North Rim, Grand Canyon

Up at 5:00 AM to see the sunrise at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon--a 45 minute drive from the motel we were at for the night.  Arizona is all fucked up with its time change so we missed it but the good thing was to be in the park early.

I realized when we arrived that I had left my National Parks Passport book somewhere in Zion.  I called all the restaurants, the hotel, anywhere I might have left it but no luck.  I was really upset because this book had been my dream book.  The parks I had gone to this year, the things that I had seen--it was physical evidence that I had been there and really done that adventure.  I had to walk off the horrible emotional sinking that ensued, along with about six tears.  My brain went into the survivor mode of not letting that ruin the magnificence of where I was and what I was seeing.  So, I distracted myself by taking about 300 photos on manual, walking and then -- bucket list time--going for a mule ride.

I didn't even know that a mule ride was on the bucket list but there it was without a doubt.  My mule was a nice girl and we were riding drag so I could look at everything.  Riding is something I did a ton of as a kid so all that muscle memory came back, even when she stumbled hard and we went in a couple of different directions.  Loved it and stayed right with her.

Through the ride I was able to sort my sorrow over the lost book, decided to buy a new one and get the North Rim stamp because dreams are yet to be dreamed.  Onward.

Angel's Landing-Zion

1500' ascent up to where the angels land.  This is a kick ass hike, takes at least four hours and it has some awesome views.  Love this picture--it is essentially me.  This was shot with my iPhone and the depth of field is what I was hoping for when I shot it.

It was a different hike than 30 years ago when I first did it, with my dog (stupid) and altered state.  It is like a highway up there now.  I did notice that the average age was gray haired, and they were doing it. A thought occurred to me to do this again in ten years--I would have to stay in shape, both physically and mentally.  Maybe a plan.

Foundation Room-Las Vegas

My favorite view in Las Vegas--it is all the dazzle and brilliance of the town.  Foundation Room is members only and the snoot to go with it.  One of the perks of having my own business is that I have memberships that allow this kind of privilege.  I don't think they were too happy to let me in with my jeans and white t-shirt -- and my friend Angela, who I met here, was in shorts and hiking sandals but let us in they did.  We ended up talking to an actor who was up there and they would not allow him in in flip flops so he had to buy shoes.  Made me laugh because his ego was bruised.  Two Corona lights later we were out of there and back to donate to the blackjack table.  

I am very conservative with the money that I will spend on gambling.  The goal gets set and when I am up by 20% I leave and when it is gone, I leave.  This time it took about 20 minutes to pass over my budget to the dealer as did Angela and then we were gone.  I was still fairly tired from the 40 mile walk so bed sounded good.  And, then through Facebook I found out that a really good friend of mine that I worked with at USC and her daughter is going to go through Vegas in time for breakfast in the morning.  Bed was a good thing so I could get up early.

Sunset, White Sands Style

What an amazing day.  

I awoke to sunrise in Guadalupe National Park camp ground and hiked a 4.5 mile torturous trek up to Devil's Hall.  I thought it was going to be easy.  Nope.

Then drove to Carlsbad Caverns National Park--it is right next door so a quick 45 minute drive and I was there.  This was simply amazing and on the highly recommend list -- what an experience to see a cave this large and well decorated with stalagmites and stalactites, draperies, beautiful pools.  I would go again in a heart beat.

Then, drove to White Sands National Monument -- which is a three hour trek, I went up to Artesia and then west through the unpopulated area of New Mexico, which is pretty much 90 % of the state.  I arrived just in time for the ranger sunset hike.  Lovely beyond description.  After the tour, sitting on top of a dune and being amazed by nature, I remembered a line from Desert Solitaire 'in the loneliness there was loveliness' --I an paraphrasing with the words, not the emotion.

Tonight I am in a hotel in Las Cruces--I need the internet and a desk to make client calls in the morning, and ok, a shower.  

Tomorrow is through Arizona to at least one park, and waving as I zoom by cities and populated areas.

Camping, Texas Style

August Musings

August is a quiet month for me. I have my own business as an executive coach and consultant and I LOVE what I do. 

A big project 'crashed' this month so I am home--that means no money coming in and no client work. At first, I was really upset but started to look at all the positives that could come of this: 

1) I finally can get to the gym or walk every day. Traveling takes it toll on my workouts. 
2) I will have better control over my food in take. No client sponsored lunches and dinners! 
3) I can get done with my business what I never have time for--finally getting the website up, and networking with people that I haven't talked to in a very long time. 
4) Projects will get done--the updating of my systems, and getting some really good books read. 
5) Gleeful obsessiveness with the Olympics :-) 

So, while this means a hit for me financially in the immediate, long term it has the potential for better projects and I will feel good about what I have accomplished. 

This is all in what I tell myself and I say it is going to be good.

Joy oh joy.

Devil's Tower

A Score, Of A Certain Kind

I love to yard sale.  Love it, love it, love it.  It is the last bastion of free enterprise and I take advantage of it when I can.

Today scored  60+ cd's for $30.  And a day of great music.  Janis, Phoebe, Zepplin, Sinatra, more and more.  I didn't go through every CD--just bought the lot and had only ten duplicates.  Now to download everything to the extra hard drive so there is back up and music everywhere.

Life is good.

New York City

Central Park

Of all the places in the world I have travelled so far, my favorite is still New York City.  It bridges the past to myself and I never tire of being there.

Maybe it is the familiarity, maybe it is the pride of the people and maybe it is because it is just freakin' awesome.

One day, one night and it was all good.

Tavern On The Green

A Niche Market

Outside my window

It is all in the details

Outside My Window, Again

As opposed to the Amateur Children's School

And there you have it

My Day In India

I will never get over the fascination of India.   A simple ride from on place to another is a world of amazement and I look and look.

Today, the car stopped in traffic and kids next to the road were loading a flat truck with vegetables.  Once they saw me I became the object of their attention--and the smiles, oh the smiles.  Life is good.

Hiking Durango

After three days of client work in Farmington, New Mexico I drove an hour up to Durango, Colorado to visit with good friends. I had looked into buying a yarn store in town but due to timing and finances, it wasn't happening.

So, went hiking instead. It was a cold day and we were snowed on going up the trail. Just enough to laugh at, and complain because it is May 1. Durango is beautiful anytime of the year and my friends are wonderful. The weekend was about hiking, and food, and books, and friendship. Awesome.