Trip to the moon

It's my favorite time of year to visit Craters of the Moon Natl. Monument with the snow on the black volcanic rock. We took the ranger's tour. This photo shows a patch of land that wasn't covered with lava flow after the ancient eruptions. It's good for botanists to study because it shows the native plants before human interference.

When we got there we discovered "No dogs allowed."

The cone clusters in the background are 700,000 year old rhyolite cones.

These are 15,000 year old cinder cones.

These black hills are from eruptions 2,000 years ago. The dip there is the crater of the volcano.

I have a different emotional reaction to ones that happened in the time of recorded history.

Bread loaf bomb is a glob of lava that shot up in to the air and cooled enough before it fell that it kept its shape instead of going splat.

This is a cultural site on rock about 6,000 years old. To my right a sun with rays is carved in the rock. This cave has a southern exposure so it was very cozy on a sunny winter day like we had.

Quite a nice spot for ancient people to get relief in the winter. My hand is next to a mark that shows the point where the sun hits when it first rises in the morning of the winter solstice. I know that great feeling when the sun is heading back our way!

This lava rock formation on a hillside is a human face profile. Awesome!

North Korea

Two Koreas agree to resume stalled talks15 February 2007 - The two Koreas agreed to resume stalled high-level talks later this month in Pyongyang, officials said Thursday, amid signs of easing tensions on the divided peninsula after the North signed a breakthrough disarmament agreement.

I don't know why they did not send C. to Korea years ago, if he can achieve this breakthrough after only being in the country 3 days.

Future Fun

I've been thinking all day about the fun in store for our newest prospective parents. Here's a glimpse.

Off to work we ALL go

I was talking to your brother on the phone this morning and we reminisced about how Dad loves to take people out to work with him. And how he is no respecter of persons. My thoughts were taken back to this last growing season. If there is work to be done and your only 3'2" and have no experience, so be it. He will train you. So, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work you go.
First you carry the pipe to where it needs to be.

Then you slip it in the pipe that is sitting there already.

Then you lock it in place.

Some times it is hard to stay focused and you want to hide from Grandpa. (Notice the tuft of blond hair sticking out above the alfalfa on the left hand side of the picture) But the dog gives you away.

"You rascally Charlee you!"

"I guess I have to get back to work now."

"I'm here for you Grandpa."

You positively can't go wrong with a hi, hi ho.

Fun with Fotos

A happy face log in the fire......
on a frosty winter day.