Mt. Ranier National Park

January 13, 2008

The first time the rain and clouds cleared here we were able to see Mt. Ranier. Our jaws dropped. This volcano rises 14,411 feet (just under the tallest peak in the lower 48 states) and creates it's own weather. This is the view just outside of Olympia on our way to the park. Sunday was our first totally clear day and it was awesome to spend it here.

From no snow cover to 15 feet of recorded snowfall this season in about 25 minutes!

Classic Mt. Ranier, the south face on a blue sky day.

Snow shoeing in the deep. How deep? Ask Mark Kutilek. Without snow shoes I would be stuck past my waist.
The setting sun lights up the snow and the cloud formed by the peak (out of view to the left). This cloud is acutally crystalized ice formed from wind moving up and over the peak much like water flows around rocks in a stream. Note the Jackson visitor center second floor observation deck to the right. The first floor of the building is almost fully covered by snow.

Olympia, Washington

January 5, 2008

We arrived on Friday to rain, but it stopped long enough for us to unload. The recent weather has knocked down many trees in the area and has created mudslides, devasting homes and businesses. We realized how fortunate we are. Olympia is a beautiful town with legislators, the military and environmental activists all in one smaller city. Fresh crab and oysters dominate local fare, and of course there is a sweet brewery in town (Fishtail Organic Brewery). We are stoked to check the town out, not to mention Olympic National Park, Mt. Ranier, skiing, wineries, and ferries to Seattle, the San Juan islands and Victoria Island in B.C. Canada! Here are shots of Capitol Lake right downtown Olympia and Goose & I pondering the beauty of the sound.

Oregon

January 2nd to 5th

After resting in Grants Pass, OR we made it to the Pacific again and stayed at the Rogue Brewery Bed & Beer (instead of Bed & Breakfast) in Newport, OR where we were treated to two bombers and pint glasses upon arrival. The B&B is located above the original Brewpub. Here's Meg enjoying our first sample of fresh seafood at the brewery: clam chowder, halibut tacos, mussels, and cioppino. We washed that down with freshly brewed draught beer. Heaven is on Earth, somewheres.

Goose was not too sure if she liked the sea lions in the bay. We had long talks about them to explain that they were like deer, except they lived in the water, and made loud "Ar-Ar" sounds, and were much fatter, and slower on land. She was much happier when we continued on our morning run.

Wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, OR. Known for their Pinot Noir, Meg was enjoying her favorite grape... juiced..... and fermented. Goose hung out too in the tasting room, and the offices. She couldn't get away with that in Napa!!!

Next stop: Olympia, Washington

New Years in the Redwoods National Park

Pre New Years and News Years Day, 2008



The only highlight before New Years Day was stopping in Chico, CA at the Mecca of microbreweries. Here I am paying homage to one of my favorites. Non-beer drinkers just scroll down.

Check out the size of this Redwood base. "Awe" is the only adjective to describe it. This was the best New Years Day I have ever had. Goose and Megan too, fo sho......

This one was hit by lightening and burned from the inside. It fits a Megan (and a baker's dozen of circus clowns) inside.

Megan, between twins.

The Redwood Coast. There must have been a divine creator. Touching this beauty will increase your faith. Or look it up in the Bible. I recommend seeing it for yourself.

Same game, similar stick, totally different beach from the 3rd coast to the West Coast. Goose at our first contact with the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the Wilson Creek. She drank salt water and was unsure of any water she came into contact with after that.

Want another video? Here is an insight on how we do it on the road...

Death Valley

December 28 & 29th

After driving several hours from Gold Canyon to Hoover Dam, it took us 90 minutes to cross the damn dam. The view was rewarding. It was dark by the time we reached the Nevada side. This marks our move into the Pacific Time Zone. We passed the time by calling friends. It was evident that other people enjoyed beers by the cases of empty bottles on the side of the road.

That sign says, "282 Feet Below Sea Level." The best time to visit here is in December when it is 40* in the shade. The white dust on the boardwalk and valley floor is ground up salt . It stuck to our boots like snow. This is the start of the Badwater Ultramarathon that starts at -282' and finishes five marathon distances away at the trailhead to Mt. Whitney (14,494' the highest peak in the lower 48 states).

This is the view for the first two marathon distances of the Badwater Ultramarathon. It starts in July at noon. Bring extra coolant fool!

The Devils Golf Course. A mixture of salt and silt raised off an ancient ocean floor. Goose found a ball. Just kidding, no one golfs here.

The oasis at Furnace Creek. There was a yoga class going on next to the pool. So much for "Nature's Murderer."

The dunes of Stovepipe Wells. They have claimed many lives, especially in the summer when temperatures can be greater than 125*. Notably, the original western visitors, or the '49ers (that's 1849 kids) survived with only one person dying from the elements.

Desert Christmas

Decemer 21 to 28

I got a request for more pictures so here it is. After chilling, hiking and cleaning out the Mule on Friday we supported the Jayhawks on Saturday in our KU gear.

Desert hiking took its toll on Goose's front paws. She got blisters if you can believe that (I guess the mountain snow softened them up). Creek pools are great for drinking and laying down when it is hot.

The famous Weaver's Needle supposedly hiding the Lost Dutchman's gold.

The Pennington family, Nancy (hiding behind) Boppie, Joe, Nanny, Uncle Doug, Meg, Aunt Kim, Chris and Anna (Goose is hiding behind the snowman).

Swinging for the fences with the Superstition mountains in the background. I actually hit a house on this drive. Then I found my ball across the street of the house I hit on the driveway. This was my worse stroke...... I swear.

The day after Christmas was Boppie's birthday as well as their 60th anniversary. Congratulations! Celebrating Boppie's 81st birthday with a cold brew.... and a semi-nude poster girl I realize, after golf at the Garage.

The 60th anniversary couple enjoying a celebratory Spumoni and chocolate cake.

Telluride to Four Corners to Gold Canyon

December 18-20

After a beautiful three hour drive from Moab, we arrived in Telluride to a snow storm just starting. Megan dropped me off, I changed on the street in the town and hopped on the Gondola right away. This was definitely the best ski day so far. The town of Telluride was just as cool, we ate at Las Montanas and drank at the old Sheritan Hotel. Goose rode the Gondola at night, and hated it...... Sorry Goose. The next day we fueled at Baked in Telluride and reveled

in the beauty of a post snow mountain drive through Lizard Head Pass above 10,000 feet. Our next stop was Four Corners (for about 10 min.) where we spotted USDA grade A meat (check out my butt). It took us another six+ hours to drive through Navajo high desert, AZ alpine mountains and finally into the valley near Phoenix to Meg's grandparent's, Nanny & Boppy.