Fascinating stuff, Diane. Thanks for the link. I think I took a picture of that butte, not even realizing its astronomical siginicance. I have about 2,000 shots (ok, ok, I'm exaggerating) to sort through. Thanx again.
Sidebar: In Gallup, NM we stayed at the El Rancho Hotel, right on the main drag. This is a rambling great old inn, designated as a national landmark. The exterior and the lobby are trés impressive, reminiscent of an old hunting lodge. The rooms are small, cramped, old fashioned. But here's the kicker -- all the rooms, in addition to being numbered, have also been named after movie stars of a bygone era. Ostensibly those people stayed in those rooms back in the days when Gallup was an 'in' place for Hollywood celebs to visit. Seaglass and I were given the Doris Day room. We thought that was a hoot.
Gracious how time flys when you are having fun.
The highlight of our stay in Gallup for me was an evening at the Navajo Laundramat and playing the pin ball machines while the laundry cooked and talked to the locals -
Danon I was fascinated by your story of living on the railroad - my grandfather was an engineer on one of the Southern railroads (I have a foggy sense of family history) and one day when he was off duty a train went off a trestle I think in Miss. and he went to the scene of the accident and was diving into the water rescuing people. However, he developed pnemonia and died at the age of 36 leaving my grandmother with 12 children. The railroad gave my grandmother a car which was kept on the side rail and she cooked for the construction crews. I don't know if she got a widow's pension or not.
CI - understand you are over to Seattlebuzz however if you peek in on A2K I want to thank you for the info on Carlsbad Caverns - My first trip there I was around five years old and I have this memory of stale box lunchs, much more water in the pools - however since we got back there was an article about caves on the Big Island with formations similar to Carlsbad. However one has to make an appointment for the Puna Caves and the trip is four hours. One has to wear a miner's light and carry water and some other equipment. A little more rugged.
Has anyone had any experience with freighter travel as opposed to cruise ships. Friend of mine did it, got boarded by pirates on the China Sea and the Captain told them to lock theirselves in their rooms until he got rid of the pirates.
Sglass
Why did I get auto spam filter? Is mentioning Seattlebuzz a problem?
Why did I get auto spam filter? Is mentioning Seattlebuzz a problem?
You must've been talking about that city in the Pacific Northwest, called Seattle. It seems the powers that be at A2K don't like mention of the competition. I find that amusing.
Hi, all. This should probably be a new thread, but it's somehow easier to revive an old one. Typing this from a rent-a-'puter storefront in Honolulu. Seaglass is reading over my shoulder. This year's Travels with Seaglass and Merry Andrew trip is confined strictly to the Sandwich Islands. No traipsing about in the wilds whre the sagebrush blooms and the tumbleweeds roam and the Apaches are bloodthrirsty -- well, they're after your money anywyay at the casinos. No, it's strictly coral (not corral) and sandy beaches. Leaving Oahu tomorrow for flight to the big island of Hawaii. Lemme know if you wanna more. Or, should I start a new thread?
Here's a word from Seaglass:
I'm ticked. I worked real hard to get a drop dead tan before Merry got here (about a month) and Merry got a better tan in one day - guess it's all about his trace of Mongolian heritage. O well - will stay in touch.
Sglass
It's great to hear again of you ... and your travels!
I'm more than sure that we want more - either here or on a new thread (which perhaps would be a better idea to attract readers :wink: ).
Have a good time and watch out: RED skin isn't really tanned
Glad to see you two... and, sure, I'd be interested in hearing more on your travels in the islands.
Just notifying that Seaglass started a new thread
HERE
