tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18172478610168192402024-03-05T18:08:26.327-05:00Covered Wagon WanderlustThe Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-14853966031433110022010-08-23T15:43:00.007-04:002010-08-24T17:24:02.282-04:00Glaciers, or lack thereof...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4NUpQ7riUOdJBaII50h5I6h6nR0HEoYuOUi1O3hytFYXisz0ZADUKmAVTwFGbOLZ6ngHbKdAKgsiFVVkI2h3GM8lRMomBzZiKn0_924iO_z2-mipZ6eEwW1UgDxi3m27fxv-8UYy5CM/s1600/DSC_1073-1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509089083454960418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4NUpQ7riUOdJBaII50h5I6h6nR0HEoYuOUi1O3hytFYXisz0ZADUKmAVTwFGbOLZ6ngHbKdAKgsiFVVkI2h3GM8lRMomBzZiKn0_924iO_z2-mipZ6eEwW1UgDxi3m27fxv-8UYy5CM/s320/DSC_1073-1.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKiyZ7ZKHjDvN9UQohtYjjZPYE79VMPRMKxNfTz0Tlgh0OJ6clGTqmboV1nIBAvudRRK5P1pDLVWsgIFuY8l7JYyx8eFwQ65OoJnWmwAGb_1wvd8HUeoXeegcBL7xddeLcOb2FQ4JNCs/s1600/DSC_1048-1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509089078015822338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKiyZ7ZKHjDvN9UQohtYjjZPYE79VMPRMKxNfTz0Tlgh0OJ6clGTqmboV1nIBAvudRRK5P1pDLVWsgIFuY8l7JYyx8eFwQ65OoJnWmwAGb_1wvd8HUeoXeegcBL7xddeLcOb2FQ4JNCs/s320/DSC_1048-1.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ed-ZCIIIlcHizzt8ebPR1YZ65XtvIRp_ujEkvYaBER4osE5KGiX1mhKgaMyXZeOrFaPZbDBav5vaXQLoo9-F6wf796vLEjg1rICZ0B91U55bbYgEA5saX586HCOTVK1ENOIiwBN564/s1600/DSC_1003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509089064613436594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ed-ZCIIIlcHizzt8ebPR1YZ65XtvIRp_ujEkvYaBER4osE5KGiX1mhKgaMyXZeOrFaPZbDBav5vaXQLoo9-F6wf796vLEjg1rICZ0B91U55bbYgEA5saX586HCOTVK1ENOIiwBN564/s320/DSC_1003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrhlukjjcAQkZBAcMg7exG0JZ0Y_6RweKKWRFN3SA9Mhl47kBRooyBPlyUqkAsUwdXGyqR5unoyHC0GAl0XMTtWF_HBPokEjtpFKc5D_67rg3zgyWvql3b75yzs8-xTK36UaBELxebbg/s1600/DSC_0969-1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509050310547400610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrhlukjjcAQkZBAcMg7exG0JZ0Y_6RweKKWRFN3SA9Mhl47kBRooyBPlyUqkAsUwdXGyqR5unoyHC0GAl0XMTtWF_HBPokEjtpFKc5D_67rg3zgyWvql3b75yzs8-xTK36UaBELxebbg/s320/DSC_0969-1.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCBEQtkLb-W_rvVo6FBuJjwTasoHEGpWO2Fk6F8_Uj_CqpOTi6DLbjOKHPQoAkRChygjFpGrm-DizET26wGjC3LPTbsVG6ot8OelWcTnEk-dDyKGQlfwacuGxS3Gc7rYYR2U57lHPByI/s1600/DSC_0853.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509050268103510370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCBEQtkLb-W_rvVo6FBuJjwTasoHEGpWO2Fk6F8_Uj_CqpOTi6DLbjOKHPQoAkRChygjFpGrm-DizET26wGjC3LPTbsVG6ot8OelWcTnEk-dDyKGQlfwacuGxS3Gc7rYYR2U57lHPByI/s320/DSC_0853.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>Let the mountains begin! After a rousing night of beer and entertainment in Belt we headed up into Glacier National Park in northern Montana. The main park campgrounds were full so we camped off the beaten path in a "primitive" campsite along a creek. It was a beautiful spot so we hiked upvalley and enjoyed a starry night. The next day we hiked a relatively flat 10 miles up into a valley to a waterfall, then drove up to Roger's Pass.<br /></div><div>After one more night in Glacier we drove up into the great white north of Alberta, Canada. Being summertime we didn't see any snow, but stopped at Waterton Lakes National Park then drove up into Calgary for dinner. It was a Sunday night so not much was happening in Calgary, but we ate well and camped in the truck outside town. Next stop -- Banff. No, that was not a sneeze, it's the name of a park. :)<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 243px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509050296301863602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTH5TgIlzoc69WxV2hMU7BOLNnxoGi1jgiGDAcUHKbGo60WKHAiYVBw6edYbZEf6YJvGAo7Tp781X-J1c64hNJH4X9s7ZGEtqQwusjBPJkX3DbPi0nohmBxy_HLW1ZA2NETYTTiuXw7g/s320/DSC_0899.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-45388757570537520142010-08-20T11:38:00.008-04:002010-08-20T12:23:26.916-04:00Belt Montana -- Did That Seriously Just Happen?Montana is a big state. We treated the old truck to an oil change in Billings and were heading to Glacier National Park through Great Falls. We probably could have made it in one day but we saw a sign on the side of the road in Belt that said "Belt Brewery, next right." Who needs a better reason than that to stop at a brewery? This place was authentic old west. Dark, empty, and chock full of road signs and beer mirrors as wall decorations (sorry, no pictures of the inside of the bar). Glacier NP could wait until tomorrow. We saddled up to the bar, ordered a beer and learned that an acting troupe was coming that night to perform "1959 Pink Thunderbird." They were from Great Falls (the "big city"). <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXO5JMp4bn3c0DKRqCODp_p-IMivq3K0YosQIx-EdQJcpjUB1xlTDFQMgCz-Whdz9hDT4sfTjwBUoxcoIJKYy9KHM-WPXC5kZuOfL5h4hiRYZKLgz9JpIzYZyI7-sqck4K6xleP3wojY/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507527284043149234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXO5JMp4bn3c0DKRqCODp_p-IMivq3K0YosQIx-EdQJcpjUB1xlTDFQMgCz-Whdz9hDT4sfTjwBUoxcoIJKYy9KHM-WPXC5kZuOfL5h4hiRYZKLgz9JpIzYZyI7-sqck4K6xleP3wojY/s320/DSC_0808.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHWP0T9vM96cB3eIz1qsawv6EDyxs5GaiqMo5gBul12Ti_FPvcZDuZP8Td2OPD2lsgGCVxR-N5Zs0oBdPbM4xAxDISEnGrz24bAXEIlEDZSMgXWd1xECPtaqO7zw2wZiv0M06FaPdtUg/s1600/DSC_0833.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507527293746324722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHWP0T9vM96cB3eIz1qsawv6EDyxs5GaiqMo5gBul12Ti_FPvcZDuZP8Td2OPD2lsgGCVxR-N5Zs0oBdPbM4xAxDISEnGrz24bAXEIlEDZSMgXWd1xECPtaqO7zw2wZiv0M06FaPdtUg/s320/DSC_0833.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Since Belt, MT was the <em>last</em> place in the world we expected to see a play we decided to stay. And we were the only ones. Three actors, three crew members and us! Even the bartender spent most of the time outside smoking cigarettes. The play was great...about a Vietnam Vet adjusting to life back home on the farm. Que the dopey brother and nervous friend and you've got a story. We loved it -- and the actors seemed quite grateful to have an audience, even if it was just the two of us. Talk about a random experience! After a few beers and some entertainment we spent the night in our truck on a dirt road just outside of town. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj89ePJxRfkXNyb4Dsln4CQXvho1KODAV9OgcQ6rijSRHcfbDGSEfQgaMPxP5OEwUN3dfgkND2ih0hXirCTuxiAT9x6deDD9aTFrfRepqOrIBaJmNYBMM08bmX-EOeLJhvIm3tXYms54/s1600/DSC_0835.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507527302594627250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj89ePJxRfkXNyb4Dsln4CQXvho1KODAV9OgcQ6rijSRHcfbDGSEfQgaMPxP5OEwUN3dfgkND2ih0hXirCTuxiAT9x6deDD9aTFrfRepqOrIBaJmNYBMM08bmX-EOeLJhvIm3tXYms54/s320/DSC_0835.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIkCFOJIzEBsFdHXLUcQ06H5NBspgiKjH6bTKL5gAXyNqC3boj4mERp_kjULnE_eWmXbDCp5VaB8YH9G5_pgvRBKLwC2qSCm-q7ZWHlSV3ZoYVmQMCnXNDt1A3Dw7XlnKmaLYavlYpJ4/s1600/DSC_0839.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507527312662607410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIkCFOJIzEBsFdHXLUcQ06H5NBspgiKjH6bTKL5gAXyNqC3boj4mERp_kjULnE_eWmXbDCp5VaB8YH9G5_pgvRBKLwC2qSCm-q7ZWHlSV3ZoYVmQMCnXNDt1A3Dw7XlnKmaLYavlYpJ4/s320/DSC_0839.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-66383576956775395332010-08-12T13:29:00.011-04:002010-08-12T13:54:18.442-04:00Mount Rushmore – The Long Way<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ElolI5KTMlQP1VUwVlEDyBN_ILN6ZHv8L9r04YK9WBl_28ilWI0axopiMZZrLYbK83to-iqdx1fgeHfQcSWC8Ow3T3Rp_kMhKI6b2hJqrKTsWGVEyULGHiMfxpNyRDGPC7m1922qc2Y/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504581540087369794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ElolI5KTMlQP1VUwVlEDyBN_ILN6ZHv8L9r04YK9WBl_28ilWI0axopiMZZrLYbK83to-iqdx1fgeHfQcSWC8Ow3T3Rp_kMhKI6b2hJqrKTsWGVEyULGHiMfxpNyRDGPC7m1922qc2Y/s320/DSC_0730.JPG" /></a>For some reason I wanted to take the long way to Mount Rushmore through the backcountry roads of South Dakota. I definitely gained a new appreciation for the word “rural” that day. We drove on paved roads through the Badlands for a few miles and then hit some long, straight, dusty dirt roads through Indian reservations and farmland. We were headed west and the Black Hills were visible on the horizon. The mountains grew slowly closer and thankfully the truck had enough gas. I don’t think AAA comes out that far.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C2Du-I7PIUjRMjKCoGFbAuh_dFaVa0NfPX0CGxwy3t9VYaEb9XBmN1fej3W4Ywk-76MA1yIfNf2tlB-x6bsOL25GvRC2rjj3xJfWzJ7WwPr5Nc3FIB4aucCZgDYRJ70FeHJiXdVGaSk/s1600/DSC_0728.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504578805383400082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C2Du-I7PIUjRMjKCoGFbAuh_dFaVa0NfPX0CGxwy3t9VYaEb9XBmN1fej3W4Ywk-76MA1yIfNf2tlB-x6bsOL25GvRC2rjj3xJfWzJ7WwPr5Nc3FIB4aucCZgDYRJ70FeHJiXdVGaSk/s320/DSC_0728.JPG" /></a>The black hills were surprisingly green and filled with Ponderosa Pines just like Flagstaff. We wound our way up and down several mountain passes and stopped to photograph a buffalo herd before booking it straight to Mount Rushmore. We were eager to see this national monument but were thoroughly warned by all who had visited that it’s not very impressive. Our verdict: “it was okay.” Definitely an inspiring feat of sculpture but not necessarily something to write home about (although I just did). It was worth the trip since we were in the area, but we were on to bigger and better things…the Rocky Mountains. Hey Cara, do you love the USA?</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD0xA0_LR4bI3TP5Gdulr9YPjhM2L7aJvxeHd-4QgFSpVKaRSsOpPA2mN0BcLUzuFEotsDR1h2_TTrZScW0L1Ttug4XoClZ3CF0gYYF3F0obSiq2wsxqFMdg3jrtYRUp9SpiYu6J4FoE/s1600/DSC_0779.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUhcZeOaCZPOW3yW_Nafkv1yud3C6sihUIgEg3gv8pVbeCSyGFGM6uZlvYL24nr9airaPJ5oMcPqDH-SU0JD_D1uJpfY0-piLM8xF46GAGLGNLRrzNqBjJE2YGyrdpaCja3W2a3kc9RE/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504580128151357458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUhcZeOaCZPOW3yW_Nafkv1yud3C6sihUIgEg3gv8pVbeCSyGFGM6uZlvYL24nr9airaPJ5oMcPqDH-SU0JD_D1uJpfY0-piLM8xF46GAGLGNLRrzNqBjJE2YGyrdpaCja3W2a3kc9RE/s320/DSC_0759.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7HhlFYwUAj6mlqqnGkqGC09AXiAh_crX_3ed0QiF-WNdhT4QcKI-WXtjlETV6iO9tyewkKenarf8yezs4Op0P59QCRDZZvLpv49pnKlgP6V92tDTvruVO7c3t9R7yLNuh5hC16aaX1c/s1600/DSC_0771.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504578826111226290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7HhlFYwUAj6mlqqnGkqGC09AXiAh_crX_3ed0QiF-WNdhT4QcKI-WXtjlETV6iO9tyewkKenarf8yezs4Op0P59QCRDZZvLpv49pnKlgP6V92tDTvruVO7c3t9R7yLNuh5hC16aaX1c/s320/DSC_0771.JPG" /></a>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-12810972758136460352010-08-12T13:15:00.006-04:002010-08-12T14:56:10.325-04:00From Wisconsin to the BadlandsOh yeah…we drove through Minnesota. Unfortunately we did not have time to spend in Minneapolis/St. Paul so we drove straight through southern Minnesota on I-90. I didn’t know so much corn existed in the world let alone in a single state! We caught a beautiful sunset over the cornfields and spent the night in a sad little state park a few miles off the highway. It was a tiny forest in a sea of corn. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9RDCzbpz2y4dXnkfYo4yRZPULyLBQkPOrUQzDUVQvgR7zAtFueZBwii3UrbBXCpktpwbgA1Y16ejf_GR16LbdM5U5YTz83_GSJPhFVraKU5Wjgo-YYa9qiaP-FcorDB8y5juwNCnJ7c/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVus8W05n2WGaT4GIduQ75y3l93HVZW7gK4BWLbuBq_ItIbztOgZ8Ik804TbRBb1TPMspSO7Q6lWDakqfkG9rVQxkmQe8tFj2wxiWvL8Rz1ywFpNA0pHcxXMUfxgO1t0dOUZ-J53o7cQ/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504598828929419554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVus8W05n2WGaT4GIduQ75y3l93HVZW7gK4BWLbuBq_ItIbztOgZ8Ik804TbRBb1TPMspSO7Q6lWDakqfkG9rVQxkmQe8tFj2wxiWvL8Rz1ywFpNA0pHcxXMUfxgO1t0dOUZ-J53o7cQ/s320/DSC_0554.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpT2GMp35uFNxoEoFX3AtLtwc-SuZGsbvRWZyyeSobZBWTqcHzjQeMmff7DYdfj7GoOiGi2MiFUIoZPra6gMq-fHM7oCGt5KOgGc7hyphenhyphenPitiQHRU5vwAW-kHNYpOExkeh1ahlvVT2OXsM/s1600/DSC_0582.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504575827300498210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpT2GMp35uFNxoEoFX3AtLtwc-SuZGsbvRWZyyeSobZBWTqcHzjQeMmff7DYdfj7GoOiGi2MiFUIoZPra6gMq-fHM7oCGt5KOgGc7hyphenhyphenPitiQHRU5vwAW-kHNYpOExkeh1ahlvVT2OXsM/s320/DSC_0582.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodeLsWCB23vtMLchOOxlaCfXGD2mdfJMM7nd6JHmZnVRO3pftMFLFRQINUjgkf1-j53LMpjL-YGIQV-2yiYxA3Y0PK3vOUT0ulXy50CwZcO1pBcHKZ_byYo47QdP-W7CAaDAMDYua_fg/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504575834642608626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodeLsWCB23vtMLchOOxlaCfXGD2mdfJMM7nd6JHmZnVRO3pftMFLFRQINUjgkf1-j53LMpjL-YGIQV-2yiYxA3Y0PK3vOUT0ulXy50CwZcO1pBcHKZ_byYo47QdP-W7CAaDAMDYua_fg/s320/DSC_0590.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>The next day we kept heading west through South Dakota toward the Badlands and made a few stops along the way. I wish it was my idea, but somebody a hundred years ago had the gumption to build a palace out of corn and call it "Corn Palace". Having seen dozens of billboards along the highway our curiosity was piqued so we stopped in for a look-see. Well right before our eyes stood a giant palace made out of corn cobs (spires and all). I can’t say it was a life changing experience, but it was pretty cool nonetheless. A few hours later we arrived at Badlands National Park and got a campsite for the night. After a long day of driving it felt great to stand in the prairie and watch the sun slowly set behind the colorful rock formations. We spent the night sleeping out under the stars and drove through the park the following day. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwhtY3DLuWnlbr62P-qiNBWZ9hOXQxbuXIL20MhUN23e1jisafDjZXJhAfJOH9x5qP-XUYOkp8Byk97SZ-i-8bBOsz_DwWXA4jAG_boHds1ri06GJelhOET9-8yw_2qzsfM6MafWlE1I/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504575841344328978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwhtY3DLuWnlbr62P-qiNBWZ9hOXQxbuXIL20MhUN23e1jisafDjZXJhAfJOH9x5qP-XUYOkp8Byk97SZ-i-8bBOsz_DwWXA4jAG_boHds1ri06GJelhOET9-8yw_2qzsfM6MafWlE1I/s320/DSC_0622.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02x9CxnesME_-43vgMkVStukmQQ6_5xZ9ilYbajIZlFFvFx3RJxgqrElREB7esrKwwDGI_Dt7wiv9wqnNdS91eGjbEESW8oLzbwQlIumamllpMOFq39KdXij-qI1hEs8kCUVkbCCOnYM/s1600/DSC_0699.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504576576337888594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02x9CxnesME_-43vgMkVStukmQQ6_5xZ9ilYbajIZlFFvFx3RJxgqrElREB7esrKwwDGI_Dt7wiv9wqnNdS91eGjbEESW8oLzbwQlIumamllpMOFq39KdXij-qI1hEs8kCUVkbCCOnYM/s320/DSC_0699.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-85529679683580003382010-08-06T11:46:00.005-04:002010-08-06T12:30:41.085-04:00Cedarburg and Green Bay – Good times in the Dairy State<div><br /><br /><div>One of the best parts of this trip is having the opportunity to spend time with my extended family in their “natural habitat”. I usually see them in hotels or at Grandma’s house for holidays and birthdays, and there is never enough time to really catch up with each other. Our journey had already led us to Washington D.C. to see my mother’s brother, and now we were off to Cedarburg, WI to visit my mother’s younger sister. If you ever want to see an example of an idyllic Midwestern town, go to Cedarburg, WI. If you ever want to experience the best of Midwestern hospitality, go to my Aunt Patti’s house.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeWWXQ7e8SCIi4K08NiO17WggA0fHDZ_XsfUvMChPGfHDCV6LTnIDJ5gFlgJMHYzLufuoKkWFAnMA7gGdADIGBwFmgaAi8qdXqzB6j40wC-95hsJ0FoGZDgzFG42ExXsAibQh8y9hDcQ/s1600/P7220476.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502332936055796178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeWWXQ7e8SCIi4K08NiO17WggA0fHDZ_XsfUvMChPGfHDCV6LTnIDJ5gFlgJMHYzLufuoKkWFAnMA7gGdADIGBwFmgaAi8qdXqzB6j40wC-95hsJ0FoGZDgzFG42ExXsAibQh8y9hDcQ/s320/P7220476.JPG" /></a>After arriving in Cedarburg, we were treated to an evening of flood and tornado warnings, including town sirens, crazy lighting, and record setting rain. Strangely, that was not nearly as frightening as my Uncle Rick trying heat up pizza in the oven. Fortunately, we survived and the next day we were whisked away to Door County, where my aunt and uncle have a house on Lake Michigan. We were the benefactors of a little family competition – the word had spread about what good hosts my D.C. uncle and aunt were, so it was “on” as they say. We played horseshoes, went waterskiing/tubing/swimming, drank a variety of craft brews and mixed drinks, ate fresh corn and grilled meat, and sat under the stars while Tom and Rick tried to show the neighbors how to put on a proper fireworks display. My cousin and Grandma were also there with us, so it was just heavenly! Alas, the trip was short, but very sweet and it was hard to get back on the road after such a nice time.</div><br /><br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502334667057015378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOdEeAa5mzPbMHU9zy1OOloMYvAKg89qsnbRDSg-Lyl3vT1SsxTpPsXa_tt2xw2IKFvaPG2BzM581lOO4FG48dKq3lVucmiS4TovD1fwR4-ItoKlMH0jVizYnw_CsnRt-1YbHrD2dhVA/s320/P7240533.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzyZSqO2VCFthd_s4hQHytdl2CMHPuvXTRe-2R30LEbBhtkn35AJNEoutjTvhdFeyoufNAXfRlxwN34kSr81Kn0CZ7u-L3E8eg6dMd7mbE2mhifqOJhnY-TYDeCKEdtfYe2Gr8xcQ6hM/s1600/DSC_0450.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502332964259950994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzyZSqO2VCFthd_s4hQHytdl2CMHPuvXTRe-2R30LEbBhtkn35AJNEoutjTvhdFeyoufNAXfRlxwN34kSr81Kn0CZ7u-L3E8eg6dMd7mbE2mhifqOJhnY-TYDeCKEdtfYe2Gr8xcQ6hM/s320/DSC_0450.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcD5SsBFWHjQxzd0GI67xmAezaW0WhPLbX0Pg35k8yDlluohC-Bwsg8H92HeGY29TIY5HRnAgjSygwxl27y4baaQSKC-imW_9RrW8XuCkuFPX38vEpSY4L5T1yB9sLbROQIN0X6EnORg/s1600/P7250554.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502334661115509858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcD5SsBFWHjQxzd0GI67xmAezaW0WhPLbX0Pg35k8yDlluohC-Bwsg8H92HeGY29TIY5HRnAgjSygwxl27y4baaQSKC-imW_9RrW8XuCkuFPX38vEpSY4L5T1yB9sLbROQIN0X6EnORg/s320/P7250554.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyVhb9j_3_hFGwa_HkqJbvLqUfabrWiWf5LfFXETkC8E3R2WRWAKh5A00jm2QLBFQuPy5fCbF7mpz2zQXprJpL-NuC4hYGXIZ3APws6NZBviOIiN3LvC9yQoRShQ8nNj03sloaCmmE3I/s1600/P7250558.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502334652302836962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyVhb9j_3_hFGwa_HkqJbvLqUfabrWiWf5LfFXETkC8E3R2WRWAKh5A00jm2QLBFQuPy5fCbF7mpz2zQXprJpL-NuC4hYGXIZ3APws6NZBviOIiN3LvC9yQoRShQ8nNj03sloaCmmE3I/s320/P7250558.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaceFQQMregMWA_bSZH5ojyjO760z-ozLozrsKDjFhY18K62-VMC_JYlFYdTijUy8jMHuYSHF2d37P11DcCtaaMoz1L7uQO4M_jTmPQ4fxcuvc1zrAAxG48dh9eVu1eCR5AWsUhmCM-c/s1600/P7230501.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502332948180896242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXaceFQQMregMWA_bSZH5ojyjO760z-ozLozrsKDjFhY18K62-VMC_JYlFYdTijUy8jMHuYSHF2d37P11DcCtaaMoz1L7uQO4M_jTmPQ4fxcuvc1zrAAxG48dh9eVu1eCR5AWsUhmCM-c/s320/P7230501.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmuasIAEdQ3QKLSmoV1MWm4Ju5GFggosRUo6b4yQc8F6K8aMiL4dq5uuh_sccuMmnXI9uEJLfq1xhx4EfPk2TlkNwuldEkOQsiBsqTS6w02-FSxbcnRlvctPhta11I3_763Jq2t7akdc/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502332953846244466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmuasIAEdQ3QKLSmoV1MWm4Ju5GFggosRUo6b4yQc8F6K8aMiL4dq5uuh_sccuMmnXI9uEJLfq1xhx4EfPk2TlkNwuldEkOQsiBsqTS6w02-FSxbcnRlvctPhta11I3_763Jq2t7akdc/s320/DSC_0437.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQERd1fQ5us5BbffJQRo9VZNr5lG_QrGEIYFBuKTD_YvswrmVodk2aJmz9S7LOPjsbX-JJnPfwknIfL59ZVFptuPMFoTSU9lUuoFdTA42Pp8KOwD-B9JIyEiyCKwGMJL_V6on5wZXCPQ/s1600/DSC_0525.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502332965892753906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQERd1fQ5us5BbffJQRo9VZNr5lG_QrGEIYFBuKTD_YvswrmVodk2aJmz9S7LOPjsbX-JJnPfwknIfL59ZVFptuPMFoTSU9lUuoFdTA42Pp8KOwD-B9JIyEiyCKwGMJL_V6on5wZXCPQ/s320/DSC_0525.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-16165091359900481162010-08-02T11:13:00.002-04:002010-08-02T11:17:59.068-04:00Milwaukee – A day among American Idol RejectsHow tragic that we ended up in Milwaukee the day that literally thousands of young hopefuls were denied their dream of making it onto American Idol. We didn’t know that try-outs were taking place down the street, but the long faces we encountered tipped us off. We briefly spoke with a mother and daughter who had come all the way from California – this was the third year of rejection for the daughter. At another place, the waiter told us that he served a family where all three kids had tried out and didn’t get in. Alas, the American Dream is a rough road, Kiddies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpqDo8s51tYUSpglMe5jocASQ9nwETB2GfH8j5YrfQQQsUHLJmwwioAdSwvP4dE_hlMgZo7kFt5t_sdm6U3yGJIEj-XJYfCmkdhJZ4ExjqwUckbGdNTz59eT0P54RPkxfGkFMQTqQoOI/s1600/P7210469.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500831584771750834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpqDo8s51tYUSpglMe5jocASQ9nwETB2GfH8j5YrfQQQsUHLJmwwioAdSwvP4dE_hlMgZo7kFt5t_sdm6U3yGJIEj-XJYfCmkdhJZ4ExjqwUckbGdNTz59eT0P54RPkxfGkFMQTqQoOI/s320/P7210469.JPG" /></a>But, despite other people’s palpable sorrow, we had a wonderful day! Had good beer, food, and then won a raffle to get cheap tickets to see Wicked. Second row for $25 bucks, baby! Just a day spent in this adorable city before heading north to see family, but definitely worth mentioning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc070lXZX4DkQon-dU1eDLATUiH6PDPvurw4pMQ7crmekOrv5Iu9vV2QwBk__B1pwfvZl9EXOOAQnR2r4LbLczm8amghOYk0Lh7obUSi8o3k7eB8qrgJNSFJYjomGD8uWdDZmSB6RQ0y0/s1600/P7210468.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500831574753358194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc070lXZX4DkQon-dU1eDLATUiH6PDPvurw4pMQ7crmekOrv5Iu9vV2QwBk__B1pwfvZl9EXOOAQnR2r4LbLczm8amghOYk0Lh7obUSi8o3k7eB8qrgJNSFJYjomGD8uWdDZmSB6RQ0y0/s320/P7210468.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8qYzbevmPuvRDUG4b6jBvyeXX3vgj2vXqWdWqtExo2Qct88eXH_C6Ebc9Xpm_7QbKfegBsypTPdOPLotmWba7H3Dk_SlyqA5G2gDzompHerkMiuZQ2194Po59A46A9P4fnYqCcEGRGs/s1600/P7210454.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500831568203457586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8qYzbevmPuvRDUG4b6jBvyeXX3vgj2vXqWdWqtExo2Qct88eXH_C6Ebc9Xpm_7QbKfegBsypTPdOPLotmWba7H3Dk_SlyqA5G2gDzompHerkMiuZQ2194Po59A46A9P4fnYqCcEGRGs/s320/P7210454.JPG" /></a>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-70774810069665590782010-08-02T11:11:00.002-04:002010-08-02T11:13:00.561-04:00Chicago...sort ofDecided to book it from Kentucky to Chicago, IL to see a friend that was only in town for the evening. We missed the pleasures of Indiana and Illinois, but alas, we decided that we just can’t see everything. Thanks Kaitlin for the recommendations though, we’ll see it the next time through!<br />The geniuses that we are, we decided to drive through downtown Chicago at 5:00 pm. That’s right, a vacation is not complete until you’ve sat in rush hour traffic! Luckily, it only took about an hour and we had a lovely dinner with our friend Ben in the suburb of Libertyville. We ate at a restaurant called “Firkin” – ten points to the person who can tell me the definition of that word:)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500830686941401778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRan1ypTGOtNW5DkllFIQfkSgX7A3iVYSAtiOU4GovBTXmdcsKDCqlq1mW-ixmNgCyG-ZYCTgc5tV11tsw35J1DHTv66vdq_HPdvJitbVgRwwwi1QJLOhrqIPMIpNoji8oE8Xo-DYVprs/s320/P7200443.JPG" />The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-51454571273339175762010-08-02T10:58:00.002-04:002010-08-02T11:10:49.623-04:00Mammoth Caves – Hey look, a big hole in the ground!After a beautiful drive through West Virginia (and only one impulse purchase at a roadside “antique” store) we landed in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, site of the largest underground cave in the world. As it turns out, it’s a little weird to be at a national park that you can’t see. You know you are standing on top of it, and that it exists, but it’s not quite the same as looking up at mountains. Since you pay by the tour, we only took one. It was a nice historical walk through a big dark hole in the ground. No glimpses of cave animals (they are further in the cave away from the noise and lights of people) and no real glimpses of stalagmites/stalactites. For us science nerds, it was a little bit of a letdown. We were hoping they would just give us a helmet and flashlight and say, “have at it!” <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500828163118922130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4UPs0CDh5EfWHBKsVyAJaiqpOzN6pA5Xo35rKT0xqwAa51udkGnAvR7-7_wSUOynk3zEhHcwtOlMI6jdf5uXT9boMQLpVaZRqwNA0L9z6_PZ-8KRbNw33nIXX0wHT2sawDaTs3QedXc/s320/DSC_0380.JPG" /><br />Upside of our time there was the great camping spot and the incredible lightning and thunder storms. So humid, but so beautiful! Tom even took a shower in the rain (shampoo and all). I watched from the inside the truck to make sure he didn’t get hit by lightning – I am such a good spouse:) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500828174101515154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NB9R0oO3_V3hQRukAUqQOAQsWcC1cwUlgDm2PAyY2XdDUhyp9ETVKTHpfaGasEOJeTFVntieAhINzZ0-l6W95qstJXlwwsWyp1ynf3Hj0Yk1zhj1WDCCER0qYk-4KmSSbFEzQrWfwt4/s320/DSC_0409.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500828169958515378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8-V06xXcItEGi8GrWCsfrPRifu8y9x6udT9inFOJ5hk1jquR0s5g8UULdLsMpdn9QJnLlHAM5BuSrSkvHkc6qXA2JvEYkLa2X_WOGb9JvYPrughnYuamwkvDRAhiiLVWwN3Ik4JppTM/s320/DSC_0401.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500828186140066242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-md5sVb4SXw6Ifr_6yQzeLa4s90UBp77n7uNlePEFsiynsaAeGLA036O13okhVjbeEuGwRZZkLr_5dYMbKucSj2mSKdSAjtvPi6cKeD8r37ZQN3dxk-G-uM2sebBPj6Nvvt_5crQgQE/s320/DSC_0412.JPG" />The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-47883883619810686522010-08-02T10:12:00.003-04:002010-08-02T10:20:47.188-04:00Virginia/West Virginia – A Via Ferrata say what?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500816504223556290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w-67ntfPYPHm6h3o5p32ObZWiBgoc4oyzMuslUs3LhJDuEXB_Eg8rn_Qa97QhNGY02IB04d6eZ1Ntr-y3tzm67InqSRliK0kc2SA6J-e9QfcONeVr4RoZXc0TlDM60twIsNObWZWXJw/s320/P7160376.JPG" /> <div>Most of you know that I worked for an <a href="http://www.pa.org/">Adventure Education </a>company in Massachusetts. A co-worker from that company has recently relocated with his family to Virginia. The timing was right and we were able to stay with them and reap the benefits of his new adventure-based job. He manages, among other things, and attraction in West Virginia called a <a href="http://www.nelsonrocks.org/">Via Ferrata</a>. If you are like me, you have no idea what this is. Turns out, it’s a “pee-your-pants” rock climbing adventure that was invented in Italy. Climbing holds are permanently fixed to rock faces, and you have the pleasure of vertical climbing without the usual danger since you are clipped in and don’t have to find cracks in the rock to help you along.<br /><br />Tom handled it beautifully (surprise surprise!) and I used almost every profane word I know, but we both finished with some incredible views, pictures, and memories. Our guide was very kind to tell me I had “skills” which I am pretty sure she says to everyone that needs a little mental push up the rock. Thanks so much to my co-worker Wayne for setting this up—check out the amazing pictures! </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGJq5rNJz53QGHqhCSEfPNEeXIzX0AWLMwjOZ4IhthC5sHbSiv9OnlzLFiTCOXDyoUhLV05jo6y0VaZBZJYprLCj9Tv4P6Fef1JyaJOw5f9EvCgfhNo855j7WAG5JR9pV1nXf2jxGY40/s1600/P7160350.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500816494810962994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGJq5rNJz53QGHqhCSEfPNEeXIzX0AWLMwjOZ4IhthC5sHbSiv9OnlzLFiTCOXDyoUhLV05jo6y0VaZBZJYprLCj9Tv4P6Fef1JyaJOw5f9EvCgfhNo855j7WAG5JR9pV1nXf2jxGY40/s320/P7160350.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTttksl-bpvVep4sowesqWF0re4fnrUxX2EjimjA75x51-EWD9l7JquLNnLkcRJ_e-Jojk4jQPsW3WQFDYngrdS_wIMEIm68ay-rW_omt9cMbTaXrZJR9_SrhBcjF1mT9UD43KEwTyl1o/s1600/P7160327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500816484206717778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTttksl-bpvVep4sowesqWF0re4fnrUxX2EjimjA75x51-EWD9l7JquLNnLkcRJ_e-Jojk4jQPsW3WQFDYngrdS_wIMEIm68ay-rW_omt9cMbTaXrZJR9_SrhBcjF1mT9UD43KEwTyl1o/s320/P7160327.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKcUmL8P_CyKVRhJeNXEXnSNznXej3Ik2O_1dvvtHMxY3JeB2WbG96_w2qTwtio1xK_S8JsDALZKlzbtzYn6ulsm3Lkjk147r0tly7PZF7mpQYjcabwLxqBMXyqGVZD7kEIdQiWGNHJc/s1600/P7160317.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500816474416372818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKcUmL8P_CyKVRhJeNXEXnSNznXej3Ik2O_1dvvtHMxY3JeB2WbG96_w2qTwtio1xK_S8JsDALZKlzbtzYn6ulsm3Lkjk147r0tly7PZF7mpQYjcabwLxqBMXyqGVZD7kEIdQiWGNHJc/s320/P7160317.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81UXgpSn4msXDGa3EaT_pwHo9PoRc9JGdCHfVQDamkxbXRY60lypXwQF43dR3sCDYAjNBjKjKpvIo3Y2bLKmCT89S7v5DV-5ZPBzgT2iPjgOCX9sLC9y9Lym3_PdqFX9BFsj0b1aIq4/s1600/P7160310.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500816464759984258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS81UXgpSn4msXDGa3EaT_pwHo9PoRc9JGdCHfVQDamkxbXRY60lypXwQF43dR3sCDYAjNBjKjKpvIo3Y2bLKmCT89S7v5DV-5ZPBzgT2iPjgOCX9sLC9y9Lym3_PdqFX9BFsj0b1aIq4/s320/P7160310.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-35360702324944045002010-07-30T11:05:00.003-04:002010-08-02T10:12:01.466-04:00Washington, D.C. – Monument Valley (the man-made one!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lfVNup2HhB8BPBofo5B3tWc_If42nG-wiqx16vdZGK9xBZbzdToJr5Dh-_N8VayBKWpUeih3mE5VKuMk2binjl7eB-jI1Glx3Khkco5qj-Zijx0Fl1XcaYsn5uPQMKMENi0OrLTDSc/s1600/DSC_0235+(2).jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500814174065178162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lfVNup2HhB8BPBofo5B3tWc_If42nG-wiqx16vdZGK9xBZbzdToJr5Dh-_N8VayBKWpUeih3mE5VKuMk2binjl7eB-jI1Glx3Khkco5qj-Zijx0Fl1XcaYsn5uPQMKMENi0OrLTDSc/s320/DSC_0235+(2).jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7AeJMYGbKeFbx4PlTczZcVJiD6ZmE0rez3dkc-6sFNuOcmTFkdT2IazhOIdnSdhUhr6gHzl51dvSJD9W7JKl8sX8he_N4CvYa8f4f8ZX1fbYKXB9g6qOPOKKaImVZdD_LZ5UpXnQNtw/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 213px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500814164703014514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7AeJMYGbKeFbx4PlTczZcVJiD6ZmE0rez3dkc-6sFNuOcmTFkdT2IazhOIdnSdhUhr6gHzl51dvSJD9W7JKl8sX8he_N4CvYa8f4f8ZX1fbYKXB9g6qOPOKKaImVZdD_LZ5UpXnQNtw/s320/DSC_0217.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><br />Not our first time to the nation’s capital, but definitely the best one. We stayed with Cara’s aunt and uncle Rick and Julie in Silver Spring, MD. They took a couple of days off work to show us around the city and we packed it in. We saw the “Charters of Freedom” documents including the declaration of independence, bill of rights, constitution, etc. We also spent time in:<br /><ul><li>the museum of art (Yay <a href="http://www.jacksonpollock.com/">Jackson Pollock</a>!)<br /></li><li>botanical gardens (Yay rare orchids!) </li><br /><li>amercian indian museum (Yay, <a href="http://www.catrionajeffries.com/b_b_jungen_works.html">Brian Jungen</a>!) </li><br /><li>holocaust museum (no yay here, very very sad) </li><br /><li>Arlington national cemetery (Yay changing of the guard!) </li><br /><li>the capital building (Yay statues and paintings, oh my!)<br /></li></ul><p>Phew! Rick and Julie also treated us to a moonlight trolley tour of the monuments. We narrowly avoided getting struck by lightning next to the Jefferson memorial, but the storm cleared and distant lightning lit up the city. Thanks Rick, Julie, and DC! </p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTa-0TkHxxWnE1JzaWwjMUwKs7P-GYFpsQOb5oUE2KEwCDivMXkPoci9uJrJ8FCtTI9Ule3XXlG3HsX1q3idQQItjZyPt5BbJ-8tAh_DVbRfZEfIwyaec2nprEjrc8hUMKc-wVL9iOtU/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500813336743971362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTa-0TkHxxWnE1JzaWwjMUwKs7P-GYFpsQOb5oUE2KEwCDivMXkPoci9uJrJ8FCtTI9Ule3XXlG3HsX1q3idQQItjZyPt5BbJ-8tAh_DVbRfZEfIwyaec2nprEjrc8hUMKc-wVL9iOtU/s320/DSC_0145.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzO5T0RVXmn-Xo5wM9I2kSunUBrC3xcNgiSe0NsswVcY5DeAks_grwzlg5Evi7p6YVwdarTUTIBPvXSpB4Rogzoinnf9qGb1eu_nsiLVvqb7xGZkQdiqiJ_6zVVkx63Gm1CrCfpNxsfo/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500814154717035634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzO5T0RVXmn-Xo5wM9I2kSunUBrC3xcNgiSe0NsswVcY5DeAks_grwzlg5Evi7p6YVwdarTUTIBPvXSpB4Rogzoinnf9qGb1eu_nsiLVvqb7xGZkQdiqiJ_6zVVkx63Gm1CrCfpNxsfo/s320/DSC_0195.JPG" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbxpUMYpmEM6-n5ipEzR3wIrvhCtpymmZz3OhV5xnxcyTMvNxWIUDzmWh1S1Tm_NS1wpN3l1OeTUT1T6q3PYBthqlkVLowVmZSfJPgbMaxeFmtIYWK1Ej1SXCoa3zRP6rPrHlRJy_8Y/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 213px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500814152870863682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbxpUMYpmEM6-n5ipEzR3wIrvhCtpymmZz3OhV5xnxcyTMvNxWIUDzmWh1S1Tm_NS1wpN3l1OeTUT1T6q3PYBthqlkVLowVmZSfJPgbMaxeFmtIYWK1Ej1SXCoa3zRP6rPrHlRJy_8Y/s320/DSC_0151.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-43384568503892875412010-07-26T13:35:00.002-04:002010-07-26T13:40:47.804-04:00Long Island – Damn, I Forgot to Bring my Beach Body<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWsPRW6UH2acSwUPDCwxWDex-w3HTyR5a7DwkbwT8-iHReg0kZJofpYa-KgDPajElJnqiQ21EIb1n7YtPyhvzUdf6jfW2EWrJc1Mezu1bC7rlqG8c7ZhJdIXIsbj4xfgwBGfWZWfd7_Y/s1600/P7110191.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWsPRW6UH2acSwUPDCwxWDex-w3HTyR5a7DwkbwT8-iHReg0kZJofpYa-KgDPajElJnqiQ21EIb1n7YtPyhvzUdf6jfW2EWrJc1Mezu1bC7rlqG8c7ZhJdIXIsbj4xfgwBGfWZWfd7_Y/s320/P7110191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498271154829903698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMdw_WFUsxxgZ2X9ijQvuugC_zKwkioZMdA1c6pNxzotc9ANFKyNQ4B_PxhJ73F874UJFOoOZuG4-bAVXNL22jbvCo7tSyEJt84sVxrbL-AoETaqEo3-xMvCvhUpEWHYeqwMB7jgJO00/s1600/P7110194.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMdw_WFUsxxgZ2X9ijQvuugC_zKwkioZMdA1c6pNxzotc9ANFKyNQ4B_PxhJ73F874UJFOoOZuG4-bAVXNL22jbvCo7tSyEJt84sVxrbL-AoETaqEo3-xMvCvhUpEWHYeqwMB7jgJO00/s320/P7110194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498271142451611474" /></a><br />After the bustle of the city, we thought a nice, quiet state park campsite would do us well. So, we headed to Long Island (of course!). Our camp neighbors had a different scenario in mind – how does a nice mix of hip-hop, rap, and latino beats sound at full volume? Like diversity. <br />The next day we headed for the beach, where Tom won our competition for who could look the most like a boiled lobster. Tom says: Note to self #1: don’t try to body surf waves that are taller than you. You will be brushing your teeth with sand. Note to self #2: Apply sun block prior to going out in the sun, not after.The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-28677373714702067172010-07-26T13:33:00.004-04:002010-07-26T13:51:08.517-04:00Jersey Shore – Headline: Rogue Wave Douses Foolish Couple, Camera in Critical Condition.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4AE4r2L5JhBscHapOxoTfgRgJjUEPp4Pm1SwVzmochIsoFYqjAiQE155Np9kL892xLSc_BFuoG39LwhAJbXTaKAmG9ty0EZ_lFSUpkW-dFTvUXDavgBDrCCHygk220K69CoFwtoAQGg/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj1YcMv3m4w0zXRlhDYZEX3TA_HGCpU0XQcsmhvwefMIZR_XkgqnpPtf_YnaLLC1JFWQKNS-89wHg26VNiXjl9s4ZP7ZBPNXwTO6NMvr5ktYamwyPzQuFLRsgpzdn-Gw7gfGWoDFr6Qs/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498272845293799602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj1YcMv3m4w0zXRlhDYZEX3TA_HGCpU0XQcsmhvwefMIZR_XkgqnpPtf_YnaLLC1JFWQKNS-89wHg26VNiXjl9s4ZP7ZBPNXwTO6NMvr5ktYamwyPzQuFLRsgpzdn-Gw7gfGWoDFr6Qs/s320/DSC_0676.JPG" /></a>Picture this: a beautiful morning walk on the Jersey shoreline. The only people in sight are rich housewives doing yoga by the waves. Oh look, now you see a jetty, how nice. You go sit on the jetty and watch the waves roll on below. You take some pictures, you breathe in the warm air of summer. And then BLAM! You are smacked in the face by a rogue wave, soaking you and your damn expensive camera. Thanks for nothing Jersey Shore.<br />P.S. The camera lived to see another day.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTuK9nqlUc2okn5YgVE5RBCu2yyNh4PGNjxskce4Mrymnprh_VvnqLSKhMV45F9yMz2oa-lEt6ryl0ajsMkPBNjAlZPdYPFfrDRju48UUr-Y-jWOrqyWzuR0MvE1UsLPfg7s1VXAwHYw/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498272836880728978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTuK9nqlUc2okn5YgVE5RBCu2yyNh4PGNjxskce4Mrymnprh_VvnqLSKhMV45F9yMz2oa-lEt6ryl0ajsMkPBNjAlZPdYPFfrDRju48UUr-Y-jWOrqyWzuR0MvE1UsLPfg7s1VXAwHYw/s320/DSC_0659.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGANHOeeMdXE4WDbFNNHYO8fQJozeP3xjGkorQgJerv72vuY5dHn2lHmRqETuRGfOhHNnvk0toSjMyK_gYOyjz1WCIMBl9erx2CXk-WpNtkUlv3pXcI0edtZbGzKEmKe-yJ3sWVcRcCtk/s1600/DSC_0828.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498273354158382530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGANHOeeMdXE4WDbFNNHYO8fQJozeP3xjGkorQgJerv72vuY5dHn2lHmRqETuRGfOhHNnvk0toSjMyK_gYOyjz1WCIMBl9erx2CXk-WpNtkUlv3pXcI0edtZbGzKEmKe-yJ3sWVcRcCtk/s320/DSC_0828.JPG" /></a></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-15991283021296532052010-07-18T08:19:00.002-04:002010-07-18T08:39:21.531-04:00New York City – "The Houses Behind You Are Very Tall"We headed into the city for a long weekend with the intention of seeing three different people. Sadly, due to scheduling conflicts, we saw none of them. Fortunately, we are a power couple of fun and managed to keep ourselves busy. No, we didn’t spend the entire time in breweries (too expensive!) but we did find some good beer (see picture of me with four, count them, four mugs), good food (see picture of my baked ziti pizza slice), and good times (see me with adorable husband). Highlight: getting our picture taken in front of the buildings lining Central Park. The man who took the picture was a Swede who said to us, “I can’t get all the <em>houses</em> behind you, the <em>houses</em> are very tall.”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweFR59UQM4PWfPTmqQvG0yBWUxMR9tEKnfRkM22nH6opKw0K8uqKnBIEfy7R97BLiotNaxPtgeshU5MiwsZjGhiHffAfKetzD9y_IAhwItIMQkpb7-0z0T9YlHgwTFz3RQjzBVSxFthY/s1600/P7090182.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495223291590570738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweFR59UQM4PWfPTmqQvG0yBWUxMR9tEKnfRkM22nH6opKw0K8uqKnBIEfy7R97BLiotNaxPtgeshU5MiwsZjGhiHffAfKetzD9y_IAhwItIMQkpb7-0z0T9YlHgwTFz3RQjzBVSxFthY/s320/P7090182.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk160BDOgNbntj-i-EoIUYQifNBLNrmcpahw-BozWXATzjXNIrJEFMdLfl0F-mmdFD5LXTf5inhmTf_VHUCp_aKDxhXGIgpIrB36kesNrLubK9tAwJlmjpEaqtwlTUVQvY3ehi1uqHLA/s1600/P7090170.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495223288609399026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk160BDOgNbntj-i-EoIUYQifNBLNrmcpahw-BozWXATzjXNIrJEFMdLfl0F-mmdFD5LXTf5inhmTf_VHUCp_aKDxhXGIgpIrB36kesNrLubK9tAwJlmjpEaqtwlTUVQvY3ehi1uqHLA/s320/P7090170.JPG" /></a> Yes, those houses are very tall indeed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKO_ZcobF2kI4TJiGGc9kKK3KiZm8A8WtHnYV1VT9CzORfAQ0JnmqaN7A4b6VFii9ubtD8tj-ln5WjKcDCQsaJW-nMFzWTEMZ8c8t2kB-sfIE3biY8xj-utw_fUkttYl-w_b_Qx3clgs/s1600/DSC_0649.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495223280291847698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKO_ZcobF2kI4TJiGGc9kKK3KiZm8A8WtHnYV1VT9CzORfAQ0JnmqaN7A4b6VFii9ubtD8tj-ln5WjKcDCQsaJW-nMFzWTEMZ8c8t2kB-sfIE3biY8xj-utw_fUkttYl-w_b_Qx3clgs/s320/DSC_0649.JPG" /></a>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-59690563724411597582010-07-18T08:05:00.002-04:002010-07-18T08:19:01.087-04:00Gettysburg – Abe Lincoln is my new homeboy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R_xSyxf496IddgN3w1MXBMOsF6BOcxX2Hi-5nDzhR4-Ps8Y-8fCKdkEc2Dj1w5Egil2RUXDgJfQ9sBiW3tA9013IUxhDHJyEoqc0FAWtJOa5RIPTPhUVCoyjDXE_GXtZbXN7kc4ycN4/s1600/P7080142.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495218690519448050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R_xSyxf496IddgN3w1MXBMOsF6BOcxX2Hi-5nDzhR4-Ps8Y-8fCKdkEc2Dj1w5Egil2RUXDgJfQ9sBiW3tA9013IUxhDHJyEoqc0FAWtJOa5RIPTPhUVCoyjDXE_GXtZbXN7kc4ycN4/s320/P7080142.JPG" /></a> I’ve never been a history buff, but Gettysburg is amazing! We took a driving tour of the battlefield and must have read a hundred monument inscriptions and informational placards. When you see the landscape it is easy to imagine how the battle unfolded. Especially when Cara kept saying “you’re standing on a dead guy.” After the tour we stood in the Gettysburg Memorial Cemetery and read the Gettysburg address as Lincoln had done almost 157 years ago. Very inspiring.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH4UJaC1pO0jSZEfNoV0QwbDeJVF8ovRBv1_Mh_UsPXXEjlpiEqcpynvVD2DUFY6DXt1VKiYXxKfPxLHMgIDTKN3feogVlGVRJl-QeR9LKWZCJk4zBrhy6kuQkbs40c58LP2Hz4pUHhw/s1600/P7080141.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495218675373955442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH4UJaC1pO0jSZEfNoV0QwbDeJVF8ovRBv1_Mh_UsPXXEjlpiEqcpynvVD2DUFY6DXt1VKiYXxKfPxLHMgIDTKN3feogVlGVRJl-QeR9LKWZCJk4zBrhy6kuQkbs40c58LP2Hz4pUHhw/s320/P7080141.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SQecLHKF7z7OqY1KtbK19ZKYrb2RuBDnz1EIVjvYgVI4-PMJFvc8kGqD7VVJoeSLK6hRlF5XMp1QRIXTl4L2qQL7or7z7ooEfRot_H9PlXmqoebUY6-fqyp-8NdI0RBcYrQMNYxI3e4/s1600/P7080127.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495218668349428546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SQecLHKF7z7OqY1KtbK19ZKYrb2RuBDnz1EIVjvYgVI4-PMJFvc8kGqD7VVJoeSLK6hRlF5XMp1QRIXTl4L2qQL7or7z7ooEfRot_H9PlXmqoebUY6-fqyp-8NdI0RBcYrQMNYxI3e4/s320/P7080127.JPG" /></a>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-54586124023978035582010-07-14T09:32:00.002-04:002010-07-14T09:40:06.203-04:00Snakes are People Too (Who do Number 2's)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJt6KMoFzCF0SR0Czg83TFgutwrDElh-9OtJPVLsGDR-CSDJRtgdCI1y97CVmUoLPX_gDqQ1SR4Yh9tZ8eN2jkqVZbHapi36Egm3qgZPmOH8sEvdoWqE7isnZ8cYY4XCvbrN09eDzkGk/s1600/DSC_0643.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493755176560556466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJt6KMoFzCF0SR0Czg83TFgutwrDElh-9OtJPVLsGDR-CSDJRtgdCI1y97CVmUoLPX_gDqQ1SR4Yh9tZ8eN2jkqVZbHapi36Egm3qgZPmOH8sEvdoWqE7isnZ8cYY4XCvbrN09eDzkGk/s320/DSC_0643.JPG" /></a>Lovely time spent at Matt’s in Harrisburg, but it was time for us to hit the open road. We headed south to Gettysburg, PA but stopped a little north to camp at a lovely little place called Calendria State Park. Some old guy made iron there in the woods before the civil war until those foolhardy soldiers burnt everything down. Dumbies. Anyway, it was a magical evening of lightning bugs and our first night in the tent. In the morning, we were sitting at the picnic table enjoying some coffee and the sounds of the morning birds. Then, strangely, out of the sounds of nature came another familiar sound. This sound is typically only heard when one is alone and has perhaps recently had a fried burrito. Tom and I were stopped short in our conversation, but the noise did not continue and we were left to guess if a bird or large squirrel had gotten into another camper’s supply of Cheetos. Then, about a minute later, Tom spied a movement in the grass near where the sound had come from. Lo and Behold, there was an ENORMOUS black snake not 15 feet away <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi42PkcGtJwTvg6_88mHEzNEndGhCeOB0VlIHNg1UZZBrdb70Jf-l9y9Hk4IMjvJjCZrhm37625su8sPYX341m04_xRvIsLn7j2olV5AcWRBycsqwRORJSFWra4M6J7D667pBdc9LpJEQ/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493755167314039938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi42PkcGtJwTvg6_88mHEzNEndGhCeOB0VlIHNg1UZZBrdb70Jf-l9y9Hk4IMjvJjCZrhm37625su8sPYX341m04_xRvIsLn7j2olV5AcWRBycsqwRORJSFWra4M6J7D667pBdc9LpJEQ/s320/DSC_0637.JPG" /></a>from us, slithering slowly along the outskirts of our campsite. We observed it for some time, with Tom taking pictures and me running after breathing, “holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, did you see that thing!?” All in all, it was somewhat uneventful, as the snake was pretty sluggish, but he certainly bestowed a gift of diarrhea at our camp and a laugh in my belly for the rest of the day.<br /><br />(That thing was six feet long!)The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-44850720125173363962010-07-13T23:18:00.004-04:002010-07-14T09:31:41.365-04:00Harrisburg is a Hoot!We kicked off our trip with a perfect family bar-b-que on the 4th of July in Concord, NH. Thanks Mom, Dad, and family!<br /><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEF29w0oR3lIZsLbw94v3lYjUBEhVteA8WgY3_3v01EPy6vBqvMpF1V7PCOJsv06b8Y1krcokATOM3WYjqsYEwj2LXp7P53JCOrQfA5WYh-yt_2gWWdjwdfb1qu8WkuH9FN3wMfFBWKI/s1600/P7070099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493753315996388626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEF29w0oR3lIZsLbw94v3lYjUBEhVteA8WgY3_3v01EPy6vBqvMpF1V7PCOJsv06b8Y1krcokATOM3WYjqsYEwj2LXp7P53JCOrQfA5WYh-yt_2gWWdjwdfb1qu8WkuH9FN3wMfFBWKI/s320/P7070099.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAp6h70gPNk9y4GWhXCEtSYyOJuDGMl7GDhOZnbXCr1CMkZUhy5dursO2sCF5tiDBnayHUqh407cCO6iotRSybURKddj2857g6ABSaQgFKKuxp3mIMRG2_v2yZikXbML-vs8MSxQiWkg/s1600/P7070095.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493753324979727602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAp6h70gPNk9y4GWhXCEtSYyOJuDGMl7GDhOZnbXCr1CMkZUhy5dursO2sCF5tiDBnayHUqh407cCO6iotRSybURKddj2857g6ABSaQgFKKuxp3mIMRG2_v2yZikXbML-vs8MSxQiWkg/s320/P7070095.JPG" /></a>After leaving Concord on Monday morning we drove to central Pennsylvania to spend a few days with our friend Matt in Shermans Dale just west of Harrisburg. Matt has a beautiful house along a creek where we caught tons of fish, watched lightning bugs, and ate crawdads right out of water! Matt then took us into the big city to take a tour of the state house and watch the Harrisburg Senators (a AA affiliate of the Washington Nationals). Thanks Matt!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpEzicPW6re66WPfHlmvO7jC0RUAsyp_DyV82mMb95lB7XKMISSdoHBKtW4hCXwfREgQfCFMPwIzRfaFbsiGvrHR-airsckqZj6duWWZ0Y-JmrBnxnNqbiiOhPHhuAOtYvLhHL8PdvsY/s1600/P7060063.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493753334391833810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpEzicPW6re66WPfHlmvO7jC0RUAsyp_DyV82mMb95lB7XKMISSdoHBKtW4hCXwfREgQfCFMPwIzRfaFbsiGvrHR-airsckqZj6duWWZ0Y-JmrBnxnNqbiiOhPHhuAOtYvLhHL8PdvsY/s320/P7060063.JPG" /></a></p>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-32679379323745447802010-07-09T12:15:00.002-04:002010-07-09T12:35:48.443-04:00The Maigles Summer Tour 2010<p align="left">Alright People, here it is! We have created a tentative schedule for your perusal. The dates and locations are flexible, and you can "request a visit" by email us at homebrewfool@yahoo.com. We are doing our best to see everyone and everything we can before settling in Denver in October. We've been on the road for a few days now, and if they are any indication, this is going to be a killer trip!!<br /></p><p align="left"><br />Concord, New Hampshire July 3-5, 2010</p><p align="left">Harrisburg, Pennsylvania July 5-7, 2010 </p><p align="left">Bath, Pennsylvania July 8, 2010 </p><p align="left">New York and Long Island, New York July 9-11, 2010 </p><p align="left">Washington, D.C July 12-14, 2010 </p><p align="left">Harrisonburg, Virginia July 15, 2010</p><p align="left">Out and About, West Virginia July 16-17, 2010 </p><p align="left">Mammoth Cave, Kentucky July 17-19, 2010 </p><p align="left">Out and About, Illinois July 19-21, 2010 </p><p align="left">Cedarburg, Wisconsin July 22-25, 2010 </p><p align="left">Out and About, South Dakota July 26. 2010 </p><p align="left">Mt Rushmore, South Dakota July 27, 2010 </p><p align="left">Out and About, North Dakota July 28-29, 2010 </p><p align="left">Out and About, Montana July 30-31, 2010 </p><p align="left">Banff National Park, Alberta August 1-4, 2010 </p><p align="left">Vancouver, British Columbia August 5-7, 2010 </p><p align="left">Seattle, Washington August 8-9, 2010 </p><p align="left">Portland, Oregon August 10-14, 2010 </p><p align="left">Eugene, Oregon August 15-16, 2010 </p><p align="left">Redwoods and coastal fun, California August 17-21, 2010 </p><p align="left">Foresthill, California August 22-25, 2010 </p><p align="left">Yosemite National Park, California August 26-29, 2010 </p><p align="left">Death Valley National Park, California August 30-31, 2010 (holy hot!) </p><p align="left">Las Vegas, Nevada September 1-2, 2010 </p><p align="left">Tucson, Arizona September 3-4, 2010 </p><p align="left">Flagstaff, Arizona September 4-7, 2010 </p><p align="left">Out and About, Utah September 8-11, 2010 </p><p align="left">Denver, Colorado Septmeber 11-21, 2010 </p><p align="left">Concord, New Hampshire September 21-25 </p><p align="left">Bogota, Colombia September 25-October 4 </p><p align="left">Boston, Massachusetts October 4-12 (and Concord too!) </p><p align="left">Denver, Colorado! Forever more...<br /><br /><br /></p>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-6565462539797638422010-06-30T09:55:00.003-04:002010-07-01T08:11:59.965-04:00Our Summer Schedule, a review.So, many of our people are rightfully confused by the timeline of our summer plans. So, when we went to Colorado last week, many thought we were there to stay. But no! Here is how it breaks down:<br /><br /><strong>June</strong>: We went to Colorado on our "honeymoon" and camped for 9 days at the Telluride Bluegrass festival. We then returned to Boston to pack our belongings get ready for the big trip.<br /><br />Movers arrive to June 30th to take away the majority of our belongings. They will be storing all of the stuff until October, and then dropping it at our new place in Denver (address TBD)<br /><br /><strong>July, August, September</strong>: We will be driving around the country, camping and visiting with friends. Check back for our "2010 Summer Tour Schedule" to see if the Maigles are coming your way.<br /><br /><strong>October</strong>: After a quick trip to Bogota, Colombia, we will finally be settling in Denver. Tom's first day is October 18th and I will be looking for a job as soon as I get there.<br /><br />See, that's not so confusing, is it!The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-38529817021773143942010-06-12T10:39:00.002-04:002010-06-12T10:57:27.448-04:00Hey, it's Tom. This is my first blogpost and I feel kind of dirty, but here goes. I got to Denver late last night after some weather delays and Cara picked me up at about 1 am. She almost didn't make it because of construction detours and a hailstorm. I have to be honest...I didn't believe that getting to the airport could have been that stressful, but she was right. The weather was terrible and we had to take an insane detour to get to our hotel. So after about 4 hours of sleep we are getting ready to hit the road and drive 6.5 hours to Telluride. I guess I should volunteer to drive since Cara just drove the last 2000 miles. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts from the land of bluegrass!The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-73922552590653989382010-06-02T07:51:00.005-04:002010-06-03T22:19:31.093-04:00Yard Sale Extravaganza!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVY0_9Q6EhGCDJH8_tuAkhuBWpFBtI5dNi6A_TAq5dQPEAA4zb2dRBDoHdiIS4SlyrxbdpPJV8vGHQyuXHr-FZF5sWyectWH5pJ0SHGfVKfUeLChJq7N2ViCn9dWDyrxaJXuZyKpnynA/s1600/DSC_0392.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478147048344608658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVY0_9Q6EhGCDJH8_tuAkhuBWpFBtI5dNi6A_TAq5dQPEAA4zb2dRBDoHdiIS4SlyrxbdpPJV8vGHQyuXHr-FZF5sWyectWH5pJ0SHGfVKfUeLChJq7N2ViCn9dWDyrxaJXuZyKpnynA/s320/DSC_0392.jpg" border="0" /></a> Oh yard sale, how I love thee. I get to sit all day and watch people look through my things, and then devalue them by haggling them down to practically free. Some of our favorite quotes from the day:<br /><br /><div><div>"You got any good junk?" (as yelled out the window by a guy who wouldn't get out of the car)<br /></div><div>"You don't really have a lot of stuff, you know."<br /></div><div>"Can I just have this?"<br /></div><div>"This is beautiful! I'll give you a dollar."<br /></div><div>"Oh, I'm so glad we came!" (said repeatedly by the cutest old lady on the planet, even as she was being helped back into the car and then out the window as she was driven away)<br /><br />Most people were very kind, and gave us well wishes for our trip. And we made just enough to treat ourselves to a sub sandwich for dinner. :)</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1817247861016819240.post-3683565396453660102010-05-28T21:05:00.000-04:002010-05-28T21:12:11.484-04:00The Adventure is Just BeginningWell, with this post, we are no longer blogging "virgins". I feel so exposed. :)<br /><br />Why are we starting this blog? Good question. We are moving to Denver, but first we must test the newly formed bonds of marriage by living in a truck and driving across the country together. We will be without a permanent home for three months. This is our 21st century way of keeping in touch with the world at large. Get ready people!<br /><br />Someone at Tom's work asked if we were taking a covered wagon to Denver, since it was going to take us 3 months to get there. This inspired our blog name, plus I just like the word wanderlust.<br /><br />That's all for now. Just gettin' started...The Maigleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903552412683820989noreply@blogger.com0