tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50459194989197559352024-03-08T12:29:07.048-08:00Off The Grid LivingThe journey of learning to live a simple life off the grid in a very small home!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-67691316704295601382013-03-23T17:55:00.002-07:002013-03-23T17:55:31.439-07:00Road Trip with stop at Valley of Fire State ParkIt was time to make my annual visit to the Dr. in Salt Lake City the vascular surgeon for a check of my carotid artery following my stroke of a couple years ago. So the plan was to leave the camper in Kingman and make the 500 mile drive up to Salt Lake, so I decided since I pretty much had to drive right by Valley of Fire to break the trip up into 2 segments and stop at Valley of Fire and check out a new trail to a section I have been wanting to see. They call it the "Fire Wave" and it resembles the rock coloring in the "Wave" in Arizona another place I want to visit. So my plan was up early and drive to Valley of Fire and spend a couple mid-day hours hiking and taking some pics, then move on towards Salt Lake and spend the night at about the half way point in St. George, Utah.
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For those who really give a shit - the Ultrasound results were fantastic - no change since last year, increased blood flow and no sign of any further restrictions. So Doc says I am doing well, letter off to the USCG and they will be happy to know I shouldn't have any problems and be good until next years check again!
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<b>So up early and awoke to a wonderful sunrise!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2422186169&k=Dh59LqT&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-Dh59LqT/0/L/P3155105Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Then on to the trail to the "Fire Wave"!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2422223234&k=WG87TL7&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-WG87TL7/0/L/P3175186Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Creative trail marker - although this is how I felt on the way back!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2422186162&k=pz9Xfpb&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-pz9Xfpb/0/L/P3175114Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Finally at the "Fire Wave"</b>
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The rock coloration is amazing and worth the .6 mile hike one way to see it. Although I would like to meet the park Ranger that measures these trails, seems further to me!! The color is almost identical to pictures I have seen of the "Wave" in Arizona although that is a bigger formation and you need a special permit to get in they only allow 12 people a day. I have applied like 6 times for a permit, maybe next year!
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I returned back to Kingman from Salt Lake on Thursday and now will be busy finishing up some work for the Lodge and making final travel plans for the long drive to Alaska, plan on leaving Kingman on April 8th and starting North! Hope the weather breaks soon up that way!
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<b>Stay Tuned for the adventurous trip to Alaska!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-8884430677765398932013-03-15T15:50:00.001-07:002013-03-15T15:50:28.473-07:00Grand Canyon - Wednesday March 13th!Finally took the drive from Kingman over to Grand Canyon National Park the South Rim. It was about a 166 mile drive! I guess it would have been worth it, if I had never been there before, but I have been there before and so quite frankly it was a disappointment. It really is just a huge hole in the ground and since it was past March 1st you have to ride the shuttle buses to several of the better viewpoints...and I am not much of a ride the bus type person. So rather than stand in line with all the tourists, I saw what I could see and left.
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It is very difficult to get a decent picture that really shows the expanse of the canyon anyway. Besides, once you have rafted it and seen it from the bottom, you pretty much have been spoiled. Years ago did a raft trip and rode a mule back up from Phantom Ranch and that was a true experience, so looking over a railing at the deep hole, just didn't cut it!
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<b>I did manage a couple pictures so here we go!</b>
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When I left, I decided to stop in Williams at the drive through animal park again to see if I could get some better pictures of the Canadian Lynx and I did, but that is for tomorrow!
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If you have never seen the Grand Canyon and have no desire to raft it or hike or mule ride to the bottom, then I guess the view is worth the trip. However, you can go to Deadhorse Point State Park in Utah and see pretty much the same thing and much less crowded. Or raft through Cataract Canyon or even Labyrinth Canyon and experience the feeling of the depth of the canyons and see just as good of scenery! Of course that is just my biased opinion, but it is my blog, so tough!
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<b>Stay tuned, more tomorrow!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-67400664829631085202013-03-04T13:02:00.001-08:002013-03-04T13:02:13.383-08:00Sunday Road Trip - March 3rd, 2013With all the work on the computer and around the trailer, I was anxious for a good weather day and needed to get out and shoot some pictures, so all day Saturday I worked on planning a Sunday Road Trip. I have been anxious to make a trip to the Grand Canyon and was interested in seeing the western side of the Grand Canyon, since I had never been there yet. But after a couple hours of researching the Skywalk and reading a zillion negative reviews and looking at the entrance fees, I decided that I needed to find somewhere else to go! sadly Saturday evening I got pretty sick, so slept in on Sunday and had to make sure I was feeling good enough to travel and be away from the bathroom long enough to get where I wanted to go. Several weeks ago I have done some research on Williams, AZ and a tourist trap there peaked my interest. It is called Bearizona and is one of those drive through animal parks with quite a selection of animals, so that is where I headed. I was not disappointed although this is the off season and they have a fair amount of construction going on, but the price was reasonable and they have a senior discount and also since the construction was going on, they knocked a couple extra bucks off the entrance fee, which was nice.
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<b>Anyway - on with the pictures! There are quite a few!</b>
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The park consists of a 2 mile drive through various areas with different animals and it is pretty interesting. The animals were pretty close and easy to see. Then after the drive there is a parking lot and an area to walk through which was very nice and they had a "petting zoo" for kids, but great animal viewing in a fairly natural environment.
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<b>It was worth the $20.00 and I would go back and may do so before I head North.</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-75121054308996718032013-02-28T14:35:00.002-08:002013-02-28T14:35:40.412-08:00Weekly Update - A Few ConveniencesI apologize for the delay in posting and updating, however, I have had some minor technical issues. When I upgraded my laptop and tried to install my design suite of software - Adobe Creative Suite CS3. Adobe quite abruptly notified me that I had reached my maximum limit of installs allowed....since the current version was now CS6, I missed the upgrades 4 and 5, due to a number of reasons, primarily financial, since the retail on the current CS6 version is $1,299.00!
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However having good friends in high places can sometimes be beneficial and since I sometimes teach classes using this software I was able to secure a Student Teacher edition at a much reduced cost! YEA! So now I am operating with the latest version of Creative Suite and finally able to get back to work on some projects I have had to put on hold and also now have the ability to process some recent photos to make the blog interesting.
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So without further ado, I will focus on yesterdays activities. Living in a very small confined space has it's own limitations and you quickly realize that everything has a place and must be kept there. I have had several items that I have needed to make my life easier and yesterday was the day to purchase a few small incidental items which will help me be more comfortable in my small space.
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The first item was a window shade for my front door. This doesn't sound like a huge deal, but where I am currently staying the door faces east and I get the bright morning Arizona sun beaming in my door window. The window is frosted so I don't get to enjoy the view, but only have the harsh bright light to deal with. Which is nice in some ways for warmth and such, but when trying to get work done on the computer it is quite annoying. So I installed a nice window shade that cuts the light down perfectly! It was somewhat an engineering nightmare since I wanted to retain access to the door and the door has a screen door on the inside, so I mounted it above the door and need only to raise the blind when I go in and out.
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<b>Here is a pic. This isn't an item of convenience as much as making my workspace more comfortable.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386768166&k=6Qbw9bV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-6Qbw9bV/0/L/P2284369Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Next - I use the plastic grocery bags as trash bags most of the time, with no real room for a "trash can". floor space is a premium, so a grocery bag hung up on a cabinet door knob above the dinette is the easiest. Well trying to store the supply of grocery bags was an issue, since getting the trailer I have been stuffing them in a cabinet where I store my pots and pans and some other supplies, it has worked fine, however, when I need something from that cabinet, I generally have to move a ton of bags out of my way to get what I need...a pain in the ass!
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Yesterday at Wal-Mart I discovered an inexpensive solution. Made specifically for grocery bags. So $3.59 cents later it was in the cart and on the way home. I mounted it in an unused wall space next to the galley and it works perfectly.
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<b>Amazing how something so simple can remove so much clutter and make things easier!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386767848&k=q7qjGCP&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-q7qjGCP/0/L/P2284370Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386768342&k=Rf8xkcj&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-Rf8xkcj/0/L/P2284371Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Kitchen Knives - I love my kitchen knives and have struggled since moving into the camper to find a place for my huge "block" of knives, you know the one, a wooden block with slots to store a set of knives on the counter. This did not work well in a mobile environment. So again while shopping I saw what seemed to be a perfect solution. Another $5.00 dollar or so item, designed specifically for an RV. I mounted it on the door to the cabinet under the sink and now have easy access to my knives and they will travel well there as well!
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<b>Great simple solution for kitchen knife storage!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386770607&k=VCXZpjV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-VCXZpjV/0/L/P2284374Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Dish Drainer - Most people use one daily and I have struggled without one for nearly a year! I could never find one small enough for the camper sink. Well yesterday I did and it fits perfectly...another less than $10.00 item that will make things so much easier. It will even fit down inside the second sink and can be used while on the move! Right now I have it sitting on the insert counter top for the second sink which I use when stationary although, if I can find a suitable place to store the inserts for the sinks I may move it down into the sink itself for better draining of the wet dishes.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386770138&k=cLsQmNn&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-cLsQmNn/0/L/P2284372Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now a few pics...first a wonderful Arizona Sunrises!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386762055&k=RSmqqwd&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-RSmqqwd/0/L/P2214343Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And some of the snowy weather I have experienced the past few days!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386763026&k=QkZZHgk&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-QkZZHgk/0/L/P2204316Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And finally an old water tower from a Ghost Town I discovered!<b></b></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386761018&k=BwHN3fw&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-BwHN3fw/0/L/P2264364Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And finally a little map I made of the States I have visited since going full time in the RV!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2386768519&k=kbHgTfx&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-kbHgTfx/0/L/States%20Visited%20Map%20with%20RV-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Stay tuned for more updates now that I am software upgraded!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-40166137859984000472013-02-17T15:46:00.000-08:002013-02-17T15:46:28.875-08:00February 17th - Road Trip to the "Desert Bar"Several weeks ago on an RV Forum I participate in had a reference to a bar in the middle of the desert, off the grid and a great place to visit. I looked it up online and realized it was not that far from where I am currently camped for the winter, so I started watching the website and Facebook page for when they would be open and if there were any special activities planned.
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Well yesterday was the day I was waiting for. They have an annual event which kind of kicks of their Spring season. They call it the Desert Dash and it is a 5K run, walk, bike, crawl from a location not far off the main highway and down the 5 mile dirt road that leads to the bar. The term road is used loosely, it resembles a road in that it is sometimes wide enough for two cars to pass each other and it has been graded at some point in time. However, I saw two people in standard automobiles changing tires along the way. It is rough and can easily damage a normal car tire. There were a couple times I was worried about my 10 ply All Terrain tires on my truck. I didn't need 4 wheel drive except at one point when I moved off the road to allow a regular passenger car to pass coming the other way hogging the middle of the "road"!
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For me it was about a 100 miles each way with the last 6 miles on the dirt road...it was an adventure to say the least and great fun!
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<b>History of the Desert Bar</b>
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Ken Coughlin, founder of this saloon, built the Desert Bar at the site of an old copper mining camp in 1975. Although all remnants of the original camp are gone, its spirit lives; its parking lot is located directly on the site where the mining camp once stood. At first, the saloon was a three-sided enclosed room, not much bigger than a small storage shed. Today, while maintaining its Old West character, Coughlin has expanded it substantially.
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The bar has a website and you can see it <b>HERE!<a href="http://www.thedesertbar.com/"></a></b>
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Some more good reading and history <b>HERE!<a href="http://www.golakehavasu.com/activities/off-road/desertbar.aspx?print=1"></a></b>
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Parker Arizona Rotary Presents the 20th Annual Buckskin Mountain Desert Dash. This is a 5 mile mountain bike-5K run - 5K fitness walk out to the Nellie E Saloon aka The Desert Bar. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT the course runs through the Buckskin Mountains. The course is a graded road. This course lends itself not to a race but to a test of determination and adaptability. Vehicles will be parked at the registration area or continue to the Nellie E. Saloon finish line. THE COURSE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL NON-AUTHORIZED TRAFFIC FROM 9:45 AM TO 11:00 AM. Since this is the only route, vehicles must be off the course by the 9:45 AM closure. Transportation will not be provided from the Nellie E Saloon finish line back to the parking (start) area.
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Needless to say, I took some pictures around the bar and the desert to and from!
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<b>First thing I did was check the morning sky for any bad weather headed my way...clear as a bell and beautiful!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369217409&k=xGdgPpL&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-xGdgPpL/0/L/P2144172Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>A cactus along the road.<b></b></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369226184&k=qWXh3CJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-qWXh3CJ/0/L/P2144187Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now for some scenes around the bar and party after the Desert Dash!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369226194&k=vDzD4CL&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-vDzD4CL/0/L/P2164223Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369245041&k=dz5QFqQ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-dz5QFqQ/1/L/P2164225Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369237591&k=x3pXLtW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-x3pXLtW/0/L/P2164248Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369239160&k=SFXSqNm&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-SFXSqNm/0/L/P2164251Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369245646&k=jX46QRf&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-jX46QRf/0/L/P2164282Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369247158&k=3r68KW3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-3r68KW3/0/L/P2164281Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369251660&k=N8bkwdJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-N8bkwdJ/0/L/P2164292Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2369252284&k=mkZxdDr&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-mkZxdDr/0/L/P2164310Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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It was a great road trip and a fun time. If you are ever in Northern Arizona during the winter you must plan on a trip out to this place on a weekend as that is the only time it is open.
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On another note - I have put a link to my latest publication - <b>"Seasons in The Mist"</b> about my last 6 seasons guiding in Alaska! The link is in the upper right corner of this blog or <b><a href="http://www.blurb.com/b/4068801-seasons-in-the-mist?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=140x240">HERE!</a></b> Feel free to preview it and order one if you are so inclined. It is published in a magazine format!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-80307052289868779732013-01-29T16:30:00.003-08:002013-01-29T16:30:57.049-08:00Little things are important - and some pics - January 29th, 2013I will start out with a couple pictures then we will get into the a little thing I have missed while in the RV.
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I took a drive to a State Park close to the campground and it was pretty lame, but did manage to get up close and personal with a nice small buck. I was only about 15 feet from this guy and he showed no fear! Amazing.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342250383&k=C7rjS3B&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-C7rjS3B/0/L/P1253679Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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And another
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2336176131&k=2FKhvdH&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-2FKhvdH/0/L/P1253681Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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I have been seeing a nice Red tail hawk along the highway near the campground and today I had the camera and stopped to take a pic. I hate that he is on a electric pole rather than a tree, but you take what you can get!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342207931&k=tT3hd9G&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-tT3hd9G/0/L/P1293710Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342209251&k=fMgxQmR&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-fMgxQmR/0/L/P1293715Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Now for the little things that are important and something I have really missed. I really love poached eggs and have missed them here in the camper, I had a little one egg poacher and I lost the lid, plus I never really liked it because I usually want two and by the time the second one was done the first was cold. I love them on toast and also on corned beef hash or roast beef hash or as eggs Benedict. My mother used to just dump the egg in boiling water and swirled it around, but I never perfected that method and always ended up with a mess.
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So the other day I did some research and found some silicone egg cups you put in boiling water, well they seemed perfect for the camper, take up almost no space and easy to use. So I ordered two and tried them out this morning when they arrived.
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Real simple and a great idea...why didn't I think of this???
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342205944&k=HJhfSzj&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-HJhfSzj/0/L/P1293724Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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I just put some water on to boil and buttered up the cup and dropped in the egg while waiting for the water to boil.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342211149&k=v4wsGnP&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-v4wsGnP/0/L/P1293727Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Once the water was boiling put the cups in the water, turned down the flame and put a lid on and cooked for 4 minutes.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342212151&k=9nF8qWD&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-9nF8qWD/0/L/P1293728Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342213647&k=2hfzj4s&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-2hfzj4s/0/L/P1293729Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>A great breakfast!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2342217111&k=tdhb53h&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-tdhb53h/0/L/P1293730Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-67579426275331549712013-01-26T18:47:00.002-08:002013-01-26T18:47:46.652-08:00The Best of 2012 and 2013I decided to put a new gallery together while entering some photo contests and used the gallery to create a new slideshow of what I feel are some of my best photos over the past 18 months or so.
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<b>Sit back and enjoy the show! In no particular order</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-89228264715022115102013-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:002013-01-24T14:18:28.526-08:00Yesterday January 23rd - 150 miles for nothing!Yesterday I decided that an early rise and some exploring was in order, time to see some of the sights around here.
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I woke before the sun rose and just as I was preparing my coffee I glanced at the frosted window of the door to the camper and was struck by very vivid colors of the sun rising, so I peeked outside, turned and grabbed my camera and went out to capture this!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2332724105&k=MGXJkj3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-MGXJkj3/0/L/P1233648Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2332724831&k=9BQ6G5Z&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-9BQ6G5Z/0/L/P1233639Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Figuring now it had to be a great day to explore, I looked at the map and decided a little circle trip back RT 66 was just the order for the day. Hoping to find some interesting old buildings and scenery to photograph. Well let's just say, I drove 150 miles and had a hard time finding anything to shoot, ended up with about 12 or 13 photos...a lesson learned and now I don't need to go there again.
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<b>Here is what I found!!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2333717251&k=RWw6wjM&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-RWw6wjM/0/L/P1233658Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2333717994&k=SxJQwPN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-SxJQwPN/0/L/P1233656Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>One of the more interesting things was several Burma Shave signs still kept up and looking good! Brought back memories for sure!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2333718238&k=mn9VKfk&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-mn9VKfk/0/L/P1233651Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>I did some more research today and plan on another hopefully more productive outing tomorrow!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-1121657178574461072013-01-21T08:52:00.002-08:002013-01-21T08:52:20.506-08:00Trying Times - But fun! Weekly Udate 1-21-13I left Moab, Utah on the 8th of January with predictions of -25 degree weather, some people have suggested that my winter plans and location were not the best choice and I would have to agree. I spent over two weeks in Moab suffering through below zero weather, dealing with frozen water pipes in the camper, frozen waste tanks and downright cold weather. I can report that the little oil filled electric heater in the camper kept me pretty warm even on the coldest night, so that was good. But I can also report that a camper is not the most comfortable place in weather like that, outside was pretty much off limits and just dealing with the frozen waste tanks was a huge ordeal which required some creative thinking on getting them thawed out so they could be emptied.
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I also discovered what happens when the grey water tank is frozen and full. The lowest "drain" in the grey water system is the shower and once the tank is full everything drains into the shower...the shower will hold quite a bit of water and had I not been using it for storage, it would not have been a big deal, but when I discovered it was full of water and removed what had been stored there. A bag full of external hard drives for my computer was a loss. I managed to recover a few of them, but lost two large ones. Happily they were "empty", I had purchased a very large external drive and had emptied all the smaller drives onto it. But a couple hundred dollars worth of hard drives were ruined and made their way to the trash.
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So when I saw the prediction of negative 25 degrees it was time to head further South. As it turns out my choice of Kingman AZ was a good one, although when I arrived the weather which was going to affect Moab also arrived in Kingman, being further South it wasn't nearly as bad, but I did experience sub-zero weather, but warmer sunny days to deal with frozen waste tanks and frozen water supply line etc. Much more manageable.
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The primary reason I chose Kingman was a wonderful in-expensive campground and it was close to an upcoming Balloon Festival in Lake Havasu City this past weekend, but there was one more trauma to deal with before that!
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I live with my computer, it is as much a part of my life as my cameras. I use it in my photography, for work for the Lodge, ever important email, accounting software and online banking and bill paying. It is probably the top asset in my humble abode.
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Tuesday Morning January 15th, I awoke and put the water on for coffee and as always opened up the laptop to retrieve email and read the news. Well the computer would start up and run, but nothing could be seen - not the Blue Screen of Death, but rather the black screen of nothing. So I set about to try and solve the problem. Quickly realized the hard drive was operating but the visual part was not working. For those who are familiar with laptops the visual part if built in to the motherboard. So packed up the computer and found a repair place in Kingman, there is really only one, but good people. Bits & Bytes! They ran the usual checks and sure enough the motherboard wad "fried" and I proceeded to shop for a new laptop. The choices in Kingman were not that abundant...Wal-Mart, Staples and the place I took my computer to be analyzed. They had the best offering albeit a touch more than I wanted to spend, but manageable. So on Thursday morning after two days without a computer, getting money transferred etc...I picked up a bright and shiny new laptop. Then the trials of getting everything transferred to the new computer from the old.
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I was fortunate here in that I store 90% of my crap on an external drive and I am fairly religious about backing up and copying files to the external drive, but not everything. But, you might remember that the hard drive was functioning, so I removed the hard drive from the old laptop and just so happened to have an external USB case which would hold the drive...remember the flooded shower, it was one of those drive cases. Put the drive in the case and magically everything from my old computer was available to transfer to the new one. I was happy again!
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So I spent all day Thursday, well into the evening, digging through an office box I had stored in the front of he trailer with all my software etc. and proceeded to get everything installed and files transferred. I was operational with email and accounting by the end of the day.
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My original plans of going to the Balloon Festival on Friday the 18th was still a reality, so off I went for the 1.5 hour drive to Lake Havasu. I arrived and found it to be little more than a glorified County Fair - with rides, food court, dog show, old hot rods and a huge field with 10 or 15 little trailers with balloon stuff, but no balloons up and inflated. Seems it was too windy...disappointed I spent the day wandering aimlessly waiting for the scheduled 3:30 launch. I mingled with the Balloon folks and they all said it was still too windy and they would not be dragging the balloons out to only not be able to fly. But I had a recovery plan, so I headed back to the truck and made plans to drive to an old Ghost Town / Tourist Trap called Oatman, AZ. So off I went, filled the gas tank and took off for the hour long drive, it was a slight detour from a direct path back to the campground, but "on the way" in a circuitous sort of way.
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I know most people come here to see my photography and not read a book of all my trials and tribulations, so here are some pictures.
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How windy was it...when i returned to the campground, it was my plan to enjoy a very nice Rib-Eye steak on the grill...but the grill refused to stay lit due to the wind, but I seared it, then finished it on the stove in the camper. It was very good!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327235464&k=t2DTQ3C&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-t2DTQ3C/0/L/P1133194Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now for some pics around the Balloon Festival!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327211741&k=n76Twbh&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-n76Twbh/0/L/P1183540Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327240730&k=8whMkjV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-8whMkjV/0/L/P1183483Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327243347&k=bM8TjdH&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-bM8TjdH/0/L/P1183492Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327244167&k=vXS2Q7H&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-vXS2Q7H/0/L/P1183439Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327235631&k=tKVPpTd&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-tKVPpTd/0/L/P1183419Rev1LoLoLo-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327237233&k=W94tSmQ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-W94tSmQ/0/L/P1183360Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327213348&k=28f6PM3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-28f6PM3/0/L/P1183502Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327214816&k=chgqhGT&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-chgqhGT/0/L/P1183505Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now off towards Oatman!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327216825&k=QSR8kVn&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-QSR8kVn/0/L/P1183558Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327226076&k=Pvh4HQs&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-Pvh4HQs/0/L/P1183573Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327227693&k=V2fkwFL&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-V2fkwFL/0/L/P1183574Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327227997&k=qMknJG9&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-qMknJG9/0/L/P1183570Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327233114&k=mqZZgC8&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-mqZZgC8/0/L/P1183584Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2327231366&k=J855Qxq&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-J855Qxq/0/L/P1183591Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2328729606&k=M9F3tNW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-M9F3tNW/0/L/P1183581Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2328731456&k=mB8w6RF&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-mB8w6RF/0/L/P1183597Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Needless to say, Oatman was a worthy side trip and I will return again when I have more time to explore. By the time I got there, many of the stores were closing and so I didn't get to browse much.
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Upon my return I went to process my photos only to discover that my version of Adobe Creative Suite had run out of installs and could not be used. I had neglected to upgrade over the years, I was on CS3 and they are now on version CS6, I missed 4 and 5. So I downloaded from Adobe the trial version of 6 - took almost 11 hours, then installed it, took another 2 hours. All during this time, Windows 7 needed 154 updates to be current, as well as Quickbooks 2008, and Microsoft Office etc. So most of Saturday and Sunday was spent getting the computer totally up to date. Restarted the computer a zillion times.
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I would have to say that my winter since Pat and I's vacation has been trying to say the least. But all is well now and have great plans for the rest of the winter and next summer.
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<b>Good News:</b>
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Pat has flight reservations to fly in to Las Vegas for Spring Break and will join me here to explore the area, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and Fire Valley State Park are on the agenda!
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She has also planned a trip to Alaska and Denali where I will be this summer, so all that is very good news.
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Still making plans for the huge adventure of driving the truck and trailer to Cantwell Alaska in late April! Should have some great photo ops on that trip.
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Thanks everyone for following along and enjoying my mobile life!
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One other bit of good news - an interior designer called the other day and has a client he is working with who wants 6 of my pictures of Antelope Canyon. So those have been processed and sized properly for 16 X 20 prints. Now to get this deal done and finalized...it will more than pay for the new computer!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Other/My-SmugMug-Site-Files-Do-Not/11027740_KF6Hf3#!i=2316524327&k=VFnNtx6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/photos/i-VFnNtx6/0/S/i-VFnNtx6-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-14859526796157245812013-01-09T10:46:00.000-08:002013-01-09T10:46:00.593-08:00Wednesday January 9th - Brief UpdateDay before yesterday in Moab I heard on the radio a weekend weather forecast and they were predicitng 20-25 degrees below zero for this coming weekend. I had already endured 12 below a couple nights and frozen pipes and holding tanks and I was determined to not go through that any more. So Monday I spent the day researching where to go and getting the trailer ready to travel, anytime it sits for a while, it takes a couple hours to get things stowed away or it ends up all over the place while underway.
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So yesterday first thing in the morning I gassed up the truck and hitched up and motored South out of Moab heading towards Kingman Arizona where I found a very nice campground for a reasonable monthly rate, in fact buy two months the third is free! With nothing else really planned for the winter, I figured why not! Plus it is warmer than Moab by about 40 degrees.
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It was about a 600 mile drive so a long day. South down through Monument Valley then South and west towards Flagstaff then straight West to near Kingman. The RV Resort is right before Kingman off Rt 40. Old Rt 66 passes right by here and I am told there are some interesting old motels and diners, so I am going to take a drive today!
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I didn't arrive until after dark but the office was open and they directed me to my site. Backed in, didn't even unhitch - hooked up electric and cable TV and had a snack and hit the sack.
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This morning I unhitched, filled my water tank and also hooked up to water and dumped my once frozen waste tanks, thankfully they thawed out on the drive down and overnight. Went and took a long pleasant shower in some of the cleanest and nicest RV Showers I have ever been in. 10 foot by 10 foot with a sink, toilet and nice stall shower, just like home!What a nice surprise. The campground is about half full with a nice assortment of rigs, some big ones and some small ones. Grounds are immaculate! So far I am very happy with my choice.
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Got some good news before I left Moab yesterday. Pat, my girlfriend has booked her airline ticket for Spring Break. She will be flying in to Las Vegas and we will do some sightseeing around here! Made me very happy, Pat and I get along well and she loves to travel and doesn't mind the cramped quarters in my little RV. We will see Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon and Fire Valley while she is here, all day trips. Plus we will probably explore Rt 66. She will be here for a week in late March, right before I head North to Alaska! That will be another adventure since I am driving the RV up.
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I couldn't make the drive yesterday without taking a couple pictures. More of the campground later today and maybe a few from my drive around. Oh did I mention my favorite place is right outside the gate - Dunkin Donuts!! Going for a nice coffee for lunch!
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<b>Here are the pics:</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2312171784&k=54GZkvK&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-54GZkvK/0/L/P1083176Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2312170132&k=gtTZLns&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-gtTZLns/0/L/P1083185Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Stay tuned for more details of my new found spot. Going to the Balloon Festival in Lake Havasu City next weekend.
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-87061237928421653082013-01-07T14:51:00.002-08:002013-01-07T14:51:16.930-08:00Changes in the winds!It is amazing what a difference a few days can make. This past week has been very frustrating, constant weather issues with the trailer and I have NOT been a Happy Camper!
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However a few things changed on Friday and it made being here a little more palatable! One my next summers location in Alaska has been finalized! I will be working in Cantwell, Alaska right outside of Denali. I will be running a tour boat up the river there! Sounds like a blast and something totally different. I will be working with this company. <b>www.denaliparkadventures.com</b>
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Check out the video on the Jet boat page!
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So anyway that made my cold weekend much more exciting. I am really looking forward to doing something different this summer, I will miss the daily fishing but will be able to some some good fishing on my days off, which I am looking forward to.
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Fast forward to this week. Still cold and predicted to get even colder by the end of this week, they are talking minus 20! Time to get out of here, so today I am spending getting the trailer ready to travel, buttoning things up and heading south to a place near Kingman Arizona, plan on spending next weekend at the Balloon Festival in Lake Havasu! Should be fun and a great photo opportunity so stay tuned.
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Here are a few pictures from the cold arctic weather in Moab, Utah.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2287774494&k=5cGMkSN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-5cGMkSN/0/L/PC202490Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2305711610&k=TRFNfBc&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-TRFNfBc/0/L/P1043163Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2305710570&k=PkBm4gL&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-PkBm4gL/0/L/P1043154Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2305708796&k=Sw7dQgS&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-Sw7dQgS/0/L/P1043148Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2290566586&k=frmHhpp&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-frmHhpp/0/L/Pano-PC253041-046Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Cactus Pictures and sunshine in a couple days!!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-5946752973323891502012-12-28T08:51:00.001-08:002012-12-28T08:51:50.463-08:00Update - December 28th - Moab, UtahWell, I am not always the smartest individual in the world and last week was a perfect example. Plenty of snow in Salt Lake City, but I was anxious to get to Moab, so Thursday after the winter storms subsided, I headed South. No trouble on the drive down, roads were clear, but it was cold! And I mean cold.
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I arrived in Moab early in the evening, got in a campground, unhitched and turned up the heat and took it easy. That night it went down to 12 below zero...well my little camper is not prepared for that cold of weather and in the morning I discovered my fresh water pipes were frozen, so I spent all day Friday and Saturday opening up access areas to the plumbing and blowing warm air in there with a fan. By the end of the day Saturday I had water running and hot water from the water heater, so all was well.
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I have left the access areas open and a small fan running so no further problems although I am pretty sure my waste tanks are frozen, not quite sure how I am going to deal with that in the short term, but a long term solution will be tank heaters and permanent small fans for the access panels to the water pipes...that will be the project over the next few weeks...
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I am tentatively planning on remaining in Moab for most of the winter, we'll see how that goes, I hope it gets warmer.
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But the past couple days after some pretty serious snow, I have managed a few pictures.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2293384601&k=b9NF532&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-b9NF532/0/L/PC273058Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2293384580&k=P23w4rX&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-P23w4rX/0/L/PC273125Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2293384382&k=pQRJCHm&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-pQRJCHm/0/L/PC273069Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2290566586&k=frmHhpp&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-frmHhpp/0/L/Pano-PC253041-046Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2290563599&k=SfbMcdB&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-SfbMcdB/0/L/PC252869Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2290563078&k=3gqjHS6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-3gqjHS6/0/L/PC252845Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2289915137&k=TPDbpPX&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-TPDbpPX/0/L/PC252974Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And now a little holiday cheer!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/27230725_LWZsrb#!i=2288915411&k=V4DtC7h&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Winter-2012/i-V4DtC7h/0/L/PC242782Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-31117198099206231152012-12-18T14:45:00.000-08:002012-12-18T14:45:00.812-08:00Update December 18th - Snow DelayI arrived back in Salt lake City from Ohio last Wednesday and the plan was to stay here through the weekend and head down to Moab yesterday or today, however...we are under a "Winter Weather Advisory" and I am not real keen on towing a trailer in bad winter weather, so I am staying put for another day or so. It looks as though I should be able to get underway on Thursday or at the latest Friday.
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I figured I would continue to get the trailer squared away and I had a few minor corrections to my website to do and I have finished an email blast for Yes Bay.
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<b>Winter Plans -</b> Right now I will be heading down to Moab, Utah and plan on spending the remainder of most of the winter there. I have negotiated a deal do do some work for a tour company down there - NAVTEC. They are the people that I went rafting with in late October / November. They need a little help on some web marketing and a computerized reservation system and other office procedures, so I will spend the few months or so helping them. Moab is one of my favorite places and I am looking forward to spending some time there and doing some more exploring and taking pictures.
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More about NAVTEC here:<a href="http://www.navtec.com/">http://www.navtec.com/</a>
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<b>Summer 2013 Plans -</b> Right now this is a little more up in the air. I am currently in negotiations with a couple different operations in Alaska and also have a few in the lower 48 I am talking to. No decision will be made until around mid-January, that is when I expect to hear from my first choice in Alaska which will be something totally new a different for me, which has me quite excited about the opportunity. It is with <a href="http://www.denaliparkadventures.com/">Denali Park Advenutures</a> - Where I would be running a jet boat up the river with a boat load of tours on a 3 hour tour! Sounds like Gilligan's Island to me, but would get to explore an entirely different area of Alaska and photograph some outstanding wildlife and scenery. So this is my first choice and would more than likely have me driving to Alaska and either taking the ferry with the trailer, driving the entire distance or shipping the trailer up by barge and me driving or utilizing the ferry. All options I will be considering once I hear whether I have the job or not.
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The two other opportunities in Alaska are different locations but back to fishing. Which will be fine, but I may more seriously consider several options in the lower 48.
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S<b>tay Tuned for details as they happen!</b>
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In the meantime enjoy a few pictures I have taken the past couple days in snowy Salt Lake City!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2274112816&k=RDq77KH&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-RDq77KH/0/L/PC152457Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2274113932&k=x4DPzsx&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-x4DPzsx/0/L/PC152463Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2277589969&k=7RnkwmX&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-7RnkwmX/0/L/PC162471Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2277589136&k=6S3F35s&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-6S3F35s/0/L/PC162481Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2277590503&k=wBWHBM4&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-wBWHBM4/0/L/PC162476Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-28515155444739398242012-12-15T08:57:00.002-08:002012-12-15T08:57:35.800-08:00Just Trying to Make Sense of Yesterdays Tragedy!I am not one to use this medium for political ramblings or soapbox speeches, however this morning as I sit quietly enjoying my coffee I can't help but be reminded of the sorrow that so many families are facing today in the little village of Sandy Hook Connecticut. And I wonder, what has happened to our society and young people that would allow this type of behavior to grow.
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My childhood was remarkably different from what our children today must endure. Family values and core values were an integral part of my growing up. We knew right from wrong and were reminded of it everyday. Our parents instilled these values at every opportunity, along with our church, our teachers, our Scout leaders and our neighbors. Doing something wrong away from home generally resulted in a phone call to my father or mother by a neighbor, teacher or acquaintance. And I had to deal with the consequences when I got home which could be quite severe by today's standards, which is part of the problem.
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So what is different today than from when I grew up, where and what caused us to loose those values that defined our society?
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1. Parenting - Parenting skills have been lost. Parents so intent on making money and providing all the latest gizmos for their kids have left behind teaching the basic core values of right and wrong, respect for others, trust, integrity, faith and more. There are a zillion sub-headings that could go under this category alone. But today I think I will focus on just the main topic.
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2. Corporal Punishment - In the schools, at home, at church, at Scout Camp in your neighborhood. It was all a reality in my childhood. Now parents, teachers, neighbors, Scout leaders everyone are restricted from any kind of punishment of a violent nature.
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I remember the snap of my fathers fingers would bring me to a complete stop of whatever I was doing and I knew if I continued there would be hell to pay. Fear breeds respect and it begins as a toddler being taught what "Good Behavior" is and what is acceptable and what type of behavior is not. An out of control child at 3 will be even more out of control at 14 or 17.
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I remember distinctly being asked by a friend to get involved in something I knew was wrong, my answer was simple - Not Me, My Dad will KILL me!
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I am in no way condoning any form of abuse, it sickens me to even think of that, must be my core values shining through, however a warm ass from a good whipping did me no harm. A paddling at school always brought on another when I got home!
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Observation - My parents knew exactly where I was every minute of the day and what I was doing. Of course this was long before computers and the internet, but today you can be assured my folks would have monitored every key stroke, every site visited and there would be restrictions.
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Desensitization of Violence - This is rampant now in our society. And I ask how can that be, since we have regulated it to death, seems it hasn't worked. The Road Runner can no longer drop a piano on the poor coyote. Heckle and Jeckle can no longer poke and punch each other. Droopy Dog can no longer punish the cat for tormenting his "Little Buddy". And so on, and on...
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BUT - Violent video games are an ever present part of our young peoples lives today and it has removed the value of life to a quick shot on the computer and instant death offering the user no consequences or sense of real death. I think you would find that many of those who go on a rampage such as the one yesterday have ingrained themselves into thinking they are actually part of a game.
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I guess it really all boils down to caring. The most basic value we were taught from the age of nothing to adulthood. Our parents, grandparents, preachers, Scout Leaders, neighbors all instilled this most basic value in our lives and somehow our society today has lost that. We took prayer out of schools for fear of offending someone, we stopped the pledge of Allegiance, for fear of offending someone, we have taken away punishment by our schools and parents with fear of lawsuits, our politically correctness has removed our core values and the result is another tragedy perpetrated on innocent children by another child.
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I am by no means an expert of raising children, but I know I raised one and led many others as a Scout Leader and I did it the way my parents did it. So far my son has turned out to be a fine adult and I know he knows right from wrong and he is not permanently scarred by an occasional ass whipping and I hope when he has children he is not afraid to watch his children with a close eye, love them, care for them and teach them the difference between right and wrong.
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Forgive me for my ramblings, I just needed to try and understand why these type of rampages continue in our society today. And just so you know, more restrictions on guns will have no affect on our lack of parenting and observation of our children. If they have no idea of the difference between right and wrong, they will find a weapon to use to do their damage and drag our society even further down the drain.
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I can still recite the Scout Law - A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave Clean and Reverent. If more of our kids had this instilled in their life, maybe they would better understand right from wrong!
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As an update - I am currently shoveling snow in Salt Lake City and when the weather cooperates on Tuesday or Wednesday I am heading South to Moab, Utah where I will spend most of the remainder of winter. I will be doing some web design work and helping a tour company - NAVTEC develop some better office procedures and reservation software. And of course I will be taking some pictures of the beautiful country down there and get this blog back to featuring those photographs rather than a vehicle for my ramblings. Stay tuned for next summers Adventure, it looks like I will be heading up to Alaska, more to the North and spending time around Denali. I will more than likely be driving up there with the camper either behind me or shipped up or on the ferry...plans are in the works and I should have my plans finalized by mid-January, so Stay Tuned!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-9065301951504838342012-12-04T06:19:00.001-08:002012-12-04T06:19:36.365-08:00Bathroom RemodelIt is amazing how I get roped into projects! While on the vacation with Pat, she discussed her frustration with her outdated downstairs half bath. She had removed ugly wallpaper which according to her was glued on with a vengeance. Needless to say a good portion of the wallboard paper was also removed and a fair amount of scaper gouges in the walls.
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I had planned on coming to Ohio to visit my family and I told her I would take a look at the walls and bathroom and see what I could do.
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The project grew into a total rebuild of the bathroom, toilet didn't work properly, so a full rebuild of that was in order with all new innards and seat! Removed the existing sink and built in counter which was even uglier than the light above it, although that may be hard to imagine. Dressed all the walls with wallboard mud, smoothed out the rough spots, filled the holes, sanded, filled again and sanded some more. Walls will never be perfect again, but managed to get them paintable.
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A couple trips to Home Depot and Lowe's for some ideas and fixtures. Pats checkbook shrank a little, but we found something she really liked, picked some colors of pain, new flooring, faucet sink and vanity.
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<b>Here is the before - after old sink removal and wall patching!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2252019531&k=g9k6xXr&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-g9k6xXr/0/L/PB262373Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Here is her favorite light fixture - by far the ugliest I have ever seen!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2252018453&k=p9wNk3j&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-p9wNk3j/0/L/PB262378Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>After paint and sink install!!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2252021442&k=2LVzHgr&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-2LVzHgr/0/L/PC022419Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>If shes happy I'm happy!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2252021263&k=r837DSh&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-r837DSh/0/L/PC022416Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>In the middle of all this we made a trip to Cleveland and the West Side Market!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2240096799&k=pNdqwN8&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-pNdqwN8/0/L/PB262338Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2240087077&k=nktwrmC&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-nktwrmC/0/L/PB262356Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2240092078&k=zCd7C5F&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-zCd7C5F/0/L/PB262361Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2240095627&k=tR5qXj2&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-tR5qXj2/0/L/PB262365Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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All in all a great project which turned out very nice and Pat loves it so we are all happy! I head back to Salt Lake City to rendezvous with my camper on the 12th of December. Then head somewhere into the desert Southwest for further adventures.
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Stay Tuned!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-60000713408074315652012-11-17T11:31:00.001-08:002012-11-17T11:31:23.765-08:00Vacation Update - Day 12 and 13 - Indian Petroglyphs & ZionsAfter Antelope Canyon - Day 12 was kind of a bust. We drove from Page for the day over to Kanab area and went to Coral Sands State Park. Although this may be a good place to go 4 wheeling in the sand dunes, there is not much there to see, so the morning was kind of boring...except Pat had picked up a map to a series of Indian Petroglyphs that she was determined to see. As I read the map I felt it may be fun, although there was a warning that it required a 7 mile drive on a very sandy 4 wheel drive trail, with the last two miles very narrow and rugged and in fact it even described the trail as "paint damaging" due to overhanging scrub oaks along the trail.
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I decided what the hell and figured if we got stuck, we got stuck and since my truck is a 1997 with plenty of nicks and dings, how bad could it be?
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<b>Little did I know...</b>
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This is where the trail narrows and the going gets pretty rough. At this point we had traveled about 5 miles on a very sandy and unimproved road, the next two miles would prove to be challenging. The 4 wheel drive part was a requirement with some very steep, sharp turns on a very narrow trail, lined with plenty of scrub oaks to rearrange the paint on your vehicle. The sand was deep and tough going, but we had no problems.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220730678&k=CtGdJBZ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-CtGdJBZ/0/L/PB062138Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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After we arrived at the trailhead, the short moderatly strenuous hike turned into a major climb down the 1.5 mile round trip had a 1600 foot drop and then climb back up, so I went about half way and Pat continued on down.
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<b>This is Pat on her return where I waited for her. Of course she was not happy I was taking her picture after the climb back up!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220729911&k=t4r6jf6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-t4r6jf6/0/L/PB062133Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>This is just a small sample of the new pin-stiping on my truck, it was on both sides!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220737181&k=NcQzCdW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-NcQzCdW/0/L/PB072154Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Here are a few of the Petroglyphs she got to see!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220753459&k=MrxPTGj&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-MrxPTGj/0/L/Petroglyphs1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220753609&k=PZSpmHn&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-PZSpmHn/0/L/Petroglyphs2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220753926&k=jLgK5KW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-jLgK5KW/0/L/Petroglyphs3-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220754145&k=zgSg7gL&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-zgSg7gL/0/L/Petroglyphs4-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Then it was 7 miles of bad road again and more paint damage back to the highway! She claims it was worth it, but I am not too sure, but if she is happy, I am happy, she assures me that is the case!</b>
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<b>We returned to Page and the campground for the night then hitched up the next day and headed to Zion National Park, one of my favorite places!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220731347&k=JLd6CMm&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-JLd6CMm/0/L/PB072140Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now some great scenery shots around Zion.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220733506&k=cRXLLRk&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-cRXLLRk/0/L/PB082182Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220754529&k=NV6j9B8&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-NV6j9B8/0/L/PB082283Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220754958&k=sZbf5LN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-sZbf5LN/0/L/PB082290Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220737439&k=XvwghB4&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-XvwghB4/0/L/PB082201Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220737574&k=KJDRvBt&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-KJDRvBt/0/L/PB082203Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220739262&k=NKwTjmd&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-NKwTjmd/0/L/PB082235Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220752904&k=pp5zL4V&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-pp5zL4V/0/L/PB082280Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And now one of my favorite pictures of Pat by the River in Zion.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220742569&k=qvJj9RR&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-qvJj9RR/0/L/PB082270Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And her attempt at taking a picture of me by the river!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2220744050&k=8Q2ZQFC&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-8Q2ZQFC/0/L/PB082274Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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We had a wonderful vacation, sadly this was the last adventure day as we departed back for Salt Lake City and her departure the next morning. 14 days of traveling and exploring Southern Utah came to a wonderful close.
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-4568683475563888022012-11-14T14:10:00.004-08:002012-11-14T14:10:54.398-08:00Vacation Update - November 4th - 6th - Antelope CanyonAfter the River trip - Oct 30 through Nov 2, we stayed in Moab another 2 nights to rest up and do some laundry and get ready to continue our adventure.
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Sunday November 4th we broke camp in Moab and made the long drive to Page, Arizona, via Monument Valley. We stopped at the Burger King in Kayenta Az, since we had heard they had a great display about the Navajo Code Talkers and they did, so we had a milkshake and explored.
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Then on the way to Page from Kayenta we took a small detour to the Navajo National Monument to see some old Pueblo style Indian Ruins. It was worth the 9 mile detour and comes highly recommended.
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<b>There was also this wonderful fossilized Dinosaur Track!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215287599&k=rKpmrcx&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-rKpmrcx/0/L/PB041900Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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This is a distant shot of the ruins, you have to go on an escorted tour to visit the actual ruins and they were not offering it when we were there.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215290836&k=xKBg8ph&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-xKBg8ph/0/L/Panorama-PB0521914-1916Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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After our days drive we settled into a campground in Page and made plans for our next days adventure to Antelope Canyon. This should not be missed and in fact you should make plans to go there as soon as you can. It is amazing. If you can only do one of the canyons, choose the lower canyon as it is far better and more dramatic than the upper canyon.
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<b>Antelope Canyon!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215282708&k=Wz6B9wR&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-Wz6B9wR/0/L/PB051938Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215286663&k=5ccXn9r&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-5ccXn9r/0/L/PB051951Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215291016&k=Hkm7FNh&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-Hkm7FNh/0/L/PB051956Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215297347&k=pDgnxqN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-pDgnxqN/0/L/PB051964Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215298786&k=rQMhC7q&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-rQMhC7q/0/L/PB052005Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215300102&k=ttm7SKG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-ttm7SKG/0/L/PB052006Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215693846&k=ZvWd6cT&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-ZvWd6cT/0/L/PB052029Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215700479&k=CKnVDGq&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-CKnVDGq/0/L/PB052040Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215700499&k=LGGHN7k&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-LGGHN7k/0/L/PB052063Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>In the Lower Canyon there is an Arch formed by the water and I made Pat stand in it to give you an idea of size of this place.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215701240&k=SpwQxcF&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-SpwQxcF/0/L/PB052062Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>There are many very tight turns and alcoves.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215704076&k=9tBgCJV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-9tBgCJV/0/L/PB052067Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>The lower canyon has many steep drops, it descends about 230 feet overall and they have nice stairs and ladders.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215707453&k=LbtkJx7&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-LbtkJx7/0/L/PB052073Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215708484&k=dS44HrB&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-dS44HrB/0/L/PB052065Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215709888&k=rnCdbhw&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-rnCdbhw/0/L/PB052072Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215710381&k=7zTQ8kF&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-7zTQ8kF/0/L/PB052075Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>The climb out of the Lower Canyon at the end is an Adventure! This only shows about the first half of your ascent!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2215719857&k=2ZxFz2f&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-2ZxFz2f/0/L/PB052076Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-21367103117577712052012-11-11T12:23:00.002-08:002012-11-11T12:23:15.411-08:00November 11th - Vacation Update.OK - You can stop emailing me to update the blog. I have been super busy for the past two weeks and was a little negligent in keeping everyone updated on my whereabouts. Sorry!
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For those of you who are regular followers, you know that I had a fantastic vacation planned from October 26th through November 9th. My girlfriend flew out from Ohio and joined me in the camper for a two week tour of Southern Utah and a little bit of Northern Arizona. The trip included a 4 day float trip down the Green River for some fantastic scenery and wonderful remote camping along the river. We used a local Moab Rafting company called NAVTEC Expeditions and they were fantastic. Great hosts with nice equipment a fantastic guide. The weather for the entire journey was fantastic with clear blue skies and warm weather for the past two weeks.
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We arrived back in Salt Lake City for her flight home in a winter storm and the past two days has seen about 20 inches of snow where I am in Salt Lake. Since Pat left, I have been busy processing some of the photos I took on the trip and I now have some from the first couple days and will provide a brief description of where we were and some of the photos from our trip. In the next day or two I will continue the journey with text and photos.
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<b>Here is a great picture of Pat for those of you who have asked.</b>
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This was actually on the raft trip, so it is a little out of sequence.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208673635&k=3Fm6M9B&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-3Fm6M9B/0/L/PA291455Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Pat at the entrance to Arches National Park which was where we visited first!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2206782837&k=DnPT9J6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-DnPT9J6/0/L/PA281252Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>One of about two pictures of us together.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2206785691&k=wJh65zz&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-wJh65zz/0/L/PA281271Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>The Windows or also called the "Spectacles"</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2206792764&k=q8pc5pV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-q8pc5pV/0/L/PA281311Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208678899&k=f354g7f&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-f354g7f/0/L/PA291462Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Pat and I made a stop after Arches at Deadhorse Point State Park, near Moab!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208683247&k=KKNV8zp&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-KKNV8zp/0/L/PA291532Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2206812396&k=Q66qnGc&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-Q66qnGc/0/L/Panorama%20PA281345-1352Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Ready to leave on the raft trip!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208682942&k=9WZVdg3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-9WZVdg3/0/L/PA301557Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Pat at the Raft Launch site, ready to go!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208688232&k=J8CnZMJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-J8CnZMJ/0/L/PA301571Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>On the River!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208692361&k=NFZRspb&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-NFZRspb/0/L/PA301598Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Here we are breaking camp on the float trip!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208661688&k=c2HkFNN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-c2HkFNN/0/L/PA311716Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Old high school friends joined us on the float trip. Greg Lantz and his wife Katrina.
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<b>Here is Greg pulling the raft in for our first camp!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208662107&k=JSfLXgf&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-JSfLXgf/0/L/PA301694Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Some fall scenery!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208665270&k=mpTbgSG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-mpTbgSG/0/L/PA311752Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Greg trying his hand at the inflatable kayak!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208666524&k=VK5qsGV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-VK5qsGV/0/L/PA311766Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>The Green River scenery!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208668367&k=f2FNbnk&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-f2FNbnk/0/L/PA311739Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Some evening campfire fun!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208671977&k=B8dj6mb&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-B8dj6mb/0/L/PA311791Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2198977514&k=xCx8N74&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-xCx8N74/0/L/PB011841Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208672149&k=nVdpwq2&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-nVdpwq2/0/L/PA311786Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208672272&k=23GSc3P&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-23GSc3P/0/L/PA311769Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208677422&k=5StDH29&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-5StDH29/0/L/PB011793Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208695166&k=6XqXVc5&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-6XqXVc5/0/L/PA301651Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208696766&k=TQwtPB9&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-TQwtPB9/0/L/PA301623Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>On a hike!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208697076&k=xqPzRbJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-xqPzRbJ/0/L/PA301663Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208697998&k=XBwBQMB&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-XBwBQMB/0/L/PA301666Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/26444398_cs4mHH#!i=2208698020&k=pQPWmPS&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-Vacation-2012/i-pQPWmPS/0/L/PA301673Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Look for updates of the remainder of our trip in the next few days!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-11672181645285712332012-11-06T07:15:00.003-08:002012-11-06T07:15:58.445-08:00Tuesday November 6th - Update - Election Day GO VOTE!So here I am in Page Arizona on election day with a raging liberal Democrat! WTF
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Sorry for the delay in updating my blog, but it has been a very busy time since October 26th when my imaginary girlfriend arrived from Ohio for our two week vacation.
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We first visited Arches National Park for a day, then we went to Canyonlands, Islands In the Sky area and Deadhorse Point State Park. Then it was back to the camper to get ready for our four day float trip down the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon. The weather has cooperated to the extreme, with clear blue skies and sunshine every day.
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The raft trip was amazing with beautiful scenery around every corner. I have a ton of pictures to process and will be working on those in the coming weeks. Yesterday we toured Antelope Canyon a place I truly love and is very photogenic. I got some great pictures...
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Here are a few from the past week or so...
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We were joined on the raft trip by an old high school classmate and his wife. This is us getting ready to load up for the two hour drive to the put in location near the town of Green River, Utah.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198976127&k=dzbptxb&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-dzbptxb/0/L/PA301557Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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This is Pat on the river...
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198976972&k=DCQjH6W&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-DCQjH6W/0/L/PA301600Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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A wonderful nighttime fire along the river!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198977514&k=xCx8N74&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-xCx8N74/0/L/PB011841Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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A wonderful shot of the canyon we were traveling through!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198977526&k=5GhvbGz&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-5GhvbGz/0/L/PA311739Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Here is Pat and I after traversing (Upper)Antelope Canyon!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198978003&k=xghCh3p&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-xghCh3p/0/L/PB052001Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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This is Pat in an arch in the much more dramatic (Lower) Antelope Canyon!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2198979110&k=9MFBQkt&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-9MFBQkt/0/L/PB052062Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-30086706016832101392012-10-25T09:58:00.000-07:002012-10-25T09:58:04.129-07:00October 25th - Salt Lake City Update!Well I arrived in Salt Lake City on Friday the 19th of October and immediately made plans for a wonderful BBQ with my Salt Lake friends. It was a combination of a wonderful tri-tip steak and some nice fresh marinated Alaska Salmon. With some smoked salmon dip and smoked salmon as a wonderful appetizer. We had the BBQ on Sunday the 21st.
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Needless to say a good time was had by all!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173698472&k=wrP7xNq&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-wrP7xNq/0/L/PA211110Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173700256&k=L8X9w82&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-L8X9w82/0/L/PA211113Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173701946&k=L8ZNNzT&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-L8ZNNzT/0/L/PA211114Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Now on Thursday morning I awake to some beautiful snow! Not good the day before my girlfriend arrives for our 2 week Southern Utah Adventure, however the weather report for S. Utah looks great, hopefully most of this snow will be gone for the drive down on Saturday the 27th.</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173707354&k=ZkbnnSB&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-ZkbnnSB/0/L/PA251122Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173714313&k=DMgrmvz&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-DMgrmvz/0/L/PA251125Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173707781&k=tx4V3k4&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-tx4V3k4/0/L/PA251118Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173712413&k=BKZxd7g&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-BKZxd7g/0/L/PA251121Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2173713166&k=pFVpcgR&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-pFVpcgR/0/L/PA251127Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-8125356392227177012012-10-21T09:25:00.003-07:002012-10-21T09:25:51.121-07:00October 21st Update - Arrival Salt Lake CityI arrived at my good friend Steve's in Salt lake City Friday afternoon. Dropped the trailer in the driveway and took a drive on a beautiful day for some fall colors.
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However I also processed a couple panoramas I took of the Tetons a few days ago.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2159281863&k=96sg72K&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-96sg72K/0/L/Pano-PA170978-983Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2159285668&k=3rVQbhK&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-3rVQbhK/0/L/Pano-PA170967-970Rev2-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Spent the night along the highway RT -I-80 and stopped at Little America for the night with all the truckers....awoke to an amazing sunrise, the scenery was not the best but the morning light was beautiful, knowing it only lasts for a couple minutes I grabbed a shot.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2162507900&k=8NbSLPX&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-8NbSLPX/0/L/PA190990Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Then in Salt Lake City I managed a few fall color shots.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2162502126&k=qpHXfSn&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-qpHXfSn/0/L/PA191090Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2162505534&k=5TbPT2X&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-5TbPT2X/0/L/PA191077Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2162506326&k=CqhvT6M&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-CqhvT6M/0/L/PA191016Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2162510304&k=kJLZfbQ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-kJLZfbQ/0/L/PA191107Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Now a little blast from the recent past. I had two really great guys for my end of the season at Yes Bay. We had a great time and today I received a couple pictures that one of the guys took...Spencer is a good photographer and snapped a couple really nice shots of one of our last few days of fishing.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2164128082&k=DpZxXVC&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-DpZxXVC/0/L/My-View-every-day-with-Capt-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2164127732&k=WB6qv7C&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-WB6qv7C/0/L/DSC0273-Foggy-MorningRev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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I took the liberty of adding the frames but other than that they are as he sent them.
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This week is a waiting week. I have some Lodge work to get completed and a little getting ready for Pat my imaginary (soon to be real) girlfriend. She arrives on Friday from Ohio and then we depart on a Southern Utah Adventure trip. Including a 4 day raft trip down Labyrinth Canyon near Moab, we are meeting some old friends who will join us on the raft trip and it should be fantastic.
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<b>Stay tuned for more updates as the adventure continues. Tonight an Alaskan Seafood BBQ with some old friends here in Salt Lake City!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-54101262210061912202012-10-18T17:35:00.000-07:002012-10-18T17:35:41.086-07:00October 18th - Yellowstone & The TetonsI left Dillon a few days ago and headed down to West Yellowstone for a few days to explore the park and take some pictures.
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The weather did not cooperate very well, with cold wind and rain for two days. I still managed some decent wildlife pictures.
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153050948&k=LWGgchj&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-LWGgchj/0/L/PA150553Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153052962&k=k6VkWMd&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-k6VkWMd/0/L/PA150556Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153064323&k=TrPFZL3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-TrPFZL3/0/L/PA150562Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153069846&k=3LJgt9d&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-3LJgt9d/0/L/PA150582Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>There were plenty of fall photographers around...didn't see them take any pictures just stand around with their big lenses on display!!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153077785&k=nng3KLx&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-nng3KLx/0/L/PA150597Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>And a few landscapes in spite of the weather...</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153083441&k=wjPdCZB&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-wjPdCZB/0/L/PA150626Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153100736&k=9t7nqxJ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-9t7nqxJ/0/L/PA150666Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153106607&k=7bVZGvQ&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-7bVZGvQ/0/L/PA150697Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Typical Buffalo holding up traffic!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153112053&k=wFVNJK6&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-wFVNJK6/0/L/PA150780Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153113110&k=pznCL4W&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-pznCL4W/0/L/PA150711Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153127384&k=VRqh8ZH&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-VRqh8ZH/0/L/PA150794Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2153129046&k=P58pfM4&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-P58pfM4/0/L/PA150808Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Yesterday the sun came out for my drive from West Yellowstone to Jackson
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2158342707&k=8pC2JNw&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-8pC2JNw/0/L/PA170939Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>I stopped for the iconic view of the Grand Tetons!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2158346728&k=WFWD6Lq&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-WFWD6Lq/0/L/PA170957Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2158348292&k=pQng73R&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-pQng73R/0/L/PA170963Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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Today I left Jackson and drove a nice easy drive down RT 191 to Rock Springs and on to Green River where I am stopped for the night. Will head to Salt Lake tomorrow.
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Stay in touch everyone!
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-3530379996184907682012-10-14T09:35:00.000-07:002012-10-14T09:35:28.456-07:00Time for a little Therapy! October 13th 2012It was time for a little fishing therapy, so I checked in with my good friend Steve Carter from Salt Lake at the Clark Canyon Clinic and was rewarded in short order with some fantastic trout fishing in the Beaverhead River.
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We had a wonderful day ending with a fantastic dinner at the Buffalo Lodge near Dillon!
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148777919&k=smHHqwc&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-smHHqwc/0/L/Clark-Canyon-Clinic-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>My friend Steve fishing!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148763277&k=9rwHxQC&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-9rwHxQC/0/L/PA130252Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148764024&k=WPpsgXP&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-WPpsgXP/0/L/PA130248Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148772047&k=FDbKZ4p&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-FDbKZ4p/0/L/PA130432Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148774371&k=9L6kLc3&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-9L6kLc3/0/L/PA130455Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148776086&k=9F7SVmW&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-9F7SVmW/0/L/PA130443Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148777850&k=8rh5KVV&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-8rh5KVV/0/L/PA130464Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>I also had a little time to take some pictures around the ranch...</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148764044&k=grM4vwF&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-grM4vwF/0/L/PA130310Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148767461&k=jM426KM&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-jM426KM/0/L/PA130336Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148767480&k=Crg9JPq&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-Crg9JPq/0/L/PA130345Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148778130&k=ZVHZj79&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-ZVHZj79/0/L/PA130477Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2148779610&k=64dxjzF&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-64dxjzF/0/L/PA130497Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-62070360189501909232012-10-12T09:45:00.000-07:002012-10-12T09:45:10.499-07:00October 12th - Travel day!Leaving Kalispell Montana this morning and heading down state to Dillon Montana where I will rendezvous with my good friend Steve Carter of Salt Lake City fame while he recuperates at the Clark Canyon Creek Clinic (He is trying desperately to get over weeks of not fishing with intensive therapy) I intend to try and help him get over his anxiety!
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Yesterday was a pack and load day and one last final repair. The awning on the trailer was an absolute bitch to open and close, one part from my ignorance and another part from the previous owners abuse, obviously like me had never read the instructions! But with a little effort and studying got it open and fixed a couple bent parts and all is like new now!
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<b>Awning Fixed!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2144248138&k=382G89N&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-382G89N/0/L/P1000469Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>New Luggage Rack packed and ready to travel!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2141776742&k=bXJXJ46&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-bXJXJ46/0/L/PA100235Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Hitched up and ready to go!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2144245066&k=CnHWX7F&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-CnHWX7F/0/L/P1000472Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045919498919755935.post-37823426733655705162012-10-10T15:31:00.000-07:002012-10-10T15:31:15.465-07:00October 10th - Packing to leave!Well, finally the USPS delivered all my stuff from Alaska...thank goodness I spent the last few days making room and the luggage carrier for the back of the camper! Amazing how a couple totes worth of space can free up some space in the truck and the camper!
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The luggage rack came out beautiful and it works great. Mounted it yesterday on the bumper and painted it to match the camper. Today I unloaded the totes and sorted out what can be put out back! Totes are loaded and secured!
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<b>Here is my stuff from Alaska! Too much crap!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2141771131&k=CcKmpFS&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-CcKmpFS/0/L/PA090229Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Here is the rack mounted on the bumper!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2141768685&k=DcjkTWT&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-DcjkTWT/0/L/PA090232Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<b>Totes Loaded and secured for travel!</b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/25631920_Vvn7kj#!i=2141776742&k=bXJXJ46&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/Fall-2012/i-bXJXJ46/0/L/PA100235Rev1-L.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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My plans call now for leaving on Friday morning - October 12th. Head straight down to Dillon, Montana and meet some friends for a little stream fishing and good food, drink and laughter!
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Then after a couple days I will head to West Yellowstone and do some exploring and take a picture or two in Yellowstone. Then arriving in Salt Lake City on the 23rd.
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The 26th my imaginary (soon to be real) girlfriend arrives from Ohio and we leave for a two week adventure in Southern Utah...4 day raft trip - 4 or 5 National Parks and some out of the way exploring and camping!
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Stay tuned for details and photos!</b>
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<b>Capt. Jim - <i>"The Gypsy"</i></b>
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<b><i>Traveling and photographing the Southwest</i></b>
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<a href="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/20967393_ZLb6ZC#!i=1666131785&k=NnXF6mG&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://captjim.smugmug.com/Most-Recent-Favorites/2012-Trip-West/i-NnXF6mG/0/S/P1083374Rev1-S.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0