Marmot life

ESTES PARK, CO - - The Yellow-bellied Marmot clan was out in full force on our Tuesday tour of the high country in Rocky Mountain National Park. One wanted to show off a shiny coat while the other thought that sticking a tongue out was a good way to show displeasure at being disturbed while scrounging for hand out near a trash container.

Getting High in Colorado

MANITOU SPRINGS, CO - - Today, we climbed Pikes Peak - - by cog railway.  Sure, you could hike up the 13.1 mile trail to the top at 14,115'  and it would only take seven hours of oxygen deprivation.  You do the math.  We live at about 50' above sea level.  The campground we're staying in Manitou Springs is at 6800'.  Oh, yeah the temperature on top was mid-30's with a 30mph+  wind.  After taking some photos we decided to get out of the wind (top).  What looks like  traffic jam is actually a work train (left), a train heading to the top (middle) and our three cars heading down.

The Man of Steel ... or bronze in this case

ST. LOUIS, MO - - It all began with a trip off the interstate to look for gas at the exit to  Metropolis, IL.  As fans of superman comic books know, a fictional Metropolis was home to the 'mild mannered' Clark Kent and his employer, The Daily Planet newspaper.  (The real Metropolis' newspaper is named The Planet in honor of The Man of Steel.) 
     Metropolis 'adopted' Superman over 40 years ago. On January 21, 1972, the town received official permission from DC Comics to call itself "The hometown of Superman."  A large theme park was planned with a 200' Superman statue which cars would drive  under (through out stretched legs) to enter.  Unfortunately, the oil crisis of '72 ended that grand plan.  A few years later the town erected a 7' fiberglass statue.  Sadly, "The Man of Fiberglass" was no match for steel bullets.  The effects of target practice on Superman ended that plan.
     Plan C evolved.   Today, there is a 20' two-ton,  projectile-proof, bronze statue on the courthouse square.  There is a museum and stores sell Superman items.  Superman still lives in America's Heartland spreading his motto:  Truth - Justice - The American Way.

Zoo Zoo

WEST END, NC - - Sunday, we took a trip to the zoo. The North Carolina Zoo, near Asheboro, is off the beaten path in a hilly, wooded area.  It has two sections - - one for North America and one for Africa.  There are also birds and animals from other parts of the world.
     The sharp looker with the fancy headgear in the top photo is a Victoria Crowned Pigeon found on the island of New Guinea.  The Electus Parrot, in he middle photo, also inhabits New Guinea as well as the Solomon Islands and Australia.  There were at least six Ring-Tailed Lemurs on the 'Lemur Island' enclosure.  They played in the trees, but when on the ground seemed to like to sunbathe frequently.  This fellow looked more like he was singing an aria from an opera.
     We're now on the road headed West.

Alf (1998 - 2012)

Up, Up and Down

SANDHILLS, NC - - A quick update: Lydia and I celebrated 20 years together on Thursday.  Friday, we were on the road to Montana and our summer job.
     On a sadder note, On Thursday we lost Alf, our furry, four-legged friend of 15 years (pictured as my profile foto) after a year's battle with a hyperthyroid problem.  I miss her curled up on my lap while I tried to read or work on the computer.  I miss her wandering around on the bed at night seeking a spot to curl up against my side and sleep.  I miss her.