Enjoy these photos from Big Sur during my trip to California this summer. This is my last blog update until next Tuesday.
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Stories from the Road -- Dyer, IN
Vacations require hiccups. Trips you plan cannot and should never go as scheduled. If they do, you won't have as much fun, and you won't remember it as much as you'd prefer.
Mom and I went to Canada in 2006, and it was a wonderful trip. We visited Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, and I loved each place in many ways. Because it was a road trip, we had to drive there. From Lincoln, NE, that's no small task. The first three days were completely drive-days, though the first day we left after Mom finished work for the day. Hey, that's an extra day of vacation she can have later!
The first night, we stayed in the Quad Cities. We arrived there around midnight, and after a quick sleep, we left the next morning at 9 am sharp. The next night, we had reservations at a hotel in Buffalo, NY. There was much ground to cover in the next few hours.
Unfortunately, some of that ground involved Chicago. Now, I love Chicago more than just about anybody, and future "Stories from the Road" posts will detail just how much I adore this city. Regretfully, this would be the experience that would tarnish my Chicago image for years. In fact, it still remains a bit tainted by the stench of failure.
Mom and I have different stories as to how our Chicago excursion transpired, but it begins the same way. On Interstate 80, which crosses the south side of the city, there was a stretch covering about five miles that joins I-294. This is a problem for two reasons: extra traffic and toll booths. The extra traffic is OK, but on a weekday at around the noon hour, there is quite a bit of this extra traffic. The problem is exacerbated by the stop-and-go of toll-boothing. The result was an hour-plus delay on the interstate that we could ill-afford if we wanted to end up in Buffalo at a decent hour.
So, using my quick Rand McNally skills, I decided to exit on Harlem Avenue, which dives south to Lincoln Highway, or glorious US 30. The plan was working, as traffic was heavy but steadily flowing. We turned east on Lincoln Highway, and we crossed into Indiana. The traffic was very high, as many other interstate travelers had the same idea I had, apparently. Traffic lights were backed up for blocks. Unfortunately, there was one traffic light too many.
In the suburb of Dyer, IN, in front of a gas station several car-lengths away from a street light that had just turned green, we suddenly heard this loud bang followed by my car moving forward. I involuntarily hit the brakes hard, narrowly avoiding colliding with the vehicle in front of me. I remember the moment it happened. Mom was watching a DVD using a portable player that I had received as a gift. She was watching an Everwood episode entitled, "We Hold These Truths". I remember the scene because I could hear the dialogue through her headphones. I remember Mom gasping really loudly. And I...well, I said nothing.
I motioned for the vehicle behind me to pull into the gas station. He obliged and (fortunately) had insurance. He had no problem copping to the accident. His words were: "I saw the green light and not you." I remember Mom calling my insurance agent. Why didn't I? Well, because I was not capable of speaking for some reason. I remember the police officer stopping by. He asked some questions, and I could barely muster audible responses. I remember the officer said, "Good luck," as if suggesting that somehow I would not receive compensation. (Experience, I guess.) I remember seeing the damage. Two beautiful bruisers on each end of the rear of the vehicle. The luggage in the trunk was safe. The trunk could still close, amazingly.
As far as rear end accidents go, this one was about as minor as could be, despite the large dents on the vehicle. The bumper protected the trunk and prevented a very painfully long delay in the trip.
Of course, by the time all of the insurance calls, police interaction, and "thanks for nothings" were over, it was three hours later, and we were in Dyer, IN. It was a long way to Buffalo.
The car ride through Indiana and Ohio was quiet. Very quiet. Mom went on with her DVDs, and I was content to say nothing. We hadn't eaten...all day. I was not hungry. Mom was afraid to say anything. Finally, in Erie, PA, my stomach had had enough, and I couldn't bear being angry anymore. I asked Mom: "You hungry?" "Sure." Mom rarely answers positively to this question, so I took this as, "You're starving me!"
I think we ate at Applebee's. I've eaten there three times now. You can see Lake Erie from the restaurant. This time it was dark. It had been dark for a while. We loudly chomped down on our food. We spoke little, but then I finally said, "I'm going to laugh about this tomorrow." Mom laughed. Everything was fine. "This wouldn't have happened if you weren't so impatient." Actually, it wouldn't have happened if the man had paid attention. That did not seem like the time nor place to argue. We could do that in the car. Damaged, but still running.
The next day we saw Niagara Falls. You can imagine how much more we liked it because we had actually made it. See? That's why you need a hiccup every once in a while.
Mom and I went to Canada in 2006, and it was a wonderful trip. We visited Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, and I loved each place in many ways. Because it was a road trip, we had to drive there. From Lincoln, NE, that's no small task. The first three days were completely drive-days, though the first day we left after Mom finished work for the day. Hey, that's an extra day of vacation she can have later!
The first night, we stayed in the Quad Cities. We arrived there around midnight, and after a quick sleep, we left the next morning at 9 am sharp. The next night, we had reservations at a hotel in Buffalo, NY. There was much ground to cover in the next few hours.
Unfortunately, some of that ground involved Chicago. Now, I love Chicago more than just about anybody, and future "Stories from the Road" posts will detail just how much I adore this city. Regretfully, this would be the experience that would tarnish my Chicago image for years. In fact, it still remains a bit tainted by the stench of failure.
Mom and I have different stories as to how our Chicago excursion transpired, but it begins the same way. On Interstate 80, which crosses the south side of the city, there was a stretch covering about five miles that joins I-294. This is a problem for two reasons: extra traffic and toll booths. The extra traffic is OK, but on a weekday at around the noon hour, there is quite a bit of this extra traffic. The problem is exacerbated by the stop-and-go of toll-boothing. The result was an hour-plus delay on the interstate that we could ill-afford if we wanted to end up in Buffalo at a decent hour.
So, using my quick Rand McNally skills, I decided to exit on Harlem Avenue, which dives south to Lincoln Highway, or glorious US 30. The plan was working, as traffic was heavy but steadily flowing. We turned east on Lincoln Highway, and we crossed into Indiana. The traffic was very high, as many other interstate travelers had the same idea I had, apparently. Traffic lights were backed up for blocks. Unfortunately, there was one traffic light too many.
In the suburb of Dyer, IN, in front of a gas station several car-lengths away from a street light that had just turned green, we suddenly heard this loud bang followed by my car moving forward. I involuntarily hit the brakes hard, narrowly avoiding colliding with the vehicle in front of me. I remember the moment it happened. Mom was watching a DVD using a portable player that I had received as a gift. She was watching an Everwood episode entitled, "We Hold These Truths". I remember the scene because I could hear the dialogue through her headphones. I remember Mom gasping really loudly. And I...well, I said nothing.
I motioned for the vehicle behind me to pull into the gas station. He obliged and (fortunately) had insurance. He had no problem copping to the accident. His words were: "I saw the green light and not you." I remember Mom calling my insurance agent. Why didn't I? Well, because I was not capable of speaking for some reason. I remember the police officer stopping by. He asked some questions, and I could barely muster audible responses. I remember the officer said, "Good luck," as if suggesting that somehow I would not receive compensation. (Experience, I guess.) I remember seeing the damage. Two beautiful bruisers on each end of the rear of the vehicle. The luggage in the trunk was safe. The trunk could still close, amazingly.
As far as rear end accidents go, this one was about as minor as could be, despite the large dents on the vehicle. The bumper protected the trunk and prevented a very painfully long delay in the trip.
Of course, by the time all of the insurance calls, police interaction, and "thanks for nothings" were over, it was three hours later, and we were in Dyer, IN. It was a long way to Buffalo.
The car ride through Indiana and Ohio was quiet. Very quiet. Mom went on with her DVDs, and I was content to say nothing. We hadn't eaten...all day. I was not hungry. Mom was afraid to say anything. Finally, in Erie, PA, my stomach had had enough, and I couldn't bear being angry anymore. I asked Mom: "You hungry?" "Sure." Mom rarely answers positively to this question, so I took this as, "You're starving me!"
I think we ate at Applebee's. I've eaten there three times now. You can see Lake Erie from the restaurant. This time it was dark. It had been dark for a while. We loudly chomped down on our food. We spoke little, but then I finally said, "I'm going to laugh about this tomorrow." Mom laughed. Everything was fine. "This wouldn't have happened if you weren't so impatient." Actually, it wouldn't have happened if the man had paid attention. That did not seem like the time nor place to argue. We could do that in the car. Damaged, but still running.
The next day we saw Niagara Falls. You can imagine how much more we liked it because we had actually made it. See? That's why you need a hiccup every once in a while.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Ken Burns on America's Best Idea
PBS begins the 12-hour miniseries on the US National Parks tonight. I encourage everyone to watch it and learn why the NPS is such a special and important part of our American history.
The National Parks Traveler interviewed Ken Burns on the project:
http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/09/conversation-ken-burns-national-parks-americas-best-idea4591
The National Parks Traveler interviewed Ken Burns on the project:
http://www.nationalparkstr
Pictures from the Road -- America's Best Idea
In celebration of the documentary by Ken Burns, I thought I'd share some photos tonight from the national parks I have visited recently. Enjoy.
Coming up this week:
Monday -- Growing Up: A 10-Year Tribute
Tuesday -- Stories from the Road: Dyer, IN
Wednesday -- Pictures from the Road: More from the California trip.
No notes from Thursday through next Monday.
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Coming up this week:
Monday -- Growing Up: A 10-Year Tribute
Tuesday -- Stories from the Road: Dyer, IN
Wednesday -- Pictures from the Road: More from the California trip.
No notes from Thursday through next Monday.
---
Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park
Frozen Lake Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Lower Yellowstone Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park
Upper Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
Sawmill Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Morning Glory, Yellowstone National Park
Gorge Creek Falls, North Cascades National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
The Gore Range, Rocky Mountain National Park
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park
Kings River, Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon, Kings Canyon National Park
General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park
Black Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
View from the Highline Trail, Glacier National Park
Friday, September 25, 2009
Dangerously Dumb People in the World
Because of my very busy weekend schedule this semester, this blog series has been interrupted for quite a while. And today's, strangely, will be a suggestion to read another op-ed piece about the shenanigans at the UN this week.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/24/iftikhar.ahmadinejad.gaddafi/index.html
Before I had even heard of this article, both targets of the commentary were on my list. Thus, I might as well reference an article that exposes the "dangerously dumb" at length.
The other winner this week is Kirk Cameron, from Growing Pains to Super Genius:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20307814,00.html
An excerpt from the article:
My reaction? Yawn. A repeated, tired argument with absolutely no grasp of reality.
But here is my favorite passage from the article:
So, my question to Kirk is this. If people are going to college, perhaps for the purposes of making informed, educated decisions about matters that may affect them throughout their lives, how can he claim that they are NOT making informed, educated decisions? Does he not see the inherent contradiction in his quote here?
Kirk Cameron, growing pain, this week's "Dangerously Dumb Person in the World".
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WO
Before I had even heard of this article, both targets of the commentary were on my list. Thus, I might as well reference an article that exposes the "dangerously dumb" at length.
The other winner this week is Kirk Cameron, from Growing Pains to Super Genius:
http://www.people.com/peop
An excerpt from the article:
"You can see where [Hitler] clearly takes Darwin's ideas to some of their logical conclusions and compares certain races of people to lower evolutionary life forms," Cameron says. "If you take Darwin's theory and extend it to its logical end, it can be used to justify all number of very horrendous things."
My reaction? Yawn. A repeated, tired argument with absolutely no grasp of reality.
"This has been refuted many, many times. The anti-evolutionist fearmongers have to link Darwin to every perceived evil from mankind," says Kevin Padian, professor of paleontology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Berkeley. "The two kinds people who believe that religion and evolution can not coexist are extreme atheists and extreme religious fundamentalists. Everyone else doesn't really have a problem. [A majority] of Americans believe that a belief in god is compatible with evolution."
But here is my favorite passage from the article:
"Atheism has been on the rise for years now, and the Bible of the atheists is The Origin of Species," Cameron tells PEOPLE. "We have a situation in our country where young people are entering college with a belief in God and exiting with that faith being stripped and shredded. What we want to do is have student [sic] make an informed, educated decision before they chuck their faith."
So, my question to Kirk is this. If people are going to college, perhaps for the purposes of making informed, educated decisions about matters that may affect them throughout their lives, how can he claim that they are NOT making informed, educated decisions? Does he not see the inherent contradiction in his quote here?
Kirk Cameron, growing pain, this week's "Dangerously Dumb Person in the World".
Vignettes from the Road -- Colorado Potpourri
Horsin' Around
In June 2007, my sister, three college friends, and I went to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to hike the Cascade Falls trail. It was a beautiful sunny day that turned out to be relatively warm and smelly. Smelly in the "horse trash" sort of way. A long stretch of the trail is shared by horses. We actually met a few on the way back. We knew many more had been there, given the "remains of the day". Unfortunately, this required looking down as much as out on the forested trail.
The western side of RMNP is much greener than its eastern counterpart. The mountains are smoother, and the ground is almost impossible to see because of the thick canopy. This side is wetter, and typically, the scenery is considered inferior to the drier leeward landscapes. I disagree, because I think comparing the two is comparing apples and oranges. They are both fruit, but their flavors are totally different. The majestic beauty of Longs Peak or Flattop Mountain is stunning, but the vastness of the trees amidst the enormity of hills and mountains clinging to the west side of the Continental Divide are just as magical. Part of the magic is in their lack of appreciation. The hike was quiet, with few run-ins with others the entire beautiful, sunny, weekend day. Solitude boosts the power of natural wonders, and the roaring sounds of the tumbling waters, the whirring of the leaves and the pines in the wind, and the birds chirping their happy tunes under a big open sky hidden only by the very trees that support them made this a particularly fun day in Colorado. Even if there was a little altitude sickness.
Natural Toothpicks
State Highway 82 southeast of Aspen climbs to Independence Pass, a beautiful summit on the Continental Divide. On a trip through this area in June 2008, three friends and I discovered that the climb up featured a peculiar forest of aspens. The forest looked like an endless field of toothpicks. Aspen toothpicks, with the trunks glimmering in the bright sunlight. It was a marvelous sight.
The scenery up the west side of Independence Pass is nearly insurmountable in Colorado, and the habitats change quickly. The open tundra near the top quickly turns into subalpine forest, crudely masking the towering peaks that overlook the region. The snow-covered triangular mountaintops are hidden by vertical lines jutting upward everywhere. The only sounds were of the aspen leaves and the rushing waters of a mountain stream and snowmelt. Pure nature, just off the road. It doesn't get better than this highway.
Smile
Near Aspen are the famous Maroon Bells, called the "most photographed" mountains of Colorado. After visiting, it is not that difficult to see why. The jagged peaks of the Maroon Bells are natural masterpieces. Even in late June, mounds of snow striated the sides in a scene seemingly right out of a painting. After an hour taking hundreds of photographs of the mountains and Maroon Lake, my friends and I hiked to beautiful Crater Lake, which sits right underneath the Pyramids and the Maroon Bells. We noticed at the latter portion of the hike a rock formation on one of the mountains. The formation looked like a face, and with closer inspection, the face was in a crevice that hid a waterfall. Sometimes, even nature knows when to smile.
A Lazy Walk
In RMNP in 2008, a beautiful hike to Dream and Emerald Lake was followed by a quieter hike around Bear Lake. A classic subalpine lake, surrounded by trees and, because of the popularity of the area, nearly a hundred people, Bear Lake is a beautiful stroll. About a quarter of the way into the hike, I see someone sitting on a rock just looking around. Across the lake, through the trees, and to Longs Peak staring back at us in the distance. The sight startled me, and continues to do so to this day. If ever there was an image that I think of whenever my imagination wanders to the mountains, I'll remember that one. It remains one of my favorite photos and favorite moments in the mountains.
Quicksand
Colorado is home to Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of my favorite locations in the world. Here lies a small but clean desert of sand dunes amidst mountains and valleys that are commonly green. A sheer coincidence of nature often leads to the finest of locations. The climb to the second highest sand dune peak was memorable for the heat, the altitude sickness, and the stinging of the specks of sand flying in my face. Of course, every painfully small step to the top was worth, as the "small" dune field doesn't look that way when you have a view overlooking all of it. On the way down, I commonly looked back up and noticed the beauty of just a small portion of the place. The small waves ebbing and flowing in the wind-driven sand, the perfect monotony of the color of the sand, the etchings of clouds in a pronounced blue sky, and the infinitesimal appearance of people mere yards away -- well, you just can't beat sand for a sense of the genuine smallness that we really are.
Zapata Means Shoe
My favorite waterfalls are the ones you have to work for, and Zapata Falls is a genuine treat in that department. The hike to get there is not particularly difficult in terms of elevation, but it requires getting your feet wet. Wet and cold. Very cold. Snowmelt cold.
Numbness can be a very good thing, but I imagine my pure euphoria of watching the blisteringly cold water fall inside a beautiful rock formation was responsible for what I am sure were freezing feet to disappear. Sacrificing your body for the greater cause of natural wonders is sometimes worth making. The crystal clear water, the overwhelming rocks, and the gleaming ice feeding the water were pure mountain entertainment.
Only Colorado can bring such diverse excitement, such repeated excitement, visit after visit after visit. All it requires is a drive, some courage, and some extra oxygen. Get in the car.
In June 2007, my sister, three college friends, and I went to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to hike the Cascade Falls trail. It was a beautiful sunny day that turned out to be relatively warm and smelly. Smelly in the "horse trash" sort of way. A long stretch of the trail is shared by horses. We actually met a few on the way back. We knew many more had been there, given the "remains of the day". Unfortunately, this required looking down as much as out on the forested trail.
The western side of RMNP is much greener than its eastern counterpart. The mountains are smoother, and the ground is almost impossible to see because of the thick canopy. This side is wetter, and typically, the scenery is considered inferior to the drier leeward landscapes. I disagree, because I think comparing the two is comparing apples and oranges. They are both fruit, but their flavors are totally different. The majestic beauty of Longs Peak or Flattop Mountain is stunning, but the vastness of the trees amidst the enormity of hills and mountains clinging to the west side of the Continental Divide are just as magical. Part of the magic is in their lack of appreciation. The hike was quiet, with few run-ins with others the entire beautiful, sunny, weekend day. Solitude boosts the power of natural wonders, and the roaring sounds of the tumbling waters, the whirring of the leaves and the pines in the wind, and the birds chirping their happy tunes under a big open sky hidden only by the very trees that support them made this a particularly fun day in Colorado. Even if there was a little altitude sickness.
Natural Toothpicks
State Highway 82 southeast of Aspen climbs to Independence Pass, a beautiful summit on the Continental Divide. On a trip through this area in June 2008, three friends and I discovered that the climb up featured a peculiar forest of aspens. The forest looked like an endless field of toothpicks. Aspen toothpicks, with the trunks glimmering in the bright sunlight. It was a marvelous sight.
The scenery up the west side of Independence Pass is nearly insurmountable in Colorado, and the habitats change quickly. The open tundra near the top quickly turns into subalpine forest, crudely masking the towering peaks that overlook the region. The snow-covered triangular mountaintops are hidden by vertical lines jutting upward everywhere. The only sounds were of the aspen leaves and the rushing waters of a mountain stream and snowmelt. Pure nature, just off the road. It doesn't get better than this highway.
Smile
Near Aspen are the famous Maroon Bells, called the "most photographed" mountains of Colorado. After visiting, it is not that difficult to see why. The jagged peaks of the Maroon Bells are natural masterpieces. Even in late June, mounds of snow striated the sides in a scene seemingly right out of a painting. After an hour taking hundreds of photographs of the mountains and Maroon Lake, my friends and I hiked to beautiful Crater Lake, which sits right underneath the Pyramids and the Maroon Bells. We noticed at the latter portion of the hike a rock formation on one of the mountains. The formation looked like a face, and with closer inspection, the face was in a crevice that hid a waterfall. Sometimes, even nature knows when to smile.
A Lazy Walk
In RMNP in 2008, a beautiful hike to Dream and Emerald Lake was followed by a quieter hike around Bear Lake. A classic subalpine lake, surrounded by trees and, because of the popularity of the area, nearly a hundred people, Bear Lake is a beautiful stroll. About a quarter of the way into the hike, I see someone sitting on a rock just looking around. Across the lake, through the trees, and to Longs Peak staring back at us in the distance. The sight startled me, and continues to do so to this day. If ever there was an image that I think of whenever my imagination wanders to the mountains, I'll remember that one. It remains one of my favorite photos and favorite moments in the mountains.
Quicksand
Colorado is home to Great Sand Dunes National Park, one of my favorite locations in the world. Here lies a small but clean desert of sand dunes amidst mountains and valleys that are commonly green. A sheer coincidence of nature often leads to the finest of locations. The climb to the second highest sand dune peak was memorable for the heat, the altitude sickness, and the stinging of the specks of sand flying in my face. Of course, every painfully small step to the top was worth, as the "small" dune field doesn't look that way when you have a view overlooking all of it. On the way down, I commonly looked back up and noticed the beauty of just a small portion of the place. The small waves ebbing and flowing in the wind-driven sand, the perfect monotony of the color of the sand, the etchings of clouds in a pronounced blue sky, and the infinitesimal appearance of people mere yards away -- well, you just can't beat sand for a sense of the genuine smallness that we really are.
Zapata Means Shoe
My favorite waterfalls are the ones you have to work for, and Zapata Falls is a genuine treat in that department. The hike to get there is not particularly difficult in terms of elevation, but it requires getting your feet wet. Wet and cold. Very cold. Snowmelt cold.
Numbness can be a very good thing, but I imagine my pure euphoria of watching the blisteringly cold water fall inside a beautiful rock formation was responsible for what I am sure were freezing feet to disappear. Sacrificing your body for the greater cause of natural wonders is sometimes worth making. The crystal clear water, the overwhelming rocks, and the gleaming ice feeding the water were pure mountain entertainment.
Only Colorado can bring such diverse excitement, such repeated excitement, visit after visit after visit. All it requires is a drive, some courage, and some extra oxygen. Get in the car.
Let me get my "Zen on" at Cascade Falls.
A crew and Lake Granby.
Natural toothpicks.
Independence Pass.
Smile!
How can you be crying when you're smiling?
Crater Lake, CO.
Would you rather be doing anything besides what this person was doing at that moment? Longs Peak, overlooking Bear Lake.
Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Zapata Falls. Note that I am standing in water while taking this photo. As it should be.
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