVixee2BALmQDfmDQyijV0pUCF5lyyEr1v/s1600/fullsizeoutput_805.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RcfmcI7oDn4n0HRAVFrOwaJzOZeoCmH-SWTxdXO1t34CHch-bLWYVJHyHhJBu1x19ncLPjLkinggobfpSULPZjP0A0LLfvbZpr8GSalI5wGVixee2BALmQDfmDQyijV0pUCF5lyyEr1v/s400/fullsizeoutput_805.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restored Opera House entrance plaza.<br />
The spaces on the left used to house the pool and recreation areas.<br />
Now they are offices and an art gallery owned by the local Arts Council.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
It was quite the place in its day. The opera house was just one space within the community center complex. There was a swimming pool, library and reading room, bowling alley, billiards, meeting spaces and more. The opera house had live performances and well as movies. Over time things deteriorated, and at the end the theater space showed only movies. Lots of people I meet now talk about going there as children / teens to see the movies, and pretty much everyone says the space was kind of dirty and not well kept.<br />
<br />
And then the opera house caught fire one afternoon in 1984 and mostly burnt up. People recall the fire. It happened one ordinary afternoon, and people talk about how they watched it from various vantage points. To date no one really knows the cause except that it was ruled not to be arson ... probably something faulty in the electrical system.<br />
<br />
The actual structure remained intact, but sat empty and uncared for for many years. In 1995, the spaces were purchased, and restoration and rejuvenation efforts were begun. Now the place is well on the way to being fully restored to its former glory. All the guts have been modernized and brought up to codes and standards. The lobby is pretty well done. The biggest project is now the stage and backstage areas. When you attend things there you clearly see the blackened spaces, but what is not restored yet is all decorative, not functional.<br />
<br />
I live just about a block form the opera house, and it's my chosen community volunteer activity right now. I use some of my Sundance experience as a greeter or an usher, but sometimes I have also sold tickets or concessions. I'm willing to do all kinds of other things, but so far have only been asked to work during performances. I would say this is how I have come to meet and get be met by lots of people in the community. I'm surprised now at how many people around town I recognize and who recognize me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRR48HQU7vJ1hPCyBMko51m16GhnBGqxVuHacCwOt04yAHfWWCKi1n1lhHg_6iLBKUNLzZ9H6pfNDnq37_vwo2gHgz8paw_QrfUiYf8hpGeRne_bfbP-uiLFh87LeMhp6dSph_nR7HczQ/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRR48HQU7vJ1hPCyBMko51m16GhnBGqxVuHacCwOt04yAHfWWCKi1n1lhHg_6iLBKUNLzZ9H6pfNDnq37_vwo2gHgz8paw_QrfUiYf8hpGeRne_bfbP-uiLFh87LeMhp6dSph_nR7HczQ/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restored lobby area of the Opera House</td></tr>
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So, the Festival of Trees at HHOH. This was a multi day open house fund raiser. There were people performing music most of the time, but it background kind of music. Santa was there for a few hours one afternoon for the kids. Concessions were sold, and there were trays of small bites like cookies or cheese and crackers.<br />
<br />
Various groups or businesses or organizations sponsored trees. The group decorated their tree, often with a theme related to what the group was about. Other groups who did not have as much money to give sponsored large wreaths and decorated them. And then some people or businesses donated items for a silent auction.<br />
<br />
People came and went over the days, viewing the decorations, having small snacks & drinks, visiting with people, bidding on the silent auction items. At the end of the last day there was a live auction for all the trees and wreaths. All the items sold went for more than I could afford to give, but no matter. I guess my contribution was my time and work.<br />
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The trees and wreaths were all beautiful, although many people commented that the festival was better in years past. More trees. Bigger trees. More lights, etc etc. etc. Isn't that always the case? I thought the place looked pretty nice! And a good time was had by all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfKsby4c3IBjno5QuFxOl1zOgdnB6Lqs0Uou9ESWDbpAJqrecPC9PM2hRFoKE5Oi9WkTulYwJAWDL80Du-SrTIdQSQ6rneGKPaGi2rFFP_WiE60DP7n1fYEvD2yfji7komDqCx6r9awxE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_907.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfKsby4c3IBjno5QuFxOl1zOgdnB6Lqs0Uou9ESWDbpAJqrecPC9PM2hRFoKE5Oi9WkTulYwJAWDL80Du-SrTIdQSQ6rneGKPaGi2rFFP_WiE60DP7n1fYEvD2yfji7komDqCx6r9awxE/s400/fullsizeoutput_907.jpeg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blackened stage and proscenium.<br />
In January there will be a fundraising event to kick off restoration<br />
of this area, especially the angels.</td></tr>
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I skipped equivalent festivals in other nearby towns, but I did make it to the big one, the one held each year inside the state capital building in the capital city, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre,_South_Dakota" target="_blank">Pierre</a>. It's pronounced "pier" or "peer" although it was named for a French fur trader back in the day. (It's one of those trick names that Americans like to make insider jokes about. Towns and cities all over the place have pronunciations that are not the same as anywhere else. Some that I know about include Berlin, New Hampshire and Hurricane, Utah along with Houston Street in New York City, but there are many, many more.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-bMUbrzLvHtWhFdBV4BGPf5xkpokO8PLe0wnXWyDw44V898_VB-udJ5EABmS79zh53d1l1591z-PB_m6Y17GijgFIPbMcmbSLgI86ibcwnOFR0gbym5fOopSI0pUTdrOBBzV2z5dpxUQ/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-bMUbrzLvHtWhFdBV4BGPf5xkpokO8PLe0wnXWyDw44V898_VB-udJ5EABmS79zh53d1l1591z-PB_m6Y17GijgFIPbMcmbSLgI86ibcwnOFR0gbym5fOopSI0pUTdrOBBzV2z5dpxUQ/s400/IMG_2248.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of December, all day long.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov/trees.aspx" target="_blank">Christmas at the Capital</a> is another one of those things we do here in South Dakota. Pierre is about 2-4 hours away from everyone because it is in the middle of the state, and we all make pilgrimages there at Christmastime to see the trees inside the capital building. The building is just open all day long and the display is free. And it's beautiful! Really beautiful. Well worth your time.<br />
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The whole building is decorated, and it's fun to explore all the nooks and crannies. There are lost of overlooks where you can get perspective on the display as a whole. Again, all the trees and displays are donated by businesses, groups or people. Many trees are decorated by professionals and are just drop dead gorgeous. But then Middle of Nowhere County Head Start will have a tress all done up with ornaments made by three year olds out of popsicle sticks, paper straws, glue and glitter. The <a href="http://christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov/trees.aspx" target="_blank">link in the previous paragraph</a> shows each of the 2017 trees.<br />
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When I lived on the reservation, I went to this event several years as an excursion with friends. It was an event we looked forward to and planned most years. We would make a day of it because we could also do extra shopping at bigger stores (first K-Mart and then the mother ship Walmart) and could eat in "ethic" restaurants ..... Mexican or Italian or Chinese ... which were not available back home. I just have all kinds of good memories for those days spent doing fun things with fun people.<br />
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This year I tried to find companions, but everyone was busy doing other things, so early in December when the weather was still unseasonably warm, I just lit out. It's actually a straight road out of Sturgis all the way. Easy, easy driving through ranch country with no real towns at all in between Sturgis and Ft. Pierre. Took me about 3.5 hours including stops in Deadwood and Sturgis for nourishment before really heading out. I had never taken that road. Now I know what it's like, what's there, why you would use it .... easy driving when it's all clear with a few slow downs at crossroads and places that used to be towns, rolling grasslands along the way with only a few trees, mostly planted by long ago settlers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy0A5Rdt8YANem7oxanEkdRswltT1LXOMKAyTgv3NKNVws1S2Oc2xVWaiegKsXdvz9-Dmt7E2MzYOOFt_-dVx4_SmTH23qywehyrEr3pZ8ibhuuqwe0mDYwTEdauyi_IcM4PXyXbWR135/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy0A5Rdt8YANem7oxanEkdRswltT1LXOMKAyTgv3NKNVws1S2Oc2xVWaiegKsXdvz9-Dmt7E2MzYOOFt_-dVx4_SmTH23qywehyrEr3pZ8ibhuuqwe0mDYwTEdauyi_IcM4PXyXbWR135/s400/IMG_2239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the main lobby from one of the balconies.</td></tr>
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I had the best time, even though I was alone. The drive was like gliding. The capital trees were as beautiful as I remember. I walked around the area by the capital along with a lot of fellow citizens and felt refreshed. I drove home via a different route and saw more places I had never been before. It was a real good day.<br />
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If you want, you can see more South Dakota photos related to these last two posts <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157688815699622" target="_blank">here</a> and<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157688816125892" target="_blank"> here.</a><br />
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<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-1893508108049874302017-12-21T13:37:00.000-08:002017-12-28T13:57:06.972-08:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: Things We do in South Dakota, part 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfvpHxQ-5fiyu5_TMMAWAIiEz9giXm7eXI57RuuxurzZckrfog1E-V0S17lKTA0mcjx6nBXHPOQ3PZloYF_xwgZWBa57B1SQw3RaIUF6R7bN1vYFMSozBNOYb8Oxp_5kQzPwpLzmFlPRV/s1600/fullsizeoutput_84e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfvpHxQ-5fiyu5_TMMAWAIiEz9giXm7eXI57RuuxurzZckrfog1E-V0S17lKTA0mcjx6nBXHPOQ3PZloYF_xwgZWBa57B1SQw3RaIUF6R7bN1vYFMSozBNOYb8Oxp_5kQzPwpLzmFlPRV/s400/fullsizeoutput_84e.jpeg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey was so impressed with Dignity</td></tr>
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Wow! Two months since I last wrote. I've been thinking about needing to do another post soon, but you know how it goes. One thing after another after another, and next a whole season is gone.<br />
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Part of what I did in the fall was to travel, and that's what I plan to write about. I have several posts in my my mind, but let's start with this one which involves two different trips, with stop-offs in places well known in South Dakota.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
CROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI AT CHAMBERLAIN</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl6qREI3FsUhvglkJ5P6bPVh9Jsxfnc0e8GMx-F2cFXp7Cu_6MSaTl3Pun9Mmls-TVBZojcBDPqFJwYfLmktqZZ-s3ISqmXtU2VeKVphnoThBVvB9oHnzBatnH8fSj_QBe_JL6RWf40lv/s1600/US2321041.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl6qREI3FsUhvglkJ5P6bPVh9Jsxfnc0e8GMx-F2cFXp7Cu_6MSaTl3Pun9Mmls-TVBZojcBDPqFJwYfLmktqZZ-s3ISqmXtU2VeKVphnoThBVvB9oHnzBatnH8fSj_QBe_JL6RWf40lv/s400/US2321041.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find Lead in the middle on the far left side </td></tr>
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You've probably seen a map of SoDak. It's a rather large rectangle with a big river dividing it in two on the diagonal. That's <a href="http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Missouri_River" target="_blank">the Missouri River</a>, the largets tributary to the Mississippi, made famous by Lewis and Clark and all that followed. Now the upper Missouri is all dammed with a series of reservoir lakes that control flooding (most years .. didn't work so well in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Missouri_River_Flood" target="_blank">2011</a>), provide drinking & irrigation water and recreation. Up here there is no commercial barge traffic, but I think there may be some on the lower river as it approaches <a href="https://mostateparks.com/page/54958/general-information" target="_blank">the confluence</a> with the Mississippi in Missouri near St. Louis. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WpsvovzlLdO2mO1IIF_nCjJLqSkV6B3i3pndWo3rlJPU2ziDJ1aPx_yDzkrdPTDmQSias4xRielOr7wdmQ3YSBG-zYh84Qg7ZPHJz516cmgn4Nb9EQX9cM4l14IQpkQ-_1GTlTr5EuqK/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WpsvovzlLdO2mO1IIF_nCjJLqSkV6B3i3pndWo3rlJPU2ziDJ1aPx_yDzkrdPTDmQSias4xRielOr7wdmQ3YSBG-zYh84Qg7ZPHJz516cmgn4Nb9EQX9cM4l14IQpkQ-_1GTlTr5EuqK/s400/IMG_2092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missouri River overlook at the east side visitors center</td></tr>
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The Missouri divides SoDak into what we call "East River" and "West River." I live west river. <a href="https://visitsiouxfalls.com/" target="_blank">Sioux Falls</a>, our largest city, is far east river. <a href="https://www.visitrapidcity.com/" target="_blank">Rapid City</a>, the second largest city near me, is far west river. You can easily tel the difference in the land as your cross the river at Chamberlain.</div>
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East River is characterized as being flat, flat, flat , flat. They grow corn and soybeans out there and keep dairy cows. The land looks a heck of a lot like its neighbors Iowa and Minnesota. Their teams come from the <a href="https://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/pro-sports/" target="_blank">Twin Cities</a>, the Vikings, the Twins, the Timberwolves and the Wild (what? well, you know hockey people are a bit strange.) . </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskS7KYQwwN15T27_7Qfdnnk1En1w0XaRKCCFB1TPSanDocFR4r2DsfzjG0jzkpUiqhGuUOE1EKHRCuxBrNGOhrJ3OlIjphKUm56e09cJ7UZr6UGbTta5UAiNCTb1x31Q15ZxcNpnqM_GF/s1600/US3642459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskS7KYQwwN15T27_7Qfdnnk1En1w0XaRKCCFB1TPSanDocFR4r2DsfzjG0jzkpUiqhGuUOE1EKHRCuxBrNGOhrJ3OlIjphKUm56e09cJ7UZr6UGbTta5UAiNCTb1x31Q15ZxcNpnqM_GF/s400/US3642459.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of trees in the Black Hills, but not so many the rest of west river</td></tr>
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West River looks more like Wyoming. IT"S NOT FLAT!!!!! We have the Badlands and the Black Hills out here, and the land is full of rolling hills with other features like buttes and mesas and even canyons. But it's dry. Almost a true desert. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Plains_%28United_States%29" target="_blank">The High Plains</a>, they call it. Here we have beef cattle and bison and use irrigation to grow hay, sunflowers, a little corn, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapeseed" target="_blank">rapeseed</a>, and winter wheat. "Spreads" or homesteads or ranches or "places" are large because they need to be with so little water. Here our teams come from <a href="https://www.denver.org/things-to-do/sports-recreation/pro-sports/" target="_blank">Denver</a> - The Broncos, the Rockies, the Nuggets, the Avalanche. </div>
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It's 400 miles & a bit west-east in I-90. The Missouri crossing is around halfway from either direction, and so a lot of people stop there for a rest, food, gas. The town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamberlain,_South_Dakota" target="_blank">Chamberlain</a> is on the east side, but a lot of people just call the general area Chamberlain. </div>
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Chamberlain houses the South Dakota Hall of Fame, the Akta Lakota Museum, and has a lot of visitors who like to relax and use Lake Francis Case for boating, fishing, etc. But these things are not why we all stop here on our cross state travels. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLEOvojDDlWc_GMqANZUoakvgnIizRn0L5WVF8F5R6GMZ41Swx_ctzzB-qbkXGfA6P2kVwfMdC_7TdbcDYaDM_h-aggHBL9JocwTOw7nhqI_tRgWtYnvCzkHYkPniC5DIhfgHDHNDIHom/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLEOvojDDlWc_GMqANZUoakvgnIizRn0L5WVF8F5R6GMZ41Swx_ctzzB-qbkXGfA6P2kVwfMdC_7TdbcDYaDM_h-aggHBL9JocwTOw7nhqI_tRgWtYnvCzkHYkPniC5DIhfgHDHNDIHom/s400/IMG_2094.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light shines through the star quilt that Dignity wears</td></tr>
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No, we go to see the new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignity_(statue)" target="_blank">Dignity</a> statue at the highway visitors center on the east bank. It's outside the excellent Lewis and Clark educational center, and it's fabulous. I have wanted to visit the statue since it was dedicated last year. It's worth a trip just to see it. </div>
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And once we have had our fill of art and culture we (or before, depending on your direction of travel) we decamp to the west side of the river, technically not Chamberlain but Oacoma, to eat, drink, get gas and shop at <a href="http://www.alsoasis.com/" target="_blank">Al's Oasis</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx_9TKKLOW1eVsou0EzO_glqMzmYXFpJ8t1-VN-Xh4KgYLPV_Dk6m4ZA_Uoqb3inTlb8iXIVrWqRD0QcxqABA9WmWeNFECxRJYZFUmwZIgHm3f5GjZTstXCByS3CMMrmCIIFzboZnuaYZ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1031" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibx_9TKKLOW1eVsou0EzO_glqMzmYXFpJ8t1-VN-Xh4KgYLPV_Dk6m4ZA_Uoqb3inTlb8iXIVrWqRD0QcxqABA9WmWeNFECxRJYZFUmwZIgHm3f5GjZTstXCByS3CMMrmCIIFzboZnuaYZ/s400/fullsizeoutput_849.jpeg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the sign for miles</td></tr>
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Everybody eats at Al's Oasis. They have a sit down restaurant with table service, not fast food. I'm going to call it "<a href="http://www.alsoasis.com/restaurant/menu/" target="_blank">midwestern food</a>" with a daily special and PIE. They make their own PIE. Several kinds. When you go there you must save room for PIE. And maybe take a piece with you. </div>
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And then if you want you can visit the stores. Now, Al's is a bit unusual because one of their stores is actually the full service grocery store used by the locals for their ordinary food shopping. Technically it's not part of Al's operation, but it's right there under the same roof. So if you need some provisions (and you might if you are staying overnight at one of the lake resorts) or just want some snacks for the road, you can stock up. </div>
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Al's has a very nice gift shop with the usual stuff, western style things, jewelry, typical souvenir stuff, housewares gifts, toys and kid stuff. Their stock is all pretty high quality and worth browsing. But they also have a clothing store that has really good quality things for ordinary people. Well, not all people. You won't find the latest throw away fashion there, and women's clothing predominates. The women's clothing appeals to what I will call midwestern women of a certain age. It's what the local ladies buy. What my mom used to buy. What I buy now. I was happy browsing there. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
WALL DRUG IN WALL </h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vUM9vq0Q9XgUhL-uVgtnN8I8U3i73JT9l3_uE0JKmFUyfqVvJgZdtp6_RBPwdQIWYNuvftskK1TMfEaFSeA1_KtA737JRM2_TPMW8JvEqtdAXwOAIUdMSUASq2fSX8kIRdzx6ZYLpGxK/s1600/Wall+Drug+Sign.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vUM9vq0Q9XgUhL-uVgtnN8I8U3i73JT9l3_uE0JKmFUyfqVvJgZdtp6_RBPwdQIWYNuvftskK1TMfEaFSeA1_KtA737JRM2_TPMW8JvEqtdAXwOAIUdMSUASq2fSX8kIRdzx6ZYLpGxK/s400/Wall+Drug+Sign.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And 5 cents coffee too. But know that it's midwestern cafe coffee, <br />
the kind you can drink by the gallon and not hardly notice.</td></tr>
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<div>
<a href="http://www.wall-badlands.com/" target="_blank">Wall SD</a> is at I-90 mile marker 109-10 (with 0 being the western border with Wyoming.) It's not quite an hour away from Rapid City. Oacoma is at mile marker 260, so once you have eaten lunch at Al's, when you get to Wall, it's time to get out of the car again. Or if you are heading east, it's time to get out of the car at Wall as you supply yourself and your car for the long way ahead. Wall is the home of the (in)famous <a href="http://www.walldrug.com/" target="_blank">Wall Drug</a>.</div>
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The <a href="http://www.walldrug.com/history/since-1931" target="_blank">origin legend</a> is about putting up signs on the highway offering travelers "free ice water". You can read all about that all over the place, and still get that free ice water, as much as you want (in little yellow paper cups ....would be hard to fill up a big water carrier of some kind.) </div>
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They are also famous for giving out free bumper stickers and signs, and they encourage people to put up their <a href="http://www.walldrug.com/history/signs" target="_blank">signs</a> all over the world. The signs all say "____ miles to Wall Drug." You're supposed to fill in the number of miles at wherever you put up the sign. I saw one outside Anchorage Alaska once. Maybe you have seen one somewhere near where you live. </div>
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And Wall Drug itself puts up highway billboards in all kinds of crazy places, many quite far away in other states. When you see the signs you tend to say "What????" but the point is that you remember seeing the signs, and then when you are driving cross country of I-90, well, what do you know? There it is! Let's stop and check it out.</div>
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It was and still is a drug store. They have an operating pharmacy in one of their shops and general over the counter drug store stuff in another. But over the years the place has morphed to so much more.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_RR1zTXlYkltKEL6NrDLNmVKXXqhbsIOVJHVCdHmX7rHtuURIBLt77aKGSlmRiHZOU5Eb93Q7Hu530SvWNwfaYczvdLSgENIPlvYzYOoLdUXD5GHhan9-oLXvN0O9v3HDd6hfrUzpHyl/s1600/IMG_2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_RR1zTXlYkltKEL6NrDLNmVKXXqhbsIOVJHVCdHmX7rHtuURIBLt77aKGSlmRiHZOU5Eb93Q7Hu530SvWNwfaYczvdLSgENIPlvYzYOoLdUXD5GHhan9-oLXvN0O9v3HDd6hfrUzpHyl/s400/IMG_2264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wal Drug has a large western art collection throughout the large dining rooms.</td></tr>
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A lot of people think Wall Drug is just one big tourist trap. And it certainly is that in spades. Let me tell you a little secret. Local SoDak people stop, shop and eat at Wall Drug just as much as tourists and tourist buses do. I last ate there at noon on a Sunday, and it was clear to me that the other diners were mostly local families or groups of elder folk having their Sunday dinner there too. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGlBT6Amm6Mgc_MicPkVeNxfKCCbcUKv_l5OKnHx9uMkt5HlfwA5fE_anvjTWIeDNY9UF6uBOA_o1D84d6h3vI015ISpzqV5i69f-k6ODoH8gOM3Cyq1hP0vmQEJ3afzOtk_75hnrPFk4/s1600/IMG_2263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGlBT6Amm6Mgc_MicPkVeNxfKCCbcUKv_l5OKnHx9uMkt5HlfwA5fE_anvjTWIeDNY9UF6uBOA_o1D84d6h3vI015ISpzqV5i69f-k6ODoH8gOM3Cyq1hP0vmQEJ3afzOtk_75hnrPFk4/s400/IMG_2263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey enjoys a hearty midwestern Sunday dinner as much as anyone.</td></tr>
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The daily special was ham and scalloped potato casserole with green beans, a roll and fruit. Hard to get more midwestern than that. Coffee is just 5 cents a cup, but it's free for people like veterans. I took advantage of my veterans benefit. I also got my free donut which I took home and had for breakfast the next day. And I saved room for PIE for desert.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr2ImlTzvYgWKAPhwETBlGLq02rIELB0PI7gAR1BhFfBfac27qGJpSNzMHRwUZPD7MS3Z4PtFYuDcQCuhYqzVf_6rX8scHyae3_nL8akXW6gL4O61slJr8X49h4tCgT1ZcK8gh2kRbB6w/s1600/Wall+Drug+Map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1463" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr2ImlTzvYgWKAPhwETBlGLq02rIELB0PI7gAR1BhFfBfac27qGJpSNzMHRwUZPD7MS3Z4PtFYuDcQCuhYqzVf_6rX8scHyae3_nL8akXW6gL4O61slJr8X49h4tCgT1ZcK8gh2kRbB6w/s400/Wall+Drug+Map.jpeg" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wal Drug is large enough so that a map can be needed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
In the summer, a large section is open in back that takes up a whole city block. It's for mostly children's entertainment. That's where you will find an huge anamatron T-Rex that comes to life with red glowing eyes as it makes a lot of roaring noise and blows smoke all over the place. I didn't get to see that this time because it was closed for the season, but, as you can tell, I have visited it before.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV7Rvo9nvoWXh9YAym4L5f8xXg28vKH271f8xrfSg40NayOZi9BubSTpyj4qcDCONnNep9yj75Jmgb4htLG3xMvHSH0i3kfyLuzZATuhyphenhyphenRKDw95y843gtwPw843cuH2lj_Jfvic04k2z1/s1600/IMG_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixV7Rvo9nvoWXh9YAym4L5f8xXg28vKH271f8xrfSg40NayOZi9BubSTpyj4qcDCONnNep9yj75Jmgb4htLG3xMvHSH0i3kfyLuzZATuhyphenhyphenRKDw95y843gtwPw843cuH2lj_Jfvic04k2z1/s400/IMG_2269.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There stil is a drug store at Wall Drug. You can get your prescriptions filled here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
Wall Drug also has good quality small shops. Their western bookshop is excellent as is the Black Hills jewelry store. They have local art, a good western boot shop and a small shop with western wear of various kinds. And of course, all the tourist whatever you will ever want. </div>
<div>
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<div>
The food is much, much better at Al's Oasis. The shopping and entertainment is more varied at Wall Drug. Go ahead and stop at both. It's what we who live here do. And always get your PIE.</div>
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Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-21899906926613706422017-10-15T16:21:00.000-07:002017-12-21T13:37:57.448-08:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: Historic Hotels in Billings and Buffalo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU52qq46ZDlKwo82CBZk6n3ujL9ypv3w68G0p8vHU1NV1wUKpKVgNDTwXyPXBaQkTBrOcOsoWpjTtucbLWPTQ8K7s_Zwymxtxt9_dqjdelGyKXEZjOMaDUb28t4uNdZl7aNc5HqpmPjkos/s1600/US2228142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU52qq46ZDlKwo82CBZk6n3ujL9ypv3w68G0p8vHU1NV1wUKpKVgNDTwXyPXBaQkTBrOcOsoWpjTtucbLWPTQ8K7s_Zwymxtxt9_dqjdelGyKXEZjOMaDUb28t4uNdZl7aNc5HqpmPjkos/s400/US2228142.jpeg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cody Wyoming is a gateway to Yellowstone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE ORIGINAL PLAN</b></div>
<br />
I had this idea to take a four day trip out to <a href="http://www.cityofcody-wy.gov/" target="_blank">Cody Wyoming </a>and back. Cody is a nice town, not far from Yellowstone. I went through there on my trip to Yellowstone, but didn't stop to check it out. I was thinking that 2 nights and a full day might be a good idea. They have both a <a href="http://grandloopyarns.com/" target="_blank">yarn shop</a> and a <a href="http://patoharabrewing.com/" target="_blank">couple</a> of <a href="http://www.millstonepizzacompany.com/" target="_blank">breweries</a> there, and the trip goes through the very scenic <a href="http://www.bighornmountains.com/" target="_blank">Big Horn Mountains</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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I thought to make the bookends coming and going into nice stays too. I decided this would be a great time to go back and explore Buffalo as I had wanted to do last year. And then the way home....I looked for interesting hotels on the google machine and came up with one in Sheridan Wyoming and one in Billings Montana. I decided I'd go with Billings. It's been getting some press lately as a city worth checking out.<br />
<br />
I started with the bookends reservations and found that in both Buffalo and Billings, the hotels I wanted were having end of season special pricing, but Billings was at the beginning of the week and Buffalo at the end. So I reversed the plan. Billings going out, Buffalo coming home. I got good deals on both places.<br />
<br />
Then to hotels in Cody. Cody does not have any grand old hotels. It doesn't even have properties by either Marriot or Hilton. The bast was Holiday Inn Express. Ok, fine. But the price for 2 nights was over $600!!!!! Even places like Motel 6 were over $200 / night. Some event must have been taking place in Cody that week (wasn't even the weekend). I didn't check. I decided Cody can wait for another time.<br />
<br />
But what now to do with these reservations at really lovely historic hotels that I got for really good prices? I decided what the heck, let's take two short overnight trips just to stay in the hotels. So I did.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJt4lX6R-Q3lOKHFl6bmKIDIoceh0IPB1dwLv8-3ZwXz3ki7xwFTElJqq12zTU3dDY6KNJBbk_2l6Psoak-dsYwFWIKeCqRq8fwbtkumSVq0Pb6sW8dtqo43titxIeYuaau6_ZjMIy9jm/s1600/US2047309.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJt4lX6R-Q3lOKHFl6bmKIDIoceh0IPB1dwLv8-3ZwXz3ki7xwFTElJqq12zTU3dDY6KNJBbk_2l6Psoak-dsYwFWIKeCqRq8fwbtkumSVq0Pb6sW8dtqo43titxIeYuaau6_ZjMIy9jm/s400/US2047309.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billings is close to the Wyoming border, <br />
about 1/3 of the way from the eastern border</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BILLINGS MONTANA</b></div>
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Billings is an easy drive from home. It's right on I-90. Took me about 4 hours to get there. It's the largest city in Montana. In 2016 <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2056761/best-towns-2016" target="_blank">Outside magazine</a> named it their town of the year. The city has put up a billboard on our I-90 north of Rapid City to let us know about that. You can find my photo album for this trip <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157687001549370" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The city gives you a really horrid first impression though because the place is ringed with things like oil and gas refineries. All you see are these huge industrial buildings and places. Makes you just want to keep on driving, and also to wonder why would anyone want to live there, except maybe for the fact that you can find a "good job" or something.</div>
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But it is an nice city once you get into it. I started off in the section of town where all the useful chain stores are located .... Target, Starbucks, the shopping mall, big grocery stores, etc. (No Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, though. None in the whole state on Montana. But then we have none in either South or North Dakota or Wyoming either.) The yarn store was located in this part of town.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYrYrJMEAxhsDAlhSrp6SMmDAuM5P9n3tGDgzOj1ej0dreqZUduQ7yyudoJtHI6M-Y-KRAlfwnWfKbZGQ0ZWXAIeSG6B597_QyOalWxYnvraih-Sj1kEL-6kkr8PNduC6zvatszru6kBj/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYrYrJMEAxhsDAlhSrp6SMmDAuM5P9n3tGDgzOj1ej0dreqZUduQ7yyudoJtHI6M-Y-KRAlfwnWfKbZGQ0ZWXAIeSG6B597_QyOalWxYnvraih-Sj1kEL-6kkr8PNduC6zvatszru6kBj/s400/IMG_1765.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off The Needles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And a great yarn store it is too. Now called <a href="http://offtheneedles.com/" target="_blank">Off the Needles</a>, but still found on the elephant memory of the internet under the former name of Wild Purls. The owner was not in, but there were two totally charming employees who talked with me for quite some time. The place had all the parts a good yarn shop needs ... a whole wall o'color, a big round table, a group of people knitting for charity, plenty of sheepy, wooly props that I would have loved to have taken home, but were not for sale. My kind of place.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHxrx-kyLD4-xzVGBufSrIIsTK_K8vrYvMbTxg3iyz1-IpXUCAMQuU6zQ4yhinDWLCEbAprE86JhSma23s35UPF0k2s6Fg_OomIuwXuqEWAaGWCpmNkbPFFPnAZmcrGhDZn5A6Id4l1iQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_75c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="904" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHxrx-kyLD4-xzVGBufSrIIsTK_K8vrYvMbTxg3iyz1-IpXUCAMQuU6zQ4yhinDWLCEbAprE86JhSma23s35UPF0k2s6Fg_OomIuwXuqEWAaGWCpmNkbPFFPnAZmcrGhDZn5A6Id4l1iQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_75c.jpeg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would have taken this cardboard<br />
sheep home if I could have!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The owner wants to emphasize products made by local or regional people, so I had plenty of things to choose from for my souvenir. I got some yarn made by <a href="https://mountaincolors.com/" target="_blank">Mountain Colors</a>, a Montana company, to make a special maple leaf shawl I have been thinking about doing for some time.</div>
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I got directions from the yarn shop ladies for how to get downtown to the hotel by going through town. The directions were easy, but I did backtrack a bit to go to one of the Starbucks to see if "You Are Here" souvenir mugs exist for Montana. They don't. (AND neither do they exist for Idaho, South or North Dakota or Wyoming. Come on Starbucks! Tourists go to these places plenty.)</div>
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I got to drive past the <a href="http://www.msubillings.edu/" target="_blank">university</a> and to see some nice residential neighborhoods. Downtown was a bit difficult because it is full of one way streets. I saw the hotel much sooner than I could figure out how to get there.</div>
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Downtown Billings is alive and well. People live there. Events happen there. It's alive at night. There is not much shopping anymore, but there are plenty of restaurants. Quite close to the hotel are a couple of blocks filled with all kinds of locally owned restaurants that looked really interesting to explore.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
But I was there for the hotel. <a href="http://www.northernhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Northern Hotel</a> to be exact. I did not make a mistake. In fact, this was an excellent decision about how to spend some pleasurable time. I loved staying at the Northern Hotel. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TNBuTC-ncqa7jADuU9o-xqvVth7HrP_YE-mFuPeH_yOVnrisEWRCpRokk1LRg5ocvSCdwumFXSK633W05swk7dt-18LDHqIVGvJMDDxwVVSjd9Jq8yCFHQyAiJBpvqp7yPMtSTEjN9h9/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TNBuTC-ncqa7jADuU9o-xqvVth7HrP_YE-mFuPeH_yOVnrisEWRCpRokk1LRg5ocvSCdwumFXSK633W05swk7dt-18LDHqIVGvJMDDxwVVSjd9Jq8yCFHQyAiJBpvqp7yPMtSTEjN9h9/s400/IMG_1786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh, a fireplace in the lobby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was an historic hotel that like those things often do fell on hard times and ended up closed for many years. Then someone bought it and put some money into it and made it whole, new and probably better than it ever had been before. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgP2ao3Mn88pH_jFOcNx2-oNsJEGXKO0mOBXfV5nUICd_n8w0Cc1ssntVrzWcKE-DuOruYyBADNdiKrjF9c5lwmS6Nb70muMPeg9n2d0zbieDPGxV4AEY19M_nZ5uNlPLpL0YYSPLFpYZ/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgP2ao3Mn88pH_jFOcNx2-oNsJEGXKO0mOBXfV5nUICd_n8w0Cc1ssntVrzWcKE-DuOruYyBADNdiKrjF9c5lwmS6Nb70muMPeg9n2d0zbieDPGxV4AEY19M_nZ5uNlPLpL0YYSPLFpYZ/s400/IMG_1775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room. So well designed! So comfortable!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Everything was beautifully designed. They even seem to have their own font for all the printing and graphics. I'm a sucker for a nice big fireplace in the lobby, and they have one, a totally modern one, and people totally hung out there as they should. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBgDDdgRvPd6ngifJ66Z8siMe3VatBdwnb_GvxWwa7eMI7JX945T4tjjyA5bqX5jHrnLKFqdgWaxHX3mtxwPRecZ5mfD3wE94EV46iR404r5ihxAE2qg-9dGf5iq0JSGRT0B3jAvXQZlI/s1600/fullsizeoutput_751.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBgDDdgRvPd6ngifJ66Z8siMe3VatBdwnb_GvxWwa7eMI7JX945T4tjjyA5bqX5jHrnLKFqdgWaxHX3mtxwPRecZ5mfD3wE94EV46iR404r5ihxAE2qg-9dGf5iq0JSGRT0B3jAvXQZlI/s400/fullsizeoutput_751.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tells you you are at the Northern Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My room was small but designed as part of the whole and 100% comfortable. I imagine a lot of the rooms are small because of the historic nature of the property. Everything was quiet. My room view was overlooking railroad tracks, but you can't help that kind of thing because it IS downtown Billings, after all. I loved the bed and the bed linens. I slept very, very well.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was a card in the room offering a free drink in the lounge which I took advantage of. A very high end restaurant is connected to the hotel. I decided not to eat there. It was a bit pricey, but I would love to try it for a special occasion.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Instead I walked half a block to one of Billings older brewpubs, <a href="http://montanabrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">The Montana Brewing Company</a>. It has an outdoor patio and is a repurposed office building which has people living in the upper floors. I had my usual fish and chips and a wheat beer which were excellent. Obviously the place was popular even on an ordinary weekday. On the way home I got a huge dish of <a href="http://www.bigdippericecream.com/" target="_blank">award winning ice cream</a> at a shop just kitty corner from the hotel. I was happy, happy, happy.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6wyAWDM-XiZtzkUvpvRg6JfMSrHAfBz5enSyRAiYOXI2OQbB6eAPVigJe73wFDaaRwzZiZ1f2f0hldKN4O1GmHiKlCKq4v9m21eCaZV0iV56oBYgkS839e1PZDcyyqJqKWjV2_aTasHV/s1600/fullsizeoutput_756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1600" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6wyAWDM-XiZtzkUvpvRg6JfMSrHAfBz5enSyRAiYOXI2OQbB6eAPVigJe73wFDaaRwzZiZ1f2f0hldKN4O1GmHiKlCKq4v9m21eCaZV0iV56oBYgkS839e1PZDcyyqJqKWjV2_aTasHV/s400/fullsizeoutput_756.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Brewing Company inside the old ACME building. Really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next morning I had breakfast in the 50s style diner / coffee shop called Bennies, also part of the hotel. I had a eggs benedict dish, and I do have to say that I did not like it that much. I think it was the meat part that was just not right as far as I was concerned. But the coffee was strong, and the service excellent.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The service all round by everyone was excellent, for that matter. I really have to call out the valet who took care of my car and gave me al kinds of good advice about where to go and how to spend my time. I really hope I have the opportunity to go back some time and spend more time at the Northern Hotel. I will probably have to make a reason to go back because I don't know what would take me to Billings, but then, hey, that's what I just did. I need to think about doing that again some time.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0sY6elA1le5hWYqCuI557VR8xPI3LkiZdGxiBVt_UjFjD1PPIRusgMs90VmR6-KMWi73qXAdC6o5TqKCwq1mqt7EwSABLgQcXdHsGyf9074qeMrv7lvN5YFxAw9mkLU8ngF6A9q4Obyv/s1600/fullsizeoutput_74c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0sY6elA1le5hWYqCuI557VR8xPI3LkiZdGxiBVt_UjFjD1PPIRusgMs90VmR6-KMWi73qXAdC6o5TqKCwq1mqt7EwSABLgQcXdHsGyf9074qeMrv7lvN5YFxAw9mkLU8ngF6A9q4Obyv/s400/fullsizeoutput_74c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural prairie and big sky with graves spread throughout.<br />
Peaceful now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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On the way home, I took time to go back and explore the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm" target="_blank">Little Bighorn Battlefield National </a>Monument. I had been there before. Like most of those kinds of places, it's quite peaceful now. Rolling prairie land with the big sky vistas. A fair amount of native wildflowers were blooming, and a western meadowlark, my very favorite bird, landed quite close to me on the ground and sang his little heart out. It was worth the time. </div>
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So Billings .... a national park, several brewpubs and local restaurants, a great yarn shop and a superb hotel. Nice places to live. Plenty of shopping places. Attractive natural setting. Good jobs of various kinds. Good health care. A university. An airport. Yeah, it's an all right place. I could live there if that's where life would take me. But I'd want to make sure I made occasions to stay at the Northern Hotel.</div>
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<b>BUFFALO WYOMING</b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSYI7fh6kzCWauByXAZUT6NrZD18395UbT0StERPaRsegL-zXiCcA6NgG6xb6ucdemaTxKb1j9lClVjCy1TsTgYszOeXXiXJ1DTAmDFwBu3fNpuvZcSJyp8Bx-ao10TIoGGWNqghkJmMa/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSYI7fh6kzCWauByXAZUT6NrZD18395UbT0StERPaRsegL-zXiCcA6NgG6xb6ucdemaTxKb1j9lClVjCy1TsTgYszOeXXiXJ1DTAmDFwBu3fNpuvZcSJyp8Bx-ao10TIoGGWNqghkJmMa/s400/IMG_1829.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the highway some artistic people have spread out rocks like this.<br />
Speeding along on the road, they really do look like resting buffalo.</td></tr>
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So I drove home on Thursday, stayed here on Friday, and set out again on Saturday. I was glad, after al that I had not gone to Cody because early snow came through, and there was bad weather in the Big Horns where I would have had to drive. That would have frightened me a lot, so I was really glad I did not have to do that drive. Because <a href="http://www.buffalowyoming.org/" target="_blank">Buffalo</a> was not quite 3 hours away, I stayed home until after lunch, and arrived in the early afternoon.</div>
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The weather was crummy the whole time but not horrible. I wore my jacket the whole time and was not crazy about being outside, so I did not do much walking around. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWQcxtOi7-dbXTobMbIRw032ouZ-otocDRsVGXfVYwJQH8avcJRICrN5-P77f6rEmgazriwk-FcqbxaoK6_z6e7idrFHKXF_UQ8LFKCWFZyUU9Di65KgC_5rzdkForAXH0DF6YIUGWYvz/s1600/fullsizeoutput_72a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWQcxtOi7-dbXTobMbIRw032ouZ-otocDRsVGXfVYwJQH8avcJRICrN5-P77f6rEmgazriwk-FcqbxaoK6_z6e7idrFHKXF_UQ8LFKCWFZyUU9Di65KgC_5rzdkForAXH0DF6YIUGWYvz/s400/fullsizeoutput_72a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oktoberfest in the park. As you can see, totally crummy weather.</td></tr>
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Turns out there was an Oktoberfest celebration going on in the little community park. There was music by some excellent local musicians ... the younger woman was a particularly good multi-instrumentalist. They even had roller derby girls doing their thing in the parking lot. That looked dangerous to me, but they were enjoying it, and no one actually fell or got hurt. </div>
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I paid $20 and got myself a sampling glass and a voting token. There were tents with local amatuer brewers all round the square. You could ask for as much as you wanted from anybody so that you could taste a lot of different beers. You were then supposed to give your token to your favorite. </div>
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I tried about 5 different varieties including one with an interesting name, but which the brewer insisted that I did not have to finish if I didn't like it. He said more than once I could just pour it out if I didn't like it. I told him he was not doing a good job of selling this one and he shrugged to say that not al ideas turn out well in the end. And, indeed, I did try it and ended up pouring it out. I voted for the only wheat beer. The winner was one that that was called something like coconut-pineapple lager which I had not tried because I thought it sounded horrid .... pina colada beer? No thanks.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yyYWKx-fyvfTWl3k92Y9N6vQgY_129otrFyoCGXqDPQWel2wneE2OWmi2EeS9Yl8Lfjpzp_33WLGr0vK1O_SCZJBRsMmYOgUX4wvTfeM4xMsgjDtb6gvxjWN87sGDc7WDoKsZRI6QHkR/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2ba.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yyYWKx-fyvfTWl3k92Y9N6vQgY_129otrFyoCGXqDPQWel2wneE2OWmi2EeS9Yl8Lfjpzp_33WLGr0vK1O_SCZJBRsMmYOgUX4wvTfeM4xMsgjDtb6gvxjWN87sGDc7WDoKsZRI6QHkR/s400/fullsizeoutput_2ba.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Occidental Hotel, where the novel The Virginian was written in the bar.<br />
They didn't have Starbucks in those days.</td></tr>
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This time the hotel really emphasized the historic part of the name. The <a href="http://www.occidentalwyoming.com/" target="_blank">Occidental</a> was also a famous fancy hotel that fell on hard times and was eventually revived. The place is kind of museum like, stuffed with Victorian era western antiques or replicas. Everything is modern on the inside (good TVs, high speed internet), but all the decor and furnishings are in the 19th century western style. And every surface was covered with something or another. My room as comfortable, but not that great. The nicest thing about my room was that it was a little patio with a table and chair that was right beside Clear Creek which runs through the downtown. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXkxtGZZW6-o5EglZnD_KU9J7qC7RUXLd0KfSdhtCaUkITjMdOa5DnVU-mAsLwf9z4xrigYIDEf_graXKpc2oFl_AAOvgyNqUsetdTe3eSyVmWaz2zrv_P7AO2-SKxlPVnHN0MVth-Eo8/s1600/fullsizeoutput_728.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXkxtGZZW6-o5EglZnD_KU9J7qC7RUXLd0KfSdhtCaUkITjMdOa5DnVU-mAsLwf9z4xrigYIDEf_graXKpc2oFl_AAOvgyNqUsetdTe3eSyVmWaz2zrv_P7AO2-SKxlPVnHN0MVth-Eo8/s400/fullsizeoutput_728.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Creek runs right beside the hotel,<br />
and my room had a little outside creekside patio.</td></tr>
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This time I did eat at the fancy restaurant connected to the hotel, the Virginian. I could have also eaten in the bar which was open till much later than the restaurant. The menu was limited and did feature a surprising amount of seafood which I found odd considering where we were located. I had the special which was a beef dish, a kind of stew, which was very very flavorful. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJkkgbC1MDH104j2i0O4Tr-qJUZB1xppQ67Bj8aZbKZU6fNQPsBdWfEhYgFuBhqhLapvNY8jVJGW2cGQTvY6a08DaBTEkknGBmm0GTIFo2fvIXLxk3p8Qc85sizEpDadM5fzE1dyDtxDE/s1600/IMG_1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJkkgbC1MDH104j2i0O4Tr-qJUZB1xppQ67Bj8aZbKZU6fNQPsBdWfEhYgFuBhqhLapvNY8jVJGW2cGQTvY6a08DaBTEkknGBmm0GTIFo2fvIXLxk3p8Qc85sizEpDadM5fzE1dyDtxDE/s400/IMG_1837.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bed was comfortable, but nothing like at the Northern.</td></tr>
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I slept fine and the next morning I had breakfast at the coffee shop attached to the hotel. I had the eggs, bacon, potato plate, the kind of thing that is hard to do poorly unless you mess up the eggs which the cook did not. Seating has difficult at the coffee shop. Obviously it is a very popular place where there were plenty of locals.</div>
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At both the restaurant and the coffee shop there was a young woman from Thailand working as a food runner & able busser. She noticed Sock Monkey and I at supper, and at breakfast she asked specifically where Sock Monkey was. I brought him out for the breakfast table as I had had him out for supper. She told me about a special pillow she had with her on her travels which she found was very comforting. </div>
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Then after breakfast, pack up and go home. I was home by lunchtime. As I said last year, I find that Buffalo as a place to live is just too far away from things like shopping, and airport and health care for me at this time of my life. But my thoughts were confirmed in that I still think it is a really nice little community in which to live. I really think I would like a day to day life there, and it certainly is a place well worth spending a bit of time in.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9t9t5XpF4HO2tqyQCL58hMpsyfMozfKJKOqRmXbWimCasE_kLqeX7zsROGjG03Jc-GzquwE91lsB4klxWjUfz_tzcE4Sw6PLYVy3dy1_I247iJn0MmxvIEHJGPhkfFjxDj6fAZs8T6NF/s1600/fullsizeoutput_726.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9t9t5XpF4HO2tqyQCL58hMpsyfMozfKJKOqRmXbWimCasE_kLqeX7zsROGjG03Jc-GzquwE91lsB4klxWjUfz_tzcE4Sw6PLYVy3dy1_I247iJn0MmxvIEHJGPhkfFjxDj6fAZs8T6NF/s400/fullsizeoutput_726.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey made a friend here at supper.</td></tr>
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These two little trips mad me reflect on the whole idea of staying in hotels. As I have been driving around this part of the world these past few months, I have been noticing how many RV's and travel homes of various sizes are out on the move right now. One reason owners cite for deciding to own and use a travel home to so that you do not have to stay in hotels. </div>
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But I decided I LIKE staying in hotels. And I really like staying in special hotels. I had the best time at these tow places and the hotels were the main reason for it all. The hotel is the center of the trip. I decided this is going to be something I want to do more of .. seek out and try out special places to stay overnight. Watch for it!</div>
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Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-21453502509921677252017-09-24T17:13:00.000-07:002017-10-15T16:22:08.860-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: North Dakota, Because it is There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DaJfmoUZF2eimkVaqYG57J3z3kNI-zyh5oP_SWSt1-AZE0wJfiho_ZnexpxljcgJW4pLguRyBVk1YMS_muB8DlxOW7UTGaM6nUcKAm8SeStkGCcto3zC8UQ3qXJPbsOs3pzmvbeINu8I/s1600/US4875277.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DaJfmoUZF2eimkVaqYG57J3z3kNI-zyh5oP_SWSt1-AZE0wJfiho_ZnexpxljcgJW4pLguRyBVk1YMS_muB8DlxOW7UTGaM6nUcKAm8SeStkGCcto3zC8UQ3qXJPbsOs3pzmvbeINu8I/s400/US4875277.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
September turned out to be a month a lot like April-May of this year. I started doing some short trips and just kept going. And I'm not done yet because I'll be heading home to Illinois in a few days while it is still September.<br />
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One of my water exercise lady friends found a great cat sitter for me. Ms Jean is a retired school teacher who lives in town, has several pets herself and was up for the gig. She has lived here all her life and drives a Jeep. She told me not to worry at all if the weather should turn bad while I am away (which I'm sure it will some days); she's on it and has a lifetime of experience, plus that Jeep, that will get her out and about no matter what. OK then.<br />
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She told me that Smokey Rose has established a little routine when she arrives. Usually Kitty is on the bed. She immediately jumps up and goes and sits on the table (She doesn't do that for me. She mostly just opens her eyes, says, "oh it's you", and goes back to napping.) Ms Jean does her tasks with the food, water and litter box while Smokey Rose watches. Then SR goes and sits on the ottoman so that Ms Jean can sit in the armchair and start to pet her. And then everyone is happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ_MYRGvwBYKDO9IlLXcoZrg-bdFX-_fmE-La2LSUT19MgrjLY9Icxd6Q4Ss4oxqhfjLlp141UjmMCuvH1lgj1IYZyHGrjaTPQ8dnWHuRcQ5DJgQ8Ldr58fQAxCogICBhkQh3ZtKE8Kqk/s1600/US4875272.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ_MYRGvwBYKDO9IlLXcoZrg-bdFX-_fmE-La2LSUT19MgrjLY9Icxd6Q4Ss4oxqhfjLlp141UjmMCuvH1lgj1IYZyHGrjaTPQ8dnWHuRcQ5DJgQ8Ldr58fQAxCogICBhkQh3ZtKE8Kqk/s400/US4875272.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The first time I had Ms Jean come in was right after Labor Day when it was still clearly summer, but all the tiny people would be back in school. I went north, up into western North Dakota. North Dakota is right next to South Dakota, but all the years I have lived HERE, I had never been THERE. Literally there never was a reason to go there. Still isn't, but I decided I really did need to at least set foot in the place, just to say that I had indeed been there. So I did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNPcPL_YgCfRGXyMEgXp69OX3NwewKRDOX4W0Z1p9tsLksR2CUcubJOD80KdJZRsbbSONA-HIGc2eDX3m1yUWGhiFsc0f514YNzDImi83By5laZTFW1Z4DbCD2RdMpTk6HRVx3XcM84cH/s1600/fullsizeoutput_70d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="829" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNPcPL_YgCfRGXyMEgXp69OX3NwewKRDOX4W0Z1p9tsLksR2CUcubJOD80KdJZRsbbSONA-HIGc2eDX3m1yUWGhiFsc0f514YNzDImi83By5laZTFW1Z4DbCD2RdMpTk6HRVx3XcM84cH/s400/fullsizeoutput_70d.jpeg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do like the city graphic design.<br />
I assumet his represents the river</td></tr>
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I started by going to the capital, Bismark which is in the south central part of the state, on the Missouri River. It's near the site of a place called Fort Mandan, overlooking the river. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandan" target="_blank">Mandans </a>were one of the tribes that lived around there. This is the place where the explorers, Lewis and Clark, spent their first winter.<br />
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I decided to go to <a href="http://www.bismarcknd.gov/" target="_blank">Bismark</a> at all for two reasons. One - a friend from my PhD program still lives there, but not for long. In October, she and her husband will be abandoning their home in the north, the place where they both grew up, for sunshine year round in Tucson Arizona. They are not going to be snowbirds, but permanent residents. Sounds like a good decision to me. And then two - according to the internet machine, there was a yarn shop in downtown Bismark, one of the few in the whole state.<br />
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Well, a few days before I was to leave, my classmate wrote to say she would not be in town. A family emergency was taking her away to Seattle. She didn't say what happened. Later I found out that no one had died, and no one was in an accident or sick or anything like that. But the point is, I would not be seeing her. I decided to go anyway because there was that yarn shop, always a good thing to explore.<br />
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Well, there was no yarn shop either. It went out of business a few years ago and was now a nice upscale home decor store. Darn!<br />
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As I was driving into downtown, I was able to move along ok, but I could see that something was up. All the traffic going out of downtown was backed up really far, and there were police of various sorts all over everywhere. I asked at the shop if that was just the usual rush hour there, but no, it's not. Turns out that the man who lives in the White House at the moment was in town.<br />
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He was out at a refinery in the area giving a forgettable speech about trade or something. That day he managed to keep it together and did not make any headlines for something or another stupid or outrageous. He just flew in and then out again right away, and hardly anyone actually saw him in person. Why he had to waste taxpayer money for this little jaunt, who knows?<br />
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Meanwhile people in town said that presidents come to Bismark for speeches all the time. Really? Why? Who knew? No one knows, but they do show up regularly for some reason. Presidents almost never come to South Dakota. (They are just memorialized <a href="https://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm" target="_blank">in stone</a> and <a href="https://www.visitrapidcity.com/things-to-do/city-presidents" target="_blank">bronze</a> in SoDak.) Mr. Obama had to make <a href="http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2015/05/05/president-barack-obama-south-dakota-visit/26930547/" target="_blank">a special trip</a> towards the very end of his term to make a speech about career education at a technical college out in the eastern part of South Dakota, just to be able to say that he had, indeed, visited all of the states. Shows you how much we rate. But NORTH Dakota? What's up with that?<br />
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So anyway, I was in downtown Bismark with no possibility of yarn, so I asked about other things on my to-do list. Turns out there was <a href="http://laughingsunbrewing.com/" target="_blank">a brewery</a> right around the corner for the vanished yarn shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4MVRd37xbTZgaVR56kTHfnVurvVfaYBVtZxDqvYgZ9kN4yde3xLrYbP3n2NFVZr2T44NyJgsM78Kc-qMIYOqIj7EiqGQtcbuenwFaGsJG8G0weh0yKBxvxSKsS0Ya9sFGSZvLbSvpaQM/s1600/fullsizeoutput_70f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4MVRd37xbTZgaVR56kTHfnVurvVfaYBVtZxDqvYgZ9kN4yde3xLrYbP3n2NFVZr2T44NyJgsM78Kc-qMIYOqIj7EiqGQtcbuenwFaGsJG8G0weh0yKBxvxSKsS0Ya9sFGSZvLbSvpaQM/s400/fullsizeoutput_70f.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the laughing Sun Brewery. Like all bars, it's pretty dark.</td></tr>
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I had skipped stopping for lunch, and I was a bit hungry. I was hoping for a late lunch but the brewery only served beer itself. There was an <a href="http://www.fireflourpizza.com/" target="_blank">artisan pizzeria right next</a> door which would deliver, but I didn't want a whole pizza. So I just had some beer in the late afternoon on an empty stomach. Turned out to be ok. I selected one that was pretty low ABW and then drank slowly. It was pretty good and refreshing. I would have liked a bit more but still had to do some driving to find the hotel, so I passed.<br />
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I asked the fellow sitting next to me if he was local and if he could give me driving directions using local streets to the hotel so I could avoid any freeway driving. He was local and he could and did give me some excellent directions. I wrote them down an a piece of paper ... as one does, you know, still.<br />
<br />
I stayed at the new-ish <a href="http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/index.html?WT.mc_id=zLADA0WW1XX2PSH3DA4PPC5PPC6MULTIBR7_153665015_1004635&_vsrefdom=mca&mchxkw=c:276712203,k:43700023850508638,m:e,d:c,ai:76278647067301,s:b" target="_blank">Hampton Inn</a> right by a freeway exit. That part of town was where all the national chain stores and restaurants were located. I ate at a national chain steak house. The hotel and restaurant were just fine, but really could have been anywhere.<br />
<br />
So the next day I decided it was time to see what I could see that was unique to North Dakota. My <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157688869961155" target="_blank">picture album for the whole trip </a>is here. So far the landscapes I was seeing were pretty much the same as what we have here in South Dakota. I like the prairie land, myself, but I was not seeing the difference between their prairie land and ours. Other than the fact that now I knew this for myself from having seen it myself, I was feeling like the first day was kind of a waste of time, gas, money and effort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOjeboiOkQZqVoXuRQag6NzHgDsz8nChToUXIoP3By8czCRiYmMNs0jGIuraGzVPB5E-ab_zhaSXA5c4csKifcD1AVUfT3TFDGL3kMoYnUV7YcmRyTJ9N_ZCD0BCjLcfxTRiUr5W6SCx1/s1600/fullsizeoutput_707.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOjeboiOkQZqVoXuRQag6NzHgDsz8nChToUXIoP3By8czCRiYmMNs0jGIuraGzVPB5E-ab_zhaSXA5c4csKifcD1AVUfT3TFDGL3kMoYnUV7YcmRyTJ9N_ZCD0BCjLcfxTRiUr5W6SCx1/s400/fullsizeoutput_707.jpeg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey sitting at the feet of some of the greats of history.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I headed north of Bismark to the Missouri River and to begin exploring Lewis and Clark sites. I began at a <a href="http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section2/ndcities/BismarckMandan/InterpretiveCenter/index.htm" target="_blank">state owned visitor center</a> and museum, and then went a bit farther up to the site where <a href="http://fortmandan.com/" target="_blank">Fort Mandan</a> had been re-created. It was not the actual site, but fairly close by. they had a really good tour guide who explained a lot about what happened there. The guide used a theme of diplomacy and peacefulness of the expedition which was a very interesting take on things.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_ANEDPREwD64guYMJTRp33F7wuXzdEJwM4VA4U5NXruTDnluggbSOKjyD6N5ZjfhrDrXEhgokIkuYATrRShgWvcbTFoPnviIMB5v8M2bhQzkP9ogISQzhSti3DubiAiqHJhf1clD8Rnw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_716.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_ANEDPREwD64guYMJTRp33F7wuXzdEJwM4VA4U5NXruTDnluggbSOKjyD6N5ZjfhrDrXEhgokIkuYATrRShgWvcbTFoPnviIMB5v8M2bhQzkP9ogISQzhSti3DubiAiqHJhf1clD8Rnw/s400/fullsizeoutput_716.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guide said Lewis did include knitting needles in the gift bundles.<br />
But the men didn't knit, nor did the native women,<br />
so the needles were probably used as hair sticks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For example they had a re-created storeroom that was just full of clearly labeled and numbered bundles which all contained gifts to give out to the people they encountered along the way. Captain Lewis was a genius logistics person. He spent about one third of his whole budget on gifts alone, and had them all arranged for easy unbundling and giving out... and ledgers for accounting for everything too.<br />
<br />
They had constant daily interaction with the local people, and did all kinds of things to help them out, like giving out medicine or helping with injuries, having the blacksmith repair and make iron tools (and weapons), and just hanging out together and doing what guys do when they hang out with other guys. The guide said they had so much interaction with the locals that they lied about Christmas. They told the people that Christmas was a special holiday in their culture that was intended to be spent in quiet reflection and prayer just so that they would get left alone for a couple of days. It worked. They had a very quiet Christmas celebration by themselves. And they were careful not to whoop it up during that time.<br />
<br />
It was at Fort Mandan that they met up with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyageurs" target="_blank">voyageur</a> Charbonneau, whose wife was Sacagawea. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/lecl/learn/historyculture/sacagawea.htm" target="_blank">She gave birth</a> to her little baby boy, known as Pomp, there after a difficult labor that the Captains tried to help with. The family left with the expedition in the spring, and the rest, as they say, is history.<br />
<br />
After Fort Mandan I checked out a couple of other sites which had been native towns. The natives in this region established more or less permanent settlements which were large enough to be called towns, not just encampments. They had both winter and summer towns, and the individual dwellings would have each lasted for several years and then been rebuilt on the same sites, hence the permanent rings in the ground today. The sites to be visited today are grassy places where you could see and feel the round sites where the native homes used to be located. First was a state owned place called <a href="http://www.ndtourism.com/stanton/historic-sites/fort-clark-state-historic-site" target="_blank">Fort Clark</a>, which did not have much except land and signs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfb-IQ9dh2AIFj3dY_0q_czDjcZY0X6Om8WAcqxjiWdRqoF8sIdI2D5ohJBZwla_8mHz2vbrFutk0JTg__Fw11RPA-GvUqZyx_Xa9HBVPxBPeMQt8-ZZvaf6bGGOOrsCI4FKJnz1V_OBm/s1600/fullsizeoutput_709.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1402" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfb-IQ9dh2AIFj3dY_0q_czDjcZY0X6Om8WAcqxjiWdRqoF8sIdI2D5ohJBZwla_8mHz2vbrFutk0JTg__Fw11RPA-GvUqZyx_Xa9HBVPxBPeMQt8-ZZvaf6bGGOOrsCI4FKJnz1V_OBm/s400/fullsizeoutput_709.jpeg" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A re-creasted grass round home. These folks did not use teepees,<br />
except sometimes when they went out hunting,<br />
like camping today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next was a unit of the National Park Service, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm" target="_blank">Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site.</a> Most of this land too, was grassy places with the indentations for the former dwellings, but they did have a re-created grass built round home with artifacts inside. That was interesting because you could actually see and feel how big the place was (or wasn't depending on your viewpoint!) and what things the people had and used in their daily life. Being a NPS unit, it had a very nice visitor center and museum, and had rangers on site and plenty of planned programs, especially for the local school kids.<br />
<br />
After that it was time to head to the next hotel in the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickinson,_North_Dakota" target="_blank">Dickinson</a>. This place looked like a town that the railroads built. It has a small university, <a href="http://www.dickinsonstate.edu/" target="_blank">Dickinson State</a>, and is the big shopping town (aka, there is a Walmart there) for a pretty large region. I stayed two nights at another Hampton Inn, and had to eat again at national chain restaurants. This was the biggest disappointment of the whole trip. I'm sure there must be some small locally owned restaurants in both Bismark and Dickinson, but I could not really find any names to try in guides or from the hotel staff.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJC-k2ewWore54KyhWXHpTTXicVwDxNaxGtLnfov_cA_h_iZ9LaWY95rqEM6kzD7_z6WAw19jYgue4f0Yc3fpU3uk4UuyH1AvniWNibniYKZnDBfp-InbglghwULZCJRNWAjDulg5-NwF/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6fe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJC-k2ewWore54KyhWXHpTTXicVwDxNaxGtLnfov_cA_h_iZ9LaWY95rqEM6kzD7_z6WAw19jYgue4f0Yc3fpU3uk4UuyH1AvniWNibniYKZnDBfp-InbglghwULZCJRNWAjDulg5-NwF/s400/fullsizeoutput_6fe.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the re-created commander's house and offices at Ft. Union</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last day of time in ND began with a trip north again to another NPS site, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fous/index.htm" target="_blank">Fort Union</a>, on the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. This was on the actual site of the real fort, but again, re-created. This one interpreted life during the 19th century from around Civil war times forward. Again, it had very nice facilities because it is a NPS site.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5_MR4qtmC3mZQd3FT-WU4y_3GXYA-KFkgOeAd3DH4LSQ0VTyFBfEQFJyViM5GiWO4LewZ0QkjeGy1-URxHPtmodBtble53WsKPFJTAceodc2imvp2dSUFn4pi2TfUeXa49Y-UYCZvfoa/s1600/fullsizeoutput_705.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="1600" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5_MR4qtmC3mZQd3FT-WU4y_3GXYA-KFkgOeAd3DH4LSQ0VTyFBfEQFJyViM5GiWO4LewZ0QkjeGy1-URxHPtmodBtble53WsKPFJTAceodc2imvp2dSUFn4pi2TfUeXa49Y-UYCZvfoa/s400/fullsizeoutput_705.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil, oil everywhere!</td></tr>
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Around this whole region I found the roads to be in excellent condition. They had better be because the whole region is an oil patch, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakken_Formation" target="_blank">Bakken oil fields</a>. Oil pads are everywhere, as are large trucks hauling who knows what exactly. And near all the towns are industrial sites that have something or another to do with pumping oil. None of this is attractive in the least.<br />
<br />
The ranger said she lived in nearby <a href="http://cityofwilliston.com/" target="_blank">Williston</a>. Now Williston has been famous, or infamous, in recent years because it is the city in the heart of the Bakken formation. For awhile it was a boom town with plenty of money floating around everywhere, but not near enough housing and facilities necessary for all the oil workers who flocked there for jobs. You might be interested in seeing <a href="http://www.pbs.org/pov/theovernighters/" target="_blank">the documentary film</a> about Williston that was at Sundance a few years ago. I figured I was pretty close by, so why not go see it for myself.<br />
<br />
I had lunch there at another chain fast food place, and drove around a little bit. There was a lot of construction going on with the roads. I found old downtown Williston which is not really being revived quite yet. Emphasis seems to be on building all new and shiny on what used to be the outskirts. There were a lot of new apartments complexes and outside of town (and in all the neighboring communities) camps with factory built homes which all looked new and fairly nice. I understand the boom is not on right now because of low prices for oil. It kind of looks like maybe they do have enough housing for workers, but I could be wrong.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44sHBuRY6bgmf6dyb_Q_3ISTunnagcu3l7QAJK6aALFDP6GN_MMZFFgv9sTRSirr2Jgwr7tclF9SAhToXkGfLv2cefUoq-HJHMGJrpN5MG7jYDTK1Z_mm5IYXil9fSiDqLFVuCMXKzrtH/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6f0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44sHBuRY6bgmf6dyb_Q_3ISTunnagcu3l7QAJK6aALFDP6GN_MMZFFgv9sTRSirr2Jgwr7tclF9SAhToXkGfLv2cefUoq-HJHMGJrpN5MG7jYDTK1Z_mm5IYXil9fSiDqLFVuCMXKzrtH/s400/fullsizeoutput_6f0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlook at one of the South Unit entries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally I headed south for the one place I really did want to see in North Dakota, The NPS site <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm" target="_blank">Theodore Roosevelt National Park</a>. because I took the time to go out of the way to Williston, I thought I should skip the north unit. I could actually see a fair amount of it from the road, and it looked a lot like OUR Badlands in South Dakota. So I headed directly to the south unit and got there in time to be able to get into the visitor centers. Finally I took part of the drive through the scenic road where I passed several prairie dog towns and then had to sit and wait out a bison traffic jam.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2sNZtPWGNKHo1Ca-sDDLgDoe4SEI48xL9RdfaY2yoF0xdZZYZnx7sfvoFxJ9vzc44Z6l_2YpqOIhh3Ln48mwIn5Iy8KvtUYGZypgw3GwSmPvEO_k4VF3y-pk1kDI06LhG1NgDUP_qfWX/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6ec.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="998" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2sNZtPWGNKHo1Ca-sDDLgDoe4SEI48xL9RdfaY2yoF0xdZZYZnx7sfvoFxJ9vzc44Z6l_2YpqOIhh3Ln48mwIn5Iy8KvtUYGZypgw3GwSmPvEO_k4VF3y-pk1kDI06LhG1NgDUP_qfWX/s320/fullsizeoutput_6ec.jpeg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little critters do move fast so it's hard to get photos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've seen plenty of prairie dog towns, but I did stop for some pictures to show you, if you have never seen them. The little critters are as cute as all get out, and the ones here in the park are not really afraid of people. They are very watchable.<br />
<br />
The bison ... well, you just have to sit tight and let them have their way. They seemed indifferent to the cars, but I certainly would not be stupid enough to try to get them to actually notice me for some special reason.<br />
<br />
I did not do the whole drive because I was getting tired at the end of the day so I decided just to head on "home" to my hotel. I was glad I had picked the nice clean, modern place in Dickinson, even though the city was about 30 minutes away from the park entrance. The tourist town of <a href="https://www.medora.com/" target="_blank">Medora,</a> which is an historic western town, is the gateway city to the park and right on its edge, has what looks like little mom and pop motels. They might indeed be perfectly comfortable, but at my age now, I kind of like going with all the clean and predictable "mod cons" as opposed to "charm."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8-Alx4I2ElyvlJ591qi3Ceyto2FDhCFbPa8Syt3PwadoT1jrO6-x6-Q1SGN5TANysqkjG4est_Rp1iCAn4EO23FpLyH7jnWXFSE8_eg66nMn-aUdTn8BYbLh4yDSyT0HSvqkaZW4yupr/s1600/fullsizeoutput_6e6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8-Alx4I2ElyvlJ591qi3Ceyto2FDhCFbPa8Syt3PwadoT1jrO6-x6-Q1SGN5TANysqkjG4est_Rp1iCAn4EO23FpLyH7jnWXFSE8_eg66nMn-aUdTn8BYbLh4yDSyT0HSvqkaZW4yupr/s400/fullsizeoutput_6e6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now for some moments of Zen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next day was just driving home. I was there in time for a late lunch, which shows you how close NoDak really is to where I live. Perhaps I should have made the effort to go at least to the Badlands up there sooner, but I've been there now, so it's good.<br />
<br />
My overal impression? The landscape looked pretty much like the landscape down here. The towns were not as interesting as what we have here. Restaurants were disappointing. The Badlands were nice but smaller than<a href="https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm" target="_blank"> ours.</a> We have the <a href="http://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/" target="_blank">Black Hills</a> which are little mountains; they have no mountains of any kind. You have to go all the way to <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps?&ty=18&q=Boucle%20Yarn%20Studio%20Fargo%20ND&ss=ypid.YN539x173051957&ppois=46.8796005249023_-96.7872467041016_Boucle%20Yarn%20Studio_YN539x173051957~&cp=46.879601~-96.787247&v=2&sV=1" target="_blank">Fargo</a> / <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps?&ty=18&q=Boucle%20Yarn%20Studio%20Fargo%20ND&ss=ypid.YN539x173051957&ppois=46.8796005249023_-96.7872467041016_Boucle%20Yarn%20Studio_YN539x173051957~&cp=46.879601~-96.787247&v=2&sV=1" target="_blank">Moorhead</a> on the Minnesota border or way up north to <a href="https://www.yarnstashminot.com/" target="_blank">Minot </a>for yarn. We have more <a href="http://www.brewtrail.com/south-dakota-breweries/" target="_blank">local breweries</a> in SoDak. We have <a href="https://www.nps.gov/state/sd/index.htm" target="_blank">more national parks</a> and monuments. We also have the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/index.htm" target="_blank">Missouri River</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/lecl/index.htm" target="_blank">Lewis and Clark sites</a>, the same as they do. Presidents don't come here and gum up traffic. You don't have to use block heaters for your car in the winter. We have no oil wells and oil industry. Might as well stay home.<br />
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-68243577100733551972017-08-24T15:33:00.001-07:002017-09-24T17:14:10.997-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: South Dakota and Beyond<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4aM5-Y5rUGm7Nqisj9vuwsJUXF-skH7rnGVdZTnaXg26QAfHV0iyQ0b2J-8i8uiTQfqr2p_WRLsSMbuAyie5yPLJyPj1puMu9cSH9ZbWEhstH6nKnPLnXJIMB_LdXLKnd41-s664CCcP/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4aM5-Y5rUGm7Nqisj9vuwsJUXF-skH7rnGVdZTnaXg26QAfHV0iyQ0b2J-8i8uiTQfqr2p_WRLsSMbuAyie5yPLJyPj1puMu9cSH9ZbWEhstH6nKnPLnXJIMB_LdXLKnd41-s664CCcP/s400/IMG_1602.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey Rose knew right away how to get comfy in our<br />
Black Hills home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Smokey Rose and I are now living in our home in the Black Hills. We no longer have a place in Salt lake, just this little condo of ours. We arrived here around July 1 and spent most of July "moving in." Of course this place was fully furnished and all, but I brought with a carload and a pickup truck load of boxes of things that had to be integrated with everything that was already here. A lot of it was clothes, books and craft supplies. There were also some kitchen things, a bit of artwork and some misc things plus stuff like food, cleaning supplies, other consumables such as office supplies. We are mostly done except for the boxes with papers in them. That can wait to be sorted through until a rainy or snowy day comes along.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLy_o8Eov-qoM7fa2O5c4QRuBhL_FXYj7rfaMAGgSgWL_yeRe9f2zt8Ucfha1wqzSZEwYlKGT-Ndx_ZEcNOQlntbl_rOrRoUBlXwyNaZ_AZOId-lT09aofp3fYFAo5c2ltR_W86NmK3x/s1600/fullsizeoutput_508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLy_o8Eov-qoM7fa2O5c4QRuBhL_FXYj7rfaMAGgSgWL_yeRe9f2zt8Ucfha1wqzSZEwYlKGT-Ndx_ZEcNOQlntbl_rOrRoUBlXwyNaZ_AZOId-lT09aofp3fYFAo5c2ltR_W86NmK3x/s400/fullsizeoutput_508.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey had not seen the rec center until this summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now we are concentrating on how we will live here. I mean by that how we will use our time, what we will do, how our days will go. We have a bit of a routine already. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings I do water exercises at the local rec center with my lady friends from last year. I was welcomed back heartily and now don't want to miss a day. Smokey Rose usually sleeps on the bed during this time, as best I know.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ay3sD9jYc7IxzlKVYCO5IH4QiS_8hqOyqYXZSflIVo_vKFVD5AMDumDIgGOJ4RgiuhtrzPLX9wtO1l-7clKXgq63c4HbeDYa9xdbqqOWiHWGoOlYpzIRClS_k9Bvs_ZC25QUFpf3jLbm/s1600/fullsizeoutput_562.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ay3sD9jYc7IxzlKVYCO5IH4QiS_8hqOyqYXZSflIVo_vKFVD5AMDumDIgGOJ4RgiuhtrzPLX9wtO1l-7clKXgq63c4HbeDYa9xdbqqOWiHWGoOlYpzIRClS_k9Bvs_ZC25QUFpf3jLbm/s400/fullsizeoutput_562.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While Smokey Rose snoozes at home,<br />
Sock Monkey is quite the gad about.<br />
He enjoys a good coffeehouse like Lotus Up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings I go to knit with people. Tuesdays I join the long standing knitting group at the <a href="http://www.leadlib.com/" target="_blank">local library</a>. Thursdays I am trying to get a group started in the mornings at the <a href="http://www.lotusuplead.com/" target="_blank">local coffee shop</a>, Lotus Up. The coffee shop welcomes us; the owner says she wants her place to be a community center not just a shop. So far two other people have showed up. And there are several others who have also stopped at my table to say hi and maybe even chat a bit. A couple of people whom I met there have recognized me in other places in town.<br />
<br />
I am now a volunteer at the <a href="http://www.homestakeoperahouse.org/" target="_blank">local opera house</a>. I have done 2 performances. It's ushering like at Sundance. I can handle it. A lot of local VIPs attend the things at the opera house so gradually, gradually I'm finding out bits and pieces about who is who around here.<br />
<br />
I'm helping out a friend by going back to work doing internet teaching. She is in charge of the nursing program at a small Catholic college in the midwest, and had a sudden need for a teacher during the summer session. Everything was set up so I did not have to do any planning. It's going pretty well. I do like the students, of course. I might consider doing this kind of thing again, but I find I am annoyed at how I have to spend most Mondays doing this work when maybe I would like to do other things. And sometimes the work doesn't get done until Thursdays.<br />
<br />
At home I have started to do some baking and cooking again. I knit and read and write letters and <a href="https://www.postcrossing.com/" target="_blank">postcards</a>. I'm all set up to practice ink and watercolor painting. And when I'm just plain tired, now I have cable TV.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIShGq-s9YTGu7IgmIoWYKQp2EZ4Ocx1s_mDAFFOqpZooxi2CU_Afy8e55k4c83CuVhFgEq8W2y-7oL0xCPquV2E9xH21AnFIVcvsLljj5Uz-QW17qfrXUaWBHe3hz4nNrxjdZVBrvcpy/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIShGq-s9YTGu7IgmIoWYKQp2EZ4Ocx1s_mDAFFOqpZooxi2CU_Afy8e55k4c83CuVhFgEq8W2y-7oL0xCPquV2E9xH21AnFIVcvsLljj5Uz-QW17qfrXUaWBHe3hz4nNrxjdZVBrvcpy/s400/IMG_1538.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine really plays up its heart connection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And I have made one overnight trip. I kept going to see the same dentist in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine,_Nebraska" target="_blank">Valentine Nebraska</a> the whole time I lived in Utah. I went once a year in the summer, and my annual appointment was in early July this year.<br />
<br />
Besides the fact that I really like my dentists there, I kept this up this whole time because I also really like <a href="https://visitvalentine.org/" target="_blank">Valentine</a> a lot. It is one of the two "big towns" we used from the <a href="https://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/" target="_blank">Rosebud reservation</a>. (The other being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winner,_South_Dakota" target="_blank">Winner, South Dakota</a>). Valentine is about an hour's drive from Rosebud. It's s tiny town but it serves a huge area as the commercial hub, so it really "punches above its weight" as far as retail and services are concerned. I went there as much as once a week for groceries or movies or outdoor activities or services or just to have dinner out.<br />
<br />
Here is the link to my <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157685083539151" target="_blank">Valentine album</a>. While we (Sock Monkey & I...Smokey Rose preferred to stay home even though she was alone) were there this time we ate at one of the best local restaurants ... <a href="https://www.peppermillvalentine.com/" target="_blank">The Peppermill</a> where we had steak, of course, this being cow country after all. Of course it was delicious. We had dessert at the local Frosty drive-in ... a strawberry sundae.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftCX9PZcaCjLLrH_jwDBiMRJlST8lJS46QV0SURg8H8NV_VzBcxIw4aINF9vymcmaoMMdhDLMaB-aCAFest41PgcxMoUBfA8hKPmQgz7YQLgDICpwDFO4twG5qPdfopoHeFwa01kKKBoo/s1600/IMG_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftCX9PZcaCjLLrH_jwDBiMRJlST8lJS46QV0SURg8H8NV_VzBcxIw4aINF9vymcmaoMMdhDLMaB-aCAFest41PgcxMoUBfA8hKPmQgz7YQLgDICpwDFO4twG5qPdfopoHeFwa01kKKBoo/s400/IMG_1560.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey swoons over simple comfort food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We drove through the wildlife refuge where at times you are driving right past bison or longhorn cattle (you don't get out of your car here if you know what's good for you!), but none of them were out that evening. You can get out of the car at one place and take a short hike down to a sweet small waterfall, Fort Falls. I've done that many times in the past. It's very refreshing on a hot summer day.<br />
<br />
Check out all the stuff to do on the second Valentine link .... <a href="https://visitvalentine.org/" target="_blank">here</a> if you missed it I have been to them all and say, go if you can.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENPvDc8F2v57-B1YrR0eiJH5khklanJ1tJH_ZVrlJnPaFd8zHXKmKOH21yZRe4pKllhG668AB8tAtnoDNxYA0cWO0KKWRuFq871AjumiiZbe3erlqOusMWbDq13TXBlM0XWCUhY1PtPSE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_569.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENPvDc8F2v57-B1YrR0eiJH5khklanJ1tJH_ZVrlJnPaFd8zHXKmKOH21yZRe4pKllhG668AB8tAtnoDNxYA0cWO0KKWRuFq871AjumiiZbe3erlqOusMWbDq13TXBlM0XWCUhY1PtPSE/s400/fullsizeoutput_569.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coffee and tea section at Plains Trading Company.<br />
There's always something good hear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But my very favorite place in the town is a store, <a href="http://www.plainstrading.com/" target="_blank">The Plains Trading Company.</a> This is a tiny bookstore that is so much more. First of all it was my lifeline for books back before Amazon and even after. They specialize in books by and about local and regional things, events, people and life. Their Native American inventory can't be beat.<br />
<br />
But they are also what I would call the hub for the good life in the region. They have gourmet coffees and teas. For the past few years they have had every <a href="http://www.nebraskawines.com/" target="_blank">wine that is made in Nebraska</a>. There is local honey and jams and other food products as they Dwayne and Darlene can find them. They have a great lotions and potions section, and were on one the earliest retailers for <a href="https://www.burtsbees.com/shop/best-sellers/" target="_blank">Burt's Bees</a> products back when it was a small company from Maine. They have an excellent children's and young adults book section, and a section full of high quality toys. There is a back room packed full of things for teachers and a section with high quality gifts and crafts made by local artisans.<br />
<br />
I can, did and still will spend a fair chunk of change at Plains Trading. Dwayne talks about retiring. I understand that. Darlene, on the other hand, says maybe not yet. I hope selfishly that Darlene continues to win that little family disagreement for some time to come.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMh05kQAB_pdu9J_7rn9oObg0C83d4s3ob06D85EXCd25wmy-6B-_kvquo6LKVcgqxkHwGKobEEoUEx59NhIvoC_celgU4MlH52RzC94vOQaJap3rnBS289lt3q9w6WY9PaXmJHNlxFA/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmMh05kQAB_pdu9J_7rn9oObg0C83d4s3ob06D85EXCd25wmy-6B-_kvquo6LKVcgqxkHwGKobEEoUEx59NhIvoC_celgU4MlH52RzC94vOQaJap3rnBS289lt3q9w6WY9PaXmJHNlxFA/s400/IMG_1541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey found his heart in Valentine too.<br />
We'll be back next summer!<br />
(btw, I was there the day they first painted these hearts<br />
up and down the sidewalks on Main Street)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-22917923226688487072017-07-30T12:13:00.001-07:002017-08-24T15:34:06.503-07:00The Blue Lady Travels "Home" to Chicago<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvM1tM5OBFWIGrVGmfTKY2ucgVNshdubg4O5x_FMgi6ppbZDbC7EZcPNMY2NfEQP0h-5Jabx-FIOC9hH6YbrkGERpZlgVuLsseG_uWwMCa01HKFmrfdUiqNzXZlpLQtzs3LCrFYfnEcJq/s1600/fullsizeoutput_36f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1600" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvM1tM5OBFWIGrVGmfTKY2ucgVNshdubg4O5x_FMgi6ppbZDbC7EZcPNMY2NfEQP0h-5Jabx-FIOC9hH6YbrkGERpZlgVuLsseG_uWwMCa01HKFmrfdUiqNzXZlpLQtzs3LCrFYfnEcJq/s400/fullsizeoutput_36f.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many interesting buildings in Chicago!<br />
You tell me what we have here. I don't know.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My last two short trips before I left Utah were to big cities, Chicago and Denver. I went to both for kind of business reasons, but did my best to enjoy each. I didn't succeed in doing everything that I had in mind, but both trips had real highlights.<br />
<br />
Chicago was first, in order to attend the annual meeting of the <a href="http://www.acnm.org/" target="_blank">American College of Nurse-Midwives,</a> my professional tribe for my lifetime. I became a lifetime member this year even because they put in a special category for us retired folks. Several people have asked why do I want to keep going to work related things now that I'm retired? Well, midwifery is, for me anyway, am identity or a calling, not just work that I did. I'll probably never practice midwifery again, but I am a midwife until the day I die.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LmWX9o_JqT4ZMCFaL4Ev47j8qDxiOskecfsuBz1rAa85T6KpaRURGZEbb_Y9lv8AH5HEmPzDaD53i_xDImfDgBOZS6VqPId54-ylmYia-u7ELRdrpH1X7eHeJdT8OHTdX1wCWIcOZVQT/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LmWX9o_JqT4ZMCFaL4Ev47j8qDxiOskecfsuBz1rAa85T6KpaRURGZEbb_Y9lv8AH5HEmPzDaD53i_xDImfDgBOZS6VqPId54-ylmYia-u7ELRdrpH1X7eHeJdT8OHTdX1wCWIcOZVQT/s400/IMG_1295.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lived comfortable in the downtown Hilton this time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Because the meeting is expensive (mostly the hotel) and no one else pays my way now, I can't go to this meeting every year (well probably not. I could if this were the only travel I did for a year). So I pick the year to go based mostly on location.<br />
<br />
Chicago is kind of my hometown. It's only 90 miles from Rockford, and I grew up going into Chicago for special things my whole childhood. O'Hare is the airport of choice for going home. However, I don't know the city well as an adult. I have seldom been a driver there. I don't have the geography in my mind vey well. I feel like a need guides when I go there.<br />
<br />
So I got me one, a guide I mean. One of my very best friends from early childhood, my dear friend Ann. I attended her parent's wedding, actually, because my mom was the matron of honor and I was inside her uterus at the time. You can kind of see me sticking out a bit in the wedding photo.<br />
<br />
Like many of my peers, Ann went to U of I for university, headed for Chicago for her first job, and she's still there. She had all the life events there ...marriage, motherhood, divorce, working, retirement.<br />
<br />
She has a lovely small, renovated house in an older suburb which still has a sense of itself as a town. Her town has a nice downtown with shops and restaurants and plenty of things to do to help you create community. But it's right on one of the commuter rail lines, and getting down to the Loop is really simple. Ann did that her whole working life. She worked for the same really large corporation , one you will have heard of, most of her career, in one downtown skyscraper or another.<br />
<br />
She knows the geography, is not intimidated by the number of cars, and most importantly, she has this spiffy parking app that finds her spaces and pays for them too.<br />
<br />
I had an afternoon and evening to spend with Ann before going to the meeting. I asked her if maybe we could take one of these boat tours specifically designed to look at and learn about the architecture. There are several different companies that offer these tours, but I think Ann selected the best one, done by a non-profit organization, the <a href="http://www.architecture.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF).</a> This organization's purpose is "to inspire people to discover why design matters" which I think is a very good purpose. They work to save certain old buildings and places, but most of their work involves education .... about architecture, Chicago itself and design of course. If you go to Chicago, and want to take one of the boat tours, head right to this one. It's the best.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SD_SUixIfe1lNpnCjh00ctXzUDyYi3RPXoTvP-dCdcMo5wtGeI_GqHJhwngPICcv9oIk8qhAbHHinGPDGSBjBwu5iB2XmTscAwam81a4tPHFoL46-emXBggAGNXo-ca48ya5Eg7QEimH/s1600/fullsizeoutput_37b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1310" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SD_SUixIfe1lNpnCjh00ctXzUDyYi3RPXoTvP-dCdcMo5wtGeI_GqHJhwngPICcv9oIk8qhAbHHinGPDGSBjBwu5iB2XmTscAwam81a4tPHFoL46-emXBggAGNXo-ca48ya5Eg7QEimH/s400/fullsizeoutput_37b.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the end of the tour when we were real close to going out<br />
in Lake Michigan - but we stayed on the river and turned around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Why? Well, the docent of course. She had to undergo extensive training by the CAF, and as a result she was able to talk non stop for 90 minutes with all kinds of facts, and stories in her head, and she was able to be charming and entertaining at the same time. (She would answer questions of course, but most of the trip she just kept talking and talking.) She knew all kinds of numbers (like exactly how tall in both feet and meters every building was, how many tons of whatever it took in the construction, when it was started and finished, what it cost at the time, etc. etc) and names (complete names of firms even if they had a rather large number). We just floated in the information as we floated up and down the river and kept looking up.<br />
<br />
You can see all my photos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157681303844413" target="_blank">here</a>. As you see, it was a cloudy day. No rain really on the trip, but I was glad that I had some nice fleece and a hat and gloves, even though it was May.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PXjKUORCBqPRcDdcbkQcXj4nsdwP_EUcp6GZvlzrw8SKcvVJ4Vw__KkeI6yWLFpHgffNS1Mf4n0f_Khih2CxVc78xlLlTKOTR2i4JHnJmJHYJhkD2zs9Ymy5JgsK_SvCRxTNUDo6l-Cm/s1600/IMG_1273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PXjKUORCBqPRcDdcbkQcXj4nsdwP_EUcp6GZvlzrw8SKcvVJ4Vw__KkeI6yWLFpHgffNS1Mf4n0f_Khih2CxVc78xlLlTKOTR2i4JHnJmJHYJhkD2zs9Ymy5JgsK_SvCRxTNUDo6l-Cm/s400/IMG_1273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rooftop bar at the London House.<br />
This is a great place to hang out on a cold rainy day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The docent highly recommended that we go to a building called now <a href="https://londonhousechicago.com/1" target="_blank">London House</a>, and take in the view from the rooftop bar. When we got off the boat, it was around 1630, and we needed a place to sit for awhile to see what we wanted to do for the rest of the evening. And also to catch up on our lives. So, going to a bar where we could get a great view of the city that was very close to where we disembarked sounded like a real good idea.<br />
<br />
It was a superb idea. Do that too, when you find yourself in Chicago the next time. We visited the terrace, but it was cold and windy and even more dreary than earlier, so we spent most of the time indoors in a cozy nook in the bar. We started with wine only and talk. Then the server suggested that they had a really great menu of small plates. Would we like to try something? After a bit of debate (not much!) we said yes and decided this would be our supper.<br />
<br />
OMG, the server was more than correct. The chef there is positively inspired. We had three small plates which proved to be more than enough for two of us for supper. the very best one was, of all things, the deviled eggs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqhCgOE1dab8tPW76nRw1hWy_IrK_jTQcTEhS81SstP7dCm6gKALNPt9wy2i_rsREZVGBXrNF8BaGU4EzzYxYZbEAP-aXuY5gkyBvNwbtsdIEX1fR0ngiUADi5QABLCSbMWOfzA2DoUG2/s1600/fullsizeoutput_37a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqhCgOE1dab8tPW76nRw1hWy_IrK_jTQcTEhS81SstP7dCm6gKALNPt9wy2i_rsREZVGBXrNF8BaGU4EzzYxYZbEAP-aXuY5gkyBvNwbtsdIEX1fR0ngiUADi5QABLCSbMWOfzA2DoUG2/s400/fullsizeoutput_37a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crostini and the deviled eggs. <br />
We also had some roasted asparagus with "lemon jam"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you see, they are all different colors. they were supposed to be "eggs of the world" or something similar. Each had the white dyed with a colored food representative of a different part of the world, like green tea from Asia. Each was more delicious than the last. So, if you eat there, be sure to order that immediately.<br />
<br />
We parted after that (well, we sat at the bar for over two hours talking. No one seemed to care.) And the next day I descended into the world of midwifery.<br />
<br />
The problem that come up for me was that the next morning it began rain and essentially it kept raining the whole time I was there. I did not travel with good rain gear especially not shoes, and as a result I did not go out walking to any of the many great Chicago places that were right close to the hotel. No museums, no walk along the lakeside, no selfies with the big mirrored bean. I investigated the possibility of going to the newish national monument, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htm" target="_blank">Pullman</a>, but the weather just put me off, and also I knew I would have to give up an afternoon to go there. Another time.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq_FJu0IXGpnebPMAvJOdx1qmc7vWM1jHTvH-VGNn6sGf51_5adqMSkwR3nrcPI5xuoHFIFP49KUi7SgsHAFeFUA8oecjje5Ow0-XYb0oHChjN9fCVi9iVx8SNIIsIcKcZsXE0loOIyqU/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq_FJu0IXGpnebPMAvJOdx1qmc7vWM1jHTvH-VGNn6sGf51_5adqMSkwR3nrcPI5xuoHFIFP49KUi7SgsHAFeFUA8oecjje5Ow0-XYb0oHChjN9fCVi9iVx8SNIIsIcKcZsXE0loOIyqU/s400/IMG_0706.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Botanic Garden is huge.<br />
There are many formal spaces here<br />
and a beautiful Japanese garden on an island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And I have been before to the <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Botanic Garden</a>. That too would have been at least a whole afternoon, maybe even longer, trip. Pullman and the botanic gardens are in opposite directions from where I was. And walking through gardens in the pouring rain? Not a great idea.<br />
<br />
I ate all my meals inside the hotel. A lot of that had to do with the meetings schedule. Little time to go out and get a decent meal after or before events. And a fair number of meals were provided as part of the meeting.<br />
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<br />
BUT I did go out and find my yarn shop. It turned out that one was just a few blocks from the hotel, called <a href="https://yarnify.com/" target="_blank">Yarnify!.</a> It's a sweet little neighborhood shop with a good selection of basics and some special stuff too. Great helpful staff. Of course, a big table for sitting and knitting. I think there are bigger shops in the greater Chicagoland area, but this one is so close to the loop and well worth a stop.<br />
<br />
Next year's annual meting will be in <a href="http://annualmeeting.midwife.org/" target="_blank">Savanah Georgia</a>. I would actually like to go because that is a city I have been fascinated with for a long time. When I was in grade school we had an assignment for writing lessons or something where we had to write a letter to an Chamber Of Commerce in some city and ask for visitor information to be sent back. I wrote to Savanah Georgia. They were very gracious and sent me some real nice pamphlets which I treasured of years. I drove through Savanah once on my way from North Carolina to Orlando Florida, but I can't say I ever really got to go there. So I'm thinking about it. Maybe I could actually get out and about this time. They have a <a href="https://www.savannahbotanical.org/" target="_blank">botanic garden</a>, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm" target="_blank">a national park</a>, close access to the seashore, and at least <a href="https://www.thefrayedknotsav.com/" target="_blank">two</a> yarn <a href="https://www.unwindyarnandgifts.com/" target="_blank">shops</a>. I might rethink this.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcEzuk4vkL4nZjrqL3VhIoexp9_kE8lc9GV3HVF9R0IM3UAPrpNAdPILqju4xttChUxceYCQz3FlUk-3Zm10RdrHafBCjQmjlK651sRDQwnsyu6D2pGGZ3iqniRNgoFjNi0JtpC8_Ic9P/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcEzuk4vkL4nZjrqL3VhIoexp9_kE8lc9GV3HVF9R0IM3UAPrpNAdPILqju4xttChUxceYCQz3FlUk-3Zm10RdrHafBCjQmjlK651sRDQwnsyu6D2pGGZ3iqniRNgoFjNi0JtpC8_Ic9P/s400/IMG_1299.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Yarnify! in Chicago you can get this lovely<br />
alpaca yarn made by a local artisan /farmer.<br />
each skein has the name of the animal on the label.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-41381784650512462017-07-04T15:37:00.001-07:002017-07-30T12:14:46.283-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: Le Tour d'Idaho<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBSTwgttKQRy_8QXoT-K1zeit38xZ9CxJzk3NxdtyHCo5X81ofRcryp8-pi-YtAAFBCrQ94EqYEqmFGl3tl4deWuSuWG_R0Yz4IEuU5Lq6rV_7YQ7_HkAkWxbHYE_lnY1yb1h1h5W6-eH/s1600/US4688163.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1113" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBSTwgttKQRy_8QXoT-K1zeit38xZ9CxJzk3NxdtyHCo5X81ofRcryp8-pi-YtAAFBCrQ94EqYEqmFGl3tl4deWuSuWG_R0Yz4IEuU5Lq6rV_7YQ7_HkAkWxbHYE_lnY1yb1h1h5W6-eH/s400/US4688163.jpeg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho is a good place to visit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Idaho is an underrated state, I think. I mean what does anybody know about it besides famous potatoes and white supremacists, if you're old enough? It's shaped funnily what with that real skinny part at the top which seems like all it does is to separate Montana from Washington for no apparent reason. I imagine that if you drive it through the pan handle from Montana to Washington, Idaho must be a big yawn. Or a tiny blink. "Oh, did we just go through another state? I guess we did. Oh well."<br />
<br />
But Idaho is right on top of Utah, and people from Utah go there from time to time, not just when they are driving through to Oregon or Washington. Fly fisher people know it as a kind of paradise. It has more natural hot springs than any other state (who knew?).<br />
<br />
And they say that Boise is "the new Asheville".... or that Boise is <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2105956/best-places-live-us-2016" target="_blank">a trendy place to live</a> now that all the other places are "filled up" and maybe even "spoiled." Like Prescott Arizona, Boise shows up regularly now on lists of good places to live for a variety of reasons.<br />
<br />
So a visit to Boise and therefore surrounding areas in Idaho has been on my list for some time now. Time was getting short in Utah for me, and I just decided to do it NOW. I told my knitting friends of my plans. Two originally signed on to go with, but one cancelled, so it ended up being my friend J and I taking this trip. J drove her car which was fine with me.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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And it turns out we were able to tick off pretty much all of my "things to do when traveling" boxes on our 4 day trip, even though the weather turned terrible. It actually snowed in Salt Lake City while we were away. We had rain and some snow a lot of the time. You can see all the photos I took <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157683881795256" target="_blank">here</a> if you want.<br />
<br />
That did cut out a few things we had planned, like a walk along the developed river front on the second day. But c'est la vie. We made the best of a soggy wet day.... knitting at a local coffee shop, a visit to a local yarn shop, lunch at a local French patisserie, a nap, and supper at a local neighborhood restaurant. A day filled with knitting and good food. What's not to like?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Beautiful Natural Area</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tTC3Q3fJXPZFALrRDrLab4QY1MGF065Dm_S3S_h3En3KKX0NOr7JSzKSYLpOlhmYBWbMxJHx8IcGcpnw6Wb5ek1dAQrbROt7EzfgVgVvAeIWJ2hGdTrQLz6MAM5ydZPoTSRskLdLn2N3/s1600/fullsizeoutput_460.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tTC3Q3fJXPZFALrRDrLab4QY1MGF065Dm_S3S_h3En3KKX0NOr7JSzKSYLpOlhmYBWbMxJHx8IcGcpnw6Wb5ek1dAQrbROt7EzfgVgVvAeIWJ2hGdTrQLz6MAM5ydZPoTSRskLdLn2N3/s400/fullsizeoutput_460.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Shoshone Falls. There are more close by in different directions.</td></tr>
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That would be the <a href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/natural-attractions/snake-river-canyon/" target="_blank">Snake River Canyon</a> and <a href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/natural-attractions/shoshone-falls/" target="_blank">Shoshone Falls</a>. The highway follows the Snake River for some distance. The canyon for the river is amazingly deep, all cut by water over time as those things are. It's really hard to photograph, but stunning to look at. It's just one of those places that you have to see for yourself.<br />
<br />
Shoshone Falls are in a city park owned by the town of <a href="http://www.tfid.org/" target="_blank">Twin Falls</a> (guess what the town is named after.) Waterfalls are always something I can't get enough of. They are beauty coupled with danger that makes them so exciting. Shoshone Falls do not disappoint. There are several of them, each one as interesting as the next. I loved the sound of the water, and I think maybe the water changes the local atmosphere some how so that I just feel good being there and watching all that water that just doesn't stop.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">National Parks</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbIun0n-sWgw3wCAW3P5pgTz1XjSp3zLbGbye35xtlssFX_MuxZVB3zNAdGniB-CO6jZRhAUuOMs0Jf1-tTn-VVEfAZOD0sBv2buHkPwZBN7qVwqYIg0KIhwfN3GBn16re4iPy-Ula2bQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbIun0n-sWgw3wCAW3P5pgTz1XjSp3zLbGbye35xtlssFX_MuxZVB3zNAdGniB-CO6jZRhAUuOMs0Jf1-tTn-VVEfAZOD0sBv2buHkPwZBN7qVwqYIg0KIhwfN3GBn16re4iPy-Ula2bQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_459.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the Snake River within<br />
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got passport stamps for two of them, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/hafo/index.htm" target="_blank">Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monumen</a>t and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm" target="_blank">Craters of the Moon</a> National Monument and Preserve. Hagerman is a comparatively new monument a little bit west of Twin Falls. As you know, there are fossil beds all over the mountain west. This one is known as the place where the ancient "Hagerman horse", a prehistoric horse, was discovered.<br />
<br />
We were there late Sunday afternoon, having lingered for quite some time at the waterfalls. We ended up missing the opening hours of the tiny visitor center, but they did put a passport stamp station outside, so we peered in the windows, saw a complete Hagerman horse skeletin and got a passport stamp.<br />
<br />
There was a marked scenic drive throughout the monument, but I found it a bit disappointing. You could not actually see any of the excavation beds. And the drive ended in this odd dead end with no more signs, and no indication of what you should do now. We drove a bit, figured out we were now driving into private agricultural land, which was not terrible interesting. So we turned around and doubled back the way we came. We stopped at a marked overlook of the river. There were signs indicating that some excavations were done on the other side of the river, but those areas were too far away for us to actually see anything.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPuVruKm6hz9x_Z6Yk8Af8dGFajnYcVV-N_SvADA2cC5vMaM7qEDzYFVoR33EANA07CSWYdo9VGj2U-1kterLoNbxzc_tX6ITHYKrlt4oc_6DHZts5lu62Wag52pO4j9Y7TUAaq2Zs6mM/s1600/IMG_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPuVruKm6hz9x_Z6Yk8Af8dGFajnYcVV-N_SvADA2cC5vMaM7qEDzYFVoR33EANA07CSWYdo9VGj2U-1kterLoNbxzc_tX6ITHYKrlt4oc_6DHZts5lu62Wag52pO4j9Y7TUAaq2Zs6mM/s400/IMG_1227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They don't have snow on the moon, but maybe the landscape does look like this.</td></tr>
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On the way home to Salt Lake we drove a different route and went through Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. That day was the day of the big snow down in Utah. Up in Idaho, we had a little snow. It made the sky gray and made us a bit cautious with the driving. But really the roads were fine.<br />
<br />
Craters of the Moon is yet another ancient volcano. It too is mostly lava flows that that have sealed over time and are now gradually being changed by things like small plants and water. Because of the snow, the roads through the monument to the designated scenic areas was closed, so we mostly just stopped at the visitor center. Lots of people came in and asked the ranger about driving and hiking through the land, but were all disappointed because of the weather. Oh, well, what we could see was amazing as those things are and would be worth a trip back at another time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Botanic Garden</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZFyyZq2wm1pm08uWDjv3h_2yKP6-OOA-R0VB4HnbxGU4C59yaBO2HPeK6bs7y_ln73WLhT597N3ukutTMdfl41GDip64FyFf5__LmbgB_4L8O9ltDXIEH-gVH9uutXFBgE-8fRqh1uC5/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZFyyZq2wm1pm08uWDjv3h_2yKP6-OOA-R0VB4HnbxGU4C59yaBO2HPeK6bs7y_ln73WLhT597N3ukutTMdfl41GDip64FyFf5__LmbgB_4L8O9ltDXIEH-gVH9uutXFBgE-8fRqh1uC5/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking the old penitentiary building from<br />
Idaho Botanical Gardens</td></tr>
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We spent a whole first morning when the sun was shining at the <a href="http://idahobotanicalgarden.org/" target="_blank">Idaho Botanical Garden</a>. The garden is on the grounds of the former state penitentiary. There are features of the old place incorporated into the design of the garden like a long brick wall on one edge and the old cemetery that you can explore.<br />
<br />
This garden has a educational features that Red Butte doesn't. There is a large vegetable garden, for example, and a really interesting fire resistant landscaping section. Boise is the home of the <a href="https://www.nifc.gov/" target="_blank">National Interagency Fire Center</a>. They do a lot of research and education about forest fires out of there, so it seems like a great place for a fire resistant demonstration garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdoVwFVb8ZhKidydC0JjVn8wSvSJ2dXeED-sSs4cJ4jyxMYCMIixVX-49bGY5TNM2uPo78wrJftTQUXkSaIIUqGoiyE4OZsNgkZlZEBm2GLGSJ9xWgxqSCG7gvj9mvRWuh9X9jQI0BPZL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_456.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdoVwFVb8ZhKidydC0JjVn8wSvSJ2dXeED-sSs4cJ4jyxMYCMIixVX-49bGY5TNM2uPo78wrJftTQUXkSaIIUqGoiyE4OZsNgkZlZEBm2GLGSJ9xWgxqSCG7gvj9mvRWuh9X9jQI0BPZL/s320/fullsizeoutput_456.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacagawea is a tender mother</td></tr>
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My favorite part was the <a href="https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/lewis-clark" target="_blank">Lewis and Clark</a> garden. L& C passed through this region, and <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/sacagawea" target="_blank">Sacagawea</a>, the native woman that was their guide was a member of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshone" target="_blank">Shoshone</a> (or Snake) Tribe. The garden ascended in a winding way until you reached a really pretty overlook of the city. Along the way the plants that L&C would have seen and used were cultivated and marked with educational signs.<br />
<br />
Our very favorite place was a beautiful statue of Sacagawea in it's own little circle. We stopped there and rested for some time. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Local Yarn Shop</span></div>
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We found a real good one, <a href="http://twistedeweidaho.com/" target="_blank">The Twisted Ewe</a>. Technically it's in a place called Garden City, but that really is a part of Boise. We spent the some time there during the second morning when it was pouring rain.<br />
<br />
Two rooms filled with lovely yarns. We each got some to make shawls. Of course there was a big round wooden table to sit and knit and visit. And there was cute yarn / sheep art all over. the shop also sold knitting and yarn related other stuff. We each got some tea towels embroidered by a local artisan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDS1GwfHUATaDIKvxwrZYXTcPQ1vGivJqxrEtoJQr-V-EHBW98bqk9zjQ0tEfN0TXJDYeAzYKddvw_QD2DbYL9ZYI9RNpWbEDaG8BfuX6_uWrkdep8eNGF1UowhK45pbqooJ8Lft3T1Cb/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDS1GwfHUATaDIKvxwrZYXTcPQ1vGivJqxrEtoJQr-V-EHBW98bqk9zjQ0tEfN0TXJDYeAzYKddvw_QD2DbYL9ZYI9RNpWbEDaG8BfuX6_uWrkdep8eNGF1UowhK45pbqooJ8Lft3T1Cb/s400/IMG_1212.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't fall for embroidered tea towels like this?<br />
Many, many designs. Hard to choose which one to buy.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Local Brew Pub</span></div>
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There were a few choice plus wineries not to far outside of town. The brewery we chose was downtown, <a href="http://www.bcrfl.com/bittercreek/" target="_blank">Bittercreek Alehouse</a>. It was pretty typical, a popular, noisy bar and eatery. Menu was pub food. Lots of selections of beer brewed locally including seasonals. I can't remember exactly what I had to drink, but it was in my classification of "beers for ladies" and it was good. The fish and chips were delicious too. That's one of my test foods for brew pubs. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Really Nice Liveable City</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y-MB7OCKdtRM79ByGQRVo9rZySOXAwQ4f0iekYm8xmN1kF7YsgNMKcnjyj3I2ymUufJoj3VH2up06ktf4yFjYPpHoD2fup28x8Knz079yVSWU76u4YgoXVHzRTf1VgFD4r0CUclmGksI/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y-MB7OCKdtRM79ByGQRVo9rZySOXAwQ4f0iekYm8xmN1kF7YsgNMKcnjyj3I2ymUufJoj3VH2up06ktf4yFjYPpHoD2fup28x8Knz079yVSWU76u4YgoXVHzRTf1VgFD4r0CUclmGksI/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of restaurants downtown many with outdoor seating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, I do think that Boise is about as good as Asheville. And I have been to Asheville ... more than once. I could live there, no problem. I might even seek out living there if I was still in the market for a new job.<br />
<br />
The downtown is well developed and clearly getting better. You can live there, and the local Whole Foods and Trader Joes are both right downtown. There are lots of restaurants and all kinds of cultural stuff downtown like a local symphony and ballet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSU_N4vX1qausWi_vG0lSsxs8K4RGk5ky8jDgQoEzbCpVmbNYA8UYaXy3VxDIqceDZLrglsx6o92MGEfJpp-Gq4qFeF6gWtYFxXRxhNTfybKkAk6Pw1Bz7UE9e2Wf9ShZmT41n0sM8FbP/s1600/fullsizeoutput_453.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSU_N4vX1qausWi_vG0lSsxs8K4RGk5ky8jDgQoEzbCpVmbNYA8UYaXy3VxDIqceDZLrglsx6o92MGEfJpp-Gq4qFeF6gWtYFxXRxhNTfybKkAk6Pw1Bz7UE9e2Wf9ShZmT41n0sM8FbP/s400/fullsizeoutput_453.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the way in the riverside park</td></tr>
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The river edges the downtown and you can walk /ride your bike for miles along the riverfront. When we were there the water was running high and super fast. We were thinking that it might could flood. we thought it could easily flood if there were more melt water coming down. The local news had stories about that, but I guess it did not happen or we would have all heard about it by now.<br />
<br />
Idaho is a bit unique in that one of the major European settler groups came from the <a href="https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/a-short-basque-history/Content?oid=923309" target="_blank">Basque country</a> in Spain and France. It had to do with the sheep industry as one of the defining economies of the state. Nowadays I understand that most actual shepherds come from the Andes, places like Peru or Bolivia, but back in the day those round wagon houses were really used by the workers and their families.<br />
<br />
Boise has a small Basque cultural district downtown. We ate supper there at a place recommended by Jane & Michael Stern on <a href="https://roadfood.com/" target="_blank">Roadfood</a> (my Bible for finding the best regional food in the US), <a href="http://www.bargernika.com/" target="_blank">Bar Gernika</a>, which the Sterns rated as "legendary." We agree. I had lamb stew and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinho_Verde" target="_blank">vinho verde</a> from Spain, and I was in heaven. Be sure you go there if you are ever in town.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmLz3fpihZDLaz6v6E868Z0Jw82B8kp0HZRyqumxUONEyHnr-Wg4PsQzHLrrHfdixNlichyphenhyphenjUhRDOOfYf67wtteLbjEfqzQjO4W_ECD71qoET2j9t39alAA1Z2t5UmE60qHQ1UiLs_kBq/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmLz3fpihZDLaz6v6E868Z0Jw82B8kp0HZRyqumxUONEyHnr-Wg4PsQzHLrrHfdixNlichyphenhyphenjUhRDOOfYf67wtteLbjEfqzQjO4W_ECD71qoET2j9t39alAA1Z2t5UmE60qHQ1UiLs_kBq/s400/IMG_1216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janjou Patisserie,<br />
amazing food and a great decorator too.</td></tr>
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AND Boise also has some sophisticated places like <a href="https://www.janjou.com/" target="_blank">Janjou Patisserie</a>, an "artisan boutique bakery" which came highly recommended by the yarn shop ladies. Oh my goodness. Real French pastry from a French trained (in France, not the US) baker in a gorgeous modern setting. We had salad and quiche for lunch, and it was the best quiche we could ever recall eating. I'm pretty sure two secrets were a light crust and separating the eggs, whipping the whites alone and then folding them back into the yolks. I would happily eat lunch there every day of the year. To say nothing about the coffee, tea and all the beautiful sweets. I came home with a container of lemon & lavender <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/856759/sable-cookies" target="_blank">sables</a>. It was super difficult to pick the one flavor to take.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQORuf0Jj9KkRrt5T5Pq5G9V0OEZVXQ_7K3PiDvkOLPcbEneQQVg1-gX3uKsqvxm4kE-Qtk4sXAiRoV-rhwOITOZHZvk6lU5fewBz8WTBeIGAp_dZyk1qUS2WqL0f3E6SoKWzZ6NKhT2F/s1600/IMG_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQORuf0Jj9KkRrt5T5Pq5G9V0OEZVXQ_7K3PiDvkOLPcbEneQQVg1-gX3uKsqvxm4kE-Qtk4sXAiRoV-rhwOITOZHZvk6lU5fewBz8WTBeIGAp_dZyk1qUS2WqL0f3E6SoKWzZ6NKhT2F/s400/IMG_1217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know you can't tell by looking at it, but trust me,<br />
this is the best quiche I can ever recall eating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So overall, yes, this was another really good trip. We enjoyed everything we did, including crashing a knitting group at the downtown library in Pocatello on the way home; but that's another story!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcPRaIUIafIWodQNgcFeXjMGLKSgMD__7QQYf5wagYGbNCAsqwMC0GCY2CCZkep4cvDXAZJpHDl13NDsdzLBxAjU4R1Ns66swTnZ8gFnvRh_Y-hhH1C7idEkjql6WLtlPYxKge1B4wsC0/s1600/fullsizeoutput_43d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1015" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcPRaIUIafIWodQNgcFeXjMGLKSgMD__7QQYf5wagYGbNCAsqwMC0GCY2CCZkep4cvDXAZJpHDl13NDsdzLBxAjU4R1Ns66swTnZ8gFnvRh_Y-hhH1C7idEkjql6WLtlPYxKge1B4wsC0/s400/fullsizeoutput_43d.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitters ALWAYS welcome fellow knitters, no matter where you find them.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-12546862993472772422017-05-29T14:14:00.000-07:002017-07-04T15:37:35.877-07:00The Blue Lady Travels to a Blue Land<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdDM7_TcpbCHoi7Cw40KpZeeb2QjMt55l3pOaHNCbcy040XvEvwEvSV4-XpJH0KvaDIdXmrSHYH2EL9PYbwPagrqOOLEqXBaXxYZDxEPE4mxF_iAdVK_IX6pi80cCvZwVwKHckkijlDrZ/s1600/US2085194.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdDM7_TcpbCHoi7Cw40KpZeeb2QjMt55l3pOaHNCbcy040XvEvwEvSV4-XpJH0KvaDIdXmrSHYH2EL9PYbwPagrqOOLEqXBaXxYZDxEPE4mxF_iAdVK_IX6pi80cCvZwVwKHckkijlDrZ/s400/US2085194.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time we did not see any orange groves.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">California! Yes! I love California!</span></div>
<br />
It began years ago when my friend at <a href="http://www.redbuttegarden.org/" target="_blank">Red Butte Garden</a> who used to live in southern California told me about <a href="http://www.huntington.org/" target="_blank">The Huntington</a> Gardens and Museums. L. lyrically described the gardens and insisted that I must go there and see for myself. I was convinced; the only question was when.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
That was decided at an evening dining out at <a href="http://cucinaslc.com/" target="_blank">Cucina</a> this past January with three "Garden Goddesses" aka members of the Wednesday morning rose garden crew. We get together outside of our work shifts to eat out or go to movies or have parties. And we are the volunteer "goddesses" (and a couple of gods too) because we are experts at rose care especially pruning, thanks to several years of training and guidance from the Rose Queens aka C.&C., the horticulturists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB3PXwyjCNcmnF9fYJid4xHGJLl20jZyrZr0wi6GBsoGh6C7jn1gpA0IC_mnRVoWmS3Noon__U934MvU49Aj83HFnqRAVJUnvQtmu_KTUE3Eze6NruMlNPaODsMPJI0C9-38z_vCK_-T9/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB3PXwyjCNcmnF9fYJid4xHGJLl20jZyrZr0wi6GBsoGh6C7jn1gpA0IC_mnRVoWmS3Noon__U934MvU49Aj83HFnqRAVJUnvQtmu_KTUE3Eze6NruMlNPaODsMPJI0C9-38z_vCK_-T9/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our Red Butte beauties,<br />
under the tender loving care of<br />
the Garden Goddesses.</td></tr>
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<br />
S. got to talking about a trip she took last year to Phoenix, about how she had spent a good deal of time at the <a href="https://www.dbg.org/" target="_blank">botanic garden</a> there and really enjoyed it, about how she wanted now to visit major botanic gardens al over the country. Me too! Us too!<br />
<br />
We debated a variety of places, but thought let's start with the wisdom of L. Huntington Gardens of course. We felt like we were kind of directed there by our dear friend from Red Butte. We decided just to do it without really thinking it through, lest we all get cold feet and found reasons not to do it. Within 24 hours I had found us a Pasadena hotel (turns out it is the one that L. thought was the best one to use) and had booked my flight to Burbank. S. booked her flight and booked a rental car. In the end it was just us two who went. Oh well. It's hard to get a group of people together to take a long-ish trip.<br />
<br />
We had two days for the gardens and several hours the day we flew home to explore other places a bit. I took a lot of pictures which mostly turned out pretty well. I've put them all up on Flickr.com. You can find them <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/" target="_blank">here</a> or by searching under people for my user name "frontiermidwife." <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/frontiermidwife/albums/72157681533811041" target="_blank">Here</a> is the album specific for The Huntington.<br />
<br />
When I travel I have a short list of things I like to try to do every place I visit. Seldom do I accomplish everything on my list at every place, but often I get to 3/4 or so. I decided I can organize my next three blog posts around that theme, so here's how I like to spend time while traveling, and her's the report on how well I succeeded accomplishing my ideal agenda.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
VISITING BOTANIC GARDENS</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08o1FP_XWSLW73Ir0JbRWZsZtajeHMJsRNL4a0bFuaaCw4HlY8G-wrq1nqfu3QVVKnGKEFuAXX9Uh4TrhYRwZjYlzOmFx7y0ltCnQhENhQ2fWY77gFddiyiTGBhzpo1EmXkSF-BWY2Q2b/s1600/IMG_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08o1FP_XWSLW73Ir0JbRWZsZtajeHMJsRNL4a0bFuaaCw4HlY8G-wrq1nqfu3QVVKnGKEFuAXX9Uh4TrhYRwZjYlzOmFx7y0ltCnQhENhQ2fWY77gFddiyiTGBhzpo1EmXkSF-BWY2Q2b/s400/IMG_0999.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey agreed that the desert garden was just the best!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, that was the whole purpose for this trip, and L. was 100% correct. Huntington Gardens are fabulous! Everyone needs to go there. One of the best collections is the desert garden which has desert plants from al over the world. This is where most of my pictures are from. A heck of a lot of stuff was in bloom and were the most amazing shapes and colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe9kf47n1TE1gQEXzGdaBBxa-GCqG6-_1G77s5PtojpGZTDHQRw5LojfBcM0gqecLA1JNLtAmE8KRY7RRDNPX1cQmCWIVFc1qg3zsqBO3HksyKwJUBBOXXWDVpOdIVrDIZbSP0TomFP2M/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe9kf47n1TE1gQEXzGdaBBxa-GCqG6-_1G77s5PtojpGZTDHQRw5LojfBcM0gqecLA1JNLtAmE8KRY7RRDNPX1cQmCWIVFc1qg3zsqBO3HksyKwJUBBOXXWDVpOdIVrDIZbSP0TomFP2M/s400/IMG_1019.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On eof the stunning flowers in the desert garden.</td></tr>
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<br />
The desert garden is reported to be the best one of all the Huntington Gardens. It's huge. We spent most of out first day only there, and were amazed and delighted the whole time.<br />
<br />
Ever since I visited the Chinese garden in Portland OR, I have loved these kinds of gardens. The Chinese Garden at Huntington is full of lovely structures and viewpoints. The best, I thought, was the "waveless boat" which is a building attached to the land that looks like a boat that would have sailed on the lake. The wealthy property owner would have lounged with his family and guests (but only a few because the boat was not very big), and floated leisurely on the man-made lake, probably drinking tea, maybe listening to live musicians who would have been seated on the prow.<br />
<br />
We had lunch at the noodle house that is inside the Chinese garden. The menu is simple and small, but delicious and we got to sit on a patio looking back at the waveless boat and the pagodas.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OS0Vn7CDlZVQS-uMM-T_JonXzgqnWnsabe7Jjzd3zHvNp7OpU9VZlZZ26xTl7x5mVJXyFi5eibV1fAsEa77Jl-9wSETDqJrwYx2msvBOpjxsAsWck3rDSHTQoLI6dMrAlCkRLfBKMOVD/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OS0Vn7CDlZVQS-uMM-T_JonXzgqnWnsabe7Jjzd3zHvNp7OpU9VZlZZ26xTl7x5mVJXyFi5eibV1fAsEa77Jl-9wSETDqJrwYx2msvBOpjxsAsWck3rDSHTQoLI6dMrAlCkRLfBKMOVD/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the waveless boat from the noodle house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is 3-D model under glass at the garden entry showing plans for how the Chinese garden will be expanded. Construction was going on while we were there. I think it will maybe double the size of the garden. No opening date was given, but I would think it would be in the next couple of years. That will be a good time to go back, after the opening of the expanded Chinese garden.<br />
<br />
The Chinese garden leads directly into the Japanese garden. Japanese gardens are a subset of botanic gardens that I have to seek out wherever I go. This one did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed how an artificial "mountain" had been created to walk through / over.<br />
<br />
The tea house was inhabited by a squirel who amused the visitors but vexed the employee because, of course, you could not let the little critter be totally natural inside the house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFw6kj7DwW3NLH7W9atqph0Jqt0-s6fX67l9c9HZjfp-DgK9l_33O4Q4m2Yei7DPtbHnn1Af8Ly7SG6LmW-XleOtWn5-HvGVjuxeMPZIyAl9Z2JBo4LTX6bXOnxYZShfsAJVl-Mi3jDfX/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFw6kj7DwW3NLH7W9atqph0Jqt0-s6fX67l9c9HZjfp-DgK9l_33O4Q4m2Yei7DPtbHnn1Af8Ly7SG6LmW-XleOtWn5-HvGVjuxeMPZIyAl9Z2JBo4LTX6bXOnxYZShfsAJVl-Mi3jDfX/s400/IMG_1070.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can walk behind this beautiful waterfall in the<br />
Japanese garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And I really liked the time out we took in the Zen stone garden. We sat and just were silent for some time as one should in a place like that.<br />
<br />
There is quite a large display of bonsai plants on the way out of the Japanese garden. I didn't take any pictures because each plant seemed to be more fascinating than the next. I decided I would have to photograph all or none. So I decided upon none, and just enjoyed the experience. You might want to take pictures when you go see those tiny, tiny artistic trees.<br />
<br />
We walked from the Japanese garden into the Australian garden which proved to be more a forest than a garden. Or maybe an arboretum ... all trees, in other words. I was really tired by this time so we sat for some time just talking and bird watching under a lovely tall tree of some kind. I was really too tired to care what kind it was.<br />
<br />
Eventually I got the energy to keep strolling. We passed through the sub tropical garden and eventually found the way to the rose garden. Now S. and I are experts at rose gardens by now. I have to say that I know I prefer the way our rose garden is arranged. Ours is very "organic", designed around circular or curving paths and interplanted with al kinds of other plants and flowers that complement the roses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkQUoYY_gyqmijO23r1gGRNTb3Z8fTjdct5ydOAJc-xbwFxOEoeaCNwSJkNjquvUqSkC1rFXZNO-QduRhyphenhyphen9z_0fjTtvbYyO0OigL-pBc-a_HD-zsWL0LR8kuvp4-bzgNGTywvkP6L5gp8/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkQUoYY_gyqmijO23r1gGRNTb3Z8fTjdct5ydOAJc-xbwFxOEoeaCNwSJkNjquvUqSkC1rFXZNO-QduRhyphenhyphen9z_0fjTtvbYyO0OigL-pBc-a_HD-zsWL0LR8kuvp4-bzgNGTywvkP6L5gp8/s400/IMG_1097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zillions of roses al in rectangle beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This one is the more typical arrangement of rectangular beds with just roses. Like a rose museum or library. The roses were all pruned to the same height and seemed to be designed just for you to go a "shop" for roses.<br />
<br />
I wasn't crazy about the rose garden because of the style, but I do have to admit it was really really big. I'm sure they had many more specimens than we do. We only walked a small section of it because our minds got overwhelmed with roses. I was thinking that C&C would enjoy a "shopping" trip there, checking out specimens that we don't have that maybe we should consider.<br />
<br />
Next was the herb garden which was arranged similarly to our only in rectangular beds primarily. They had plants similar to what we had, displayed for the same reasons. Only once again, the whole thing was larger.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhyphenhyphenO_wCNxdgRy5oCNtMr7TZOk-Hzae_65TMbTPmXqVaHxByBj_1th49VQt3-eEM3XGo2UhTvaNmGsZGSKE3HSeh36cxXdX606BxmGi2Cam5bZoWaSUCphElsr09GyEYxojxHltE5jbm2X/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhyphenhyphenO_wCNxdgRy5oCNtMr7TZOk-Hzae_65TMbTPmXqVaHxByBj_1th49VQt3-eEM3XGo2UhTvaNmGsZGSKE3HSeh36cxXdX606BxmGi2Cam5bZoWaSUCphElsr09GyEYxojxHltE5jbm2X/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey found our favorite flowers in the whole world,<br />
the California poppy,<br />
the state flower of California!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
During our visit we also checked out the tropical plants glass house, the American art museum and the library building with rare books (where I saw a 19th century map book of the railways in northern Utah and the towns they went through such as Ogden which was way cool. It folded out to be very long from a rather small book, so you got a good sense of distance and milage. And it was beautiful.) We did not go into the European art museum. Of course there was the great gift shop and a very nice cafeteria with a bar even. We're not in Utah anymore.<br />
<br />
So, all I can say about Huntington Gardens is .... GO THERE YOURSELF!!!!!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
LOCAL YARN SHOPS</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The souvenirs I have liked for many years now has been yarn from local yarn shops (LYSs). I look for a shop to visit, in the first place, and then ask the people there for some kind of yarn that they have that others don't or that few have. These days I end up buying mostly yarn handpainted by local or regional artisans which in turn goes into becoming socks or shawls or maybe hats and mittens.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This trip <a href="http://www.skeinyarns.com/" target="_blank">Skein</a> was right on the route to and from the gardens. We stopped there the last morning on our way out of town. The owner was really eager to show off her stock. The other person there was the knitting teacher of the day (or maybe just the morning.) She sat at the large table (a yarn shop requisite) working on her own projects with a few sample things for ideas. She was very talented and knit really evenly and much tighter than I do. That morning she was working on a necklace, but I really loved the two yarn colors shawls she had finished on the table. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6celTf4zHr3zRrsYARRTJw9cfffeE834XEK0IIBwsKbr6TJAFEYoUc9t33CUHR1yGt65DB3nWd2vUjKsaopIAkz2CEtS25HlgdmavGxHiUVZK2VuZxaZT9QQwPQQU_A-8KjV6dUuVIrwo/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6celTf4zHr3zRrsYARRTJw9cfffeE834XEK0IIBwsKbr6TJAFEYoUc9t33CUHR1yGt65DB3nWd2vUjKsaopIAkz2CEtS25HlgdmavGxHiUVZK2VuZxaZT9QQwPQQU_A-8KjV6dUuVIrwo/s400/IMG_1115.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely shawl knit by the knitter of the day +<br />
our souvenirs for future pleasure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I bought things for three projects. Not sure when they will be done, but eventually the projects will become my souvenirs of Pasadena. One was a skein of variegated pink yarn which I felt was requisite in the City of Roses.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
LOCAL BREWS (AND MAYBE WINES TOO IF AVAILABLE)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So these past couple of years I have been teaching myself about beers and have developed an interest in the myriad of local beers now available al over the country. If I have the chance to go to a local micro brewery, I'll do it. Second best is a place that serves local brews. (Thus far I have not yet been to a place where a winery was handy, but one day....)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This trip is was <a href="https://slaters5050.com/locations/pasadena/" target="_blank">a restaurant</a>. It was a place famous for its burgers which had an overwhelming beer list. I had to let the server select one for me because the menu was so large.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've learned how to ask for a beer that I think I will like. I start by saying I want a "beer for a lady" which often makes people smile. Then I tell them I'm from Utah where about all we can get is 3.2 ABV. In a brewpub in Boulder CO, I got that far, and the server immediately said, " Well, then, you MAY have this one or that one but not any of those others." Emphasis on the word MAY. He was watching out for me. And he did make a great selection, I have to say.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other things I have learned. I like wheat beers. I don't much care for IPAs. I like both Czech and Belgium style beers. Pilsner is a name I can select out for myself. I don't like "hoppy" beers and for sure I do not like dark and heavy ones. And I don't like weird added flavors like pumpkin spice. A little bit of fruit flavoring like apple, apricot or lemon is refreshing. And there is one made at my <a href="http://wasatchbeers.com/verify-age.aspx" target="_blank">favorite place right here in Utah</a> that is a hot weather beer only made with lavender and honey which is just lovely.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_00c-tkPEE9obVm8Uer55pjQN2dnS2tNuXeeEZdosOAjUPsawemR_qFZIehrSbQubRpQWeWhDSlATq7YeiPVulv4XmbO2GIybI-jzp7BmaFhbHLSXti-YHjprSCMMuobvs6lzpBcEM73/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_00c-tkPEE9obVm8Uer55pjQN2dnS2tNuXeeEZdosOAjUPsawemR_qFZIehrSbQubRpQWeWhDSlATq7YeiPVulv4XmbO2GIybI-jzp7BmaFhbHLSXti-YHjprSCMMuobvs6lzpBcEM73/s400/IMG_1114.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey is a responsible consumer of alcohol.<br />
Seldom do he or I actually finish a whole pint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got into this beer thing a few years ago when I was having a root beer at <a href="http://squatters.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">a local brewery</a>, and I told the server that I had never acquired a taste for beer and didn't really know anything about it. He replied, "I hate Budweiser too. You might give artisan brews a try now that you aren't in your 20s any more." He was right. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CHECKING OUT THE LOCAL BIG LANDMARKS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm actually not that big a fan or museums, even world class ones. In my mind museums are best for rainy or cold days in the winter when I just do not want to be outside at all. I never regret going to a museum, but they are always secondary to other kinds of things to see or do when I travel.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcmpwxaGv_ySoso_HBvWETtgg44bdSitMq5NdwUaJorjTPsa-ED4P3Bsx0qI70xbUtfMpQ9UimEPHpoP6EMeMFeuULwchHMgcMGNBLLFL2GLpEgQzPBnA6cu3-fxDuDRcr0vvutn-v1UT/s1600/fullsizeoutput_410.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1600" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcmpwxaGv_ySoso_HBvWETtgg44bdSitMq5NdwUaJorjTPsa-ED4P3Bsx0qI70xbUtfMpQ9UimEPHpoP6EMeMFeuULwchHMgcMGNBLLFL2GLpEgQzPBnA6cu3-fxDuDRcr0vvutn-v1UT/s400/fullsizeoutput_410.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tah dah! The actual Rose Bowl in person.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But nearly every town has that iconic something or another that is just a must see when there. What is Pasadena all about? <a href="https://www.tournamentofroses.com/" target="_blank">The Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl</a> of course. S. was really interested in both, so she found out the parade route. We drove it through the city, ending at the park where the Rose Bowl is located. She said that now when she watched the parade, she'd have a good sense of the geography which would make the whole thing more enjoyable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
AND if that weren't enough, it turns out that Griffith Park is just a tad out of the way between the city and the airport. (have you seen "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_Land_(film)" target="_blank">La La Land</a>"? Remember the dancing up in the air here? Plus the views of the city sparkling in the dark? That's the place.) So of course we took the little detour. We got to <a href="http://www.griffithobservatory.org/" target="_blank">the observatory</a> 30 minutes before it opened. It was a cloudy overcast day in which you could barely see that city. But we were there!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDoo4c2YOVooW6zLPE22R5vfCB9k9x58eJKz12XCObKeeiPMfVycpb4rslFjyvO23pSQUJGYJ2TnL_EIXdl6yKExUbxWVYQaBLw6qBHec4bzbPO26jNhKmcl5wFlYNV-igecFs3gBsE9j/s1600/fullsizeoutput_415.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDoo4c2YOVooW6zLPE22R5vfCB9k9x58eJKz12XCObKeeiPMfVycpb4rslFjyvO23pSQUJGYJ2TnL_EIXdl6yKExUbxWVYQaBLw6qBHec4bzbPO26jNhKmcl5wFlYNV-igecFs3gBsE9j/s400/fullsizeoutput_415.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not always 72 degrees and sunny in LA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We walked around the exterior and did get a few minute inside to get the sense of the place. It would be worthwhile going back again, paying for the extra parking and attending one of the shows. Next time. I never regret not getting the chance to do something or another. I just regard it as a reason to go back sometime later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CHECKING OUT THE CITY AS A POSSIBLE PLACE TO LIVE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We drove around Pasadena a few times. It's overall an attractive city that has maintained and enhanced it's overall charm. All the important stores are downtown along with a lot of local places like a real good bakery where we ate breakfast that last day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course, that probably makes it a bit pricey. It is southern California, after all. We didn't look into that because we knew we weren't going to ever move there. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I could see how it might get to feeling a bit small over time because you know of all the SoCal stuff that you might want to go and enjoy that are not there (like the whole beach and Pacific Ocean thing.) But to get to all those other places you pretty much would have to drive in the freeways, and the mere idea of that gives me the willies. So no, I'm not in love with Pasadena as a place I might like to actually live. But it sure is a nice place to visit.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE MISSING ONE THIS TRIP - A NATIONAL PARK OR MONUMENT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
None are close, and there was not enough time to go driving to check out something that is a bit farther away. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another trip for another time.</div>
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-42092726119946853942017-04-27T14:26:00.001-07:002017-05-29T14:14:30.698-07:00The Blue Lady Travels to Meet Some of Her Tribe at The March For Science<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsFIgPM8bIBVYW22OUw3a1Ql2g5t9vyExO-3cthXRRQr2EmIN7d_VC-lzW5c6YitWMMHB-nH4hx4Jdfd7ZTIPKlyAQqO8nFdPgQXHkw2P9RsIn1vSFHHfsYCwx4EvMrepaKq93lQdMB33/s1600/US1934160.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsFIgPM8bIBVYW22OUw3a1Ql2g5t9vyExO-3cthXRRQr2EmIN7d_VC-lzW5c6YitWMMHB-nH4hx4Jdfd7ZTIPKlyAQqO8nFdPgQXHkw2P9RsIn1vSFHHfsYCwx4EvMrepaKq93lQdMB33/s400/US1934160.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The president was in residence on Earth Day.<br />
He tweeted something about loving our wonderful rivers and things like that,<br />
and went to Walter Reed to present a Purple Heart to someone.<br />
BTW, the garden is protected. It's under the care of the<br />
National Park Service.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As soon as I heard it was going to happen, I knew I wanted to go. A <a href="https://satellites.marchforscience.com/" target="_blank">March FOR Science</a> on <a href="http://www.earthday.org/" target="_blank">Earth Day</a> in Washington DC. I did not make arrangements to go to the <a href="https://www.womensmarch.com/" target="_blank">Women's March</a> the day after the inauguration. I would have liked that, so I felt the need to do something similar at some other time. Bingo! Let's go to DC in April. I got a plane ticket and a hotel immediately.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
It had never really occurred to me that people needed to get passionate about and advocate for SCIENCE of all things. I mean, who doesn't know that science as a whole way of knowing is just super important. It turns out the present administration doesn't and doesn't seem to care about it. And that matters because they are very powerful people.<br />
<br />
ARRRRRGHHHH!!!!!<br />
<br />
I could enumerate a whole pile of reasons why science is important, why the world needs lots of it, why it needs to be supported by the public sector, why science is one of the HUGE factors that has already made America great, etc. etc, etc.<br />
<br />
Not everyone needs to be a scientist or to work in science. We also need plenty of artists of all kinds as well as people who use the results of scientific investigation to make the world just work. For example, we know how to make food grow effectively because of science. Science helps us build things of all kinds well. Science is integral to health and health care. Science has given us ways to create superb colors for all our clothing and household goods. Science has given us the internet. Science has shown us those billions and billions of galaxies. But then, you know all that and more.<br />
<br />
And of course, science has given us all those inconvenient truths about climate change. Darn it!. Maybe if we stop studying and measuring all that stuff related to climate and the changes it has already brought us, the whole thing will just go away. You know, the three monkey theory of knowledge.... see no climate change, hear no climate change, speak no climate change. That ought to work, right?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/See_No_Evil,_Hear_No_Evil,_Speak_No_Evil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/See_No_Evil,_Hear_No_Evil,_Speak_No_Evil.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from Wikipedia Commons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So Sock Monkey and I had a quick 3 day weekend going to and from Washington DC. We left early Friday morning, stopped for awhile in the lovely modern Detroit airport where we had a nice long walk and ate a good lunch. We arrived in the late afternoon at the horrible Regan airport in Washington, and had a long wait to get a shuttle ride to our hotel with a driver whom we did not like at all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJouyaucONHTjmUz2oIxPQh-BPLmnavLj3Qd8ucfsKDPC8n968-_yPn-6am-a-tjMdusOpdPqg64FZzqW2FUwuNutZR2rKy2SktHvXmuHyMJZxEC01hPDXsktXN467vhifTo_Ei-9zX_Rp/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3fd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJouyaucONHTjmUz2oIxPQh-BPLmnavLj3Qd8ucfsKDPC8n968-_yPn-6am-a-tjMdusOpdPqg64FZzqW2FUwuNutZR2rKy2SktHvXmuHyMJZxEC01hPDXsktXN467vhifTo_Ei-9zX_Rp/s400/fullsizeoutput_3fd.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing the hotel was nice and warm.<br />
This is the ballpark, across the street from where we lived.<br />
And you can see the great weather we had all weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our hotel was very nice and comfy. It was quite new, a Hilton property in a neighborhood (Navy Yard) which is clearly undergoing very rapid development. The hotel is quite close to the new baseball park, and is surrounded by a whole lot of brand new high rise condo or office buildings. The Department of Transportation has a nice, new office building just down the street. Capital Hill is not far away. A good location in many ways.<br />
<br />
It was cold and drizzly the day we arrived. The next day, March Day, it was pouring down rain. I decided to skip all the morning activities, the teach-in and the speeches, and just plan to get to the site about 1400, march time. So we stayed in and I did some knitting, and just before 1200 we headed out.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJwfxUNQ5g1MiyJ2rwjvTTrpoLcz328phrLQRx60Qw34ia6KM7Absy29Rkox4vSO_XUdlCgT9TnmXSMGYutWhULWgp9hFvXNk6vnpXMqomftUwhDa7s-3LxUlybOY_q0ky3nevKwfJid_/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJwfxUNQ5g1MiyJ2rwjvTTrpoLcz328phrLQRx60Qw34ia6KM7Absy29Rkox4vSO_XUdlCgT9TnmXSMGYutWhULWgp9hFvXNk6vnpXMqomftUwhDa7s-3LxUlybOY_q0ky3nevKwfJid_/s400/IMG_0944.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had been to the museum before, but it was the first time<br />
for Sock Monkey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We walked to the <a href="http://nmai.si.edu/" target="_blank">National Museum of the American Indian</a> which was not far away where we had lunch in their really nice cafeteria. Clearly we were not the only marchers with the same idea. The place was hopping. We stuck around awhile longer, did our souvenir shopping there, and eventually got up the courage to head out into the weather for our main purpose.<br />
<br />
What a slog down to the Washington Monument. Rain, rain, rain and cold. The interior walkways in the Mall are made of gravel which then meant gravel atop mud. The grass, which would have been slippery, was roped off ... just as well.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aadL5k3Dz04B9LmN36__C76Ar-LDy3BJd2KsLb_ZmEWTRkp7XsRVw0drcGKopmoHD-VWZkjiUNa0N3gp-5y7yu1reLL3MQ6gILOuGYmNSjIRUMdZ5Xc7TMtdz25fzbjMPWbpmsrAeZhK/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aadL5k3Dz04B9LmN36__C76Ar-LDy3BJd2KsLb_ZmEWTRkp7XsRVw0drcGKopmoHD-VWZkjiUNa0N3gp-5y7yu1reLL3MQ6gILOuGYmNSjIRUMdZ5Xc7TMtdz25fzbjMPWbpmsrAeZhK/s400/IMG_0946.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, I WAS there with my big pin that plays<br />
the UofU fight song "I am a Utah Fan"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were joined up with more and more people along the way. All kinds of people. All colors, shapes, sizes, sexes, ages ... very heartening to see. Lots of people had creative signs. I really liked the ones which were on the theme of "Mad Scientist." ( I saw a photo on the web which I adored. It was a dog with a sign that said "Cat : Alternative Fact.")<br />
<br />
I didn't go as far as the monument because others were clearly leaving that area and heading out by the time I got close. I ended up joining the crowd at 15th & Constitution Avenue, kitty corner from the Department of Commerece building.<br />
<br />
And there I stopped. I spent the rest of my afternoon not marching but rather Standing Around for Science in the Rain. No one was moving anywhere for any reason. But we were a pretty jolly crowd. Everyone was friendly and polite. Lots of people put up umbrellas which together sheltered several others, including me.<br />
<br />
I didn't talk with strangers ... my introverted tendencies came to the surface. But then, most others did not talk with strangers either. Maybe that's because we all have some connection to the sciences. We really were a big bunch of introverted geeks. But we were all surrounded by hundreds of other introverted geeks, so, really it was ok, comforting even. We all had actually gotten out there together, which is really something when you think about it. We were happy.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2pNWXamo1VZCO0Y0ywRSUhCQZgNMnI7rWwusBHRZBemSnoT8GcdXPPUF2OvUIvgFuXDTvl-R2jjDPuHMVELqdG4FwUOYYp0uwJ8qTk2-iJ3JGxXt11CxZifCxtF9eKmIhtzEe93pwN5D/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2pNWXamo1VZCO0Y0ywRSUhCQZgNMnI7rWwusBHRZBemSnoT8GcdXPPUF2OvUIvgFuXDTvl-R2jjDPuHMVELqdG4FwUOYYp0uwJ8qTk2-iJ3JGxXt11CxZifCxtF9eKmIhtzEe93pwN5D/s400/IMG_0950.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing Around for Science.<br />
We all really do care about the cause,<br />
but it's kind of boring after awhile,<br />
not to mention cold, wet and uncomfortable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eventually my legs were telling me this standing around business was not making them happy. There was a group of people who decided to cross Constitution Avenue horizontally but hanging into each other in a kind of conga line and cutting through the crowd. I joined the line at the end and took advantage of how they were able to part the sea. Once on the other side, there were still lots of people, but plenty of room to move in any direction.<br />
<br />
I ended up walking around the White House in two directions (don't ask me which ones. I cannot tell the cardinal directions in DC the way the city is planned as a rectangle but rotated so that it becomes a diamond.) I ran into another march of people from Cameroon, across from the World Bank, who were protesting how the World Bank's policies support dictators. Who knows? Maybe someplace else another group was protesting something else totally different. That's what you do in DC, after all.<br />
<br />
With the help of a very nice lady working for the Secret Service I found my way to a Starbucks where I was able to get out of the rain and relax and get warm. Again, plenty of other marchers joined me there.<br />
<br />
And next I called upon a Secret Service gentleman to help me find a Metro station. I needed the help of a station employee to figure out the ticket machine and where to find the correct train. One thing I will say about DC is that I have always observed the locals being very nice and helpful to visitors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV4s_YFD6rj4VqfUef-PGIqv6TO-UZy61sUDkl2IdxQrU6oHaUp_NVVx_7IwG376CrHYFvC0bREndEaEmc-1s-JQvTHUMP8CySHlAOdxIWKJYE6VR7u9ce9p8ql-x7HaxJU4ir34xjW4Y/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3fe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwV4s_YFD6rj4VqfUef-PGIqv6TO-UZy61sUDkl2IdxQrU6oHaUp_NVVx_7IwG376CrHYFvC0bREndEaEmc-1s-JQvTHUMP8CySHlAOdxIWKJYE6VR7u9ce9p8ql-x7HaxJU4ir34xjW4Y/s400/fullsizeoutput_3fe.jpeg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All streets lead to a Starbucks, thank goodness.<br />
Can you see the sweet little girl with the brain hat?<br />
Starting early to be an activist. What good parents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And before too much longer I was "home." Nap time, supper, TV, bedtime.<br />
<br />
We had to get up at 0330 in order to get to the horrible airport in time for our very early morning flight, but that meant we were home in Salt Lake before lunch. We had a short layover in Minneapolis, and our luggage did not get onto the same plane as we were on, but we spent most of the afternoon napping happily with Smokey Rose, and the suitcase got delivered around supper time in good condition. Everyone was safe and happy.<br />
<br />
I have never taken part in <a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/04/22/525250799/out-of-the-lab-and-into-the-streets-science-community-marches-for-science" target="_blank">a real news making event such as this one</a>. It was great. Maybe I'll do it again for some reason, although I hope I don't have to. I'd rather go to witness the inauguration of the first woman president of the US. That will take place in my lifetime, right? Darn well better!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLnrMoe2Xa_RFZaIYtF1x4uPITJurOig7s-6q4pYSX4y27B0nnPZX45uvkwVLZ9vzaLSVtDPrus6rj2_gB8swUlyt2gQPaAvKWHzeX8Ztw9_v6BGWomrGO1X-7Gc8YWjGEqqS38KNvi21/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3ff.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLnrMoe2Xa_RFZaIYtF1x4uPITJurOig7s-6q4pYSX4y27B0nnPZX45uvkwVLZ9vzaLSVtDPrus6rj2_gB8swUlyt2gQPaAvKWHzeX8Ztw9_v6BGWomrGO1X-7Gc8YWjGEqqS38KNvi21/s400/fullsizeoutput_3ff.jpeg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey came home with a piece of lovely new jewelry,<br />
a souvenir of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.<br />
I hope we can go back to DC some year just to enjoy the beautiful trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-52602290081212461402017-04-10T19:32:00.001-07:002017-04-27T14:27:02.149-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands - A Tiny Vacation to Dinosaur Land<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTc9ZcuK1rqhIvyyROKrqBDYraqGw8O5jeozK6Wgi7a-jGwbl6fJFAOIqlWBLHNHzhnoY9CePsDsntyCtGm7y1nO1niAeX5QuACO1Wmiur6vjRfaykwviwd587yPzQjcX-8RKdYbBzB_d/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTc9ZcuK1rqhIvyyROKrqBDYraqGw8O5jeozK6Wgi7a-jGwbl6fJFAOIqlWBLHNHzhnoY9CePsDsntyCtGm7y1nO1niAeX5QuACO1Wmiur6vjRfaykwviwd587yPzQjcX-8RKdYbBzB_d/s400/IMG_0918.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got myself some fine new luggage mostly from Target,<br />
pretty and just the right sizes,<br />
so Sock Monkey & I can start to hit the road together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm ready to get out of town again. This was the first of several upcoming short trips to a number of places. This time it was a driving trip in my little green car with my friend Jan Mi. We went east up into the Uintah Mountains to the small city of Vernal. We left on Saturday and returned on Sunday. The reason for the trip now was to attend the annual spring concert of the Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus. Two members of the Z family, who are friends of ours, were playing and singing.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
The Z's had rehearsals beginning in the morning followed by a matinee concert, so Jan & I were on our own until show time. We drove up in a bit of a snow shower storm in Summit County (where Park City is located. Bad weather is not uncommon going over Parley's Summit on I-80.) The weather was still a bit dicey when we got to Vernal, so we decided to stay in town.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernal,_Utah" target="_blank">Vernal</a> is the largest town in this part of Utah. Our friends live there because Dr. Z works for Indian Health Service which has a clinic on the nearby <a href="http://www.utetribe.com/" target="_blank">Ute reservation</a>. Vernal has a boom & bust type economy because it's the center of an oil and gas patch. Sometimes it's filled up with roustabouts with crummy looking man camps around. Right now, oil prices are low, so it's not so bad. We got a hotel reservation easily and at a nice price.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-8_UaAdxBabkPNWUOcuElt4xe6Gm97VL06KCCJRLKP_8PbUYeb3WQxwBOwvU8H62eZQkTs7XLrDDGSwBQOeHSWKMZMP7gDn8ln0pGsmmh1CUJ85JLBO75mKrdXU0n21XQqnz5nnJeeEF/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-8_UaAdxBabkPNWUOcuElt4xe6Gm97VL06KCCJRLKP_8PbUYeb3WQxwBOwvU8H62eZQkTs7XLrDDGSwBQOeHSWKMZMP7gDn8ln0pGsmmh1CUJ85JLBO75mKrdXU0n21XQqnz5nnJeeEF/s400/IMG_0876.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vernal has dinosaurs all over the place.<br />
The most famous one is pink and welcomes people to town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other reasons people go there to visit are because of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_River_(Colorado_River)" target="_blank">Green River </a>and to see dinosaurs. The Green River is the largest tributary of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River" target="_blank">Colorado River</a> (which eventually carves out the Grand Canyon, as you probably know.) It's well know for rafting and other kinds of fun on or near the water. Jan had taken one of those trips back in the day when her daughters were still kids. Lots of fun whitewater.<br />
<br />
We decided to go the dinosaur route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuRWV2VmFWss_OCbgSqhtMiCD0wTri3bjygqYXVSAmkkI7BYYySeuelPQt1aLhFTkPrYe3AdpLI5rOVG-j7qboLavBQlkLZtXn6Wzu82Dzb8ugAGMXUjPEkbDT-8vNFaCloJNg3VBYkiY/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuRWV2VmFWss_OCbgSqhtMiCD0wTri3bjygqYXVSAmkkI7BYYySeuelPQt1aLhFTkPrYe3AdpLI5rOVG-j7qboLavBQlkLZtXn6Wzu82Dzb8ugAGMXUjPEkbDT-8vNFaCloJNg3VBYkiY/s400/IMG_0863.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful modern building for the Vernal Brewing Company.<br />
They have garden plots out back where they grow their own herbs.</td></tr>
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<br />
But, first things first. Lunch. At the lovely new <a href="http://www.vernalbrewingco.com/" target="_blank">Vernal Brewing Company</a>. We loved the place. Good food. Good beer (well, I only tried one kind in a small glass - a peach wheat ale which I downed quickly because, it turns out, I was dehydrated. But it was real tasty. Could have easily had more.) Great new built building with art. What's not to like? If we lived there, we would go back a lot. The Z family likes the place a lot and goes often even though they don't drink much, if any, beer. There were plenty of families with kids there on a Saturday afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeSKqVM0Elhzy2WBAZiHD9JHsXJBNb72s-Zvfr8AKMrvZth1o9qkgx4DXt6cgPniN343nV2Lvfi9Siar3f1iPhPhzUvp47LGYlgv6HUtvvU65BUUvTHDOzWhe9QMU-v6Rf2RLmdn0LaeJ/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeSKqVM0Elhzy2WBAZiHD9JHsXJBNb72s-Zvfr8AKMrvZth1o9qkgx4DXt6cgPniN343nV2Lvfi9Siar3f1iPhPhzUvp47LGYlgv6HUtvvU65BUUvTHDOzWhe9QMU-v6Rf2RLmdn0LaeJ/s400/IMG_0861.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey wanted to get a good view of the artwork.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So next it was to cross the street to the new <a href="https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/utah-field-house/" target="_blank">natural history museum.</a> Vernal was known for having a very good, but old fashioned type museum. Jan remembered that her little kids had liked it even though it was just those old style flat glass display cases with odd stuff with paper labels. Now it's all modern and interactive and all that jazz and so much more fun with learning.<br />
<br />
Of course, there is a dinosaur smack dab in the middle of the first floor. And the floor itself is an artistic mosaic designed to teach people about the local geology. And the building spirals up to represent that passage of time, the same way the walkway at the <a href="https://nhmu.utah.edu/" target="_blank">Natural History Museum</a> of Utah in Salt Lake City does. (Maybe it's a thing these days for these kinds of places. Do other museums in other places do the same? You tell me.) There is a short film to begin, an interactive part for kids to play with, interesting things displayed well, lots of light, windows with views of the outdoor dinosaur garden. Overall a real nice little museum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoZdCrpqwv-ucnpuKh2GnS1ZF-kkZwb5Vf-P8D2fJxVpsd1YcfxAmA6Ibshc7I80kGTVsRtTPZTuUakXSyCq292unVFm_Ps7bssdMq2MghviX-nqa1Cw6s9Q9umyJHPbqzobM8LpjSIwq/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3e9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoZdCrpqwv-ucnpuKh2GnS1ZF-kkZwb5Vf-P8D2fJxVpsd1YcfxAmA6Ibshc7I80kGTVsRtTPZTuUakXSyCq292unVFm_Ps7bssdMq2MghviX-nqa1Cw6s9Q9umyJHPbqzobM8LpjSIwq/s400/fullsizeoutput_3e9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright and beautiful lobby of the museum</td></tr>
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<br />
Next up was time to check in at the hotel, a Marriott property, for a nap. Then time to eat again!<br />
<br />
We found out the Vernal has two breweries, so we went to the second one, called the Quarry Steakhouse and Brewpub. Turns out this brewery was much smaller and only was serving one kind that night - a chocolate stout, not at all what I wanted. The rest of the beers were primarily from other Utah breweries, most of which are in Salt Lake and most of which I could get at any time back home, so I decided on wine for dinner along with the prime rib special, which were all just fine (hard to mess up prime rib and baked potato, in my view. ) Jan had a generous steak salad, which she also liked a lot.<br />
<br />
That night happened to be a prom night, and the royal couple and their court also dined with us at the same place. I found one of the best parts of the restaurant was the floor. The owner had created a map of the Green River all over the floor by using pretty blue stones. The server told us to look for red stones here and there. Those represented fish. There were also some gold stones too. I got up and followed the river all over the restaurant. Maybe I'm not the only one who has ever done that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLvoqwHQZPRXXzGeWFJ6Sgyr9EavotzNNurNL3_C42NbYL_rb5xn1xe60aCeE5F1vXjjuOB8t2e9tZRXeKwFmaBYIxY3jhgm_5MBGhO-00KLOhMBy5ukaNBr5IqaafNqZhbpyXCMG6k5u/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLvoqwHQZPRXXzGeWFJ6Sgyr9EavotzNNurNL3_C42NbYL_rb5xn1xe60aCeE5F1vXjjuOB8t2e9tZRXeKwFmaBYIxY3jhgm_5MBGhO-00KLOhMBy5ukaNBr5IqaafNqZhbpyXCMG6k5u/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught a little fish near the confluence of the<br />
Green and Colorado Rivers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally it was time to head to the middle school. (Turns out there are two of them, and we began at the wrong one. Be careful if you go looking for a middle school in Vernal in the future.) The theme of the concert was music from the movies, "Classics of the Silver Screen." Why should I be surprised that it was quite good? The US actually has superb musicians all over the place. They are just masquerading as doctors, teachers, insurance agents, farmers, you name it. And musicians like to get together and play and sing from time to time. Good for the rest of us who enjoy hearing them.<br />
<br />
Afterwards we all went out to, what we ended up calling, "Our Place" aka the local Denny's, for after concert refreshment. In a town of around 10,000 people, there aren't a lot of chain restaurants. In Vernal Denny's is it, pretty much. We had ice cream fixed in various ways. While we were there, people all dressed up for the prom joined us again. The Z family had gone there for supper before the concert. Clearly, Denny's is THE place in Vernal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbVvUp1i_GVazQztZUgXXs0aP27pRL2_IwNPJrYzF58BG3fYGraAKvEWNttWCyQJrIvYuVOQvBgOj-kh7RQoejrlxQgSG6Bt2TgEO4MdXyiujYhOD0uWtjBUl7vsd9eF1is-MBbjq8PpQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3e0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbVvUp1i_GVazQztZUgXXs0aP27pRL2_IwNPJrYzF58BG3fYGraAKvEWNttWCyQJrIvYuVOQvBgOj-kh7RQoejrlxQgSG6Bt2TgEO4MdXyiujYhOD0uWtjBUl7vsd9eF1is-MBbjq8PpQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_3e0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the earliest national monuments in the country.<br />
Early paleontologists saw the need to protect the bones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next morning, turns out it had snowed hard overnight in Salt Lake City, but things were clear and just fine in Vernal. A bit cool which made it nice. After the hotel breakfast, we headed out to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm" target="_blank">Dinosaur National Monument</a>, a few miles out of town to the east. The Green River runs through it, and a bit extends into the state of Colorado.<br />
<br />
We had both been here before when they had the old visitor center. Now they have a spiffy new one (I think the old one was actually the better part of being condemned as a building.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58c8c-MZ5JIpxuY1UuNqDLMoqik4JeZEW01Mysk-WPT9WhMA5r6nsqqBUNoIgY-noLeYwXm87zIs0YN7KFOmGybA2BsM_BCaAUBQl9soaMAkaOHHb6GNAvNtIzm_nY4uElUPTSORIdZY/s1600/IMG_0890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58c8c-MZ5JIpxuY1UuNqDLMoqik4JeZEW01Mysk-WPT9WhMA5r6nsqqBUNoIgY-noLeYwXm87zIs0YN7KFOmGybA2BsM_BCaAUBQl9soaMAkaOHHb6GNAvNtIzm_nY4uElUPTSORIdZY/s400/IMG_0890.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More up to date design for museum type places</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After my obligatory shopping trip in National Park Service gift shops, we headed out to the dinosaur quarry site. We both recalled the wall o'bones from our earlier visit, but of course, it's still pretty impressive.<br />
<br />
We had a very nice, fairly long conversation with Ranger Tiffany, who had worked before at <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm" target="_blank">Petrified Forest</a>, about dinosaurs and stuff. I actually kept steering the conversation towards things that people did, not the dinosaurs themselves. I asked a lot about what is known about what the ancient inhabitants knew about the bones, about the early paleontologists, about what archaeologists have found in the area.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszZrHcohZVNGExgxLPljhCpAOCDnFWQffH6AmFxZ3kgDugt5fxA4mwsmlrRUgdWLug75H-QkCvU6kwZ4V_SUOtEUOIXspr5SS_8rlm-xMwBgUJlUX74-b3OkGUc-byZc7BBco5BudjZ0b/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszZrHcohZVNGExgxLPljhCpAOCDnFWQffH6AmFxZ3kgDugt5fxA4mwsmlrRUgdWLug75H-QkCvU6kwZ4V_SUOtEUOIXspr5SS_8rlm-xMwBgUJlUX74-b3OkGUc-byZc7BBco5BudjZ0b/s400/IMG_0900.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a "log jam" of dead dinosaur bodies that got<br />
buried in mud at the bottom of an ancient river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The truth is, I have almost no interest in dinosaurs. I never had to study them in any details. The children's dinosaur craze was before my time. And later, I just never took to them. And they are all dead now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J1bG-8zXqWas3bUdx-HrHd-9E8dbqPg0WXLUBszlFV1LUSiEMkRS87olw9TC8sNS0Y5YvjSIxShKcXpBB8cO9gYKibuph_1Z9SSweu1QLwtHq8KEisNv5cfYs-j7dPLeCv935tk2OZY8/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J1bG-8zXqWas3bUdx-HrHd-9E8dbqPg0WXLUBszlFV1LUSiEMkRS87olw9TC8sNS0Y5YvjSIxShKcXpBB8cO9gYKibuph_1Z9SSweu1QLwtHq8KEisNv5cfYs-j7dPLeCv935tk2OZY8/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another well displayed dinosaur skeleton.<br />
Ho hum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, all I have to say is bring on the petroglyphs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rzzq9J-u5oPwHlIEkvOKPQ511OBwk6GD4zEMWI_HTIeO0lxz_1MpoDIo5aWy5HpvPXdAQmWfg75xoqw2yBfwNg-ZKAbWBnslBZC7H45evb5ksmYGyczm6ksXClB8jM6Jj1JjD58bVpis/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rzzq9J-u5oPwHlIEkvOKPQ511OBwk6GD4zEMWI_HTIeO0lxz_1MpoDIo5aWy5HpvPXdAQmWfg75xoqw2yBfwNg-ZKAbWBnslBZC7H45evb5ksmYGyczm6ksXClB8jM6Jj1JjD58bVpis/s400/IMG_0910.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Uintah Basin is also filled up with art like this.<br />
Too bad so many of them are found down dirt roads<br />
where we did not have time to search out this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So after admiring the landscape a bit, it was time to head home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U_9gCHevpd7f4CcAY19M9JZ0A9wJxfUOa0pAIUI_EuZGx42zgzuVC3EChxTkcPUtMwt6TGFQhC0TMS_VLtOSJVALNjwxKcRpItEDP57YPWMwLQfW8EoJPuMGjROLjsQFTD63a4IzO_NE/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U_9gCHevpd7f4CcAY19M9JZ0A9wJxfUOa0pAIUI_EuZGx42zgzuVC3EChxTkcPUtMwt6TGFQhC0TMS_VLtOSJVALNjwxKcRpItEDP57YPWMwLQfW8EoJPuMGjROLjsQFTD63a4IzO_NE/s400/IMG_0909.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some clouds off the the east.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped to eat at Our Place because we needed some lunch. It was a Sunday in a small town in Utah, after all, and there just aren't a lot of places were you can sit at a table and get served off of a menu. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kECZLrTY39Ao68aGhdLJLb7IHhUCIabjmSLvnF_4addrb2GCCdyn4FmCvLVyIPGk-3iyws4zmDeKQhVbfkgxFWXieGPjuRyrzwZN4cVcDGdGn8_NogGN1JdDkDLNbL8OpbGM4eFKZaY9/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3d9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kECZLrTY39Ao68aGhdLJLb7IHhUCIabjmSLvnF_4addrb2GCCdyn4FmCvLVyIPGk-3iyws4zmDeKQhVbfkgxFWXieGPjuRyrzwZN4cVcDGdGn8_NogGN1JdDkDLNbL8OpbGM4eFKZaY9/s400/fullsizeoutput_3d9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast served all day<br />
and a nice little menu for seniors.<br />
A place you can depend upon no matter where you live in the US.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then it was time to drive back down to SLC. We had no problems with the drive home, and were more than ready to settle in for awhile once we were all warm and cozy back at home.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QYNvwYST3HKQ-5Q-80Ix099R0qIhyhgbCbMfpw3YEvzq-ZgHyRKJK3u6Cp713uAz1ebi4cwoXM3MLF94QF7nytcfg_hxLCVLE0KZcvpFFXuYeeoQjW6JaR3KIJJ2A-6MPYVdxqKkLHt/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3d8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7QYNvwYST3HKQ-5Q-80Ix099R0qIhyhgbCbMfpw3YEvzq-ZgHyRKJK3u6Cp713uAz1ebi4cwoXM3MLF94QF7nytcfg_hxLCVLE0KZcvpFFXuYeeoQjW6JaR3KIJJ2A-6MPYVdxqKkLHt/s400/fullsizeoutput_3d8.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey was happy for a rest.<br />
Smokey Rose was happy to see us again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-87863486078650820642017-03-12T10:56:00.000-07:002017-04-10T19:33:17.941-07:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands: A Short Trip to Kansas City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNJF4D9X5hRFwlO2cQADimzUab7Z-ltHPOEqsE7uoquErv3F7XJSMpDmsTjui-4f2Ql5ScgqKFVLudHqB8MK6HYJaPo39Ij_hExZ9AiqUARc_TbNerCcRkx9WSkNARV2JnXJufozaFzZM/s1600/US+Kansas+City+fountains.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNJF4D9X5hRFwlO2cQADimzUab7Z-ltHPOEqsE7uoquErv3F7XJSMpDmsTjui-4f2Ql5ScgqKFVLudHqB8MK6HYJaPo39Ij_hExZ9AiqUARc_TbNerCcRkx9WSkNARV2JnXJufozaFzZM/s400/US+Kansas+City+fountains.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, but I did not actually see any real fountains on this trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Randy, my former <a href="https://www.tiaa.org/public/index.html" target="_blank">TIAA</a> advisor, told me, that in his experience, new retirees do a fair amount of traveling at first, and then kind of get tired of it and settle in someplace for the long haul. So be it. Right now I'm just barely into the "early travel phase." I have quite a few trips planned in the next months. And lots of ideas for where to go after these already arranged excursions. I'll write about them as they happen.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
The first one wasn't really my choice. Well, of course, it was my choice. I volunteered to be an <a href="http://www.midwife.org/Program-Accreditation" target="_blank">accreditation site visitor for the nurse-midwifery education program</a> at the <a href="http://nursing.kumc.edu/" target="_blank">University of Kansas at their medical center in Kansas City</a>. This is one of the volunteer activities I am continuing into my golden years as long as they will have me.<br />
<br />
The choice was skip this season or to go to Connecticut, I think it was, or Kansas. One of my rules for this work is that I don't go to the eastern time zone. Too difficult to adjust those old circadian rhythms when you fly there, you know. Living in the mountain time zone is very advantageous. I just have to adjust one hour in either direction as I move around.<br />
<br />
And it turns out that most programs and most other visitors live in the east. many can drive to a given place from their home. They usually don't lack for volunteers. West coast programs are glad to have me come because I'm cheap. Delta Airlines makes it easy and inexpensive to fly to every west coast city. And there aren't that many visitors who live out west either. (Plus I'm told I have a reputation as being a really good site visitor too.)<br />
<br />
So the choice was, being miserable at the end of February in Salt Lake, the east coast or Kansas City. I'll go to Kansas City. What the heck. Why not?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGK_oa0qKI-DqL2G3VieZAK869ePnlD4Xmtuka8b5EdxOlAafzXBjHa2G-P-dGfMjWfIeJZFIpJdDOonpCngbIxDDgSfgSt9u3ec4wsKmEZ-v_C04RsOoNAUm4wR-CNQfocyCzfODob-6/s1600/US+Kansas+City+Plaza.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGK_oa0qKI-DqL2G3VieZAK869ePnlD4Xmtuka8b5EdxOlAafzXBjHa2G-P-dGfMjWfIeJZFIpJdDOonpCngbIxDDgSfgSt9u3ec4wsKmEZ-v_C04RsOoNAUm4wR-CNQfocyCzfODob-6/s400/US+Kansas+City+Plaza.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This part of town IS worth your time to visit.<br />
But we didn't have any extra time for strolling around this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was just a 3 day fly-in, fly out visit. I had been to Kansas once before back in the 80s. I took a driving trip over about 6 weeks one summer, all over the Midwest to visit friends and relatives when I was working a 9 month schedule . At the time I had a friend who was going to school at <a href="http://www.ku.edu/" target="_blank">KU in Lawrence</a>. We went to the big city one day. We toured the <a href="http://www.nelson-atkins.org/" target="_blank">art museum</a>, which is world class, really, and the part of town called "<a href="https://countryclubplaza.com/" target="_blank">The Plaza</a>."<br />
<br />
This trip I could not think of anything I really wanted to do that would be worth the trouble of an extra hotel day and staying over by myself, especially not at the end of February. The weather turned out to be very nice and spring-like, but, being as how it is in the midwest in the winter, it could have been just horrible. (And, as it turned out, it snowed and was real icky back home in SLC.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIKEJ8RDCR-PGyd0gQHYQU-m7YY7BuAnDi0bsrqiXgLEqzbj8DUcv2cktzwzeH0ZYufZMbuMMKxbUsL5ptKvml85NqcE0IETyb39Fr-KNR8oEMHqTHeYWknFPQe1DMlCz1IlNgW769j1W/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIKEJ8RDCR-PGyd0gQHYQU-m7YY7BuAnDi0bsrqiXgLEqzbj8DUcv2cktzwzeH0ZYufZMbuMMKxbUsL5ptKvml85NqcE0IETyb39Fr-KNR8oEMHqTHeYWknFPQe1DMlCz1IlNgW769j1W/s400/IMG_0791.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll be seeing more of Sock Monkey in the future as he goes on trips with me.<br />
Notice his fine new jewelry.<br />
Rock! Chalk! Jayhawk,!as they say there for some unknown reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As always, the people we spent time with were just lovely and very hospitable. I have never had a bad experience with these visits with the people associated with nurse-midwifery, nursing or the whole university.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt4Soi1prtbIRyK_hNmelXeqv6n5f55FCC6zegoE0cqE4qPGw-ZvftRWyDRMXHmvobhtxMrJ4JM5VutdRt-2EKn7PLiPl8zm0AnW0LkBBj5naeWhRfEvDtLOim4Cf2oFtZw6-v5Y0co4z/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt4Soi1prtbIRyK_hNmelXeqv6n5f55FCC6zegoE0cqE4qPGw-ZvftRWyDRMXHmvobhtxMrJ4JM5VutdRt-2EKn7PLiPl8zm0AnW0LkBBj5naeWhRfEvDtLOim4Cf2oFtZw6-v5Y0co4z/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally right across the street.<br />
A really nice modern building for the College of Nursing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our hotel was a Holiday Inn Express that was literally right across the street from the university buildings. What can I say? It was Holiday Inn Express in a very convenient location. I did not sleep well. The mattress was too hard for my liking, and there were several of those little lights, like on the thermostat, that were bothersome. The TV was nice though. I watched the <a href="http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017" target="_blank">Academy Awards</a> the first night all the way through the big goof up at the end. And the next two nights I watched the ABC mini-series "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5292622/" target="_blank">When We Rise</a>" which was excellent, but had far to many commercials. (I skipped the big speech by Mr. T before Congress. I heard he did ok, for him.)<br />
<br />
As was usual, also, our hosts steered us well into good restaurants for supper. The first night we went to a local place in the Plaza called <a href="http://www.gramanddun.com/" target="_blank">Gram and Dunn</a>. It was clearly very popular especially with groups of men who seemed to be coming right from work as we were. The menus was kind of "southern" in that it featured things like shrimp and grits and a fried chicken dish. It was not all that expensive either for the kind of place it was. Cara, our hostess, said it was an area wide favorite.<br />
<br />
The next night we went to a little neighborhood where there were several small places. We ate at a tiny Italian place called <a href="http://ragazzakc.com/" target="_blank">Ragazza</a>. They had a huge wine list and everything was delicious. The place is just tiny, so reservations are needed.<br />
<br />
We did NOT eat <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City-style_barbecue" target="_blank">barbecue</a>, which is one of those things Kansas City is known for. Not the favorite of any of us, especially not when the barbecue is ribs which are messy and not all that satisfying. In my humble opinion. Both nights I ordered steak, even in the Italian place. Beef is another one of those things that KC is known for. I was very happy. My companions were more eclectic which is how I can tell you that the menus were really good in both places.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr6r_ACDhOxCSE4m9zNcLhF4OwIEkA1k5QustZuHgpdYMT6jiz89PlHRcEj4b6BsUPcCy6KQcrAVLmy4UfVZuavhWvCqC82CDKa6-jwvMdZ5FhQlTtvCt8Q4M_cN-eChOYfPowrOoDci5/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIr6r_ACDhOxCSE4m9zNcLhF4OwIEkA1k5QustZuHgpdYMT6jiz89PlHRcEj4b6BsUPcCy6KQcrAVLmy4UfVZuavhWvCqC82CDKa6-jwvMdZ5FhQlTtvCt8Q4M_cN-eChOYfPowrOoDci5/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it cheating that I did not go to St. Louis, but bought a mug from there?<br />
Nah.<br />
If it weren't from Starbucks, I would have come home with just a few lousy postcards.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And that was about it. the only shopping I did was at the airport. I have little good to say about the airport. I've never been to one that works the way that one does. But I heard plenty of locals who say they really like it mainly because it's quite easy to drive into and drop off / pick up people. If you say so. You live there, not me.<br />
<br />
And so, the final question, would I like to live there? Probably not. It's a nice enough big city with all the stuff you need in a big city (including rather well known <a href="http://yarnshopandmore.com/" target="_blank">yarn shops in the suburbs</a>). It seems safe, there are jobs, two good universities, good health care. If a job took me there, I would be happy, I'm sure. But that's not where any job is going to take me now. And I don't know of any special "wow" factor that would make me want to seek out a home of any kind there.<br />
<br />
So as the songs go, "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_(Oklahoma!)" target="_blank">Everything's up to date in Kansas City</a>. They've gone about as far as they can go." That was the case with the nurse-midwifery program. All up to date, although they probably can go farther, if they try. I'll just have to be content with not finding out about that kind of "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_%28Leiber_and_Stoller_song%29" target="_blank">crazy way of lovin</a>'" they have there. Oh well.Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-42281981299258715982017-02-22T11:06:00.000-08:002017-03-12T10:56:36.400-07:00The Blue Lady Actually Talks to Someone in Washington<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmX45N9-PPwvEeeRMENqz9qfcEk8ztt-bNW_7p17gnQbfVPQC2qCx2DpQkkzl6ovgykiuXJtDM-ftkfZaCgPd488b_8RaYSjoLQ-62Vsc5IkDqG8kokmq7GzBCjHUAugdfeuXqDgd9uzJ7/s1600/US2YukoCherry%252BWashMnt.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmX45N9-PPwvEeeRMENqz9qfcEk8ztt-bNW_7p17gnQbfVPQC2qCx2DpQkkzl6ovgykiuXJtDM-ftkfZaCgPd488b_8RaYSjoLQ-62Vsc5IkDqG8kokmq7GzBCjHUAugdfeuXqDgd9uzJ7/s400/US2YukoCherry%252BWashMnt.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best time of year in DC coming up soon. <br />
I hope he has time to get out and smell the flowers sometime.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gentle readers, I do have plans to write about some other subjects, b</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">ut, as I say later, I can see I need to be in this game over the long haul. Ok, next chapter.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">I can't get tired of this, but I am already.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> He made a big deal in the campaign about stamina. Apparently he has it in abundance. (Stories are that he really does not sleep much hence all the tweet storms at odd hours.) And he is over 70 for heaven's sake. Can't let him see any weakness I guess. So here we go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dear Mr.
Trump,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Today I received
a phone called from my senator’s office … <a href="https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/" target="_blank">Senator Thune</a> … by a very nice young
man, Adam, a native of South Dakota who has this opportunity right now to work
in Washington DC on behalf of the people of South Dakota. Adam asked what
“other” concerns I had, aside from those expressed in my previous letters. We
proceeded to have a very cordial, wide ranging <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That’s the
way things should work between an elected representative and a constituent.
There should be a willingness to be polite, to listen and to engage in dialogue
… that is two people talking together with mutual respect. I have to commend
Senator Thune for directing his staff to act in this manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then I
heard Senator McConnell on <a href="http://www.npr.org/" target="_blank">the radio</a> saying that winners get to enact policy
and losers need to just go home (and shut up probably although I did not hear
him say that.) This is the epitome of rudeness and disrespect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Senator McConnell is treating people like me
as though we were children who just need to be sent to our rooms and are of no
account whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the
only tone that I have heard from you and your staff since you first came on the
public stage. You <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/annoyed-pushback-trump-takes-aim-progressive-activism?cid=eml_mra_20170222" target="_blank">dismiss us with barely a word</a> and characterize us as being
paid non-voters which I find to be personally offensive. It’s time for a
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes,
elections have winners and losers. The Republican party won most of its
elections, and you won the majority of the electoral college vote. I agree.
It’s done. You are, indeed, in charge. I’m “over” the election, but I still
have a voice and things to say. I fully intend to say them even if you don’t
really care to hear me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But now
it’s time to govern. Now it’s time to stop electioneering and realize that you
represent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154439108387426&set=a.229304157425.135936.558057425&type=3&theater" target="_blank">a majority of the <u>population</u> of the United States</a> who did not
vote for you (81%) along with those who did (19%). Now is the time for you to
show some respect to people like me who did not vote for you, but whom you
represent, none the less. Now is the time for you to learn to demonstrate some
behavior, which shows you understand the concepts of responsibility and
accountability, to say nothing about civility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In this
letter I would also like to remind you of the critical importance of public
policy designed to mitigate and even reverse global climate change. THIS is the
existential threat that faces everyone in the whole world. I intend to speak
about this often and a lot. It’s my number one issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">May I
suggest that you watch two films, originally aired at the <a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival" target="_blank">Sundance FilmFestival</a>. First there is “<a href="https://chasingice.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Ice</a>” (2014) about the effects of climate
change on glaciers; the second is “<a href="http://www.chasingcoral.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Coral</a>” (2017) about the effects of
climate change on coral reefs all over the world. Both are stunningly beautiful
films, well worth the time to watch them. I suggest seeing them on a large
screen, although you can also see them from on-line sources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Did you
know that most of the coral reefs off the coast of Florida are now dead?
Perhaps some guests at your resorts have complained about their experiences
with diving recently. Did you know that this affects the fisheries of Florida?
That’s an industry that creates jobs in a place that is important to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I am very
saddened that <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/22/us/politics/scott-pruitt-environmental-protection-agency.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Mr. Pruitt </a>is now head of the EPA. You do<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>know that the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-limits-epas-ability-to-regulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions/2014/06/23/c56fc194-f1b1-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?utm_term=.879946f9d837" target="_blank">Supreme Court ruled</a> that
creating regulations intended to mitigate climate change IS a threat to public
health and safety and therefore part of the mandate of the EPA, correct? Clean
air means just the absence of particulate matter, but the correct amount of
carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I get
worried when I hear ideas floated about things like removing responsibility for
monitoring climate change from NASA. <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/" target="_blank">NASA</a> is the only agency that has the
capability to monitor the whole earth. Good scientific data is crucial for
making good policy. Not measuring or monitoring will not make the problem go
away. That’s the old head in the sand way of dealing with a problem. It will
only make the problem get worse because of ignoring it for too long a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">You must
not cut funding for scientists, public and private, who study climate change in
any discipline. You must not constrain scientists from consulting with each
other from all over the world. You must make all scientific data and results
publically available for any scientist … even grade school aged ones … to
perform secondary analyses. And you must pay attention to what the scientists
say we need to do in the real world to keep us from disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m sure
that science is not really your thing. You probably did not study it very much
back when you were a student. That’s all right. All you have to do is to
recognize the importance of the work that scientists do and to get out of their
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just so you
know, I’ll be in Washington DC on <a href="http://www.earthday.org/" target="_blank">Earth Day</a> this year. I’ll be taking part in
the <a href="https://www.marchforscience.com/" target="_blank">March for Science</a>. I’m not a paid agitator. In fact this is costing me a
fair bit of money. Hotels are expensive in Washington. But it’s important to me
to take part in this peaceful expression of political views. The people who
will be with me are your constituents too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I can see
now that I will need to be in this for the long haul. Becoming active in the
political sphere was actually not a part of my plans for what I would be doing
in retirement. But I can see that it’s necessary. I’m in good health with
plenty of patience and stamina. You’ll be hearing from me again and again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Until the next time, sincerely</span><!--EndFragment-->
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-243608621270069232017-02-02T16:19:00.001-08:002017-02-22T11:06:50.346-08:00Sundance Again!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL00XNyXKnvXxzpxZlTqV2aQsvUDzvQYqUOCIMRUIuSQHpmrkBN_GCk4QYNuz9toNedLxRSo97JQpqaPN-HDga9PRw2nBexRR-nzVPq49qScgf5UIVVj21INURSVaSeQEMbaLe591CTLh/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3ca.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL00XNyXKnvXxzpxZlTqV2aQsvUDzvQYqUOCIMRUIuSQHpmrkBN_GCk4QYNuz9toNedLxRSo97JQpqaPN-HDga9PRw2nBexRR-nzVPq49qScgf5UIVVj21INURSVaSeQEMbaLe591CTLh/s400/fullsizeoutput_3ca.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">I got the pin this year. I thought it was coming next year.<br />
I'm not arguing with them. They even put it in the yearbook.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, as we were fed one bit of distressing news after another that are all designed to make us jump up and demonstrate no matter what the weather, I took more than a week to volunteer at the Sundance Film Festival. I got my 10 year pin this year! Yeah. And the jacket was reversable like last year, this time dark gray and bright yellow. My friend Jan says she can use it now.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy84g-u07Mv2dCxyA5h4EWFYtZcURBCJStR7fsfAkdb4Fu7-Ng35TxAxZEtpdxt2sMGF-SZUQd25y_yHln4GrxzPJnMqw_VYEH5ebxf4I8HliCSDI3RdX8zIJS0fKQnd3KA3Biw6d1so6/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy84g-u07Mv2dCxyA5h4EWFYtZcURBCJStR7fsfAkdb4Fu7-Ng35TxAxZEtpdxt2sMGF-SZUQd25y_yHln4GrxzPJnMqw_VYEH5ebxf4I8HliCSDI3RdX8zIJS0fKQnd3KA3Biw6d1so6/s400/IMG_0768.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">This year we got lots of really good swag.<br />
Two different water bottles.<br />
A nice travel backpack.<br />
Lots of good snacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just want to try to ignore that man in Washington for awhile (impossible, of course), so I just decided to publish my annual report about Sundance. We were all told not to write "reviews" during the festival, so I didn't put out any information publicly at all. But now that it is finished, I have some friends who want my annual report so they can be on the lookout for good things in film throughout the year. I thought I might as well share it more widely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep in mind I am not a professional critic. All I will tell you is what I saw and liked (or didn't) plus the informal talk about what patrons and other volunteers had seen. Take it for what you will. You will need access to the <a href="http://www.sundance.org/festivals/sundance-film-festival/program" target="_blank">film list</a> in order to make sense of the titles because I don't take the time to describe much about what the films are about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I didn’t see that many films myself, but I will tell you about what I did see. Also the weather was terrible for most of the week, and at least 3 days I did not go out at all. I had picked out films that I had thought would be beneficial to see, but not necessarily entertaining ones (like a choice between two different docs about Syria one evening), but when it came down to getting bundled up and going out into a snow storm around supper time without having actually eaten supper or staying home and being warm and cozy and eating supper …. well being educated about Syria lost out. Maybe you can understand that kind of decision.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year I really liked all the films I did see completely. Most, I think, will go into major distribution, so you should be able to see these sooner or later if you want.. I saw all the way through the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chasing Coral</b> – see this one on the big screen if you can. Already picked up by Netflix. Everything about it was great. At the Q&A the scientists got standing ovations. I'm guessing that does not happen that often for oceanographers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Icarus</b> – you may think you don’t have any interest in a film about doping in sports, but you will especially as the major “plot” line takes an unusual turn. See this one for sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Winnie</b> – a good documentary about Winnie Mandela. Not an outstanding bit of film making, but very informative. I suspect this one will be on PBS TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Look and See</b> – I’m not sure if this one will get good distribution or not, but it’s a beautifully lyrical film about one of the best authors on the planet, Wendell Berry. Anything by or about Berry is well worth everyone’s time and attention. As someone in the film said either you have never ever heard of Wendell Berry (who?) or you practically worship his typewriter. I'm in the later camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Novitiate</b> – A beautiful film about young women entering a cloistered convent right at the time of Vatican II. Great photography, writing and acting all round. This one was bought by I can’t remember who so will get distributed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Their Finest</b> – BBC produced this one so it will be seen somewhere, maybe on PBS. An excellent film about making propaganda films during the time of the Blitz in WW II London. As always, the BBC does good sets and costumes and has excellent actors. This has good writing and a plot with surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Frantz</b> – I’m not sure if this one will be seen or not in the US because it is a French & German film with subtitles. This was the film I liked the least because it is rather stylized and “stiff.” It hinges on the plot which takes several twists and is about a triangle between three young people set right after the end of WW I (spring – fall 1919) in both France & Germany. But if you can see it, I would say go for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also did not stay to see 3 different films completely. All were late night ones while I was working. I saw the beginnings, but decided I was just too tired, and it was too late at night to stay the whole time. These were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>L.A Times</b> – actually I left because I did not like or care about the characters. This had some amusing writing, but the people were all rather privileged white folks in their 30s whom I found to be pretty universally annoying rather than sympathetic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Crown Heights</b> – this one won awards, and most people who saw it liked it. I had to watch it standing up not sitting down, and my legs just gave out on me, so I quit at th etime we were real deep into prison scenes. I think this is in the category of films that one “should” see which is not the same thing at all as a film you will enjoy. I could tell it was well made, though. Decide for yourself if it is the kind of film you like to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Call Me by Your Name</b> – This one I think I would like to go back and re-visit while sitting down. It was set in a beautiful place, a village in Italy, and from what I saw, I liked the characters, but I was just exhausted and not feeling very good either, so I did not stay for the whole thing. But I heard really good things about it, and everyone else liked it a lot. You will want to book tickets to Italy after seeing it, though, so take that into consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19qOVv_-UARwIVTzUWuLEz2N17ujeLVDDagDdh6wb33xhL3MmvSzIUSJZtpe4ytZmpxxnqafxoKVJ3NOkp8FCjeXsRvFQTvaOhmkkuFeJPidSFfha4_FnJPq5H1pL4Eal3FvzZvNI46DN/s1600/Sundance+2017.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19qOVv_-UARwIVTzUWuLEz2N17ujeLVDDagDdh6wb33xhL3MmvSzIUSJZtpe4ytZmpxxnqafxoKVJ3NOkp8FCjeXsRvFQTvaOhmkkuFeJPidSFfha4_FnJPq5H1pL4Eal3FvzZvNI46DN/s400/Sundance+2017.jpeg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">They DO appreciate the volunteers at<br />
Sundance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that was my personal experience. The rest of the information was gleaned from comments by others who had seen these films. You will notice, if you have the guide, that there are many, many films about which I learned nothing whatsoever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One film that no one seemed to like was “Where is Kyra?” “Landline” and “Rememory” got very mixed comments. Some really did not like either; others said they were fine. “Manifesto” was just strange by all reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Same as last year, I only heard good things about the various documentaries, so go see anything whose subject interests you. An odd one that had lots of good things said about it was “78/52” which is about the shower scene in the movie Psycho. I also heard that “Dolores” was especially good. “Water & Power” was educational but too long people said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone was said to have emerged crying from the showing of “Cries from Syria” but people said that “Last Men in Aleppo” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& “City of Ghosts” left you with some hope at the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some fiction films that people generally liked were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Hero<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (the major award winner)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ingrid Goes West<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To The Bone<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>God’s Own Country<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Menashe</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some films that I hope I can see later include<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Beatriz at Dinner<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Big Sick<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Incredible Jessica James<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Mudbound<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wind River<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>An Inconvienient Sequel</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Discovery</b> has Robert Redford in the cast but I heard nothing whatsoever about it one way or another!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BTW I really liked the trailer this year which was shown before each film. It's called "Following the Light" and you can find it in the Sundance Film Festival channel on YouTube.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope this was useful information for you.</span></div>
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Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-20762451887654986942017-01-23T18:29:00.001-08:002017-02-02T16:20:05.159-08:00Time to write to the new man in Washington again<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMUQUy_KX1N1w11F_KGtPi8mIm031ZqlZxQ49E5BByG7GlzeAkdIUPUWiZqeZtjM01AeCKl9ThoU4RhEa53COZmH3fKrTtEjpbiVNNBeeYyfQUIb4-PsiA4faBe-u6jzJ2bWqRBTZheWS/s1600/US1934151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMUQUy_KX1N1w11F_KGtPi8mIm031ZqlZxQ49E5BByG7GlzeAkdIUPUWiZqeZtjM01AeCKl9ThoU4RhEa53COZmH3fKrTtEjpbiVNNBeeYyfQUIb4-PsiA4faBe-u6jzJ2bWqRBTZheWS/s400/US1934151.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will there end up being a candidate for a new face on the mountain?<br />
Well they wouldn't put up a new one anyway, no matter what.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh so much material to work with and so little time! What should I write about next?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know that many people are taking up the gauntlet about health care so I decided to let that one go for the moment although the idea is rich with things I could and should say. I'll get to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was thinking about what he said about the forgotten men and women who will now be heard. Well that's good, but there is another really large group of people whose lives are very directly affected by federal policy who are almost totally voiceless. I'm talking about employees of the federal government.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You'll read my actual letter soon, but in case you don't already know, most federal employees are doing work they love on behalf of people they care about for pay that is generally less than can be had in the private sector. Being a federal employee can be incredibly satisfying work. But that work can be made miserable with the stroke of a pen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shutting down the government, for example. Lets hope we've seen that last of that super bad idea. The point I make in the letter is that the work people need to do does not actually stop just because people aren't paid to do it or are required to do it under miserable circumstances. When you work in health care, the patients and their needs don't go away. You, the health care worker, just have to perform more work with fewer resources and help. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They don't decrease the amount of airplanes taking off and landing just because there are fewer air traffic controllers. No, the controllers just have to work longer hours and more days. Is that a good recipe for safety? Weather doesn't stop, but probably there are fewer meteorologists to measure it, interpret it and warn us about it. I could go on and on and on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to news report, the federal workforce is already at an all time low. This move is just playing politics. Trouble is, it can and will affect real people doing real work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, don't take out your ire on federal employees who want little more than to do their jobs. If you want a smaller federal government, look to take away tasks to be done not people to do the tasks. Only trouble is, all the low hanging fruit is pretty well gone. I really don't have any good ideas of what business the federal government needs to be out of. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTpOTUZbfiA0tOPDHjaeSjXJKv3YHy-wvBc-m9_Z5j1GdHK6w8xzDtxAhhzzT9tAqregruB2tamHX4qKvZvm6dW2NMd_IDKjq8SwVW_bUWmFuG_GRXFEn1XgsswK9-K18-4TwoIL-aWPJ/s1600/US1934160.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTpOTUZbfiA0tOPDHjaeSjXJKv3YHy-wvBc-m9_Z5j1GdHK6w8xzDtxAhhzzT9tAqregruB2tamHX4qKvZvm6dW2NMd_IDKjq8SwVW_bUWmFuG_GRXFEn1XgsswK9-K18-4TwoIL-aWPJ/s400/US1934160.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank heavens this stays. It's now cared for by the National Park Service.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Mr.
Trump,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh there
are so many things I would like to say to you this week! I’ll limit myself to
just a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, I
was personally offended by your “tweet” that assumed that the people who
marched all over the world the day after the inauguration had not voted.
Certainly people in other countries who can’t vote in our elections had not,
but I and (I am sure) most of my marching peers had. We just had voted for Mrs.
Clinton (or perhaps someone else) not you. Recall that you DID lose the popular
vote in the US by millions. That’s a simple fact, a real fact, a well-known
fact, an indisputable fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyqpXoZfaqHa9wbbowt8_sPB_hRdhy97KTmGRZ_ixE3DoYdn7jTwD9q7leQ78CJj2ITrq2TfF6pWITe_IhhA6Dtyq3nQ6itAE5k-u5HlTn-janVjtvNeQMPmgg0iC0yveJgx170CeL0hb/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyqpXoZfaqHa9wbbowt8_sPB_hRdhy97KTmGRZ_ixE3DoYdn7jTwD9q7leQ78CJj2ITrq2TfF6pWITe_IhhA6Dtyq3nQ6itAE5k-u5HlTn-janVjtvNeQMPmgg0iC0yveJgx170CeL0hb/s400/IMG_0766.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of my hats. I made several and gave them away.<br />
the color is actually much brighter than in the picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am a pink
hat wearing, independent thinking VOTER. I’m not registered with any party. I
do not vote in primary elections because I do not want to belong to any party.
I always decide for myself whom to vote for based on my own values and
analysis. This year you, Mr. Trump, could not have persuaded me to vote for you
in a million years. But let me reiterate – I DID VOTE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That said,
I think your choice of Dr. Heather Wilson to lead the Air Force is a good one.
She has been leading our South Dakota School of Mines for fours years now and
is very qualified for her new job. We will miss her in South Dakota, but trust
that her national service will be good for the whole country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, I
would like to comment upon the federal hiring freeze you imposed today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You say you
did this because you want to “reign in the size of the federal government.” A
hiring freeze will not be able to accomplish this. The only way you can
accomplish reducing the size of the government is having the government do less
work than now, not by asking hard workers to work even harder to accomplish the
same amount of work with fewer resources (fewer colleagues and co-workers.) A
hiring freeze is totally counterproductive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please do
not forget that MOST federal employees are low level workers in their various
professionals and vocations, not high level “bureaucrats” based in offices in
and around Washington. Most federal employees are not your “swamp dwellers” as
you seem to think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You employ
quite a large number of nurses, for example, as well as hospital personnel of
all kinds …. people who clean, food service people, physicians, technicians
& therapists of all kinds, clerks, maintenance people, social workers, etc.,
etc. … in your various federal hospitals and clinics, especially the VA, but
also smaller agencies like Indian Health Service and as civilians working for
the armed services. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to
be one of those nurses. My former nursing students, from when I taught nursing,
wanted to serve our country by caring for our veterans or native people or
military personnel. But I left federal employment because of intolerable
working conditions, and I advised my students to be on the lookout for the same
if they decided upon working for the federal government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When a
person work for the federal government, that person’s life work, about which they
are often passionate, can be made miserable at the whim of politicians for
political reasons only as you are doing right now with this hiring freeze. That
is not a plan for finding and keeping a talented work force to do important
things like care for our veterans who deserve our nation’s care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The work
all the members of the heath care team (e.g. with the VA) need to perform will
not diminish. Demand for care will stay the same (or perhaps increase because
now is infectious disease time of the year.) When vacancies cannot be filed, the
work will need to be done by fewer people, overworked people, people who think
their president doesn’t care at all about them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You do know
that federal employees are not allowed, by law, to speak to policy makers about
anything at all that might affect their jobs. That’s a good law, but it means
that the people you will never hear from regarding how your actions affect
their lives are federal employees. Talk about your unheard from women and men.
It’s up to people like me to be their voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have
set yourself up for understandable resignations among the ranks of all kinds of
workers. Most of these workers can pretty easily find jobs in the civilian
sector. Overworked and exhausted health care workers are not good workers to
begin with. Overworked and exhausted health care workers quit their jobs
because the can only take so much. That means you have even fewer workers to
meet the same demand for services. This is NOT the way to “fix” the problems
within the VA or any other agency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m
speaking about heath care workers because I have personal experience with being
a federally employed nurse. But I think you can easily substitute nearly any
other kind of federal worker. Do you want overworked and exhausted air traffic
controllers? Border patrol agents? Meteorologists? Park rangers? FBI agents?
People who process Social Security applications? TSA screeners? How many
vacancies did you inherit in the Secret Service? What will you do if more
happen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A hiring
freeze makes for good publicity, but is NOT good policy. The longer it lasts,
the worse things will be on the ground across all agencies. Eventually you will
lift this silly ban. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggest you do it
sooner rather than later. You can do it quietly if you want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m looking
forward to the next time I have the opportunity to write to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-6501719627074832572017-01-17T16:40:00.002-08:002017-01-23T18:29:39.981-08:00The Blue Lady Travels in the Red Lands. She visits Two Small Cities in Arizona<br />
<a href="http://winslowarizona.org/" target="_blank">Winslow Arizona</a> .... I know <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eagles/takeiteasy.html" target="_blank">the song</a>, of course, but I had never been aware that standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona is something that people actually do. Someone mentioned it to me when I said I was going there. "Nothing much to do there except stand on the corner." What?<br />
<br />
Well there is a corner with statues, and it's even <a href="http://standinonthecorner.com/" target="_blank">"official."</a> You can go there. And stand. On the corner. And have a picture taken. And stand there some more. Now isn't that thrilling? We, as a people, are easily pleased quite often.<br />
<br />
I got into town at the end of a long day. I noticed that out on the highway were the Safeway, Walmart, etc. etc. The town was mostly south of the highway. I did not find the town to be very impressive. I didn't see anything that would make me think living there would be a good idea. Corner standing will only get you so far.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I slept very well in this comfy bed after a long tiring day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But visiting there again, that's another story. First of all, I stayed at a lovely B&B, <a href="http://www.violetrosebednbreakfast.com/" target="_blank">Violet Rose Inn</a>. It's the whole first floor of a little Victorian style house. You get a sitting room, dining room, bedroom & large bath. There are several beds so it would be a good place to stay with a family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of space.<br />
Lots of Victoriana,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The place was decorated with all Victorian antiques and stuff all over the place. I found all the little things really interesting, but I imagine many men would find it all over the top and way too much. But it was a really good place to rest up after a long days' drive. I loved the comfy bed and went right to sleep when I had settled in.<br />
<br />
BUT if I were to go back, I would stay next time at <a href="http://laposada.org/" target="_blank">La Posada Hotel.</a> This is a destination hotel. It's one the very last Harvey railroad hotels. It's still right beside the railroad tracks. The property is gorgeous, having been lovingly restored and updated. There is a beautiful garden, art all over the place, a really nice store and a great restaurant, the Turquoise Room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3FzsKc0MIPbTwSaflbEnVNSVev_XOinzBVEp-CYy8Z35tu7nT9nX0SCmhvwIynkbHpLzuAczZBr8W3-Taa7LT5vo7DS58q0yA_dEwsfQg9A9WTOQ-SIuB90dIeoVBQLWZRHgh6VrPwUu/s1600/fullsizeoutput_319.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3FzsKc0MIPbTwSaflbEnVNSVev_XOinzBVEp-CYy8Z35tu7nT9nX0SCmhvwIynkbHpLzuAczZBr8W3-Taa7LT5vo7DS58q0yA_dEwsfQg9A9WTOQ-SIuB90dIeoVBQLWZRHgh6VrPwUu/s400/fullsizeoutput_319.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time in the Turquoise Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was at the Turquoise Room that I had my best meal of the whole trip (lamb) and a lovely "adventure" in meeting new people.<br />
<br />
I was seated alone when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Harvey_Company#Harvey_Girls" target="_blank">the Harvey Girl </a>came over and asked me if I would care to join the couple at the table right next to me. They would be delighted to have the company. So I did. (We all paid for ourselves.) We spent the rest of the evening eating and talking together. We did not mention politics. A good time was had by all.<br />
<br />
They were a retired couple who was doing some traveling. The wife came from Kansas and had grown up across the street from the Fred Harvey family home. The company was something she had always been interested in. Now the couple was on a bit of a bucket list trip, staying in all the remaining Fred Harvey hotels &/or eating in the remaining restaurants. She said there were a lot of people who did this. Apparently it's a thing. Their next stop after La Posada was going to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Tovar_Hotel" target="_blank">El Tovar at Grand Canyon</a>. I couldn't help but think that there was a real good idea. I would find that interesting too. Something to think about.<br />
<br />
But I need to back up a bit. The first city I stayed in in Arizona was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prescott,_Arizona" target="_blank">Prescott</a>. I put this last in my narrative because I have to say, it was my favorite.<br />
<br />
Prescott is actually a bit difficult to get to because it is not directly on any large highways. It's in the vicinity of Flagstaff and Sedona but not right close to either. That pesky landmark, the Grand Canyon, is in the way of you being able to get there directly when you are coming from the north. You have to drive around the canyon, miles and miles out of the way because there is no road across it. (Imagine that! What an oversight!) I decided to take the route via Las Vegas to the west because a lot of the route is interstate highways. I don't know if that was a "mistake" of not. Let's just say the that day was the most mind-numbing day of the whole trip. I fully believe that as I passed a given mile on highway 93, elves built two more additional miles at the other end. Talk about the endless high-way. That was it.<br />
<br />
But I did get there and was able to find my way to the home of my dear dear friend S. who lives there. That's why I went at all. S. had deliberately chosen to move there a few years ago because she thought it was a great place to live. I wanted to see her again and to see what was up with her new home that was so much better than Utah.<br />
<br />
Part of the draw for S. is family. Her family does not actually live there, but it's easier to get to them from Prescott than from SLC. That's always important. And for me, it's the main reason why I am pretty sure it's not the place for me. Just too far from people and things that are meaningful to me.<br />
<br />
But I think S. is correct. Prescott is a great place to live and/or <a href="http://www.greatplacestoretire.com/prescott.php?gclid=CLbH8sDzutECFYF-fgodU4ACaA" target="_blank">retire</a>. It shows up on more than one <a href="http://www.sunset.com/travel/outdoor-adventure/top-10-dream-towns?iid=sr-link10" target="_blank">magazine "dream town" </a>list. <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/1851801/outside-university-top-40" target="_blank">Prescott College</a> is a small college with a big draw because of its emphasis on outdoor education of all kinds.<br />
<br />
Not unlike Farmington NM, all the modern, practical stuff is there, all strung out to the east on highway 69. The downtown, however, has been very well preserved and even developed within the historical context. There is a courthouse square in the center with al kinds of shops, restaurants and businesses surrounding it on all sides.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall art fair at the Courthouse Square in Prescott</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was some kind of autumn art fair going on when I was there, but then Prescott puts on fairs and events all year long. There's a really big one at Christmas with a parade and all.<br />
<br />
S. & I had a snack at <a href="https://www.prescottbrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">the downtown brewpub</a>, Prescott Brewing Company and later high tea at an <a href="https://www.englishgardentearoom.com/" target="_blank">English tearoom.</a> There are yarn shops in town, but for various reasons we did not get to any. Too bad. I really would have liked some souvenir yarn.<br />
<br />
Prescott is located in a beautiful mountain setting. It has nice, affordable housing. S. had no trouble finding a friendly community when she moved there. I just liked everything that I saw there. Go. See it for yourself! But take more pictures than I did. I was too busy enjoying myself the whole time to stop and record it all.Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553511043519458746.post-32336298290850164672017-01-11T11:10:00.000-08:002017-01-17T16:41:25.001-08:00The Blue Lady Decides to Enter into Correspondence with Some Red People<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXjI8LoDPt_MvDXKy9t-My_8JZtgal3zcHHTBuTSoH5GWA3s8LNy8abG7Aud1HuSBeE_njG-2BL8k1Tfrqn5jfvrwdjj1ajxENkX2Rolb1nYA6ehkT2gbQWzWOcmz2wactIN8bkBtAjU3/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXjI8LoDPt_MvDXKy9t-My_8JZtgal3zcHHTBuTSoH5GWA3s8LNy8abG7Aud1HuSBeE_njG-2BL8k1Tfrqn5jfvrwdjj1ajxENkX2Rolb1nYA6ehkT2gbQWzWOcmz2wactIN8bkBtAjU3/s400/IMG_1444.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking the long view. Drop by drop, gust by gust,<br />
just water and wind make great changes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The big change is approaching. I listened last night to <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/farewell" target="_blank">President Obama in Chicago</a> and came away both inspired and hopeful. He does that to me.<br />
<br />
I decided that I have to start doing some things as a citizen or I will just go crazy. I can't possible run for office or get involved in actual politics myself. That's just not me, and even trying would make my life very very unhappy. So what can I do?<br />
<br />
I can start by writing. I'm a writer. I can write. Writing lasts. Writing is powerful. Writing makes a difference.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
It's now my intention to enter into regular correspondence with the upcoming president, with copies sent to my 3 Congressional people so save some time. I intend to be brief, polite and to the point. No personal recriminations. If something good happens, I'll write about that. However, I have a feeling I will mostly be writing about things upon which he and I disagree.<br />
<br />
So, here's my first letter.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. Trump,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to begin by saying I did not vote for you, and I was
very unhappy when you were elected. However, you are going to become the
president of the United States and as such you will be making policy that will
affect me and will be speaking on my behalf to the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have decided to take the advice of President Obama and not
retreat into passive behavior, just watching what unfolds without at least making
some effort, as a citizen, to make my true voice heard. It is my intention now
to let you know on a regular basis my opinion on various subjects relevant to
policies, practices, laws, and attitudes of the government of the United
States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will not burden your administrative assistants with
excessive rhetoric; I imagine they will be the only ones who will actually read
what I write. But I do think it is accurate that my letters, especially ones
written on paper, will be archived and become part of the public record.
Someday scholars and other writers will be able to say how many of us did write
to you to tell you their opinions, and how many of us agreed or disagreed with
your policies, ideas and practices, and whether or not that made any difference
to you or other people in government. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is not my intention to oppose everything you might do in
advance just because you are the one who did / said whatever. I will tell you
when I agree with or like something you have said or done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will also keep to one subject per letter, so as not to get
issues confused and mixed up. So with this my first letter I would like to take
up the topic of global climate change which I think is the single most
important issue facing the entire world right now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Global climate change is a real thing. It’s already happening
although scientists, who are used to speaking with an abundance of caution,
will only say that after the fact, years from now probably. You know about it
yourself because of what is happening to your golf course near Miami. The
climate doesn’t care what anyone “believes” about it. Belief is irrelevant.
There is consensus among scientists, very smart, educated people who know what
they are doing and who have no political agenda except towards discovering
knowledge which is accurate and can be trusted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have hedged at times about whether or not you “believe”
in climate change. I think that you actually know that it is a thing to worry
about. So please do worry about and then use the power of your office to do
something intended to reverse or mitigate what is happening. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are any number of actions you could take. I’ll leave
details to the experts. But please become brave and strong and do as many
different things as possible to help keep this planet a livable place for all
our grandchildren and their grandchildren. Future generations will have nothing
good to say about our selfish behavior if we don’t at least try.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you very much for your attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Sincerely<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VltcFctb8p0a3J3ltve3UVBdTukW_FCoUdWIhkqQVhtbhpw1FoHNlfdwtiSGc5QA5AhXzSslDcbOY9f9D_8hdHhVKiTS_ivsInImcHRXaWSrCD51ta3UGODdbwTI2-icgq3t8wH63DJt/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VltcFctb8p0a3J3ltve3UVBdTukW_FCoUdWIhkqQVhtbhpw1FoHNlfdwtiSGc5QA5AhXzSslDcbOY9f9D_8hdHhVKiTS_ivsInImcHRXaWSrCD51ta3UGODdbwTI2-icgq3t8wH63DJt/s400/IMG_0453.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm just one person who intends to be prickly, but I don't feel alone at all.<br />
Making a way through the red lands can be surprisingly difficult.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Doshinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06648972819760711266noreply@blogger.com1