Friday, December 31, 2010

Salvation Mountain 2010

Salvation Mountain is located 3 miles from Niland, California.  Leonard had a vision to spread the word of God with as many people as possible.  He does so by painting God’s word on a mountain.  He has also used bales of straw to build a cave and has painted the inside of the cave with messages.  (You can view more pictures by clicking on the blue salvation mountain)

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The artist, Leonard, with Gary

The artist, Leonard with Gary in front of salvation Mountain.

Palm Springs Air Museum 2010

We truly love air museums. We have been to the Palm Springs Air Museum 3 times and enjoy it every time we come.  We enjoy talking to all the veterans who give their time to talk about the planes and items on display.

flew 33 missions in the bottom turret 

This gentleman was 18 when he flew 33 missions in WWII.  He was the gunner under the belly of the b-17.  He is now 85 years old.  His pilot was 20.

F4U/fG-1/F3A Corsair

 

P-40 Hawk  pursuit fighter

Monday, December 13, 2010

Entertaining at Bethel Retirement Center

When we stay at Turtle Beach, we always try to entertain at Bethel Retirement Center where Gary’s mother, Lilly, lives.  We had a great time and were glad that other members of our family were able to make it.

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Gary singing a song.

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Me playing and singing.

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Gary, his mother, Lilly, me, my mom, and my dad

Monday, December 06, 2010

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The weather was beautiful so Gary and I decided to take a trip over to Monterey.  We thought we would visit the Aquarium and have lunch on Fisherman’s Wharf.  We were surprised that there were no lines to get into the aquarium and that we were able to park close to the entrance.  Not very many people touring the aquarium.  We were able to take a free 10 minute tour behind the scenes.  Great tour, got to see iddy biddy jelly fish.  The cost has sure gone up since our last visit.  We paid $29 per adult.  Had lunch in the small cafĂ© inside, $10 for a hamburger and fries.  Maybe the cost has something to do with how few people were touring the aquarium.

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On our behind the scenes tour, we were able to see baby scuttle fish and got to watch them feed.  Very interesting.

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Feeding the fish in the Kelp forest exhibit.

moon jelly

jelly fish.

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jelly fish

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sea horses.

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jelly fish

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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Wings of History, San Martin, Ca

Discovered an airplane museum in San Martin, Ca.  Gary and I had gone to San Martin to return an item at Camping World when we saw the sign for the museum.  Didn’t take long to go through the museum, about 30 minutes.  Great museum with private airplanes that were built from kits

 

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Very small plane with very small engine.

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part car, part helicopter.  Built in Mexico, it did manage to fly for about 5 miles.

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side view

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This is the front part of a plane which was owned by Ray Charles.  The museum could not afford to move the whole plane, so front half had to do.

Museum hours:  Tue & thur  10 to 3

            Sat & Sun   11 to 4

donation $5

www.wingsofhistory.org

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Bent’s Old Fort Historical Site

Great place to visit to see how forts played a role in Manifest Destiny.  Bent’s fort was started by 2 brothers along the Santa Fe Trail.  The fort became a stopping place for pioneers on the trail and was a successful trading adventure.  Mexican laborers came from Taos and Santa Fe to build the fort for the Bents.  There is a great short film that talks about the history of this wonderful fort.

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P1340706 Buffalo hide press used to make bundles of the hides for easy transport.

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Gunnison Wood Carving and Car Show

Beautiful day in the park.  Mom, Dad, Gary, and I went into Gunnison and were rewarded with getting to see the chain-saw wood carvers at work on one side of the road and the car show on the other.

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Gunnison Pioneer Museum

The Gunnison Pioneer Museum is well-worth visiting.  Cost is $7.  The car section was very good.  The only thing I did not like was that the items were not identified.

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P1340592 dynamite warmer

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Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, North Rim

The sun was shinning so Gary and I drove the 52 miles to the north rim of the Gunnison.  Sure was a pretty drive.  We enjoyed the day and the beautiful scenery.

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P1340367 camel rock

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Thursday, August 05, 2010

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Gary and I are in Gunnison, Colorado staying at a Western Horizons Campground, Blue Mesa.  We were here our first year out and went to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, however, it was raining when we got there so we did not get to take very many of the walks to see all the park has to offer.  This time, it was a very sunny day and we were able to walk out to the various points and see the canyon.  On the way to the park, we stopped to see the Dillon pinnacles, just a spot on the side of the road.  Very enjoyable day.

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P1340213 Gunnison River, 2300 feet below the rim

P1340226 Painted rock.

P1340146 I’m always amazed at the different types of trailers motorcyles pull behind to store their possessions.  Thought these were unusual.  Do these remind you of coffins?