Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Scenic Sunday - Raven or Crow


How to tell the difference?
If you see a bird flying over head that is relatively large and black look closely at the wing tips and count the primary or pinion feathers.
Crows have three pinions and Ravens have four pinions.
So the difference is just a matter of opinion. ;-))

To see more scenics, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Best Blog Award


Alan, a husband and dad who lives in Oklahoma, from Yogi’s Den awarded me this “Best Blog” Award. He’ obviously educated (he reads my blog), informative and funny all at once. How do you do that Yogi? Thank you!

The Best Blog Award rules are:
1) To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great!
Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.


Please check these folks out if you don't already.

1. I find Joan from South African Photographs to be a kindred spirit. She has opened my eyes to even the smallest of life. She might be my long lost sister, if I’d had one.

2. Craig’s Bird Watching and Nature Blog always makes me laugh. He’s witty and a very talented storyteller and poet. Just don’t tell him so or he might get a bigger head.

3. Bibi from a Yankee-in-Belgrade has an eye for the unusual when it comes to her excellent photography.

4. Dawn’s Bloggy Blog is filled with adventure as this nature loving lady who lives on the road in an RV with hubby also meets many birdie bloggers along her journey.

5. Stacey from Do What You Love really follows her heart and passions. Another nature lover who just finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with her partner, #6 on my list.

6. Bernie from Northwest Natural Moments and Walking in Stillness has a philosophy about life that just can’t be beat plus he's an excellent photographer. I can always depend on him to make me think and be more aware of the world around me.

7. Esther Garvi at Ishtar News is an amazing woman full of love and compassion for all the life around her in Niger Africa.

8. I call Karen at FabGrandma my dear friend. She introduced me to the blog world. I love the way she knows how to tell it like it is.

9. Garry at Geotripper has taught me so much about geology. I sure hope his students appreciate his knowledge and sense of humor.

10. Jazz at Haphazard Life sees the world through eyes that must sparkle with laughter. I always look forward to her point of view.

11. I could follow Barb at Live and Learn on every hike she takes into the beauty of Colorado that she calls home.

12. Jeannette at mysteries joins her love of nature and art with a very observant eye. And I think she must be a good cook too.

13. Susie of Arabia at Susie’s Big Adventure lives an interesting life as an American woman in Saudi and has really opened my eyes to a whole different culture and way of life. Glad it’s not me.

14. Camels and Chocolate at Tackling the Globe is a true inspiration as she journeys to different parts of the world following the most daring of adventures.

15. Moannie at the View from this End writes the best stories. She really needs to publish a book.

Sorry I just have to add a 16. Wayne at Early Musings may not post often, but when he does, Wow. He shares the most amazing adventures and geologic tours of the Colorado Plateau and beyond. A published geologist from Flagstaff, Wayne really knows his stuff. Plus he has a great sense of humor too. Is that inherent with geologists?

Thanks to each and every one of you. I could list a whole lot more.
Guess you don't need to feel obligated to accept or pass this award on. Just know I really appreciate all of you. Plus I had time this week to put this all together, and it does take time. You're worth it!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

SWF - Sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park


You all know by now that I don’t do mornings very well. However, there is once schedule I work that gets me out there early, and I’m never sorry once I am.

I stopped to catch this gorgeous morning on my way to the office. And it was cold out.

But if you really want to see a cold, yet beautiful morning here at the canyon go to FabGrandma’s and check out what she saw yesterday morning.

For more glimpses of skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

1 Year Blogaversary


One year old
I made it a year. Never thought I’d share so much of my life with the cyberworld.

My office view from Point Imperial
It started at Grand Canyon National Park with my first tentative post and changed the way I take photos forever.

Karen at end of Cape Final trail
Thanks to FabGrandma who introduced me to the world of blog, I now spend way too much time online, especially when on dialup, filling my need for an audience. I’m now following a dream of writing; maybe someday I’ll get paid for it but not by advertisements. Thanks Karen! ;-)

I’ve showed you where I live in my old RV both at the canyon...

...and Yarnell.

Didn’t know I had so much to say (that’s a lie). But then I did share quite a bit of my history. Dragging you around the country where I’ve lived and traveled over the past 15 years on the ever awesome My World Tuesday meme.

You met my long time travel companion Carson and consoled me at the end of his life’s journey.

I’ve introduced you to some of my dearest friends and family.

The best part about blogging is all the fantastic people I’ve met from around the world. You can see the constantly growing list of blogs I follow on the side bar. I learn so much from each of you. Thank you my friends.
Joshua Tree and Salton Sea
I plan to keep on blogging, at least for the next six winter months which are all I can plan at once. I hope to share with you as I explore more of the area around Yarnell, see my step-son in San Diego with side trips to Joshua Tree NP, the Salton Sea and Anza-Borrego Desert, a quick trip to south Texas where my parents live, and best of all, South Africa where I’ll actually get to meet my first fellow blogger Joan, the Bug Lady, of SAPhotographs. I'd really like to meet you all.

I AM addicted to Blog!
PS: Yesterday I was given an award by Alan at Yogi's Den. So I'll be passing it along.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Remember Whensday - College Days

1991-92 Western Washington University, Huxley College of Environmental Studies, Bellingham Washington

Yea that’s me. Never was sure how this happened. Maybe just old fashioned photography
I returned to college as an older student after my kids were grown. Finding a place to live was a nightmare. After declining several shared big houses with too many young men I found another grown woman to live with in a tiny one bedroom apartment only three blocks walk from campus. She gave me the walk-in closet sized bedroom and slept in the living room.

When I needed space I would go to Larabee Park to enjoy birds on the water.

Or head to Mount Baker hot springs.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally has started a new meme where the past is remembered through sharing old family photographs and this is #18. I love the idea and hope you will too. So join the fun by clicking here.

MWT - Berta's Best Beautiful Blooms


Don’t screw with this beautiful lady
Although it’s beginning to feel like winter here last week when I went to Yarnell it was barely fall. The little apartment in the back is where I stayed. I’ll have to post pics of this cozy space.

Petunia, dianthus, impatience and begonia
Berta has an amazing green thumb and many well cared for flowers were still in bloom by her house.

Petunia and dianthus
Of course I had to call her this morning to find out what most of them are.

Purple heart, maybe
This wonderful purple seems to grow everywhere. My Mom has it in Texas and Berta used to grow it in Oregon. Yet I had to google it and this is my closest guess. Feel free to correct me.

Coleus, I think
Berta couldn’t remember the name of this one bought in a four inch pot. We both think it’s from the same family as Coleus. Again, feel free to pitch in.

Echiveria
Some of her plants are overflowing the containers. I love how creative Berta is with her flower pots, using baskets and bowls, or whatever comes to hand (usually through a thrift store).

Oak gall
A lot of oak grows in this area and I’m not sure if it’s the Emory Oak or Arizona White Oak. I’ll have to look closer when I get home. The twigs are heavy with galls mostly no bigger than half an inch that remind me of Christmas ornaments. A gallwasp injects its eggs in the plant tissue which causes the tree to form a gall. Then larva develops into pupa and eventually the adult chews its way out of the gall. Supposedly this doesn’t kill the tree, maybe some of the twigs and leaves.

It was so nice to be home with dear friends.
Only a couple more weeks and I’ll be back for the winter. I’m so ready.

For more glimpses of life around the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Scenic Sunday - Painted Desert


Layers of primarily mudstone along with some sandstone and claystone deposited about 200 million years ago eroded into badlands called by some Native Americans as a “land of sleeping rainbows.” Mudstones occur in shades of red, gray, brown, purple, tan, orange and pink. Sandstone is typically beige or cream colored yet can be stained by oxidized minerals like iron (red) and manganese (blue/grey) as can the claystone. Wind and water sculpt the landscape.

To see more beautiful scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

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