Picture of the Day - September 2010

I'm sure most people who read this (2 out of the 3?) know that I spent 2010 working on a project where I took one photo each day. That was pretty much the only rule; it could be the most exciting thing that day, something I thought was pretty, or just a hastily assembled still life because it was late and I had forgotten to take a photo earlier. All photos are taken with the same camera, and are unedited (except for one or two that are cropped). I still haven't broken the habit of carrying a camera around with me everywhere, and it is odd to look back on my life in a series of 365 photos.

Click to enlarge.

September 2010

September 1st

September 2nd

September 3rd

September 4th

September 5th

September 6th

September 7th

September 8th

September 9th

September 10th

September 11th

September 12th

September 13th

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September 15th

September 16th

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September 18th

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September 20th

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September 28th

September 29th

September 30th

EoB: Wedding Cakes and Potatoes

I'm continuing to repost (post-dated) diary entries from my trip. I'm in DC now, but if you scroll down you can relive my Oregon Trail odyssey in real time. As always, pictures are click to enlarge.

Shortly after passing Arches National Park, we turned north on highway 191. We were quickly into the absolute middle of the desert, when the gas light came on. Excellent. About 20 minutes (and an unknown amount of gas) later, we came to an abandoned gas station, which, judging by gas prices, hasn't been open since the late 80's. But, we were momentarily fooled, since they had a decoy car parked at one of the pumps! I was pretty excited, not only about getting gas, but also about getting gas for $1.10!

Eventually in about 50 miles we were literally bale to roll off the highway and through some more desert into the picturesque town of East Carbon. In Carbon County, Utah, there are 6 towns and 11 ghost towns. We found gas, and were saved! Unfortunately, the city museum was closed on Mondays.


Civilization came pretty quick after that. The desert gave way to red rock canyons and the area got more fertile and green and populated the closer we got to Provo and then Salt Lake.


After checking into our adorable hostel in Salt Lake, we headed out to explore a bit and find some dinner. Amost immediately we stumbled upon the Salt Lake Temple. Screw that building in Rome, this one ought to be nicknamed the Wedding Cake. I really want to see one of those cake shoes make it. anyway, it was really stunning all lit up at night. It always surprises me how "stumble" can actually very accurately be used to describe the way I seem to find really large buildings.


This morning we did another walk around downtown, this time in the daylight, and bought some postcards. Salt Lake has a great vibe. People were really friendly and there wer tons of bike and eco-friendly measures all over. Contrary to some expectations, I wasn't proselytized once.



After saying out goodbyes to Chrissy and Alison, we hi 15 North again heading for Blackfoot, Idaho. I've got to say, Southeastern Idaho is beautiful! It was all gorgeous mountains and farm filled alleys. Anyway, I'm marrying a potato farmer and moving there.




We went to Blackfoot to visit the World potato Expo, totally worth the trip. With admission ($1.50) we got free hash browns!


Also, I learned an ungodly amount about potatoes. For example, one potato is 36 french fries (on average). Also, Idaho produces 1/3 of America's potatoes, and 40% of that comes from beautiful Southeastern Idaho!


On the way back to the highway, I experienced my first live tumbleweed! It tumbled across the highway, and then literally got all up in Blue Betty's grill! So exciting!


Next up: Twin Falls.

EoB: From the Mile High City to the Moab

I'm continuing to repost diary entries from my trip..I'm in DC now, but if you scroll down you can relive my Oregon Trail odyssey in real time. As always, pictures are click to enlarge.

We made it to Mallory's without getting lost, great success. Her townhouse is super cute. Saturday night we met up with Hilary and some of her friends, and went out for Mexican and margaritas overlooking the Rockies game.

Sunday we slept in a bit and then went to wander downtown Denver. The city is really quiet, it was odd. It's clearly a big city, and I know it was Sunday, but we couldn't even hear the crowds from outside the baseball stadium while the game was on.

Lila came to meet us for lunch, which was really fantastic. She's been doing AmeriCorps in Denver for the past year. I haven't seen her for a while, so it was good to chat and catch up. It's always exciting to hear from old friends, and to hear about the amazing things they've been doing with their lives.

After lunch we walked over to the convention center to see the Big Blue Bear statue. As our trip theme is World's Biggest, we're just going to go ahead and assume that this is the World's Biggest Blue Bear. Lawrence Argent, the sculptor, intended it to represent the native fauna - I just see curiosity. Tomatoe tomahto.


While everyone else went to the botanical gardens, I met up with Lisa and went hiking for a few hours. We went up Lookout Mountain for some cooler temperatures and great views of Denver. It was a beautiful hike and it was good to see and talk to Lisa, especially at this particular drifting stage in my life.


Back at Mal's we made dinner and ate on the roof. Played some boardgames and watched bits of the VMAs. Did some laundry and went to bed early in anticipation of today's long drive.

We left just after 7 this morning. We decided to skip Wyoming in favor of taking route 70 across teh Rocky Mountains. Totally worth the extra hour of driving. The mountains are absolutely stunning. It's really been just amazing the change in scenery we've seen today. This morning we were in a 12,000 foot coniferous forest, and four hours later we're in the heard of the Moab desert (4,000ish feet I think)

We went up to Loveland Pass rather than take the Eisenhower tunnel. The pass is at 11,900 feet and marks the continental divide, which is pretty cool. Alison and I opted to climb up the ridge so we could say we'd made it to 12,000 feet. (Which reminds me that we picked up Chrissy and Alison in Denver and are giving them a lift to Salt Lake).


After the pass we dropped down through the mountains past Vail and entered into red rock canyons. The canyons leveled out and the mountains are not red sandy buttes and mesas. We're definitely in the desert now. We just dropve by the exit to Arches National park. We don't have the time or mileage to stop, but I could almost see the arch from the road. So cool.


Anyway, we're halfway to Salt Lake now. Thank goodness for air conditioning!