Red Rock Canyon

On Sunday my husband was experiencing a mild case of cabin fever. We agreed to go on a drive to see the Red Rock Canyon, just about an hour away, and a place we'd never been before. The drive took us out into desert. We pulled into the Ricardo Campground to look around, since most of the area was actually off-road.

My first impression of the area was that it was rather arid. That is a big "DUH!" since it is in the desert. As we got closer it started looking more like the landscape of a strange foreign planet. That was not so far fetched, as several movies have been filmed in the area, though not all science fiction. (Click here and then click on the "Credits" button.)

My next thoughts were that it looked like a surreal cathedral, with all the spires and organ pipes reaching up. And finally I thought it looked very much like a gigantic cave with no roof.

There were a lot of nooks and crannies in the walls. It wouldn't have surprised me to find an actual cave. The next picture is from inside one of the nooks, looking up.

I'm not sure how fun it would be to camp there, especially in the summer, since there are no trees whatsoever. But we agreed it might be more fun when the weather cools off a bit. There were a couple of people there that looked like they were doing the off-road thing. There are hiking trails and that might be interesting to explore the area a little closer.

Birthday

Carli at two years old.Carli at five years old.
Now!

No longer a teenager. Where did the time go?

Happy Birthday!

08/08/08

No sheep butts, spiders, or dead animals for a while, I promise!

Today the Olympics have started. I'm not big on the opening/closing ceremonies but there is so much hype about how much bigger and grander this opening ceremony is, I might just have to watch it. I'm not real crazy about the outfits our athletes wear either. What's wrong with the regular warm up suit? I suppose they look all nice and professional, like a basketball coach, but then again, the baseball managers (aka coaches) wear uniforms, even though they don't ever play like they possibly would have in the "olden days". (Which is my understanding of why they wear a uniform.) I also don't care for those beret like hats they are all wearing. Just a few people can pull those off, but at least this years' head toppers are better than last times' jester-like monstrosities. I'm probably the only person who did not like them, but oh, well.

I am looking forward to watching the Games. Maybe it will help motivate me to start working out again. I always had this latent fantasy about being in the Olympics in the equestrian sport of Three Day Event. Sadly, I had/have neither the required $$, horse, $$, or talent, or $$. Yes, to be at that level takes a lot of $$. And after I broke both collarbones in separate horse riding accidents I kind of lost my drive.

One thing I don't understand is I thought the Olympics was supposed to be for amateurs. Obviously the rules must have changed since the basketball team is made up of professional players.

It's beginning to sound like I'm complaining a lot so I'll stop about that.

Patti asked for more pictures of the baby so here are some from today.

Here she is with one of her new head bands. A lady Carli knows makes these so she ended up buying a few. The baby is very good about not ripping them off, unlike Carli when she was a baby. I could not keep a head band on her to save my life.

Notice anything "different" about the headband?

How about now?

See the little pink skull and crossbones? Strange sense of humor. She must get it from her mom!

And here is the best, most tolerant, well behaved, loving dog in the world! She climbs all over him, pulls herself up on him, pinches his face, and comes away with great clumps of fur, but he never complains. He just sits there like the perfect gentleman that he is.

Good dog, Gus!

An Unfortunate Bird

I have no idea how this poor bird managed to get himself into this predicament. Unfortunately for the bird we found him too late to help.