Blake and George Bush separated at birth?

White Sands National Monument

Visit to White Sands National Monument (New Mexico) with John and Jan. Pristine wave- like dunes of gypsum sand travel across the desert. The dune field is filled with unique plants and animals that have learned how to survive such harsh and unique conditions.
Seems odd that we were allowed to use "flying saucers" to ride down the dunes.

See her?

Posted on an Arizona roadside restroom door. Ladies. The new milk carton.

More graphics found in Arizona, we're not in California anymore...

Biosphere 2 - Earth systems science research facility

This facility is dedicated to research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and our place in the universe. Must see. Think Silent Running without the robots.


Body Snatcher pod. Actually a prototype for growing (stuff) on the moon.

Hiking Beaver Creek, New Mexico. Gorgeous water, clear and cold.

We had to watch Dot carefully as she had little depth perception with the cone on her head. 

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

This odd structure was once home for the ancient Sonoran Desert People known as the Hohokam. 1100 to 1450 C.E. The three-story building is constructed of caliche, a naturally occurring soil consisting of clay, sand and calcium carbonate. 
The Hohokam farmed the surrounding land which was irrigated by an elaborate system of canals bringing water from the Gila River. They grew corn, beans, squash, cotton and tobacco and harvested native plants and hunted desert animals. 

The main building is now protected/preserved by a metal-roofed structure built in 1932.

Video capture

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Safety in numbers, a twenty-room five-story cliff dwelling, built by the Sinagua people who lived in this area for over 400 years. It's nestled into a towering limestone cliff, below is a beautiful sycamore grove and the spring-fed Beaver Creek. This creek is one of the few perennial streams in Arizona.

LA to Phoenix. Beautiful trip. (Most photos taken from a moving car!)

Day one, not lost yet.

Captain Colladay.

Mascot - Dot with cone, sucking in odors from foreign lands.

 

Self portrait. Contest... Who has the biggest rig? 

In case you don't recognize the what the truck is carrying, it's a single blade of a wind turbine.

Stunning scenery along the way, beauty everywhere.

Great to see Aunt Kaye! Spunky as ever.

October 12. Preparing to leave with lots to do. Charlie tackles a challenging jigsaw puzzle, packing the truck. Delayed one day. Airstream Los Angeles.