tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86480945302742574002024-03-13T23:47:16.190-04:00Somewhere AwesomeEmily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-28092945468637048402012-07-19T23:58:00.000-04:002012-07-20T01:10:34.967-04:00This is Oklahoma.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DlNu1faf6Cw/UAjoCvEnL2I/AAAAAAAAAzM/rH_reAlrhos/s1600/P1010367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DlNu1faf6Cw/UAjoCvEnL2I/AAAAAAAAAzM/rH_reAlrhos/s400/P1010367.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We just saved you a day of driving. You're welcome.</div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-23272873399788905512012-07-18T23:19:00.000-04:002012-07-20T01:08:28.268-04:00We're going to Graceland, Graceland... Memphis, Tennessee..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymwT4GmQEXY/UAjYnsykjyI/AAAAAAAAAxE/VGzaH746Q04/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymwT4GmQEXY/UAjYnsykjyI/AAAAAAAAAxE/VGzaH746Q04/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We woke up refreshed this morning (despite the fact that it's 100 degrees in Memphis!) and headed down to "the birthplace of Rock and Roll," Sun Studio. In 1950, local Memphis radio DJ named Sam Phillips decided he wanted to open a small recording studio to record his favorite music, the Blues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1EUMp9s3t4/UAjZmpxNzTI/AAAAAAAAAxc/n_cyXvelH90/s1600/P1010314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1EUMp9s3t4/UAjZmpxNzTI/AAAAAAAAAxc/n_cyXvelH90/s400/P1010314.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sam's motto was "We Record Anything, Anywhere, Anytime". He even put out ads in the local paper to get musicians to come record:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtwniRp6FIE/UAjZaZMj-CI/AAAAAAAAAxU/B2ZERf3k7fo/s1600/P1010312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QtwniRp6FIE/UAjZaZMj-CI/AAAAAAAAAxU/B2ZERf3k7fo/s400/P1010312.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Soon after the studio opened, a number of well known musicians began to come through, and it was at Sun Studio that the first Rock and Roll song was recorded - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbfnh1oVTk0" target="_blank">"Rocket 88"</a>. It was only a few years later that an 18-year old Elvis Presley walked through the doors to record a few songs, "just to hear what he sounded like on record." That little recording led to Sun Studio becoming the epicenter of rockabilly, blues and Rock and Roll for years to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyAuKyVSo_U/UAjZViuYoTI/AAAAAAAAAxM/dPBH4pX7CbY/s1600/P1010324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyAuKyVSo_U/UAjZViuYoTI/AAAAAAAAAxM/dPBH4pX7CbY/s400/P1010324.JPG" width="300" /> </a></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is an actual mic used by Elvis!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After learning all about Elvis' beginnings, we headed over to Graceland! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGA7q4fTFc4/UAjbQ7-S20I/AAAAAAAAAxo/zjeY6dnG_xs/s1600/P1010360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGA7q4fTFc4/UAjbQ7-S20I/AAAAAAAAAxo/zjeY6dnG_xs/s400/P1010360.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Holy Grail of Elvisdom</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WsKNAgbHfA/UAjbiG3jmEI/AAAAAAAAAxw/do08U973qQA/s1600/graceland1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WsKNAgbHfA/UAjbiG3jmEI/AAAAAAAAAxw/do08U973qQA/s400/graceland1" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is Elvis' living room - note the bust of Elvis on the coffee table. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lxPfSgQ8JY/UAjb3a3YG2I/AAAAAAAAAx4/20ek-CsYmeI/s1600/graceland2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lxPfSgQ8JY/UAjb3a3YG2I/AAAAAAAAAx4/20ek-CsYmeI/s400/graceland2" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is the kitchen, where all the peanut butter-and-bacon magic happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxMlRJLd9Jg/UAjcK0tlTOI/AAAAAAAAAyE/-E48U-qS73M/s1600/graceland3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxMlRJLd9Jg/UAjcK0tlTOI/AAAAAAAAAyE/-E48U-qS73M/s400/graceland3" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When Elvis learned that Richard Nixon had three TV's to watch all three network news broadcasts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">well... Elvis thought that was a mighty fine idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP8X2Ah7FFs/UAjcgwf16gI/AAAAAAAAAyM/szcsE6O_uVc/s1600/graceland4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP8X2Ah7FFs/UAjcgwf16gI/AAAAAAAAAyM/szcsE6O_uVc/s400/graceland4" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Elvis imported thousands of yards of fabric to completely cover his pool room, top to bottom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGbHrvvLi1E/UAjc-zyqtNI/AAAAAAAAAyY/_M86qrSm8PM/s1600/graceland6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGbHrvvLi1E/UAjc-zyqtNI/AAAAAAAAAyY/_M86qrSm8PM/s400/graceland6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"The Jungle Room" - Elvis liked it because it reminded him of Hawaii... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Especially the green shag carpet on the floor and ceiling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6SWE--q8bc/UAjdgpSUTnI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Usj79Dj7Spk/s1600/graceland9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6SWE--q8bc/UAjdgpSUTnI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Usj79Dj7Spk/s400/graceland9.jpg" width="290" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There's a reason why they called him "The King" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-799QfzlDUZ8/UAjes_unHQI/AAAAAAAAAy8/XC5CUJqc_bw/s1600/graceland5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-799QfzlDUZ8/UAjes_unHQI/AAAAAAAAAy8/XC5CUJqc_bw/s400/graceland5.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Elvis' personal racquetball court has been turned into a trophy room (one of many!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUO0aK7_L0g/UAjeSJzL4YI/AAAAAAAAAyo/RDFNm13fG2s/s1600/P1010356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YUO0aK7_L0g/UAjeSJzL4YI/AAAAAAAAAyo/RDFNm13fG2s/s400/P1010356.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Elvis fans continue to send gifts and flowers to this day. There are people at Graceland </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">responsible for going through these gifts and placing them on Elvis' grave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naTG8xMn_kA/UAjegI7ubkI/AAAAAAAAAy0/NaVwG-CoqwE/s1600/P1010364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-naTG8xMn_kA/UAjegI7ubkI/AAAAAAAAAy0/NaVwG-CoqwE/s400/P1010364.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rockin' and Rollin' our way across the country! </span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-69240292902627012972012-07-18T00:49:00.000-04:002012-07-19T01:03:55.990-04:00Walkin' in Memphis...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQKMFdc2Q7o/UAeOpW11OOI/AAAAAAAAAvw/91Vtlnlei3s/s1600/P1010294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQKMFdc2Q7o/UAeOpW11OOI/AAAAAAAAAvw/91Vtlnlei3s/s400/P1010294.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After a brief (but delicious) stop in Nashville, we made our way across Tennessee to another music-oriented town. Memphis is known for a few things: Elvis, the blues, barbeque, and (apparently) no open container laws. The main strip in Memphis is Beale Street, which is similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, only more music and less of... everything else that happens in New Orleans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSb1KGBXk_w/UAeOflpxCGI/AAAAAAAAAvo/__mi5nxrrRc/s1600/P1010288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iSb1KGBXk_w/UAeOflpxCGI/AAAAAAAAAvo/__mi5nxrrRc/s400/P1010288.JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Look at all those neon signs! You just know it's gonna be a good time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyXHw9L17OQ/UAeOyHIRN2I/AAAAAAAAAwM/DCMETcRrV9M/s1600/P1010300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyXHw9L17OQ/UAeOyHIRN2I/AAAAAAAAAwM/DCMETcRrV9M/s400/P1010300.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> B.B. King's Blues Club on Beale</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eRLvmO1if8/UAeOrSTDDUI/AAAAAAAAAv4/cwxopPttQ-A/s1600/P1010295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eRLvmO1if8/UAeOrSTDDUI/AAAAAAAAAv4/cwxopPttQ-A/s400/P1010295.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Memphis tourism breakdown - 25% history/music/food, 75% Elvis</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5jEntg8L3oI/UAeO0rwA9EI/AAAAAAAAAw4/UfVBAH6w7NQ/s1600/P1010284.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D7a57119ada03e685%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1345264595%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D67279681415A06D301D93AF4B02315ABF4F62D29.5511CE2DA80B6F122D12EDA40A3B01590AA45B5D%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D7a57119ada03e685%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1345264595%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D67279681415A06D301D93AF4B02315ABF4F62D29.5511CE2DA80B6F122D12EDA40A3B01590AA45B5D%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There's a crew of street performers called the Beale Street Flippers - they do this all night long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aDDMlMHeJA/UAeOulMwoFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/bUyT0f3FiMU/s1600/P1010296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2aDDMlMHeJA/UAeOulMwoFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/bUyT0f3FiMU/s400/P1010296.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">We had dinner at the Blues City Cafe: BBQ ribs and fried catfish - a true Memphis feast</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBSJYP55oYU/UAeO0CrQ1fI/AAAAAAAAAwU/02aLyMRiWHE/s1600/P1010305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBSJYP55oYU/UAeO0CrQ1fI/AAAAAAAAAwU/02aLyMRiWHE/s400/P1010305.JPG" width="270" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow's a big day - Sun Studio and GRACELAND!!! </span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-49743877913792349202012-07-16T03:09:00.005-04:002012-07-16T03:09:58.996-04:00On the road again...Friends, family, Facebook stalkers: welcome back! We are officially on our way to San Francisco, and we are planning to blog along the way. Tomorrow is our first stop -- Nashville. We're looking forward to some good food and good music (and hopefully a cowboy hat or two). We'll report back with our findings. Good night!<br />
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<br />Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-81619356415544793962011-08-16T12:29:00.000-04:002011-08-17T12:35:11.873-04:00Home safe!After a relaxing, enjoyable stay in Mendham, New Jersey with our friend Rachel (and her adorable Boston Terrier, Ruby) we made our way down the Jersey Turnpike, and back home. We had an amazing trip filled with delicious food, intense hikes, and great people. Can't wait for the next one!
<br />Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-57175789678050932212011-08-14T21:03:00.001-04:002011-08-17T12:29:21.790-04:00New Hampshuh revisited<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnV813GcxR8/TkvnnMZYZ7I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aTcGRaqoL38/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnV813GcxR8/TkvnnMZYZ7I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/aTcGRaqoL38/s400/DSC_0167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641857618740275122" border="0" /></a><span style="" lang="EN">As we were planning this trip, whenever New England was mentioned, Emily brought up a few things she would like to experience – fresh lobster, camping in Acadia, and seeing lighthouses. It was our assumption that every town along the coast of New England would have a rocky coast with a lighthouse. You can only imagine our disappointment when stop after stop, we saw “Lighthouse Motel” or “Lighthouse Gifts,” but never an actual lighthouse.<o:p>
<br /></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN">Then we got to Portsmouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p>Portsmouth is one of the oldest cities in New Hampshire, there's a lot of Revolutionary War-era history (Paul Revere rode here!) and has since become a "popular summer tourist destination" according to Wikipedia. Portsmouth also happens to be the home of our friend Kelly, who graciously took us into her home and showed us some of the highlights of her town, including...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LO98ZOalR0E/TkvnnqfT8GI/AAAAAAAAAuY/IqCDGI-M8Go/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LO98ZOalR0E/TkvnnqfT8GI/AAAAAAAAAuY/IqCDGI-M8Go/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641857626818211938" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style="" lang="EN">Built in 1771, rebuilt in 1804, and finally re-rebuilt in 1878, the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is a fully-functioning lighthouse which has been under the control of the U.S. Coast Guard since the late 1940’s. Luckily for us, a few lighthouse enthusiasts started up the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and they agreed to a deal with the Coast Guard – they will work on the upkeep of the lighthouse, and they also get to give tours of the lighthouse. We (obviously) took the tour.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SreqLzrpoYk/TkvpFofiYlI/AAAAAAAAAu4/fUTIor0t6JM/s1600/P1000349.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SreqLzrpoYk/TkvpFofiYlI/AAAAAAAAAu4/fUTIor0t6JM/s400/P1000349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641859241189990994" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">The stairway leading up to the top of the lighthouse.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN">After the lighthouse, Kelly took us on a whirlwind tour of the rest of the city of Portsmouth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5CRK3h-JTE/TkvnmONZXpI/AAAAAAAAAuA/nsPE_Q6EtiQ/s1600/DSC_0152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5CRK3h-JTE/TkvnmONZXpI/AAAAAAAAAuA/nsPE_Q6EtiQ/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641857602047008402" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our hostess and tour guide, Kelly</span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qLbADfZkrQ/TkvnoNZSG4I/AAAAAAAAAug/mmmRjl63Z34/s1600/P1000335.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qLbADfZkrQ/TkvnoNZSG4I/AAAAAAAAAug/mmmRjl63Z34/s400/P1000335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641857636188167042" border="0" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size:85%;">Lunch was a phenomenal jumbo lobster roll from Petey's</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVdDHNEmLY8/TkvpFGhvDUI/AAAAAAAAAuw/ZVzwY-NjviM/s1600/P1000340.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVdDHNEmLY8/TkvpFGhvDUI/AAAAAAAAAuw/ZVzwY-NjviM/s400/P1000340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641859232072404290" border="0" /></a><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kelly and Emily exploring the rocky shores of New Hampshire</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Gcu4Vpe2c/Tkvr-eqF7_I/AAAAAAAAAvI/3BgB6tF7jjA/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1Gcu4Vpe2c/Tkvr-eqF7_I/AAAAAAAAAvI/3BgB6tF7jjA/s400/DSC_0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641862416825708530" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The rocky shores of New Hampshire (that's Whaleback Lighthouse in the distance)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O02de8nBv30/TkvpGb-091I/AAAAAAAAAvA/sQw_jC2eu9c/s1600/P1000361.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O02de8nBv30/TkvpGb-091I/AAAAAAAAAvA/sQw_jC2eu9c/s400/P1000361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641859255011440466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Downtown Portsmouth</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">We spent the rest of the evening enjoying good food and good company, and a great view from the dock outside Kelly's house. Tomorrow we begin the trip home - next stop, New Jersey!
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7mOiSe0Qfk/TkvpEiGpWII/AAAAAAAAAuo/bk0O0wuaiW0/s1600/P1000353.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7mOiSe0Qfk/TkvpEiGpWII/AAAAAAAAAuo/bk0O0wuaiW0/s400/P1000353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641859222295107714" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Our New England vacation is finally complete!</span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""></p>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-46065409065167447272011-08-13T23:40:00.000-04:002011-08-17T12:03:25.906-04:00The ORIGINAL Portland<span style="" lang="EN">We slept like babies (how could we not, after a day like yesterday?), and woke up bright and early to pack up our campsite and head south. As per a late night agreement, we started the day with a stop in Ellsworth for another Maine tradition...
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLn5L1Pq-Jg/TkvlAm70eII/AAAAAAAAAtY/jceYMdDwYgk/s1600/P1000312.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rLn5L1Pq-Jg/TkvlAm70eII/AAAAAAAAAtY/jceYMdDwYgk/s400/P1000312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641854756825888898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Wild blueberry pancakes!</span>
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<br />Next stop? Portland – a cool, funky, artsy city by the water... sounds familiar...
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<br /></span><div color="-moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext" style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvzSpieCVlQ/TkvlCZrxTyI/AAAAAAAAAtw/BcmupsQXFbs/s1600/P1000327.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvzSpieCVlQ/TkvlCZrxTyI/AAAAAAAAAtw/BcmupsQXFbs/s400/P1000327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641854787628650274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">There are three main streets in downtown Portland - this is the street in the middle, named "Middle Street"
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esUb3nHNTB0/TkvlBBakIqI/AAAAAAAAAtg/YErSGyS8nxc/s1600/P1000322.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esUb3nHNTB0/TkvlBBakIqI/AAAAAAAAAtg/YErSGyS8nxc/s400/P1000322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641854763934163618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Portland marina</span>
<br /><span style="" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></div> </div> Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-60313609376573047782011-08-12T23:39:00.000-04:002011-08-16T18:12:26.399-04:00Acadia Part 2: Onward-er and Upward-er<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GidemO1w7Lw/TkrlIzHOcAI/AAAAAAAAArI/Ks79WW9lb5c/s1600/DSC_0141.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GidemO1w7Lw/TkrlIzHOcAI/AAAAAAAAArI/Ks79WW9lb5c/s400/DSC_0141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573422557196290" border="0" /></a><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Good morning!</span>
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<br /><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></div><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>From the sunlight streaming in to our tent, we knew it was time to wake up and get exploring. Acadia is a huge park, so we asked a park ranger for some hiking advice. He gave us a path that involved hiking a trail over two mountain peaks.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgB2kLmeeSM/TkrlJfEae3I/AAAAAAAAArQ/qmWdtofSwug/s1600/P1000267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgB2kLmeeSM/TkrlJfEae3I/AAAAAAAAArQ/qmWdtofSwug/s400/P1000267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573434356562802" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We started our way up Mt. Huguenaut with a good example of rock paving.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWQYuxRKTT8/TkrlKdIoq8I/AAAAAAAAArY/JVFj_aghOtI/s1600/P1000272.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWQYuxRKTT8/TkrlKdIoq8I/AAAAAAAAArY/JVFj_aghOtI/s400/P1000272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573451017268162" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">After crossing Huguenaut, we made our way up Mt. Champlain, "Cliffhanger" style.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTHNTG2-fEo/Tkrlphg8PjI/AAAAAAAAArg/y19JPutuwmA/s1600/P1000277.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTHNTG2-fEo/Tkrlphg8PjI/AAAAAAAAArg/y19JPutuwmA/s400/P1000277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573984768900658" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">Made it!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybuXawb7BWA/TkrlIPTx7-I/AAAAAAAAArA/dVldL6JIx6U/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybuXawb7BWA/TkrlIPTx7-I/AAAAAAAAArA/dVldL6JIx6U/s400/DSC_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573412946178018" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">Exploring the peak of Champlain</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51uvnq5Qp-M/TkrlHytCwiI/AAAAAAAAAq4/1IMvt_0YOvo/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51uvnq5Qp-M/TkrlHytCwiI/AAAAAAAAAq4/1IMvt_0YOvo/s400/DSC_0116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573405267509794" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="" lang="EN"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another one of those amazing Acadia views</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="" lang="EN">Our ranger buddy suggested we take a different trail down the mountain, doubling back to follow a new trail around the face of the mountain, then finally meeting up with a fourth trail to climb down. He warned us that there was a lot of tough terrain, and he was absolutely right. It was very strenuous, and really, really fun.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfGRFbmjC6s/TkrlqKhkhJI/AAAAAAAAAro/SPbWzFPjjM0/s1600/P1000284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rfGRFbmjC6s/TkrlqKhkhJI/AAAAAAAAAro/SPbWzFPjjM0/s400/P1000284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641573995777393810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We knew there was going to be a lot of bouldering on our way down, so we put on our FiveFingers</span>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb9hT7yjTZ4/Tkrlq3nY2qI/AAAAAAAAArw/GterZxix3uo/s1600/P1000286.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb9hT7yjTZ4/Tkrlq3nY2qI/AAAAAAAAArw/GterZxix3uo/s400/P1000286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574007881390754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Based on all the questions we answered, we should be spokespeople for Vibram!</span>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5zNtUrIyE/TkrlsF1KfpI/AAAAAAAAAsA/-LXYDHMSefI/s1600/P1000295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5zNtUrIyE/TkrlsF1KfpI/AAAAAAAAAsA/-LXYDHMSefI/s400/P1000295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574028877135506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another, much steeper example of rock paving
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZTd5115VLs/TkrlrXhX_uI/AAAAAAAAAr4/TBs8rb-xraU/s1600/P1000290.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qZTd5115VLs/TkrlrXhX_uI/AAAAAAAAAr4/TBs8rb-xraU/s400/P1000290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574016446103266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The last 500 feet down involved climbing over, under, and straight down huge boulders. </span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2OJvAVSdmuc/TkrmG2DTmJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/lplbwXkKqwQ/s1600/P1000301.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2OJvAVSdmuc/TkrmG2DTmJI/AAAAAAAAAsI/lplbwXkKqwQ/s400/P1000301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574488497952914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Taking in one last view of the ocean</span>
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<br />After a hike like that, we definitely needed a shower - luckily Acadia has coin-operated showers in the park. $2 in quarters bought you 4 minutes of wonderful hot water... we've never showered as efficiently as we did today. We got ourselves dressed, and on the recommendation of <a href="http://www.roadfood.com/">Roadfood.com</a>, we drove out to Beal's Lobster Pound for authentic Maine lobster rolls (and an authentic Maine blueberry sodee pop).
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<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zak3D5KcluM/TkrmHXjTRuI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/6QzaurqgVww/s1600/P1000303.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zak3D5KcluM/TkrmHXjTRuI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/6QzaurqgVww/s400/P1000303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574497490519778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It was a long wait, but it was worth it (as usual)</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dvPSQDo0UY/TkrmIcRtuPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/fPuUXQpWrAQ/s1600/P1000305.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dvPSQDo0UY/TkrmIcRtuPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/fPuUXQpWrAQ/s400/P1000305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574515938801906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Emily is a total Maine-iac</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9EPI1BHDiY/TkrmI7tU6sI/AAAAAAAAAso/J2mFTBmcPAc/s1600/P1000308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K9EPI1BHDiY/TkrmI7tU6sI/AAAAAAAAAso/J2mFTBmcPAc/s400/P1000308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574524376115906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes!</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">We headed back to our campsite for dessert - a few toasted (or burnt, if that’s the way you like them) marshmallows over the fire. We then settled into our tent to discuss our plans to come back to Acadia, because there’s so much we didn’t get to see (Thunderhole!)
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkNWnRfamW0/TkrmH4gjJjI/AAAAAAAAAsY/PpBpfIG4Zvg/s1600/P1000304.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkNWnRfamW0/TkrmH4gjJjI/AAAAAAAAAsY/PpBpfIG4Zvg/s400/P1000304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641574506337347122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Catching a sunset outside Beal's</span>
<br /></div></div></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-5053448457749802642011-08-11T23:52:00.000-04:002011-08-14T00:42:01.153-04:00Acadia Part 1: Onward and UpwardAfter spending an enchanting night at the Admiral Ocean Inn, we arrived at our Maine destination: Acadia National Park.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94dV9D54DzU/TkdJNy4KSBI/AAAAAAAAApo/IeqRp5bgsII/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94dV9D54DzU/TkdJNy4KSBI/AAAAAAAAApo/IeqRp5bgsII/s400/DSC_0108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640557559649290258" border="0" /></a>Covering most of Mt. Desert Island, Acadia is easily one of the most beautiful spots on the East Coast. It has mountains, forests, an ocean shoreline, and some truly wild hiking trails. We had gotten a good recommendation from our friend T.L. to check out the Beehive, a 520-foot peak overlooking the Atlantic shoreline. It's an intense hike with a good deal of vertical climbing, but the ocean view was well worth the effort.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUNBki4PlFU/TkdLOzN24nI/AAAAAAAAAqw/L2f2Z6WbDiw/s1600/P1000206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUNBki4PlFU/TkdLOzN24nI/AAAAAAAAAqw/L2f2Z6WbDiw/s400/P1000206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640559775943418482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It took a lot of balance and concentration...
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<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndpGoxDfZR4/TkdJOR7dPFI/AAAAAAAAApw/NKwkYfgHceg/s1600/P1000203.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndpGoxDfZR4/TkdJOR7dPFI/AAAAAAAAApw/NKwkYfgHceg/s400/P1000203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640557567984614482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">They put iron rungs directly into the rock that you climb like a ladder...
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zxb1B0tHYY/TkdKRZxIy7I/AAAAAAAAAqA/FmtF80tQV_Y/s1600/P1000208.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Zxb1B0tHYY/TkdKRZxIy7I/AAAAAAAAAqA/FmtF80tQV_Y/s400/P1000208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640558721140050866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">...a twisted, crazy, 500-foot high ladder.</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs_ICEXxlzY/TkdJNvCU-tI/AAAAAAAAApg/FtwRuHI_VHE/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bs_ICEXxlzY/TkdJNvCU-tI/AAAAAAAAApg/FtwRuHI_VHE/s400/DSC_0088.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640557558618192594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam Soffrin: Semi-Professional Adventurer
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf1jaqsh7bI/TkdJNayqf4I/AAAAAAAAApY/HZ4Y4yotZVI/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf1jaqsh7bI/TkdJNayqf4I/AAAAAAAAApY/HZ4Y4yotZVI/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640557553183784834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">See what we were saying about that view?
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<br />We made our way down the mountain and headed back to our campsite. We could have gone and picked up something to cook over the fire, but we're on vacation here! We hopped in the car and headed straight for Bar Harbor, an old fishing village right by Acadia that has become a quaint tourist destination.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAW7HvPFykU/TkdKSh0MP1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/LITfxiAzUSM/s1600/P1000240.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qAW7HvPFykU/TkdKSh0MP1I/AAAAAAAAAqg/LITfxiAzUSM/s400/P1000240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640558740480212818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This was Adam's view from our dinner table.
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<br /></span></div>Bar Harbor is filled with fun and funky stores (including not one, not two, but THREE separate year-round Christmas shoppes!) If you can put a picture of a lobster on something, you can buy it in Maine. We had a sunset dinner at the Bar Harbor Inn - we sat on the terrace and had a great view of the water.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqK6ptyeOGo/TkdKSfMyvxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/j7tbrVwKi4E/s1600/P1000239.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqK6ptyeOGo/TkdKSfMyvxI/AAAAAAAAAqY/j7tbrVwKi4E/s400/P1000239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640558739778092818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This was Emily's view from our dinner table
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeVP1tDRsHk/TkdKRyPlfrI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/y2NZtoO-ISE/s1600/P1000237.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeVP1tDRsHk/TkdKRyPlfrI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/y2NZtoO-ISE/s400/P1000237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640558727710211762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Have you ever seen such a well-garnished Bloody Mary?</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wKbd0jzVZk/TkdKsrESomI/AAAAAAAAAqo/IWjwYBFdrwA/s1600/P1000250.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wKbd0jzVZk/TkdKsrESomI/AAAAAAAAAqo/IWjwYBFdrwA/s400/P1000250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640559189640258146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One "Lobster Bake Special," please!</span>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">After that fantastic dinner, we retired to our tent for some well-earned rest! More Acadia to come tomorrow!
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ck73NEoUvos/TkdKRpojN9I/AAAAAAAAAqI/PrCu3jMmWEY/s1600/P1000220.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ck73NEoUvos/TkdKRpojN9I/AAAAAAAAAqI/PrCu3jMmWEY/s400/P1000220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640558725399001042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Livin' the high life!</span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-13197033948197125092011-08-10T23:47:00.008-04:002011-08-11T00:22:17.140-04:00New Hampshuh!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGt2bfMP4Ns/TkNRtjVJFXI/AAAAAAAAAng/DeU9AAaLdpM/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 166px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGt2bfMP4Ns/TkNRtjVJFXI/AAAAAAAAAng/DeU9AAaLdpM/s400/DSC_0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441001417872754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The view of Lake Winnipesaukee from Stonybrook Farm</span>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We woke up this morning knowing we had a full day to get to Acadia National Park. Originally we were going to spend the day at the beach, but we decided to take a scenic trip to Lake Winnipesaukee instead. We didn't know much about the area, aside from the fact that it was the setting for "What About Bob?"... but that was more than enough reason for us to stop by! We drove the perimeter of the lake, making stops along the way that looked cool.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-1gKFbHtxc/TkNSgtxYy8I/AAAAAAAAAog/Jviz2-T_bAY/s1600/P1000152.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-1gKFbHtxc/TkNSgtxYy8I/AAAAAAAAAog/Jviz2-T_bAY/s400/P1000152.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441880394025922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Hey! This looks cool!"
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAwRDr3qjE0/TkNSgGxE8iI/AAAAAAAAAoY/IVF8Oq777E8/s1600/P1000148.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAwRDr3qjE0/TkNSgGxE8iI/AAAAAAAAAoY/IVF8Oq777E8/s400/P1000148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441869923742242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"Hey! This looks cool, too!"</span>
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<br /></div>We spotted a sign for blueberry picking, and a quick five minute detour led us up to Stonybrook Farm, where we encountered the ripest, most delicious blueberries either of us had ever tasted.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26EvP2tjydo/TkNRtAuBPtI/AAAAAAAAAnY/G4IUPho3Guw/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26EvP2tjydo/TkNRtAuBPtI/AAAAAAAAAnY/G4IUPho3Guw/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639440992126975698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Blueberry heaven.
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<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXd8HfWIbbc/TkNRujwsYxI/AAAAAAAAAnw/FzJuuGrccs4/s1600/P1000123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXd8HfWIbbc/TkNRujwsYxI/AAAAAAAAAnw/FzJuuGrccs4/s400/P1000123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441018713301778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Looks like someone's pretty excited about blueberry picking...
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaTuCknywz4/TkNSe8J8oLI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HBU5uNYASO0/s1600/P1000139.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaTuCknywz4/TkNSe8J8oLI/AAAAAAAAAoI/HBU5uNYASO0/s400/P1000139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441849895395506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The blueberries were huge!
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsGFEtzJowA/TkNSel0ZFvI/AAAAAAAAAoA/C3T1ORzAyw8/s1600/P1000138.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsGFEtzJowA/TkNSel0ZFvI/AAAAAAAAAoA/C3T1ORzAyw8/s400/P1000138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441843899406066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Superberries. So good!</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkhi9ECokW8/TkNRvQxQwXI/AAAAAAAAAn4/-IyDPSPlzr8/s1600/P1000133.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkhi9ECokW8/TkNRvQxQwXI/AAAAAAAAAn4/-IyDPSPlzr8/s400/P1000133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441030795280754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam paid double for our blueberries, because he felt bad about the pound of blueberries he ate when no one was watching.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgFIYKWgbDA/TkNSfnHQUbI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/FlJa1TVVQAc/s1600/P1000142.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgFIYKWgbDA/TkNSfnHQUbI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/FlJa1TVVQAc/s400/P1000142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441861426827698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The fruits of our labor (pun fully intended).
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Rather than heading back to the highway, we decided to explore northern New Hampshire and check out the White Mountain National Forest.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3KU2m4EFdg/TkNTm9VJ9zI/AAAAAAAAAo4/nluh0g3dzlk/s1600/P1000167.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3KU2m4EFdg/TkNTm9VJ9zI/AAAAAAAAAo4/nluh0g3dzlk/s400/P1000167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639443087161423666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">That fog made for a very interesting drive down the mountain.
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<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPvPN7aEXjc/TkNTmVS0xmI/AAAAAAAAAow/_5VeZGzDUJI/s1600/P1000156.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPvPN7aEXjc/TkNTmVS0xmI/AAAAAAAAAow/_5VeZGzDUJI/s400/P1000156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639443076414228066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We took a little discovery hike and were treated to some great views.</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb585sNEkug/TkNRuPZ8gNI/AAAAAAAAAno/YZQZpG8Wzss/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 197px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb585sNEkug/TkNRuPZ8gNI/AAAAAAAAAno/YZQZpG8Wzss/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639441013249179858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Absolutely breathtaking.</span>
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<br /></div></div></div>As the sun started to set and the temperature dipped down to the mid-60's (i.e. extremely pleasant), we bid farewell to New Hampshire (for now), and made our way into Maine. We had heard about this crazy restaurant in Portland, ME that serves french fries fried in duck fat. Yes, duck fat. It makes for a lighter, crispier, fluffier, deliciouser fry. And what is this wonderful restaurant called? What else? <a href="http://www.duckfat.com/">Duckfat!</a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78R7KCU0_7s/TkNTnUXV_MI/AAAAAAAAApA/tesYSBWDb-g/s1600/P1000182.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78R7KCU0_7s/TkNTnUXV_MI/AAAAAAAAApA/tesYSBWDb-g/s400/P1000182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639443093344615618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Unreal.</span>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jecEjSQZf4A/TkNTn-_--BI/AAAAAAAAApI/uvBrDK50uZ4/s1600/P1000189.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jecEjSQZf4A/TkNTn-_--BI/AAAAAAAAApI/uvBrDK50uZ4/s400/P1000189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639443104789362706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The churros were also fried in duck fat... it's like they broke into my dream journal.</span>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tomorrow we make our way into Acadia National Park for a few days of camping, hiking, and lobsters! We'll be back soon with more adventures!</span>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fq5Mr4R_7oU/TkNTlmTn8GI/AAAAAAAAAoo/AbHjekIgjQY/s1600/P1000153.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fq5Mr4R_7oU/TkNTlmTn8GI/AAAAAAAAAoo/AbHjekIgjQY/s400/P1000153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639443063801114722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">In memory of our dinner last night.</span>
<br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-78574439012751800082011-08-10T00:23:00.007-04:002011-08-10T00:55:45.133-04:00Pizza, Towers, Drawbridges and Lobsters<span style="font-family: arial;">After spending most of the past few months baking through one of D.C.’s hottest summers in history, our collective wanderlust kicked in, so we packed up the car and hit the road heading north. A quick stopover in New York to see some family became our launching point for our Northeast Adventure.</span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">We started the day by driving into New Haven, Connecticut for a true classic – Frank Pepe Pizzeria.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WNGrcBaMRg/TkIJKBaoCAI/AAAAAAAAAlw/EefN5S_MAg8/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WNGrcBaMRg/TkIJKBaoCAI/AAAAAAAAAlw/EefN5S_MAg8/s400/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639079751204734978" border="0" /></a>Opened in 1925, Pepe’s is the originator of New Haven-style pizza (also known as apizza, prounounced “ah-BEETs”). Their signature dish is the white clam pizza – a white pizza with fresh clams, garlic, grated cheese and oregano.
<br /></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGuN0cVGdM8/TkIJKYJtRzI/AAAAAAAAAl4/3r3oCrUwpF0/s1600/P1000022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mGuN0cVGdM8/TkIJKYJtRzI/AAAAAAAAAl4/3r3oCrUwpF0/s400/P1000022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639079757307791154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >This was the amoment we had been waiting for all amorning!</span>
<br /></div><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HB-NzCwhrGc/TkIJKrzNzoI/AAAAAAAAAmA/DQntElQ0dUE/s1600/P1000023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HB-NzCwhrGc/TkIJKrzNzoI/AAAAAAAAAmA/DQntElQ0dUE/s400/P1000023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639079762582163074" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">We’ve tried other pizzeria’s impressions of Pepe’s white clam pizza, but they don’t compare to the original.</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">After lunch, we needed to work off all that pizza, so we headed over to Sleeping Giant State Park to hike up to “The Tower.” We weren’t sure what to expect - we knew it was some sort of tower (our powerful deduction skills), but after hiking the mile and a half out, we finally saw it:</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouzIYqjKUEk/TkIJKyG38CI/AAAAAAAAAmI/PoO3kqqYOm4/s1600/P1000027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouzIYqjKUEk/TkIJKyG38CI/AAAAAAAAAmI/PoO3kqqYOm4/s400/P1000027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639079764275228706" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">It’s a big stone fortress,<span style=""> </span>built in the early 1930’s and funded by the Works Progress Administration (the original stimulus package). We spent some time on top of the Tower admiring the views and enjoying the cool breeze.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS6Vv43v9B4/TkIJ7z2LFOI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/LgCR0OP7T0g/s1600/P1000062.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS6Vv43v9B4/TkIJ7z2LFOI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/LgCR0OP7T0g/s400/P1000062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639080606555641058" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">:)</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYh8vVTfHjo/TkIJ8As_WPI/AAAAAAAAAmY/7aofzFhcsNk/s1600/P1000051.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYh8vVTfHjo/TkIJ8As_WPI/AAAAAAAAAmY/7aofzFhcsNk/s400/P1000051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639080610006784242" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Some dangerous maneuvers went into getting this picture. Don't worry - we're okay!</span>
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">The next stop on our tour of Connecticut was Mystic. It’s a small fishing village, most known for being the setting of the Julia Roberts movie “Mystic Pizza.”</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j2e2wy5qYk/TkIJ8Yo9ypI/AAAAAAAAAmg/K55RKwpHb7M/s1600/P1000066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0j2e2wy5qYk/TkIJ8Yo9ypI/AAAAAAAAAmg/K55RKwpHb7M/s400/P1000066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639080616432355986" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">We did not try the pizza, but it made us happy just to know it exists.</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Mystic is a cool little town with a lot of fun artsy shops, restaurants, and a nice marina.</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIHjZtXQWMU/TkIK5Y1zRYI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/Slc8duc6u_8/s1600/photo1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TIHjZtXQWMU/TkIK5Y1zRYI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/Slc8duc6u_8/s400/photo1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639081664458212738" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Despite what the sign says, I'm pretty sure there are fish in there.</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzKmxLmSp5g/TkIJ8tzo-zI/AAAAAAAAAmo/gsxKsJAoruM/s1600/P1000091.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzKmxLmSp5g/TkIJ8tzo-zI/AAAAAAAAAmo/gsxKsJAoruM/s400/P1000091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639080622114274098" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam considered joining the yacht club, but sadly forgot to pack his boat shoes.</span>
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">There is also a loud horn that blows every hour to let you know they are raising the GIANT DRAWBRIDGE THAT YOU HAVE TO CROSS TO GET IN TO THE CITY!</p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcniJ425rLM/TkIJ9EM36zI/AAAAAAAAAmw/z3Ly4AbTU6M/s1600/P1000082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcniJ425rLM/TkIJ9EM36zI/AAAAAAAAAmw/z3Ly4AbTU6M/s400/P1000082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639080628125690674" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Dinner was an easy choice – the Cove Fish Market is a classic New England lobster shack, and it was exactly what we were looking for.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwqiCvfW3aI/TkIK46cQqKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/kUvbIPGPA54/s1600/P1000099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwqiCvfW3aI/TkIK46cQqKI/AAAAAAAAAm4/kUvbIPGPA54/s400/P1000099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639081656298023074" border="0" /></a>We ordered at the window, then had to wait... and wait... and wait...
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EIwldafWOw/TkIK5ORtUYI/AAAAAAAAAnA/OApJwlyTsMk/s1600/P1000107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EIwldafWOw/TkIK5ORtUYI/AAAAAAAAAnA/OApJwlyTsMk/s400/P1000107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639081661622473090" border="0" /></a>After what felt like an unbearable amount of time (probably ten minutes, tops), we were presented with the perfect ending to a New England day.</p> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVfOzpiq-tc/TkIK5M-NN4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/2l_CWa0CQec/s1600/P1000113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UVfOzpiq-tc/TkIK5M-NN4I/AAAAAAAAAnI/2l_CWa0CQec/s400/P1000113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639081661272242050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Yeah buddy.</span>
<br /></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal">Time to get some r<span style="font-size:100%;">est and prep</span>are for the next leg of the trip!
<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFVcuIgbhxs/TkIJJyxes8I/AAAAAAAAAlo/VF61jFzQc9U/s1600/P1000063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFVcuIgbhxs/TkIJJyxes8I/AAAAAAAAAlo/VF61jFzQc9U/s400/P1000063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639079747274060738" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" >Stick with us - we have some big plans in store!</span>
<br /></p> Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-60988578875374306902010-08-02T22:10:00.000-04:002010-08-03T01:47:41.374-04:00San Francisco: The City That Knows How!After taking in all that Napa has to offer, we made one final stop at Big John's Market and headed to our final destination - San Francisco. We returned the car (goodbye red Prius, you've treated us well!) and decided to walk back to our friend Mike's place where we're staying. It didn't take long for us to remember that we were back in San Francisco - the fog was rolling in (or out?) and the temperature dropped down to the low 60's. There was a chill to the air walking back, but compared to the 90+ degree days we've been getting back in D.C., this was a welcome feeling.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen6RktN-I/AAAAAAAAAik/wnINcScBwZw/s1600/IMG_3732.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen6RktN-I/AAAAAAAAAik/wnINcScBwZw/s400/IMG_3732.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050089447962594" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Our first day in San Francisco, Mike and Rahul took us across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit one of their favorite spots - Mt. Tamalpais. We drove up the mountain and took a little hike to a great spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean, but rather than water, we just saw the clouds over the ocean.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5u3Zm9I/AAAAAAAAAiU/aDqgn7lypzM/s1600/DSC_0824.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5u3Zm9I/AAAAAAAAAiU/aDqgn7lypzM/s400/DSC_0824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050080131128274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It was like the view from a plane window.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen4iTAjKI/AAAAAAAAAiE/HPNWszYP5Bc/s1600/DSC_0811.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen4iTAjKI/AAAAAAAAAiE/HPNWszYP5Bc/s400/DSC_0811.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050059577396386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">When we headed up the mountain it was overcast, but we literally drove through the clouds.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5JE005I/AAAAAAAAAiM/gCyc-a7Jfec/s1600/DSC_0823.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5JE005I/AAAAAAAAAiM/gCyc-a7Jfec/s400/DSC_0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050069986890642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"It looks like Heaven!"<br /></span></div><br />We then spent a few hours hanging out at Stinson Beach - it was nice to be by the water again. Since then, we've been taking in all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of San Francisco - walking miles everyday, and seeing as much of the city as we can. Today we spent the afternoon in one of our favorite San Francisco places - Dolores Park, right by Mission Dolores. The view of downtown is unbelievable.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen_StGGmI/AAAAAAAAAis/jczUEtKLyFk/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen_StGGmI/AAAAAAAAAis/jczUEtKLyFk/s400/IMG_3740.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050175650929250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Despite the fog and clouds covering the city, Dolores Park is always sunny.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5wMq3PI/AAAAAAAAAic/GxkO209OwuA/s1600/IMG_3725.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFen5wMq3PI/AAAAAAAAAic/GxkO209OwuA/s400/IMG_3725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501050080488774898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">"-D!</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-8059697336164880752010-07-29T23:47:00.000-04:002010-08-01T02:43:26.078-04:00Napa done right.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQbMcPBpI/AAAAAAAAAfE/H5U7lihOHVU/s1600/IMG_3713.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQbMcPBpI/AAAAAAAAAfE/H5U7lihOHVU/s320/IMG_3713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320579285091986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The vineyards of Napa, California</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>Thursday morning we awoke refreshed and ready to see what Napa Valley is all about. It didn't take long to realize it was wine. Lots and lots of wine.<br /><br />Based on recommendations from Adam's mom, we started our day with the walking tour at the Sterling Winery. It's a beautiful Mediterranean-style building perched on a mountainside - the cable-car ride up provides some great views of the vineyards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUVpFEL35I/AAAAAAAAAfM/N7524CXc2o0/s1600/DSC_0695+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 184px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUVpFEL35I/AAAAAAAAAfM/N7524CXc2o0/s400/DSC_0695+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326315381481362" border="0" /></a><br />It's a self-guided tour through the winery, filled with interesting facts and explanations about the winemaking process, as well as the chance to sample five of their wines.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQaWt2wdI/AAAAAAAAAe0/1_XytLO6VWg/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQaWt2wdI/AAAAAAAAAe0/1_XytLO6VWg/s320/IMG_3707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320564863484370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Sterling Winery tasting patio.</span><br /></div><br />After Sterling, we headed to the Silverado Trail - a stretch of road in Napa lined with 40 wineries! Our friend Bryan pointed us in the direction of a few places to try, so we followed his advice and started with ZD Winery (the "ZD" stands for "zero defects"). The wine was great - we bought a bottle of their Pinot Noir.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOprxwAbI/AAAAAAAAAeE/vF1hmY9XMNs/s1600/DSC_0711+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOprxwAbI/AAAAAAAAAeE/vF1hmY9XMNs/s320/DSC_0711+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500318629191745970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The ZD grapes are ripening slower this season - it's been a chilly one.</span><br /><br /></div>We then headed to our next stop, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, who (according to Wikipedia) made Napa Valley world famous in 1976 when it won the Judgment of Paris, a promotional wine competition among French and California wines.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOqFD33jI/AAAAAAAAAeM/luEFS54-FUI/s1600/DSC_0721.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOqFD33jI/AAAAAAAAAeM/luEFS54-FUI/s320/DSC_0721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500318635978645042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The first in the "Emily Krause Wineglass Collection"</span><br /><br /></div>While enjoying the wine at Stag's Head, we met a guy named Jon who was tasting some of their more fancy wines. It turns out he was the wine maker from Silverado Winery right up the road, and he told us to stop by and taste his wines for free - an offer we couldn't refuse.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUWGP20M3I/AAAAAAAAAfU/cuQeVMpfVV8/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUWGP20M3I/AAAAAAAAAfU/cuQeVMpfVV8/s400/DSC_0729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500326816494400370" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The view of the vineyards from the Silverado patio.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQZACGVfI/AAAAAAAAAek/nfys_Swfc1w/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQZACGVfI/AAAAAAAAAek/nfys_Swfc1w/s320/DSC_0739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320541594506738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The view of the Silverado patio through a 2008 Sauvignon Blanc</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOq_CvMKI/AAAAAAAAAec/BxuQhRO2Qi8/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUOq_CvMKI/AAAAAAAAAec/BxuQhRO2Qi8/s320/DSC_0753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500318651543138466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The view of Adam through a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon<br /></span></div><br />At this point we needed something to eat, so after a quick stop for sandwiches at the Soda Canyon Store, we made our way to the last winery on our tour, Van Der Heyden. This turned out to be a great last stop for two reasons. One, they are open until 6, which is much later than most wineries in the area stay open. Two, we got to spend quality time with Mr. and Mrs. Van Der Heyden.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQZuNS5AI/AAAAAAAAAes/FAMC7s2H1G0/s1600/DSC_0786.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQZuNS5AI/AAAAAAAAAes/FAMC7s2H1G0/s320/DSC_0786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320553989497858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">He sounded just like "Goldmember."<br /></span></div><br />Andre Van Der Hayden is a Dutch immigrant who has been making wine at the same spot in Napa for over 30 years. He is a quirky but passionate man, and his wife is the same. Their wine tasting room is a shack next to their house, their storage facility is a tent in their front yard, and their dogs (Rosie, Syrah, and Zinny) roam all around. It's a family business here - from the grape-picking to the blending to the bottling, all of it is done by the Van Der Hayden family and their friends, and all of it is done by hand. It was a very fun, very different place than anywhere else we saw in Napa, and it was the perfect end to a perfect trip to Wine Country.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQa0NCmOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/OeLW6-kdQGQ/s1600/IMG_3711.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUQa0NCmOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/OeLW6-kdQGQ/s320/IMG_3711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500320572778911970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Next stop, San Francisco!</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-79730769679184251912010-07-28T22:08:00.004-04:002010-08-01T02:41:55.383-04:00A Bird's Eye View of Wine Country<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUW_8hX-ZI/AAAAAAAAAfc/D-6-h8qcrsY/s1600/DSC_0618+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUW_8hX-ZI/AAAAAAAAAfc/D-6-h8qcrsY/s400/DSC_0618+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500327807736609170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A serious view of Napa, California</span><br /></div><br />Between Sonoma County and Napa County, Northern California produces some of the greatest wines in the country. Tomorrow we're planning on seeing the wineries and vineyards in Napa, but today, we decided to see ALL of Napa.<br /><br />We took the advice of our friend Bryan, a Northern Cali native, and drove through 15 miles of winding Napa roads (it took almost an hour!) to get to Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. We weren't sure which trail to take, so we went with the Table Rock Trail. We didn't know what to expect, but we decided to press on to see exactly what a "Table Rock" is. After a couple of miles of uphill hiking, we saw a huge rock formation situated on a cliff overlooking the entire Napa Valley.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElLTJRfYI/AAAAAAAAAdI/bbHvlv8WZEM/s1600/DSC_0624+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElLTJRfYI/AAAAAAAAAdI/bbHvlv8WZEM/s320/DSC_0624+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499217496044043650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We sat up on those rocks for hours taking it all in.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElKYvKIAI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Hh7xPc344_E/s1600/DSC_0581+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElKYvKIAI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Hh7xPc344_E/s320/DSC_0581+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499217480365252610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Trees around here are just enormous. We don't quite know why, but it's pretty awesome.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUXAUPPcuI/AAAAAAAAAfk/7lmZ46sA5ZE/s1600/DSC_0630+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUXAUPPcuI/AAAAAAAAAfk/7lmZ46sA5ZE/s400/DSC_0630+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500327814103003874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A view of the Napa Valley that most people don't get to see.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElMrr1I5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/VNRqmA39x2E/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFElMrr1I5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/VNRqmA39x2E/s320/DSC_0643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499217519811306386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">On the hike back down, we found the biggest pine cone either of us have ever seen.</span><br /></div><br />With the incredible view, the warm sun, and the cool breeze, it was difficult to pull ourselves off the rocks to hike back down to the car, but we eventually did. We stopped at Big John's Market to pick up a delicious dinner along with a bottle of local (and we mean VERY local) wine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We're relaxing in our room, and looking forward to tasting some more wine tomorrow!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEoqkjnyNI/AAAAAAAAAdg/pb3o0MlBPLA/s1600/IMG_3703.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEoqkjnyNI/AAAAAAAAAdg/pb3o0MlBPLA/s320/IMG_3703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499221331828787410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Post-hike winery happiness!<br /></span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-91478018015145737902010-07-27T23:39:00.001-04:002010-08-01T02:45:44.296-04:00The Return to the Avenue of the Giants<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUX4iIn1RI/AAAAAAAAAf0/UgXZr62bJpU/s1600/DSC_0553+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUX4iIn1RI/AAAAAAAAAf0/UgXZr62bJpU/s400/DSC_0553+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328779906012434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California</span><br /></div><br />One of the defining characteristics of the Pacific Northwest are the giant redwoods. They are some of the oldest, tallest trees in the country, and truly have to be seen to be understood. After visiting them last year, we knew we needed to see them again. Our drive took us out towards the coast of southern Oregon, and we got to catch our first view of the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjKk-dlWI/AAAAAAAAAco/ZmHTUTgrWCY/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjKk-dlWI/AAAAAAAAAco/ZmHTUTgrWCY/s320/DSC_0573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499215284627412322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We're back!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjJFGj7nI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/89ef3qx6ZhM/s1600/DSC_0548+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjJFGj7nI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/89ef3qx6ZhM/s320/DSC_0548+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499215258891578994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The redwoods that fall along the coast end up in the water and wash ashore as the words largest pieces of driftwood.</span><br /><br /></div>We drove through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park along the Avenue of the Giants, and pulled off to take a nice hike through a few miles of redwood forest.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUX4InNn_I/AAAAAAAAAfs/2hod_JW2ZlU/s1600/DSC_0563+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUX4InNn_I/AAAAAAAAAfs/2hod_JW2ZlU/s400/DSC_0563+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500328773054996466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We shall call it "Narnia."<br /><br /></span></div>After the hike, we headed to Wine Country! Napa Valley, here we come!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjLGcnJVI/AAAAAAAAAcw/lic8gmLg31I/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEjLGcnJVI/AAAAAAAAAcw/lic8gmLg31I/s320/IMG_3692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499215293612238162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Crossing the South Fork Eel River, on the (somewhat sketchy) summer bridge!</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-89475119518562236802010-07-26T21:47:00.007-04:002010-08-13T14:52:38.079-04:00Oregon's Finest<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZLnJvkSI/AAAAAAAAAgU/fprglLHbxpg/s1600/DSC_0401+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZLnJvkSI/AAAAAAAAAgU/fprglLHbxpg/s400/DSC_0401+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500330207182033186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Crater Lake, Oregon</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>This morning started with a trip to Portland's own Kettleman's Bagels for breakfast with our friends Erin, Budman, and <a href="http://www.thebridgemusic.com/">The Bridge</a>. After a delicious meal, we bid a fond farewell to Portland and continued our journey south. As we headed into the mountains, we noticed the weather taking a turn for the worse, but thankfully the rain held off long enough for us to get up close and personal with Crater Lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZMFKirfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/OVV7YtU83jg/s1600/DSC_0445+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZMFKirfI/AAAAAAAAAgc/OVV7YtU83jg/s400/DSC_0445+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500330215238446578" border="0" /></a><br />Formed almost 8,000 years ago, Crater Lake is the rainwater-filled hole left after the collapse of Mount Mazama. We took the scenic drive around the rim, and being that close to the lake is a powerful experience. The water is a deep, pure blue, and with the rainclouds above us, looked absolutely amazing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZKxaQHPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/OAsvR1MNUic/s1600/DSC_0318+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZKxaQHPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/OAsvR1MNUic/s400/DSC_0318+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500330192755760370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">There are pull-off points all along the drive, each providing a very different view of the lake.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEdNwqXd2I/AAAAAAAAAbA/6fguolGbLHw/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEdNwqXd2I/AAAAAAAAAbA/6fguolGbLHw/s320/DSC_0295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499208742234191714" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Because it was caused by a volcanic eruption, Crater Lake is surrounded by all sorts of volcanic rock, including fields of natural pumice.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZKdhKoFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/iXJWOblPloM/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZKdhKoFI/AAAAAAAAAf8/iXJWOblPloM/s400/DSC_0246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500330187416051794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Every view of the lake is like a new <a href="http://brookjames.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Bob-Ross.jpg">Bob Ross</a> <a href="http://www.reviewpainting.com/images/bob2.jpg">painting</a>.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZLMvZk5I/AAAAAAAAAgM/UsPDUU6qBmo/s1600/DSC_0338+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUZLMvZk5I/AAAAAAAAAgM/UsPDUU6qBmo/s400/DSC_0338+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500330200092218258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">We could hear thunder in the distance, but we stayed dry!</span><br /></div><br />Driving back down the mountain we took the Oregon Scenic Byway, which provided us with some beautiful views of the southern Oregon hillside, as well as an incredible sunset.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUbHGpN6KI/AAAAAAAAAgs/E_EGcGu4hYI/s1600/DSC_0526+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUbHGpN6KI/AAAAAAAAAgs/E_EGcGu4hYI/s400/DSC_0526+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500332328759453858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUbGtn9tYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ii-Mnv1kWmA/s1600/DSC_0494+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUbGtn9tYI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ii-Mnv1kWmA/s400/DSC_0494+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500332322043311490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEd2gzfQ4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/Q5VKg0fNz8k/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyJBzcR_YSx6HdcpipuXuhE-6Wb-Wj5GeusPCNlMrmHX2Mftp-kssGQIPGSn-_bMGjzeqz1tDbUUgLAY1H4bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEd2gzfQ4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/Q5VKg0fNz8k/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFEd2gzfQ4I/AAAAAAAAAcA/Q5VKg0fNz8k/s320/IMG_3629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499209442352120706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">California or bust!</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-74045859895475384792010-07-26T01:17:00.009-04:002010-08-01T03:41:47.511-04:00Portland (through rose-tinted sunglasses)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e3gvS4HI/AAAAAAAAAaA/WYkrPzeERZ8/s1600/photo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e3gvS4HI/AAAAAAAAAaA/WYkrPzeERZ8/s320/photo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498084659119186034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hawthorne Street, Portland, Oregon</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>We arrived in Portland and headed straight to the Hawthorne district. We had heard what a hip neighborhood it was, and we were not disappointed. It was kind of like stepping back in time to a quaint 1950's neighborhood - cute little houses, kids and adults riding bikes all around and rose gardens on every corner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWYyXSvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/MuhmZ1cYi6o/s1600/photo4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWYyXSvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/MuhmZ1cYi6o/s320/photo4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498085189560519410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fXAEgELI/AAAAAAAAAag/ij0MVb6kDf4/s1600/photo9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fXAEgELI/AAAAAAAAAag/ij0MVb6kDf4/s320/photo9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498085200105574578" border="0" /></a><br />Also, every other store seemed to be selling vintage something - vintage clothes, vintage records, vintage cameras, vintage furniture, even vintage beverages.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWN4a2zI/AAAAAAAAAaI/XFjocmFnvjw/s1600/photo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWN4a2zI/AAAAAAAAAaI/XFjocmFnvjw/s320/photo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498085186633128754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Mexican Coke: it's like regular Coke, except they use sugar instead of corn syrup. Also it's <span style="font-style: italic;">retornable</span>.</span><br /></div><br />Portland is home to over 40 microbreweries, so we stopped at Bread and Ink to sample a few. We then headed back to shower and get ready for dinner... and what a dinner it was. Portland is known for it's gourmet local and organic foods, and everything we've eaten here has been delicious. However, our meal last night at <a href="http://www.nightlightlounge.net/">Night Light Lounge</a> was very mediocre. Just kidding, it was absolutely phenomenal. Emily had the seared rare ahi tuna with avocado, cucumber, shaved onion, jicama slaw, nori rice fritters and ponzu sauce. Adam had the kimchi spice rubbed braised beef short ribs with a Korean veggie pancake and wilted sesame spinach salad (we also split a bottle of wine). Amazing food at an absurdly reasonable price! That's something you can't find in D.C.!<br /><br /></div>This morning we enjoyed breakfast and some local flair at Legare's on Clinton Street, then made our way Downtown to the Alphabet District to check into our hostel for the night. We strolled up to Washington Park - a huge public park divided into a number of beautiful gardens. Portland is nicknamed "The City of Roses," so our first stop was obviously the famous International Rose Test Garden, where we got to see hundreds of rows of the most colorful, beautiful, biggest roses you can imagine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWnwXPqI/AAAAAAAAAaY/XINYMVW2yyk/s1600/photo8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0fWnwXPqI/AAAAAAAAAaY/XINYMVW2yyk/s320/photo8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498085193578659490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Always stop to smell the roses.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUido0UACI/AAAAAAAAAhU/b7SHkVJ-EG4/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUido0UACI/AAAAAAAAAhU/b7SHkVJ-EG4/s400/DSC_0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500340412471312418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The <a href="http://pocketchange.become.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/blossom-mayim-bialik-then.jpg">blossoms</a> were enormous!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e2tE1u2I/AAAAAAAAAZw/x1s66FKDlHk/s1600/IMG_3610.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e2tE1u2I/AAAAAAAAAZw/x1s66FKDlHk/s320/IMG_3610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498084645250906978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Your friendly neighborhood rose photographer.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>After the roses, we entered the <a href="http://www.japanesegarden.com/">Portland Japanese Garden</a>. Built in the 1960's, it is the most authentic and beautiful Japanese garden outside of Japan, and consists of five seperate garden styles, including a koi pond, a sand and stone garden, and an authentic Japanese tea house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUidGLMNvI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Mi3dBe04N3Y/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUidGLMNvI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Mi3dBe04N3Y/s400/DSC_0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500340403172030194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Lower Pond Garden<br /></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUieLonxiI/AAAAAAAAAhc/eg9jTq-sbu8/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUieLonxiI/AAAAAAAAAhc/eg9jTq-sbu8/s400/DSC_0157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500340421817517602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">An authentic Japanese maple tree.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUifJwTusI/AAAAAAAAAhs/GW9eYaZIi-I/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUifJwTusI/AAAAAAAAAhs/GW9eYaZIi-I/s400/DSC_0194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500340438492756674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Flat Garden, a raked-sand Zen garden.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUkrVCuhaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/jbXAB--YIm4/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUkrVCuhaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/jbXAB--YIm4/s400/DSC_0209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500342846704485794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Adam walking along the pathway to the pond</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUierxhR3I/AAAAAAAAAhk/KjkRUCh_260/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUierxhR3I/AAAAAAAAAhk/KjkRUCh_260/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500340430444775282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The pond.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUkq5Uao8I/AAAAAAAAAh0/wNRIBAUNnlI/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUkq5Uao8I/AAAAAAAAAh0/wNRIBAUNnlI/s400/DSC_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500342839262487490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Garden leads up to an amazing view of Mount Hood overlooking downtown Portland.</span><br /><br /></div>We had a quick bite to eat for dinner, and we've retired to our room for some much needed rest and recuperation. We'll need all the energy we can get for Crater Lake tomorrow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e3G9d7tI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/2Nb53l1dIiU/s1600/IMG_3624+%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TE0e3G9d7tI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/2Nb53l1dIiU/s320/IMG_3624+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498084652199309010" border="0" /></a>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-5894256785842260402010-07-24T14:53:00.006-04:002010-08-01T03:22:15.750-04:00A Stop in Paradise<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKPb1mcnI/AAAAAAAAAYo/2tg24Zr0Bzo/s1600/photo4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKPb1mcnI/AAAAAAAAAYo/2tg24Zr0Bzo/s320/photo4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497921242887778930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Glacier Vista on Mt. Rainier</span><br /></div><br />We woke up bright and early in Seattle yesterday, made a quick stop at the greatest store for snacks on either coast (Trader Joe's) and headed south. A few hours later, we caught our first glimpse of the peak of Mt. Rainier (pronounced ruh-NEER), and it was incredible.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJUj3Fa2I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/gsBSo2S3xwU/s1600/IMG_3605.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJUj3Fa2I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/gsBSo2S3xwU/s320/IMG_3605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497920231429204834" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped into the ranger station to pick out a good hike and get our camping permit. We decided to hike the Skyline Trail, a mountainous trail heading straight up the side of Rainier. Based on the recommendation of two Rainier pros (thanks Pam and T.L.!), we drove to Paradise (literally, the name of the area where the trail starts), and got moving. The first half-mile of the trail was a grueling uphill hike - the air was thin, it was hot outside, and we were quickly worn down, but we pressed on. After a while, we started seeing snow (SNOW?!) on the sides of the path, and before we knew it, we were hiking in shorts and t-shirts through a snow-covered meadow at the foot of the mountain.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeY3IuQDI/AAAAAAAAAg8/dgCCAF4nFn0/s1600/CSC_0109.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeY3IuQDI/AAAAAAAAAg8/dgCCAF4nFn0/s400/CSC_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500335932369158194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The trails just started melting out a few weeks ago, so we trudged through a lot of this.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeZahnY7I/AAAAAAAAAhE/xoCoXXqwN9c/s1600/CSC_0111.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeZahnY7I/AAAAAAAAAhE/xoCoXXqwN9c/s400/CSC_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500335941868807090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Wearing shorts and a t-shirt and hiking through snowfields is a strange and exhilarating feeling.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKOtCdNLI/AAAAAAAAAYY/D1nGr1yMq04/s1600/photo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKOtCdNLI/AAAAAAAAAYY/D1nGr1yMq04/s320/photo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497921230325232818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Your faithful adventurer, Adam.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKPG_YqwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/NCEeqo0EJEY/s1600/photo2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyKPG_YqwI/AAAAAAAAAYg/NCEeqo0EJEY/s320/photo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497921237291674370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The beautiful Mt. Rainier, and the even more beautiful Emily.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeYQ92JQI/AAAAAAAAAg0/L0Y6MDbL7rQ/s1600/CSC_0107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TFUeYQ92JQI/AAAAAAAAAg0/L0Y6MDbL7rQ/s400/CSC_0107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500335922122990850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Between the rolling snow-covered hills and the occasional wildflower meadow, it made for a breathtaking sight.</span><br /></div><br />Heading down the mountain was a much easier trek than heading up. Feeling refreshed, we headed over to Box Canyon to hike up to our campsite at Nickel Creek. That refreshed feeling was quickly replaced by exhaustion when we realized the hike to Nickel Creek was almost a mile out, and almost straight up. When we made it up, we knew it was all worth it - our site was deep in the woods overlooking the creek, with no one else in sight.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJUNPfH1I/AAAAAAAAAYI/bIuKGAD5UGc/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJUNPfH1I/AAAAAAAAAYI/bIuKGAD5UGc/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497920225357537106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Serenity.<br /><br /></span></div>The sound of the running water was relaxing enough to lull us both to sleep, and despite the fact that the weather dipped into the 40's, we slept great!<br /><br />The hike down from Nickel Creek this morning was a breeze (compared to the hike up, at least), and we were on our way to Portland!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJTepGZqI/AAAAAAAAAYA/EZcFsNAvB88/s1600/CSC_0110.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TEyJTepGZqI/AAAAAAAAAYA/EZcFsNAvB88/s320/CSC_0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497920212848502434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Oregon bound!<br /></span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-4683646499227032142010-07-23T03:33:00.007-04:002010-07-23T04:51:25.121-04:00Seattle's BestIt took 9 hours on two flights yesterday, but we made it safely to Seattle. The first thing we noticed here is the weather - it has been in the high 60s since we got here, which is an incredible relief compared to humid 100 degree days we've been getting back in D.C.<br /><br />We checked into our hotel, and made our way downtown to <a href="http://tomdouglas.com/index.php/restaurants/serious-pie">Serious Pie</a> for some delicious Seattle pizza. Walking home, we got our first real view of Seattle:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPk5NGHHI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ssg9RMPdHjo/s1600/photo5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPk5NGHHI/AAAAAAAAAWg/ssg9RMPdHjo/s320/photo5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497012315432033394" border="0" /></a></div><br />After a well-deserved night of rest, we woke up to take in the sights (and tastes!) of Seattle. Our first stop? Starbucks...but not just any Starbucks - the first Starbucks ever.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPmBNU0MI/AAAAAAAAAWw/GwGSKLqAg38/s1600/IMG_3589.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPmBNU0MI/AAAAAAAAAWw/GwGSKLqAg38/s320/IMG_3589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497012334760349890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Can you guess why they changed the logo?<br /><br /></span></div>We then made our way down to the famous Pike Place Market, full of fresh fish, produce, art, and general quirkiness. It fits right in to Seattle's local feel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPlsduI-I/AAAAAAAAAWo/5vHCRb0UXJE/s1600/photo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPlsduI-I/AAAAAAAAAWo/5vHCRb0UXJE/s320/photo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497012329191973858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">So vintage.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPmjPOSeI/AAAAAAAAAW4/-57cr4VAlTQ/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPmjPOSeI/AAAAAAAAAW4/-57cr4VAlTQ/s320/DSC_0309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497012343895116258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After you pick out the fish you want, they throw it back to the counter to be weighed and wrapped.<br />Truly an incredible feat of man vs. nature.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPnGeJMJI/AAAAAAAAAXA/zOL_JTRe9qY/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElPnGeJMJI/AAAAAAAAAXA/zOL_JTRe9qY/s320/DSC_0294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497012353352937618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lobster tails the size of your forearm.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElToSbKq3I/AAAAAAAAAXo/Gd1154tsqCM/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElToSbKq3I/AAAAAAAAAXo/Gd1154tsqCM/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497016771788057458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The produce was just as fresh as the fish, and way more colorful.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTnxG-0UI/AAAAAAAAAXg/cW1Pab7Bly8/s1600/IMG_3579.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTnxG-0UI/AAAAAAAAAXg/cW1Pab7Bly8/s320/IMG_3579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497016762845024578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't worry - Adam kept a safe distance.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTnGgSJyI/AAAAAAAAAXY/k1wz9neYPfI/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTnGgSJyI/AAAAAAAAAXY/k1wz9neYPfI/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497016751408424738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Lunch at Pike Place Chowder:<br />A heaping shrimp salad sandwich and a bowl of their famous<br />Manhattan clam chowder.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We made a quick stop at the Army/Navy Surplus store for some last-minute camping gear, then hit the <a href="http://www.empsfm.org/">Experience Music Project</a>, an interactive rock-and-roll museum.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTmtS1c7I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/rciPMzEIDgc/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTmtS1c7I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/rciPMzEIDgc/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497016744641131442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A towering installation in the middle of the museum.<br /></span></div><br />We got to learn all about Seattle's rich musical history, from early blues to grunge to hip hop (Sir Mix-A-Lot is a Seattle native!). There was an exhibit on the history of the electric guitar, a display of costumes worn by The Supremes (thank you, Mary Wilson!), and a huge wing devoted to the life (and guitars) of Seattle's own Jimi Hendrix.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We spent the evening catching up with our friend Sam over dinner and drinks - great company, great food, and a great ending to a wonderful day in Seattle. Tomorrow morning we head down to Mt. Rainier for some outdoor adventures. Stay tuned!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTmDhfvqI/AAAAAAAAAXI/lx2OsJkO4z4/s1600/IMG_3587.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TElTmDhfvqI/AAAAAAAAAXI/lx2OsJkO4z4/s320/IMG_3587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497016733428334242" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">On the road again!</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-17156872671236965872009-07-19T06:04:00.003-04:002010-07-11T23:13:59.614-04:00Home, home again...Well, it's been 8,200 miles, 32 days, 21 states, and more memories than we can ever process right now, but we're home. We left Onalaska, Wisconsin at 12:30pm yesterday, and we just arrived back home safely... 17 hours of straight driving. We are both exhausted, but glad to be in our own bed again. Goodnight (good morning?) and thanks for following along with our trip!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TDqIQiyxo1I/AAAAAAAAAWY/AoKZaYz0cOI/s1600/elpaso.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/TDqIQiyxo1I/AAAAAAAAAWY/AoKZaYz0cOI/s320/elpaso.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492852513330799442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Anyone could see t</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">he road that t</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">hey walk on is paved in gold</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It's always summer, they'll never get cold</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">They'll never get hungry</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">They'll never get old and gray</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">They won't make it home, but they really don't care</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">They wanted the highway, they're happier there today</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">...<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">- "The Way," Fastball</span><br /></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-41117499670541596172009-07-18T03:42:00.004-04:002009-07-19T23:11:04.199-04:00What South Dakota has to offer<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_nIwOSI/AAAAAAAAATM/Rsg9bYLxFlI/s1600-h/DSC_1020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_nIwOSI/AAAAAAAAATM/Rsg9bYLxFlI/s320/DSC_1020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360370966896589090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Welcome to Bear Country!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This morning began with a drive to Mount Rushmore - a must-stop on any cross-country trip. We checked out the monument, and continued to cruise through the Black Hills National Park in South Dakota.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjnGhPsI/AAAAAAAAAUc/gwpqm2uQKbI/s1600-h/rushmore.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjnGhPsI/AAAAAAAAAUc/gwpqm2uQKbI/s320/rushmore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360373784385765058" border="0" /></a>USA! USA! USA!</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc-oWcwUI/AAAAAAAAAS0/yC-QHH7uT2k/s1600-h/DSC_0914.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc-oWcwUI/AAAAAAAAAS0/yC-QHH7uT2k/s320/DSC_0914.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360370950042599746" border="0" /></a>A scenic overlook in the Black Hills</span><br /></div><br />While driving across South Dakota, we took a slight detour through the Badlands. "Badlands'" is a term which refers to any rocky, uninhabitable terrain, often caused by erosion, as well as volcanic activity. We had visited badlands in New Mexico and Arizona, but those were in the middle of the desert. The South Dakota Badlands are located amidst the plains of middle America, making for very lush, green valleys between the rocky cliffs and hills.<br /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><div style="display: block;" class="vertbar"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="display: block;" class="w"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPem4O-kYI/AAAAAAAAATc/RMR9eGnVSH0/s1600-h/DSC_1101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPem4O-kYI/AAAAAAAAATc/RMR9eGnVSH0/s320/DSC_1101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360372741012623746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"> </span></div></div> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPeobFDtcI/AAAAAAAAAT8/HlxvoYmzjPE/s1600-h/IMG_3046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPeobFDtcI/AAAAAAAAAT8/HlxvoYmzjPE/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360372767546127810" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">This is Emily taking the picture above</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPenc7mciI/AAAAAAAAATk/6eZpsgME7Ao/s1600-h/DSC_1121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPenc7mciI/AAAAAAAAATk/6eZpsgME7Ao/s320/DSC_1121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360372750863462946" border="0" /></a>The world's hardest golf course</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjXG45yI/AAAAAAAAAUU/1Dprf43RsbQ/s1600-h/IMG_3063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjXG45yI/AAAAAAAAAUU/1Dprf43RsbQ/s320/IMG_3063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360373780092348194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Little Tetons</span><br /></div><br />We also stopped at Bear Country USA, a drive-through bear reservation, which allowed us to get up close and personal with some real-life grizzlies, without having to worry about tying our food up in trees (for the record: we learned that this practice is no longer efficient, as bears have learned to climb trees!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_LJYDtI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AW0jz8bG_zI/s1600-h/DSC_0937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_LJYDtI/AAAAAAAAAS8/AW0jz8bG_zI/s320/DSC_0937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360370959383006930" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We must have missed the bear party last night</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_enWyAI/AAAAAAAAATE/ee4jsNN72bk/s1600-h/DSC_1004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPc_enWyAI/AAAAAAAAATE/ee4jsNN72bk/s320/DSC_1004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360370964609026050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">He looks so sweet! Why would something so cuddly want to eat me?!<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPdAL-z-5I/AAAAAAAAATU/ZPu7o4Zw6tk/s1600-h/DSC_1067.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzB58oLZrA47CjRdzVnxss4iiWVwu8RHpa_IgKH3bXvapygrL-1Gdkzt2DRjQBtscafC1B6e6eR4RiX83eFkA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">At the end of the drive-through, we got to get out of the car to see "Babyland," a whole pen of baby bear cubs!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPdAL-z-5I/AAAAAAAAATU/ZPu7o4Zw6tk/s1600-h/DSC_1067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPdAL-z-5I/AAAAAAAAATU/ZPu7o4Zw6tk/s320/DSC_1067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360370976787004306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> This one was our favorite.</span><br /><br /></div>We had dinner in a little town called Murdo, South Dakota. The salad bar was not as fresh as advertised, but the sunset more than made up for it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPent_TAOI/AAAAAAAAATs/exidpBMP2dc/s1600-h/DSC_1146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPent_TAOI/AAAAAAAAATs/exidpBMP2dc/s320/DSC_1146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360372755442368738" border="0" /></a>South Dakota at its finest</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPeoFwmXgI/AAAAAAAAAT0/mV5PTSharDY/s1600-h/DSC_1154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 118px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPeoFwmXgI/AAAAAAAAAT0/mV5PTSharDY/s320/DSC_1154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360372761823174146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Glorious</span></div><br />We're about to head to bed (in Onalaska, Wisconsin!) after a long day and night of driving. Tomorrow, we make the long trek home! Goodnight!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjAzjjqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/XYTyHyed9U0/s1600-h/IMG_3057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SmPfjAzjjqI/AAAAAAAAAUM/XYTyHyed9U0/s320/IMG_3057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360373774105677474" border="0" /></a>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-84659877854056250822009-07-16T23:13:00.009-04:002009-07-16T23:53:57.949-04:00Somewhere in the black mountain hills of Dakota...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_vLi5V4zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/htDx5jbdJi4/s1600-h/DSC_0796.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_vLi5V4zI/AAAAAAAAAQs/htDx5jbdJi4/s320/DSC_0796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265063219094322" border="0" /></a>The grandest Teton of them all!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tuesday morning brought us straight to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Teton_National_Park">Grand Teton National Park</a>, just south of Yellowstone. We had originally planned to camp in Yellowstone, but after some recommendations, we chose the less popular (but perhaps more beautiful) Grand Tetons. We set up camp, and hiked up to <a href="http://tetontales.wordpress.com/2009/07/05/lunch-tree-hill-a-view-that-inspired-a-vision/">Lunch Tree Hill</a>. As the story goes, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (on one of his many trips to the Yellowstone area) hiked to the top of the hill for lunch, and after seeing the view of the Grand Tetons, demanded it become a protected national park, as well. Thank you, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xLsduu6I/AAAAAAAAAR0/DzK6y_OOq7g/s1600-h/DSC_0819.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xLsduu6I/AAAAAAAAAR0/DzK6y_OOq7g/s320/DSC_0819.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359267264810892194" border="0" /></a>The view from Lunch Tree Hill</span><br /><br /></div>We headed back to our campsite, where we made dinner. Check out our "backyard"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xMFHHUQI/AAAAAAAAAR8/sv1OMvsFJdg/s1600-h/DSC_0853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xMFHHUQI/AAAAAAAAAR8/sv1OMvsFJdg/s320/DSC_0853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359267271426920706" border="0" /></a><br />We made it to sleep last night, but the low temperatures (37 degrees!) made it hard to sleep late. By 6:45am this morning, we were packed up (and bundled up!) and headed north to see Yellowstone at sunrise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xMVED3iI/AAAAAAAAASE/QPDvN83NznE/s1600-h/DSC_0874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_xMVED3iI/AAAAAAAAASE/QPDvN83NznE/s320/DSC_0874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359267275709079074" border="0" /></a><br />On our way out, we stumbled upon a few bison grazing by the road.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_vNGmCH0I/AAAAAAAAARM/qNO6e8aJx-M/s1600-h/DSC_0890.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_vNGmCH0I/AAAAAAAAARM/qNO6e8aJx-M/s320/DSC_0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265089981652802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">They're huge!<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjgcFITpX2BHYn6p_o630NopB39jKKoSpL6KohtV04bD-6co_ovRYuckdAYlcmCoAN1wksd83h8FmolMIdkA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We weren't sure how close we could get, but we got pretty close!<br /><br /></span></div>We left Yellowstone, and pushed on through Wyoming, all the way to Deadwood, South Dakota. Deadwood is an infamous "Wild West" town, where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane stirred up trouble.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_v3f29rlI/AAAAAAAAARU/NJsM2gH4EwA/s1600-h/IMG_3031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_v3f29rlI/AAAAAAAAARU/NJsM2gH4EwA/s320/IMG_3031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265818318057042" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">An old hotel in Deadwood (The Bullock)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_yuf7AOKI/AAAAAAAAASM/WRRoD8xrgxk/s1600-h/IMG_3036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_yuf7AOKI/AAAAAAAAASM/WRRoD8xrgxk/s320/IMG_3036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359268962251061410" border="0" /></a>Downtown Deadwood</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_v4JB8BhI/AAAAAAAAARk/30yIHfBoek0/s1600-h/IMG_3038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_v4JB8BhI/AAAAAAAAARk/30yIHfBoek0/s320/IMG_3038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359265829369939474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The most random store, ever.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">We ate dinner at Diamond Lil's - a sports bar above The Midnight Star Casino, owned by the one and only Kevin Costner. The food was mediocre, but the Kevin Costner movie memorabilia collection was outstanding.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_09IdUn6I/AAAAAAAAASc/f3W123NbGsg/s1600-h/IMG_3035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_09IdUn6I/AAAAAAAAASc/f3W123NbGsg/s320/IMG_3035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359271412673847202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">As we were leaving the restaurant, we overheard some woman admiring this poster, saying "I didn't know Kevin Costner was in Japanes movies, too!?"</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight, we relax. Tomorrow, we'll see what South Dakota has to offer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_1owsaX9I/AAAAAAAAASk/5Gb4AXLDvSQ/s1600-h/IMG_3043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl_1owsaX9I/AAAAAAAAASk/5Gb4AXLDvSQ/s320/IMG_3043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359272162208931794" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-87064023079063302272009-07-15T03:08:00.006-04:002009-07-15T03:46:54.447-04:00Welcome to Wyoming (Bienvenido a Wyoming)!Well, we've officially started our "...and back again" portion of the trip.<br /><br />After a few relaxing days in San Francisco (a special thanks to Mike and the boys for showing us such a great time!), we continued our California visit with a trip up to Napa to check out the wineries and the beautiful views.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2DZyD3ctI/AAAAAAAAAPU/tiUsECl_6fw/s1600-h/DSC_0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2DZyD3ctI/AAAAAAAAAPU/tiUsECl_6fw/s320/DSC_0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358583610598716114" border="0" /></a>Vineyards in Napa<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Daxc5JzI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XXQBTkec2Vc/s1600-h/DSC_0679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Daxc5JzI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XXQBTkec2Vc/s320/DSC_0679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358583627615119154" border="0" /></a>The delicious grapes of wrath</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2DaamOZdI/AAAAAAAAAPc/HEr6GYMzUg0/s1600-h/DSC_0677.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2DaamOZdI/AAAAAAAAAPc/HEr6GYMzUg0/s320/DSC_0677.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358583621480244690" border="0" /></a>Wizard-trees</span><br /></div><br />Following that, it was north until the Redwoods! We arrived shortly after sunset, and quickly set up camp, played some Scrabble, and got a good night's sleep. It was cool, crisp, and we were shaded by some of the tallest trees we've ever seen. It was so comfortable that we had no problem sleeping til 11am yesterday - a far cry from desert camping!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Db2zg9-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/YndRf7IwzCQ/s1600-h/DSC_0707.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Db2zg9-I/AAAAAAAAAP0/YndRf7IwzCQ/s320/DSC_0707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358583646232049634" border="0" /></a>Our little tent</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Dbd2X74I/AAAAAAAAAPs/Id6neGGmY0o/s1600-h/DSC_0697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Dbd2X74I/AAAAAAAAAPs/Id6neGGmY0o/s320/DSC_0697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358583639533154178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Emily had to lie on the ground to get this picture. Adam has photographic evidence.<br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOryUOVdAmSSyfB6DaAeqFf7IwS8vcXqcgMkEN1WrqzBxWeJL-eY_uYYhEam0NCowcGa6oWogxOXZzGPqoOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That's a big stinkin' tree.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EhHaAXXI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Dgd7W0VJxE0/s1600-h/DSC_0771.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EhHaAXXI/AAAAAAAAAQM/Dgd7W0VJxE0/s320/DSC_0771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358584836099431794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Tranquilo</span></div><br />Our next stop after the Redwoods was a little town called Ferndale, California. It is the former agricultural center of Northern California, and is (more or less) one main street lined with beautiful historic Victorian houses and stores.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Eh2JU78I/AAAAAAAAAQc/DW-0kN_p3MM/s1600-h/IMG_3011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2Eh2JU78I/AAAAAAAAAQc/DW-0kN_p3MM/s320/IMG_3011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358584848645943234" border="0" /></a>Mmm... meat.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EhnjzVCI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8fkxgUmJpZA/s1600-h/IMG_3010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EhnjzVCI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8fkxgUmJpZA/s320/IMG_3010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358584844730455074" border="0" /></a>This is one tree, carefully manicured. Ferndale is very <span style="font-style: italic;">artsy-fartsy.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a tasty lunch in Ferndale, we started heading east for the first time in 3 weeks. It was a strange feeling, indeed! We drove until we couldn't drive anymore, and ended up sleeping in Battle Mountain, Nevada last night. Today we drove through Nevada, Idaho, and finally ended up in Wyoming. Whyoming? Why not?<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EgRVwvrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/DzNlBETRsCo/s1600-h/DSC_0767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Sl2EgRVwvrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/DzNlBETRsCo/s320/DSC_0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358584821586116274" border="0" /></a></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-67000917819067318212009-07-10T23:19:00.000-04:002009-07-11T04:02:04.278-04:00The edge of the AmericaWednesday morning, Jared woke us up as he was leaving for work (waking up at 8:30 was harder than either of us remembered)! We said our goodbyes, and got on our way to San Francisco. We opted to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, which takes a few extra hours, but it worth it for the incredible views.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCmU1JmBI/AAAAAAAAAO0/8tlQ3Wf9Hew/s1600-h/DSC_0648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCmU1JmBI/AAAAAAAAAO0/8tlQ3Wf9Hew/s320/DSC_0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104982951303186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCmyEdrhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/2WEyQiK_YrU/s1600-h/DSC_0652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 187px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCmyEdrhI/AAAAAAAAAO8/2WEyQiK_YrU/s320/DSC_0652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104990800162322" border="0" /></a><br />The drive was very windy, very mountainous, winding, and generally awesome, except for the stretch where we almost ran out of gas (Thank you, Big Sur Shell!).<br /><br />We stopped for dinner in Monterey, a little shore city filled with art galleries, shops and restaurants. We did some souvenir shopping, and walked down the wharf looking for a place to eat. All the restaurants on the wharf offer free samples of their clam chowder as you walk by, so after trying a few, we decided on Abolonetti's for some seafood and antipasto (for the record, neither of us ordered the clam chowder, anyway).<br /><br />We made it to Emily's friend Mike's house in San Francisco Wednesday night, and after some catching up, headed to sleep. We've spent the last few days in San Francisco, and are truly enjoying it here. Very mild weather, great people, delicious food, and beautiful views.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCF17GsBI/AAAAAAAAAOU/-Wyl9oGCxaU/s1600-h/IMG_2953.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCF17GsBI/AAAAAAAAAOU/-Wyl9oGCxaU/s320/IMG_2953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104424898965522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">View of downtown from Dolores Park</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCFocr6XI/AAAAAAAAAOM/afnTtzj66f0/s1600-h/IMG_2952.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCFocr6XI/AAAAAAAAAOM/afnTtzj66f0/s320/IMG_2952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104421281720690" border="0" /></a>Some brightly colored Victorian houses in San Francisco</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCGMDBTmI/AAAAAAAAAOc/akmfe-jNUGg/s1600-h/IMG_2959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCGMDBTmI/AAAAAAAAAOc/akmfe-jNUGg/s320/IMG_2959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104430837747298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Bay Bridge<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCGYVryuI/AAAAAAAAAOk/QY2CNPoakSQ/s1600-h/IMG_2973.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/SlhCGYVryuI/AAAAAAAAAOk/QY2CNPoakSQ/s320/IMG_2973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357104434137254626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">It's always hoodie weather, here!<br /></span></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8648094530274257400.post-8136327354073506002009-07-08T00:19:00.000-04:002009-07-11T03:01:46.076-04:00Beverly Hills... that's where I want to be!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg35COhrGI/AAAAAAAAANk/Zsyjui6-NxM/s1600-h/IMG_2941.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg35COhrGI/AAAAAAAAANk/Zsyjui6-NxM/s320/IMG_2941.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357093209747074146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"They call Los Angeles the City of Angels. I didn't find it to be that exactly,<br />but I'll allow as there are some nice folks there."<br />- The Stranger, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Big Lebowski</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Los Angeles is a very interesting city to visit - there is a lot going on, it is very hilly, celebrities live there, and it's hip, hip, hip. We got into L.A. Sunday night, and crashed at our friend Bobbie's place in West Hollywood. Monday was spent touring West Hollywood - we had brunch at <a href="http://www.toastbakerycafe.net/">Toast</a> (brunch is the new lunch), walked down Robertson Avenue, and had a few drinks at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney%27s_Beanery">Barney's Beanery</a>, where (apparently) Janis Joplin's car was parked the night she died. Rock and roll history, folks.<br /><br />Monday evening we met up with old friends Megan and Jared, and everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at Miceli's in Hollywood.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg344Z-crI/AAAAAAAAANc/f6Ch2Dkjx-M/s1600-h/IMG_2943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg344Z-crI/AAAAAAAAANc/f6Ch2Dkjx-M/s320/IMG_2943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357093207110742706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Megan, Emily, and Bobbie<br /></span></div><br />We spent the night at Megan's place up in "Old Hollywood." Check out her view of the Hollywood sign!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg34SmljuI/AAAAAAAAANU/P7TPQYdC47g/s1600-h/IMG_2948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6C0DS-qUmNs/Slg34SmljuI/AAAAAAAAANU/P7TPQYdC47g/s320/IMG_2948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357093196963090146" border="0" /></a><br />Tuesday morning we hopped in a cab and took it right to the VIP entrance at CBS studios (thanks, Bobbie!) and were treated to a live taping of "The Price is Right"! Neither of us got called up as contestants, but our seats were front and center behind contestant's row (check us out... the show airs October 9th)!<br /><br />The whole Hollywood crew met up again for dinner (and networking... <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> LA...) at Lucky Devil, and after some goodbyes, we made our way to Jared's apartment to spend our last night in Los Angeles.<br /></div></div>Emily and Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024866042049156401noreply@blogger.com0