#Mt Tom Creek

[chrismighton]

Look Inside and Tell Me What You See

[thehikingviking]

Bullfrog Meadow Peak, 2022 Sierra Challenge Day 10

I woke up in my motel room feeling as if I had just been beaten up. My body did not want to hike again today, but it was Day 10 of the 2022 Sierra Challenge, and I was one moderately difficult summit away from completing the challenge. Also, if Dylan were for some reason not to show up, I could even place first for the yellow jersey. I was motivated! Zach and I stumbled out to our cars in the darkness and we drove up the long paved switchbacks towards Horseshoe Meadow. I was very disorganized once I arrived, and I barely made it in time for the group photo. Dylan was there and my chance to win the yellow jersey was thrown out the window. Rats! Rather than starting with the group, I decided I would finish my banana and start 15 minutes late. Zach would accompany me with the late start. I put my food in a nearby bear box and closed up the back of my jeep. Zach and I then started hiking east out into Horseshoe Meadow. Trail Peak stood above us in the morning light.

Cirque Peak loomed towards the north.

There was nothing really sexy about this peak. Bob just recommended that I select something that was of moderate difficulty so that we could all celebrate together afterwards. This peak fit the bill. I followed the trail up and over Trail Pass, suffering the whole way along what was a very easy uphill section.

I dropped down the sandy trail until reaching Mulkey Meadows. My feet were aching. Bullfrog Meadow Peak was visible to the southwest.

I followed the trail towards Bullfrog Meadow, which was more of a subsection of the greater Mulkey Meadows. I spotted a large group taking a more southernly approach, but my route was more direct.

I crossed a creek and skirted around some boggy ground. 

I ran into one of the younger groups at the base of the granite mound. I motivated myself by just trying to beat one of them to the top. In the end I found that Megan and I had similar paces, so we hiked most of the final section together. Near the top we found a large pile of granite boulders.

I took a fun direct route up the face and made it to the top. To the north were Mt Langley and Cirque Peak.

To the northeast were Trail Peak and Mulkey Meadows.

To the southeast was Olancha Peak.

To the southwest was Kern Peak, which I had climbed with Sean King two months prior.

I took a selfie on the summit, happy to have summited every challenge peak over the last ten days.

I chatted with Mason, “Mr Mountain Expert,” on the summit. He was convinced that Olancha Peak was Muah Mountain. I bet him $100 that I was right and he was wrong, but he only took the bet once I lowered the wager to around $5 if I remember correctly. Obviously I was correct, and Sean King was surprised that the usually reliable Mason would make sure a glaring error in judgement. Come to think of it, I still don’t think Mason has paid me that five dollars yet. There was some chatter about waiting for Bob, who had run off to climb a bonus peak first, but I wanted to get a head start on the hike back. I knew the final uphill would be a killer.

The final uphill was just as dreadful as I had feared. Mulkey Meadows is 600 feet lower than Horseshoe Meadow, so climbing back over Trail Pass was harder than on the way in. Thankfully I had both Dylan and Sean King there to pace and encourage me. I stumbled back to the trailhead, where I found Jim’s RV and a cold beer waiting for me. I had done it!

We waited longer than I expected for the pink crew. Chris and Tom were battling for the polka-dot jersey, and Chris had a ½ point lead. Chris seemed resolved to follow Tom through the day and night, knowing that he would win so long as he matched him. In the end they came to a gentleman’s agreement and decided not to punish each other. Chris would win his first polka-dot jersey.

We spent several hours recounting the week’s adventures and consuming calories. Zee had a very strange encounter with a lost hiker on his way to Muah Mountain. The guy ended up showing up at the trailhead later that day. He seemed to be hallucinating; either on the brink of dehydration or on drugs. Either way it created quite an entertaining background event. We consumed seemingly endless snacks and drinks, but eventually the reality of us having to drive many hours back home set in. Bob congratulated me on a successful challenge, however I was most proud that no one got hurt. The resounding feedback was the challenge was a bit easier this year when compared to years prior, even though only 4 participants climbed all the challenge peaks. Next year I will increase the difficulty to appease the masochists.

Official Summary:

Yellow Jersey: Dylan Doblar White Jersey: Dylan Doblar Green Jersey: Tom Grundy Polka-dot Jersey: Chris Henry

Aqua Jersey: Iris Ma Gravy Jersey: Sean Casserly/Mike Toffey & Tom Grundy

Red Number (Most aesthetic route): Sean King/Dylan Doblar/Trey Hawk (Caltech->Torchbearer->Tyndall->Polychrome)

[flyingiseasy-landingnotsomuch]

Bucket List

Black Crater Trail, Or

Cannon Beach, Or

Climb South Sister, Or

Visit Mt. St Helens, Wa and Hike

Eagle Creek Trail, Or

Hamilton Mountain Trail

Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls Trail

Cascade Head Trail, Or

Drive the Entire Oregon Coast

Camp on the Beach

Drive a Dune Buggy on the Coastal Dunes

Camp at the Alvord Desert

Explore, Camp, Hike Wallowa Whitman National Forest

Hike Crater Lake, Or

Hike at Yosemite National Park

Visit Yellowstone National Park

Hike Latourell Falls

Hike Cape Lookout Trail

Drive a Cafe Racer on the Coastal Dunes

Hike Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park

Timberline Trail Around Mt. Hood

Tom McCall Point Trail

Dog Mountain Trail, Wa

Trip to Iceland

White River Falls, Or

Horsetail Falls and Ponytail Falls

Toketee Falls, Or

Wildhorse Lake Trail from Steens Summit

Big Indian Gorge Trail

Mount McLoughlin Trail

Hurricane Creek Trail

Chief Joseph Mountain Trail

Visit and Hike Painted Hills

Lakes Basin via East Fork Lostline Trail

Neahkahnie Mountain via South Trailhead

Tamanawas Falls Trail

Timberline Cooper Spur and Tilly Jane Trail

Trip to Ireland

 Ptarmigan Ridge Trail, Wa

 Skyline Divide Trail, Wa

Cook Hill Loop Trail, Wa

Spencer Butte Trail, Or

Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls

Angel's Rest, Or

Abiqua Falls, Or

Indian Beach Trail via Ecola State Park

Salt Creek Falls Trail

Mount Thielsen Trail

Cape Falcon Trail, Or

Captain Cook Trail and Thor's Well

Saint Perpetua and Giant Spruce Trail

Larch Mountain Trail

Canyon Creek Meadows Loop Trail

Marys Peak Trail

Three Fingered Jack Loop

Crooked River Rim Trail

Tamanawas Falls Trail

Saddle Mountain Trail

Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls Trail

Lookout Mountain via the Divide

Dimple Hill via Horse and Dans Trail

Bald Hill Trail

Kings Mountain Trail

Carroll Rim Trail

Jones Creek Trailhead via River Trail

[paleogenetica]

Cap 163 : Yacimiento Huaca Prieta en Perú - Gobekli Tepe del Nuevo Mundo

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El Gobekli Tepe, Monumento Gigantesco situado en Turquía,  , fue levantado por cazadores-recolectores entre 11600 y 10200 AP ,1​2​ antes de que comenzara la Sedentarización y la Agricultura.

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Siguiente Imagen : Una Piedra del Gigantesco Complejo de Gobekli Tepe, preciosamente labrada con Animales. Dicen que representan Constelaciones y Mitos Religiosos de estos grandes Artistas.

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En Norte América hay Yacimiento Arqueológicos de Datación muy Antiguos que sugieren Fecha de Entrada de Paleoindios al Nuevo Mundo hace mas de 15,000 Años antes del Presente ( AP ). A elllos volveremos, pero aquí nos enfocamos solo en Sur América.

Los Yacimientos Paleoindios de Monte Verde y Huaca Prieta lo enloquecen a uno. Los mejores Laboratorios de RadioCarbono los fechan en 15,000 AP. Como puede ser cierta esta Maravilla y Super Hallazgo ??. Pero parece que si, seamos bien conservadores y póngamosle 14,500. Entonces los Paleoindios pudieron entrar a Colombia en el 14,000, pero pongámosle 13,500 para que no caigamos en la Enfermedad de la “Hype y la Hipérbole tan común en Internet y sus Aficionados ( como yo ).

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. Aquí ves a Quito arriba y a Lima abajo. Y a Huaca Prieta cerca al Ocáno Pacífico. .

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Huaca Prieta es un sitio arqueológico situado a 5 km al norte de la desembocadura del río Chicama, en las inmediaciones de la caleta del Brujo, provincia de Ascope, Región La Libertad, Perú. Fue descubierta por un equipo de arqueólogos encabezados por Junius Bird.

Es parte del complejo arqueológico El Brujo, junto a Huaca Cortada y Huaca Cao Viejo.

Una primera fase de ocupación corresponde al período paleoindio con presencia humana intermitente fechada entre 15 000 y 8000 años antes del presente.1? Una fase más reciente corresponde cronológicamente al período precerámico, siendo su antigüedad aproximada de 4000 a 2500 a.C. Se trata de restos culturales de agricultores sedentarios, que construían habitaciones semisubterráneas de piedra y barro, practicaban un rudimentario arte textil y utilizaban mates pirograbados, con diseños zoomorfos y antropomorfos, pero desconocían la cerámica y el cultivo del maíz.

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https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huaca_Prieta

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Tres Sitios Arqueológicos de Gran Antiguedad e Importancia en el Perú. Fechados muy conservadora y moderadamente ( sin Audacia, Exageración, Atrevimiento, Hipérbole y Hype ) :

1.  Huaca Prieta 14,100 AP 2.  Alto Pucuncho 14,435 AP, 4,400 mts 3.  Bajo Pucuncho 12,800 a 11,000 AP 4.  Quebrada Seca 13,000 a 11,000 AP

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Próxima Imagen : Aquí está el Mapa del Perú con los Yacimientos Paleoindios de Huaca Prieta y Quebrada Jaguay o Quebrada Seca.

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La Quebrada Jaguay, a unos 800 kilómetros al sur de Lima por la carretera Panamericana, está formada por uno de esos cursos de agua efímeros que apenas fluyen días o semanas al año. En su lecho crecen algunas plantas; pero en su derredor no hay más que arena y roca pelada. Hace 13.000 años los pescadores más antiguos del Nuevo Mundo instalaron aquí su campamento. ¿Quiénes eran? ¿De dónde vinieron? Desde 1996, un equipo multidisciplinario está desentrañando los secretos de aquellos pobladores y escribiendo un nuevo capítulo de la prehistoria americana.

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En 1970, Frédéric Engel había descubierto un yacimiento en la costa sur del Perú, una zona de zócalo estrecho. La denominó Quebrada Jaguay 280 (QJ-280), por ubicarse en el margen derecho de tal quebrada. De sus sondeos extrajo una muestra de carbón vegetal que, al radiocarbono, se fechó en unos 11.600 años A.P. 

Aunque publicada la datación en 1981, nadie reparó en la misma hasta diez años después, cuando Bernardino Ojeda, miembro del equipo de Engel, se lo mencionó a Daniel Sandweiss. Al año siguiente, Ojeda llevó a Sandweiss hasta el yacimiento. Allí comprobaron que éste contenía testimonios del uso de recursos marinos. La datación temprana y la corroboración de indicios de actividad pesquera nos movieron a armar el Proyecto Arqueológico Quebrada Jaguay en 1996.

El proyecto sigue vigente y ha contado con el apoyo económico de la Corporación Timex, la Fundación Heinz, la Fundación Brennan & Brennan, la Universidad de Maine y del doctor Thor Heyerdahl. El Instituto Nacional de Cultura del Perú ha autorizado y supervisado todas las investigaciones del proyecto. El proyecto abarcaba varias campañas de excavación del yacimiento QJ-280, iniciadas en 1996, el análisis de los restos recuperados y un catastro de la zona local, para ubicar otros yacimientos. 

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Fuente : Pescadores paleoíndios del Perú

En la Quebrada Jaguay, cercana a la costa oceánica, se han descubierto restos de actividad pesquera en los primeros momentos de la ocupación humana del Nuevo Mundo - Por Daniel H. Sandweiss, Asunción Cano, Bernardino Ojeda y José Roque

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https://museohn.unmsm.edu.pe/docs/pub_dico/Jaguay_InyCi99.pdf

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Estos Sitios, sumados a los Yacimientos Arqueolígicos en Islas Cercas a Canadá y a Estados Unidos en el Pacífico refuerzan la Hipótesis de que América fue invadida en un principio por Botes Paleoindios inventados, desarrollados y probados mucho antes en el Continente Beringia y usados para la Pezca y sobre todo para cazar Animales Mamíferos Marinos como Focas, Leones Marinos, Morsas y una que otra Ballena que se varara en las Playas de Beringia.

Según esa Hipótesis que se esfuerzan por probar con mas Arqueología y Estudio Genético, la Llegada inicial de los Beringios a América no fue por el Corredor o Pasadizo entre los dos grandes Glaciares de Canadá y Alaska : El Laurentiano y el Cordillerano, este “Corridor” probablemente se abrió muy tarde cuando ya avanzaban los Paleoindios por el Océano Pacífico y la Brecha era muy pobre y deficiente para sostener la Vida Vegetal, Animal y Humana.

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Próxima Imagen : Aquí ves Importantes yacimientos Beringianos que vamos a estudiar próximamente y los dos Grandes Glaciales de Alaska y Canadá.

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Fig. 2 Map of Beringia and artifacts.

(A) Map showing Beringia (brown), Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets (white), the ice-free corridor between the ice sheets, the Pacific coastal route, and the location of key archaeological and geological sites. Diuktai Cave lies in the core area of the Diuktai culture. Alaskan fluted points were found in dated geological contexts at Serpentine Hot Springs and Raven Bluff. The oldest Sluiceway points are from Tuluaq Hill; Mesa points were defined at the Mesa site. Dry Creek is the type site for the Nenana complex. (B) Base of fluted projectile point. (C and D) Projectile points of the Nenana complex. (E) Reconstruction of osseous projectile point with inset microblades.

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At the Huaca Prieta site in Peru, 42 artifacts including debitage and edge-retouched flakes and cobbles were buried within multiple discrete layers of alluvium dated from 14.15 ± 0.05 to 13.35 ± 0.05 ka ago (71).

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Fuente : 

Late Pleistocene exploration and settlement of the Americas by modern humans

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https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6449/eaat5447

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Huaca Prieta no solo se jacta de tener Paleoindios de hace 15,000 Años. También es el “Gobleki Tepe” del Hemisferio Occidental. Tiene una Construcción Monumental sin precedentes. Y muchos Artefactos. Solo puedo decir que eran muy inteligentes.

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DESCUBREN EN HUACA PRIETA, PERÚ, RASTROS DE UNA CIVILIZACIÓN DE HACE 15.000 AÑOS

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El arqueólogo James M. Adovasio, asegura que sus habitantes tenían una notable capacidad de utilizar diferentes tipos de recursos alimenticios, que los llevó a convertirse en una enorme sociedad. Arqueólogos de la Universidad Atlántica de Florida, Estados Unidos, revelaron pruebas que confirman que aproximadamente hace 15.000 años existió en Perú una civilización mucho más avanzada de lo que se pensaba. Contaba con una organización social muy estructurada y podría ser la más antigua establecida en el país. El estudio publicado en la revista Science Advances, se basó en el hallazgo de cientos de miles de artefactos encontrados entre los años 2007 y 2013 en Huaca Prieta, un sitio arqueológico en las costas peruanas que alberga una de las pirámides más grandes y antiguas de América del Sur. La datación con radiocarbono de los objetos indicó la presencia de humanos de manera "intermitente" hace unos 15.000 y 8.000 años. James Adovasio, coautor del estudio, asegura que las piezas recuperadas -restos de alimentos, herramientas de piedra, cestas ornamentales y textiles-, demuestran el "ritmo de desarrollo" y el nivel de "conocimiento y tecnología" que emplearon los primeros habitantes de la región para explotar los recursos marítimos y terrestres.

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http://programacontactoconlacreacion.blogspot.com/2017/05/descubren-en-huaca-prieta-peru-rastros.html

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Huaca Prieta es el Misterioso Gobleki Tepe del Hemisferio Occidental. Aquí en este Website comenta el Arqueólogo Tom Dillehay, famoso por estudiar a Monte Verde en Chile y también a Huaca Prieta. El es Profesor en Vanderbilt University y en este Sitio ves a sus Alumnos Norte Americanos trabajando en Perú y dilucidando el Gran Misterio de esa Construcción antiquísima.

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About 7,500 years ago a construction project of almost unfathomable scope began taking shape along the Pacific coast of what is today northern Peru. Initially a low-lying ceremonial mound, it would become in 4,000 years’ time a monument of staggering size—100 feet tall, 320 feet long and 180 feet wide—as generations of builders amassed untold layers of rock, soil, shell, plant and animal bone on its heights and dug numerous tombs for human burials in its depths, all without the benefit of the wheel or beasts of burden.

Meanwhile, countless ritual fires burned on its expanding slopes, the charcoal and ash accumulating until the mound grew distinctively dark. The color eventually would give rise to the name it bears today: Huaca Prieta, or “Black Pyramid.”

The name is fitting for a site that has long been shrouded in mystery, confined largely to the shadows of history since being abandoned more than three millennia ago. Archaeologists only began excavating Huaca Prieta in the 1940s, and even then much about it remained a secret. It wasn’t until 2006 that the site was first studied in great detail by an interdisciplinary research team headed by Tom Dillehay, the Rebecca Webb Wilson University Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Religion and Culture at Vanderbilt, and the late Peruvian archaeologist Duccio Bonavia.

“Huaca Prieta is a complete enigma,” says Dillehay, whose team includes more than 50 international experts, including several from Vanderbilt. “It’s the only complex coastal archaeological site in the world, and it’s one of the earliest nondomestic ceremonial structures in the Americas.”

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Dark Side of the Mound: Vanderbilt researchers unearth clues to a mysterious Peruvian archaeological site - by Seth Robertson May. 2017

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https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2017/05/29/dark-side-of-the-mound-vanderbilt-researchers-have-unearthed-clues-to-a-mysterious-peruvian-archaeological-site-14-millennia-in-the-making/

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Yacimiento Arqueológico Piquimachay en Perú

En el nivel o complejo Ayacucho se encontraron diversas herramientas (chancadores, descarnadores y puntas unifaciales) elaboradas con distintos tipos de piedra (basalto, calcedonia, pedernal y cuarcita). También se encontraron puntas triangulares de hueso, descarnadores hechos de costillas de animales, etc. Se encontró además un húmero de perezoso gigante (fechado en el 12 200 ± 180 a. C.), restos de caballos, venados, camélidos y posiblemente mastodontes y tigres dientes de sable. Se destaca además el hallazgo de la mandíbula de un niño con los dientes incluidos, un radio, falanges y costillas, que serían los más antiguos restos humanos del Perú.

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En los artefactos líticos del Complejo Ayacucho, hay unos cuantos instrumentos que son de indudable factura humana, entre ellos cuatro artefactos unifaciales, que MacNeish identificó como posibles puntas y cuchillos.

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Actualmente, se considera como más probable que la presencia humana en esa zona de Ayacucho se remonta al 13 000 y 12 000 a. C., es decir, a fines del Pleistoceno.

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https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piquimachay

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Paiján (complejo arqueológico) Restos humanos

En 1975 el arqueólogo francés Claude Chauchat descubrió en la Pampa de los Fósiles los restos óseos de un adolescente de unos 12 a 13 años y de una mujer joven de unos 25 años, enterrados sobre una capa de ceniza. El adolescente se hallaba en posición fetal y la mujer con las extremidades inferiores semiflexionadas. Los estudios radiocarbónicos les dieron una antigüedad de 10.200 ± 180 antes del presente, es decir, mayor que a los esqueletos de Lauricocha descubiertos por Augusto Cardich en 1959. Por ello son considerados como los más antiguos restos humanos del Perú. Trabajos posteriores han permitido identificar más contextos funerarios en Chicama.

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https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paij%C3%A1n_(complejo_arqueol%C3%B3gico)

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La llegada de los primeros humanos a los Andes peruanos

Así, encontramos al humano más antiguo en el Perú, ubicado en la pascana de Paccaicasa, en la cueva de Piquimachay. Parece ser que la región andina comprendida entre la línea ecuatorial y los 20° de latitud sur, fueron la zona preferida de las bandas de recolectores, cazadores y pescadores, ocupando los pisos ecológicos quechua, suni, puna, yunga y chala. Estos primeros pobladores se acostumbraron al ambiente de los Andes y crearon muchos siglos después, las primeras culturas andinas, y posiblemente una de las primeras, fue la del complejo de Piki en Ayacucho.

Este sitio se encontraba a 12 km al norte de Ayacucho (capital regional del departamento de Ayacucho). Los restos fueron ubicados en la cueva de Pikimachay, a una altitud de 2740 msnm, y se dataron en el 15 500 años, en el piso ecológico sierra quechua.

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Existen otras evidencias tempranas de ocupación de los Andes peruanos en Jayhuamachay, Pachamachay y cerro Huargo, en el 13 500 a. C.

En 1969, el estadounidense Thomas Lynch (Universidad de Cornell) descubrió los vestigios culturales más importantes, del 10 560 a. C., en la denominada Cueva del Guitarrero (Guitarrero Cave), a 6 kilómetros al sur de la ciudad de Yungay,

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https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoamericano

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LOS PRIMEROS POBLADORES DEL PERÚ - PARTE 1 - PERIODO LÍTICO

Dec 3, 2020 - Veremos los primeros hombres que habitaron el Perú y que corresponden al período lítico cuando eran cazadores recolectores

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El período lítico en el Perú - Paccaicasa, Chivateros, Paiján, Guitarrero, Toquepala, Lauricocha - Oct 31, 2019 - Canal Cultural del Perú

Los restos arqueológicos que datan del período lítico en el Perú son: Paccaicasa (Ayacucho). En las cuevas de Piquimachay, Jayguamachay y Rosamachay a una altura de 2740 metros sobre el nivel de mar. Datan de aproximadamente del año veinte mil antes de Cristo. El hallazgo consistió en hallar instrumentos líticos como raspadores, machacadores y buriles de piedra muy toscos, hechos a percusión, junto a restos óseos de animales gigantes como megaterios, tigres dientes de sable y mastodontes.

Chivateros (Lima). en las cercanías de la desembocadura del río Chillón. Los vestigios humanos encontrados tenían una antigüedad de aproximadamente doce mil años. Paiján (La libertad). Los primeros vestigios en la Pampa de los Fósiles, consistentes en puntas líticas,  En 1975 descubrwn en la Pampa de los Fósiles, restos óseos de un adolescente de unos 12 a 13 años y de una mujer de unos 25 años, enterrados sobre una capa de ceniza. Estos restos datan de hace unos diez mil años.

Guitarrero (Áncash). Fue descubierto 2 kilómetros al norte del poblado de Shupluy. Los restos más antiguos datan del año once mil antes de Cristo, los hallazgos consisten en artefactos toscos de piedra, fragmentos óseos humanos y huesos de la fauna local.

Toquepala (Moquegua). Estos restos fueron encontrados en un lugar llamado la cueva del diablo, a 2700 metros sobre el nivel del mar, se calcula que tienen una antigüedad de nueve mil quinientos años.

Lauricocha (Huánuco). Es el primer hallazgo de restos humanos directos. Descubiertos  entre 1958 y 1959, son los primeros restos humanos de este período, los restos tenían una antigüedad de 9525 años.

En estas cuevas, ubicadas a más de 4 000 metros del nivel del mar en la provincia de Dos de Mayo en Huánuco, se encontraron 11 esqueletos humanos junto a cenizas, restos de alimentos, utensilios de piedra y huesos de cérvidos y camélidos. Uno de estos esqueletos llevaba ajuares funerarios, cuentas de collares de huesos, conchas y turquesas.

Tres Ventanas (Lima). Este yacimiento consiste en tres cavernas naturales situados en la puna baja de Huarochirí, sierra de Lima, exactamente en la quebrada de Chilca, en el distrito de Langa, a 3925 metros sobre el nivel del mar. En ellas se encontraron cuatro cadáveres bien conservados, dos de adultos y dos de infantes, estos cuerpos datan del año 8000 antes de Cristo. 

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[fortheheavenssake]

MM ANON II - 2.

72. July 1

MM ANON ……… Hong gone ………… Melbourne hellbourn……… Britain made a wedding profit ??? …………… 4 th July closed. …………… Independent’s bug. …………Maple Kate forever……… George is upset…………… 🎼follow er of fashion 🎼………………… MM, a legend in her own lunchtime ……………… Wigan bin in ……………………air Bridge of size.

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73. July 2

MM ANON ………OMG your under arrest………… video link………… across the border Scotland ……………surprise George …………… Charlotte leads………… Kate&William on top again ………… MM pathetic and mendacious ………… fakency lies……………… “ nice to be going soon cabbage“………… “ yes , I’m looking forward to a drive around the grounds” ………… “ shooting party’s this year” ……… “ doctors approval Philip “ …………” we’ll bring Sydney “……… “ Ahhh, that reminds me,Sydney!!”……… “Philip, it’s tic toc.”

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74. July 3

MM ANON ………… 0600 hr. ……………… build,build,build, drink ,drink,drink …………… 🎼Braaaaaazil🎼……………… business as unusual …………… speak to the Guinness ………… TSDONY………… Subpoena ad testomonium…… theatre/ no theatre ……………… but not America ………… Lone Ranger……………… Mt, Rushmore ………… a bad day in LA ………… still hiding

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75. July 4

MM ANON ……… formula sprog………… madness will spill………… stupid father………… no she wont’ yes she will……… Nigel’s illegal pint………… Williams cider………… Spain’s pain……………… ahhhhhh, blonde bits …………… 🎼only the lonely🎼……………… for love or MONEY …………… HMTQ ( NENC) ………… with the contempt she deserves …………… it’s all a gamble , Arrrrrr!!

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76. July 8

MM ANON ……… girl up the creek………hostage man. ………… half free meal………… drug exposure …………… …staff redundancy at HMTQ …………… boarding rules …………… most popular royal ……………… mines a cider……… ( where’s pg 💜💜) ……………”it’s Balmoral Philip, but not as we know it) …… out of his Depp-th… “ more 🎼Braziiiiil🎼…………… Spanish flu?? ……… 🎼we’re all going on a summer holiday 🎼

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77. July 9

MM ANON …… HMTQ The long wait ………… BLM Trumps ………… no taxes………… boarding Charlotte 🥳🥳🥳……Boarding George 😱😱😱😱………… open the Jim…………… Brazil el Presidente……… Amber Amber,red……………IOC allow protest? ………… school 😷 masks. ……………cricket lovely cricket ………don’t cruise ………………glee, not today …………… tic-toc down. ……… red crane down.

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78. July 10

MM ANON …THANK EVERYONE WHO ATTEMPTS AND GIVES SUCH CREATIVE ANSWERS. MY CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS TO YOU ALL. 💜💜💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

79. July 10

MM ANON …… fly high Vera…………… Johnny poo…………… Murray mint Kate…………… now Pneumonia …………… Break cover……………… without merit ……… cover up Boris………… stop and search 😱😱😱…………… open theatre …………………… “ we want gan gan !! “ …………… “ we can visit Catherine “ …………… “ yes’ before Scotland “…………… “ clandestine William “ ……… “your grandfather will be ecstatic 🤣🤣🤣”

—————

80. July 11

MM ANON ………… relaxed on zoom…………… Leeds bleeds ………… office no office ………… compulsory …………… Brooklyn!! Yawn. ………… Smith, Will deny …………… “Well” , solve the mystery???…………… STONE cold guilty………… Bollywood in hospital ……………Beach sleep………… Tapes😱😱😱😱………… In secunda Eboracum venit ………… Boo-Hoo !!

——————

81. July 12

MM ANON ……… keep my sex life private…………… farm infectious …………… we don’t have to wear them…………… elephants virus ……………… sad swim ……………… down and out in LA…………… Burton blocks…………ROYAL BUTLER. ………… Fourteen Times!!!! ……………… Ritchies holiday camp …………ATMs lockdown ……………… electric scooters😱😱😱😱😱………… Kate tops poll

——————

82. July 13

MM ANON ……… heartbroken …………… musky Amber…… sleepy ice cream………… sad Lake……………… more organ warnings …………… huge slave factory’s ……………… tin foil………” never call your babies…???………………… second safest road ……………Forest Rambo…………………” you go old thing , it’s for the best” …………… “ I may stay!! “ …………… Ken. Palace bubble.

——————

83. July 14

MM ANON …… NO BAIL……… happy little people ………… gymnast aghast ………… George is not happy ………… a woke joke…………………… masked rats………………… carry on up the Amazon …………… “ so are White People” ……………… a new rash ……… HMTQ Royal zoom…………Black-burnt ……………… cut my card up………… veggies break out………… blame the dog-poo………………up up and Huawei………”

——————-

84. July 15

MM ANON …… Now a “married”abomination ………… girlfriends!! …………… HMTQ,will she , won’t she…………… Kate’s amazing ascension ……………… the feeding machine ………… a future Queen in all but name. …………… “ Yes!! A homogeneous bubble” …………… a sterile palace ………black Colorado ……… sir Tom?? …………… a hush hush holiday. …………… awoke to a scathing review.

—————-

85. July 16

MM ANON …… “ after re-watching the Crown how on Earth did HMTQ accept the DOEs dalliances…………… it’s a miracle she never castrated him……… GBHMTQAOGC

—————-

86. July 16

MM ANON ……… TODAYS RIDDLE IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR GLORIOUS MONARCHY … GBHMTQAOGC. …… Dear anons, take your time , this riddle is not a race …… GOD BLESS THE QUEEN.

——————

87. July 16

MM ANON …… HMTQ ……… The engagement …… The courtship …… The wedding …… The commonwealth tour……THE CORONATION …… The dalliances of Philip ……Her stoicism……… The children …… The 50/60/70/80/90…………PC/… W&K…… OUR MAGNIFICENT MONARCHY ……… The future legacy. ……… GBHMTQAOGC 🇬🇧

—————-

88. July 17

MM Anon for PG💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

MM ANON ……… DEAR PG. such a magnanimous and eloquent tribute for all anons to enjoy and wonder at your historical recollections and memorable facts. A thousand thanks. A labour of loving and informative joy. My thanks is to say we’re so lucky and blessed to have a PG. …… BRAVA!!

We are indeed! This was such a labor of love, truly wonderful, we are blessed indeed!🙏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

—————-

89. July 17

MM ANON …… Bea-discreet …………… “ give them a wave Philip, its a wedding “…………… “ I’m looking forward to congratulating the happy couple and sharing a few jokes “ ………… “ No Philip”…………… “ don’t be silly, I won’t say anything ……… “ NO PHILIP!! “ …………” what’s this Philip” ……… “ just a few notes” …………… “ you can’t say this!! ……… “ OK… bloody hell , it’s a joke” …………… “ if you said this , Italy would declare war!!” ……… “ bloody hell !!”

—————-

90. July 20

MM ANON ………… honeymoon Italia…… “hello my old China “…………… more engagements ………… Balmoral cottages ………… secret snaps ( eyes only) ………………”once upon a time “…………T. R. Ah. …………… the green eyed trasher ………… close the beaches …………… a coach full …………… Bea-frugal ……… unknown posie.

—————-

91. July 21

MM ANON … Hello anons , I have a hospital appointment today at 10.00. At the RD&E for tests and an MRI ,Sounds all a bit dramatic, I hope not , things could be better but ……… one day at a time ! I love you all ,dear Skippy,PG , LK …… all you beautiful anons who fill my world with love and humility. I sincerely love you all , acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜much love and hugs. ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

———-

MM ANON...” in hospital at the moment, RD&E , so I cannot sleep, catheter!! I’ll attempt a riddle to keep myself awake. Much love to all

Oh…poor you! Prayers for you dear MM Anon..we are here for you❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

———-//—

92. July 22

MM ANON ………7 into 99…………The “wishing well”……… “ I can hear a canary singing “ …………… “ good news MM ANON, it’s not c***er🙏🏻………… By-polar …………… “ what , not the nurses” …………Biker Justice …………… Cor,i bin apologising …………… “ I wish her hell”……………… LA to stay away ……………… kiss and MAKE UP ………………Colonel Cam. ………… scouse rouse.

—————-

93. July 23

MM ANON ……… love life exposed …………… gift of jewellery ……………… it’s all a mask ………………… sister protection ……………… yippee ,Balmoral …………… 15 Bank accounts??……………… return to school??? ……………… “ it’s the theatre Jim, but not as they show it”………… Sending in Federal Troops ……………………Bojo crabs ……………… a strong union 🤣🤣🤣……………… 4 million. …………” are you coming Sydney”………… “indubitably sir”…………… “ stock the cellar!! “ ……… “ your request is my command sir” ………… “ and don’t tell anyone I’m driving the LR.”

—————-

94. July 24

MM ANON ……” since 1948 ,no changes ………… wags wobble………… phone a drone ………… Kim-vorce ……………… masked burger………… flowers for team Johnny ………… bailed out by old Bailey…………… Ban her from the palace ………………… tell all will destroy her……………… K&W&LCG will sunny fly to island???……………” I’ll drive Sydney!! “ ……… “ I’ll walk sir” …………… “ bloody get in”😱😱😱

—————-

95. July 25

MM ANON … … “ SHOWGIRL”…………… “that girl” ………… “ I don’t trust her “……………… quarantine …… “we never consulted the authors”😂😂😂……………”it’s a gym Jim, but not as they row it”………… “coming for a swim”…………… knock em for SIX……………Four!!!…………… “jump Frankie”…………” it’s only to the Glen Sydney “ …………… “ it’s three miles sir” ……… “ get the bloody hamper” ……… “I’ll drive back sir” ………… “ not a bloody chance Sydney” ……… “ then I refuse sir” ……… “get your bloody arse in the LR” … “reluctantly sir “😱😱

——————

96. July 26

MM ANON ………… BARC-ALONE-A……… no Transport home………on ya bike …………… obesities ………… floating for Vlad…………… Kim-jong-corona ………… Hurriicant ………… Moderna………Daisy down……… dog collar reunion …………………”more than kin and less than kind” ………… “ a three-pounder Sydney,the Gillie can smoke it” ………” Sydney, Sydney ……… SYDNEY???”

—————-

97. July 27

MM ANON:…… arrivals !!…………… HMTQ, “ ego lava manus meas”……………” you bloody talk to them”……………Kate cry’s lies………… lying interview……… O ‘no!! …………… one man and his dog…………… a foggy moggy……… “ let’s go shooting Sydney “………… “ with guns sir” ……… “ lots of bloody guns” ……………” O dear”

——————

98. July 28

MM ANON …… colourful Cam !!…………… Fast Far-raar-ri blast. …………” let your daughter breathe “…………… A niece wedding …………… Inappropriate funds??………… Bush tragedy ……………… inappropriately shamed royal ………… a pricey disinfect ………… “ you’re a spot on gun Man Sydney!!”………… “ a privilege sir” ……… “ how’s the shoulder?” ……… “ I’ll recover sir “……… “ it’s stopped bleeding “ ……… “ just a flesh wound sir “ ……… “ next week Sydney? ……… “ I hear the Gillie comes highly recommend sir”……… “Ahh, spiffing!! “

——————

99. July 29

MM ANON………… Peter,Crouch with William ………… 🎼Son in Law🎼…………Facebook , Apple, google …………… 5 friends , Shhhhhh !!!……………… very upset islands………… MM is leaking 🤣🤣………… Refund , Shmeefund.…………Heath-row row!!……… “Why is ones arm in a sling Sydney ??…………… “ I slipped exiting the LR ma’am………” where was Philip ?………… “ sitting in the back ma’am”……” hello old thing, what’ho Sydney “ ……… good afternoon sir”……” Sydney had a hiatus Philip “……… “ O dear, looks sore Sydney “ ……” yes sir”…… “VERY!!”

————-

100. July 30

MM ANON ( BALMORAL ANON )…… “ who’s this Sydney?” … “ Mr Angiss sir, he’s come to install Netflix “… “ Ahhh, EPIC, what’s your first name?”… “Angus sir “…Ehh !!!, Angus Angiss”…”yes sir “… “ bloody hell, that’s unfortunate “ … “ My mother had a sense of humour sir”… “ bit like me then, what say you Sydney?……………” indubitably sir” …… “ bloody marvellous, The Queen wants to watch Ozark, she loves a bit of the old ultra violence “……… “ right ‘ refreshments Sydney,I’m parched!!”…… “yes sir “

—————-

101. July 31

MM ANON …… Kate being scilly ……… ……… Borix nails down the caughin ………… roving explorer …………… phew! What a scorcher …………… Lions Arm-y…………… climate is a changing …………… ( get well mr, skippy 🌈) ……………beaches,stay away 😱😱………………Peer- pressure ‘ O brother!! …………… tick tick bite!! ……………”doctor, what’s growing on my arm.” …………… Williams conservs film

——————

[nocutenameyet]

February 11, 2020, Benson AZ

We left Asheville NC on January 15, 2020, with everything we owned in a Dodge Ram 3500. It took us four days to get to Elk Bend, Idaho to pick up the Outdoors RV F26RKS 5th wheel we had bought off RV Trader. We spent the night in it and got instruction from the previous owners and then pulled it to Salt Lake City. We stayed in a motel there, since it was in the 20s and we didn’t want to deal with freezing temperatures in the RV. The next day we pulled it to St. George, Utah. I swear it was uphill all the way until the last 60 miles. We stayed at Temple View RV park downtown for a week, just to catch our breath. We didn’t do much. We went on a couple hikes. The woman next door, Sherri Atwood, was super nice. We did a couple things with her. David is working SOOO hard to grasp the solar system setup. We unplugged a few times to see how things went on just solar.

From St. George, we drove through Las Vegas and through Kingman AZ and camped at Burro Creek, which was a pretty cool spot. We didn’t get much water, thinking we would find some the next day. We headed to the east side of Phoenix to a secret piece of BLM land to meet Jerud and Ching #livesmallridefree. They have been on the road five years. Jerud is very knowledgeable about solar. We spent three days there with them and #roaditup and went mountain biking at McDowell Mt park and hiked Tom’s Thumb. 

We moved on to Benson AZ. It’s fairly close to Cochise Stronghold, where we thought we’d do some rock climbing. Also because I had ordered some seat covers from CoverKing and had them shipped to Willcox. We found this SKP campground, which only charges $5 a day dry camping if you are a member. This means you just park on the asphalt area and get shower and laundry privileges. We joined ($40), thinking it wouldn’t hurt since we are so new to the game. Also, it was turning cold in a few days and they had a deal for a week for $65 for new members. So we did the week. David ordered a battery monitor and installed it, so we have more information about our solar system now. We also got some other stuff from Amazon like a bike cover, a stove eye diffuser, and an inverter. Shipping General Delivery works pretty well. We added another day for camping here since it rained the last two days. We’re still chicken to go that long without sunshine.

We did do some different things around here. We went over to east Stronghold twice, exploratory the first time and actually climbed the second time. We went to the west side twice, just looking the first time, then hiking Cochise trail the second time. That was a top 10 hike. The dry camping situation is better on the west side. The road on the east side is pretty crappy. I don’t know how #roaditup got their bus in there! 

Tomorrow we move to Tucson for a few days. We’ll check out Mt. Lemmon, but it got snow today. We need to visit an RV dealership for a couple issues. We’ll see if we like any of the free/cheap camping options. Then we’ll go down to Organ Pipe NM for a few days. Once we have the interagency pass, that will be cheap too. 

Robin

[since--1999]

Oregon + Las Vegas 2019

A year ago, my friend and I went to Colorado for spring break. We both wanted to go back, but we decided to do something new and head to Oregon this year. We planned everything within just a few months, and were soon at Dallas Love-Field Airport, waiting in line at security.

After a 5 hour flight, we walked off the plane and were greeted by Oregon’s cool and windy weather. The sun was out, despite weather predictions of rain. We ordered a Lyft and were dropped off in downtown Portland by Powell’s Books. We walked in to get a quick look since we were already there, but soon left to walk around the streets of Portland. 

We walked around the Pioneer Square area and soon became hungry when we smelled the food coming from the food trucks. We somehow ended up going to a Chinese place inside a plaza. We sat on high chairs where we could watch the chefs cook, and ate chicken, pork bbq, and dumplings. When lunch was over, we walked out and it was just beginning to sprinkle. Luckily, I came prepared, so we had an umbrella to squeeze under.

 On our way to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, we crossed the street where the smallest park in the world was at- Mill Ends Park. 

At the Waterfront Park, we looked out at a darker sky. We could see the Hawthorne Bridge from there and made our way to walk across it. It started to rain more and feel the bridge move as the cars drove past quickly. Then we walked down to a small pier where we could see the Tilikum Crossing Bridge, similar to a bridge in Dallas.

 The rain had stopped by now, and we were pretty wet, so we took a break to dry off at Starbucks. Afterwards, we walked to Old Chinatown and saw part of the Lan Su Chinese Garden before it closed. We made our way back to the iconic Powell’s Books and spent our time walking the whole store. At first, I didn’t understand the big deal everyone talked about how it was a must to go to, but after walking through all the color-parts of the bookstore, I understand. It was huge. I lost count how many floors there were and the different branches of each category a floor was divided into. My favorite section was the architecture books. Afterwards, we walked past the “Keep Portland Weird” mural and Voodoo Doughnuts. Before we left downtown, we made our way to another iconic sign of Portland with the jumping deer by the Co-op. 

It was the golden hour at that time, which meant it was time to walk to the Greyhound Station to catch our bus to Cannon Beach. After 9.5 miles of walking, we were exhausted and rested on the way to the coast. We watched the sun set as we drove away from Portland and the silhouette trees. After an hour and a half or two, the bus stopped and the bus driver said our destination- Cannon Beach. We were the only ones who got off, so the rest were probably headed to Beaverton. It was almost fully dark when we got off at the bus stop. It was quiet like a small town would be. We crossed the street and saw a small convenience store, and then, for our convenience, our hotel! Luckily, it was just steps away from where we were dropped off. We were welcomed by the staff and checked in. We walked to our hotel room nearby and were surprised by how beautiful it was. We quickly settled in and then walked back out to a nearby restaurant for dinner. We made the mistake of ordering some fancy fish tacos, which were too rich for us. That night, we slept in the most comfy, and spacious bed to prepare for the next day.

When I was finally able to get my friend up, I opened the curtains and was fascinated by the gigantic view of Haystack Rock just from our room.

 It was a dark blue outside before the sun was going to rise. Our room was just minutes away from the beach. We were soon walking on sand, and getting closer to Haystack Rock. We sat on the beach waiting to see the sun rise. Unfortunately, all the clouds were blocking it! However, it was amazing being right next to the rock and seeing the birds fly across it. The sky became a bit brighter, and we saw the beautiful beachfront houses and mountains in the distance. 

We went to the cute small town of Cannon Beach and had some breakfast at a wonderful cafe. After a generous amount of bacon, poached eggs, and fried potatoes, we went back to our hotel and rested before we had to check out and start the day’s adventures.

 We walked a little more through the town’s shops when it started hailing out of nowhere. Fortunately, we were right by a covered area when it happened, so we sat and waited for it to stop. After a while, we walked down to the snow-covered beach. Our view looked out to the light waves and white beach. We wanted to get across to the other side of the beach, but a deep amount of water was blocking our way. So, we ended up hiking through a bit of a muddy and complicated trail. 

On the other side of the beach, we walked and walked until we reached a huge rock formation on the shore. The sun was out and the weather felt much warmer. We saw some cute dogs, a ton of birds walking on the beach, and some seashells. After a long afternoon walking the beach, we decided to go back to town and get some lunch. We realized there was an easier way to get back to the other side of the beach connecting to the town through a neighborhood street.

 Shortly, we went to the closest food place and got pizza. We warmed up again by having some hot chocolate. Before our beach day came to an end, we shopped for some souvenirs before catching the bus back to Portland. As we walked to our bus stop, we watched the sun set until our bus arrived at dark. When we got off in Portland, it was dark and felt pretty sketchy. We made our way to a nearby bar to wait for our Lyft. As we waited, I heard what made me confirm Portland was weird. A car had ran over a glass bottle, making a cracking noise, and everyone there was pretty entertained by it. Most of them were probably drunk, but what was weird was what this woman said about it: “It’s not the car’s fault.., it’s the bottle’s fault!” The way she said it was pretty weird too. By then, my friend and I were tired and wanted to get the hay out of there. The hotel we stayed in that night was a decent, old-fashion place by the University.

The next day, we were picked up to go on a tour. Our first stop was the tallest waterfall in the country- Multnomah Falls. It was mesmerizing seeing how tall this was. Just from afar, you could smell the coffee from the stand before hiking up to the bridge. It was very slick and crowded with visitors on the way up. Many times, I almost fell, but I had the rail to keep me up. From the bridge, you could see the water falling below and the people at the bottom. 

Then we headed to a fish hatchery and some some cool fish and the huge Herman the Sturgeon measuring almost 11 feet long. 

The next destination was Starvation Creek. As we walked through, there were tall green and snowy trees. It was beautiful. It felt very different than the parts of Oregon we had been in. It was quiet and calming to be away from all the visitors. 

For lunch we drove to the town of Hood River. It was another cute town with houses and shops on hills. My friend and I had some Mexican food, but they didn’t have chicken, nor beef! Our pork tamales weren’t impressive, but dessert made up for it when we had our bunuelos with a generous amount of whipped cream. We walked around the town a bit before our drive to Rowena Crest. 

On our way up, the scenery became a vastness of snow. Everywhere was just snow. It looked pretty amazing. When we got out of our van, we were at the top of one of the most beautiful viewpoints I’ve seen. On one side, it overlooked the whole snowy town, and on the other side, a cool picture-worthy loop road. 

Our last destination was the Mt Hood National Forest. Unfortunately the visitor center was closed due to an excessive amount of snow, but we finished it off by playing in the thick and flaky snow on a hill. Just getting up the hill required climbing up 4 feet high snow. The view of the snow blowing off the trees and a glimpse of Mt Hood was perfect to end the tour. We ended up falling in a deep chunk of snow and feeling like it was impossible to get up. Walking down the hill, I completed my annual streak of falling down. Last year’s fall was in Colorado.

Back in Portland, we rested before getting some dinner nearby. We went to a sushi place which we didn’t know was a sushi train style. We were completely confused about how to order/if we were supposed to order. At that point, we really thought Portland was weird. It ended up being an interesting and pleasant meal to end our last night in Portland.

The next morning, we had some breakfast at our hotel before walking across the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. It was bright and sunny out. We went down to a pier where the USS Blueback Submarine from the US Navy was at.

 We headed to Mt. Tabor next to get some hiking in. There were views of Portland and the reservoirs around it. There were tons of trails to go walking on a nice and sunny day.

 Lastly, we went to Rocky Butte, which overlooked the town and a nice view of Mt. Hood. When it was time, we said goodbye as we headed to the airport.

After a short flight, we landed in Las Vegas for a layover. Walking outside, we were already excited after seeing the pink sky, palm trees, and part of the High Roller. We were dropped off by the Flamingo Hotel and cut through an alley leading right to The Strip. Immediately we were high fived by 2 dudes and our eyes were looking at all the sights Vegas had to offer. We saw it all (almost). We probably walked 8 miles of it. It was very cool seeing all the lights and famous hotels and restaurants. We were able to see the end of a fascinating fire show and I ended up ziplining for the first time through the Linq Promenade.

Before it was time to leave, we watched a quick show of a spray-painting artist and bought some souvenirs. At the airport, we were surprised to see gambling machines inside. Our flight was a half hour delayed, so by the time we got on the plane, we fell straight to sleep after all that walking. Arriving early in Dallas, we were still exhausted and I slept the whole 30 minute drive back home and jumped into bed once I got home.

When I woke up, I was for once in a while, done with the excess traveling. With a few days off work, I spent the rest of my spring break resting. This trip I kept in mind the Costa Rican phrase and philosophy of Pura Vida- enjoying the simplest pleasures of life and living life to the fullest. I am so very grateful to be able to really live, discover other parts of the US, and meet new people.

[antifainternational]

JUNE 30 - FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER—ATTEND A JUNE 30 EVENT!

Donald Trump and his administration are cruelly separating children from their families.

Trump and his administration have been systematically criminalizing immigration and immigrants, from revoking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to ramping up intimidating ICE tactics.

Join us on June 30 to send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress: Families Belong Together!

Find a protest near you:

International: Amsterdam, Bristol

AK: Anchorage, Sitka

AL: Andalusia, Auburn, Birmingham, Florence, Huntsville

AR: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Jonesboro

AZ: Bisbee, Kingman, Phoenix, Prescott, Tucson

CA: Angels Camp, Bakersfield, Berkeley, Bishop, Concord, Dublin, Encinitas, Eureka, Fort Bragg, Fremont, Fresno, Healdsburg, Idyllwild, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Lakeport, Livermore, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Modesto, Monterey, Moreno Valley, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Napa, Oakland, Ojai, Oxnard, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Petaluma, Piedmont, Pittsburg, Pleasanton, Redding, Richmond, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Stevenson Ranch, Truckee, Vacaville, Ventura, Westlake Village, Yucca Valley

CO: Alamosa, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Paonia, Pueblo

CT: Deep River, Fairfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Litchfield, Middletown, New London

DC: Washington

FL: Clermont, Crawfordville, Daytona Beach, Deland, Gainesville, Hollywood, Homestead, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, New Port Richey, FL, Orlando, Panama City, Pensacola, Sarasota, Sebastian, Sebring, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach

GA: Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Savannah, Valdosta

HI: Honolulu, Kahului

IA: Des Moines, Iowa City, Marshalltown

ID: Boise, Coeur D Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, McCall

IL: Barrington, Chicago, Downers Grove, Frankfort, Peoria, Rockford, Saint Charles, Springfield

IN: Evansville, Goshen, Indianapolis, South Bend, Terre Haute

KS: Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita

KY: Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville

LA: Lake Charles, New Orleans

MA: Barnstable, Easthampton, Framingham, Greenfield, Haverhill, Lunenburg, Mansfield, Natick, New Bedford, North Dartmouth, North Truro, Northampton, Northborough, Pittsfield, Provincetown, Waltham, Wellfleet, Worcester

MD: Cumberland

ME: Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Farmington, Portland, Prospect Harbor

MI: Adrian, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland, Houghton, Iron Mountain, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Petoskey, Pontiac, Port Huron, Saginaw, Sault Ste Marie, Traverse City

MN: Albert Lea, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis, Rochester

MO: Columbia, Kansas City, Saint Louis, Troy

MS: Hernando

MT: Billings, Great Falls, Livingston, Missoula

NC: Asheville, Charlotte, Hendersonville, Newton, Ocracoke, Raleigh, Salisbury, Southport, Winston Salem

ND: Grand Forks

NE: Chadron, Lincoln, Mc Cook, Omaha

NH: Hanover, Keene, Littleton, Manchester, Nashua, North Conway, Portsmouth, Wilton

NJ: Asbury Park, Bedminster, Clifton, Edison, Glen Ridge, New Brunswick, Newark, Red Bank, Toms River

NM: Albuquerque, Truth or Consequences

NV: Las Vegas, Reno

NY: Albany, Binghamton, Bronx, Buffalo, Canton, Cooperstown, East Quogue, Geneva, Glens Falls, Greenport, Huntington, Ithaca, Malone, New City, New York, Plattsburgh, Potsdam, Rhinebeck, Rockaway Park, Rouses Point, Saratoga Springs, Westbury, White Plains, Woodstock

OH: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Norwalk, Toledo, Youngstown

OK: Oklahoma City, Tahlequah

OR: Albany, Astoria, Bend, Coos Bay, Eugene, Medford, Portland, Redmond, Roseburg, The Dalles

PA: Beaver, Bridgeport, Doylestown, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, State College, West Chester, Wilkes Barre

SC: Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Myrtle Beach

SD: Sioux Falls

TN: Buchanan, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Greeneville, Jackson, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville

TX: Abilene, Alpine, Austin, Brenham, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Denton, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Galveston, Granbury, Houston, Kerrville, Liberty, Longview, Lubbock, Lufkin, McAllen, McKinney, San Antonio, Sherman

UT: Logan, Salt Lake City

VA: Alexandria, Bristol, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach

VT: Burlington, Manchester Center

WA: Anacortes, Bothell, Coupeville, Ellensburg, Everett, Friday Harbor, Longview, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Pullman, Seattle, Tacoma, Walla Walla, Yakima

WI: Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Onalaska, Oshkosh, Stevens Point

WY: Gillette

[davidhauser]

Why I Moved Back to Vegas after Six Months in Austin

Las Vegas gets a bad rap. Known nearly exclusively for casinos and big celebrity performances on the strip (along with other stripping activities), it’s easy to assume that outside the strip, nothing is happening in Vegas. But the truth is, there’s a world of hidden gems in Vegas, which I personally discovered when I decided to move there from the east coast nearly a decade ago.

After seven years in Vegas, I decided to give Austin a try. Since I’d had an office for Grasshopper there for a few years, I was well aware of the many reasons it’s an awesome place to live – live music all the time, professional opportunity, a lake smack in the middle of town, a booming economy, great schools for the kids, and a general vibe of awesomeness. I just had to check it out.

But what I found out over the subsequent six months was that I’d been under appreciating Las Vegas. Austin’s great, but there’s a definite disparity between the hype and the reality. And honestly, Las Vegas has the opposite problem. I feel like it’s incredibly under-hyped. Six months into my Texas adventure, I picked up my family and moved back to Vegas, and I have zero regrets about it. Here’s why.

Cost of Living

Austin is the second most expensive city in Texas (second only to Galveston, a popular vacation spot filled with lux beachfront property). Outsized housing cost, whether you’re renting or buying, is a big reason for the price tag. Due to strict zoning restrictions and a fast-growing population, there’s not enough housing to go around, resulting in higher median home prices than the other metro areas of Texas. In Austin, the median home price is $360k, but in the nicer areas on the outskirts (West Lake, Lakeway) or the more historical neighborhoods in the interior of the city (Hyde Park, South Congress), the range gets much higher – $800k and up into the multiple millions. 

Compare these numbers to Vegas, where the average home costs $280k, and you can get a beautiful four bedroom spot in some of the best neighborhoods in town for under $400k. A pretty stark comparison to Austin, especially if you have a couple of kids and need a little more space. 

Housing is only one factor in cost of living. Other factors are food costs (groceries and dining out), healthcare, household services, and transportation. According to data from BestPlaces, both Vegas and Austin rank lower than the national average for grocery prices and notably higher than average for transportation. When it comes to healthcare, Austin ranks significantly higher than the national average, while Vegas is lower. Styles of state governance might have something to do with that discrepancy. I also found many household services in Austin were more expensive, from landscaping to cleaning.

Quality of Life

Cost of living surely has a direct impact on quality of life – if you can stretch your dollar further, chances are you will end up with a few more creature comforts. For me, that’s super important, but the environment I’m in has a huge impact on my quality of life too. So does how easily I can get from place to place. Fun things for my kids to do, traffic, proximity to great food and night life, and just general life amenities are all big quality of life factors for me as well. And honestly, Vegas checks pretty much every box better than Austin does.

The Great Outdoors

Austin is known for its beautiful natural places. Barton Springs and Town Lake run right through the center of the city, and a short drive takes you to beautiful hill country destinations, including state parks with larger bodies of water and endless hiking and biking. There’s also a rapidly expanding wine country just outside the city limits and into the hill country.

But truthfully, it’s so hot and humid in Austin and the surrounding areas that it can be demotivating to get outside and enjoy it. Furthermore, for the first time in my life, I developed allergies living in Austin. My kids didn’t fare so well either, which made hanging out in the great outdoors a bit of a disaster. Las Vegas has a much drier desert climate and a lot fewer allergens floating through the air. Plus, there are real mountains. Texas Hill Country is gorgeous, but it doesn’t really compare to the mountains of the Mojave Desert or the sandstone towers in Red Rock Canyon.

If you’ve only ever visited Vegas to hit the casinos or see a show on the strip, you might not realize the plethora of outdoor opportunities at your fingertips. Red Rock Canyon, a National Conservation Area, will give you some of the most amazing views you’ve ever seen. You’ll hike among glorious red sand stone rock formations, possibly run into some desert wildlife, and can even camp in certain areas. If you’re a rock climber – especially a sport climber – and haven’t visited Red Rock, be sure to add it to your bucket list.

Lake Mead is another major outdoors destination in Las Vegas. It’s a National Recreation Area perfect for boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. Take a boat into crystal clear water and make your way through the gorgeous rock formations that line the lake. And if you’re not much of a camper, there are lodging options that still give you direct access the natural wonder of the area. The nearest city, Boulder City, is the home of the Hoover Damn and offers a ton of hiking and biking trails, in addition to two beautiful municipal golf courses.

Other great outdoor destinations include Mt. Charleston Regional Recreation Area (Mojave Desert mountains) and Havasau Falls and Creek (a tributary of the Grand Canyon!). The City of Henderson is just over fifteen miles from Vegas and jam-packed with parks and trails for hiking and sight seeing. It offers sixty-five well-maintained parks featuring open grass lands, playgrounds, skate parks, dog parks, lighted sporting areas, and more. 

Traffic and Travel

If you’ve ever lived in or visited Austin, feel free to skip this section. You already know that very few cities rival the hectic gridlock of Austin’s rush hour. The problem is that Austin was never meant to be a big city of almost a million people. It has the infrastructure of a college town and has exploded into a major destination without the ability to expand one of its major thoroughfares, interstate 35. And that’s without the visitors for Austin City Limits or South by Southwest flooding the streets. Bring all those people in and you’re not going anywhere unless you leave after 10am, before 4pm, or well after 6pm. 

Las Vegas is just the opposite. It’s a city built for massive tourism but maintains a relatively low local population (roughly 620k). When combined with neighboring Henderson, it ends up being roughly 1M. Most tourists don’t venture too far off the strip, so day to day life in Vegas is pretty traffic-free. Furthermore, because so many people fly in and out, McCarran International is a major airport that flies direct almost anywhere. Compare that to Austin-Bergstrom, a relatively tiny spot that usually sends connections through Houston, Dallas or San Antonio. Two wins for Vegas in the way of traffic and travel.

For the Kids

Admittedly, there’s a major problem with public schools in Las Vegas, and Nevada in general. For the most part, Austin has an awesome reputation for both public and private school education, due, at least partially, to a higher real estate tax. The state of Nevada is ranked 50th out of 52 states in education – not good. It was a big reason I moved to Austin in the first place. There’s just less money for public schools in Nevada than in many other states because it has both a low property tax (.77%) and no state income tax to go towards education. While Texas also has no income tax, property tax is more than double Nevada’s (1.86%).

The reality of poor public schools was a major setback for me until I discovered the private and montessori options. You have to do a little digging, but if you’re willing to do the work, you’ll find that in the end, your kids have great academic opportunities in Vegas, and they’re all pretty easy to get to, regardless of where in the city you live.  

For fun with kids though, Vegas wins again and again. I mentioned the overwhelming natural beauty of the surrounding areas, but there’s a lot to do right in the heart of the city as well. The strip might not be the first place you’d think to bring your kids, but there’s the Adventuredome Theme Park, the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, and the Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N all right there, just to name a few. Not to mention, with the sheer volume of national music and performance acts coming through Las Vegas, chances are, a performer your kids like will be visiting at some point. 

Off the strip, there’s endless fun for the kids as well. Here’s a quick list as a point of reference:

Cowabunga Bay Water Park

Discovery Museum

Smith Center (performing arts)

Trampoline parks

Ziplining downtown and Boulder City

Springs Preserve

Downtown Container Park (great food and company)

Pinball Hall of Fame

Ethel M Chocolate Factory

West Wind Drive in Movie Theater

Mountain’s Edge Exploration Park

Lion Habitat Ranch

First Friday in the Arts District

Food and Entertainment

Although Austin isn’t known for it’s food scene, that’s slowly changed in recent years. New creatives are coming in to spice up what has historically been a somewhat “meh” dining culture. Cool, creative fusion restaurants like Loro and Elizabeth Street Cafe are popping up all over the city and gradually elevating the food scene, which I definitely appreciate. That being said though, the draw just isn’t there compared to the caliber of cuisine in Vegas.

Owing to the fact that Vegas is an international tourist destination, you’ll find world class food of nearly every stripe in this city. Celebrity chefs the likes of Gordon Ramsey, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Tom Colicchio, and Giada de Laurentiis all boast top quality restaurants in the most popular part of the city, but there’s phenomenal local talent off the strip as well. 

Just to name a few, for local Thai food, Lotus of Siam was voted best in the country. Le Pho, a traditional Vietnamese spot offers the perfect bowl of pho and a DIY spring roll plate – fun to eat and delicious. Honey Salt, started by local restauranteur Elizabeth Blau, offers amazing farm to table cuisine, made with seasonal ingredients. And for a classic Italian meal, head over to Ferraro’s for a bowl of pasta or a generous osso buco.

Comparing Austin and Las Vegas isn’t exactly an apples to apples thing when it comes to music and entertainment either. Both cities have their merits. Whereas in Austin, you’re more likely to be serenaded by a local band or songwriter while you’re eating dinner on a regular basis, major acts usually only end up coming through for the major festivals a few times a year. It’s known as the live music capital of the world, but national acts don’t come through as often as they do Vegas. Home to upwards of twenty five music venues alone, Las Vegas hosts all manner of national music acts, performing artists and ensembles, and comedians. Just about anything you’d want to see live, you can find in Vegas on any given night of the week.

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll have to root for another city’s pro team as an Austinite, but Vegas has an NHL team (Golden Knights), and the Oakland Raiders are moving to Vegas for the 2020 season.

Proximity to Fun

As if everything I have already mentioned isn’t enough, Las Vegas is a short drive away from other major attractions in California, Arizona, and Utah. It’s kind of an amazing jumping off point. I love getting to enjoy all that Southern California has to offer without having to actually live in CA and endure the high cost of living there. Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Anaheim (home of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Six Flags) are all a few short hours away, so we can pick up and head to the beach or a theme park for a weekend if we want. Go East instead, and visit Sedona, AZ or Brian Head, UT for a weekend of natural beauty and camping. We often drive to our house on the Colorado River in Arizona, an under 2 hour drive.

A Properly Hyped Vegas

When I was planning to move to Austin, so many people were excited to see me off. Austin has a great reputation all over the country for being a cool place to live. It’s progressive beacon in a sea of Texas red. It boasts an ever-growing tech scene and an amazing community of entrepreneurs. Monacres like “the live music capital of the world” and sayings like “Keep Austin Weird” make it famous. When you say you live in Austin, people pay attention and assume you have it made. 

Not so with Las Vegas. Sometimes when I say I live in Vegas, I hear, “Oh, people live in Vegas?” Now you know the answer is a decided yes. People live in Vegas and actually really love living here because there’s tons to do. You get all the amenities of a big city and none of the setbacks. Little to no traffic, a major airport, phenomenal food, breath-taking natural beauty, entertainment, and lots of fun for the kids all make me proud to call Vegas home after my little soiree in Texas. 

[the-record-obituaries]

March 13, 2019: Obituaries

Virginia Hendren, 81

Virginia Kerley Hendren, age 81, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village. Ms. Hendren was born December 22, 1937 in Lincoln County to George Baxter and Rosa Bell Carpenter Kerley. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Stella Woodard, Polly Carter, Sue Earnhardt, Coleen Kerley; and brothers, Vaughn Kerley, Willard Leatherman, George Edward Kerley, Andy Kerley.

Surviving are her daughter, Kimberly Anderson and husband Gary of Wilkesboro; sons, John Hendren and wife Nena, Michael Treadway, Rick Treadway all of Moravian Falls; and grandchildren, Heather, Taylor Anderson, Colin Hendren, Randi Dyer.

               Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Parker Cemetery with Rev. Jonah Parker officiating. The family has requested no food and no flowers. Miller Funeral Service is in charge in the arrangements.

  Patsy Billings,  66

Patsy Lutricia Billings, age 66, of Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. She was born August 25, 1952 in Wilkes County to Burlie Preston and Bessie Combs Billings. Ms. Billings was a member of Rachel Baptist Church. She enjoyed games and T.V. with all her friends at Finley Village Apartments.  Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Denny Preston Billings.

               Surviving are her daughter, Monteen Billings Suarez and husband Pablo of China Grove; brother, Bill Billings and wife Debbie of Hamptonville; sister, Brenda Bryant and husband Larry of Roaring River; grandson, Cory Adkins and wife Brittany of North Wilkesboro; special friends, Margie Wells and Mable Minton; two nieces and one nephew.

               Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Rachel Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Wiles and Rev. Michael Brinegar officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Rachel Baptist Church from 12:00 until 1:00 on Wednesday, prior to the service.

               Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Rachel Baptist Church or to His Light Ministry. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  A special thanks to the staff at Westwood Hills.

  Ralph Crews, 81

Ralph Clarence Crews, age 81, of Moravian Falls, passed away Saturday at Curis at Wilkesboro. Mr. Crews was born November 19, 1937 in Wilkes County to Clarence and Vada Cardwell Crews. Ralph was a member of the Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a baby sister, Margaret Crews.

               Surviving are his wife, Louise Lowe Crews; his beloved dog, Cookie; sister, Christine Key of Kannapolis; brothers, Grady Crews and wife Ima Lee of Purlear, Robert "Lester" Crews of Wilkesboro, Levi Crews and wife Irene of Lenoir; several nieces and nephews.

               Funeral service was March 11,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jim Storts officiating. Burial  followed in the Laws Family Cemetery on Price Road.    Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

  Betty Messick, 83

Mrs. Betty Jean Ferguson Messick, age 83 of  Boomer, widow of Hoit Messick, died Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center.

               Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Sharon Walker Baptist Church.  The body will be placed in the church at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

               Mrs. Messick was born May 28, 1935 in Wilkes County to Howard and Runie Eller Ferguson.  She was a member of Sharon Walker Baptist Church. She was a loving wife and mother. She enjoyed her old time country music and was an avid soap opera watcher since the late 1950s.

               She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hoit Messick; one sister, Marlene Michael; and three brothers, Reece Eller, Bill Ferguson, and Jack Ferguson.

               She is survived by two daughters, Linda Messick of Boone and Catherine Messick of Boomer; three sisters, Wanda Michael and husband, Melvin, and Barbara Russell, all of Winston-Salem, and Violet Hartley of Boomer; one brother, Tom Ferguson and wife, Joyce;  sisters-in-law, Iris Ferguson and Claudette Eller of Boomer; Jeanette Haynes of North Wilkesboro, Anne Mourie of Ashtabula, OH, and Kaye Welborn of Wilkesboro; along with many nieces and nephews.

               Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to Sharon Walker Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

  Arnold Bowlin, 86

Mr. Arnold "Arn" Ray Bowlin, age 86 of North Wilkesboro, died Saturday, March 9, 2019 at his home.

               Funeral services were March 12,   at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. David Wellborn and Pastor Arvil Perry officiating. Burial will be in Piney Ridge Cemetery in Millers Creek.                           Mr. Bowlin was born April 27, 1931 in Wilkes County to George Harrison and Mary Jane Bare Bowlin. He was a member of Piney Ridge Baptist Church and retired from Holly Farms.    

               He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith Jane Miller Bowlin; one daughter, Kathy Bowlin; two sisters, Lilly Call and Delva Miller; and ten brothers, Joe, Philmore, Earl, Robert, Alvin, Thurmond, Jessie, Norman, Harlie, and John Allen Bowlin.

               He is survived by two daughters, Mickey Edmiston and husband, Tommy, and Jane Chambers and husband, "Frog", all of North Wilkesboro; one son, Allen Bowlin, and wife, Sue, of Millers Creek; two grandchildren, Amanda Goforth and husband, Keith, and Kenneth Chambers and wife, Amanda; five great - grandchildren, Melanie, Madison, Garland, McKinley, and Sadie; one sister, Georgie Sheets of Millers Creek; and his two fur babies, Sam and Skeeter.

               Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to Piney Ridge Baptist Church, 14890 N. NC Hwy 16, Millers Creek NC 28651.

  Christine Lineberry, 80

Christine Joyce Lineberry, age 80, of North Wilkesboro, passed away March 9, 2019 at SECU Hospice Center in Yadkin County. Ms. Lineberry was born July 23, 1938 in Wilkes County to Roby and Belvia Mae Dillard. Ms. Lineberry was a member of Zion Baptist Church on Yellow Banks Road. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Virgil Billy Lineberry. Ms. Lineberry is survived by a number of cousins.

               Funeral services were March 11,  at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Jennings and Rev. Sammy Taylor officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.  

               The family has requested no food. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

  Odell Lane, 91

Mr. Odell Lane, 91 of Millers Creek, husband of Annie Osborne Lane, died Friday, March 8, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center.

               Funeral services were March 11,   at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Roy Putnam officiating.  Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.        

               Mr. Lane was born November 26, 1927 in Wilkes County to Mun White and Dora Lane.  He was a timber cutter and an avid hunter. He attended Cricket Baptist Church.

               He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, June Wagoner.

               Mr. Lane is survived by his wife, Annie Osborne Lane, of the home;  one son, Jerry Lane and wife, Darline, of Millers Creek; four grandchildren, Ronnie, Jeffery, Melissa and Jessica; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Gaither Lane of Millers Creek.

 Tallmadge  Anderson,  87

Mr. Tallmadge Killis "Tam" Anderson, age 87 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem.

               Funeral services were March 10,  at Flint Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Souther officiating. Entombment will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.  

 Mr. Anderson was born November 28, 1931 in Wilkes County to Dewey and Hessie Shew Anderson. He was retired from American Drew and attended Flint Hill Baptist Church.  

               In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Danny Talmadge Anderson; a grandchild, Amanda Cleary; and nine siblings, Reathie Bowers, Vecie Clonch, Lessie Richardson, Slyvia Blackburn, Dorothy Kilby, Joyce Stokes, Dwight Anderson, Dewey Junior Anderson and Wade Anderson.

               He is survived by his wife, Ruth Davis Anderson of the home; a daughter, Frances Cleary and husband, Brent, of North Wilkesboro; four grandchildren, Martin Cleary, Matthew Cleary, Phillip Anderson and Mark Anderson; three great grandchildren, Caitin Keeran, MacKenzie Cleary and Patrick Cleary; three sisters, Gladys Nichols, Mary Alexander and husband, Edward, and Barbara Anderson of North Wilkesboro; and a sister in law, Helen Turner and husband, Benny, of Wilkesboro; and several nieces and nephews.  

               In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ruby Pardue Daycare Center PO Box 984 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Flint Hill Baptist Church 1425 Flint Hill Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

  Roger Hamby 74

Mr. Roger Luther Hamby age 74 of Ferguson, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Watauga Medical Center.

               Funeral services were March 10,  at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Prayer Chapel with Rev. Louella Marley and Rev. Roy Smith officiating.  Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.  

               Mr. Hamby was born May 31, 1944 in Caldwell County to Luther and Elsie Hamby. He owned and operated a concrete finishing business.

               Roger spent his working years in the concrete finishing business.                              In addition to his parents, Mr. Hamby was preceded in death by a brother; Tony Hamby.

               He is survived by his wife; Sue Ayers Hamby of the home, a daughter; Pamela Sue Hamby (Chris) of North Wilkesboro, a son; Roger Kim Hamby and wife Jerri of Boomer,  a grandson; Roger Briar Hamby (Kimmie), a sister; Violet Lea Hamby of North Wilkesboro, four brothers; Travis Roland Hamby (PY) and wife Patricia or North Wilkesboro, Ralph Hamby and wife Jodi of Traphill, Robert Hamby and wife Linda of Purlear and Michael Hamby and wife Nona of Jonesville.

               Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 9 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery Fund 239 Champion Road, Ferguson, NC 28624.

               Mount Pleasant Fire Department served as Pallbearers. Grandson Roger Briar Hamby was Honorary Pallbearer.

 Joseph Combs,  93

Joseph Carl Combs, age 93, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. He was born December 12, 1925 in Wilkes County to Robert Woodley and Lura Gregory Combs. He attended Mtn. View Baptist Church when he was young. Mr. Combs was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Melba Chambers Combs; his son, Robert Allen Combs, Sr.; brothers, Gene Combs and Virgil C. "Buddy" Combs; and sisters, Irene Combs, Grace Combs Johnson and Mildred Combs Brooks.

               Surviving are his daughter, Linda Roten and husband Fred of Wilkesboro; son, David Leon Combs and wife Betty of North Wilkesboro; daughter-in-law, Brenda Combs of North Wilkesboro; grandsons, Robert Allen Combs Jr., Timothy James Roten, David Leon Combs, Jr.; great granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Combs; brothers, Robert Fred Combs and Luther Dale Combs both of Hays, Lester Herman Combs of Summerfield, Earl Dean Combs of North Wilkesboro; sisters, Berchie Mae Atwood, Mary Combs Brown both of Lenoir, Carol Ann Brewer and husband Cecil of Hudson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

               Funeral service was March 8,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Brady Hayworth officiating. Burial   followed in Christian Home Baptist Church Cemetery.   Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health and Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

  Shelby Bentley, 80

Mrs. Shelby Jean Childress Royal Bentley, age 80 of Ronda, passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at Dunmore Plantation in Dobson.

               Funeral services were March 7,  at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Bro. Kevin Blevins and Bro. Josh Blevins officiating. Burial was in Cranberry Baptist Church Cemetery.  

               Mrs. Bentley was born June 3, 1938 in Wilkes County to Fred Childress and Mary Novella Owens Childress. She was a beloved mother, homemaker, gardener and seamstress. Mrs. Bentley was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church.

               In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands; Robert Eugene Royal and Gaither (L.B.) Bentley.

               She is survived by two daughters; Vickie Dianne Linville and husband Dumont of Roaring River and Nancy Joann Holbrook and husband Jarvis of Roaring River, four sons; Toney Eugene Royal of Ronda, Dalmus Earl Royal of Ronda, Donnie Rayvon Royal and wife Christine of Ronda and David Ronnie Royal and wife JoAnn of Ronda, ten grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren; three sisters; Betty Combs and husband Roby of Hays, Annie Mae Dula of Boomer and Ethel Church and husband Colin of North Wilkesboro and two brothers; Jim Childress and wife Nancy of North Wilkesboro and Johnny Childress and wife Diane of Millers Creek.

               Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association 4600  Park Road Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28209 or Mtn. Valley Hospice 688 North Bridge Street Elkin, NC 28621.

  Talmadge  Wood, 69

Rev. Talmadge Michael Wood, 69, of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Monday,

March 4, 2019.

               Talmadge was born on July 31, 1949 in Wilkes County to Lester Lee Wood and Mary Blanche Holleman Wood.

               Talmadge is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbara Pennington, Shirley Ann Lowery, Nancy Church; brother Edward "Ronald" Wood.

               Talmadge is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Marlene Eller Wood; daughter, Cindy Sparwasser and husband, Carl of Hays; sons, Adam Wood and wife, Michelle of Wilkesboro, Andrew Wood of Purlear; sister, Evelyn Horton of Pine Level, NC; grandchildren, Jared Sparwasser and wife, Kimberli of Hays, Aj Sparwasser and Micala, also of Hays; great-grandchildren, Dylin, Joseph and Eva Sparwasser, all of Hays.

               The funeral service was March 8, 2019 at 12p.m. at Mountain View Baptist Church in Hays with Rev. Brian Blankenship and Rev. Adam Wood   officiating. Burial followed  in the church cemetery.  

               Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes and cremation services has the honor of serving the Wood Family.

  Pauline McLean,   81

Pauline Rhodes McLean, age 81, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, March 4, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village. She was born September 22, 1937 in Pageton, West Virginia to Ray Vance and Della Mae Rhoades Rhodes. Pauline graduated in 1955 from Mountain View High School and continued her educational pursuit enrolling in Wilkes Community College. She was a dedicated and valuable employee of Lowe's Home Improvement in Wilkesboro for 48 years retiring in 2014;                Pauline was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Mitchell "Mitch" McLean; and brother, Jackie Rhodes.

               Surviving are her brother, Eddie "EC' Rhodes and wife Barbara of North Wilkesboro; grandsons, Jackson McLean and Fin McLean both of Wilkesboro; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth "Beth" McLean of Wilkesboro; nieces, Adele Girling of Ipswich, England, Amanda Freeman of Toronto, Canada, Fiona Richardson of Charleston, South Carolina; Lisa Sergi of Charleston, South Carolina; nephew, Jonathan Rhodes of San Antonio, Texas; and several extended family members residing throughout Wilkes County.

               Funeral service was March 9,   with Rev. Claude "Bo" Rhodes officiating. Burial   followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park.    Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

   W. Clay Alexander, age 94

Mr. W. Clay Alexander, age 94 of Roaring River passed away Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were  March 7,   at White Plains Baptist Church with Pastor William Souther officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.  

Mr. Alexander was born May 9, 1924 in Wilkes County to Pegram Summerfield and Hessie Myers Alexander.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II.  Mr. Alexander was a 1941 graduate of Roaring River High School and he was a member of White Plains Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife; Agnes Shoemaker Alexander and a sister; Edna Wells.

He is survived by a daughter; "Jan" Jeanette Jacob and husband Danny of North Wilkesboro, two grandchildren; "Ben" Benjamin Jacob and wife Jamie of Portsmouth, VA, Peter Jacob and wife Jada of Fort Benning, GA, three great grandchildren; Peter "Beau", Tate, and Rhett Jacob and a sister; Mary Sue Foster of Roaring River.

[thehikingviking]

Hanging Valley Peak via Horton Creek, 2022 Sierra Challenge Day 4

Hanging Valley Peak is the unofficial name for Peak 12,200 which stands above the historic Hanging Valley Mine to the east of Mt Tom. The Horton Lakes Trailhead was the designated starting point, located at the end of the 4WD road that branches off from Buttermilk Road. Thankfully several challenge participants had capable Jeeps, so we were able to squeeze everyone in and carpool the last bit of rough road to the official trailhead.

There was a cloud layer that had formed overnight and a slight chance of thunderstorms was in the forecast. This created the conditions for a very colorful sunrise at the onset of the hike.

The trail started off by following the old road bed from where the 4WD road is now closed off to vehicles.

After a few gradual switchbacks we entered the Horton Creek drainage where several historic mining cabins remained.

Mike was a little slow getting ready that morning and had to brush his teeth on the go.

The most impressive looking peak on the approach was the unnamed Peak 12,808, unofficially referred to as Gable Lakes Peak.

The old road passed high above Horton Lake and resumed switching back up towards the Hanging Valley Mine.

A few people passed me on this section, including Bob, but I was only racing against the weather today. Once atop the switchbacks, I entered the hanging valley from which the mine is named.

I decided to follow the old road bed to the eastern side of the Challenge Peak while most of the others approached the peak via the south ridge. I believe my strategy saved a lot of time, since I was able to cover distance much faster on the road.

Moments later Dylan ran by me, already on his way down. He had a work meeting that morning that he had to get back for. Mt Tom loomed above us to the east.

There were some mining relics near the end of the road, and from here I started climbing up towards the peak. My pace was really slow, and my muscles complained the whole time. The last 500 ft to the top was a struggle for me, but I would make it. To the east was Mt Tom.

To the south were Basin Mountain and Mt Humphreys.

To the southwest was Four Gables.

To the northwest was Bear Creek Spire.

To the north were Mt Morgan and Wheeler Ridge.

Down below in the valley were mining structures.

It turned out that most people visited Peak 12,120 first, so I was one of the first to reach the summit. Others slowly trickled in, then we waited for the main party to show up so we could take a group photo.

There was some discussion regarding which point along the ridge was the high point. It felt like the northernmost point was higher, but we would climb both. Zee, Sean Reedy and I then continued towards Peak 12120, since it seemed like we were the only ones that had yet to climb this peak. It was a relatively easy effort, and moments later we reached the top.

While this peak clearly did not have much prominence, it qualified as a bonus peak due to a technicality. LoJ claimed the peak had 280 feet of clean prominence, when in reality it only has about 200 feet of prominence per measurements from my track. LoJ is the official standard that we follow for the Sierra Challenge, but sometimes you’ve got to take the easy ones when they are given to you.

Prior to the Challenge I had wanted to climb Mt Tom as a bonus peak, but the weather was getting worse and my body was withered. We descended the sandy slopes back down to the road. Sean Reedy took off with a light jog while Zee and I walked back to the car together. We passed a few people on the way down, including Ron Hudson, Karen Anderson and a mysterious individual who did not want to tell me anything. As we approached the cars, rain started to fall over the Buttermilk Boulders, but we would stay dry for the rest of the hike.

Official Summary:

Dylan Doblar climbed Hanging Valley Peak in 3 hours and 55 minutes. Jonathan Mason, Sean Reedy, Matthew Rosen, Zee Chunawala, Sean Casserly, Bob Burd, Tom Becht, Yumi Vielpeau, Iris Ma, Tom Grundy and Chris Henry climbed both Hanging Valley Peak and Peak 12120. Mike Toffey climbed Four Gables and Four Gables South. Samir Nafez attempted Basin Mountain but DNF. Ron Hudson and Karen Anderson hiked to Horton Lakes. Sean King DNS.

Thunderstorms threatened but most of the precipitation was centered around Buttermilk Boulders and peaks to the south. True distance was 13 miles. My feet are starting to hurt. I am concerned for Day 7.

[architectnews]

Melbourne Houses: Victoria Properties

Contemporary Melbourne Houses, New Victoria Properties, Australia Residence Photos

Melbourne Houses: Properties

Key Australian Residential Developments in Victoria: New Home Information + Images

post updated 23 March 2022

New Melbourne Houses

Melbourne Properties, chronlogical list:

New Melbourne Buildings : current, chronological list

Melbourne Architecture Tours by e-architect

10 Feb 2022 Mt Eliza House Architects and Interiors: BENT Architecture photo : Tatjana Plitt Mt Eliza House Australians are living longer and enjoying health and fitness long into their retirement, so isn’t it time we created homes to support and enable this growing demographic? One of our passions here at Bent Architecture is designing for ageing in place.

7 Feb 2022 Malvern House, Malvern Architects: Mckimm photo : Timothy Kaye Malvern House A feature round window is situated at the end of the breezeway, it is an unexpected focal point that captures your eye when you enter the Malvern House. Formed in concrete, it is a solid mass; weighted and bold. The frameless glass aperture punctuates the richness of the space.

31 January 2022 Brighton East House Design: Ansari Architects photo : Michelle Williams Brighton East House There were a number of obstacles to overcome with the Brighton East House project, a unique Tudor Revival style residence, which had both beautiful original brickwork and out-of-character features like a red marble fireplace. Originally, the owner’s wanted a complete renovation of the property, but this wasn’t possible due to time and budget restraints.

27 Jan 2022 Shadow House Design: Thomas Winwood Architecture and Kontista & Co photo : Emily Bartlett Shadow House Extending the existing Victorian house on a corner site the project reinterprets the bay windows and scale and arrangement of internal spaces to create a new contemporary kitchen and living spaces at the rear of the existing house.

25 Jan 2022 Station House, Hawthorn East Architects: Bryant Alsop photo : Dylan James Station House, Hawthorn East The refurbishment and extension of Station House for a young family of 4 was driven by the desire to create space and light on a restricted, inner-east site. Carefully balancing heritage, council and building reg requirements the completed design is light-filled, voluminous and provides successful family zoning.

3 Dec 2021 Tandem House, Hawthorn Design: Fiona Drago Architect photo : Tom Blachford Tandem House, Hawthorn Hawthorn’s Tandem House is for a family with young adult children who is scaling down from a large suburban property to a small modern urban block. The house is composed of two masses arranged in tandem along the depth of the site, while presenting as a single mass to the street.

1 Nov 2021 Malvern East House, East Malvern Architecture: WYK Architecture photo : Dave Kulesza Malvern East House The response to the Malvern East House design was to provide a distinctly different design to the existing heritage dwelling to identify the old from the new. It allows the heritage to stand apart and be recognised for what it originally was, a single storey bungalow. Sight lines and setbacks were essential from a heritage perspective.

26 Oct 2021 Eternity Life, West Footscray Architects: k20 Architecture photo : Dave Kulesza Eternity Life Apartments, West Footscray Eternity Life is a high-quality sixty-one-unit residential mixed-use project in the heart of bustling West Footscray. Built with three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) as the key design driver and situated next to Stoney Creek; Eternity Life is a sanctuary in the centre of an urbanised community.

28 Oct 2021 Strong Arm House, Middle Park

20 Oct 2021 C&L Residences, Collingwood

15 Oct 2021 Kew Courtyard House

13 May 2021 St Kilda Home

12 May 2021 Alumuna Residences

17 Apr 2021 Barwon Heads Architecture: Adam Kane Architects photo : Timothy Kaye Barwon Heads House, Victoria Adam Kane Architects has given new life to a run-down weatherboard cottage in coastal Barwon Heads, Victoria, transforming it into a contemporary home through the careful use of textural tones and deep understanding of the sense of space.

16 Mar 2021 POP-UP House, Essendon, Victoria Architects: FIGR Architecture Studio photo © Tom Blachford POP-UP House, Essendon POP-UP House attempts to counter the status quo of a new family home in a predominantly heritage setting. A common approach with new homes is to occupy most of the site whilst retaining a minimal front setback with a fortified sheer built form that shuts itself off from the public realm interface.

4 Apr 2021 Hampton House

20 Mar 2021 Inner City Downsize North Fitzroy

24 Feb 2021 Over Pool House, Hawthorn, Victoria Design: Jane Riddell Architects photograph : Tess Kelly New House in Hawthorn Over Pool House was designed to allow for contemporary family life to play out beyond the formal front rooms of an existing Victorian house. The pool sits at the threshold between old and new built form and provides the element of surprise as one moves between the two distinct parts of the house.

21 Feb 2021 Powell Street House, South Yarra Design: Robert Simeoni Architects photograph : Derek Swalwell Powell Street House, South Yarra The existing 1930s duplex on a compact site in South Yarra comprised a ground floor and first floor apartment, each with its own external access. The owners wished to unite these two dwellings to form a single residence.

16 Feb 2021 130 Lonsdale Street

4 Feb 2021 Gold Street Residence

24 Jan 2021 Kardella Street Residence, East Malvern

8 Jan 2021 Markham Residence, Brunswick Design: Preston Lane Architects photo : Dylan James Markham Residence The Markham Residence is a significant heritage renovation to an existing unliveable house in Brunswick, Victoria. The client’s brief for this project called for a four-bedroom house with two living areas as well as off street parking via a rear lane.

20 Dec 2020 Little Creatures Brewery, South Geelong

20 Dec 2020 Greeves Street House, Fitzroy

2 Dec 2020 Beaumaris Re-Modern

30 Oct 2020 Cross-Stitch House Design: FMD Architects photo : Peter Bennetts Cross-Stitch House The brief for this new property in Victoria was to create new Living spaces, relocate the kitchen and bathroom and improve access to natural light. The functional requirements of the client were simple. The only particular requirement was to find a place in the design for 3 tapestries that her mother had made.

13 Oct 2020 Paperback House

30 Sep 2020 Ruxton Rise Residence

25 Sep 2020 Split House

21 Sep 2020 York Street Residence

21 Sep 2020 Small Grand Apartment

17 Sep 2020 Apartment 302, Sargood House

16 Sep 2020 Feng Shui House, North Melbourne

11 Sep 2020 Abode318 Apartments

7 Sep 2020 Malvern Garden House

1 Sep 2020 Colour Shingle House in North Melbourne

post updated 29 Aug 2020 Cloud House, North Fitzroy Architect: McBride Charles Ryan photo : John Gollings Cloud House North Fitzroy The Cloud House is an addition and renovation to a double-fronted Edwardian house in Fitzroy North.

24 Aug 2020 Gable House

20 Aug 2020 Piccolo House in South Melbourne

17 Aug 2020 Balnarring Beach House, Victoria

13 Aug 2020 Albert Park Residence Architecture: Kestie Lane Studio photograph : Peter Clarke Albert Park Residence The single fronted Victorian cottage was completely transformed from a dark and dis-functional residence to a light filled, highly detailed and functional home to suit the beautiful bayside location and lifestyle.

24 July 2020 Wildcoast House in Portsea, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Design: FGR Architects photograph : Peter Bennetts Wildcoast House in Portsea, Victoria FGR Architects has brought the best of simple, minimalist design to Wildcoast Road, Portsea, by creating a rectangular module home that effortlessly stands out amongst the establishment. The design is meticulous and considerate where upon first look, the family residence appears to be floating, as it sits perched on a crest.

27 Jul 2020 Hill House in Richmond

27 Jul 2020 Wildcoast House

10 Mar 2020 Daylesford 1863, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia Architecture: Moloney Architects photograph : Ben Hosking New House in Daylesford, Victoria Conceived as a home in three parts, this new residence consists of a restored heritage home, a contemporary pavilion extension, and a linkway that invites us to stop and dwell.

23 Feb 2020 Olinda House Architects: BENT Architecture photograph © Tatjana Plitt Olinda House in Melbourne, Victoria This new residence in Victoria is the result of a love story between the owners and their site. Designed for vets and keen gardeners, Matt and Leanne, the home brings the outdoors in and means their daily lives are immersed in greenery.

7 Feb 2020 Bluff House, Hawthorn East Design: NTF Architecture photograph : Dave Kulesza Bluff House in Hawthorn East This property client’s brief called for an open plan home, with generous living spaces on both the ground and first floor. The original floor plan showed restraints in the functionality of day-to-day living, so NTF Architecture wanted to create a family home where easy living was acquired.

30 Jan 2020 Canterbury Road Apartments, Surrey Hills Architects: Elenberg Fraser image : Pointilism Canterbury Road Apartments in Surrey Hills Located in leafy Surrey Hills, these suburban luxury residences along Canterbury Road visually extend to the lush landscape of Surrey Gardens.

21 Jan 2020 Sargood Street House, Toorak Design: Megowan Architectural photograph : Elise Scott Sargood Street House in Toorak A total overhaul of renovations and extensions to an existing Art Deco home in Toorak. No surface was left untouched.

11 Jan 2020 Turn House, Fitzroy North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Design: Rebecca Naughtin Architect photograph : Daniel Fuge House Extension in Fitzroy North This is a small, single storey extension to an existing single fronted Victorian residence in North Fitzroy.

11 Jan 2020 Mid-Century Revival Residence Design: Detail 9 Architects Pty Ltd photograph : Matthew Forbes Mid-Century Revival Residence Collaboration is key to any successful outcome, so taking on this residential project was a great opportunity to partner with Secret Design Studio, Balwyn Builders and some fantastic clients.

6 Jan 2020 A House for All Seasons, Cremorne, inner suburb of Melbourne, City of Yarra, Australia Design: POLY STUDIO photo : Tatjana Plitt A House for All Seasons in Cremorne A contemporary house designed for the evolving needs of a young family within the context of a heritage streetscape in inner-city Melbourne.

5 Jan 2020 Roseberry Street House, Hawthorn East Design: Chan Architecture Pty Ltd photo : Tatjana Plitt Roseberry Street House Extension in Hawthorn East, VIC This new property project was a rear and upstairs extension to a double fronted Victorian terrace house in Hawthorn East. The brief was to retain the character of the period home at the front of the house and design a spacious, light-filled modern extension to the rear.

12 Dec 2019 Albert Park House Extension Architecture: Modscape photograph : John Madden Albert Park House Extension near Melbourne, Vic Inspired by their client’s brief for a minimalist, tranquil residence hidden away from the surrounding city, this architecture studio worked with the existing structure and added a new extension that would increase the amount of natural light and fresh air entering the house and provide an open living area with an intimate master retreat above.

4 Dec 2019 Swedish Summer House Architecture and Interior Design: Hindley & Co photograph : Greg Elms Swedish Summer House Elsternwick Hindley & Co are feeling the envisioned simpatico with the Yakisugi charred cladding on the Swedish Summer House style addition and garden studio.

24 Nov 2019 Hawthorn East House

20 Nov 2019 JP Courtyard House

6 Nov 2019 Studio Garage in Melbourne, House Extension

5 Nov 2019 Oak Grove Residence in East Malvern, Victoria

29 Oct 2019 Nightingale 2.0 Apartments

26 Oct 2019 House in the Woods, Donvale

28 Sep 2019 Connect Six House Design: Whiting Architects in collaboration with Fisher & Paykel photograph : Shannon McGrath Connect Six House This unique space is bursting with contemporary design that skilfully preserves the history of the existing Edwardian home, originally built in 1915.

26 Sep 2019 Elmhurst House in Kew

21 May 2019 Mullum Creek House in Donvale, Victoria

20 May 2019 Moat’s Corner

25 Mar 2019 Brace House, Albert Park Design: Finnis Architects photograph : Tom Roe Photography Brace House in Albert Park The property was a process of retaining and celebrating the existing architectural language of a double fronted Victorian terrace whilst transforming the remainder of the dwelling into an adaptable, contemporary, modern family home.

24 Mar 2019 Yarrbat Ave House, Balwyn Architects: K2LD photograph : Jeremy Wright Contemporary House in Balwyn The property design for was heavily inspired by the site, with its large oak trees on Yarrbat Avenue coupled with the open view out to the Dandenong Ranges.

21 Mar 2019 St Andrews Beach House, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria Design: Austin Maynard Architects St Andrews Beach House on the Mornington Peninsula

21 Mar 2019 Mornington Peninsula Properties New Houses on the Mornington Peninsula

7 Mar 2019 Richmond Terrace Architects: Robert Nichol & sons photograph : Lillie thompson Richmond Terrace Property This home rebuild retained only the front and rear walls of the residential building – and a substantial waffle slab cement ceiling – the previous interior, which was confusing and over-constructed, was completely removed.

4 Feb 2019 Tree House, Kew Design: Andrew Child Architecture photo : Rhiannon Slatter Tree House in Kew Property upgrade of dark middle suburban Californian Bungalow into a light, modern 3 bedroom + study residence protecting a lovely cluster of huge trees in the backyard.

30 Jan 2019 Arrow House, Footscray, Victoria Design: Mark Lam Architect photo : Sarah Louise Arrow House in Footscray A renovation and extension to a Victorian weatherboard house in this inner Western Melbourne suburb, transforming the existing dilapidated double-fronted Victorian residence into an airy new home.

1 Jan 2019 Port Melbourne House, Victoria

Contemporary Melbourne Houses Archive

New Melbourne Homes up to and including 2018

Melbourne Homes photograph : Nic Granleese

More Melbourne Houses online soon

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Buildings / photos for the Melbourne Homes page welcome

The post Melbourne Houses: Victoria Properties appeared first on e-architect.

[coolautumnbreath]

HAPPY DAY 3/25!

how’d you all do with your shopping/window shopping yesterday? there are SO MANY cute things at so many stores and it’s still pretty early. on my drive across town yesterday, i saw THREE spirit halloween stores opening up shop. i love it!

DAY THREE: MAKE A LIST OF ALL THE PUMPKIN PATCHES IN YOUR AREA

since i can’t really look into the pumpkin patches near everyone, i’m going to go ahead and post this list of the 25 best pumpkin farms to visit in the united states as reported by country living magazine! (note: they’re in no particular order.)

25 BEST PUMPKIN FARMS TO VISIT IN THE U.S.

01. jumbo’s pumpkin patch - middletown, md 02. bengston’s pumpkin farm - homer glen, il 03. roloff farms - hillsboro, or 04. studt’s pumpkin patch - grand junction, co 05. the rock ranch - the rock, ga 06. three cedars farm - northville, mi 07. craven farm - snohomish, wa 08. heaven hill farm - vernon, nj 09. the great pumpkin farm - clarence, ny 10. peltzer pumpkin farm - temecula, ca 11. the pumpkin patch - portland, or 12. the flower mound pumpkin patch - flower mound, tx 13. r.a.m. farms inc. - turlock, ca 14. tom thumb pumpkin patch - dallas, tx 15. walter’s pumpkin patch - burns, ks 16. linvilla orchards - media, pa 17. boone hall pumpkin patch - mt. pleasant, sc 18. cheekwood estate - nashville, tn 19. cox farms - centreville, va 20. hidden creek farms - sunbury, oh 21. mitchell farms - collins, ms 22. annabelle’s fun farm - welch, ok 23. country pumpkins - dry ridge, ky 24. southern belle farm - mcdonough, ga 25. connors farm - danvers, ma

[primortravel]

New Post has been published on https://primortravel.com/18-best-things-to-do-in-portland-oregon/

18 Best Things to do in Portland, Oregon

On the USA’s west coast, Portland, Oregon is the state’s largest city yet a haven for lovers of nature, quirky characters, charming neighborhoods, and small city life.

Among the food trucks, craft beer, and historic buildings in downtown Portland, the locals thrive to keep Portland weird. In the city center are an abundance of green spaces, rose gardens, hipster cafes, street art, and amazing ice cream.

Best Things to do in Portland Oregon

Portland, Oregon, USA skyline at dusk on the Willamette River.

This comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Portland will help you explore the city’s weird side and see why it’s one of the most interesting places in the US. Interested in exploring Oregon? Check out our guide to the best things to do in the Beaver State.

Powell’s City of Books

In a city that embraces the old with vigor and substance, it’s no surprise that Portland is home to the biggest new and used bookstore on earth. Powell’s City of Books is a local institution. It’s an independent bookstore that covers an entire city block of Portland’s northern downtown.

Even if you have no plans of picking up a novel to enjoy some light reading, exploring the store is enough of an adventure in itself. Check-in and grab yourself a map so you don’t get lost roaming the aisles containing over four million books.

We love getting on the water when visiting any city, book this Portland dinner cruise through downtown Portland to see the sights along the Willamette River as you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner with entertainment and narration.

Forest Park

As the city’s biggest park and one of the best things to do in Portland, Forest Park must find its way onto your itinerary. Even in what is a growing city, the park is an excellent place to enjoy fresh air and feel a world away from the bustle of downtown.

Throughout Forest Park Portland, you will be inundated with amazing views, whether that be Mt Hood or the Willamette River. The endless miles of trails will take you to iconic spots like the Pittock Mansion or the spooky Witch’s Castle, where ghosts roam under the moonlight. Switch it up with a bike ride, or pack a picnic and soak up the scenery.

Or better yet, book this Portland Bike Tour to explore the Willamette River, sample donuts, learn about the neighborhoods and see the city from a different perspective.

Portland Art Museum

If you enjoy your art, then one of the top things to do in Portland is to explore the Portland Art Museum. Near the Portland State University campus, the art museum features work from across the globe and also focuses on Pacific Northwest Native American Art.

You could spend a full day wandering the halls and taking in several masterpieces, stunning photography and iconic prints. However, even with just an hour or two, you can still make the most of the experience.

Pittock Mansion

One of the most prominent Portland attractions is the Pittock Mansion. The dramatic mansion was built in 1914 in the French renaissance-style. The Pittock family, who called it home, were major players in developing Portland, Oregon, into the city it is today.

Consisting of over 40 rooms and 16,000 square feet, the Pittock Mansion is well worth exploring on a guided tour. However, its location within Forest Park makes it the perfect spot to relax on your adventures through the woods.

International Rose Test Garden

Known as the City of Roses, Portland is home to the stunning and public Rose Test Garden. Found within Washington Park, you will discover over 500 varieties of roses sources from around the globe. The roses are sent here to test viability and the plants characteristics.

Although open year-round, the garden is best seen between the months of May and September. During that time period, more than 10,000 rose bushes bloom in unison, backed by the incredible views of Mt Hood. After the garden, wander over to the iconic ice cream shop Salt & Straw for some distinctive ice cream flavors.

Pearl District

Many cities have amazing examples of rundown districts born again and old neighborhoods with a ‘rags to riches tale’. Portland’s version of this is the Pearl District. Once home to warehouses and disintegrating brick buildings, the Pearl District is one of the best places to eat and drink in Portland.

The Pearl District is home to several fantastic art galleries, cafes for your morning cup and some of the best dining in the city when the tummy starts to grumble. Fans of craft beer will also delight in the neighborhood’s selection of delicious brewpubs, none more popular than Deschutes Brewery and Public House. Return in the evening when the laid-back district presents some of Portland’s best nightlife.

Washington Park

If you’re wondering what to do in Portland if you don’t have a car, then wonder no more. Washington Park is a sprawling urban oasis that is easily accessed with the help of Portland’s light rail.

Just 20 minutes from downtown, those visiting Portland will quickly fall in love with this open space. Bring your walking shoes, as there are 15 miles of trails to stroll while you will also have the chance to visit the Oregon Zoo and the International Rose Test Garden.

Columbia River Gorge

Following the immersive Historic Columbia River Highway, venturing to Columbia River Gorge is the perfect choice for those seeking a day trip from Portland. Spanning 80 miles along the river and soaring canyons, you will get the full fix of Oregon’s spectacular scenery.

Although you will have an abundance of epic lookouts along the way, make sure to leave time for the trip to Multnomah Falls. The Insta-famous waterfall is worth braving the crowds for, thanks to the memorable 542ft drop into a cascading pool. You can reach the falls by following the 5-mile Wahkeena Falls Loop Trail, which passes a total of 6 mesmerizing falls.

Book this highly rated Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Tour for an afternoon at the Columbia River Gorge including, Multnomah Fall, the Portland Women’s Forum, the Crown Point Vista House, Latourell Falls, and Shepperd’s Dell.

Portland Saturday Market

One of the best things to do in Portland on the weekend is to visit the Portland Saturday Market. Held every weekend from March until Christmas Eve, you will discover over 150 arts, crafts, and food vendors. They help make the market the largest fair of its kind in the United States.

Wake up early and partake in some fresh food shopping, or return in the afternoon to try some unique Portland eats under the Burnside Bridge. Cuisines hail from all around the world, including Thai, Nepalese, Greek and even some homegrown fresh catch and desserts.

Portland Japanese Garden

When exploring Washington Park in southwest Portland, stopping by the Portland Japanese Garden is a must. Although you will find plenty of green space to explore when in Portland, the garden is a unique attraction that stands out.

Seen as one of the best Japanese Gardens in the United States, you can easily find a moment of Zen among the stunning aesthetics from wooden bridges over creeks to traditional rock gardens. Try the matcha tea as you sit in the peaceful open spaces catching glimpses of the towering Mount Hood.

Old Town Chinatown

One of the best places to start your adventures in Portland is within that city’s Old Town Chinatown. As one of the most historic neighborhoods in Portland, Old Town harbors the secrets of the city’s early days, including the infamous Shanghai Tunnels.

Also known as the Old Portland Underground, these tunnels used to connect the suppliers at the port directly to the businesses via, you guessed it, tunnels. That was until shady happenings continued to occur within the confines of the tunnels. Organized crime would not just take the produce but kidnap the port’s sailors, also known as Shanghaiing.

Over time, the historical accuracies have blurred, but a tour of the tunnels is one of the best things to do in Portland.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Placed along the Willamette River, which divides Portland, the Tom McCall Waterfront Park is a beautiful spot to take in the river. Throughout the day you will find locals walking and jogging the Waterfront Park Trail, taking in the views of the city, park, river and port.

Come here to not only enjoy some peace but also to visit the Oregon Maritime Museum, the Salmon Street Springs or the smallest park in the world, Mill Ends Park. If you have arrived in time for sunset, continue on to Broadway Bridge for views of the colorful sky. Later, walk across the bridge for a night among the brewpubs in southeast Portland.

Alberta Arts District

Northeast Portland once had an infamous reputation, but over the years it has transformed into an artists’ hub and a neighborhood for expression and creativity. From this, the Alberta Arts District was born.

Based around Alberta Street, you will discover a youthful community of art galleries and homegrown boutiques. What will come as a shock to no one is that the district comes with an abundance of murals and is the best spot for street art in Portland. Come with no plan and simply get lost walking the streets, hitting up some great brewpubs, cafes or street vendors along the way.

Voodoo Doughnut

The debate rages on about whether Blue Star Donuts are better than Voodoo Doughnut and no time in Portland would be complete without sampling at least one. Blue Star may be a local favorite, but the wild and innovative nature of Voodoo Doughnut makes it a memorable and must-do experience.

Voodoo loves to push the boundaries when it comes to creative donut-making. Where else can you find Capt’n Crunch toppings? So truth be told, they may not be for everyone, but there is only one way to find out.

The line is always out the door but moves quickly, so straddle up for a sweet treat adventure!

Oregon Zoo

Combining your favorite exhibits with conservation and fun education, the Oregon Zoo is one of top best things to do in Portland with kids. The zoo comprises five main sections featuring different continents and unique ecosystems. So your crew can circle the globe while getting an unobstructed view of the world’s most iconic animals.

When exploring the zoo, you won’t go hungry with multiple restaurants and coffee shops to choose from. Head to Growlers for pizza or order your lunch online and pick it up at AfriCafe, so your day doesn’t miss a beat.

Another great option to see wildlife is at the Portland Audubon Society.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

If downtown Portland had a gathering place, this would be it. The square is an urban park within the heart of the city, a spot where post-work festivities begin.

Beyond being a meeting point, the beautiful square is vibrant throughout the year. Concerts and festivals occur almost weekly, with Tuesdays and Thursdays bringing free lunchtime concerts to locals.

However, the atmosphere in ‘Portland’s living room’ reaches its peak during the winter festival season. Festivals include Winter Lights and the Holiday Ale Festival, a celebration of the state’s best craft beers.

Mississippi Avenue

If the question is what to do in Portland at night, then the answer is Mississippi Avenue. Mississippi is another neighborhood in Portland that has risen to fame based on its social vibe and arts. The main drag, Mississippi Avenue, provides the goods with quirky shops, food trucks, and homes that are now trendy restaurants.

The daytime brings plenty of walking adventures as you meander your way down the street. However, at night, this is the place to go to experience Portland’s live music scene. The standout among the bunch is Mississippi Studios.

Timberline Lodge

Along with the Columbia River Gorge, a trip to Timberline Lodge is a great way to experience the world around the Portland city limits. 90 minutes from downtown Portland, the Timberline Lodge is the base for many outdoor activities.

On the edge of the monstrous Mount Hood, this is the place to go for year-round skiing and big mountain hiking trails. Better yet, save the energy and ride the gondola up to 7000ft with epic views of the summit.

After the return journey, cozy up in front of the Timberline Lodge’s fireplace and have dinner at what feels like the top of the world.

Want the lowdown on hiking around the Portland area, from the Oregon coast to the Cascade Range? Check out our guide on the best hikes in Oregon.

Where to stay in Portland

There are several worthy areas in Portland to stay, from Mississippi to the Pearl District and Old Town, while southeast Portland provides many budget options. Below, we have listed three hotels to suit each budget.

Budget – With a vintage vibe and exposed brick, the Society Hotel is a top choice among budget travelers. Within walking distance of the Pearl District, a mouthwatering food scene, and Northwest Portland, you’ll have it all at your fingertips. Check rates and Reviews on TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Mid-Range – In Portland’s Northwest District, Park Lane Suites & Inn brings fantastic amenities at a great price. With a beautiful interior, well-equipped kitchen, and plush sofa, you’ll feel right at home. When you’re ready to explore Portland, the Lan Su Chinese Garden and Powell’s City of Books are steps away. Check rates and reviews on TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Luxury – With a rooftop terrace, indoor pool, and enormous suites, the Hampton Inn & Suites will be the perfect home in Portland. Within the Pearl District, you are close to all the action in the city center, the best Portland restaurants, and the Portland Art Museum. Check rates and reviews on TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Unique – Jupiter Hotel – We stayed at this hotel and loved its quirky vibe. A mid-century motor inn turned boutique hotel in the heart of Portland just minutes from downtown, the Pearl District, and the Rose Garden Arena. Check rates and Reviews on TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Where we Stayed: We also stated at The Benson a historic landmark hotel in Portland that was founded in 1913. With a European flair it is a Four Diamond hotel. Check rates and reviews on TripAdvisor / Booking.com

How to get to Downtown Portland

The major arrival point for Portland, Oregon, is through the city’s major airport. Portland Airport is 9 miles from downtown Portland and the best way to travel is on the MAX light-rail train. The trip takes just under 40 minutes to complete, starting at 4:45 am, with the last train at 11:50 pm. Tickets cost $2.50 for adults.

Taxis and ride-share services provide alternatives. Depending on traffic, a trip takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes. Costs for a taxi hover around $35.

Shuttles are another common option. Some Portland hotels provide free shuttle transfers.

Amtrak also connects to Portland via several western USA cities.

Getting around Portland

One thing that quickly becomes noticeable as you travel around Portland is just how great bicycles are and how bad the car traffic is.

That doesn’t mean you should rule out hiring a car when in town. In fact, to enjoy the coast and the mountains on either side of the city, then you’ll need four wheels.

However, with great public transportation, you can get almost anywhere within Portland.

Bus – The TriMet bus system operates over 80 lines throughout the city. You can plan your journey on their website and attain arrival times and details of each stop. Beware that there are fewer services in the evening and the vast majority end after 1 am.

Light Rail – If you are downtown, then using the MAX light rail and the Portland Streetcar are two easy ways to get around. The light rail is reasonably extensive and easy to use. For trip planning, you can download the app on the TriMet website.

To make life easier and cheaper, grab a Hop Fastpass Card. Use all forms of transport without having to worry about cash.

Bicycle – Portland has an abundance of bike lanes and a strong bike share system. Drivers here are also more aware of their two-wheeled counterparts than elsewhere in the States. The bike-share system is called Biketown. Have your pick of 1500 bikes stationed at 180 different locations throughout the city.

Car Rental – Local traffic has an infamous reputation and can slow down your adventures around Portland. You can compare car rental prices for Oregon at RentalCars.com

SmartPark garages are a great option for when you can’t find a spot to park. But in general, you will want to save your car for day trips further afield.

Taxis – Cabs are readily available at all hours, while Uber and Lyft operate in great numbers.

Best time to visit Portland

Thanks to the impressive nature, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Portland. Sure, it can get pretty cold in the winter, yet the soaring mountains provide ample exciting opportunities from skiing to mountaineering.

However, with an abundance of urban spaces and flowers blooming in unison, spring is the best time to visit Portland. The cherry blossoms come to life and the city’s atmosphere awakes from the winter slumber.

Summer and fall present also present great travel opportunities. The urban parks pack out in the summer with festivities and markets galore. While in the fall, the foliage is worth the price of entrance all by itself.

Now that you’ve explored Portland, why not check out another outstanding Oregon city. Explore our guide to the best things to do in Bend!

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36 Hours in Yellowstone National Park

The Verdict:

Yellowstone is the largest U.S. National Park outside of Alaska, and it has such an amazing variety of natural beauty -- geysers, hot springs, lakes, mountains, rock terraces, canyons, plains, forested areas...it is unparalleled. We clearly needed more than 36 hours here, and we can't wait to return someday. Pro Tip: Download the Yellowstone app (separate from the NPS app) for offline access to helpful information during your visit!

Day 1: Famous Geysers, Wildlife Viewing at Hayden Valley, and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

1. Hot Water Features (Geyers, Hot Springs, & such): Yellowstone is well-known for its unusual water features powered by the remnants of volcanic activity. Driving up from Grand Teton National Park, we started our morning as early as possible driving to Old Faithful and then walking along the boardwalks and seeing the many stunning geyser sand pools of the Upper Geyser Basin, which was right next to Old Faithful and perhaps even more fun!

Old Faithful is one of a few Yellowstone Geysers that erupts on a near-predictable schedule. It's not the biggest geyser, and we're not sure why it's especially famous, but it definitely was very cool to watch it erupt. You can check for the next scheduled eruption using the Yellowstone app (just know the geyser schedule only updates in areas with connection -which isn't many areas of Yellowstone) or on a sign outside the Old Faithful Visitor Center. We lucked out to arrive just a few minutes before a predicted eruption (which actually occurred about 7 minutes after the predicted time).

You can watch Old Faithful erupt from the observation deck right in front of it -- this was already crowded when we arrived around 9:30 a.m., but we walked around to the side of the geyser and found a nice empty spot. Or you can hike ~half a mile to Observation Point for what we read was a less crowded view. We didn't make it there ourselves, though.

After watching Old Faithful erupt, we walked along the neighboring boardwalks to explore the Upper Geyser Basin. There were SO many geysers here and the whole area was gorgeous. We enjoyed using the Yellowstone app's Self-Guided Audio Tour of this area to learn a bit about the different hot water features. We unexpectedly got to see Sawmill Geyser, a geyser that hadn't erupted since 2017, go through a long eruption while we were walking by. We spent close to 2 hours visiting Old Faithful and this surrounding area.

Sawmill Geyser wakes up!

Logistics: Drive to the Old Faithful Visitor Center and park in the Old Faithful Parking Lot (there was plenty of parking when we got there on a Saturday morning). It's always nice to get to places like this early to avoid the crowds. We found it very cold in the morning (it was in the 40s) and wore our warmest jackets.

2. Grand Prismatic Spring: Just a few minutes' drive from Old Faithful is this famous area of the park. We first parked at the Fairy Falls Parking Lot (lots of potholes!) and walked 1.6 miles roundtrip, some of it surprisingly steep (but still family friendly), to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. This is a stunning view of this gorgeous and colorful hot spring, and it was well worth the walk.

Then we drove further down the main park road to the Grand Prismatic Spring Parking Lot -- it was full with a long line of cars jockeying to enter, so we parked along the road and walked down to the parking lot (only a ~5 minute walk). There we walked along a windy boardwalk with steam from the hot springs fogging up our eyeglasses and condensing on our windbreakers. We didn't get great views of the springs from the ground level, likely in part because the wind was blowing steam everywhere and obscuring the view. Maybe it would be better on a less windy day, but we did notice that this area was much windier than surrounding areas of the park (we even felt a big difference just from the boardwalk to the parking lot). We preferred the view from the Overlook. Still, this is an iconic place to visit.

Standing in front of Grand Prismatic Spring

3. Yellowstone Lake: We then retraced our drive from the morning and continued further east to see Yellowstone Lake. We read it could be nice to get out at West Thumb to see the geysers and lake views there, but we skipped this for the sake of time. We stopped at a random picnic area along the lake, took in the beautiful views while eating our peanut butter sandwiches, and scurried back to our cars after shivering by the windy waters.

4. Hayden Valley: As we continued driving north along the loop that makes up Yellowstone's main road, we passed through this gorgeous area that looked a bit like what we expect of the serengeti. The area is purportedly great for seeing wildlife, especially in the mornings and evenings, and seems like a good spot to have binoculars. Though we unfortunately didn't spot anything during our afternoon drive, we really enjoyed stopping at Mud Volcano and listening to the Yellowstone App Guided Audio Tour for this neat area of unusual geysers and hot springs.

Hayden Valley view

Mud Volcano

Pool by Mud Volcano 5. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: We continued driving north past Hayden Valley to this scenic canyon with imposing waterfalls and scenic overlooks. It was really different from Grand Canyon in that there weren't long hikes deep into the canyon, and the waterfalls were accessible with very short walks. The canyon has two major areas -- the North Rim and the South Rim -- and each one has Upper and Lower viewpoints. You can take advantage of options to hike or minimize your walking by driving to the overlooks.

On the South Rim, definitely visit the famous, stunning Artist's Point -- you can drive there or hike down to it from the parking lot by Uncle Tom's Trail (the trail was closed during our visit).

On the North Rim, we read that the hike to the Brink of the Lower Falls is very nice, but we were a bit confused where to find that given there were so many different stops and lookout points. We stopped at many of them and really enjoyed all of the views.

Day 2 (Morning Only): More Wildlife + Mammoth Hot Springs

1. Drive from Canyon Village to Mammoth Hot Springs: We drove to Mammoth, on the northwest tip of the park, via Norris -- mainly because the other road (via Tower Roosevelt) was closed. We didn't expect much, but the drive was actually AWESOME. It was so quiet and especially scenic. We saw a bison along the road right by a hot spring!

2. Mammoth Hot Springs: We didn't know what to expect, and found that this was one of our favorite parts of the park. The drive right before Mammoth goes down into this insane valley overlooking pristine lakes and with the Yellowstone River cutting through, and there were lots of elk hanging out along the side of the road in the morning.

The main attraction is the Hot Springs area, which can be accessed via one of 3 parking lots (upper, main, and lower). This area look surprisingly different than the water features by the Upper Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring. The terrain is otherworldly! You can walk around the boardwalks and listen to the Yellowstone App Guided Audio Tour for some interesting information about what you're seeing. It's not very large; we spent likely under an hour here. 

Past the Hot Springs, you'll drive into a more built up area of some park lodging that looks pretty nice from the outside, a stunning US Post Office, and the unbelievably scenic Mammoth Hot Springs Campground (we really want to camp there sometime)! The whole area was so cute. As you drive past Mammoth and out of the park, there are some scenic overlooks with views of the Yellowstone River, and the Rescue Creek Trail hike that we'd love to try sometime. Though we hadn't heard much about Mammoth before, it seems like a place that would be great to spend more time in.

Driving out of Yellowstone to Missoula (via Livingston, Bozeman, and Butte): You'll drive through the stunning (have we used this word enough?) Custer Gallatin National Forest. It's one of the most scenic drives we've ever done. There are probably some terrific hikes near this drive that we'd love to explore one day.

We stopped in Livingston, MT and walked along the Yellowstone River by Sacagawea Park. It's a cute small town park and the river views were great. Livingston is also known for having good food & drinks, but we didn't test this out.

In Bozeman, we walked along Main Street in the downtown area -- there are tons of places to eat and shop, and it feels touristy but still with a small town feel. We stopped for lunch at The Farmer's Daughter just a couple minutes' drive from Main Street; the vegetarian options were pretty good (salads, sandwiches, avocado toast, smoothies) and especially refreshing after several meals of sandwiches while camping!

We continued our drive towards Missoula via Butte -- again a very scenic city with a stunning mountainous area, but we didn't stop. Overall, the entire drive to Missoula was very pretty.

Stuff We Didn't Do This Time at Yellowstone

Lamar Valley: At the very northeast part of the park, this is supposed to be one of the best places to see wildlife. Last time I was at Yellowstone I saw a wolf and bear cubs, and I'm *pretty* sure it was here. As a bonus, the drive in to Yellowstone to Lamar Valley is amazing, and staying at unbelievably gorgeous Cooke City, MT the night before is a very nice option. (As a bit of an aside, the drive through Bear Tooth Pass in Wyoming, on highway 212 leading into Cooke City, is one of the most gorgeous drives EVER). Once you're deeper into the park, just a bit beyond Lamar Valley, you can spend a night at Pebble Creek Campground, which seems like sleeping in a valley out in the wild -- it looks immersive and extremely cool.

Lots of other stuff! There is just SO much to see at Yellowstone. We'd love to go back and experience the most scenic campgrounds, do some more hikes, and see some of the less-visited places. They are probably so beautiful and extra special for being less crowded with visitors.

Lodging

Before our first day, we camped in the northern end of Grand Teton National Park. Our campground, Colter Bay, was just a 30 min drive from the Yellowstone South Entrance, and about 90 minutes total from Old Faithful (including a stop to refuel at a gas station in the park). It was a fine campground, nothing too special and nothing bad, but this saved us about an hour of driving compared to staying in Jackson Hole. We were glad for the early start given how crowded Yellowstone gets!

On our night in Yellowstone, we camped at Canyon Village Campground, which is just one mile from Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was okay: not particularly scenic, and administered by Xanterra (a company that the National Parks Service contracts out to for providing lodging in some parks), which meant the check-in process was different and way more onerous than it was at any of the National Parks-administered campgrounds we've stayed at in Grand Teton and elsewhere. Still, the location was extremely convenient: waking up to the first sunlight within the park itself is an excellent way to beat the crowds!