- IMG 2969
Ug with stick tend fire. Woman prepare meet. - IMG 2971
So we're not the greatest outdoor cooks. Just because our charcoal isn't hot can't stop us! Hyperventilating and passing out to keep the fire oxygenated was well worth it for mediocre steak and slightly-charred carrots. - IMG 2972
Obligatory sunset shot. Careful viewers will notice that the sun has been meticulously removed with Photoshop. You can't trust anyone these days. - STA 2977
Careful viewers will notice that the moon has been meticulously added with Photoshop. You can't trust anyone these days. - IMG 2988
It's neat because of the mirror, see? - IMG 2991
Think hard about what the bug splattered on the windshield means for all of us. - IMG 2992
We needed to take a picture of this ridge because we hadn't seen anything like it the day before or the day before that. - IMG 2993
At each gas station, we launched a preemptive strike against bug-gut encrustation on the front of the vehicle. It may be many months before leslie has time to give a shit about how clean her car is, and by then the remains may have fossilized. - IMG 2994
I don't know why. Ask her. - IMG 3001
A ridge with a LAKE! It was odd to see a bunch of boats being towed around the desert; we were confounded until we saw the majestic, day-glo lake Powell. - IMG 3003
Things started to get cool as soon as we got on SR-9 on the east side of Zion. - IMG 3005
The "Great Arch of Zion." It's probably about 500 feet tall and 1500 across. Really amazing. This is the first thing you see after leaving a tunnel that takes you into the canyon proper, on the west side. I'd have to say that hands-down, Zion was the most amazing place we saw during the trip. - IMG 3006
Pictures just can't do this place justice. Think thousands and thousands of feet. Hugeness. - IMG 3008
IMG_3008 - IMG 3009
Time for some hiking! - IMG 3010
On the bank of a stream, in the shadow of more huge, shear cliffs. Note the size of the trees on top to get an idea of the height. - IMG 3011
The adventurer finally finds a hat. - IMG 3012
On a hike to the Emerald Pools. - IMG 3015
Within 15 minutes of arriving in Vegas, we are disgusted and return to the interstate to put the horrid city behind us. - IMG 3016
LA at last! Isn't it to soon to be in the last city? - IMG 3018
A year later, the two travelers see the other ocean together. We've now traveled the entire length of Our Great Nation together :) - IMG 3021
A visit to the La Brea tar pits and attendant naturaly history museum. We also stopped by LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). - IMG 3024
Leslie stands under a wonderful bone arch. It may seem like a waste of fossil-type bones, but apparently they found many millions of bones, more than they need, so they just had someone spend some quailty time with the extras and some expoxy. - IMG 3025
The tar pits themselves. Stinky yet not at all scenic. - IMG 3026
This was the Japanese art building. Inside and out the place was beautiful, but inside no pictures were allowed. - IMG 3027
There, in the distance, is the lovable pile of granite we like to call Hueco Tanks. - IMG 3028
Bryan carefully considers his oldest, greatest foe: Mushroom Roof. Five visits to Hueco Tanks, and he has never been able to top it out from the starting hold. From the start, he has made it to the lip, and from the second hold, he has topped it out, but never linked it in its entirety. - IMG 3029
Now, moving to Seattle, he knows he might not get the chance to challenge it again for a long while. So, despite the fact that he hasn't climbed much for two months, he carefully reviews the beta (specify hand/foot locations used) through the years. Here, he places his hands as they would be right after the crux. The large slab of flake at the bottom is the start, followed by the two chips above it and to the left. Next the left hand is thrown to where you see it here, and the right raised to prepare for the second throw. - IMG 3031
Here is the moment just after the second throw, right hand on a decent flake while the left is in a nice slot. All I had to do was pull the lip, but I fell. Oh well, it's nice to have something to come back for. - IMG 3040
Another attempt, just after the crux, moving into position for the second throw. Above the left hand you can see the slot used to anchor the body while the right reaches for the flake.