GOING HOME - P.S.

Hi again, Gang:

We just returned from a delightful dinner here in Tallahassee, at the restaurant next door (described as "good but expensive"), which turned out to be quite good, and quite inexpensive. "Shawn" was our waiter, a delightful 20 year old, highly articulate, and eager to share his views. We assured him of our vote, should he ever run for President.

Judy had pork ribs, I had chicken pot pie, and we both had - FRIED GREEN TOMATOES! Everything was excellent! A fitting culinary finale to our epic "fried" journey.

Goodnight to all............... J&J

HOME tomorrow - YIPPEE!!!!!

Hi Gang.

We just arrived in the great metropolis of Tallahassee, 5 hours of driving should get us HOME tomorrow!

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!

It was a GREAT trip, with ups & downs. After spending 2 months, 24/7, with each other, Judy & I can still laugh together!

I hope to post a link to a Smugmug album with more images ASAP.

Thanks to all who followed our adventures............. Judy & Jack

ZOZOBRA!!!

Here is the close up view of a distinguished Zozobra.

And here is the wide view - he is BIG!!!

OK, here are two images of Zozobra, the 49 foot tall representative of "DOOM & GLOOM". One is a wide shot to give some perspective of his size, and a close up shot of the details of this fashionable gentleman. I LOVE his bow tie! This is a good way to celebrate the New Year.

These are both Judys shots, edited in lightroom by me.

Enjoy................... Jack & Judy

Going HOME!!!!!

Hi All:

We started home from Santa Fe on Monday (9/14), are now in Jackson, MS (9/16), Tallahassee tomorrow night, HOME (hopefully) on Friday Sept.18th!!! YEA!!!!

I'll do my best to upload an image of Zozobra, the 49 foot effigy of doom and gloom that was burned at the Santa Fe festival. A good way to begin the New Year.

I also plan to upload more images to an album on our Smugmug site, will let you know if/when that happens.

Coming across the west, then the south, we saw many amazing sights, like fried pies, fried pickles, and, of course, the ever popular hot fried catfish! If it cannot be fried, it is barbecued!!

We will be so HAPPY to get HOME!!!!!

Jack & Judy

In Santa Fe

We are in Santa Fe, NM, at a lovely B&B. Weather is fabulous, going to hit the galleries this morning.. Judy says this town is like Taos on steroids!

Lots of images on our way here from Taos yesterday, I'll try to upload some tonight with this ratter intermittent web access.

J&J

9-6-2009 TAOS PUEBLO

Missionaries succeeded!

Magnificent sky!

Bread oven

Getting Artsy

Native American Patriotism

We help the economic recovery

Pueblo to the sky

Georgia O'Keeffe revisited

Pueblo Guardian

Blue door (for water and sky)

Eloquent graveyard

Hi Gang:

Today we went to the Taos Pueblo, continuously inhabited for 800 years! The day was spectacular, and we went quite crazy photographing. We hope to upload some images that we each shot, and hope you enjoy them.

Later we went to the Fechin Museum, and then strolled the Taos Galleries. It was a wonderful day!

Hi All:

We left Las Cruces this morning, had a good drive to Albequerque. We arrived in Albuquerque after an uneventful ride, napped a bit, then hit Old Town, which I LOVE! Judy keeps telling me it is but a facsimile of the great stuff in Taos and Santa Fe, but I thought it was all so neat, photogenic, and downright INTERESTING! It rained slightly when we emerged from dinner, and there was a gorgeous double rainbow, plus the white church tower on the square against a dark stormy sky - looked like a movie set!

Tomorrow we buzz up to Taos, up the "Turquoise Trail", through Chimayo, and other places that Judy lusts after. We spend the weekend there, and thence to Santa Fe. Judy (and I) are so excited! Thence to Taos for a few days, and THEN to Santa Fe until the 14th, when we plan to begin our homeward trek. A monumental journey in all. This should be a real highlight. Judy plans to bring home "stuff" from Taos and Santa Fe, as well as empty Trader Joe's shelves of all we covet in that wondrous emporium.

I'll do my best to post some images, we FINALLY have an internet connection!

Best to all........... J&J

In Las Cruces, NM!

Hi All:

You are quite right, we have been very quiet!

The reason is that we are now in Las Cruces, NM, at Judy's brother-in-laws condo, where, unexpectedly, I cannot connect my notebook computer to the Internet. I'll try to update the blog today, though, using our hosts computer.

Alas, we just returned from our FOURTH visit to an urgent care clinic, this time for my nasty cough and persistent bronchitis that was being inadequately medicated with what I had along. A nice Indian doctor gave me a very good regime of meds, and I just took my first dose - on my way to roaring health once more. At least my leg is just about healed.

We HAVE seen and done a lot, and gathered some good images en route. After dropping our friends off in Salt Lake City, we went to Moab, Utah (GREAT town), Canyon de Chelly (Awesome), and Albuquerque old town (charming), finally winding up in Las Cruces, NM, a lovely college town. Here we are having a lovely visit with family, including a great birthday party for our 10 year old nephew last night. We plan to stay here for about one week more, then depart for Taos, then Santa Fe, and then..... HOME!!!!! At this point we are somewhat road weary and it will be nice to be in comfortable and familiar surroundings once again.

Image posting is a challenge, I hope to edit some, transfer to a memory stick, and pray that the Mac system will allow me to upload to the blog from that - we shall see.

I hope this finds you all well and happy............ Jack

Sapphire Pool - Yellowstone

Old Faithful in action

Colorful mineral deposits at edge of geyser

He stepped in front of the van - I barely stopped in time!
He RULES!!!

Jack posing with lookalike "friend"

Judy liked this fellow

Hi All: Here are a few images, 4 from Yellowstone, and two corny "tourist shots" of Judy and I posing with our "friends" in the lovely town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We are currently in Jackson Hole, went up a tram to over 10,000 feet today and had spectacular views - images will follow later. Tomorrow is our last day here, we travel to Salt Lake City, UT on Sunday.

Hi All:

5 days since my last post, in Jackson Hole, WY now, and finally HAVE internet and cell phone access - YEAH!! I will no longer take both for granted.

Yellowstone was great, and the Tetons are really spectacular. The town of Jackson Hole is a browser's mecca, with a REAL camera store! Oh, joy!! Judy is enthralled at all the Indian Arts, jewelry, and even a bead shop - "Judy Paradise".

My leg is well on the way to being completely healed, which is a great relief. I HOPE to post some of the many images we shot, need to edit and re-size some for that purpose. I am comforted by having them backed up n TWO external hard drives.

More later.............. Jack

Hi!

Today we leave Elko, NE, and go to Yellowstone, where Obama is visiting this very day - OI! We also will see Craters of the Moon in Idaho, on the way to an evening arrival at Yellowstone.

My leg is MUCH improved - YEAH!!!!!

J&J

Hi All:

It has been quite a while since I last posted, and a lot has happened.

After Monterey, we traveled to Half Moon Bay, CA, where there was no internet access during our 4 day stay. We went to the wedding of my cousin's daughter, where we were the photographers. It was in three sections - a wedding farm harvest (we picked flowers and veggies), a barn dance, and finally the the wedding ceremony itself and reception afterwards, the following day. We did our best to document these events with images, it was both fun and a lot of work. We would up with almost 900 images - oi the editing!!! The ceremony was very moving, and everything worked very well.

The next day (Aug. 11) we met our friends (Laura & Tony) in San Jose, these are the folks with whom we planned to travel to the 3 parks, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. We then drove to Yosemite, arriving late afternoon. Though internet access was promised, it turned out to be inoperative for the first 2 days, being restored only this evening - thus my posting lapse. Tomorrow we have have a LONG drive to Elko, NE, the next day to Yellowstone. Judy just read that Obama will visit Yellowstone the weekend we arrive - oi the delays!!!

Yosemite is a HUGE park, we took a few tours, and drove about a bit by ourselves. I will post images when I get the chance. The vistas are so vast, the rock formations so huge, that we find it somewhat difficult to do it justice with still images, but we tried our best. It is a magnificent place!

Unfortunately, the left leg infection (where I bashed it on a bed frame) proved to be very tenacious, in spite of two medical clinic visits and 3 different antibiotics. I was alarmed, and visited the Yosemite medical clinic this afternoon, and am pleased and grateful for the careful and kind treatment I received. I got a tetanus shot (better late than never), had Clindamycin added to my antibiotic regime, was given extra Bactrim, and a more effective antibacterial wound salve. I walked out with ALL of the medication I needed plus dressings for 5 - 6 days - most impressive care. I was also sternly admonished to keep my leg elevated as much as possible, and to wear a pressure stocking. I plan to follow this advice carefully, as a hospitalization will be needed if these measures do not quell this pesky infection.

I hope you will all forgive the posting lapse, things are not always ideal as one travels!

Our best to everyone.............. J&J

Hi Gang:

We arrived in cool Half Moon Bay from Monterey, and checked into the ZaBalla House B&B. Room is OK, BUT no internet! We are now in a coffee house (Peet's) nearby, but I fear that uploads may be few and far between given the circumstances.

The "Harvest Party" (picking veggies) is tomorrow (Sat.) at 10AM, Barn dance that evening, Wedding ceremony 2PM Sunday, Reception at 4PM. Since we are photographing these festivities, we will be BUSY, but will give a full report AND images whenever we can.

Hang in there............... J&J

Monterey Bay Aquarium part 2 - Jack's Images

Crowd gazing at large jellyfish tank

Close look

Another Dragon Sea Horse - do NOT look real!

We line up politely to be fed

Moray eel - does NOT line up for anyone!

Grouper - posing for beauty contest

Seahorses - incredible details


These seven images are Jack's - from the Monterey Bay Aquarium 8-6-2009

Monterey Bay Aquarium!

This is US - after a full day of sightseeing!

Clear jellyfish

NOT Dale Chihuly, just nature at it's best.

We love the flowing lines.

Poetry in motion

Dragon Sea Horse - unreal!

(Above 6 images are JUDY'S!)

Today we visited the fabled Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was very crowded, but we stood our ground and managed to come away with some reasonable images - we hope you like them. The first 7 images are Jacks, the final 6 are Judys.

Images from Monterey, CA

Jellyfish in tidal pool

Jellyfish and starfish buddy - noticed while drinking coffee

Seal relaxing indolently!

Fisherman's wharf - many shops - we had coffee here.

Colorful buildings on Wharf

Big catch-up!

Hi All:

Finally catching up after a blogging lapse after Texas. It took roughly forever to drive all across it.

Oracle (north of Tucson) was hot, dry, and one needed to beware of the scorpions, rattlesnakes, and tarantulas, but, that aside, it is a very nice place. We were given a UV light to screen for scorpions in our bedroom by our dear friend Sharon, who explained that they fluoresce. Fortunately, we did not find any during our stay. It was wonderful visiting with Sharon, seeing all her artist friends, and getting a sense of the area. I (Jack) had an encounter with a bed frame, with subsequent infection that needed medical attention. Now on antibiotics, it is gradually healing. Nice Doc in that little town.

Phoenix was HOT, HOTTER, and HOTTEST, the warmest temp was about 113, one needed to drink constantly to avoid dehydration, and direct sunlight was VERY uncomfortable. BUT we saw my cousin Merle, Judy's cousins Sheila and Rich & kids & grandkids, and the latter threw a surprise birthday party for Judy. My old friend Anita showed us the Heard (Indian) Museum in depth (WOW!) and we saw the Bead Museum in Glendale, a suburb. After speaking to the Bead Museum director, we were allowed to take photos and plan to send them some for their publicity. If you ever have the oportunity, do NOT miss these museums!

We stayed at the Biltmore, the premium hotel in Phoenix, great summer prices, wonderful service, posh surroundings.

We altered our plans after leaving Phoenix, instead of HOT Needles and Bakersfield, CA, we drove to Oxnard for the night, then up to Monterey, where we are now resplendent for 3 whole days. We stopped at Pismo Beach on the way to Monterey, and had a splendid view of the Pacific, rocks and birds. This is a business hotel (Portola Suites & Spa in Monterey), no A/C, beautifully located, has a shuttle to the aquarium which we will visit tomorrow, along with Cannary Row, seafront, etc.. Judy is boning up on the place as I type.

I PROMISE to upload a bunch of images as soon as I get them reasonably sorted and edited. I think we will simply crash tonight, there has been some hard driving.

Stay posted............ J&J

BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN SONORA, TX

MUSEUM SHRINE FIGURES

MARKET DANCERS

Monday, July 27

Yesterday (July 26) we drove from San Antonio, TX to Sonora, TX. We saw the famous Market Square in SA, which was a charming scene. We bought some stuff from a Guatemalan shop run by a charming Guatemalan lady, with whom we swapped stories of her lovely country. There was dancing by locals of all ages and skill levels. We also went to a nearby "Alameda Museo", where we saw a very powerful photography exhibit about teen age immigrants.

Sonora was a bleak and almost empty shell of a town, with some lovely architecture. I posted a few images.

Today we had a long, hot drive from Sonora to El Paso, a big city replete with confusing interstate ramps. After flailing some, we found our motel, and fell into bed. More flailing yielded a takeout dinner at a local Sonic -a surprisingly OK grilled chicken salad.

Tomorrow we go to Tucson and plan to stay with a good friend for 3 days - a needed respite from the road. Friday, July 31, we go to Phoenix, where we audaciously made a reservation at the Biltmore for 3 days - WOW!

Texas is a HUGE state, seemingly endless, we will be happy to enter New Mexico, and Arizona.

J&J

Houston, San Antonio!

ALAMO!

SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK

Today we are in San Antonio, and hope to post a few images from the Alamo, Riverwalk, and a few city scenes. It is HOT, we took an afternoon break and saw the latest Harry Potter movie, we both liked it with some reservations, but it was a SUPERB way to relax a bit and beat the 104 degree afternoon heat.

http://jack-judy.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow we go to Sonora, TX, and hope to see the caverns there. That reminds me, better get a reservation!

Please remember that all comments, suggestions, etc., are MOST welcome.............. Judy & Jack

Below - Houston Fine Arts Museum

Above images are from the sculpture garden of the
Houston Fine Arts Museum.

We arrived in San Antonio after a longer than expected drive from Houston, accidents and a mis cue from our otherwise trusty GPS, Hermione. We whirled around in circles on hair raising ramps in Houston rush hour, but finally made it to I10 West. THEN we ran into a huge slowdown due to an accident - ah, the joys of travel! Houston was full of art, the Fine Arts Museum is HUGE, filled with a highly varied collection. Alas, they were very negative about photography, contrary to what their web site states. Wehave some images of the sculpture garden, and a few that Judy snuck in from the African gold exhibit. We have a nice room in SA, plan to stay for a luxurious 2 days in our spacious room. We should hustle now, ere it gets TOO hot, and see what the famed "River Walk" is all about. I'll post a few images from Houston.

J&J

Food notes!

A few thoughts about southern food:

1. If they could figure out how, they would fry water.

2. Virtually everything else IS fried!

3. We finally got a good, flavorful meal in Houston, at a little Greek Cafe near the museums, called "Sophia", 1601 W. Main Street. Fresh ingredients, thoughtfully prepared. Judy had Arugula Salad, I had a chicken mango sandwich - all yummy!

BELLINGRATH GARDENS, MOBILE, AL

Above are 3 images from the Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, AL - all Judys with her Panasonic FZ-18. (Edited by Jack in Lightroom)