Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The beauty is more in the ruggedness of gouged out badlands, with juniper trees softening the sharpness of the deep valleys. At the end of the road on the North Unit of the park, we walked the path to the edge and gazed at the deep ravine, studded with rocks, and scrubby trees. Our voices seemed muted by the largeness.
We camped in the Blue Mountains, south of Lake Wallawa and Joseph, Oregon and here’s a little of what we experienced: the clean smell of juniper, the rugged mountains—glacier scraped sides, studded with boulders. Up high near the top, are grassy meadows. We are close to the mountains and they seem to climb forever to the deep blue skies. The trees display a palette of greens: the tall pines have an olive green cast, the fir a darker green, contrasted by the lighter mint green deciduous trees. Like brave sentinels, the trees cling to the steep sides.
We didn't discuss our party affiliation and who we voted for. Instead, we talked about where we were from, our families and what we'd seen so far. It was so nice to visit with others and enjoy our nation's capital. I'm so proud to live here. All of our drivers were from other countries and were very happy to live here. Certainly we have our problems, our differences, but we enjoy so much. Most of all freedom.
Then, our highlight of the day, visiting the State Department.
I'm so grateful we have this third Thursday of November set aside for this giving thanks. I'd like to post some photos that tell the story. I'm thankful for the beautiful sunrises we awaken to some mornings in the Pacific NW. Often it is gray and cloudy, but many times, it is lovely. Isn't the pinkness [...]
We live in a beautiful world and are grateful to the Maker of our world.
Great Barrier Reef, on the Coral Sea Coffee break while walking on the Esplanade Aborigine at Cultural Park Poolside at the hotel Buildings in Cairns A warning sign to watch for crocodiles Our [...]
Greetings dear friends, We at last have internet--free no less and I'm going to give a quick update before our plane takes off to Cairns (pronounced "Cans"). We understand it will be beautiful and we know we'll enjoy our stay near the Great Barrier Reef. I'd like to share a few photos from our cruise. [...]
Yes, that’s right. Today is Friday, October 21, 2016. We’re crossing the international date line tonight and that means we’re going to miss a day to catch up with the Southern Hemisphere. Don’t ask me to explain it, for I can’t. I just know we lose a day traveling west, gain a day traveling east. [...]
We’ve been on the road for six days—this time the road is the ocean! We’re doing the “crossing” a cruise from Seattle to Australia. We left Seattle last Saturday at 1:30 under scattered cloudy skies, cool temperatures, and a brisk wind. Seattle We’ll sail until Friday morning and dock at Honolulu where we’ll [...]
