tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92225663633639040932024-03-12T23:42:47.649-07:00The Bu ElementThe primary purpose of starting this blog is to provide friends, family and students a window into my various activities and many interests. I expect to focus commentary primarily on science, photography, travel and digital gadgetry. What can I say, I'm a science geek.J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.comBlogger2524125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-61072739502283543552013-10-09T19:10:00.000-07:002013-11-21T17:52:51.785-08:00Random street scenes from Quito...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0sAHzCxeeGLENP9-mskaGxRDBfGDr2eAYC1fn6bKTUKro7v44wh41D1-RztdZvXinQ-JHWspjbfCoHPy4x2fy3DgfAOhXisTehQCqONuf5-eWShtRrBjMSKRtbujQq2odXwP1DZNQD8x/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0sAHzCxeeGLENP9-mskaGxRDBfGDr2eAYC1fn6bKTUKro7v44wh41D1-RztdZvXinQ-JHWspjbfCoHPy4x2fy3DgfAOhXisTehQCqONuf5-eWShtRrBjMSKRtbujQq2odXwP1DZNQD8x/s400/IMG_2970.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkehDF1srgcP80HaRmfl7GkTx3sqOJKjPZIL09DEWsOvcPPQJtGDXtHwKvqDxfBMuAYkPK3N6u9NshNJ199MECz_72PJbx865AS9De9a2ydAvaiw6IDJhxu7iDNJbTLm-OwSQfnAOUCIL/s1600/IMG_8598.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkehDF1srgcP80HaRmfl7GkTx3sqOJKjPZIL09DEWsOvcPPQJtGDXtHwKvqDxfBMuAYkPK3N6u9NshNJ199MECz_72PJbx865AS9De9a2ydAvaiw6IDJhxu7iDNJbTLm-OwSQfnAOUCIL/s400/IMG_8598.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5CoQVD6SuURZyMDHoJAyX60b6wufmJPqO9AMm7rWq6hyKvdq7ff31t6dD-KODJNEgAj3rIogP8lk3qsUSI-WvFsajW6Hu5-rpavsBKvKz72ghR0IWGux_fCoPkJc2wKhGvxLXbRUyACM/s1600/IMG_8602.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5CoQVD6SuURZyMDHoJAyX60b6wufmJPqO9AMm7rWq6hyKvdq7ff31t6dD-KODJNEgAj3rIogP8lk3qsUSI-WvFsajW6Hu5-rpavsBKvKz72ghR0IWGux_fCoPkJc2wKhGvxLXbRUyACM/s400/IMG_8602.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_EAeqrzoPZZ6r1ZirAxj6KeIahRqFUnFqywL8lfojma4cPpARh3BsMy1x9oGRiqR1Bl3UtA6lqH9Z4-QUM6YCNoiFeYPt3i1xECjheGTF6VHtWuJhvMsfzu7gIC_F0ZpWH5WqEk1PeQC/s1600/IMG_8607.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_EAeqrzoPZZ6r1ZirAxj6KeIahRqFUnFqywL8lfojma4cPpARh3BsMy1x9oGRiqR1Bl3UtA6lqH9Z4-QUM6YCNoiFeYPt3i1xECjheGTF6VHtWuJhvMsfzu7gIC_F0ZpWH5WqEk1PeQC/s400/IMG_8607.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DC7YSZtWFBud8jYqOyyZYbCJnDt3XSHICgM1C9UQ0y1Z4qfVzypoLP5sRK_7vs-gw-PCtFQ_Tsrjm75z0879nhaFIGQFS0MWAyc8b9tY74Qsni-4ARHRtN_VPBGC8S7U0njTus0b36E1/s1600/IMG_8579.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DC7YSZtWFBud8jYqOyyZYbCJnDt3XSHICgM1C9UQ0y1Z4qfVzypoLP5sRK_7vs-gw-PCtFQ_Tsrjm75z0879nhaFIGQFS0MWAyc8b9tY74Qsni-4ARHRtN_VPBGC8S7U0njTus0b36E1/s400/IMG_8579.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDT6A32bbygbGObPmIj0QmvsnIINqsykbn8bE9S-poqz4lCJWoDOMIs6xvbEFMHhmn8r-PvNJIrYu84ySgkhyphenhyphen6a8JE68zf4MlFrHmule1cQ-Ad4-cZvIlZrMSVii0H_gO-7EAwAZzgZ0d/s1600/IMG_2958.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDT6A32bbygbGObPmIj0QmvsnIINqsykbn8bE9S-poqz4lCJWoDOMIs6xvbEFMHhmn8r-PvNJIrYu84ySgkhyphenhyphen6a8JE68zf4MlFrHmule1cQ-Ad4-cZvIlZrMSVii0H_gO-7EAwAZzgZ0d/s400/IMG_2958.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioojmdmYABEURz54UH2Phr7UwY1L0J2u0TVtgAKQA_PMyWe11UHQeEhjTxIDyF080UgcTOeneYJSLsHtBgHVdEpiMfQZFO4Xh_V6VdWk7kLAP5L3MwXD7o0Ny_W8IP6_ybzo2xUbyax1Bm/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioojmdmYABEURz54UH2Phr7UwY1L0J2u0TVtgAKQA_PMyWe11UHQeEhjTxIDyF080UgcTOeneYJSLsHtBgHVdEpiMfQZFO4Xh_V6VdWk7kLAP5L3MwXD7o0Ny_W8IP6_ybzo2xUbyax1Bm/s400/IMG_2967.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCySySkwfn5YT9xtd_ihXHVt8_Vcq8DQbxPK0mob3Y9YmBe2feo9BGrVcQRkWg39yT9oEO7Ht0RIduLwCvZE-44I9thGYr71K-vdh2dkWDoVlg-vK66BdctPyQLBuifHVNGwx4pr3w7Wsc/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCySySkwfn5YT9xtd_ihXHVt8_Vcq8DQbxPK0mob3Y9YmBe2feo9BGrVcQRkWg39yT9oEO7Ht0RIduLwCvZE-44I9thGYr71K-vdh2dkWDoVlg-vK66BdctPyQLBuifHVNGwx4pr3w7Wsc/s400/IMG_3034.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineunaUBXCBlQOZuZRiM7LFY3jDsBlQSUfR83mD6T4SCqJiFeijJFWSyBbvAT0-SBx1DP8YmiRd-6FcarS0Rc06Co_bt1zzuCdKYy9jD7n4K-vO3GXEHGGWjr-6glQaUrYuuaBuLsf3oD4/s1600/IMG_8639.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineunaUBXCBlQOZuZRiM7LFY3jDsBlQSUfR83mD6T4SCqJiFeijJFWSyBbvAT0-SBx1DP8YmiRd-6FcarS0Rc06Co_bt1zzuCdKYy9jD7n4K-vO3GXEHGGWjr-6glQaUrYuuaBuLsf3oD4/s400/IMG_8639.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XDOISUe3ipK514EwXvstWvrSMIhESBvgBTxG-3rZ4MG59g51hiMRJeEd-5T_4IVZojwqDY-C15KLDbiXHWtUQMjaCCYIXPbUqrcT2zKPD8J25uoYqLu3HrUFz8xiAQ1HQtnsUoR9iU6s/s1600/IMG_8645.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XDOISUe3ipK514EwXvstWvrSMIhESBvgBTxG-3rZ4MG59g51hiMRJeEd-5T_4IVZojwqDY-C15KLDbiXHWtUQMjaCCYIXPbUqrcT2zKPD8J25uoYqLu3HrUFz8xiAQ1HQtnsUoR9iU6s/s400/IMG_8645.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
</div>
J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-58462053669493243572013-10-09T08:05:00.001-07:002013-10-09T19:14:27.035-07:00After 21 hours...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
of continuous travel - from Spokane to Seattle to Los Angeles to Lima, Peru and finally to Quito, Ecuador - I have finally settled in and met with other Zegrahm staff as we plan our tour of this sprawling city at 9,400 ft above sea level. The magnificent snow and ice-covered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotopaxi">Cotopaxi stratovolcano</a> looms in the distance; fingers crossed for an eruption!<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1FAZ7oy3Q86NppVUXq6ECnF28DuAdYxze5B7YPOaLrbMTWhrdJ83x4FMrMrdON5PmKBzEsgQoYTKUgmhwGfv8VZs7TfCvlBo5Jvgv7RrfBG4KokODeVN9_aaVRq4ZaZ-vSApymQ9nURj/s1600/IMG_8558.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1FAZ7oy3Q86NppVUXq6ECnF28DuAdYxze5B7YPOaLrbMTWhrdJ83x4FMrMrdON5PmKBzEsgQoYTKUgmhwGfv8VZs7TfCvlBo5Jvgv7RrfBG4KokODeVN9_aaVRq4ZaZ-vSApymQ9nURj/s400/IMG_8558.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-11140236626106843522013-10-04T13:02:00.001-07:002013-10-06T14:12:04.147-07:00It will be southern hemisphere springtime...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
when I explore the west coast of South America on this upcoming <a href="http://www.zegrahm.com/expeditions/south-america/west-coast-south-america-ecuador-peru-chile/itinerary?departure=WCSA1301#axzz2gmh6Rfz6">Zegrahm expedition</a>. (I am on personal leave from the university the next three weeks.) Here's a map showing the itinerary of the voyage where I will work as the geologist lecturer and guide, as well as expedition photographer and Zodiac driver (click to enlarge):<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sdXIlaOzKEnVZzoiYvbvnj280QDqMWIdklWOfewztV6ibfZRg2wU1MBct-Si7KCLKqrfCElqMEnfSlPPlqm_SR2qEHgUZn1DUux7KMREf5os5pwFxA-1SKA7pPett8wo7v1MhUj9RaqI/s1600/wcsa1301_map.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sdXIlaOzKEnVZzoiYvbvnj280QDqMWIdklWOfewztV6ibfZRg2wU1MBct-Si7KCLKqrfCElqMEnfSlPPlqm_SR2qEHgUZn1DUux7KMREf5os5pwFxA-1SKA7pPett8wo7v1MhUj9RaqI/s400/wcsa1301_map.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
Click the link above to see the detailed itinerary and meet the other staff members for this amazing travel experience.</div>
J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-90502898421009656732013-10-03T14:10:00.000-07:002013-10-06T14:11:22.248-07:00Here are the field reports...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
for my two summer expeditions with Zegrahm (see previous post) in .pdf format:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zegrahm.com/sites/default/files/field-report-downloads/alsk1301fieldreport.pdf">Wild Alaska and the Bering Sea</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.zegrahm.com/sites/default/files/field-report-downloads/kamc1301fieldreport.pdf">Best of the Russian Far East</a><br />
<br />
Enjoy!</div>
J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-80507434628533633692013-07-10T09:52:00.004-07:002013-07-10T21:10:13.864-07:00For nearly the next five weeks...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I will be traveling once again with Zegrahm Expeditions as their full service geology lecturer, hiking guide, Zodiac driver and photographer, following the routes depicted in the maps below (click on images to enlarge). I'll do my best to post a pic or two every day or so, as time and conditions allow.<br />
<br />
Piles of gear are organized and ready to stuff into a huge duffel, and I just confirmed my flights into Anchorage. There's been a little drama in obtaining my Russian visa, but it will be released today from the consulate in Seattle and Fedexed overnight to the hotel in Anchorage.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: Whew! Fedex tracking shows my passport will arrive at the hotel before me. Close.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvauUfS2nHBjfwDUcx7speWcVbwyxP1X3FAZrG-12Dv0PDpiYDcRl0p3diATifiMSxYsIIOM5lVid9ln13fO0-bigW8L2K__HMEye7o6newhIlB-hunQBV07TMmWTQzpJykt3lFyyO_GN/s1600/ALSK1301_map.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvauUfS2nHBjfwDUcx7speWcVbwyxP1X3FAZrG-12Dv0PDpiYDcRl0p3diATifiMSxYsIIOM5lVid9ln13fO0-bigW8L2K__HMEye7o6newhIlB-hunQBV07TMmWTQzpJykt3lFyyO_GN/s400/ALSK1301_map.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqeYKdhCAbltO1GL3w8_9HPxBN-vWzRW3NmT63Va3Ni79l1VVBW9TEx7OpFFCPzhhjkjH_VBNrjtYbJ7xtoxThiN9Iy9B0jpMwTDNjCQ6CZ9qU0JY92Pj0v_QjBcAQ8Y38z1yB_u80sqm/s1600/KAMC1301_map.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqeYKdhCAbltO1GL3w8_9HPxBN-vWzRW3NmT63Va3Ni79l1VVBW9TEx7OpFFCPzhhjkjH_VBNrjtYbJ7xtoxThiN9Iy9B0jpMwTDNjCQ6CZ9qU0JY92Pj0v_QjBcAQ8Y38z1yB_u80sqm/s400/KAMC1301_map.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
</div>
J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-18296679402792482722012-08-14T15:26:00.002-07:002012-08-24T15:32:36.212-07:00I've been on hiatus...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">for a while now, my hectic work and summer travel schedule finally catching up with me, so I decided to take some time away from my daily blogging routine. I'm very sorry to disappoint my regular readers.<br />
<br />
However, do not fear. I will be back!<br />
<br />
RELATED: Just returned from leading a terrific field class at Mounts Rainier and St. Helens, and it's off to the Bighorn Mountains in late August/early September as part of a research project testing the use of ground penetrating radar to prospect for caves.</div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-24235613724344045952012-07-02T14:34:00.000-07:002012-07-03T14:46:44.551-07:00The night before...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">my penultimate day in southern Utah the nearly-full Moon rose dramatically over the La Sal Mountains (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfYo_4i1UcSjq1zLEuj_b8QvvF6X5-qVO-6wkA8svDKea9Z2Y3Vquj3NkBnqWHYdgSvO51xZEgQhvzOhlFUe3Z4Cnq9FlTRHDg44LhFf0ZMtBKnPyh9w7zY-RAvKGcychQzhUKX6T_QPS/s1600/IMG_8909.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfYo_4i1UcSjq1zLEuj_b8QvvF6X5-qVO-6wkA8svDKea9Z2Y3Vquj3NkBnqWHYdgSvO51xZEgQhvzOhlFUe3Z4Cnq9FlTRHDg44LhFf0ZMtBKnPyh9w7zY-RAvKGcychQzhUKX6T_QPS/s400/IMG_8909.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">As clouds grew above the high peaks, a partial double rainbow flashed brightly overhead:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e1Czdi43MEwq02vJH74MkF78Zg-SvTNkSS5L7ehb6DKokCPdMp8PqYjZmo0X_1zfC55dHOr3MrGbjMFPe4dQFkdEbXWYnc4S-YPoF4RV0zZEuPeav4KnQEiRyonb1qzivuhhuAh3JAj0/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e1Czdi43MEwq02vJH74MkF78Zg-SvTNkSS5L7ehb6DKokCPdMp8PqYjZmo0X_1zfC55dHOr3MrGbjMFPe4dQFkdEbXWYnc4S-YPoF4RV0zZEuPeav4KnQEiRyonb1qzivuhhuAh3JAj0/s400/IMG_3717.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The clouds grew more menacing by the minute into sunset, but never dropped any rain:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZFdp0GaazxbOjAY3set0rKy4Xfgoofg9KB75a-bYr0bCzCLKyzyLYthqM2WrUyOe82k-L5jPP0-2UBK9H_VI75ovq2-QexuID553gR0pB5ZD6NI5KmUwm6RIYNVc9cW5VBrbP2goFl3A/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZFdp0GaazxbOjAY3set0rKy4Xfgoofg9KB75a-bYr0bCzCLKyzyLYthqM2WrUyOe82k-L5jPP0-2UBK9H_VI75ovq2-QexuID553gR0pB5ZD6NI5KmUwm6RIYNVc9cW5VBrbP2goFl3A/s400/IMG_3767.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I will be spending tomorrow closing down the house and packing the vehicle for the migration north to greener (and cooler) landscapes. It's always a melancholic time for me as these visits come to an end. Yes, I love it here that much. </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-8206410060916707892012-06-28T14:42:00.001-07:002012-07-03T14:47:20.452-07:00Breakfast at Goosenecks State Park...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">was spent in the company of this fellow (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr5iz31vicSSDrsi7p6GA4LhR76lGH_38TMqXpJMqv-McqqlNOlRVybmz3oHV5HJJc7_v1scssJiP9tVn7jbWjrZ3G6zfRluac3a_8oknqIUwyvCaBmyGu9k1J4jqroWl1ODXdHoDqZ8f/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr5iz31vicSSDrsi7p6GA4LhR76lGH_38TMqXpJMqv-McqqlNOlRVybmz3oHV5HJJc7_v1scssJiP9tVn7jbWjrZ3G6zfRluac3a_8oknqIUwyvCaBmyGu9k1J4jqroWl1ODXdHoDqZ8f/s400/IMG_3680.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">But the real focus of my attention was the deeply incised San Juan River, more than 1,100 ft from rim to river, flowing lazily through the tortuous meanders that inspire the name of this viewpoint: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg659JhI0odRRfJxWFtDWAJGdIP1TedWVuXS-Gg17jHVszl4T6_qD_JAXZiKwJ06hHv0EyQakt6RNPWdmNeR3EUIEwwmVPthr51ys-hhbuIan0C6GoSn5mA_miq7gqSaoMCS79sw4DRrCAH/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg659JhI0odRRfJxWFtDWAJGdIP1TedWVuXS-Gg17jHVszl4T6_qD_JAXZiKwJ06hHv0EyQakt6RNPWdmNeR3EUIEwwmVPthr51ys-hhbuIan0C6GoSn5mA_miq7gqSaoMCS79sw4DRrCAH/s400/IMG_3683.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Most of the stratigraphic section you see in this image is comprised of the Honaker Trail Formation (Pennsylvanian). In fact, the type section is a short distance down canyon from this vantage point, and in 2006, I hiked the trail down to the river and back. </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-46489359626258125962012-06-27T14:49:00.018-07:002012-07-03T15:06:46.329-07:00Muley Point offers a commanding view...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">of the deeply incised San Juan River canyon, with Monument Valley in Arizona on the distant skyline (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAnpWj8wSFtqsoUh33Cbypl1-9pYJoBEJbrqD_FU-HV8nJSXMZ3WWuKmtBq791mQft80cxximS5JeIs8SbKlc6eHQTLXo5azMLldXDJkzlfYQO8i4doaP9QReHoMMUnTiJ-_oAo9DvLEv/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAnpWj8wSFtqsoUh33Cbypl1-9pYJoBEJbrqD_FU-HV8nJSXMZ3WWuKmtBq791mQft80cxximS5JeIs8SbKlc6eHQTLXo5azMLldXDJkzlfYQO8i4doaP9QReHoMMUnTiJ-_oAo9DvLEv/s400/IMG_3581.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Various lichens create a painted and textured surface on a block of tilted sandstone:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqqmmebxAJO2NGWRiWU-5M-46f9p0LbTkdUHO9R5cTgLr6TuBigb6YE9jaZ0OrTz2g2WlCq7NPsFXSpvpHh4VuhbAQMhGlNVV7r0wZX3-82bMHJ5wVzZ-vF4yCOBQursN5xKe2WdhpE2V/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqqmmebxAJO2NGWRiWU-5M-46f9p0LbTkdUHO9R5cTgLr6TuBigb6YE9jaZ0OrTz2g2WlCq7NPsFXSpvpHh4VuhbAQMhGlNVV7r0wZX3-82bMHJ5wVzZ-vF4yCOBQursN5xKe2WdhpE2V/s400/IMG_3584.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I spent the night here alone, in grandstand seats, watching the light change across the dynamic natural mural before me: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n_qKBKR2nFf_RpTi0WuRgTHNyXFPx6yyi_ixVJA4ewfDDsvEXnGkBpyeJbiv7ZyZ-cO8y6XILAhAAQXVbMNzrszeOjcHKr9BqNcMWcAD769QAa8PKlkpTJ9VwjzEsBxxpmQpeDJfO4LJ/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n_qKBKR2nFf_RpTi0WuRgTHNyXFPx6yyi_ixVJA4ewfDDsvEXnGkBpyeJbiv7ZyZ-cO8y6XILAhAAQXVbMNzrszeOjcHKr9BqNcMWcAD769QAa8PKlkpTJ9VwjzEsBxxpmQpeDJfO4LJ/s400/IMG_3625.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Later, to the west and toward the setting Sun, storm clouds grew and dropped curtains of rain, making for a colorful end of the day:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88aoSbY5Y8BHubYHppS4RQSFL1uKBIkYPv6Q9RyinsEdB4tE6FyBF4BWCYfUT3V3tZurKb75HzBQIlY_w0GGKmfeQnXB0mSjsrmbpq_JisMrbhyFP__bg0nQ2K1lQETZbnH3aymCG8DsO/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88aoSbY5Y8BHubYHppS4RQSFL1uKBIkYPv6Q9RyinsEdB4tE6FyBF4BWCYfUT3V3tZurKb75HzBQIlY_w0GGKmfeQnXB0mSjsrmbpq_JisMrbhyFP__bg0nQ2K1lQETZbnH3aymCG8DsO/s400/IMG_3658.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Priceless. </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-23702077663248720832012-06-26T15:09:00.048-07:002012-07-03T15:31:16.749-07:00Enter Owl and exit Fish Canyon...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">was the plan as I set off on a two-day solo backpack exploration of a remote part of the Cedar Mesa in southeastern Utah. Here I am in a rare self portrait taking the first steps on the 17 mile-long trail that would eventually loop back to the parked vehicle (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeZY3M-KyzLQjNm7_HMHh3VgXqTeLYmS8d-nGL-k69URyE7BYHLNHWbS3-rSea753-uxvnVmSPlgEivB6RmeicUD_lxbngzYOck-ZpCmw59chhEuuqWeyaKQTNluD9J7ESkHcP5bbojx7/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeZY3M-KyzLQjNm7_HMHh3VgXqTeLYmS8d-nGL-k69URyE7BYHLNHWbS3-rSea753-uxvnVmSPlgEivB6RmeicUD_lxbngzYOck-ZpCmw59chhEuuqWeyaKQTNluD9J7ESkHcP5bbojx7/s400/IMG_3439.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">It was no messing around from the start. The drop into Owl Canyon was a plunge down steep slickrock, with the trail navigating around several large pour-offs, ultimately reaching the canyon bottom after about three miles: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzrxB2sLD_CvDDjoSuqV-G9CwE5uVbFL7JhhYWPemhzdUmpEiTeE4FvXgxsxYb1WP-MwHbATV27iA00jfxn7GtrROKst6YSZZg9USzmN_iYzU17WAsRzdSNH6xw82LL6BZDWu6K8W0tql/s1600/IMG_3447.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzrxB2sLD_CvDDjoSuqV-G9CwE5uVbFL7JhhYWPemhzdUmpEiTeE4FvXgxsxYb1WP-MwHbATV27iA00jfxn7GtrROKst6YSZZg9USzmN_iYzU17WAsRzdSNH6xw82LL6BZDWu6K8W0tql/s400/IMG_3447.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">At about five miles, the impressive Nevill's Arch (~ 80 ft high, ~ 140 ft wide) is encountered high in the canyon wall: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMO8iWdvLXw9V3mGmHg5Eydp_-hSm3BoHFJB7GZXBta_4JU91KGoJdgvKA5_tAwfzsG38VKfUHwzrdn3CVohvx5iGyvuaDuDnY9SscF71kRruuK_2feGnlHhgQ5rsBNvqn-YK_sfQM8Tw/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMO8iWdvLXw9V3mGmHg5Eydp_-hSm3BoHFJB7GZXBta_4JU91KGoJdgvKA5_tAwfzsG38VKfUHwzrdn3CVohvx5iGyvuaDuDnY9SscF71kRruuK_2feGnlHhgQ5rsBNvqn-YK_sfQM8Tw/s400/IMG_3483.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">After rounding the so-called confluence between Owl and Fish Canyons (the water course in both was bone dry this time of year), I continued my walk until about 11 miles where I scratched out a simple bivy on a high sand bar: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsHuM05OZ4r93rRhzioY-OuvnvqAmI6wIxuDR3p0SbXG5-Fd-0GREluq2Nz1hmTuAaDzsECbzXbp-qOQSlqfHEkVCYrtGFCAgfpeOIYg_mU-lr7KCa9Bl6N8OytiSUtNondnN2z4577za/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsHuM05OZ4r93rRhzioY-OuvnvqAmI6wIxuDR3p0SbXG5-Fd-0GREluq2Nz1hmTuAaDzsECbzXbp-qOQSlqfHEkVCYrtGFCAgfpeOIYg_mU-lr7KCa9Bl6N8OytiSUtNondnN2z4577za/s400/IMG_3515.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This delicate yellow primrose opened in the night and provides a colorful treat in the cool morning air, but by mid-day will be wilted and baked in the sweltering sun: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ69UabjUWJ_3njShSzQZW50WgKrS3Y_0oQJEJpmITuVqWoPiuFTI4VD_DihyphenhyphenOcRQnwjsnIM11o4kJAZlhtyzmOkkYLmdPR_dzJqboE54F-qoDnP4ucm04sHUIJ1xCpQd8FxN0Nip88bj/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZ69UabjUWJ_3njShSzQZW50WgKrS3Y_0oQJEJpmITuVqWoPiuFTI4VD_DihyphenhyphenOcRQnwjsnIM11o4kJAZlhtyzmOkkYLmdPR_dzJqboE54F-qoDnP4ucm04sHUIJ1xCpQd8FxN0Nip88bj/s400/IMG_3521.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">On the second day of the hike several pools of water were encountered after heading further up-canyon in Fish, and given the exceptionally dry winter and spring in the area, must be sustained by springs: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMPMwYxrFE86_XBT6MfBfJV2Fjt_1LNRY96h-yBjKbhibK-iy_8AlEhgVc_JwFIgASoulRlBli1MJzP_m9dQLa-QE7oWxVzBCqt7Y0M3sy71Xr8qI9w4zwZo4RrPZm_MITkQZJyfUDnO3/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMPMwYxrFE86_XBT6MfBfJV2Fjt_1LNRY96h-yBjKbhibK-iy_8AlEhgVc_JwFIgASoulRlBli1MJzP_m9dQLa-QE7oWxVzBCqt7Y0M3sy71Xr8qI9w4zwZo4RrPZm_MITkQZJyfUDnO3/s400/IMG_3527.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">A cairn marked the exit point, and the 600 ft climb/scramble to the rim went quickly, as did the last 1.5 miles to the trailhead, where I reached the car and cool drinks shortly after noon. Next: On to Muley Point!<br />
<br />
RELATED: <a href="http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ut/monticello_fo/recreation/recreation_brochures0.Par.57400.File.dat/Fish%20and%20Owl.pdf">Here's a good description of the route</a>. </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-76146654810828004662012-06-25T15:36:00.041-07:002012-07-03T15:53:50.907-07:00Natural Bridges National Monument...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">is featured in my guidebook project, and so I spent a couple of days in the quest of representative images of this small and isolated park. Lit by the setting sun, brilliant Indian paintbrush (genus <i>Castilleja</i>) ranks among my favorite wildflowers (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_rt19qzHrn_6hIFy5Tv2EU7kZ0poh0ko2vL9wsNx1Hv5oL41eL4Bvhx4eQyKTpfVVK7yE7QlNbs5SDLNrBmS36UmcJodRn-qb8HITOV9mgEisin0nBaznH8-ZyN4s8nbnq04UMTmMCgT/s1600/IMG_3280.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_rt19qzHrn_6hIFy5Tv2EU7kZ0poh0ko2vL9wsNx1Hv5oL41eL4Bvhx4eQyKTpfVVK7yE7QlNbs5SDLNrBmS36UmcJodRn-qb8HITOV9mgEisin0nBaznH8-ZyN4s8nbnq04UMTmMCgT/s400/IMG_3280.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Owochomo Bridge may not technically be a natural bridge at all, but an arch, since it doesn't span a valley of erosion (a stream course). Here the rock span (106 ft high, 180 ft wide) is seen beneath gathering storm clouds:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h2r4FBKqbdISvDtMcfB39VkThhrzcrawO_LG_4y4RD9-7rrkY18Yi3txLunU-TMDlbsMAbpdK_PbSOWZKFRz1EunO8E4kdzyYdnTGoyCTxog_1a13YcB1k9gfIB1ZrmtGgUZNgdC6Qpp/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h2r4FBKqbdISvDtMcfB39VkThhrzcrawO_LG_4y4RD9-7rrkY18Yi3txLunU-TMDlbsMAbpdK_PbSOWZKFRz1EunO8E4kdzyYdnTGoyCTxog_1a13YcB1k9gfIB1ZrmtGgUZNgdC6Qpp/s400/IMG_3316.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Multiple storms swept across the desert in the early evening, and this is the view from my hammock as an energetic thunderstorm rumbled off to the west: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIbAbVuYJUMt_ZHFeRa94b4tUNF0GHO60abw42QT4sPPU-eDIvg3LI5lHhbZ30RNicILbIjPjq-0Cuum3kGgopmS6jq9V4ukg_uCSQB603uLIGUDbntdOW-3eMGSdZ1Tp6nhDf2lU8BHp/s1600/IMG_3359.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIbAbVuYJUMt_ZHFeRa94b4tUNF0GHO60abw42QT4sPPU-eDIvg3LI5lHhbZ30RNicILbIjPjq-0Cuum3kGgopmS6jq9V4ukg_uCSQB603uLIGUDbntdOW-3eMGSdZ1Tp6nhDf2lU8BHp/s400/IMG_3359.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Lastly, here's a canyon rim view of Horsecollar Ruins:</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNIY7iF5ZfrCa6eBteNaWHHxa17sMO1uKkKrWH44MkcnlMkIYxltzgO2pQswDKt6oOuHoIljNkQ0UuGqs87dcTkal420n8PnhQJ3vekmk4mfmYkGwCaKHTwt93GvHzXmfBh3aBoigkmCR/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNIY7iF5ZfrCa6eBteNaWHHxa17sMO1uKkKrWH44MkcnlMkIYxltzgO2pQswDKt6oOuHoIljNkQ0UuGqs87dcTkal420n8PnhQJ3vekmk4mfmYkGwCaKHTwt93GvHzXmfBh3aBoigkmCR/s400/IMG_3388.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">RELATED: Link to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm">Natural Bridges National Monument</a>. </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-24597325989244770902012-06-24T13:57:00.033-07:002012-07-03T16:10:57.848-07:00Never miss an opportunity...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">to explore a slot canyon. It's a lot like caving with all the climbing and scrambling, but without the ceiling.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">So following that wise adage (which is my formulation, by the way) I planned to spend a half-day dropping into Frylette and Fry Canyons. Here's a shot looking back across the first pool in Frylette, and since this is a solo expedition, I don't have anyone to place in the image for scale (click images to enlarge):</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuzfYAJ2Tn7-zmHPo3HrPixWe6d6w0jcK72PsrntuuPJuWl0XVd2LTa60ez7a7IEUHMoydDAwA_wtjG3mCmPX8M90tyg264nOpxKWJAyMeGcx3wqssHd4JTg1z366vlIbpET5s6SENWcb/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuzfYAJ2Tn7-zmHPo3HrPixWe6d6w0jcK72PsrntuuPJuWl0XVd2LTa60ez7a7IEUHMoydDAwA_wtjG3mCmPX8M90tyg264nOpxKWJAyMeGcx3wqssHd4JTg1z366vlIbpET5s6SENWcb/s400/IMG_3141.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Here's a close-up view of mud curls, an extreme form of mudcracks, an important sedimentary structure that indicates subaerial dessication: </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKagMoOx6GWJGJEtV7J5uXsc-t9e_jLtaF9xsw4H3aBHov3NwKzjJ8fkiImyIWec7umNTkNVJmbDNYKEexZdLP1XTsPIe6brABfNtKFOs54CwNw12SLGPuCSwwG3gD_YMbK3PU1pd41peS/s1600/IMG_3159.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKagMoOx6GWJGJEtV7J5uXsc-t9e_jLtaF9xsw4H3aBHov3NwKzjJ8fkiImyIWec7umNTkNVJmbDNYKEexZdLP1XTsPIe6brABfNtKFOs54CwNw12SLGPuCSwwG3gD_YMbK3PU1pd41peS/s400/IMG_3159.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Spectacular cross-bedding is displayed everywhere in the canyon walls, in the Cedar Mesa Sandstone (Permian): </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjX0tZy_1u9frdsgw5t3BJNcJajSOUrSZts7g7wQYK5ddqOG9k2p9fWkdbCNHCRvGjlrjbld8GUJ2JTjHW_qiC4ZsoviqbzyWmfIJTaYpVPSGR567Dr3-e_4FDTZqFjZYoqFS6eJmZDTh/s1600/IMG_3174.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjX0tZy_1u9frdsgw5t3BJNcJajSOUrSZts7g7wQYK5ddqOG9k2p9fWkdbCNHCRvGjlrjbld8GUJ2JTjHW_qiC4ZsoviqbzyWmfIJTaYpVPSGR567Dr3-e_4FDTZqFjZYoqFS6eJmZDTh/s400/IMG_3174.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Here's the slot that drops into the deeper Fry Canyon, necessitating a short (~ 70 ft rappel): </div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ07s1Ia3HoGTUY8BmbsGyi3y4R2mZDpdZgRz_KpYW_eqcWzlGEPljHo0x7H5KkvjA__a65UhDRskX9BM7blkj9j9PgrpbFpvLXnkB8W1rqevJKTXUx2VVxrSSznFm_0Ik5RVkjt7d9xA/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ07s1Ia3HoGTUY8BmbsGyi3y4R2mZDpdZgRz_KpYW_eqcWzlGEPljHo0x7H5KkvjA__a65UhDRskX9BM7blkj9j9PgrpbFpvLXnkB8W1rqevJKTXUx2VVxrSSznFm_0Ik5RVkjt7d9xA/s400/IMG_3185.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">RELATED: Here's the <a href="http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/images/stories/PDFs/CedarMesa/Fryfrylette.pdf">beta on Fry Canyon</a>. </div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-66314038450522700892012-05-20T12:12:00.002-07:002012-05-22T16:31:06.163-07:00I am now sipping...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">a delightful Portuguese red wine in Lisbon after a relentless voyage for nearly a month at sea. I am sorry I wasn't able to make more timely posts along the way, but will make it a priority to back-post daily entries after my head hits my pillow in the States. I have an early hop to Heathrow tomorrow morning, and then a long flight to Dallas, then another hop to Grand Junction, Colorado still to come.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned. It was a fantastic adventure to countless volcanic islands, including great geology, terrific travel companions and wonderful cultural experiences, that will all be highlighted in the days ahead. As enjoyable as it was, it was still a lot of work with lectures, zodiac driving, herding people and occasionally catching up on sleep.<br />
<br />
Okay. One more glass and then I'm turning in. Gotta make that flight in the morning.</div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-51129995069026037142012-05-01T07:19:00.063-07:002012-05-26T07:08:22.052-07:00The largest volcano in the Atlantic...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teide">Pico del Teide</a>, rising to a 12,198 ft (3,718 m)-high summit, on the island of Tenerife. It's the third largest volcano in the world (when measured from its base on the sea floor), following Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Here's the spectacular view as we emerged from the mist (click images to enlarge): <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53F_PAa6NasMZBbDKavVSBcvom6FKfgTI53Sf8P5tmMYg0Zu0t-LNxaBJULXcP6VxygxaELhf25a7H8xXj0Dqv7lz4sZO2SOMfRfK9_zGrvgxmmWCGUScVHisonWG80LZjy-KaLeA9x81/s1600/IMG_8697.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53F_PAa6NasMZBbDKavVSBcvom6FKfgTI53Sf8P5tmMYg0Zu0t-LNxaBJULXcP6VxygxaELhf25a7H8xXj0Dqv7lz4sZO2SOMfRfK9_zGrvgxmmWCGUScVHisonWG80LZjy-KaLeA9x81/s320/IMG_8697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pyroclastic deposits reflecting its recent eruptive history are well-displayed in a road cut near the viewpoint for the image above:<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt8RREPeUSxRFKGUSush87pbgNJ8y7HyJ-vAr_P66STRyGup35RHzpTst03nRzvf22zsXJJ-0m4GxswY73dna8j8dmI2UoMhSNFqtq6UQmH1OcCfXhphgtzoO0Q5Cq_HTuf63603s0F8l/s1600/IMG_5589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt8RREPeUSxRFKGUSush87pbgNJ8y7HyJ-vAr_P66STRyGup35RHzpTst03nRzvf22zsXJJ-0m4GxswY73dna8j8dmI2UoMhSNFqtq6UQmH1OcCfXhphgtzoO0Q5Cq_HTuf63603s0F8l/s320/IMG_5589.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A small group of hardy walkers joined me for a several mile-long hike at about 7,000 ft in elevation that looped around the Roques de Garcia, a volcanic dike, and then dropped down onto the floor of the Caldera Las Cañadas:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTL1zAGMBzpYWRY-JQNnIjc3ObPwhC6rNNmbDnt8mKKdG7-HSl8mbNuChyphenhyphenN5k7ndMB3ep3BrveytYHI30qLbKdjlmhjYK9qz771lkjVMbwcaATCQpbFOzXurwsbthgqqy2Y6c4KfJ1NRG/s1600/IMG_5653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTL1zAGMBzpYWRY-JQNnIjc3ObPwhC6rNNmbDnt8mKKdG7-HSl8mbNuChyphenhyphenN5k7ndMB3ep3BrveytYHI30qLbKdjlmhjYK9qz771lkjVMbwcaATCQpbFOzXurwsbthgqqy2Y6c4KfJ1NRG/s320/IMG_5653.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Later in he day we descended the north side of the island to Puerto de la Cruz for lunch, followed by a walk through the magnificent botanical gardens:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0ARgwrkgUJRViTsKflh47wGCDdb2UXJvwxsCjoSexOWMW24ABbuXh_nrgCV9xHIYhTucY7nd51jJ2FuE9DnY_Eg1Gqk2wN-dVMwhqtjfnp9aIPV61PAFJe_mPPiC6upjG_Ua1LbFE0yB/s1600/IMG_5714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0ARgwrkgUJRViTsKflh47wGCDdb2UXJvwxsCjoSexOWMW24ABbuXh_nrgCV9xHIYhTucY7nd51jJ2FuE9DnY_Eg1Gqk2wN-dVMwhqtjfnp9aIPV61PAFJe_mPPiC6upjG_Ua1LbFE0yB/s320/IMG_5714.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>We rounded out our full day with a quick visit to the historic village of La Oratava, where I snapped this flock of pigeons in flight:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVN38RVVNbXC5OyKVUeRLahHEzudOu7P5y6W8LNL-YqG8RYuXUl4Z6Fk44NVAm8Bik1hftGKDCvKePjaibPFykdggn5UPbVyJAcNrVnOtsgSODbkXfI6HuyF0e0Zm87M2W4im_tABarIU/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVN38RVVNbXC5OyKVUeRLahHEzudOu7P5y6W8LNL-YqG8RYuXUl4Z6Fk44NVAm8Bik1hftGKDCvKePjaibPFykdggn5UPbVyJAcNrVnOtsgSODbkXfI6HuyF0e0Zm87M2W4im_tABarIU/s320/IMG_5885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-31112781597568913592012-04-30T19:27:00.052-07:002012-05-25T07:56:33.715-07:00Prior to our arrival at La Palma...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">we chugged past El Hierro early in the morning, where months before there was an ongoing submarine eruption. Its activity has since subsided and there was no floating pumice seen from the ship, but the nautical chart for the area had this added notification recently pasted in the lower-left (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1TGCeEnt4siIlJ78JV_xNogqco30Pwdroqg_6N2Z2zMQdRwn4GaFnMRuCl05z78SLHA57KsfK7DNPPyPmrUXUPC-UffjwR_rdyAs5PPXicSNFJgTaynfQVViZXHyp_iu3gEfcjhnrgNA/s1600/7-IMG_5539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1TGCeEnt4siIlJ78JV_xNogqco30Pwdroqg_6N2Z2zMQdRwn4GaFnMRuCl05z78SLHA57KsfK7DNPPyPmrUXUPC-UffjwR_rdyAs5PPXicSNFJgTaynfQVViZXHyp_iu3gEfcjhnrgNA/s320/7-IMG_5539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>La Palma is the northwestern-most island in the Canary archipelago, and its volcanic origin is easily seen on the east coast where a cinder cone is being eroded by wave action:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s4pleNo2VlsTdxWWTqGUvAV026GL7bYUHs1inkicYUMAprb4bU8jBjvfKm0v2FbTU94wF-MxkEENaD8krkJGe6ec256IMUU2UA2ngWdJud3ZTABfniz3vxfalGuvFdme5ig3V37Sy0yo/s1600/8-IMG_5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4s4pleNo2VlsTdxWWTqGUvAV026GL7bYUHs1inkicYUMAprb4bU8jBjvfKm0v2FbTU94wF-MxkEENaD8krkJGe6ec256IMUU2UA2ngWdJud3ZTABfniz3vxfalGuvFdme5ig3V37Sy0yo/s320/8-IMG_5566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A large number of our group made the short hike along the rim of another cinder cone on the southern tip of the island, near the Teneguia vent that last erupted in 1971:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY4OMzeu9oNVqO_Ur33de_dGpZbDyExICVBD0iZO6Qx5Dt8ufW_yAcmMjjMlVYQpt41Q9ocA9VVwF0d-pUFcULR4glh1H72SJ9iIFrTeQhTYOx6d8IPO3fGoVcDFIGLUzRCVmDpPSqIUT/s1600/2-IMG_8508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY4OMzeu9oNVqO_Ur33de_dGpZbDyExICVBD0iZO6Qx5Dt8ufW_yAcmMjjMlVYQpt41Q9ocA9VVwF0d-pUFcULR4glh1H72SJ9iIFrTeQhTYOx6d8IPO3fGoVcDFIGLUzRCVmDpPSqIUT/s320/2-IMG_8508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This volcanic bomb landed on the rim of the cone, and that's RP (a marine biologist and part of the Zegrahm staff) standing next to it for scale:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7hymx4g6kRSTKq4KKdxFYzgc6EZLKPaD5N7UagVoIQIQPvx6v_KTlWuHeSWxwTuyYGgZHAeDGUnCuhtW-9bruBHONBLDjfxHRvsfkdDDh0_d7L1-C5oi-tlJi5isG5SrsL492yxMGtXJ/s1600/3-IMG_8532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7hymx4g6kRSTKq4KKdxFYzgc6EZLKPaD5N7UagVoIQIQPvx6v_KTlWuHeSWxwTuyYGgZHAeDGUnCuhtW-9bruBHONBLDjfxHRvsfkdDDh0_d7L1-C5oi-tlJi5isG5SrsL492yxMGtXJ/s320/3-IMG_8532.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>After our volcanic explorations, we headed to a local bodega and eagerly participated in a wine tasting and tour of the winery:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbzMc9lV9j-d0Tm9D2lpHdcHDoqwFvkZ_NJdVGfNAWT_IIz5Q44NZbJwsITtQ77z1Y82HL_rzhSgBXKWFM-qjN14-tUK0sU-1Po0xcm5-Ws7OabGgBpolSYSs2aOm7rFZnYBFtxHdxUOK/s1600/4-IMG_8561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbzMc9lV9j-d0Tm9D2lpHdcHDoqwFvkZ_NJdVGfNAWT_IIz5Q44NZbJwsITtQ77z1Y82HL_rzhSgBXKWFM-qjN14-tUK0sU-1Po0xcm5-Ws7OabGgBpolSYSs2aOm7rFZnYBFtxHdxUOK/s320/4-IMG_8561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Finally, our day was rounded out with a tour of a local pottery artisan's shop:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5Q9NbiZDyo-4_ysS5muPEQCFtldVEVUfmPLQpiUE96VrCG9qELB3xK5mt0g0gzodCpIKMnS38FJDiHZ-Y34Uj52eiCnNdNadOKexBEvBRDTumzDtcYjceubThrtkvi4grSKhekTvrcIi/s1600/6-IMG_8633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5Q9NbiZDyo-4_ysS5muPEQCFtldVEVUfmPLQpiUE96VrCG9qELB3xK5mt0g0gzodCpIKMnS38FJDiHZ-Y34Uj52eiCnNdNadOKexBEvBRDTumzDtcYjceubThrtkvi4grSKhekTvrcIi/s320/6-IMG_8633.JPG" width="259" /></a></div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-76969944192836893422012-04-29T07:18:00.050-07:002012-05-25T06:44:50.061-07:00For two days we fight...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">the southward directed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_Current">Canary Current</a>, driven by the trade winds off the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azores_high">Azores High</a>, as we push north to the Canary Island group. During these long days I like to spend time on the bridge, and here's a snap of the nautical chart at nearly the midway point (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FgFO91J23SRlQZj61LKaK3HY96aUgjYIqVqNsl27MnHNdxqdpdsrpn-lcrYNeb9w_4ArdQUZyC_ggVd9NoZnRqMm9IDzgdf14QQLuf0OhaWqSFuzeCoKjwIowkWGn-IoCJ4NRf36goUh/s1600/1-IMG_8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FgFO91J23SRlQZj61LKaK3HY96aUgjYIqVqNsl27MnHNdxqdpdsrpn-lcrYNeb9w_4ArdQUZyC_ggVd9NoZnRqMm9IDzgdf14QQLuf0OhaWqSFuzeCoKjwIowkWGn-IoCJ4NRf36goUh/s320/1-IMG_8397.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>A number of lectures were presented on board these two long days at sea, including mine on hot spot volcanism with a preview of the island geology to come. During a mid-day break, a chocolate dessert party was held, and here, JF, one of the Zegrahm staff, reacts joyfully to the sweets:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvD3TXETNNEV0nNvG0TatYlBqLj_dq4MduP3NlmZOj3p1xS7cSgsk9xFK0Kb9Pv1KOWmNdVH5PbmOZSjLeyhr17Tmr_B321frfZc-nNK7hfZprbQtYWh6gvLQWuxvuqR9PmnN7IHHJPLw/s1600/2-IMG_8406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvD3TXETNNEV0nNvG0TatYlBqLj_dq4MduP3NlmZOj3p1xS7cSgsk9xFK0Kb9Pv1KOWmNdVH5PbmOZSjLeyhr17Tmr_B321frfZc-nNK7hfZprbQtYWh6gvLQWuxvuqR9PmnN7IHHJPLw/s320/2-IMG_8406.JPG" width="317" /></a></div>During the second full day at sea there were several more lectures and, JM, another staff member, conducts a wine tasting seminar in the lounge:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmG_baiHQ9I9lYmPPSflvwOs28bPjePg57Oz-Tl1oUxhuRU6YGrDOOo_jARnHuv-p5ryiStDeP0uIB7qdok3sBP_9jfsEmRndsayH1lXdJ_1MDWlOmXkTIL3KF4Zl4Ko2IFwjYINrYIFU/s1600/3-IMG_8422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmG_baiHQ9I9lYmPPSflvwOs28bPjePg57Oz-Tl1oUxhuRU6YGrDOOo_jARnHuv-p5ryiStDeP0uIB7qdok3sBP_9jfsEmRndsayH1lXdJ_1MDWlOmXkTIL3KF4Zl4Ko2IFwjYINrYIFU/s320/3-IMG_8422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Several pilot whales and dolphins were sighted during our long push north, but they were fleeting encounters and I didn't have my camera at the ready to capture their playful behavior off the bow of the ship. Tomorrow we make our first landfall in the Canary archipelago!</div></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-4991759545156879452012-04-27T06:57:00.002-07:002012-04-28T10:50:18.325-07:00São Vicente Island...provided a great opportunity to examine the volcanic geology of the Cape Verde archipelago. We used a local guide and driver to transport us to about 2,000 ft on Mt. Verde where our small group enjoyed a nice view of Porto Grande, a collapsed caldera that is used as the harbor where the Clipper Odyssey is moored for the day (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz3t7JbjG5udRZK47CL2LDq1Ti_XPaYyE7Y-LK2P39HdaWDk-FxrI7VhuZSyULRjfUV3ZzsDbSUEtbyN-eSHNFM4veKu4lmkS5ZDmgHywT8NJKHq_At1jafhr1b0k8GK0SdBEQURaZtej/s1600/IMG_5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWz3t7JbjG5udRZK47CL2LDq1Ti_XPaYyE7Y-LK2P39HdaWDk-FxrI7VhuZSyULRjfUV3ZzsDbSUEtbyN-eSHNFM4veKu4lmkS5ZDmgHywT8NJKHq_At1jafhr1b0k8GK0SdBEQURaZtej/s320/IMG_5526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We hiked down the narrow cobblestone road for several miles, examining outcrops of ash flow tuffs along the way, with our driver collecting us near the bottom:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AMgda5xRyxyrUrVDVPN7hbT_UL99qiO6Irqt6wm9NkqAJJU6rSpuMhTpjNzyTJT-rR8znzUkShfhsmJfO2jiFQlL8VKjzxmAKdcdEWIB3QnTQQPvP2J-JKGJO6k-N0hzluxVUBPYLHF2/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AMgda5xRyxyrUrVDVPN7hbT_UL99qiO6Irqt6wm9NkqAJJU6rSpuMhTpjNzyTJT-rR8znzUkShfhsmJfO2jiFQlL8VKjzxmAKdcdEWIB3QnTQQPvP2J-JKGJO6k-N0hzluxVUBPYLHF2/s320/IMG_8285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On the way to lunch in Bahia das Gates, the northeastern rocky coast with bright sandy beaches - comprised of sand blown in from the Sahara - dominated our attention:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zh_p6JgALNkakwzuxpAPpzB-14HrepRwVqHhXzClcPn5SXNAsBth-V0PIeDgLtyLsHf-GNYPNed_k2W3QDTXPGWj9tMNzByGjreVXJOBUyMfZgTK_cvglz0I7N0IjGQZjt4NWF6I7Cu2/s1600/IMG_5515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Zh_p6JgALNkakwzuxpAPpzB-14HrepRwVqHhXzClcPn5SXNAsBth-V0PIeDgLtyLsHf-GNYPNed_k2W3QDTXPGWj9tMNzByGjreVXJOBUyMfZgTK_cvglz0I7N0IjGQZjt4NWF6I7Cu2/s320/IMG_5515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My lunch with a locally brewed beer was quite delicious after our walk (even the fish head):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYMJP9g-3RC0NobwivKPBJgyzE0K46jRUuspiTO31eZNpkW1u_rN4fvpDjxpMqXnOVcT1XTavI0lHr2plKgSxOd31VU8t4hh9MedT7R00w650aWslonTvjuWLz5VJUC8-CB9iJ6bF5OxV/s1600/IMG_8298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYMJP9g-3RC0NobwivKPBJgyzE0K46jRUuspiTO31eZNpkW1u_rN4fvpDjxpMqXnOVcT1XTavI0lHr2plKgSxOd31VU8t4hh9MedT7R00w650aWslonTvjuWLz5VJUC8-CB9iJ6bF5OxV/s320/IMG_8298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After exploring the town of Mindelo for several hours, we depart the Cape Verde group and are setting a northerly course for the Canaries.J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-45927680519352635182012-04-26T07:20:00.000-07:002012-04-28T07:20:56.679-07:00Wise words...For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The greatest affair is to move.<br /><br />-- <i>Robert Louis Stevenson</i><br />J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-22170749648538345852012-04-26T07:14:00.000-07:002012-04-28T10:49:46.062-07:00São Tiago Island...greets us in the morning as we arrive in the Cape Verde islands, and in this location Charles Darwin spent some time in 1831 and 1836 on his famous voyage around the world (click images to enlarge):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EdIlD_3LXr_E0_lJY2W5LE0aArXMLhGxKC6WwQvFJS_WkqT78c3DwnUlFrZ9QqY1xjaAsc6DMxZHt3bZ4dngqooGwnpucD_ph90wk0unFnUb9pkAG_f3WNgSwY8cW1wgsTIG1Lba8OqT/s1600/IMG_7940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EdIlD_3LXr_E0_lJY2W5LE0aArXMLhGxKC6WwQvFJS_WkqT78c3DwnUlFrZ9QqY1xjaAsc6DMxZHt3bZ4dngqooGwnpucD_ph90wk0unFnUb9pkAG_f3WNgSwY8cW1wgsTIG1Lba8OqT/s320/IMG_7940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After we were cleared by customs officials we set off for the central market in the port town of Praia, finding it filled with friendly female vendors, and these three ladies were particularly proud of their clever stacking of bananas:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9BTztl9AfPrvGh7HwTDJwu0IPqZMlF6NOLnLy2fZk48CTrX6p9Sn4YZpRZxNa0WgdD536zm2Rsx7Rnma3wj_gwGR1lZHJY1Dgn6uaukG0Jt1UNbAsbBBj2MYHfTxAAtpRL-XAwD6ILnP/s1600/IMG_7970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9BTztl9AfPrvGh7HwTDJwu0IPqZMlF6NOLnLy2fZk48CTrX6p9Sn4YZpRZxNa0WgdD536zm2Rsx7Rnma3wj_gwGR1lZHJY1Dgn6uaukG0Jt1UNbAsbBBj2MYHfTxAAtpRL-XAwD6ILnP/s320/IMG_7970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This island, the largest in the Cape Verde chain, is crowned by Antonia Peak which rises to 4,500 feet above sea level (seen in the distance). The basaltic geology in the foreground reminded me of eastern Washington: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ZA-bSW-kthOXwRj5N_uWL5UnQWg1hZhuXJAeppXdTYNM-y0yOspXkuSokH0CyRuUXJgJxhrG-KzTYAtJLy6XQava3zRjcZG3mMbxqwA9gGSkdBqnCsVR-7KWqm13PwLg_0nc_wgsEvs/s1600/IMG_7988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ZA-bSW-kthOXwRj5N_uWL5UnQWg1hZhuXJAeppXdTYNM-y0yOspXkuSokH0CyRuUXJgJxhrG-KzTYAtJLy6XQava3zRjcZG3mMbxqwA9gGSkdBqnCsVR-7KWqm13PwLg_0nc_wgsEvs/s320/IMG_7988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On the way to the Botanical Gardens and Horticultural Institute we encountered school children playing a game of tag, and I was captivated by the time-intensive beadwork in their hair:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0_ULtZc-izVor6cr7GMmtriUPph0vopwC1IaqI473UoFq-i23g0a05Baj5xuXxC_N1RAFEJY-tjtg4BvnR3dqciKc6Qibx-lEYzZcp-S182bJ1nAEgXnMCTVsnJ1jTNrRs1R8IA5tkhL/s1600/IMG_8095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0_ULtZc-izVor6cr7GMmtriUPph0vopwC1IaqI473UoFq-i23g0a05Baj5xuXxC_N1RAFEJY-tjtg4BvnR3dqciKc6Qibx-lEYzZcp-S182bJ1nAEgXnMCTVsnJ1jTNrRs1R8IA5tkhL/s320/IMG_8095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a splash of color on display in the botanical garden:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3khAnYVabVRpeivknZj6mT_QTcClTF3qI66MQ33aLimXrajXZSXvOkZ2NQkqSGDatWA87XpzibITpOS_NtILcFkrARUldXQdkd5mYbXJgaYCqGEieNKjYiVNF5R4p8O8Wu2CTAJuG6TB/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3khAnYVabVRpeivknZj6mT_QTcClTF3qI66MQ33aLimXrajXZSXvOkZ2NQkqSGDatWA87XpzibITpOS_NtILcFkrARUldXQdkd5mYbXJgaYCqGEieNKjYiVNF5R4p8O8Wu2CTAJuG6TB/s320/IMG_8123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And I managed to get a good shot of the colorful national bird, the gray-headed kingfisher:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEZws8hIrjVEpFJ4PMutqNsLDOiy0oIZ0_ZtHC_ZMbd76MeHUk9WaocPrkE6oLaHBA1MEPP99U-cqAa_ZGrwp9fVw1SMPk159bN5mHnI0tMaSyKEaWevKsNeYOITHU0ibh8SSY_KFKFr3/s1600/IMG_8133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEZws8hIrjVEpFJ4PMutqNsLDOiy0oIZ0_ZtHC_ZMbd76MeHUk9WaocPrkE6oLaHBA1MEPP99U-cqAa_ZGrwp9fVw1SMPk159bN5mHnI0tMaSyKEaWevKsNeYOITHU0ibh8SSY_KFKFr3/s320/IMG_8133.JPG" width="252" /></a></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-19306397105891275072012-04-25T16:55:00.000-07:002012-04-25T16:58:15.216-07:00The day at sea...today provides an opportunity to settle in to my private cabin, which doubles as my home office for the next month (click images to enlarge):
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qFeR0QmfuHLdii4aDE1anFUFvbpyU1iaFJiUuUI2sBnSfhWBaFccG0wujRxuHni7lizkFtfsGtJHNCw3Wu0NsrphRmX9JzDH02mJuGhlsMZdhUCwWlywyqfiHUUW299ZjzRwx5POYUip/s1600/IMG_7865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qFeR0QmfuHLdii4aDE1anFUFvbpyU1iaFJiUuUI2sBnSfhWBaFccG0wujRxuHni7lizkFtfsGtJHNCw3Wu0NsrphRmX9JzDH02mJuGhlsMZdhUCwWlywyqfiHUUW299ZjzRwx5POYUip/s320/IMG_7865.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A visit to the bridge at noon shows our position about midway to the Cape Verde archipelago, our destination for tomorrow's explorations:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5qS60VHMtfg9AA4RVSgQOHfdxqcSlZjj2yD-_jsk5r9ri_ktoGHBn7F-IP7bisZ9opW8hil57eYWxv_v8qKndU-Ysv75QhdOlZxyPNRrLjg0EdHkey9vkpDSiVuQEQ_HFQJ4k4plUdN3/s1600/IMG_7866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5qS60VHMtfg9AA4RVSgQOHfdxqcSlZjj2yD-_jsk5r9ri_ktoGHBn7F-IP7bisZ9opW8hil57eYWxv_v8qKndU-Ysv75QhdOlZxyPNRrLjg0EdHkey9vkpDSiVuQEQ_HFQJ4k4plUdN3/s320/IMG_7866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Several lectures were presented by expedition staff, and here our ornithologist talks about bird migration:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp7feSLIrvHpN3ce-W8qli6nwhsigKLg-7krSFZbhdj7XK_xKI2vTrxhiPQ_9YsvmSjLb0iFxFkTbSElHOgF232fbfKHyUpt9tUBnY6EKIF4uEQ0forZuqaNS1F7kG-48S8eihRFrBmbx/s1600/IMG_7873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDp7feSLIrvHpN3ce-W8qli6nwhsigKLg-7krSFZbhdj7XK_xKI2vTrxhiPQ_9YsvmSjLb0iFxFkTbSElHOgF232fbfKHyUpt9tUBnY6EKIF4uEQ0forZuqaNS1F7kG-48S8eihRFrBmbx/s320/IMG_7873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Late in the day the expedition leader briefs the guests on the next day's itinerary:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG2WELuRaTmIYp3mxA_FSsXvfHtJcafHlkjyCWhzynEjN-ztVcvHy2j3k4v-UPzUIq3Qy332UxTALrjZDAAq2mdhi6AcQkJ78vwgGquA1UBQzWO7TrkJPx56XOKaWNzNVuz413iBi6nOg/s1600/IMG_7908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG2WELuRaTmIYp3mxA_FSsXvfHtJcafHlkjyCWhzynEjN-ztVcvHy2j3k4v-UPzUIq3Qy332UxTALrjZDAAq2mdhi6AcQkJ78vwgGquA1UBQzWO7TrkJPx56XOKaWNzNVuz413iBi6nOg/s320/IMG_7908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And lastly, it is traditional that during the first evening at sea the captain will host a cocktail party and introduce the ship's officers:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF65v_jkRR4Gen3XqD68QDbRbpN9nquBuLB3v8W8IaMvuFdlXdARZ_fIDyYpUMaCuyzBf4Gp8biiTZMbWGWH3uYuxskS_NMpn8Apaf_PtYVG7Q9OpAWerRUrioxfhvOPZzmWYM7dksFz8/s1600/IMG_7917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF65v_jkRR4Gen3XqD68QDbRbpN9nquBuLB3v8W8IaMvuFdlXdARZ_fIDyYpUMaCuyzBf4Gp8biiTZMbWGWH3uYuxskS_NMpn8Apaf_PtYVG7Q9OpAWerRUrioxfhvOPZzmWYM7dksFz8/s320/IMG_7917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-36588493674266194022012-04-24T07:11:00.000-07:002012-04-25T16:58:54.813-07:00Africa's westernmost city...is Dakar, Senegal, and it is illustrative of the expression "TIA" or "This is Africa." The euphemism is a way of lowering expectations when visiting the ethnically and culturally rich continent, where the old and modern are juxtaposed, and much of the infrastructure and many national political systems are broken. Here's just a slice of life in the capital city showing a typical street vendor (click images to enlarge):
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pzLngEv1uj49XL3aYwNYguWz4sFnxT69a_kNuBAocpXUSqMDP6YDyKftCl0CRhzrYlmGqD6EoLTR8lHGfZLaev-7GomK7PpdhDrAq70OgPndHAsXEyrQYj7slaVeJPRIgBVQwRa1wvQ9/s1600/IMG_7632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pzLngEv1uj49XL3aYwNYguWz4sFnxT69a_kNuBAocpXUSqMDP6YDyKftCl0CRhzrYlmGqD6EoLTR8lHGfZLaev-7GomK7PpdhDrAq70OgPndHAsXEyrQYj7slaVeJPRIgBVQwRa1wvQ9/s320/IMG_7632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The public transportation system looks adventurous:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCraqOkbH5g9wqACMEy6Xt74CXysCJEUdckcq6R5eArA-rEjDHf0o3LPr0vU-kVkbAJBuQvb5YDT8LLMuhtwVE_okCv6y17dNikZGubCe-0x04hNkfpGzrhDyjEcs9UUtXf57zVuPEhH/s1600/IMG_7774.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCraqOkbH5g9wqACMEy6Xt74CXysCJEUdckcq6R5eArA-rEjDHf0o3LPr0vU-kVkbAJBuQvb5YDT8LLMuhtwVE_okCv6y17dNikZGubCe-0x04hNkfpGzrhDyjEcs9UUtXf57zVuPEhH/s1600/IMG_7774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But I'd prefer to avoid the raw sewage spilling into the city streets:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSuFNTIon6hXkAn-eyQKTK9Mxwj1nP4e2jNscz-G3OYyr-pcIc_yJWMmLnls1S2TvBowelkZ8LXaTHGHfv3ZMEivBlo-MBFKcSg_B_lUGuX5ktu_6KoDghvQT9_v7GixA0SX4-vsR44NG/s1600/IMG_7835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSuFNTIon6hXkAn-eyQKTK9Mxwj1nP4e2jNscz-G3OYyr-pcIc_yJWMmLnls1S2TvBowelkZ8LXaTHGHfv3ZMEivBlo-MBFKcSg_B_lUGuX5ktu_6KoDghvQT9_v7GixA0SX4-vsR44NG/s320/IMG_7835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We headed out for a morning tour of infamous Gorée
Island, now a World Heritage Site. From the 15th – 19th centuries Gorée
was a slave-trading center, and we toured
dungeon-like slave quarters where a monument provides testimony to the wretched history of this place: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NvzyqS4Qq07ShyphenhyphenIXTBivGO8qLbqmbX8M1jiZB4VVo_RKLzQdMFTnReODEqKEXa-1VryHxhehUJxVhn2sFD40NVdqEz7lHSZInR_0bnU2ZzdCfYXyJmWJ4mFo9uhgfYEsfQEX0dZIZ6tH/s1600/IMG_7638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NvzyqS4Qq07ShyphenhyphenIXTBivGO8qLbqmbX8M1jiZB4VVo_RKLzQdMFTnReODEqKEXa-1VryHxhehUJxVhn2sFD40NVdqEz7lHSZInR_0bnU2ZzdCfYXyJmWJ4mFo9uhgfYEsfQEX0dZIZ6tH/s320/IMG_7638.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a look inside the dreary House of Slaves:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUF1IjGrebXoR3qgK1IjawYplQzjp8APGzL6jOzMXOEB44aOIliolTJ5IgDTgT4qgj9l1QzrrPZRWxfF75kbYchmwcEzl42TB7QCld0SgkRsABzChClaSUPhtrYGazUkpesoXfbZFVuzY/s1600/IMG_7657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUF1IjGrebXoR3qgK1IjawYplQzjp8APGzL6jOzMXOEB44aOIliolTJ5IgDTgT4qgj9l1QzrrPZRWxfF75kbYchmwcEzl42TB7QCld0SgkRsABzChClaSUPhtrYGazUkpesoXfbZFVuzY/s320/IMG_7657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And a look at the interior of the fortified Le Castel, now a museum: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGDAt21ESmwTPIZpzSUB2XVeNNc-rvpyzR4yvV74D_Q1t8T5MkbUucjeAxn6sqpo63rhc2f0p2szEWnnNCr4aqv8xdai5iqZI0_hYdqPBn34e1UngHCKDTNnxfr3Cm8_4JeWPcDCSOFvF/s1600/IMG_7732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGDAt21ESmwTPIZpzSUB2XVeNNc-rvpyzR4yvV74D_Q1t8T5MkbUucjeAxn6sqpo63rhc2f0p2szEWnnNCr4aqv8xdai5iqZI0_hYdqPBn34e1UngHCKDTNnxfr3Cm8_4JeWPcDCSOFvF/s320/IMG_7732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On the ferry ride back to Dakar, we witnessed local fishermen working the waters around Gorée
Island:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCx4HH_0SRa_3vJXHsc4dLjM8-cBqBicD-3CxzJI54rBxAw4BtLMz9AKSZspe18Bw0LZZfqL8zSooVm43fd375VV3eK48rwjeoOvGGr_LNIhr1w7ZmmLpaeBTrdNY3IlmVRklZXsjbNsp/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCx4HH_0SRa_3vJXHsc4dLjM8-cBqBicD-3CxzJI54rBxAw4BtLMz9AKSZspe18Bw0LZZfqL8zSooVm43fd375VV3eK48rwjeoOvGGr_LNIhr1w7ZmmLpaeBTrdNY3IlmVRklZXsjbNsp/s320/IMG_5325.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
Late in the day we board the <i>Clipper Odyssey</i> seen here docked next to a US Navy frigate:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z2CgnN6uAAMnvyVnO_EP7omYitJFG6Hh3LImVz5zRrf1Nfp7AtgzQ7rGMkGZlS0kI7ZjzaT8y4UD9pObsCpbuqXt9ApbxJ0nU5GoBMuZvWuDMCXdudBL26zwh1x7o2BoT6EwV32pU3gs/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z2CgnN6uAAMnvyVnO_EP7omYitJFG6Hh3LImVz5zRrf1Nfp7AtgzQ7rGMkGZlS0kI7ZjzaT8y4UD9pObsCpbuqXt9ApbxJ0nU5GoBMuZvWuDMCXdudBL26zwh1x7o2BoT6EwV32pU3gs/s320/IMG_5342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Shortly thereafter we head west, into the Atlantic, with the Dakar skyline diminishing in the distance:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZliyEMv4VgK2EwY1WafNm7dlPFvJFoanMasZ7VtmnJnHsX3Kboce7qwX_rgqSP4UZgrCRMMoC-z6Rxb3-zZ9DU0BaKD2vwZRs4A1e90okGJfep-Sjs6C7gznljWc605otuuw4pnObLgb/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZliyEMv4VgK2EwY1WafNm7dlPFvJFoanMasZ7VtmnJnHsX3Kboce7qwX_rgqSP4UZgrCRMMoC-z6Rxb3-zZ9DU0BaKD2vwZRs4A1e90okGJfep-Sjs6C7gznljWc605otuuw4pnObLgb/s320/IMG_5378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-71857841004271893862012-04-23T14:53:00.000-07:002012-04-25T14:54:07.205-07:00Wise words...The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.<br /><br />-- <i>Samuel Johnson</i>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-32979757078925567612012-04-23T07:16:00.001-07:002012-05-22T16:31:54.331-07:00Sunset over the Sahara...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">paints the west African coast bright orange over Mauritania as I wing my way south from Madrid to Dakar, Senegal (click images to enlarge): <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurP5wUkNMAiA1KwhpUiNI5tjPTDrlREzctDtJi-1X17MM91SH8Jr2mAHDCyCK18uYMNwZLeZyhG7LroOyaeUjLwAE7GLWsqAYwR4Jhch4agjOdXV2heE9p7TpX13pWcySJxlFLvEcwfaM/s1600/IMG_7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurP5wUkNMAiA1KwhpUiNI5tjPTDrlREzctDtJi-1X17MM91SH8Jr2mAHDCyCK18uYMNwZLeZyhG7LroOyaeUjLwAE7GLWsqAYwR4Jhch4agjOdXV2heE9p7TpX13pWcySJxlFLvEcwfaM/s320/IMG_7581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A couple of hours earlier in the flight I captured this shot, looking due west, through the Straits of Gibraltar. In about two week's time I'll sail through this important seafaring portal and into the Mediterranean, but before then there's a lot to experience on the upcoming voyage. Stay tuned! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_Ykwopqa7OVAx86sLeQM5lleLEYhF-VXZnxdACYalZha99UOO1FoluwVShXLuBwMNCCE8fpA_A4tLabaXIL53UtQWGIIaFveZromkbdd9LF55QQMjdqPhAdaHZOHcgmrNaUduEALTfDl/s1600/IMG_7571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_Ykwopqa7OVAx86sLeQM5lleLEYhF-VXZnxdACYalZha99UOO1FoluwVShXLuBwMNCCE8fpA_A4tLabaXIL53UtQWGIIaFveZromkbdd9LF55QQMjdqPhAdaHZOHcgmrNaUduEALTfDl/s320/IMG_7571.JPG" width="295" /></a></div><br />
</div>J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-33099417887959723442012-04-21T07:47:00.000-07:002012-04-21T10:40:27.971-07:00The first leg...of my working voyage with Zegrahm Expeditions for the next month, exploring northwestern Africa and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaronesia">Macaronesia</a>, is shown on the map below (click to enlarge):<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5I6gP5nuRGofyKqggzXOV517gZ3P2NkSD2Ia6jHq4iXHTmDUG_9mkD3vpWeVPfhGgdeXx2Au9Kw_SElZLA-P9zU7WGxQyWEz1I2N07uiT9FsAkiqHxKdGgnd910axAIN0koCJul07_g1/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+1182012+94324+AM.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5I6gP5nuRGofyKqggzXOV517gZ3P2NkSD2Ia6jHq4iXHTmDUG_9mkD3vpWeVPfhGgdeXx2Au9Kw_SElZLA-P9zU7WGxQyWEz1I2N07uiT9FsAkiqHxKdGgnd910axAIN0koCJul07_g1/s400/Fullscreen+capture+1182012+94324+AM.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
We'll exchange passengers in Malaga, Spain, in early May and then head back into the Atlantic and ultimately to the Azores on the second leg (I'll post another map at that point). It's certainly my intention to write a blog entry including several images each day during this month-long adventure, but sometimes connecting to the Internet while at sea can be problematic. <br />
<br />
This will likely be my last post from the States until I board the ship
in Dakar. Until then, here are the itineraries for both expeditions: <a href="http://www.zeco.com/expeditions/africa/senegal-spain-cape-verde-canary-islands-morocco/itinerary?departure=MATL1201">Leg 1</a> and <a href="http://www.zeco.com/expeditions/europe/azores-spain-gibraltar-morocco-canary-islands-and-madeira/itinerary?departure=AZOR1201">Leg 2</a>.J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9222566363363904093.post-63279418028199358462012-04-20T08:19:00.000-07:002012-04-20T08:22:20.350-07:00A milestone has been achieved...on this blog: This is the 2,500th post since it <a href="http://thebuelement.blogspot.com/2009/01/thats-one-small-step.html">began in January 2009</a>.J.P. Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02709621620564828494noreply@blogger.com0