tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14198944572984366862024-03-05T15:38:03.432-07:00Bascombe ManiaThe many mania of Stanley Bascombe
(aka Gary Benson)Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-52697346727628273102015-12-11T13:31:00.003-07:002015-12-18T16:18:10.187-07:00Singing with Karen and Richard<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me singing with The Carpenters. I was the kid closest to Karen</td></tr>
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<b>Blast From The Past</b><br />
Back in 1973, when I was in the sixth grade, The Carpenters had a hit song that charted at #3. The song was "Sing." The song had a children's chorus. When The Carpenters toured in 1973, they had a tourdate in Rexburg, Idaho at Ricks College. Their manager scouted ahead to all of the cities where they were to play and made contact with the district music teachers to find the best sixth grade class to sing with the group. My sixth grade class at Lincoln Elementary School was selected.<br />
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We practiced for weeks. The Carpenters were doing two performances back to back so they split our sixth grade class in two equal halves. I was selected to be in the late show. Because I was the shortest kid in our class, I was put on the end. When we marched out on stage, the lights were bright and we were excited. The song started and we sang. During her vocals, Karen came over and stood next to me. crouched down and put her arm around me and sang to me. I was the only one in our group that Karen sang to.<br />
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I was in love. We were all in love.<br />
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Thank you Renee Whitehead for posting this picGary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-74784843622571867912015-09-07T01:18:00.000-06:002015-09-07T01:18:02.788-06:00Nebraska<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-51820027150510034692015-05-06T00:31:00.002-06:002015-05-06T00:31:50.364-06:00Kevin Locke<span style="color: blue;"><b>Influences</b></span><br />
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Sometimes you know someone for a long time and they influence your life. Sometimes you know someone for a short time and they influence your life. Then there is happenstance. When I was in graduate school at Mankato State University, one day I happened to be hungry at noon. I happened to have some free time. I happened to have just enough money in my pocket to get a sandwich from the student union.<br />
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At noon, on the quad at MSU, they would sometimes have an open mic where anyone could say anything they wished. Other times they would bring people in to talk or entertain. I'm sure there was a system, but to me it seemed random. You never knew what you were going to get when you crossed the quad.<br />
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On this particular day that everything happened to be in place for me to get a sandwich from the Student Union, I reached the quad and there was a Native American in full regalia dancing. I have always been interested in all things Native American and I stopped and watched his show. I was mesmerized. I forgot my hunger.<br />
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He was hoop dancing. I had seen some hoop dancing on television but only a little. This guy had scattered a bunch of hoops all across the ground and would dance over a hoop and with his toes and legs would work it up his body. Then another and another. I don't know how many he had but there were at least twenty. With these hoops, he made all the traditional forms. I was transfixed. At the end of his routine, he worked all the hoops into an interlocking doughnut around his body. The music stopped and he placed his hands on top of the doughnut and pushed it down to the ground. As he stepped out of the doughnut, it snapped into a sphere.<br />
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Then he talked in the microphone. He talked about the circle and it's symbolism. He talked about his hoops. There were four colors of hoops in his kit. There were red ones, black ones, white ones and yellow ones. He talked about the four colors as the four winds and the four directions and then he talked about the four colors of man. Red, black, white and yellow. He talked about how each is important to the other and if one was gone the whole thing would collapse. He then pulled a random hoop out of the kit and the sphere sprang apart.<br />
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Paradigm shift! His show made me want to be a better person.<br />
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I kept that lesson with me and have thought about it often. Probably a month hasn't gone by since that I haven't thought about that dance and the lessons I learned from it. To this day I don't recall if I made it to the Student Union for that sandwich, but I do remember the profound lesson I learned by watching him dance. I believe it was the first time in my life I shed tears while viewing a dance. That was about twenty-five years ago.<br />
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I got a job in 2000 teaching at Brigham Young University-Idaho. We have a program there called "Center Stage" where they bring acts in from all over the world to perform for the student body and the local community. We've had Chinese acrobats, French mimes, Japanese drummers and many many others. It's pretty amazing what they bring in to this town that is otherwise in the middle of nowhere.<br />
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I talked to the guy in charge of Center Stage when I first got here about this Native American guy I had seen who had changed my life all those years ago. I asked him to bring the guy in because I wanted to expose his teachings to our studentbody. Problem is, I didn't know who he was. It took awhile, but I finally tracked him down and discovered his name was Kevin Locke. His website can be found <b><i><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.kevinlocke.com/" target="_blank">here</a></span></u></i></b>.<br />
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Center Stage gets booked sometimes years in advance and it took a long time, but we finally got Kevin Locke booked at BYU-Idaho. I volunteered to host him while he was here. It was a dream come true for me. I was a little nervous. What if he wasn't as cool as I had remembered him? What if he was aloof? What if? What if? What if?<br />
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We scheduled three master classes with Kevin, and I spent two days with him. I found him to be one of the most genuine individuals I have ever known. He transitioned me from groupie to friend in moments.<br />
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Our first master class was with the theatre students. Kevin is a storyteller as well as a dancer. The second master class was with the music students because Kevin plays the Native American Flute, an instrument he has rescued from the brink of extinction. He said that when he takes the flute to different Native American groups, people come to him and give him gifts of song. They'll give him a song their families sang and played. Songs that hadn't been played on a flute for fifty years or more. Then we had the master class with the dance students. He brought his regular hoops and then he brought many others that he allowed us all to use as he taught us to dance. Most of us looked pretty silly as we attempted to do what he did. It was a great couple of days.<br />
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The second night he was here, he did a performance for Center Stage. His performance was a mixture of dancing, storytelling and flute playing. He also did the dance with the hoops where he made the doughnut around his middle and turned it into a sphere. Just as I had remembered it from all those years before. He talked about the four winds, the four directions and the four colors of man. The audience loved his show.<br />
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I had my sons with me for that performance. They loved the show. I hope it was life changing for them as it was for me. I don't think it shifted their paradigms, though because I have taught them those lessons all of their lives.<br />
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I took my boys to meet Kevin after the show. He was absolutely gracious. A great man. And I finally got to hang out with him. I have a great life.<br />
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Thank you Kevin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Locke and me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin greeting people after the show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin with me and my boys</td></tr>
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<br />Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-27271037112859661792015-04-16T13:03:00.001-06:002015-04-16T13:47:23.183-06:00Rexburg, Idaho Air Show<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in Ole Yeller! P-51 Mustang</td></tr>
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<b>Rexburg, Idaho: Flight Museum and Airshow</b><br />
The town in which I live has a flight museum, mainly devoted to WWII propeller driven aircraft, but a few exhibits that are older and some that are newer. Rexburg is a small town, so to have this kind of history is pretty cool.<br />
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The main feature of the museum are the P-51 Mustangs. The P-51 Mustang was a single engine fighter that was designed and built later in the war by the Americans and the British. The airplane was an American design and American engineering with a British made Rolls Royce engine.<br />
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Before the Mustang, the heavy bombers flying over Germany had a terrible attrition rate. They were being shot down by the Luftwaffe at an incredibly high rate. The fighter escorts they had before the Mustang were short range and couldn't go the distance. The German air force knew the range of the previous fighters and would hang out at the turnaround point and then shoot the bombers out of the sky.<br />
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That all changed when the Mustang came about. The Mustang had a long enough range to fly from England to Berlin and back again. Not only that but it was fast, elegant, could fly at high altitudes or low. The Mustang had wing mounted machine guns and could carry a torpedo beneath. The wings were also fitted with drop tanks to increase the range. There was no other plane that could compete with the P-51 Mustang.<br />
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There were other planes that on a single attribute may be better than the Mustang, but no other airplane did everything as well as the Mustang did. Once the Mustang entered the war, we lost very few heavy bombers because of it. When Hermann Goring, the head of the Nazi Luftwaffe saw the first Mustang fly over Berlin, he declared the war to be lost.<br />
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Today there are an estimated 150 P-51 Mustangs in the world that are flight worthy. Rexburg, Idaho has three of them on display most of the time. Most of the time, meaning when they aren't in the air...<br />
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The Mustang is my very favorite military aircraft of any war at any time. It is truly an elegant bird.<br />
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Last year, for the Memorial Day airshow, one of the curators of the flight museum asked me to supply him with costumed actors to work as ushers for the event. I helped him out and in return I got to sit in the most famous P-51 of all, <b><i><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hoover" target="_blank">Ole Yeller</a></span></u></i></b>! Old Yeller still has the speed record for a single engine, propeller driven airplane flying coast to coast in the United States. It was owned by Bob Hoover and he set that record years ago. He sold it to a man here in Rexburg who is an airplane enthusiast. The Smithsonian wanted it, but they would have put it in a static display and it would have never flown again. Hoover sold it to the gentleman in Rexburg because he knew Ole Yeller would continue to fly. He couldn't conceive of a world in which Ole Yeller wouldn't fly.<br />
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Every year on Memorial Day there is an airshow, free of charge for the public here. 50,000 people show up sometimes. Typically, my family and I drive down to Moreland, Idaho to visit my father's grave site and we miss the airshow. Last year, I caught the first part of it. While my family was getting ready, I walked over to the park with my camera and took a few photos. Sadly, we had to leave before they brought out the Mustangs.<br />
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Here are some pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting with Ole Yeller</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the Mormon Mustang</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Bi-Plane first pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII or Korean War vintage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoS1r3P3g1UDasg0ZIBIqzsnrL8QTfLBLO3fCf_X7cPIPEjC9fwH2xK7bZePW8XEe_2AfWhEv6Ay4XFr-lSK3j2cnCOafcRJLNxuLIZxK5RZ9wYZC9OoFhzmnA8SBUq_Z8KLlOdUEqwc/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoS1r3P3g1UDasg0ZIBIqzsnrL8QTfLBLO3fCf_X7cPIPEjC9fwH2xK7bZePW8XEe_2AfWhEv6Ay4XFr-lSK3j2cnCOafcRJLNxuLIZxK5RZ9wYZC9OoFhzmnA8SBUq_Z8KLlOdUEqwc/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and it's Marine counterpart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp1_qqY2BTPEuVH5tE3wsYqzm_0pUH7bzNIP8xNp6qgA2RPf9f4CLGqOCaawW8J1bH3nbCvwFfaEPuOfL0fxPn0GYZpWvqw99c0eqxgsFj5WACoP44QrNpfXuTQ-YfSsXw14eQkCUmO0/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrp1_qqY2BTPEuVH5tE3wsYqzm_0pUH7bzNIP8xNp6qgA2RPf9f4CLGqOCaawW8J1bH3nbCvwFfaEPuOfL0fxPn0GYZpWvqw99c0eqxgsFj5WACoP44QrNpfXuTQ-YfSsXw14eQkCUmO0/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is a Korean War vintage aircraft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3MkWMUD4R9Qfs4t1Zl_QNlzXFoCR-U7XeGQtBcYQO279bepfqnaHjA-SqKVpYHUllscGiC3nrkLCOjXaiMcBulkW0dDhEhg68UfKffMi-FSV2jupelemqGCw0NttFwQ17dxHd-zmq2Q/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3MkWMUD4R9Qfs4t1Zl_QNlzXFoCR-U7XeGQtBcYQO279bepfqnaHjA-SqKVpYHUllscGiC3nrkLCOjXaiMcBulkW0dDhEhg68UfKffMi-FSV2jupelemqGCw0NttFwQ17dxHd-zmq2Q/s1600/IMG_4426.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Bi-Plane second pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwLas_ijjDafFWrQNhK0LonwNZS1ylVUL0TZbqMou5kMLrmSDKRF3VsJoAI-XXVpRQtN0m-pUYM3VDocWihi1ZlnNW6JFkJDRMP36ZFgPN4_V3AhoMOnsYTTOu31nSjKj4ZXs4FS3hsc/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwLas_ijjDafFWrQNhK0LonwNZS1ylVUL0TZbqMou5kMLrmSDKRF3VsJoAI-XXVpRQtN0m-pUYM3VDocWihi1ZlnNW6JFkJDRMP36ZFgPN4_V3AhoMOnsYTTOu31nSjKj4ZXs4FS3hsc/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's that plane again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-LRBDIMXAJ9FJniaTVeR1D-PfwleV9DjD5hgFTMzahYsnKsa8ZkJucsSiRlUmZG12OE3l5w1icqzje0cATLTFeE5LUC6JVF2GlrjA8r8dym7gvpaZWKYj3st8s1Lf-QY2gN2sJQxY_g/s1600/IMG_4439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-LRBDIMXAJ9FJniaTVeR1D-PfwleV9DjD5hgFTMzahYsnKsa8ZkJucsSiRlUmZG12OE3l5w1icqzje0cATLTFeE5LUC6JVF2GlrjA8r8dym7gvpaZWKYj3st8s1Lf-QY2gN2sJQxY_g/s1600/IMG_4439.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCIeiNPkrjAaZBokMOYXTBJGZuzgkLgOBXYfeOXEr_Nc9KuDOfsThTGdzQ3jBaSd5cdl6tJJdaz6Rw_GXr-UCk88YqeODtImHQd8BaV2y305AW7Jvp7t7Ka1fMBLlXPXUi2CrG0NFsds/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCIeiNPkrjAaZBokMOYXTBJGZuzgkLgOBXYfeOXEr_Nc9KuDOfsThTGdzQ3jBaSd5cdl6tJJdaz6Rw_GXr-UCk88YqeODtImHQd8BaV2y305AW7Jvp7t7Ka1fMBLlXPXUi2CrG0NFsds/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a crop duster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6S383PM8aKgwBg6Wxb6EuOmxj3af0rQZ1eGPsrF2_DyvxCwoMuVhIJsWJLyrhbJEXmOI39UB8J1kZnR6vNu8yjCsyq8YddAfdPeb6S8q7IhMfO8ap7s6qLfQKX54ilZyH6kvLv98j-o/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6S383PM8aKgwBg6Wxb6EuOmxj3af0rQZ1eGPsrF2_DyvxCwoMuVhIJsWJLyrhbJEXmOI39UB8J1kZnR6vNu8yjCsyq8YddAfdPeb6S8q7IhMfO8ap7s6qLfQKX54ilZyH6kvLv98j-o/s1600/IMG_4464.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red Bi-Plane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N-2rdaviZS9F3fYUca2752M-zqXl_T6gjmQ-wRAL0SYRplI9qCYe0yXK4n9ZYdDhtwJAeMkn09Pu_KVl9VJDHI_dbr_ng5UJnIDiZ_Dih82fuDoSydyC2wByg3ODX5p8CY8RMEItOjs/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2N-2rdaviZS9F3fYUca2752M-zqXl_T6gjmQ-wRAL0SYRplI9qCYe0yXK4n9ZYdDhtwJAeMkn09Pu_KVl9VJDHI_dbr_ng5UJnIDiZ_Dih82fuDoSydyC2wByg3ODX5p8CY8RMEItOjs/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big ole boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JEoJpkuYEabccWkKEjkVSjI2xTd8uY6IeRCjJAKwcl9-5-9tHYOy_9gz_sYVzn_YH6mLg8Y7ZgBYo2j9-gb5cGTpT-40rLXnYxtsQiBewbR1joExnO11HF_6RWBIQDpmpjEm125k0fY/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JEoJpkuYEabccWkKEjkVSjI2xTd8uY6IeRCjJAKwcl9-5-9tHYOy_9gz_sYVzn_YH6mLg8Y7ZgBYo2j9-gb5cGTpT-40rLXnYxtsQiBewbR1joExnO11HF_6RWBIQDpmpjEm125k0fY/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2ZtQhkC9iZ31CEhPSz4-EeL9MnOxKh-Uz1U7DuPBbKKXTfQG8tvbDgzqX-z6C63zpGTYShZElcTsnef2tAFvbOsx8JK-PUQiQJdg5ENE8plXyFhgFDmbrZkAWT00Rs23IyFhO8qtQEQ/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2ZtQhkC9iZ31CEhPSz4-EeL9MnOxKh-Uz1U7DuPBbKKXTfQG8tvbDgzqX-z6C63zpGTYShZElcTsnef2tAFvbOsx8JK-PUQiQJdg5ENE8plXyFhgFDmbrZkAWT00Rs23IyFhO8qtQEQ/s1600/IMG_4478.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Bi-Plane second pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All in all, this is a pretty cool place to live. It's a small town, and yet there is so much to do here. What other town this size could boast three P-51 Mustangs?Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-5783112498891594512015-03-30T23:55:00.002-06:002015-04-16T13:45:17.336-06:00The Zombaby<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5kFd_rBZuqq4hJkqCFBoSofSs4-_MnHzO0CAepoPXm1gRwYlClvU7C9xhrJC3haBzFWJ_C3C_j1yjcxl-D_jphp6KG6yHQZH5REjfJY_WlSk_MFDI_MguDbrZBffyMb3wcmUHu6nB9A/s1600/IMG_8802+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5kFd_rBZuqq4hJkqCFBoSofSs4-_MnHzO0CAepoPXm1gRwYlClvU7C9xhrJC3haBzFWJ_C3C_j1yjcxl-D_jphp6KG6yHQZH5REjfJY_WlSk_MFDI_MguDbrZBffyMb3wcmUHu6nB9A/s1600/IMG_8802+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The raw materials for making a Zombaby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, my secretary asked me, "WHY?" to which I responded, "Why wouldn't I?"<br />
<br />
Around Halloween of last year, I was making potion bottles for The Hot Chick's witches kitchen. I found some blue goo in a brain shaped package. The top of the package was hard plastic and just the right size... I started thinking it was time to revisit my zombie nursery. Yes, I have a zombie nursery.<br />
<br />
Halloween came and went, Once Halloween is over (I consider Halloween to last between September 19th, International Talk Like a Pirate Day and November 5th, Guy Fawkes Day) I have been forbidden to make any Halloween props until after Christmas. I cheat a little, but essentially I give the Hot Chick the whole month of December.<br />
<br />
After New Years, I got busy with work, very busy with work, so it took me awhile to get started making props. I took the plastic brain case to a thrift store and compared it to all the discarded baby dolls and found one that looked just right.<br />
<br />
I bought a new thing of brain putty at the dollar store, though so I could take a picture of it to post here. It was only a buck and I may want to do this again (again, again, again...)<br />
<br />
I paid a buck for the brain putty, then I threw away the brain putty and saved the package. That's the kind of Halloween nerd I am.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTtP0Qlk14h4kr7scSEluQT62gv2F2_iUtEH3__xpejRsh-8u_YEibuVSLoBSwsDQuJP7vtHiszvDDsNSc5zu3vR1DCuICmeonOGB3VJj42CSR2CG-h-0HvHvkmVGaUtZ-HS_RMNY5WE/s1600/IMG_8803+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTtP0Qlk14h4kr7scSEluQT62gv2F2_iUtEH3__xpejRsh-8u_YEibuVSLoBSwsDQuJP7vtHiszvDDsNSc5zu3vR1DCuICmeonOGB3VJj42CSR2CG-h-0HvHvkmVGaUtZ-HS_RMNY5WE/s1600/IMG_8803+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brain goo package, notice the absence of the brain goo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_pNSDz4NpPoCkVTxznhg_9oosGF_w8YyoCKXVqzOdMAQlXmnlYL59ILtxBSzsoZ1_iGFpcqeINIlmaDwtCeQ3LHc994HuXkLmnafe7L5FcHxXLs-akJhf7fR-1Y6plGTj3i2P4rrFjs/s1600/IMG_8805+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_pNSDz4NpPoCkVTxznhg_9oosGF_w8YyoCKXVqzOdMAQlXmnlYL59ILtxBSzsoZ1_iGFpcqeINIlmaDwtCeQ3LHc994HuXkLmnafe7L5FcHxXLs-akJhf7fR-1Y6plGTj3i2P4rrFjs/s1600/IMG_8805+(683x1024).jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect fit. I'll be you can guess where this is going.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Step #1: Exposing the Brain</b><br />
Once the brain goo package was fitted to the doll's head, I made a jaggedy line, just smaller than the plastic brain, with a sharpie pen. Then I used a utility knife to cut a hole in the top of the doll's cranium. <br />
<br />
I fitted the brain to the inside of the hole and found it fit perfectly. To hold it in place, I tacked it with hot glue. I like hot glue on lots of things, but I don't trust it on this kind of plastic. So once I had the brain where I wanted it to be and had it tacked down, I cut a small hole in the back of the doll's head and filled the skull with Great Stuff. I figured the expanding foam would keep the brain in place. I was right.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeRjfbZ8gpRV8P-KUltl_ovvEe4SA8jaxRwp0UuNnw8G4FZGoQHQoe1aQH6fTFFnfuHqPuH_dobt27lLJK99ErJ85fy7JKQKRRheKGqqOTVpX15RnREz-4J_df5njmGQaE1dC6T1i33U/s1600/IMG_8809+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeRjfbZ8gpRV8P-KUltl_ovvEe4SA8jaxRwp0UuNnw8G4FZGoQHQoe1aQH6fTFFnfuHqPuH_dobt27lLJK99ErJ85fy7JKQKRRheKGqqOTVpX15RnREz-4J_df5njmGQaE1dC6T1i33U/s1600/IMG_8809+(683x1024).jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucd1Vqujx7rvzB2cEiCgGPTCrHxgoAn1riaeoiJUNk8GuBD5EVDIMlR9ChK9sPiUkCnKRB5qSIESlHlt1aYzdT-FYZgWkkchmWBiVHoaOBjynycKGdwQXA9dWuhNBCSmFm7UV2LYTiP0/s1600/IMG_8811+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucd1Vqujx7rvzB2cEiCgGPTCrHxgoAn1riaeoiJUNk8GuBD5EVDIMlR9ChK9sPiUkCnKRB5qSIESlHlt1aYzdT-FYZgWkkchmWBiVHoaOBjynycKGdwQXA9dWuhNBCSmFm7UV2LYTiP0/s1600/IMG_8811+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brain surgery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrheUTrWBjHN7pObhqz-sU1o4cLD_lAXBYSMx9l5L-RKJTFhOZmQ-PK1su9UXaMH9HQKvkHj7aMzSG5OGWwc5-g0fNvF28InA9ZkKrWhPfeS_j_K0oosVBcqpSmfFRnJLlA2rMN0CL2Q/s1600/IMG_8812+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrheUTrWBjHN7pObhqz-sU1o4cLD_lAXBYSMx9l5L-RKJTFhOZmQ-PK1su9UXaMH9HQKvkHj7aMzSG5OGWwc5-g0fNvF28InA9ZkKrWhPfeS_j_K0oosVBcqpSmfFRnJLlA2rMN0CL2Q/s1600/IMG_8812+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHc2w5o_rXSnu7Vh0yQ_JTZCYVQvFp53Ph8fFIMZiLhPMhGZhmeOxztJGqB6ebapA9bVJ-W7n2KvqqqRsPo1T4MH_UC_KI_tmX_RYXTSXjfFutjX1CiUSOemsAJRLCMiw1SCZsxTHBX8/s1600/IMG_8815+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHc2w5o_rXSnu7Vh0yQ_JTZCYVQvFp53Ph8fFIMZiLhPMhGZhmeOxztJGqB6ebapA9bVJ-W7n2KvqqqRsPo1T4MH_UC_KI_tmX_RYXTSXjfFutjX1CiUSOemsAJRLCMiw1SCZsxTHBX8/s1600/IMG_8815+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brain in place</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIbZMTmcohhr3n_ZhKhp3itKo909oUJ6zIP_I6ddb8GmNacVyJ6FEgWCahtq6DnJursI72KOJ5WWmY3IKoxdCFsoMwN36KcijcxwXlxh7SwziCKjPYKP1aEboOnDMgWZaLjqgVuoHdRU/s1600/IMG_8818+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIbZMTmcohhr3n_ZhKhp3itKo909oUJ6zIP_I6ddb8GmNacVyJ6FEgWCahtq6DnJursI72KOJ5WWmY3IKoxdCFsoMwN36KcijcxwXlxh7SwziCKjPYKP1aEboOnDMgWZaLjqgVuoHdRU/s1600/IMG_8818+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skull filled with Great Stuff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Step #2: The Paint Job</b><br />
This is really a simple project. Two steps. Step one, brain surgery, step two paint job. Done.<br />
<br />
I first covered the plastic with mastic. I use mastic alot when I'm doing props. It gives a great surface to paint on. Plastic is notorious for not holding paint, so I use mastic. No problem then.<br />
<br />
I used some acrylic paint to give the skull it's grey matter look, then I took some red and green acrylic paint to make lines and veins in it. Everything was mottled in the paint job. Two or three different greys for the base coat etc... Messy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b0_r6GmvJqOG-vzPZjftyUOO6N5lP2AoU-faVNOu_cV7qMbmgog872TSpiKu7_8kJASUqIBJNv2MsFoReBRBM5Ph6uhF_ffYY638EadWskm33uvW8x2gYgkYhanbPRCpKOUcT8gG8CQ/s1600/IMG_9088+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1b0_r6GmvJqOG-vzPZjftyUOO6N5lP2AoU-faVNOu_cV7qMbmgog872TSpiKu7_8kJASUqIBJNv2MsFoReBRBM5Ph6uhF_ffYY638EadWskm33uvW8x2gYgkYhanbPRCpKOUcT8gG8CQ/s1600/IMG_9088+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basic paint job on the brain</td></tr>
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<br />
Once that was dry, it was time to work on the complexion. This doll was way to perky. It needed to be a little deader. So I took it to the fume hood and found some grey primer spray paint and gave it a little dusting. First, though I covered it's eyes with masking tape because I wanted to deal with them later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT6OGGRRV0_tuoGG7-qosNawzi3VimhJPQhyphenhyphenQLhgH4Wb38TYcjWyGFypwMxBeb8XdfHY6Vb0Mp0FdAfzq5CA6G7AVi8nYcu5VlyQIxfPNVt2LCZ95rUi4RKZcEhDvk7J18yTnBARXrOQ/s1600/IMG_9089+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT6OGGRRV0_tuoGG7-qosNawzi3VimhJPQhyphenhyphenQLhgH4Wb38TYcjWyGFypwMxBeb8XdfHY6Vb0Mp0FdAfzq5CA6G7AVi8nYcu5VlyQIxfPNVt2LCZ95rUi4RKZcEhDvk7J18yTnBARXrOQ/s1600/IMG_9089+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covering the eyes with masking tape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfbK-O2N8qXQPDqZSRlEyiwrhxl8Y8Za4G57TSlC8jXQufZX6ZfhT5sC5s4kJGh-sKClCE0pL7e1nFhQH0HTLhmwmLJrNciTixqyJ8fK820i6B_if60Pk_LVf_qfit_Ii0fo8pwMGuGM/s1600/IMG_9093+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfbK-O2N8qXQPDqZSRlEyiwrhxl8Y8Za4G57TSlC8jXQufZX6ZfhT5sC5s4kJGh-sKClCE0pL7e1nFhQH0HTLhmwmLJrNciTixqyJ8fK820i6B_if60Pk_LVf_qfit_Ii0fo8pwMGuGM/s1600/IMG_9093+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombie color</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At this point I decided the clothes were way too clean and needed to be dirtied up a bit. I found a few different colors of spray paint and mussed them up a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0_R_0ai252GqMmYlA0CNvVNrDc2E5K7z7x1GXN7XvNJv88i0Y_1cq0qaDo4lPPEwWe-7Gp5buETejLr_ewbQ2Z0H9kGikHXRIwB3aGbAm0S7bmQQ7f7HCjc0Dq72trfZrzO5P30oLeM/s1600/IMG_9095+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0_R_0ai252GqMmYlA0CNvVNrDc2E5K7z7x1GXN7XvNJv88i0Y_1cq0qaDo4lPPEwWe-7Gp5buETejLr_ewbQ2Z0H9kGikHXRIwB3aGbAm0S7bmQQ7f7HCjc0Dq72trfZrzO5P30oLeM/s1600/IMG_9095+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mussed up</td></tr>
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Then it was time to deal with the eyes. I removed the masking tape and then found some UV paint that goes on kind of pasty white but glows blue under blacklight. Zombabies ought to have glowing blue eyes I think.<br />
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Finally, it was time to bloody it up a bit. I used a bright red acrylic paint for the first coat, then I used alizarin crimson for the darker blood color. The final piece of the puzzle was the blood splatter. I used a toothbrush in the alizarin crimson and ran my thumb across the bristles. Zombaby done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLdc6QeqkjiEnYss0ht5sVaYzfY2mAhQ8Jpb1sUy4p5DMpeI9MfUFkSNYeyNH5PCZB57E_Ok3bAnppCLxUYXrx80vRrYcxVOdjU0zoG0X2oXVAU7MU4ahbVuadT7E1dI25YTzJe3PYiY/s1600/IMG_9096+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLdc6QeqkjiEnYss0ht5sVaYzfY2mAhQ8Jpb1sUy4p5DMpeI9MfUFkSNYeyNH5PCZB57E_Ok3bAnppCLxUYXrx80vRrYcxVOdjU0zoG0X2oXVAU7MU4ahbVuadT7E1dI25YTzJe3PYiY/s1600/IMG_9096+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing the masking tape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEV1JDYNg4jhekRI3YRJ-mutUV6eYjebFbLmQZYD5sc-mA_sJPyYaQGpWL6bq4tG0V9j4f9CPxa90yW6GTrIjhBoBhpgdeKKZzlZIpTbzypsBGTG6dAZUZ-kHfJJRHKN9GTqwI9QAuo/s1600/IMG_9097+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEV1JDYNg4jhekRI3YRJ-mutUV6eYjebFbLmQZYD5sc-mA_sJPyYaQGpWL6bq4tG0V9j4f9CPxa90yW6GTrIjhBoBhpgdeKKZzlZIpTbzypsBGTG6dAZUZ-kHfJJRHKN9GTqwI9QAuo/s1600/IMG_9097+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masking tape gone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_vL0Pj5HYMn_0KA9vrD4J8-HzXUNjpu-e-D3O3_vKzptv_aTJ2RReh8bfnCvJjxhRMtwyP-cXhr8TlYC6SsqSa7xpCBupe3lzl-TxO_ecfxFKH-kiLRtL5SLTpMRLKvY91Xcz7WRiqQ/s1600/IMG_9098+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_vL0Pj5HYMn_0KA9vrD4J8-HzXUNjpu-e-D3O3_vKzptv_aTJ2RReh8bfnCvJjxhRMtwyP-cXhr8TlYC6SsqSa7xpCBupe3lzl-TxO_ecfxFKH-kiLRtL5SLTpMRLKvY91Xcz7WRiqQ/s1600/IMG_9098+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasty blue UV paint on eyes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5EUH9x1ypNpqIducB-DuSNpAnJR3-oUCWcU8-67QNYIJd-9p6-1A990OlQn9aoS93b3bacTew9r-lH5_eZ5ZPFFhSrBKTCnYwzkuAhsDglIKTXN2xa6BEqkBS_2HkFQ9u4KK4kaYh70/s1600/IMG_9099+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5EUH9x1ypNpqIducB-DuSNpAnJR3-oUCWcU8-67QNYIJd-9p6-1A990OlQn9aoS93b3bacTew9r-lH5_eZ5ZPFFhSrBKTCnYwzkuAhsDglIKTXN2xa6BEqkBS_2HkFQ9u4KK4kaYh70/s1600/IMG_9099+(1024x683).jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting the spatters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc5eoclZK-UA2FlPRrYjgeApYqmKeNVv74mz3fJzTbdq2BE-jTQeP2wfRMMSRe-bU7FgpxQ4zcCV9uIsiop2rFpmgOeMYlgxSB31GTAytWCV-pYRDJok-uaGv_xBxxeTDIGduV4V9DHk/s1600/IMG_9102+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGc5eoclZK-UA2FlPRrYjgeApYqmKeNVv74mz3fJzTbdq2BE-jTQeP2wfRMMSRe-bU7FgpxQ4zcCV9uIsiop2rFpmgOeMYlgxSB31GTAytWCV-pYRDJok-uaGv_xBxxeTDIGduV4V9DHk/s1600/IMG_9102+(683x1024).jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombaby done</td></tr>
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This is the latest addition to my zombie nursery. I think she'll fit in just fine!Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-16076094446565910902015-03-17T23:28:00.000-06:002015-03-17T23:28:58.231-06:00Mrs. Thompson<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Influences</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
I attended Lincoln Elementary School in Rexburg, Idaho. I have a lot of memories of Lincoln Elementary, but most of them weren't life changing or influential. My memories of the third grade and Mrs. Thompson were though.<br />
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Rexburg, Idaho in the 1960's and 1970's was not an ethnically diverse town. The only African Americans I had ever seen in Rexburg was when the Harlem Globetrotters came to town. There was a junior college there at that time named Ricks College and there was an occasional person of color attending as an athlete. Most of the time they were from Africa or Jamaica or Brazil, though. Very few actual African Americans attended the school in those days.<br />
<br />
We had a Native American boy in my grade who was being fostered by a white family. When I got to junior high and high school there were a few Native Americans and a few Mexicans. I was friends with the three Native American kids but the Mexicans kept to themselves. By the time I got to High School I had had exactly one conversation with a black guy. He was a worker in West Yellowstone, where I spent my summers. I remember he was fun to talk to. In other words I didn't have much to go on where ethnicity was concerned. I wasn't prejudiced though, just inexperienced.<br />
<br />
In a town as ethnically static as Rexburg was at that time, it would have been easy to develop mistrust or suspicion, especially when television was our only source of information. Most of the black people we saw on the tube were criminals, drug addicts, athletes etc... No true reality there. Pretty unfair really. It could have been bad here except for an elementary school teacher named Mrs. Thompson.<br />
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She was my third grade teacher. I was in the third grade in 1970. Vietnam was raging. The Civil Rights Movement was in full force. Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated just two years before. Mrs. Thompson showed us images of the freedom marchers being mowed down with fire hoses. We had nothing to compare to it here in Idaho and I remember asking myself, "What country is that happening in? How could people do that to other people?" I literally thought she was showing images from other countries.<br />
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She told us how black people in the south were not allowed to use the same bathroom as white people. She told it in such a way that us impressionable third graders found it horrific. I didn't know much about black or white or yellow or red in those days, but because of Mrs. Thompson I knew what was right and what was wrong. <br />
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Because of television and the way blacks were portrayed in the late sixties, early seventies, and the fact that I had never been around African Americans, I could have grown up prejudiced. Because of Mrs. Thompson I did not. I have thought of her often and the influence she had on my life. <br />
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Today, the junior college has transformed into a fairly sizable university called BYU-Idaho. There are a great many students of color here now, and many of them are American blacks. Several childless couples adopted black babies and reared them here. My kids all had black friends in school. The senior class president, when we moved back to Rexburg in 2000 was an African American kid who had been adopted by white parents. And the black kids here are just kids. The other kids don't think anything of it because to them they are just friends. This is a different town today than the one I left in 1984. A more diverse town. It's a better town now. <br />
<br />
Thank you Mrs. Thompson for setting the stage.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-54045426601249321262015-03-16T22:53:00.000-06:002015-03-16T22:53:18.981-06:00Bill Sweeney<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Influences</b></span><br />
<br />
This will be the first of many posts based on people who have influenced my life. These people are the reason I became me.<br />
<br />
After graduate school, I went to Buffalo, New York to work in a LORT-B theatre named the Studio Arena Theatre. In addition to that theatre, I also worked as a freelance artist in all of the other small community theatres in Buffalo. Things were going really well and I was always working. Then the carpet was yanked from under my feet.<br />
<br />
It was about this time that Senator Jesse Helms went after the National Endowment for the Arts based on a few shows whose merit he questioned. He was a powerful senator and successfully pulled the plug on the NEA. The Endowment cut arts funding by 75%. NYSCA (New York State Commission on the Arts) also cut funding, as did Erie County and the City of Buffalo.<br />
<br />
I was doing a show for the Buffalo Ensemble Theatre and the Artistic Director came to me and said, "Gary, I'm sorry but all of our funding has been cut. You will have to take a percentage of the gate for your salary." I was working as a scene designer and a technical director for them and I worked on the show for about two weeks. They didn't have a lot of money anyway, so when the budget was spent the show had to be completed with sweat equity. My sweat equity. Since they had been so reliant on the government grants for their entire existence, they had never bothered to develop an audience. As the son of a theatre owner, I can tell you that the biggest asset a theatre has is it's audience. When the show closed, the Artistic Director paid me $37.54. It factored out to about thirty cents an hour. It was time to do something else.<br />
<br />
By this time, and for personal reasons I had resigned from the Studio Arena Theatre. I have to say that the Studio Arena Theatre was the most dysfunctional theatre I have ever been a part of. From the management to the staff. They were so dysfunctional that they closed their doors forever a few short years after I resigned. There was no more money for me in the local theatre scene due to funding cuts so I found work wherever I could. I put tubes of toothpaste into boxes for one of my jobs. One time I found myself out of work and decided to apply for unemployment. The red tape I was going to have to wade through to get my benefits seemed like a full time job. It was going to take so much time to get the benefits and so much effort that I just went out and got another job. I have never drawn a cent of unemployment insurance.<br />
<br />
I ended up as a salesman for Ed Taylor Lincoln Mercury. I had never sold cars before, in fact I had sold very little in my life so it was a very new experience for me. The dealer would see sales decline after December every year and would order his sales manager to "Hire more salesmen!" He would hire a bunch of salesmen in January, train them, work with them and by April when the sales still hadn't picked up he would fire them. Then the dealer would say, "Hire more salesmen!" but before the sales manager could do that, sales started to pick up and it was forgotten. The dealer never seemed to figure out that car sales are down from January to April. He thought hiring more salesmen would fix it. It never did.<br />
<br />
One of the salesmen he hired during this phase was a jolly Irishman named Bill Sweeney. Bill wasn't from Ireland but his grandparents were. Bill had made his whole living in car sales, even being a dealer out in the country. Mainly, Bill sold trucks but I suspected he sold himself more. Bill and I were assigned to share a cubicle on the sales floor. I learned more about automobile sales from Bill Sweeney than I did from the sales manager. I also learned from him that it is possible to be an honorable man and an automobile salesman.<br />
<br />
Ed Taylor Lincoln Mercury was a track store, meaning there was a particular way sales were managed. At the first sign of trouble, the sales manager would come out on the floor and take over the sale, which usually meant he would cut the price down to dealer invoice and keep the rebate for himself or the dealer. That meant that everyone in the dealership made money except the salesman. Every time he took over one of my sales, my gross went down to nearly nothing and I had to settle for what we called a skinny. The bare minimum commission. It was hard to make money that way.<br />
<br />
The sales manager never interfered with Bill's sales. Bill would fish his customers. Take them on a test drive, negotiate the price, let them go home and think about it and eventually reel them in and make the sale. Bill always grossed high on his sales. That drove the sales manager absolutely crazy. Bill had stacks of notebooks with the names, addresses, phone numbers and details of the sale on every person he had ever sold. When he came to work at Ed Taylor Lincoln Mercury he sent a personal letter to all of his customers telling them where he was and what he was selling.<br />
<br />
I was amazed at the number of people who came there to buy whatever it was that Bill Sweeney was selling. Bill kept logs on every sale. He also worked out a deal with the shop to get lube jobs done at a cheaper price. Three months after he sold a car, Bill would call his customer and trade his car for theirs and take it to the shop to have a lube job on him. He always paid for the first one. They were on their own after that. It really cost him very little but the loyalty he received in return made his customers come back for more. I always got the sense that his customers were not Ed Taylor's. They were there for Bill Sweeney.<br />
<br />
I learned many things from Bill Sweeney. Things I have used in other places in other contexts but they always work. I ended up delivering pizza for awhile a few years after working with Bill. Every time I walked out of the store with a delivery, I told myself that these were not Dominos Pizza's customers, they were my customers. I got that from Bill.<br />
<br />
The best thing I got from Bill Sweeney, though was this saying, "Perfect will be good enough." Thank you Bill Sweeney.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-35204564947440921472013-07-14T01:57:00.001-06:002013-07-14T02:05:53.767-06:00Becoming Mr. Hardcastle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXIVrfTBECZGmnnx0NIxAMai-7wB474okKN7h74A-6rHGYalcykVRtGzpaikl1dqWMpRbwqxFuZnoTCXD6TEDjADAyzxvqNfpkRFvGdvwaVqAdKBnjTkZ0Bl4GsjWDemj4d2ub9K4lrE/s1600/066+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXIVrfTBECZGmnnx0NIxAMai-7wB474okKN7h74A-6rHGYalcykVRtGzpaikl1dqWMpRbwqxFuZnoTCXD6TEDjADAyzxvqNfpkRFvGdvwaVqAdKBnjTkZ0Bl4GsjWDemj4d2ub9K4lrE/s640/066+(768x1024).jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Hardcastle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I've taken a hiatus from blogging for the last three or four months, not because I had nothing to say but because I had no time to say it. I have been working sixty plus hours a week for the better part of three months. In that time I've spent precious little time on the computer. Work, eat, rehearse, sleep. That's about it.<br />
<br />
So here's how all that came about.<br />
<br />
I was assigned several months ago to design the costumes for "She Stoops to Conquer". As I read the play, I found I really liked the character of Mr. Hardcastle. I drew him first and felt that the whole costume design hinged around that design.<br />
<br />
The design team, which consisted of Hyrum Conrad the director, Richard Clifford the set and lighting designer, Antonia Clifford the sound designer and me as costume designer, met several months ago and discussed where we needed the show to go in each of our respective areas. Because of a line Mr. Hardcastle spoke in act I, ("It was but yesterday he fastened me wig to the back of me chair, and when I went to make a bow, I pop't me bald head in Mrs. Frizzle's face!") I told Hyrum that I wanted whoever was to play Hardcastle to shave his head into male pattern baldness, and to either be portly already or to wear a fatsuit. We also decided the part should be cast age appropriately.<br />
<br />
We bandied a few names around and didn't agree on anyone, and left it at that. About a half an hour later, Hyrum came to my office and asked me if I would like to play the part of Hardcastle. I immediately said, "Yes!" Then I asked, "Does this mean I have to shave my head?" He nodded.<br />
<br />
Prior to him asking me, I had not even considered myself as a candidate. I am really glad he asked me to do that part. I literally did not have a single bad day of rehearsal throughout this process. I never once asked myself, "Why did I ever agree to this?" Every day was a joy for me. I worked with some very talented actors and had a good stage management and tech crew. I always enjoy working with Hyrum.<br />
<br />
He works in an unorthodox fashion called "Mosaic Acting" which allows for much deeper character study and development I think, and it makes the actors take more responsibility for the final product. It really becomes a partnership, and great discoveries are made. There is much more freedom to explore a character in this way of working. Instead of a director telling you what to think or where to move, you learn your character inside and out and move appropriately. If I am ever fortunate enough to be cast in another play where we perform in this way, I'll blog about it in greater detail.<br />
<br />
One of the sweetest things about this part is that I discovered quite by accident about a month ago that my Dad had played the part of Mr. Hardcastle in 1966 at the Playmill Theatre. It was sweet and it also put a lot of pressure on me.<br />
<br />
Hardcastle may be the largest part I've ever played, and it is among the most fun parts I've ever played. Not only did I have to shave my head and wear a fatsuit, I also had to learn a dialect. I've only used a dialect on stage once before, and that was in "The Robber Bridegroom." That dialect was a made-up one though. This one was taught and coached. We used a West Midlands dialect for the country folk in the play, and early on my accent moved between country English to Scottish to Russian with a little pirate mixed in here and there. Slowly, I worked through and became reasonably consistent in my dialect I am told. That may have been the most difficult part of the whole process.<br />
<br />
I decided that since I had to shave the top of my head for the play, I would shave the rest of my head after we closed so my hair would grow in uniformly. That, and I wanted to see the scar on the back of my head from when a wall fell on me in Buffalo, New York back in 1991.<br />
<br />
<strong>But enough talk, here are the pictures.</strong><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53lAq1vQIqbvqCW6WP-f-6dYPIE9bTOt4EgeE3av-Br_sooazJBnf0tPJUAZwb27IQ6q5gHVKZXYc6T6zYgTqp1s5W73MGn9e1NCLfK8_1niKMbClXrtu7VNbNP1-_fhhfZiqhY1H958/s1600/173+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53lAq1vQIqbvqCW6WP-f-6dYPIE9bTOt4EgeE3av-Br_sooazJBnf0tPJUAZwb27IQ6q5gHVKZXYc6T6zYgTqp1s5W73MGn9e1NCLfK8_1niKMbClXrtu7VNbNP1-_fhhfZiqhY1H958/s640/173+(768x1024).jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3puEr-SROSCsFnpIKKtedlIz1Ssxge_YIk90fMfznGowHAKDhDxgrXckMnUtpoLO06YjkNLWjj5OIMoCRDtmyOdXJ8J0-vjS1Xquq_-um0ZYf6S5tawcI7ePzouP8n8UGz8l_E0gYng/s1600/177+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3puEr-SROSCsFnpIKKtedlIz1Ssxge_YIk90fMfznGowHAKDhDxgrXckMnUtpoLO06YjkNLWjj5OIMoCRDtmyOdXJ8J0-vjS1Xquq_-um0ZYf6S5tawcI7ePzouP8n8UGz8l_E0gYng/s640/177+(768x1024).jpg" width="483" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming the mustache</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_LB2aUZdSKs0pI15Hi2j78TmQ7-GOhigZCg7pCG7tiJACAUAanjV5At4pbCTPga_AkPBENteJMSsBiJVWolP4dRtmzeURZAjz7MG-emv8CSJzD2oxNr6vKr6LFi6hQEpZUPdnuGwD_g/s1600/178+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_LB2aUZdSKs0pI15Hi2j78TmQ7-GOhigZCg7pCG7tiJACAUAanjV5At4pbCTPga_AkPBENteJMSsBiJVWolP4dRtmzeURZAjz7MG-emv8CSJzD2oxNr6vKr6LFi6hQEpZUPdnuGwD_g/s640/178+(768x1024).jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lathering up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_GSxkcGX1K0xzeqK7_iInz_w4chb7Wun_nqMseaXOzohGDUvO_Xe8GbMZ0zUmoFKe0EG7n09kCNEJaBaS1VG8tOh57tj_v8XTgT-pjkajJtA21-0wrYTvVKnJisTpxXvafU2F-CWJA0/s1600/180+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_GSxkcGX1K0xzeqK7_iInz_w4chb7Wun_nqMseaXOzohGDUvO_Xe8GbMZ0zUmoFKe0EG7n09kCNEJaBaS1VG8tOh57tj_v8XTgT-pjkajJtA21-0wrYTvVKnJisTpxXvafU2F-CWJA0/s640/180+(768x1024).jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEIhXb96HbQo6QmmbjeT7mevlaZ4yJGTTXeA-BS8H3mF9cpx6fvT1CHpgnsrtR59YIIXaGfIh0-4wnGp7H1HnslfsWf00sJgeW6H2Jqo_DyVQSDCrJQQrQF-UtwsrYT9hdHh4I5SDPyE/s1600/185+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEIhXb96HbQo6QmmbjeT7mevlaZ4yJGTTXeA-BS8H3mF9cpx6fvT1CHpgnsrtR59YIIXaGfIh0-4wnGp7H1HnslfsWf00sJgeW6H2Jqo_DyVQSDCrJQQrQF-UtwsrYT9hdHh4I5SDPyE/s640/185+(768x1024).jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean lipped. My students were all scandalized when I showed up without a mustache because it is <br />
apparently how they identify me. I was pretty amazed that they commented more on the mustache<br />
than when I shaved my head partway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2gB7hihtWEZHVtuQmVn47hNBYebRJwQgwH94o8eVG2012HLLbb3cDD_2GoLs4p4bzvQ8-U8vWhFiNgTb904SJ_KiFILHc9mYiiAFsEBmGyrDGZ7rPa4rmLaMnqUygE4rgs4EXMPKTrA/s1600/IMG_7524+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2gB7hihtWEZHVtuQmVn47hNBYebRJwQgwH94o8eVG2012HLLbb3cDD_2GoLs4p4bzvQ8-U8vWhFiNgTb904SJ_KiFILHc9mYiiAFsEBmGyrDGZ7rPa4rmLaMnqUygE4rgs4EXMPKTrA/s640/IMG_7524+(1024x683).jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the indignity </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNRvQUBYbO_2KAHUS6RQ0oAKOOitIawW9_vwSxfYTwt8wI6akZrjB_Ob1u45pzE8N-jZqSWTC5op-L3IISf5YYgh28d-XsgD4hgdiNa390f4afuHSZgbakn2iFmWHRu89VS2hsE_uIUo/s1600/IMG_7527+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNRvQUBYbO_2KAHUS6RQ0oAKOOitIawW9_vwSxfYTwt8wI6akZrjB_Ob1u45pzE8N-jZqSWTC5op-L3IISf5YYgh28d-XsgD4hgdiNa390f4afuHSZgbakn2iFmWHRu89VS2hsE_uIUo/s640/IMG_7527+(1024x683).jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dZzJclmIbUzL5UcA7HhrMBYIFBaQdJLc9zeIs8Yb_oFvduW8TKejm5zoYkmR5NbFtmxgnHlISrrHYMtmS5qxbSArwlolDEqNxKfBb46HX3C40xWgtgunwsYNf1AdE-_WqOs5cwZZHtY/s1600/IMG_7555+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dZzJclmIbUzL5UcA7HhrMBYIFBaQdJLc9zeIs8Yb_oFvduW8TKejm5zoYkmR5NbFtmxgnHlISrrHYMtmS5qxbSArwlolDEqNxKfBb46HX3C40xWgtgunwsYNf1AdE-_WqOs5cwZZHtY/s640/IMG_7555+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tabula rasa </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Br_xF_bvPovyFa9zOkmhdPxpn8K4HAwnNMWYO2JlSGVRdTvIGHuQOvB2ZKIB-5Xq8pqrPlWadjdY-wiZHZ1JCcedUL0T9TEzKexMbAkHJpm_0uj7dP8PhOp2RmJIAmSz4Xr8_dOo9Aw/s1600/IMG_7556+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Br_xF_bvPovyFa9zOkmhdPxpn8K4HAwnNMWYO2JlSGVRdTvIGHuQOvB2ZKIB-5Xq8pqrPlWadjdY-wiZHZ1JCcedUL0T9TEzKexMbAkHJpm_0uj7dP8PhOp2RmJIAmSz4Xr8_dOo9Aw/s640/IMG_7556+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uJrmeGcedRiqsU3bdhAUj_b7RghvKPooPQTB9VhyphenhyphenjWE3YsppgWQs7jRMNtJrWq2WPZPHU104h42LHVDtctTVDibdhY7uMjr86tBtWPVmYnoLqK2FuYqfKw7hFqMxTLgyxhVGbsMCWxU/s1600/IMG_7558+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uJrmeGcedRiqsU3bdhAUj_b7RghvKPooPQTB9VhyphenhyphenjWE3YsppgWQs7jRMNtJrWq2WPZPHU104h42LHVDtctTVDibdhY7uMjr86tBtWPVmYnoLqK2FuYqfKw7hFqMxTLgyxhVGbsMCWxU/s640/IMG_7558+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Applying the base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzWn_9OXwqMPSDuWtqkgRA-Hin4F0Ct2NvnZ8pGu5WY5KFPXZmFrehI6Vx-YBC-CH5HivOiTIlKNRLvYtkWWSbyMX75L2UtDThZ0bti_xlW-2pvH29z0pYJosvez1bnwBkNce5N1B8Jk/s1600/IMG_7562+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzWn_9OXwqMPSDuWtqkgRA-Hin4F0Ct2NvnZ8pGu5WY5KFPXZmFrehI6Vx-YBC-CH5HivOiTIlKNRLvYtkWWSbyMX75L2UtDThZ0bti_xlW-2pvH29z0pYJosvez1bnwBkNce5N1B8Jk/s640/IMG_7562+(683x1024).jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The corrective part applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQlumw2XbJMOwM_6ujYOmhUnsyiepm3REW30WYg_d0T8MLs6HKbTJlkMxeKM62xaW01cWiaLYMSljbDwZ_dxfV61EYFgLHa9ej4Qpt8rgvScEwDIHgtgOouFPXVHzu2xcLQL0JkGgV-Y/s1600/IMG_7564+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQlumw2XbJMOwM_6ujYOmhUnsyiepm3REW30WYg_d0T8MLs6HKbTJlkMxeKM62xaW01cWiaLYMSljbDwZ_dxfV61EYFgLHa9ej4Qpt8rgvScEwDIHgtgOouFPXVHzu2xcLQL0JkGgV-Y/s640/IMG_7564+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linework applied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVQLqP_uTyrX8VTRQPQ0tX7R306wxf57yRgcTironvHWK97aUdkGz8k2nikNJ5UfZlkptLdXWkEx3r2-PMRmQw9bXHHngP_JiaArQrsEow59Wb6esrabWPik0xKJ0wt9UtGGGDST18rg/s1600/IMG_7569+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVQLqP_uTyrX8VTRQPQ0tX7R306wxf57yRgcTironvHWK97aUdkGz8k2nikNJ5UfZlkptLdXWkEx3r2-PMRmQw9bXHHngP_JiaArQrsEow59Wb6esrabWPik0xKJ0wt9UtGGGDST18rg/s640/IMG_7569+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrinkles, highlight and shadows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod19FtND4413A6e_hPSsH2RUjfHrIqRfRvrrz_e7XvAZHGTaFPRoguJzWkUn5CRi0-1B7w8LjOyuJM6Do43le85N-YZY-WOLR5Tc0dfqBiujTBgKS1oUVw1KOhmxi410ZL6RFiIaUAg0/s1600/IMG_7573+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod19FtND4413A6e_hPSsH2RUjfHrIqRfRvrrz_e7XvAZHGTaFPRoguJzWkUn5CRi0-1B7w8LjOyuJM6Do43le85N-YZY-WOLR5Tc0dfqBiujTBgKS1oUVw1KOhmxi410ZL6RFiIaUAg0/s640/IMG_7573+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sealing with powder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WGQOSshySSReckLL7jQQyNnF20v-AOsgmTEggEBYPGiOuh29AKt4L3Gq5u6_2s2VQcUzDhfhum7b8oHcn85aYnk6ZBIgq90Q5e6i25Nt48SWQuw4Rg4xYosFwQn1ywc2m18XL5V3xPk/s1600/IMG_7576+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WGQOSshySSReckLL7jQQyNnF20v-AOsgmTEggEBYPGiOuh29AKt4L3Gq5u6_2s2VQcUzDhfhum7b8oHcn85aYnk6ZBIgq90Q5e6i25Nt48SWQuw4Rg4xYosFwQn1ywc2m18XL5V3xPk/s640/IMG_7576+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyelines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg593rjMuyQRSU7_UE-ktkDhNC8xCJsD__g9wC99Z2GVxAAxIfPE4kYNucKgunqiWG9mFzOGvpDRPx0taRM8eFUkeorAOVIQZ4870GX2ktsPYzOJ6Ekmm9Bfn-q0Xqea2hWlSECSYdqEH8/s1600/IMG_7582+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg593rjMuyQRSU7_UE-ktkDhNC8xCJsD__g9wC99Z2GVxAAxIfPE4kYNucKgunqiWG9mFzOGvpDRPx0taRM8eFUkeorAOVIQZ4870GX2ktsPYzOJ6Ekmm9Bfn-q0Xqea2hWlSECSYdqEH8/s640/IMG_7582+(683x1024).jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fatsuit. First of all, I had heavy tights. The camouflage booty shorts were there<br />
with snaps applied to hold the fatsuit in place. The fatsuit was built on a cotton T-shirt <br />
covered with poly-fill quilt batting and covered with nylon tricot to control it. <br />
Essentially, I'm wearing a quilt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58cyvccT2uZOeRTt81b4D5KRgdtvpO0JK4AEXrGgI5fpXAP188atBDfZrP_71_QJaxS89-BhceDTLrK3WZ7CvSDR5rj6jDF6y73NZHNuJugE9SJncfgna7lTXouqoKTZVSgKyQ_QNClA/s1600/IMG_7583+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58cyvccT2uZOeRTt81b4D5KRgdtvpO0JK4AEXrGgI5fpXAP188atBDfZrP_71_QJaxS89-BhceDTLrK3WZ7CvSDR5rj6jDF6y73NZHNuJugE9SJncfgna7lTXouqoKTZVSgKyQ_QNClA/s640/IMG_7583+(683x1024).jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The knickers were made of heavy upholstery fabric <br />
and the shirt was made of heavy bridal satin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNt6t1OODHx2of66ZUejdBPi_UF_0m-k2wqw3_pnTlxsz47GuB1Nqr5gRfC72gQDvwjz6-4yBEEQaTcvAByhBdyOWdyG7-xoFAyacBKZ2bgJPO5nSuPjmvtKkqe-_4EaIhqPHh5s3k64/s1600/IMG_7584+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNt6t1OODHx2of66ZUejdBPi_UF_0m-k2wqw3_pnTlxsz47GuB1Nqr5gRfC72gQDvwjz6-4yBEEQaTcvAByhBdyOWdyG7-xoFAyacBKZ2bgJPO5nSuPjmvtKkqe-_4EaIhqPHh5s3k64/s640/IMG_7584+(683x1024).jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vest was added next and it was made of heavy drapery fabric.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAz2Og0t2nLuavcK5xRkaT9fd4QpdiWFoxOLo9xgU7r7Y0qocMNJfcCMwfmK6comixwAgH_B7Pxp9SkcmD5NzTSMJl3UDWMvK1aDZTDTRehDVAINLfOBrJORrAbwek4QijxNvD3ZyuQU/s1600/IMG_7585+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAz2Og0t2nLuavcK5xRkaT9fd4QpdiWFoxOLo9xgU7r7Y0qocMNJfcCMwfmK6comixwAgH_B7Pxp9SkcmD5NzTSMJl3UDWMvK1aDZTDTRehDVAINLfOBrJORrAbwek4QijxNvD3ZyuQU/s640/IMG_7585+(683x1024).jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then the coat out of the same upholstery fabric as the knickers. <br />
To suggest that this costume was hot would be a gross understatement. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86SzNku7mmQmgouY83OSLPSlUmT-4r4n2rQwbNnIo1rIoxXa3-Z446U8xw0fsC9M16nNsfvn50TnlxFFvGrKIbG-rZop-QcP8u06UB6BcdokLGFUva2UNjBDspdVDl9Po-yViLZRYb0c/s1600/IMG_7586+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86SzNku7mmQmgouY83OSLPSlUmT-4r4n2rQwbNnIo1rIoxXa3-Z446U8xw0fsC9M16nNsfvn50TnlxFFvGrKIbG-rZop-QcP8u06UB6BcdokLGFUva2UNjBDspdVDl9Po-yViLZRYb0c/s640/IMG_7586+(683x1024).jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add to that a "great flaxen wig"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsA_2fO8SWXbDUyxQ9T4nGCG4jxQEifpWv8eXNEf1_rOr_Ltucfs_bkutW0NizTpGYRRlz2fslcwDduIrwiuwxL4Fe4xnQaFS-mhDgsamGD0ya8adPEuWopXaLoAkYHNkEmR2_ArHcCQ/s1600/IMG_7587+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsA_2fO8SWXbDUyxQ9T4nGCG4jxQEifpWv8eXNEf1_rOr_Ltucfs_bkutW0NizTpGYRRlz2fslcwDduIrwiuwxL4Fe4xnQaFS-mhDgsamGD0ya8adPEuWopXaLoAkYHNkEmR2_ArHcCQ/s640/IMG_7587+(683x1024).jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there is Mr. Hardcastle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Prior to being in this part, I weighed 195 pounds. I weighed myself on closing night and weighed in at 177.4 pounds. I'm certain a hefty portion of that weight came from wearing the sauna in the 90 degree heat in Rexburg, Idaho in the middle of July. I am not complaining, however. This was the most fun I've had on stage in many years. I would gladly do it again.<br />
<br />
<strong>Closing night:</strong><br />
<br />
After the show on closing night, several of the company members said they would like to take a shot with the clippers on my head. I let them. I was going to get most of the hair off with the clippers and then shave the rest. One of the students asked to do that part as well, so I allowed it. Kind of fun really. Sadly, the battery on the camera died in process, so the photo essay will have to be incomplete.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wQh2bNcg07PydaX68RBnNYSaRfGo9rdQhcYpCI7V7j7XU5Rm6tjC9h4IV9yaDm-XVT2cvLkhWrj1kU7klFm-Ycl6dRr9svmIilPcDaX1s_zV5ziUzbCUZL6HgopgdfL-DHVgAACUTAE/s1600/IMG_7596+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wQh2bNcg07PydaX68RBnNYSaRfGo9rdQhcYpCI7V7j7XU5Rm6tjC9h4IV9yaDm-XVT2cvLkhWrj1kU7klFm-Ycl6dRr9svmIilPcDaX1s_zV5ziUzbCUZL6HgopgdfL-DHVgAACUTAE/s640/IMG_7596+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last chance to back out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJEJ8si5-rtGGqHsAA8m3NpSkUgH52TAqhvevwwp3aSEgOjV_2yV3wLtxZXz7IJadL4ImERo-ZoSjNWBXPTIANeh07Qng0Hkj_88GDby8obf1TUVFtdyTuxrtvB0N1tYkqsanfU-_bR4/s1600/IMG_7598+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJEJ8si5-rtGGqHsAA8m3NpSkUgH52TAqhvevwwp3aSEgOjV_2yV3wLtxZXz7IJadL4ImERo-ZoSjNWBXPTIANeh07Qng0Hkj_88GDby8obf1TUVFtdyTuxrtvB0N1tYkqsanfU-_bR4/s640/IMG_7598+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Committed now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOGjkZPYi3l8Ly0KrF632COzKGWUH02jkJWH80mRxEVfNrPgUwO7tOhDHWaO5bir55ZuCpgNgtuwvKxkrEBd9KZOshGiE6ol85YWOAgOBL6U7clA9CAYsZdZGvsRW6zeSd3LLp0z4Jqk/s1600/IMG_7607+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOGjkZPYi3l8Ly0KrF632COzKGWUH02jkJWH80mRxEVfNrPgUwO7tOhDHWaO5bir55ZuCpgNgtuwvKxkrEBd9KZOshGiE6ol85YWOAgOBL6U7clA9CAYsZdZGvsRW6zeSd3LLp0z4Jqk/s640/IMG_7607+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxQY9lbE7Ww9VxInXYg5Iyk9XR-zbswHE2BkZpRLB3bojSQtbRTLPoWLA6T5qNmGdzdYv5PHOSzqBNuLjIeWicJBis7o8MTZXJIyt3S7AHE2NiI5VAGBCg-8ZPJ3gJsZnQaih40KjPG0/s1600/IMG_7609+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxQY9lbE7Ww9VxInXYg5Iyk9XR-zbswHE2BkZpRLB3bojSQtbRTLPoWLA6T5qNmGdzdYv5PHOSzqBNuLjIeWicJBis7o8MTZXJIyt3S7AHE2NiI5VAGBCg-8ZPJ3gJsZnQaih40KjPG0/s640/IMG_7609+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone that wanted one, got a shot at me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE-k0PVtWO_WCqnAcJh5E1H4ASh-_02jP3TxQTRW45D_7reYA_iJye2F-1hHobEU0EXnC6jdzVa6Pr5In9FltWhQbC8mXrOtDPMaWlQ-juE1vpkVev-hpY9b8nSsPPXFY7aFd1cpuzDA/s1600/IMG_7615+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE-k0PVtWO_WCqnAcJh5E1H4ASh-_02jP3TxQTRW45D_7reYA_iJye2F-1hHobEU0EXnC6jdzVa6Pr5In9FltWhQbC8mXrOtDPMaWlQ-juE1vpkVev-hpY9b8nSsPPXFY7aFd1cpuzDA/s640/IMG_7615+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's one way to take your frustrations out against the teacher...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh3xTKh9_Ii0JIjAz396ML4POwtWCinECpjr26B48dox7P4EFz2fjJRoX0jadnH_19Rth5HCqo2b70fFLXYTSqRhyphenhyphen9oTpsiZGI2SyNVQOIAToRUQ2HA6IndMlBmIrxOYLqUoIHp0uv4I/s1600/IMG_7618+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh3xTKh9_Ii0JIjAz396ML4POwtWCinECpjr26B48dox7P4EFz2fjJRoX0jadnH_19Rth5HCqo2b70fFLXYTSqRhyphenhyphen9oTpsiZGI2SyNVQOIAToRUQ2HA6IndMlBmIrxOYLqUoIHp0uv4I/s640/IMG_7618+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last shot, almost done</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG8HHv5X6uQefclQrGm61cO0bVl3_RTAMDDZAAoZmOVtlBeD7Pj1PkUt7PyB2uzYZ4hCm4eM9DytC82pmnCIjQYhLPQitCcMhI16DmIeWSe8SVZhVbd_mEyfdeq4hhalbQ5MH8luSddQ/s1600/IMG_7668+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG8HHv5X6uQefclQrGm61cO0bVl3_RTAMDDZAAoZmOVtlBeD7Pj1PkUt7PyB2uzYZ4hCm4eM9DytC82pmnCIjQYhLPQitCcMhI16DmIeWSe8SVZhVbd_mEyfdeq4hhalbQ5MH8luSddQ/s640/IMG_7668+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture we took today at Big Springs with my chrome dome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Believe it or not, being totally bald doesn't bother me near as much as just the top of the head being shaved. I do believe it bothers my wife, the hot chick so I'll let it grow back in. I felt I needed to shave it all the way so my hair could all grow in at the same rate and so I wouldn't have a two layer haircut for a couple of months. I suggested that I should keep the head shaved but grow the mustache back, but she wasn't having any of that.<br />
<br />
Hopefully this is a good post for returning to blogging!Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-73024833717908609532013-05-04T13:33:00.004-06:002013-05-04T14:55:10.705-06:00Twiggy--Plate<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx97hGZQrcXmE2N_bhvaEnllwHAyCN2VTkY7sxoMnCjWdTlphQR0oe9LLIt04mBAj8NJJZjymV89U2Mq8iMb3QJpKJJweEb7XocmozIX-2llW-y616ogf38Cn-KV1feFaDnAcfeNM0smw/s1600/IMG_6923+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx97hGZQrcXmE2N_bhvaEnllwHAyCN2VTkY7sxoMnCjWdTlphQR0oe9LLIt04mBAj8NJJZjymV89U2Mq8iMb3QJpKJJweEb7XocmozIX-2llW-y616ogf38Cn-KV1feFaDnAcfeNM0smw/s640/IMG_6923+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twiggy Plate. Also called "Pebble Leaf" and "Tree of Life"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
About six months ago I found this piece of glass at a thrift store. It didn't look like any pattern that I was familiar with, but the color was unmistakable. Definitely depression era glass. I bought it for $1.50.<br />
<br />
I brought it home and put it under my blacklight to see if it was the correct age, and it was. I did a brief internet search to see if I could identify it, but couldn't find any images of it. I put it on the shelf and forgot about it for awhile. Yesterday, I was looking on that shelf for something else and saw the plate and decided to try to identify it again. This time I was successful.<br />
<br />
I did a Google image search for something like "green depression glass leaf plate" or something like that and found an image of the plate I was looking for. I followed the link and discovered this plate was manufactured sometime between 1929 and 1936 by the Indiana Glass Company. It was originally manufactured in pink and green.<br />
<br />
I haven't found any sources on how many different kinds of pieces were pressed. I know that the plate I have and an open handle relish tray were pressed during the Great Depression. I've seen images from the later pressings of punchbowls, cake plates, tumblers, goblets etc... in clear glass.<br />
<br />
It is always fun to find something unique at a thrift store or a garage sale, pawn shop. Because of the uneven edge, I mistook some of that for a few chips. I looked at it much closer yesterday and could only find a couple of very tiny chips. I paid $1.50 for it and with the tiny chips I don't think it's worth top dollar, but I'd place it's value between $5.00 and $10.00. Depending on the rarity of the piece, though it might be worth more. (As if I'd ever sell it). I believe it is fairly rare because it was a difficult pattern to track down. When I did find it, I had to piece the information together from several sites, and even then I don't believe I have a complete picture of this pattern. <br />
<br />
I found very few vintage pieces for sale anywhere online. A few pieces of the green on Ebay, but no pink. There were a few pieces on esty, but once again, mostly the newer pressings. <br />
<br />
The pattern was re-issued in clear and other colors in the 1980's. Those pieces are a lot easier to find.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_c_fRYuY7tlEu_4QErqPtvXgX-c0aIdsp1HRmzC7sFRyBHiwNkKDLFU-A_9A_g790x2lLgsdU9sWEovL3AyRMyR7hFR-uMf0AfP1xUnL6lMRnRdPvko87sjKHBdIhF4uwCGG0Eouzaw/s1600/IMG_6926+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_c_fRYuY7tlEu_4QErqPtvXgX-c0aIdsp1HRmzC7sFRyBHiwNkKDLFU-A_9A_g790x2lLgsdU9sWEovL3AyRMyR7hFR-uMf0AfP1xUnL6lMRnRdPvko87sjKHBdIhF4uwCGG0Eouzaw/s640/IMG_6926+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twiggy, under UV light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<object height="1" id="plugin0" style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" type="application/x-dgnria" width="1"><param name="tabId" value="{4075DB19-6A0B-45A7-9882-6A22BB11B521}" /></object>Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-14500589667545473522013-04-23T21:05:00.001-06:002013-04-23T21:05:53.746-06:00Rose Cameo--Tumbler<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K5gbRlEigEzHfIy9uNTjRBDOlsq5blfciy2bVUjYK5XBH1kjh-51UTLlfoMjk_0NiNdapufwCz2gRRXrrFe6WA24KPmB3ZFufX0Hn7X1BLzLfQ4wG71Kj3Cm56xpWVZJUGFBwd4WJ9s/s1600/IMG_6918+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3K5gbRlEigEzHfIy9uNTjRBDOlsq5blfciy2bVUjYK5XBH1kjh-51UTLlfoMjk_0NiNdapufwCz2gRRXrrFe6WA24KPmB3ZFufX0Hn7X1BLzLfQ4wG71Kj3Cm56xpWVZJUGFBwd4WJ9s/s640/IMG_6918+(1024x683).jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Cameo Tumbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have a friend that I see at the thrift store from time to time. She's an older lady that knows we collect depression glass. I told her that Chimene's grandmother worked in one of the glass making plants during the Great Depression. We think it was the Fostoria Glass Company.<br />
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One day, while I was thrifting, my friend said, "I have something for your wife". She came back into the store with a Rose Cameo tumbler. She didn't want anything for it. She said it made her happy to give something to someone who would appreciate it. Very generous indeed.<br />
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I did a little research on the Rose Cameo pattern and found that it was made by the Belmont Tumbler Company, but was actually thought to have been manufactured by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. The pattern was made in only seven pieces and for only one year and only in green. This is a very exclusive piece indeed.<br />
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I got my information on this piece from <strong><u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.suziemax.com/Rose-Cameo-Depression-Glass.html" target="_blank">suziemax.com</a></span></u></strong>. Because this was a gift, I will not be assessing it's value. It would seem wrong to me to do that. <br />
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The cool thing about green depression glass is that it was made with Uranium and it glows under UV light. I don't have the best photo setup, but I was able to capture this piece in it's glowing state.<br />
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Enjoy<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF3_cYaWtHeMMkGoAmmtnKQhnA9g3g0f5DLoFZm8QB4X7KqvavrHCYTPFmLbfvpxJsnwqVDxVpLwm0o4S_DbLHCgETqNYxpwwHrs7xVkQxWAoi_LeQ-9GGl_nWhXARwXkwBzPtC4B1Lc/s1600/IMG_6920+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF3_cYaWtHeMMkGoAmmtnKQhnA9g3g0f5DLoFZm8QB4X7KqvavrHCYTPFmLbfvpxJsnwqVDxVpLwm0o4S_DbLHCgETqNYxpwwHrs7xVkQxWAoi_LeQ-9GGl_nWhXARwXkwBzPtC4B1Lc/s640/IMG_6920+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glowing in UV light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJjv97o7G2ejgPz03WDhfdqCTjpKC6BQXQl_55GXwlYoFfA0FtLquZDj7pqdDBPfEOBO4RrSiqyd01-BVJiPMGMMZba-kXzxWTKEJ8bLY0ts_Esp3mZ6Lvt7NXI3JPLwEZt5wh1yh5H0/s1600/IMG_6917+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJjv97o7G2ejgPz03WDhfdqCTjpKC6BQXQl_55GXwlYoFfA0FtLquZDj7pqdDBPfEOBO4RrSiqyd01-BVJiPMGMMZba-kXzxWTKEJ8bLY0ts_Esp3mZ6Lvt7NXI3JPLwEZt5wh1yh5H0/s640/IMG_6917+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better picture of the pattern in UV light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<object height="1" id="plugin0" style="position: absolute; z-index: 1000;" type="application/x-dgnria" width="1"><param name="tabId" value="{086DE768-4700-420C-A337-4998D75C63A7}" /></object>Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-64292550762758197372013-04-21T23:09:00.001-06:002013-04-21T23:09:11.122-06:00Skeleton Hands Tutorial***DISCLAIMER***<br />
I am copying a post from one of my other blogs to this blog because it's related not only to my occupation but also my hobby.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENa5YpjGInahbXssES2UAThyphenhyphenAt5EwEWkIVYYlx3YDGMjEbLPVbndvR0twpI8SkyQNWRE8Qiyd-jJ0wE1VnPd6vnjyS1pFtyuqbL78BzreJaWeEzMyspa_hYyYEiYgDckye5k9ZnPbzaq/s1600/IMG_6860+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbENa5YpjGInahbXssES2UAThyphenhyphenAt5EwEWkIVYYlx3YDGMjEbLPVbndvR0twpI8SkyQNWRE8Qiyd-jJ0wE1VnPd6vnjyS1pFtyuqbL78BzreJaWeEzMyspa_hYyYEiYgDckye5k9ZnPbzaq/s640/IMG_6860+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeleton Hand</td></tr>
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<br />
Skeleton Hand Tutorial<br />
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I had an idea about a year ago to make a fully articulated, poseable skeleton hand. I thought about it, did a prototype of a bone, thought about it a bit more, saved some parts and thought about it a bit more. I finally created a prototype last week and felt gratified that it worked out well so I made it's brother last night. This time I captured the whole process in photos. Here is the odyssey.<br />
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Research<br />
One of the first steps in any project is the research. I wished to have my hands be as accurate as possible, or at least as credible as possible. I started with <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://zombietronix.com/calculator_simplehand.php" target="_blank"><strong>Zombietronix.com</strong></a><strong><u> </u></strong></span><span style="color: black;">which is a haunt site with some really cool bone proportion calculators. I also researched hand proportions and found the following, from </span><span style="color: blue;"><strong>hippie.nu</strong><span style="color: black;">. I added a few of my own lines and numbers.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInzCPYR_D8Vp7sCGEzaI9PNMUkiIUGWSECqUB148R4PVQEgGLMpHO38_u7OgZIGQu4tKSe-VqezqJM0JAgs5sCi7iSPqXn_UKdZfoIxRxSZ8v3mNBAfBcpGJNRKE7qO9VHhola_ci2qYK/s1600/hand+proportions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInzCPYR_D8Vp7sCGEzaI9PNMUkiIUGWSECqUB148R4PVQEgGLMpHO38_u7OgZIGQu4tKSe-VqezqJM0JAgs5sCi7iSPqXn_UKdZfoIxRxSZ8v3mNBAfBcpGJNRKE7qO9VHhola_ci2qYK/s640/hand+proportions.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand proportions diagram</td></tr>
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The Skeleton of the Skeleton<br />
I have crafted with clothes hangers for many years. They are predictable. I know what they can do and what they cannot do. I chose clothes hangers to be the superstructure for the skeleton hands. The toughest part about the superstructure was to design the wire placement to accommodate the carpals, the meta-carpals and phalanges. <br />
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I printed several hands from the Zombietronix page and developed a wire map for the skeleton hand. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNMQyCIh5J-tWTDLMeo6cdw72RE1MIltFZkCP-5ZV8nedSTOiL6MO8YqqPtE670I6xZrYX3uY0-U7bOlBD9EFfypEzhIdpfoCluWv1VoBZW15NgKbdqS8Zs6TOm6rKic7BBRFcfZwiP5q/s1600/wire+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNMQyCIh5J-tWTDLMeo6cdw72RE1MIltFZkCP-5ZV8nedSTOiL6MO8YqqPtE670I6xZrYX3uY0-U7bOlBD9EFfypEzhIdpfoCluWv1VoBZW15NgKbdqS8Zs6TOm6rKic7BBRFcfZwiP5q/s640/wire+1.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire #1 diagram</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbMBT4s64FHkSFiYbIC549t6w_KKigoIkjnfyjeUziibKW6z8dN_bUs7fhATAhxeCKR00H_XYWXahLelne9ymL8PGWadJLA08z92RlaibDIhyphenhyphenVFhRgDhM17eN7A5PmyApspiRyHJbOS0b/s1600/wire+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbMBT4s64FHkSFiYbIC549t6w_KKigoIkjnfyjeUziibKW6z8dN_bUs7fhATAhxeCKR00H_XYWXahLelne9ymL8PGWadJLA08z92RlaibDIhyphenhyphenVFhRgDhM17eN7A5PmyApspiRyHJbOS0b/s640/wire+2.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire #2 diagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDPO-OVXMLId_QbT01eRYD0agkrqTFUeM92t8sAdwkh4ObTa7NYsHIV1wrp4TGzTXSaoCE0j1Fn3fkF5YA9EDqOf1MMkG2sTBbpZz6BfgSdS4ZUQex9f5Js-nqu8Lp-8n0dbBKs8vPCI9/s1600/wire+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDPO-OVXMLId_QbT01eRYD0agkrqTFUeM92t8sAdwkh4ObTa7NYsHIV1wrp4TGzTXSaoCE0j1Fn3fkF5YA9EDqOf1MMkG2sTBbpZz6BfgSdS4ZUQex9f5Js-nqu8Lp-8n0dbBKs8vPCI9/s640/wire+3.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire #3 diagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuGv9melS7ILykqVnfg2IHcJkn-EM8XgV3D_L8BSc5zKABTmjjMKxP2DTFszjppxiNMkxUMypFYJli3aDvi9vmsmGi55Gk03hXsNCPy3vAaqGpwvP_2Z7-Gx2w5r-IToba7muv9Zw_RCf/s1600/wire+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuGv9melS7ILykqVnfg2IHcJkn-EM8XgV3D_L8BSc5zKABTmjjMKxP2DTFszjppxiNMkxUMypFYJli3aDvi9vmsmGi55Gk03hXsNCPy3vAaqGpwvP_2Z7-Gx2w5r-IToba7muv9Zw_RCf/s640/wire+4.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire #4 diagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4OMf5cfwSPfNxPEhY_PIqPNSFguHr4LQE9RhJyZigjnEKDlQZv_7Hvt3aEms4xhfJ3MYbCTZtsyX-rjWUTw7O-26aFvw0JxGVZjQELEc-knmclejWaUK_DxY_o3EaaJabzqBBcKXqayV/s1600/mini+wires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4OMf5cfwSPfNxPEhY_PIqPNSFguHr4LQE9RhJyZigjnEKDlQZv_7Hvt3aEms4xhfJ3MYbCTZtsyX-rjWUTw7O-26aFvw0JxGVZjQELEc-knmclejWaUK_DxY_o3EaaJabzqBBcKXqayV/s640/mini+wires.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini-wires diagram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The superstructure is made from 3 heavy guage wire coat hangers with the top cut off and straightened. The next time I make these I will use non-coated coat hangers. The rubberized coating got in the way sometimes and I had to strip it in places to get the bones to fit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_CiokfsSeAjDBWUul92HBqNWSA52YIYZmbY-1-N83FtNsIrKJaQiRZ4btOAGY-s6BrGPQucI4zhG8vWR9F6urO5a3oAcqTVS6NQN5Y_4YkcpjKr5ZT0lMo8fW-wErJ8jEFlmCPwOjUVR/s1600/IMG_6864+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_CiokfsSeAjDBWUul92HBqNWSA52YIYZmbY-1-N83FtNsIrKJaQiRZ4btOAGY-s6BrGPQucI4zhG8vWR9F6urO5a3oAcqTVS6NQN5Y_4YkcpjKr5ZT0lMo8fW-wErJ8jEFlmCPwOjUVR/s640/IMG_6864+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting off the tops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuCskU397BC3RtLLQuoJ3juKymEAVegLhwwEWKy2_UNlJQmkNTcgDuYWNQYmG45GXBg5Je0cdo_o0QGkGvTa2YUbI1jTBu6qyRfYtvT6TwF-tQztux7qL0Sc4fbcG8X9JmwB9-ce7KYuw/s1600/IMG_6867+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuCskU397BC3RtLLQuoJ3juKymEAVegLhwwEWKy2_UNlJQmkNTcgDuYWNQYmG45GXBg5Je0cdo_o0QGkGvTa2YUbI1jTBu6qyRfYtvT6TwF-tQztux7qL0Sc4fbcG8X9JmwB9-ce7KYuw/s640/IMG_6867+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx-CwFlqEnylw0-ISBCAsdRyFjJpzj1PNTWwnidvBJDgULTWha_TtVaWx9NF4DlPO7RFxbmRmpS-oNShaLlcxxIqywzi1gCsxAJKG6RfTldlot2iSttSYrcr8C9jaCPeHxMq1gw9FJLn8/s1600/IMG_6868+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx-CwFlqEnylw0-ISBCAsdRyFjJpzj1PNTWwnidvBJDgULTWha_TtVaWx9NF4DlPO7RFxbmRmpS-oNShaLlcxxIqywzi1gCsxAJKG6RfTldlot2iSttSYrcr8C9jaCPeHxMq1gw9FJLn8/s640/IMG_6868+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straightened</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next step is to bend the wires and begin attaching them to one another. This is done entirely by bending. No external fastener or adhesive is used in this process. The parts are bent according to the drawings. These can be made as large or as small as you wish, within reason. I made my hands about the size of an NBA player. They're scarier that way. <br />
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The wires that make up the thumb and the middle digit extend to become the radius and ulna bones. Don't cut them to length until you know how much of the arm you need for your project. Cut them to length at the end of the project.<br />
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To attach the wires to each other, bend small circles with long nose pliers about the diameter of the wire where the wires would intersect on the drawing. It's important to note that each circle twist takes about 3/4 of an inch of wire, so you must add that much length times how many twists you need for each wire. That distance stays constant no matter if you are making small hands or large ones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXc57MEh1F5LBc_C6OVLdqD7OdA1rQPs7n03F9-yK-6RDPQAMfan6zTipUR8JrlmPmS5rdbRL5BJIJh9rgYx2nY1Ahy4AV0dnR-8d_lLgO9i0HkYnikl7-_0Bl0CDtKPtv6FyISgemXUg/s1600/IMG_6869+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXc57MEh1F5LBc_C6OVLdqD7OdA1rQPs7n03F9-yK-6RDPQAMfan6zTipUR8JrlmPmS5rdbRL5BJIJh9rgYx2nY1Ahy4AV0dnR-8d_lLgO9i0HkYnikl7-_0Bl0CDtKPtv6FyISgemXUg/s640/IMG_6869+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The thumb bend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_npgTWkrcc3tuAQEFalU9-a2w7slJNIbVwkPshY_BXey-QnOpDPFcU0CTkWjizJ8UB6CJ3EJENFEUTzQuFBuCh3JFHA-28BOinD90gGW6BynUpr-BKnytwZE3UVdk8CSItwpBYe2w7bo/s1600/IMG_6871+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_npgTWkrcc3tuAQEFalU9-a2w7slJNIbVwkPshY_BXey-QnOpDPFcU0CTkWjizJ8UB6CJ3EJENFEUTzQuFBuCh3JFHA-28BOinD90gGW6BynUpr-BKnytwZE3UVdk8CSItwpBYe2w7bo/s640/IMG_6871+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bending the loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGfRPvbgfWwNRVCWmLohnaQM7JKcK3I-IPD8gACJhBnU0QDsKqBYhKTz_OGENg5gUQNCSD7YuAD84Ah50JNhMLDBE4ds2ho2GKKlXpzOOtOha7u20kYvmBD-8Fs0V10f7p6e99KapH8IP/s1600/IMG_6872+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGfRPvbgfWwNRVCWmLohnaQM7JKcK3I-IPD8gACJhBnU0QDsKqBYhKTz_OGENg5gUQNCSD7YuAD84Ah50JNhMLDBE4ds2ho2GKKlXpzOOtOha7u20kYvmBD-8Fs0V10f7p6e99KapH8IP/s640/IMG_6872+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0O1PykMagvr7wqq3pDEOLvYf4RmOoWNyhhNBq6ZsfmJvJDkXCbnoTFlqm-MUZrnx7MDZ35X2C6r9znUWVwuH9QZH6cIdJvinflIokC_6aSkRw60LFxUa9EMVlc6Qbmi_2HPDn-Xf2Qab/s1600/IMG_6873+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0O1PykMagvr7wqq3pDEOLvYf4RmOoWNyhhNBq6ZsfmJvJDkXCbnoTFlqm-MUZrnx7MDZ35X2C6r9znUWVwuH9QZH6cIdJvinflIokC_6aSkRw60LFxUa9EMVlc6Qbmi_2HPDn-Xf2Qab/s640/IMG_6873+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle digit wire inserted in the loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TE3Y1cu7_QgenIWz5mFs4sEPrdsyKpSlNyvjbCgGyY3w0f1BVNAUhi1eKaj3VPKtzk3LuISfQhfQR0FkEYUww21itr0GMwJg6895E0AGU8A-e5vJA08SebH3NEtlMYzWO61KMPh06mq4/s1600/IMG_6874+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TE3Y1cu7_QgenIWz5mFs4sEPrdsyKpSlNyvjbCgGyY3w0f1BVNAUhi1eKaj3VPKtzk3LuISfQhfQR0FkEYUww21itr0GMwJg6895E0AGU8A-e5vJA08SebH3NEtlMYzWO61KMPh06mq4/s640/IMG_6874+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second loop around the first loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856CogGZDjFuzGBmQ9VIn2hms8pUZnDo2QFes-THPjwDjEwInw-rIB57QCMI2_wF9rSdRHdXNH3PIX9v6ef0S2qtlnrGyWXNCZ7rqzQx6alVBZicGLG3BG9JpmOHwJ0zLo9HOUqTA20bf/s1600/IMG_6875+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi856CogGZDjFuzGBmQ9VIn2hms8pUZnDo2QFes-THPjwDjEwInw-rIB57QCMI2_wF9rSdRHdXNH3PIX9v6ef0S2qtlnrGyWXNCZ7rqzQx6alVBZicGLG3BG9JpmOHwJ0zLo9HOUqTA20bf/s640/IMG_6875+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The forefinger and the pinky finger wire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5afHHk86XCjEoY_v0p9DtANXIyC6wfgbRrL9kG2AcRnjSF7sPjiWbKZJJHFg7W_lnW5mJQKp3phYRKPmIQl_XvtU1BtpTaTcu_txHKd8tM9UDV0PUXG7eG4gorhS9TIpH1RvYlfCTR3sx/s1600/IMG_6876+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5afHHk86XCjEoY_v0p9DtANXIyC6wfgbRrL9kG2AcRnjSF7sPjiWbKZJJHFg7W_lnW5mJQKp3phYRKPmIQl_XvtU1BtpTaTcu_txHKd8tM9UDV0PUXG7eG4gorhS9TIpH1RvYlfCTR3sx/s640/IMG_6876+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loops. Next time I'll make these loops going opposite directions, one vertical the other horizontal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpoRRDsNJFfT8_nhfCdegHRqLoZu4_NRszVC32M94YxtrlodkbQzQ4jB4MgZuSzgA6lFenHX2lY38iX4NqE4KvaqE-nuhGxVjtcGFEZg5hj8Oxqy674-7GNcj3hL_n3I-KUU6nCm4WLS_/s1600/IMG_6877+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpoRRDsNJFfT8_nhfCdegHRqLoZu4_NRszVC32M94YxtrlodkbQzQ4jB4MgZuSzgA6lFenHX2lY38iX4NqE4KvaqE-nuhGxVjtcGFEZg5hj8Oxqy674-7GNcj3hL_n3I-KUU6nCm4WLS_/s640/IMG_6877+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of the forefinger and pinky finger wire with loops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The next time I make this project I will make one of the loop bends on wire #3 vertical instead of both of them being horizontal. I believe it will make a more stable platform. As it was, when the final project was done, it was plenty stable. It would just make it more stable in process.<br />
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Before you assemble any more of the armature, you need to create and install some of the carpal bones. This part of the process is part superstructure and part finish work. <br />
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The carpal bones are made from different size wooden beads with the handles of milk jugs melted onto them with a heat gun. Make sure you get beads with big enough holes to string on wire coat hangers.<br />
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This project takes a lot of milk jugs. You will need to save them up for awhile until you have enough. Better yet, have all your sympathetic neighbors and relatives save them for you. When I get a milk jug, I rinse it and immediately cut off the handle and recycle the rest. No sense having a ton of milk jugs hanging around. I store the handles in a box or bucket and build them up until I have enough. Pretty painless actually.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxkwnmnOgC5TipVmqB38MjrUoePQAc3GJ7Fiigk6O5L0hRHrWoRYY0ELMkY1SaTFJeaeuKLplRH_PcDJmpt2f8WhmG98MSkf376ph7lHN9AQQAEIg1lCnjYC5OTPTVXzN5TUu8ppvQ19-/s1600/IMG_6862+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxkwnmnOgC5TipVmqB38MjrUoePQAc3GJ7Fiigk6O5L0hRHrWoRYY0ELMkY1SaTFJeaeuKLplRH_PcDJmpt2f8WhmG98MSkf376ph7lHN9AQQAEIg1lCnjYC5OTPTVXzN5TUu8ppvQ19-/s640/IMG_6862+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The humble milk jug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBstb3-Y0C0KaHkEDBvHc9fAtOt425qDZko0GQRRpKn2jkmza_m5AVYo6kAGleYRjv4_FRv6ZJAsopeKIyaTinsPjwd5dstMRmWw9EB8ZSUPmPGeik1lMerO7GqNQG5NIGKCs09utwxlS/s1600/IMG_6863+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBstb3-Y0C0KaHkEDBvHc9fAtOt425qDZko0GQRRpKn2jkmza_m5AVYo6kAGleYRjv4_FRv6ZJAsopeKIyaTinsPjwd5dstMRmWw9EB8ZSUPmPGeik1lMerO7GqNQG5NIGKCs09utwxlS/s640/IMG_6863+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting the handle off</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwui0N7cVSr-TMHFxdSBAe14BipAWj2NqWiA7Dpdkjh8VqqO-4Py8-6iiaytmxELAH-Qfn2meCnEiLh5tEDKmKsHw5gWGv6WXqXNa3bw4RwCWp7vdXKTz_OJMXXW1NMKicUnWaMFrf9Mp/s1600/IMG_6879+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwui0N7cVSr-TMHFxdSBAe14BipAWj2NqWiA7Dpdkjh8VqqO-4Py8-6iiaytmxELAH-Qfn2meCnEiLh5tEDKmKsHw5gWGv6WXqXNa3bw4RwCWp7vdXKTz_OJMXXW1NMKicUnWaMFrf9Mp/s640/IMG_6879+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melting part of the handle to a wooden bead with a heat gun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWznV0eTLx9D_6qK_G3gkSJ4dwGUVOXf9_u2G8LpL-Pq5aKtFR3SjUTjQOMhXXRSo7bWyf0C8NDKGT6kKSTMEkIYpyMMYRyTW9qMpt5bdPajqtHluBH32z2HwlJaF5x44HQwsO3HPLuwZd/s1600/IMG_6880+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWznV0eTLx9D_6qK_G3gkSJ4dwGUVOXf9_u2G8LpL-Pq5aKtFR3SjUTjQOMhXXRSo7bWyf0C8NDKGT6kKSTMEkIYpyMMYRyTW9qMpt5bdPajqtHluBH32z2HwlJaF5x44HQwsO3HPLuwZd/s640/IMG_6880+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gnarly carpal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfgc5ZX5ztqRYWd18uNICLqMoalBlF74XcffMiJ7yPdATNLFo685HvCvakDj8G5VYP8NGJr2DLaXcQzUKDycuIb2K6Q4xcM1cegMCphDplpg8w5T30pH2XOtQXqtA5o_yTBKlbPP9-wQI/s1600/IMG_6881+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfgc5ZX5ztqRYWd18uNICLqMoalBlF74XcffMiJ7yPdATNLFo685HvCvakDj8G5VYP8NGJr2DLaXcQzUKDycuIb2K6Q4xcM1cegMCphDplpg8w5T30pH2XOtQXqtA5o_yTBKlbPP9-wQI/s640/IMG_6881+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first carpal installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNxUj61CN9Je-GaAoykIrFq8QcoWDoB3WAe1qiXTEwJQxj0nd6-eYNeQ0vwv3UfEmL7BP-Al2akayhGC5PH04nDI_vWAhQYIhbBns9Uo2otrClXsGLvc9aIqbnC0z_89WNhZ2m7PIfy5G/s1600/IMG_6884+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNxUj61CN9Je-GaAoykIrFq8QcoWDoB3WAe1qiXTEwJQxj0nd6-eYNeQ0vwv3UfEmL7BP-Al2akayhGC5PH04nDI_vWAhQYIhbBns9Uo2otrClXsGLvc9aIqbnC0z_89WNhZ2m7PIfy5G/s640/IMG_6884+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More carpals. Note the wire from the ring finger wraps around the wire for the middle finger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'm not as concerned with the carpals being exactly anatomically accurate. I just need some mass down there that looks kind of legitimate. The meta-carpals and phalanges are what are going to give this project it's credibility.<br />
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When I put this together, I realized I had missed a bead, and so rather than taking it apart and putting it all together again, I added the naked bead on the lower wire as seen above and cut a section of milk jug out, then cut up the inner seam. Then I wrapped it around not only the bead but also the upper wire. When the milk jug gets to temp, it becomes transparent and sticky. I like to have something to poke at it with to move it around when it is in that state. In this case I used a modified seafood fork. You can also scab sections of milk jug in areas and heat gun them in place.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KVJd3tSWNMOWqmgdfcpeJ5DInzOvkbNDLx4nAbZ2aUVpVCaTa7TW4mAA5vyH4Zwz7LrL8LtZQ1wZbnGS13O1F6E6MqeQ4YwEnFCYJprcSALHLYdwwjZjMKQgN9WYB-tmIzmwawBgpOyz/s1600/IMG_6885+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KVJd3tSWNMOWqmgdfcpeJ5DInzOvkbNDLx4nAbZ2aUVpVCaTa7TW4mAA5vyH4Zwz7LrL8LtZQ1wZbnGS13O1F6E6MqeQ4YwEnFCYJprcSALHLYdwwjZjMKQgN9WYB-tmIzmwawBgpOyz/s640/IMG_6885+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting along the inner seam of the milk jug. (The pink handled scissors belong to my wife)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnNo-6yIlECCumZ2btYqZ7ZiUwRsUzlGU-cn6VECG8aaTiwRj27O2sTbARjK99yUgKmsQehZntEfdAxinLfnikY4CUKVazbmIks3n8t6eEgbi1_wVT8SmD5nb_6zxfP0eO5RVCBDIQQ7N/s1600/IMG_6886+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnNo-6yIlECCumZ2btYqZ7ZiUwRsUzlGU-cn6VECG8aaTiwRj27O2sTbARjK99yUgKmsQehZntEfdAxinLfnikY4CUKVazbmIks3n8t6eEgbi1_wVT8SmD5nb_6zxfP0eO5RVCBDIQQ7N/s640/IMG_6886+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrapping the cut jug handle around the bead and the wire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Lt3Xl73AVzXzt3mtYyp7-eBW8obAvc2-AxuB081fF-T-dUWerpCjuGzeUZgYIZaWEN6NgdnLSeTFDlm21k7yZjZF4l_DM2zBWMYaoof14sRjNLYaY3njcjB6VU7sq7K9ZFGKjgrKJXS/s1600/IMG_6887+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Lt3Xl73AVzXzt3mtYyp7-eBW8obAvc2-AxuB081fF-T-dUWerpCjuGzeUZgYIZaWEN6NgdnLSeTFDlm21k7yZjZF4l_DM2zBWMYaoof14sRjNLYaY3njcjB6VU7sq7K9ZFGKjgrKJXS/s640/IMG_6887+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heat gunning it to death</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcmWoR8hO_TbGNY9wlX2hlZnrnLko6gP7jtthOZxpK2n9a31wzlld6Y9yvRVJH0U3gnyw7nB3lskxPZ2pyBMCzBiebeQ5mI2bmipqoE79OanHSykkQ5yf7rcVXRmBnXEOdw9tsscP6qAc/s1600/IMG_6888+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcmWoR8hO_TbGNY9wlX2hlZnrnLko6gP7jtthOZxpK2n9a31wzlld6Y9yvRVJH0U3gnyw7nB3lskxPZ2pyBMCzBiebeQ5mI2bmipqoE79OanHSykkQ5yf7rcVXRmBnXEOdw9tsscP6qAc/s640/IMG_6888+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Bones<br />
Making the bones is pretty simple really. It's nothing more than heat shrinking the polyethylene plastic from the milk jug around a couple of beads.<br />
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I made a jig out of an intact hanger where I straightened the hook part out, then made a stand with the rest of it. You can make a jig however you wish, I had a hanger on hand, that's what I used.<br />
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This is a good time to talk about the size of beads to use in the fingers. As I look at the joints in my own hand, I see that some of the knuckles are larger than others, some of the joints are larger than others. This is true from end to end of individual fingers and it is true from finger to finger. <br />
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I put together a string of beads to show the graduation pattern that worked for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MyDOujjhrp3yuStemPTcNrTXycwgiINTBOL6nVQflFtatAySe3Svzv5A-Ek2MwxRe-xb27dK_2a5pg_cg-bdMiJDgqdCjB36144S1jh7A7UqpDYeVgtR89QDplnHFaMBVQ2bFici5OiP/s1600/IMG_6915+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MyDOujjhrp3yuStemPTcNrTXycwgiINTBOL6nVQflFtatAySe3Svzv5A-Ek2MwxRe-xb27dK_2a5pg_cg-bdMiJDgqdCjB36144S1jh7A7UqpDYeVgtR89QDplnHFaMBVQ2bFici5OiP/s640/IMG_6915+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation pattern for the beads. The meta-carpal begins on the left and the small bead at the end is the end of the phalange</td></tr>
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To make individual bones for the meta-carpals and all but the final stage of the phalanges, take a bead and place it on the jig. Sleeve a section of milk jug handle over the bead and then add the second bead. Understand that the plastic will shrink when heat is applied, so cut the milk jug handle longer than it needs to be. The length of the plastic is something that has to be figured out by trial and error, unfortunately.<br />
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When applying the heat, first crimp one end of the bead, then the other. After that apply heat as evenly as possible along the length of the bone. I use a seafood fork to move the bone around on the jig. The plastic will turn transparent when it reaches temperature and will begin to sink in in the middle of the bone. Gravity also works on the semi-molten plastic and it will begin to deform. At this point, remove the heat and grasp the end of the bead with the long nosed pliers and hold the other end in place with the seafood fork and pull to the desired length. When the plastic turns white again, it has become rigid and can be moved and placed. I'm impatient, so I usually blow on the plastic to try to cool it faster. I don't know if it actually works, but it makes me feel better so I do it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzZJ55f_6LjnupUoxcy1WC2Z-y-YvZxdxZWmN-QHNCjmyniLrH6ZHWgjpKGAOdJQVS3wC8MTAdUXgFO_cf0ukIudpCuaBeDENFCvChgq868zP0AH8VvteX-xXmJF0eFx_pAddrlT8lX1/s1600/IMG_6903+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzZJ55f_6LjnupUoxcy1WC2Z-y-YvZxdxZWmN-QHNCjmyniLrH6ZHWgjpKGAOdJQVS3wC8MTAdUXgFO_cf0ukIudpCuaBeDENFCvChgq868zP0AH8VvteX-xXmJF0eFx_pAddrlT8lX1/s640/IMG_6903+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing the first bead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0jncJbie_QZVmhiDm866G0hIQsTu3v7nTpO-iiHISrPoB5z5DWmL3r4LCqsBV-dDWQVUzc0xasPArGEVufZu1AMu6IBwZWSfprEklcKwzZFmh6h19xny8KtC1pc22815YcdnESoDpL6E/s1600/IMG_6904+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0jncJbie_QZVmhiDm866G0hIQsTu3v7nTpO-iiHISrPoB5z5DWmL3r4LCqsBV-dDWQVUzc0xasPArGEVufZu1AMu6IBwZWSfprEklcKwzZFmh6h19xny8KtC1pc22815YcdnESoDpL6E/s640/IMG_6904+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming the milk jug handle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZePoNA8Nxc3dxAOV4DmDYVt1FozgmcxlZLHeDHRiNYF8bs1yhLmeuvcIZSAsKyAmrhFBLfzbwhvD_2zJRxrCxb3TrS32lyB8Zmf_6HSSljD6KfpkprzStnSsvDgFRcq01DL5HbdjXWbNx/s1600/IMG_6905+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZePoNA8Nxc3dxAOV4DmDYVt1FozgmcxlZLHeDHRiNYF8bs1yhLmeuvcIZSAsKyAmrhFBLfzbwhvD_2zJRxrCxb3TrS32lyB8Zmf_6HSSljD6KfpkprzStnSsvDgFRcq01DL5HbdjXWbNx/s640/IMG_6905+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing the milk jug handle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU1wmvUF6vG53IdtmgSQsHycD9q6ITJPjG6Ki-7-N67wrlKvMLZyQFHki4UlZLcJ2nLFF8yvLfxAG6PcLqn2stpd85CL86iYpD_y68SpswugcyfT9CAC_TIKjMqQLdh3meYEQtDKhIcmD/s1600/IMG_6906+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioU1wmvUF6vG53IdtmgSQsHycD9q6ITJPjG6Ki-7-N67wrlKvMLZyQFHki4UlZLcJ2nLFF8yvLfxAG6PcLqn2stpd85CL86iYpD_y68SpswugcyfT9CAC_TIKjMqQLdh3meYEQtDKhIcmD/s640/IMG_6906+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing the second bead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyM4C0QcjNpSU7YWPOmSEzM7ERgGEQ2kKvi30kYDFoh1hubsQR7zHmiBgl7y5ZBrPmQ5P4RZ-t61O1k2vhW0erim12TeRIxs54547jKWuVP_Qj_KdyGVuadMWmCEm1n6iBlg6VEBIm17/s1600/IMG_6907+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyyM4C0QcjNpSU7YWPOmSEzM7ERgGEQ2kKvi30kYDFoh1hubsQR7zHmiBgl7y5ZBrPmQ5P4RZ-t61O1k2vhW0erim12TeRIxs54547jKWuVP_Qj_KdyGVuadMWmCEm1n6iBlg6VEBIm17/s640/IMG_6907+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimping the end with the heat gun, note the seafood fork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b8dDvwRlyrBw_Q6GQ-dWQE2RL6fKx0BR9cblV34MFhScuMco5wgeUrTM_puGe7nE59C4CCTaWn2J63dfoWxyJ60mkHvNP095HVlsYeHeVfRIBdIc6rp2A4uOiXGsHNjMqrXqxeWOpAuJ/s1600/IMG_6908+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b8dDvwRlyrBw_Q6GQ-dWQE2RL6fKx0BR9cblV34MFhScuMco5wgeUrTM_puGe7nE59C4CCTaWn2J63dfoWxyJ60mkHvNP095HVlsYeHeVfRIBdIc6rp2A4uOiXGsHNjMqrXqxeWOpAuJ/s640/IMG_6908+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimping the other end with the heat gun and the seafood fork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxFnpJ0J7FUCEUpjHWGM9WG7TX4m0EhOdB91yMZ3-UYZNitfSCi0v0d4wjXPbovAY4CYmbtFoAZJZ3YBmamgdHSQkjsIpOGHAYfzh5qRrsjZ6e7LGysdGjZHo1zUqp9T7LQmZuJyEXqNl/s1600/IMG_6909+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxFnpJ0J7FUCEUpjHWGM9WG7TX4m0EhOdB91yMZ3-UYZNitfSCi0v0d4wjXPbovAY4CYmbtFoAZJZ3YBmamgdHSQkjsIpOGHAYfzh5qRrsjZ6e7LGysdGjZHo1zUqp9T7LQmZuJyEXqNl/s640/IMG_6909+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heating the middle, note how it's becoming transparent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJhbb7AYHpgyrOSXZEpQZQeYCixZWY9TVZVHkSJBxpV0Ilfwi3551eLiNpxILyvkWk2gvlXusS-o-eH2wjdMdLXbw9iqiLbGnsnMbUr-6vV229gd1hBWCdPm4l0u_LEScrMpnpZqUakJ3/s1600/IMG_6910+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJhbb7AYHpgyrOSXZEpQZQeYCixZWY9TVZVHkSJBxpV0Ilfwi3551eLiNpxILyvkWk2gvlXusS-o-eH2wjdMdLXbw9iqiLbGnsnMbUr-6vV229gd1hBWCdPm4l0u_LEScrMpnpZqUakJ3/s640/IMG_6910+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becoming transparent and sagging</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPlnHyS_GFHryKODiB2WuHS1oRvtPzLBC2NYiHiyMFueWXe4ki5dkr-5H6irKTHBBjCq8ssO7XKF4s2Qt13VLu_5cqXqhvz6OYsuB853LlaLmNQuVOMRLgQnRr6BZ5WPhFF2jFCYi8rnA/s1600/IMG_6911+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPlnHyS_GFHryKODiB2WuHS1oRvtPzLBC2NYiHiyMFueWXe4ki5dkr-5H6irKTHBBjCq8ssO7XKF4s2Qt13VLu_5cqXqhvz6OYsuB853LlaLmNQuVOMRLgQnRr6BZ5WPhFF2jFCYi8rnA/s640/IMG_6911+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretching</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUhvK5PT05CQP5WXS5MW2ZI5S7RTtKJLv_JCyUN4zVaDsFFP34Ws3QgUs7OpjrxOwHp-BGzJtp-KmzxwzfRiT2msm2ZDFkYWr4U15_-drdP6w0IPTLCzNQjOLtRTm3itJ_ipQ0gYN6d_r/s1600/IMG_6913+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUhvK5PT05CQP5WXS5MW2ZI5S7RTtKJLv_JCyUN4zVaDsFFP34Ws3QgUs7OpjrxOwHp-BGzJtp-KmzxwzfRiT2msm2ZDFkYWr4U15_-drdP6w0IPTLCzNQjOLtRTm3itJ_ipQ0gYN6d_r/s640/IMG_6913+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reconstituted</td></tr>
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The jig is really important, by the way because you need to line up the holes in the beads in order to sleeve them onto the phalange wires. Which is the next step, by the way.<br />
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As you sleeve your bones onto the wires, pay attention to the length of the fingers. The middle digit is the longest etc... I paid attention to that moreso on the first hand and less so on the second hand. The second hand still works, but it isn't as elegant as the first. Keep that in mind as you bead the wires. This really is just a beading project actually.<br />
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Start with the meta-carpals, then the first two joints of the phalanges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp33cvKC9qI41NcptzKOAYn7uYTYjmG8nOlTpjw09bEbOGZNeq-8Q-ux_pRnPaU774cm8fPRlrg7mbvReKNV9FnYpux83zGEFBd-UpB4V9ZsQp3DF8q9s6bi-6YFLaxU9uHN-5Mj0nmxa/s1600/IMG_6891+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp33cvKC9qI41NcptzKOAYn7uYTYjmG8nOlTpjw09bEbOGZNeq-8Q-ux_pRnPaU774cm8fPRlrg7mbvReKNV9FnYpux83zGEFBd-UpB4V9ZsQp3DF8q9s6bi-6YFLaxU9uHN-5Mj0nmxa/s640/IMG_6891+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meta-carpals installed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbiS3OAlElPClcG5EVVNsvi6vRiVhKEB3gvY2I5vlREMHzk6EXSTdTbEgcY1gArdcgEFDnTAMrEXCDXfY_upIO9ZRiYCzARiTW3nEjiaAR3COsOj4Bo9Q985qX_cKMRL6ReI9K86AtYXu/s1600/IMG_6892+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbiS3OAlElPClcG5EVVNsvi6vRiVhKEB3gvY2I5vlREMHzk6EXSTdTbEgcY1gArdcgEFDnTAMrEXCDXfY_upIO9ZRiYCzARiTW3nEjiaAR3COsOj4Bo9Q985qX_cKMRL6ReI9K86AtYXu/s640/IMG_6892+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First row of phalange joints installed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGckTWTOaCPWsrLEtBRBE3we93VOLP0bB3WrXknlM9jZMSVxPF5anK05NnmVjZtUMXecUg2YfCcbgInbEwLg4seZiHkajBUSdqNWlLMryxnhu6D30-dDKLEjsW7gkwjJjzXSHy4IkYFF7j/s1600/IMG_6893+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGckTWTOaCPWsrLEtBRBE3we93VOLP0bB3WrXknlM9jZMSVxPF5anK05NnmVjZtUMXecUg2YfCcbgInbEwLg4seZiHkajBUSdqNWlLMryxnhu6D30-dDKLEjsW7gkwjJjzXSHy4IkYFF7j/s640/IMG_6893+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second row of phalange joints installed</td></tr>
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The last joint is also the device where the beading is held into place. Take a small bead, place it on the end of the wire, then cut off the excess wire with the side-cut on the pliers. Leave enough to bend over. This will lock the bones on the end of the wire and it also gives the foundation for the final bones of the phalanges.<br />
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Take a small section of milk jug handle and place on the bead. Heat crimp the plastic to the bead, then move the heat to the rest of the plastic. When it becomes transparent, begin shaping and pressing the end of the plastic around the end of the wire. Try to force some of the plastic inside the hook on the wire before it hardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVP3OCcUaROYt4-5RZGJLI6BnXOLrkftG82lofmfuOR3lxtR9kh-qc_lD-0bEx9dqbKeRhFV2dsyc9gUpqSfFtFSF70J_1EkDo9XZTMl_GLNBOj3mXNE7g_xhibxikJ2xgbemSJYOLIl9/s1600/IMG_6894+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVP3OCcUaROYt4-5RZGJLI6BnXOLrkftG82lofmfuOR3lxtR9kh-qc_lD-0bEx9dqbKeRhFV2dsyc9gUpqSfFtFSF70J_1EkDo9XZTMl_GLNBOj3mXNE7g_xhibxikJ2xgbemSJYOLIl9/s640/IMG_6894+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small bead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblKHeGhukUzw3Z_jVh5V4nYi5RED6Q3XMewaRqcUHb2ctjF6rokFjMHpZVscZh4bQF0ya5io8CS0P7oMi3RWErPn4Pkdg5-qpGcNbItStsFfNYJsEf4YjAoOhlkmJIqgbxhSDqj0s1-4J/s1600/IMG_6895+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblKHeGhukUzw3Z_jVh5V4nYi5RED6Q3XMewaRqcUHb2ctjF6rokFjMHpZVscZh4bQF0ya5io8CS0P7oMi3RWErPn4Pkdg5-qpGcNbItStsFfNYJsEf4YjAoOhlkmJIqgbxhSDqj0s1-4J/s640/IMG_6895+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trimming the wire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRO25q3whODG6aEA4rp5DpiOk881EhzC2WpYAUC7wPtryJ7dnCQLRpX_h7MO92etPHATshK0AHwYywX1BFBlthbhab60WyfK7HmDK-Xbp1p9w6kZrr1QscQsf_1W_f2NidTN6FgckuSbG/s1600/IMG_6897+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRO25q3whODG6aEA4rp5DpiOk881EhzC2WpYAUC7wPtryJ7dnCQLRpX_h7MO92etPHATshK0AHwYywX1BFBlthbhab60WyfK7HmDK-Xbp1p9w6kZrr1QscQsf_1W_f2NidTN6FgckuSbG/s640/IMG_6897+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bent wire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5xK7YMFz4m0HzsqqEEA5PZI7eXy-8xzmowXz54W_QJNHKXG5Mii3QWVxGZo__Hf4SBvijZoaSqtukmTEoK0cKbmapaaMVmaZOdGKXdb0KedNR4ttAkpp41I5m8qm2SsHDmkixE0J3lfu/s1600/IMG_6898+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5xK7YMFz4m0HzsqqEEA5PZI7eXy-8xzmowXz54W_QJNHKXG5Mii3QWVxGZo__Hf4SBvijZoaSqtukmTEoK0cKbmapaaMVmaZOdGKXdb0KedNR4ttAkpp41I5m8qm2SsHDmkixE0J3lfu/s640/IMG_6898+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the jig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02dDYkwlo5GRQDp_1GfcOBNpo3ZwZVnvN8AtwlUnbPDpZJ2dQNr8mqZaIx43sSeGhPVDZILz9sCWhhW1bhEkDkX4GVr4Lxkptkunk-jl0hZa_yWscrZNs0mFU1LvkzxjrA9WGPhGdgFI8/s1600/IMG_6899+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02dDYkwlo5GRQDp_1GfcOBNpo3ZwZVnvN8AtwlUnbPDpZJ2dQNr8mqZaIx43sSeGhPVDZILz9sCWhhW1bhEkDkX4GVr4Lxkptkunk-jl0hZa_yWscrZNs0mFU1LvkzxjrA9WGPhGdgFI8/s640/IMG_6899+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jug handle on the bead</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMMEJzLWR-af1tj24SKuyhHjGREHbmkIWXLdJ2s0UvYS_Iz0uaUWpMx5gAyUMNomrcV7VTcX_OKLQiVsnAn6w_1cQRttCfGd_tfzvMgp3IbzBFpWTDUZTxbKpTipbhzxUuJiS_tIZkstg/s1600/IMG_6900+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMMEJzLWR-af1tj24SKuyhHjGREHbmkIWXLdJ2s0UvYS_Iz0uaUWpMx5gAyUMNomrcV7VTcX_OKLQiVsnAn6w_1cQRttCfGd_tfzvMgp3IbzBFpWTDUZTxbKpTipbhzxUuJiS_tIZkstg/s640/IMG_6900+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHmk64RtlS7Li3mqPeuzMRn6U61ix7Sv3L0PS6fAIztqhv7ywXtMPCGkuF7vLCrSn48FGSqOx1-Fy9nQtdq-baR1ieL10OHSxrGIsSovJQ8VTkXnNdMNb8nVLICJhOnyTs0OfaEwPIpSK/s1600/IMG_6901+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHmk64RtlS7Li3mqPeuzMRn6U61ix7Sv3L0PS6fAIztqhv7ywXtMPCGkuF7vLCrSn48FGSqOx1-Fy9nQtdq-baR1ieL10OHSxrGIsSovJQ8VTkXnNdMNb8nVLICJhOnyTs0OfaEwPIpSK/s640/IMG_6901+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimped and finished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fill in the remaining holes in the wrist, the carpals with more covered beads and a strand of floral wire. I don't have any photos of this step, but it's quite simple really. Just fill in the holes.<br />
<br />
I purchased a ten ounce package of wooden beads from Wal-Mart for $4.97. I did a rough count and determined that within forty beads or so there were about 300 pieces. That comes out to about 1.66 cents per bead. This project takes about forty beads so it comes out to about 67 cents of total beadage per hand. <br />
<br />
I purchased a package of floral wire for $1.49. It had 20 pieces. I used one strand per hand. That comes to 8 cents a hand for wire. That comes to 75 cents out of pocket per hand. Not bad eh? <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLAFYYsDVxlpuK1HHSrRK_kfeCe2b2664jY58KqqWW4-asQO-pFwoBytft5SLqBaxtAuUdUC8Wkloyu-bVv1wzfBeTYxjDHzE9eCXKtX20ah1LG3FwWcNh_ikDBDDqlqqcLAC0EHDc90B/s1600/IMG_6865+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLAFYYsDVxlpuK1HHSrRK_kfeCe2b2664jY58KqqWW4-asQO-pFwoBytft5SLqBaxtAuUdUC8Wkloyu-bVv1wzfBeTYxjDHzE9eCXKtX20ah1LG3FwWcNh_ikDBDDqlqqcLAC0EHDc90B/s640/IMG_6865+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wal-Mart Beads for $4.97</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhf1Y3XqcMdmW7PvC5jlPCimiCYL8lvEPLSDRFdrJZLpL-M0bhvLrQvRpKU6a8ARn_uKt3rbKiszpC5Ovcr2pMngolo1K_6PUxrCTrN5CG6PevpavYqFQAW67aFYe9MbfAu7XLeVt_l2C/s1600/IMG_6866+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhf1Y3XqcMdmW7PvC5jlPCimiCYL8lvEPLSDRFdrJZLpL-M0bhvLrQvRpKU6a8ARn_uKt3rbKiszpC5Ovcr2pMngolo1K_6PUxrCTrN5CG6PevpavYqFQAW67aFYe9MbfAu7XLeVt_l2C/s640/IMG_6866+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral wire from a craft store for $1.49</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj841L7-eKNCOCDmne8SvclFEwWYUPU4M96-ogoQuI8rnk-eMPBhMKcvQJ6zijBap4vsChQMz1mpX57G94Ew2i8JyRfN69UrtJ-h0uG8Z-6tpTaXcI2TUWSe6lLBChthhL8U7Rw5PvHahI3/s1600/IMG_6914+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj841L7-eKNCOCDmne8SvclFEwWYUPU4M96-ogoQuI8rnk-eMPBhMKcvQJ6zijBap4vsChQMz1mpX57G94Ew2i8JyRfN69UrtJ-h0uG8Z-6tpTaXcI2TUWSe6lLBChthhL8U7Rw5PvHahI3/s640/IMG_6914+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of hands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was a fun project to create. Know that polyethylene plastic is very difficult to paint. It rejects almost all paint. There is a spray paint by Krylon especially formulated for painting on plastics. I would recommend using that.<br />
<br />
I have about four hours total time in these two hands. I imagine if I made more of them I could knock that back to one hour per hand.<br />
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<br />
Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-5855954029612568882013-04-18T10:48:00.004-06:002013-04-18T10:51:45.716-06:00The End of an Era--Pinewood Derby<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLQKxD3dH1WRQq-8SXInS6y8ntmBWh1l8boDw6d3g4FU2nRsdhHFP2cfbsswsIjs1VihFCBVeakYmNxrtDTTd8dYNldHqMXxUN2PC2j8CW1eR0xBWl23j2Urcbb68WXNfAKnYn9k7c7k/s1600/IMG_6794+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLQKxD3dH1WRQq-8SXInS6y8ntmBWh1l8boDw6d3g4FU2nRsdhHFP2cfbsswsIjs1VihFCBVeakYmNxrtDTTd8dYNldHqMXxUN2PC2j8CW1eR0xBWl23j2Urcbb68WXNfAKnYn9k7c7k/s640/IMG_6794+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last Pinewood Derby--Garrett's car is in the red lane</td></tr>
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I have four sons that have gone through Cub Scouts. Four sons means a whole lot of Pinewood Derby cars. Tyler and Haydn I think both got to race two times, but Rhys and Garrett both got to race three times. That means somewhere between ten and eleven cars over the years. <br />
<br />
As a Cub Scout Father, I've tried to make fast cars. Tried and failed. Sometimes our cars win heats, but we've never won or placed in the overall meet. So we default to cool cars instead. We tend to have the coolest car in the meet.<br />
<br />
Garrett wasn't going to be able to have a third Pinewood Derby, except that my trip to Milwaukee last month meant they put off his Arrow of Light ceremony until this month so he was still able to compete.<br />
<br />
I asked him to design a car, then we went over his design and made some refinements. He initially wanted a car with a single central fin on it. I had seen a small cliplight at the Dollar Store and thought, "Wouldn't it be cool to have a car with headlamps?" I pitched the idea to Garrett and he said, "What about rocket boosters too?"<br />
<br />
We went over to my office where I have some tools and some access to other tools and crafted the Pinewood Derby. I allowed Garrett to use some of the tools, and when Rhys found out, he was a bit indignant because I had never allowed him to use the bigger tools. I was very careful and taught him proper safety protocols before letting him use the tools.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYFv712POFuAazXXTNJB1kjfXHX0q78lIyuSRu2CVPdPRWgoYT1CmLzEBCQsn-J8GMbXvaK7Z9Sp6_v7j1K4R9bozLaEwtEv9F-rgYcavRBP_v_5rUHoKGtjzgBDDX-y_OTxyK6oggTQ/s1600/IMG_6764+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYFv712POFuAazXXTNJB1kjfXHX0q78lIyuSRu2CVPdPRWgoYT1CmLzEBCQsn-J8GMbXvaK7Z9Sp6_v7j1K4R9bozLaEwtEv9F-rgYcavRBP_v_5rUHoKGtjzgBDDX-y_OTxyK6oggTQ/s640/IMG_6764+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett at the bandsaw. Note the safety glasses</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60D96b9RAVbXb0ypq6r4k3zZ9c3HGB100wD3fGTKfpIQz8bIAmAAgsihGxHpcqGwX8Aup-5_fGc8lm0AkHwz73I_s6V5Ko7D3JMNaf82gxRKd7r4BkWW-ZhTyzB6Mor6Dy9QnLcazwFw/s1600/IMG_6767+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60D96b9RAVbXb0ypq6r4k3zZ9c3HGB100wD3fGTKfpIQz8bIAmAAgsihGxHpcqGwX8Aup-5_fGc8lm0AkHwz73I_s6V5Ko7D3JMNaf82gxRKd7r4BkWW-ZhTyzB6Mor6Dy9QnLcazwFw/s640/IMG_6767+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett shaping with the Dremel Tool. Note the safety glasses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We got the car shaped and the ports ready for the headlamps and rocket boosters (which turned out to be cool beads) then we went home for the night.<br />
<br />
Since Garrett was still in school and I had the week off in between semesters, I worked on the car during the day and had Garrett come and help me finish when he got home from school.<br />
<br />
My office is about a hundred yards away from the US Post Office and periodically through the day I'd go and weigh the car. We had a 5 ounce limit and no matter what I'd do, it seemed like the car was too heavy. I'd cut and sand and drill until I came just under weight. This was the first time in the history of the Benson boys and their Pinewood Derby's that we didn't have to add weight. By the time we were done, we weighed in at 4.9 ounces, fully loaded. That was enough.<br />
<br />
When Garrett came to help me, the car was still too heavy and I drilled and chiseled a little more and he sanded. Finally, when we knew we were under weight, we glued in all the pieces, added the wheels and painted the rig.<br />
<br />
I cut the end off a clear plastic spoon and used the bowl part as a domed windshield. It just looked cooler that way. Here are a few pics of the finished car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01SsTgYfxyEKomVgNLuT2j0UgnZpzgUw1iNNDcOYnCS4rOQCXFZgChf95yWxTQYIMbTp5DrAKy5UX7t2RgairDE-nuw2rv3DpOSM32NEYqDfyBR48CMmEuvivbxWF3X91L1pgAbjdaXo/s1600/IMG_6774+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01SsTgYfxyEKomVgNLuT2j0UgnZpzgUw1iNNDcOYnCS4rOQCXFZgChf95yWxTQYIMbTp5DrAKy5UX7t2RgairDE-nuw2rv3DpOSM32NEYqDfyBR48CMmEuvivbxWF3X91L1pgAbjdaXo/s640/IMG_6774+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Steampunk Pinewood Derby</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdM8pljSXHqVchsddWRrJ8MYtDMuPPFzBuuDxa-RVSpgs8nzPz-OYJNMifiJtTvjGs6noIjVaIcN3HwAMAFxSVeLHb7bNC1FH19f70n4OEzHwjj2PEsErxNlBsZkssIkd2TWmdzkcl-E/s1600/IMG_6775+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdM8pljSXHqVchsddWRrJ8MYtDMuPPFzBuuDxa-RVSpgs8nzPz-OYJNMifiJtTvjGs6noIjVaIcN3HwAMAFxSVeLHb7bNC1FH19f70n4OEzHwjj2PEsErxNlBsZkssIkd2TWmdzkcl-E/s640/IMG_6775+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With headlamps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8Mu8g5zR7zSKM5t2OXjbvi5eHXu44zz98Axs7yxW_Icsf_hS_eOfMfWsSzzhOghtU9E-4Y-wfEoVYI4d77X9oV4wUf7KmUHziC4vr7yu3EWbZ5smLzkYJP229DMdS8qwtWJTdVYMYjM/s1600/IMG_6779+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8Mu8g5zR7zSKM5t2OXjbvi5eHXu44zz98Axs7yxW_Icsf_hS_eOfMfWsSzzhOghtU9E-4Y-wfEoVYI4d77X9oV4wUf7KmUHziC4vr7yu3EWbZ5smLzkYJP229DMdS8qwtWJTdVYMYjM/s640/IMG_6779+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evolution of Garrett's Pinewood Derby's--The left was built for speed, the center was built for cool and the right was built for over the top!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ehutHIc6TSBSeAR2vBhCjE8H2ug0Mi1423Y28sY7Fnaq85s4IqgBYESO1fwMH59LsziW-Ur3lGdGXSjuZ9UDIL-4j0uFC5jJNw168BGOcZKHlr5nbzf8mPSu9PXzBLnc1Vzsd86eRg/s1600/IMG_6782+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ehutHIc6TSBSeAR2vBhCjE8H2ug0Mi1423Y28sY7Fnaq85s4IqgBYESO1fwMH59LsziW-Ur3lGdGXSjuZ9UDIL-4j0uFC5jJNw168BGOcZKHlr5nbzf8mPSu9PXzBLnc1Vzsd86eRg/s640/IMG_6782+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, ours was the coolest car of the bunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have a man who is a Pinewood Derby enthusiast in the area and he has a really hi-tech track. This one has sensors at the end that are hooked up to a computer and he can tell several things at the end of the race. He can tell who won, he can tell how fast the cars were going (in scale). His computer also ranks the cars and establishes heats based on speeds and times which makes each race more exciting rather than having one car outpace all the others, he groups them based on performance after the first heat. It makes for a much more enjoyable night. Each racer got to race eight times and each racer got to run twice on each track. Just to make sure that the track wasn't corrupted I guess.<br />
<br />
He runs Pinewood Derby events from Pocatello to Ashton. He has quite an investment in equipment and he doesn't do it for free, but he is well worth whatever it is he charges. This year he added sound effects. He has the system down and it's well organized. Pleasant time all around. Makes me kind of sad that I won't have to be building anymore Pinewood Derby cars with my boys.<br />
<br />
Garrett didn't win any heats and didn't place in the overall event, but his car did max out at 172 mph (in scale). The record for that track was 194 mph, by the way.<br />
<br />
When the race was over, the exhibition race began. He put his loop the loops in the track and anyone with a car was allowed to run. They call it the legends race. Several of the boys brought some of their previous Pinewood Derby cars with them and ran them down the track. We take the Pinewood Derby very seriously here in Idaho.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd9Fx3XI4e0joDUNeoD-AqXid0bkCn1ENurPc4mb0_51jG97i1LKRTVWvikQXLic3IDLFbyjYcCOfybVfyIvpP9oqzM6rLEYRY7yzDXluSNtqx87aCWVw9HtmVQfaxXt7zdJMZyATmPQ/s1600/IMG_6783+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd9Fx3XI4e0joDUNeoD-AqXid0bkCn1ENurPc4mb0_51jG97i1LKRTVWvikQXLic3IDLFbyjYcCOfybVfyIvpP9oqzM6rLEYRY7yzDXluSNtqx87aCWVw9HtmVQfaxXt7zdJMZyATmPQ/s640/IMG_6783+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving instructions to the racers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPF0s58YoFsfjo_PlESTBF3IR_qnUoupET8VjtpJM5Tq_li8t9qY6PuTKi3TcnjOfVhaaB6foMPSRpHBrjAM20KWOS7eDn94xh4m-PhpAf6Ln1p0KN8yYxJnl8NR4SzyxtXyzOPEiDg8/s1600/IMG_6802+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPF0s58YoFsfjo_PlESTBF3IR_qnUoupET8VjtpJM5Tq_li8t9qY6PuTKi3TcnjOfVhaaB6foMPSRpHBrjAM20KWOS7eDn94xh4m-PhpAf6Ln1p0KN8yYxJnl8NR4SzyxtXyzOPEiDg8/s640/IMG_6802+(1024x683).jpg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this picture. Garrett at the races</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-4IsfQ83B65c2Org0Jc3W3cRfD7RBCmGHKkCMIq7V16HtBxKrRsFpfBCSmnIvgWvLQzCJryAc9_Wfam8omu-51UJpMfDNdFTfG_JhKiq9thd28ItvoPp4mmyyMsstt1ZcR3eyKWdaaM/s1600/IMG_6805+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-4IsfQ83B65c2Org0Jc3W3cRfD7RBCmGHKkCMIq7V16HtBxKrRsFpfBCSmnIvgWvLQzCJryAc9_Wfam8omu-51UJpMfDNdFTfG_JhKiq9thd28ItvoPp4mmyyMsstt1ZcR3eyKWdaaM/s640/IMG_6805+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to the finish line</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGSHPNBAu4eT93GRFg_M5OoSHMowh_tPmQvvKTAvFhpC_5BZP75MnKp7dOu5mEP3A3xdj-Qvk90hENjI_Jh88FZqdjfe3ebrGNk05VFV3ferJZBaj-bgsZBhiN1oP39bWrbrvZHqBwu8/s1600/IMG_6810+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGSHPNBAu4eT93GRFg_M5OoSHMowh_tPmQvvKTAvFhpC_5BZP75MnKp7dOu5mEP3A3xdj-Qvk90hENjI_Jh88FZqdjfe3ebrGNk05VFV3ferJZBaj-bgsZBhiN1oP39bWrbrvZHqBwu8/s640/IMG_6810+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gentlemen, start your engines"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ClEo7Zp7fQPzO0Y5zB6SJINwZPcjySdswhjCvUAzFQTTM0vGytpsn7n2PE4UAKbPOrzBIZtaR1Pl1bWLyVccxbFCgOLfWKVNxtGl3U0YkZprulF5OFLeU6Ewz4Mmarol_B_Vag8exJI/s1600/IMG_6812+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ClEo7Zp7fQPzO0Y5zB6SJINwZPcjySdswhjCvUAzFQTTM0vGytpsn7n2PE4UAKbPOrzBIZtaR1Pl1bWLyVccxbFCgOLfWKVNxtGl3U0YkZprulF5OFLeU6Ewz4Mmarol_B_Vag8exJI/s640/IMG_6812+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The race begins--Lane yellow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmTcwQDG0TctSe7nZhIM7XJDphkmVvMQUVNej9QGLkK2fj0KJe8WoGwvIPq7Z5t9kmGi0tT_SKF4gMbdvBWsA_Fm2IUq_tiQQj2N8AD8ZtKlA3H3mhb2j0MTY6P2VygC3QzK51Ldo-Ng/s1600/IMG_6813+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmTcwQDG0TctSe7nZhIM7XJDphkmVvMQUVNej9QGLkK2fj0KJe8WoGwvIPq7Z5t9kmGi0tT_SKF4gMbdvBWsA_Fm2IUq_tiQQj2N8AD8ZtKlA3H3mhb2j0MTY6P2VygC3QzK51Ldo-Ng/s640/IMG_6813+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home stretch</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSr2BU6GfWoHQHPG1ogEw4OKlIoFfwgGXW_lrc2LQZLsotsJJVuUA7QwHuABoz7vpzF2471_0_s3_j56pdtqY8f_J-dJCJ7tm172kFZcq3LOrH5Q65ExP30Hgzyw8YSQSHGn4SbOUeoM/s1600/IMG_6819+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSr2BU6GfWoHQHPG1ogEw4OKlIoFfwgGXW_lrc2LQZLsotsJJVuUA7QwHuABoz7vpzF2471_0_s3_j56pdtqY8f_J-dJCJ7tm172kFZcq3LOrH5Q65ExP30Hgzyw8YSQSHGn4SbOUeoM/s640/IMG_6819+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streaking to the finish line</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFuLEqRGJzeNXE8dwxLXxa-ZW9EZyvdF64fA9gPoakf5J0ElE0QJJVGWOdGTZ91Mi4VZxd_DVs8tTAWEHb_SCh_JTpgkU2j_r1wO7d-gAendWMeOBuxy7uV6FEsY7PmfWkiZSDT8EP6A/s1600/IMG_6830+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFuLEqRGJzeNXE8dwxLXxa-ZW9EZyvdF64fA9gPoakf5J0ElE0QJJVGWOdGTZ91Mi4VZxd_DVs8tTAWEHb_SCh_JTpgkU2j_r1wO7d-gAendWMeOBuxy7uV6FEsY7PmfWkiZSDT8EP6A/s640/IMG_6830+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crash and burn at the exhibition race</td></tr>
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After the races and awards were given, Pack Night became more serious and the scouting awards were given. This was Garrett's last pack night and he was ushered into the Boy Scouts. We have a ceremony called the Arrow of Light where the boy is given an arrow in blue and yellow, the Cub Scout colors and commits to living a clean and productive life. We then exchange the neckerchief from the Weblos to the Boy Scouts. I got to change the neckerchief. It was a great honor for me. Then the boy crosses over a symbolic bridge from Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts. At that time, the Scoutmaster then instructs the boy as to what is expected of him as a Boy Scout.<br />
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It's really a grand event. I was really proud of my son.<br />
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I wasn't blogging when my other sons went through all this, and so I wish to dedicate this blog post to all my sons. Know that I felt the same feelings for each of you when you advanced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73uoGUSbfVXd2Y6sypnHOdknwCOfrbUWTze4iJDshycLTbDCDOpeEdagwx0vveNj8jI5uiUd-0EKnl689TYqxYN5yiVVf51nFW9sMTwMqY5C5u4TqvqbYN5CoND9JgTYZYnHbdzRmqgg/s1600/IMG_6839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73uoGUSbfVXd2Y6sypnHOdknwCOfrbUWTze4iJDshycLTbDCDOpeEdagwx0vveNj8jI5uiUd-0EKnl689TYqxYN5yiVVf51nFW9sMTwMqY5C5u4TqvqbYN5CoND9JgTYZYnHbdzRmqgg/s640/IMG_6839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett being presented with his last Cub Scout awards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN8qXN4emyW2Tb3xRafYSx2sfira7I2kTF50iCWASm34iNPfqgN9EDSit55X7DPFreRXewJLSg_U8a2PtclDQ9ya3dUvake1SYJxcmGC2VntJ605n9-NVV1tX-X4um4_aBgMgtnoBPXs/s1600/IMG_6842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN8qXN4emyW2Tb3xRafYSx2sfira7I2kTF50iCWASm34iNPfqgN9EDSit55X7DPFreRXewJLSg_U8a2PtclDQ9ya3dUvake1SYJxcmGC2VntJ605n9-NVV1tX-X4um4_aBgMgtnoBPXs/s640/IMG_6842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neckerchief ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNvynzq5QykyBv_takoAOikm8d_aClVg-Msv2qz6Wb1ZkUcEbaNBVEQqFL5kUDTK8uhFPNBfgtLgCBgEHiPFMNLLNwz13DGQiH7fwa48KnACu5PDGeekXYVVSvBEvT0h5J6Tb4ZRIvDk/s1600/IMG_6846+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNvynzq5QykyBv_takoAOikm8d_aClVg-Msv2qz6Wb1ZkUcEbaNBVEQqFL5kUDTK8uhFPNBfgtLgCBgEHiPFMNLLNwz13DGQiH7fwa48KnACu5PDGeekXYVVSvBEvT0h5J6Tb4ZRIvDk/s640/IMG_6846+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing over the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje02OAqKE0tiU-ZKSJvkBP5UgODt7SuMSAo43yDA3GHfH1iEzIvU-_A5molwMsxCZy4WKMu9fzzNiixEUmYErZ1YWUTOA7pCqRlRTigeXphNj76j_4l7GFJz5qjsz2WQDNGvPc19Cx5O4/s1600/IMG_6851+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje02OAqKE0tiU-ZKSJvkBP5UgODt7SuMSAo43yDA3GHfH1iEzIvU-_A5molwMsxCZy4WKMu9fzzNiixEUmYErZ1YWUTOA7pCqRlRTigeXphNj76j_4l7GFJz5qjsz2WQDNGvPc19Cx5O4/s640/IMG_6851+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being inducted into the Boy Scouts</td></tr>
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This was a great night. The passing of an era. I'm kind of sad that I won't have anymore Pinewood Derby's to build. I didn't think I would be, but I am. I got a little choked up last night.<br />
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For me, I think I was looking backward but Garrett is looking forward. I'm proud of him.<br />
<br />Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-15010073804368198592013-04-13T12:02:00.000-06:002013-04-13T12:07:37.599-06:00Halloween is my Busiest Month of the YearIn 2012, I started the month of Halloween out with a bang. The first weekend of the month I was invited to present at the ISATA conference which is the Idaho Speech Arts Teachers Association. I had presented to them the year before and was invited back. The conference was in Sun Valley, Idaho and I presented how to make <a href="http://proprageous.blogspot.com/2013/03/magical-tomes-part-i.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">"Magical Tomes"</span></strong></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">.</span> </span><br />
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I did it as a "cooking show" style of presentation where I had several books in various stages of completion and performed the next step on them so they could see the entire process and I didn't have to wait for dry time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qth-fUzlwP8f4TtXjYIQ2G3OuTn5BvFFFQfMcMSOpjOtd8BM1LWREc3NbxPVsGguNvVW96pn35Rrg4ZLFB9UMwCqfWOtYdo9V2jFEWIAPMjqcwJXdcL_ajpX-hQVpWXe_kq76jEAZkM/s1600/IMG_5649+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qth-fUzlwP8f4TtXjYIQ2G3OuTn5BvFFFQfMcMSOpjOtd8BM1LWREc3NbxPVsGguNvVW96pn35Rrg4ZLFB9UMwCqfWOtYdo9V2jFEWIAPMjqcwJXdcL_ajpX-hQVpWXe_kq76jEAZkM/s640/IMG_5649+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crafting a book at Sun Valley, Idaho</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULgs_cGKEii8zguMQFyMQvEy-MMtFhzJqGxelCbzCc89PNryltrg6kSoYJvg2O1xkxQH_K_WS4pDB89qmBpMEhiaOBGitQi4PTD9dles6WycmaX3PAOJFiuBQaS-E3UM8-6O6sdYicps/s1600/IMG_6689+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULgs_cGKEii8zguMQFyMQvEy-MMtFhzJqGxelCbzCc89PNryltrg6kSoYJvg2O1xkxQH_K_WS4pDB89qmBpMEhiaOBGitQi4PTD9dles6WycmaX3PAOJFiuBQaS-E3UM8-6O6sdYicps/s640/IMG_6689+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the finished books from the conference</td></tr>
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When we were done with the conference, my wife and brother and I visited Craters of the Moon National Monument since it was on the way home. It's only natural. I have always been a geology groupie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-qXmD5_jmC6Y-OUzjYtmlWy5RinRkF2kg70x3DAae3wumtL5dJ0yRxdd8rUNgbGmUOgRuhVZNd5eoE2e2RhcmkYMz1-GRnAsTE8MXmiw03G6Kvfx6gCNKGLurCSF4qoevow-iPhvhHs/s1600/IMG_5725+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-qXmD5_jmC6Y-OUzjYtmlWy5RinRkF2kg70x3DAae3wumtL5dJ0yRxdd8rUNgbGmUOgRuhVZNd5eoE2e2RhcmkYMz1-GRnAsTE8MXmiw03G6Kvfx6gCNKGLurCSF4qoevow-iPhvhHs/s640/IMG_5725+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spatter cones at Craters of the Moon</td></tr>
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The next week I spent in Washington DC and Virginia with a couple of colleagues, doing research for an upcoming play. We were going to do an original play called "First Freedom", but the playwright was too possessive of the script and wouldn't allow adaptations we wanted to make to evolve the show beyond it's current form. We viewed it as a workshop piece, he viewed it as a finished piece. We are doing "She Stoops to Conquer" in that slot instead. The research wasn't in vain, as both shows take place in the same time period, albeit one in England and the other in America.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd-9O4LSvXH-2NAabuZ_QkKT7rcY_lbXbucAt24QfU7mxM5X6HShuiEEUFjU4qOFEacjs8LgMHwjYOVlyJEtD2Sb4PKdGRKl3SYOlJNaD9X67FdNJEAxT_vTqcMYgvLSmTQkYMdVPGE0/s1600/IMG_6034+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd-9O4LSvXH-2NAabuZ_QkKT7rcY_lbXbucAt24QfU7mxM5X6HShuiEEUFjU4qOFEacjs8LgMHwjYOVlyJEtD2Sb4PKdGRKl3SYOlJNaD9X67FdNJEAxT_vTqcMYgvLSmTQkYMdVPGE0/s640/IMG_6034+(683x1024).jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Williamsburg, Virginia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeolOg_Pvx2Gl2Il90mmlxmdLbxgTLlhEEYRfSW6MRBAdMQwVQTSVzka6MmbMn7uzGcGvOCZKc8Cj7xjSBHYNUz1scqPa8SjP30QXpubkrhM-EMJ4urSfvE7gGSgYYXnvQkFNbMz38at8/s1600/IMG_6142+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeolOg_Pvx2Gl2Il90mmlxmdLbxgTLlhEEYRfSW6MRBAdMQwVQTSVzka6MmbMn7uzGcGvOCZKc8Cj7xjSBHYNUz1scqPa8SjP30QXpubkrhM-EMJ4urSfvE7gGSgYYXnvQkFNbMz38at8/s640/IMG_6142+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool shadows in Washington DC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While we were at the National Archives I happened to see a "Green Man" in the bark of a tree.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99w34dw_kYfdGtp6PFqs99uX8FcgcFKFhAAt3_TJi74ZnV015AMGWoZZOYUTpkbDJgW2nEMRtDKpHkKgAzQfZC-RjdLKK-iOMxkk0Fqpk8y9L-1vfKqGTWoMXFYrAj4UFZ63GyaKEnlo/s1600/IMG_6148+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99w34dw_kYfdGtp6PFqs99uX8FcgcFKFhAAt3_TJi74ZnV015AMGWoZZOYUTpkbDJgW2nEMRtDKpHkKgAzQfZC-RjdLKK-iOMxkk0Fqpk8y9L-1vfKqGTWoMXFYrAj4UFZ63GyaKEnlo/s640/IMG_6148+(683x1024).jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I obsessed about the Green Man on the way home and decided to make a <strong><u><a href="http://proprageous.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-green-man-book.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">book cover</span></a></u></strong> about him. I did this the next week after I returned home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4-kC0elUMIvVz55Aib7LwpssbHqrsGWnZ3LsVrcxmJEztzNt1Y5DRkuzPNkiqPwv4r2HAwdwviVj3axtRWi-eLJUpMobGHFR13hRwEitqTs_09evvv_QKxFKJ9_iCVsuoC_-GWkIfAE/s1600/IMG_6687+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4-kC0elUMIvVz55Aib7LwpssbHqrsGWnZ3LsVrcxmJEztzNt1Y5DRkuzPNkiqPwv4r2HAwdwviVj3axtRWi-eLJUpMobGHFR13hRwEitqTs_09evvv_QKxFKJ9_iCVsuoC_-GWkIfAE/s640/IMG_6687+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Man Book</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I returned home just in time to host my annual Zombie Walk<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK8cPz6CR3scLBTR5QYRSJRAysstZKnkMCb8KtdxZFXP3B3KmcBtbZoYn3yHm6fdVmd-w_NKF8eSAc2cqD3mL2L7EEqs7uQ746HFNNdTx5OdM7BGh5LalthjkENaq_skwIMO2JqmqkHs/s1600/IMG_6310+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK8cPz6CR3scLBTR5QYRSJRAysstZKnkMCb8KtdxZFXP3B3KmcBtbZoYn3yHm6fdVmd-w_NKF8eSAc2cqD3mL2L7EEqs7uQ746HFNNdTx5OdM7BGh5LalthjkENaq_skwIMO2JqmqkHs/s640/IMG_6310+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thriller at the Zombie Walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI4djaX5xblhJMdPwyVMjCRTEMT4roMzlTVQKP2jjg7YPdypUWpncA25STOYr9GCeymXE1pNBh1KUyWTbCKh7Bq5yaGoI_TG4F89_HhQPjg_gRsm4Qa6dgL1vswFoyrfOKgMiWK2ed-Q/s1600/IMG_6257+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI4djaX5xblhJMdPwyVMjCRTEMT4roMzlTVQKP2jjg7YPdypUWpncA25STOYr9GCeymXE1pNBh1KUyWTbCKh7Bq5yaGoI_TG4F89_HhQPjg_gRsm4Qa6dgL1vswFoyrfOKgMiWK2ed-Q/s640/IMG_6257+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brrraaaaaaiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnsssssssssss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We gave out Zombie Awards that I had made. They were zombified Barbies, Kens and GI Joes attached to some old fence wood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOsJIczBc2AMDGqvvEqnSu8CWLwFMNJQ6EMVHQWdpcsoh8fwc5r8UF_XNNcjxFp71dQh5QYoJ-idJP1xTY2W9flM8nhG_ZknL9gmZOZ3bIAXfknt6iIdPey8zmeOF9MMVKrjzVniZG6U/s1600/IMG_5590+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOsJIczBc2AMDGqvvEqnSu8CWLwFMNJQ6EMVHQWdpcsoh8fwc5r8UF_XNNcjxFp71dQh5QYoJ-idJP1xTY2W9flM8nhG_ZknL9gmZOZ3bIAXfknt6iIdPey8zmeOF9MMVKrjzVniZG6U/s640/IMG_5590+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Award for the Best Thriller Zombie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next week we opened a show called <strong><a href="http://garycbenson.blogspot.com/2013/04/bielzy-and-gottfried-scene-design.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">"Bielzy and Gottfried"</span></a></strong> which I had been the scene designer for.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaybmi3ABYYEEfBRdv9QuHvvOF6uWOGz9gQKRUOOsWEl21OeE2c8R6g0hlhmFXfUtCZmV9xqdWXcHHOe0-pGNIGjAEbK2X-RobK-Rga1RcTJKxdJtKAlWeuF3IOgfW2MZbAWXBN2OvKE/s1600/121030_BielzyGottfried_261+(1024x447).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaybmi3ABYYEEfBRdv9QuHvvOF6uWOGz9gQKRUOOsWEl21OeE2c8R6g0hlhmFXfUtCZmV9xqdWXcHHOe0-pGNIGjAEbK2X-RobK-Rga1RcTJKxdJtKAlWeuF3IOgfW2MZbAWXBN2OvKE/s640/121030_BielzyGottfried_261+(1024x447).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scene design for Bielzy and Gottfried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58CzXWRxfgFHgBU-DMcbpIGs0WL4jXVbwi5zQVgvNpxdxQlGSKlLsaWcG26CKJnGRCH9LurnQwCUiRbI9ThpVXLBLvbmqO9NefcfqXiwWG9A9-b1V_OJnuO4xQFv6s1CrkxMXaHr9hfM/s1600/121030_Bielzy&Gottfried_497+(678x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58CzXWRxfgFHgBU-DMcbpIGs0WL4jXVbwi5zQVgvNpxdxQlGSKlLsaWcG26CKJnGRCH9LurnQwCUiRbI9ThpVXLBLvbmqO9NefcfqXiwWG9A9-b1V_OJnuO4xQFv6s1CrkxMXaHr9hfM/s640/121030_Bielzy&Gottfried_497+(678x1024).jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devil, entering from the Hellmouth in Bielzy and Gottfried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I opened the Halloween Concert, for which I have no pictures, sadly. We did it as "A Halloween Carol". You can fill in the rest. I was the costume coordinator and the properties master for that show.<br />
<br />
The Saturday before Halloween, I assisted my wife in hosting our annual Halloween party. We rent a ballroom in town and decorate it for Halloween, then we dance, talk and eat. What else is there to do at a party?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRA52wa2WceAZU9WgrjVys65_O6-LZaBSHMt9FzizCRxlNrrzYedXoOw_AqK8_kdiYqZVU82CNy3VBPOGKP1bK_lJ9SKQPPRH_L36kBTDXtrOD1aL5F9BXIcZmjFY2KsZfWkXbWXjX74/s1600/IMG_6461+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRA52wa2WceAZU9WgrjVys65_O6-LZaBSHMt9FzizCRxlNrrzYedXoOw_AqK8_kdiYqZVU82CNy3VBPOGKP1bK_lJ9SKQPPRH_L36kBTDXtrOD1aL5F9BXIcZmjFY2KsZfWkXbWXjX74/s640/IMG_6461+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Laurent at the Halloween party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Throughout the month of Halloween, in-between all the other things I was doing, I finished my wife's Witches Kitchen set which was set up inside our home for the trick or treaters.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXHioHXyRCi2aONwpwSo5ht0avWBK0Fmyy0Nw8bR8Et1olT3-PcEMdU-2YTBBUqvf9vBCpa-Yp8wG62fQ50XtnkCjCWVO2ujV0ar7gVBcpYb0QBwv1dvdZFWq_AfStE1NTyJDeaOqyww/s1600/IMG_6511+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXHioHXyRCi2aONwpwSo5ht0avWBK0Fmyy0Nw8bR8Et1olT3-PcEMdU-2YTBBUqvf9vBCpa-Yp8wG62fQ50XtnkCjCWVO2ujV0ar7gVBcpYb0QBwv1dvdZFWq_AfStE1NTyJDeaOqyww/s640/IMG_6511+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witches Kitchen set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhSHOXbrM7jt27CWZYrC6ccheWBYHoiXReQ20rsOGJVXk5as3CTmfRl9ZwUaRg4nyQ21FR-DVm7yG89PtlqzzCho8-xO18-FHYN9H1PScEUJn_X9g987Uq7twkfJLWpxs1QwUwR2S8u4/s1600/IMG_6512+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhSHOXbrM7jt27CWZYrC6ccheWBYHoiXReQ20rsOGJVXk5as3CTmfRl9ZwUaRg4nyQ21FR-DVm7yG89PtlqzzCho8-xO18-FHYN9H1PScEUJn_X9g987Uq7twkfJLWpxs1QwUwR2S8u4/s640/IMG_6512+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hot Chick in costume on the Witches Kitchen set</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Like I say, Halloween is the busiest month of the year.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-65861128448696539512013-04-12T08:54:00.003-06:002013-04-12T08:56:53.952-06:00Heisey, Athena--Double Branch Candlesticks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_N2l5No757eWtmLTQdmXDkcxfmXt6fQ9PXQKfEH4DLiQj9MV50QtltWIuVqEikxPBp758s95aZ9G-DjDJowy4V8fkhGBUFYCHDwtet9c8ntm8zlHBzaOzJEh4tMHiih6k9zNdmULZJs/s1600/IMG_6744+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_N2l5No757eWtmLTQdmXDkcxfmXt6fQ9PXQKfEH4DLiQj9MV50QtltWIuVqEikxPBp758s95aZ9G-DjDJowy4V8fkhGBUFYCHDwtet9c8ntm8zlHBzaOzJEh4tMHiih6k9zNdmULZJs/s640/IMG_6744+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Heisey, Athena Double Branch Candlesticks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
About a year ago I was in a thrift store and came across this pair of candlesticks. Each one selling for $1.50. I knew they were special and picked them up immediately.<br />
<br />
I went home and researched them online. I have a few sources for research which include <a href="http://www.replacements.com/index.htm" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Replacements LTD</span></strong></a>, Ebay and the ever faithful Google.<br />
<br />
On Google, I used an image search for the terms <span style="color: #666666;"><em>double branch candlestick, </em></span><span style="color: black;">and <em><span style="color: #666666;">double light candlestick</span>. </em>Searching in this way leads to hundreds of thumbnail pictures of anything that has the entire search phrase or parts of it. Typically the image I am looking for will appear within the first hundred thumbnails. I click on the image links and follow them to the page to learn about the pattern and the manufacturer.</span><br />
<br />
Most often these picture links will lead to people who are trying to sell the glass online and so there's a starting place to assess the value of the items.<br />
<br />
From there I go to Replacements LTD to assess the real value. Replacements LTD is a company that specializes in glass and tableware for the collector and have perhaps the largest inventory of original glass on the planet. I believe them to be the best indicator of the real value of the pieces. Of course assessing the value is all academic to me because I'm a collector, not a seller. Still, it's nice to know.<br />
<br />
This pair of candlesticks were made by the A. H. Heisey Glass Company in the Athena pattern between 1943 and 1948. This pattern was made for sale through Montgomery Ward stores and catalogs. They measure 4 3/4" tall, 7 1/2" wide, with a base that is 5 3/4" in diameter. The cups are ribbed to hold the candle in place better and there are no maker's marks on them. <br />
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I am an enthusiast, not an expert on glass so I don't pretend to be able to assess the quality or condition of the pieces, but my layman's eye only finds two small scratches on the base of one of the pieces. When I run my fingertips over the edges of the piece and the mold seams I find no irregularities or chips or nicks. Whoever donated them to the thrift store had used them but not heavily because there is a little wax residue left in the cups and small bits of melted wax here and there. Otherwise they seem perfect to me<br />
<br />
.Replacements LTD places the value of a pair of these candlesticks at $149.95.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-22390193293814354642013-04-11T09:16:00.002-06:002013-04-11T09:18:13.953-06:00HousekeepingFriends, I've been away from the blog for quite awhile. I'm ready to get back on the horse. I'm not going to elaborate except to say that life got in the way of blogging for awhile.<br />
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While I was actively blogging the last go around, it became apparent to me that my hobby blog was becoming overwhelmed with travel posts, so I spun that off with a separate blog which you can link to here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bascombestravelblogue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>http://bascombestravelblogue.blogspot.com/</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
On the travelblogue I created an archives tab where I linked all the travel posts from this blog to that.<br />
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It also became apparent that I was going to have some career stuff to blog about that didn't really fit with my main blog and so I spun off two others, one for my theatrical designs and the other for theatrical props. Those can be found here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://garycbenson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>http://garycbenson.blogspot.com/</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://proprageous.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>http://proprageous.blogspot.com/</strong></span></a><br />
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There are a few posts among these two that will be appropriate for this blog and vice versa. I will link them together as they occur.<br />
<br />
It is my hope that this blog will continue to be a hobby blog, not that I treat it as a hobby, but use it to chronicle my many hobbies.<br />
<br />
My major hobbies are Halloween, gardening, rock collecting and glass collecting. I have many minor hobbies and sometimes they become major hobbies for awhile and then go back to being minor hobbies. I'll chronicle those when they start consuming my time again.<br />
<br />
In the near future, I'll be using this blog to catalog my depression glass and other types of glass collection. Thought you should know.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-2646410019391453842012-08-15T02:57:00.002-06:002012-08-15T02:57:57.141-06:00Notice: Spinoff BlogWhen I began the Bascombe Mania blog, it was my intention to discuss my hobbies, and especially my addiction to all things Halloween. Recently, it has become more of a travel blog rather than a hobby blog.<br />
<br />
For this reason I am spinning off Bascombe's Travelblogue where I will dedicate the entire site to my outdoor adventures. Here's the link: <a href="http://bascombestravelblogue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">http://bascombestravelblogue.blogspot.com/</span></strong></a><br />
<br />
I will begin posting more Halloween items and other hobby things on this site very soon. I'm working on a skeleton hand how to that I hope turns out well.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
GaryGary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-64802276988660675902012-08-09T16:09:00.002-06:002012-08-09T16:09:31.973-06:00How I Spent My Summer, 2012 Part V: Travelogue, Darby Canyon and the Wind Cave<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOkw6Y88txLY2l9lu8zwH7hk-rzi-sssNzsofCXDtSNZtPZkd2kfQyAN7ngE8C7RA3-EeHDGHBU8hyphenhyphenlBwv7PNOPD9z8qK0h4wN-a2UIHP3ooGtXtgq-Uk5jTg0n79A7hJDdggJJH6dSM/s1600/IMG_3850+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOkw6Y88txLY2l9lu8zwH7hk-rzi-sssNzsofCXDtSNZtPZkd2kfQyAN7ngE8C7RA3-EeHDGHBU8hyphenhyphenlBwv7PNOPD9z8qK0h4wN-a2UIHP3ooGtXtgq-Uk5jTg0n79A7hJDdggJJH6dSM/s640/IMG_3850+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and me at the Wind Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My son Rhys spent a week up at Treasure Mountain Boy Scout Camp. Last year, when he was there, we hiked Table Rock together. This year, the hike was to be the Wind Cave in Darby Canyon. Darby Canyon is a glacial valley in the greater Teton area. I don't know if it is actually in the Teton Range, but it's a next door neighbor if it isn't. The Wind Cave is a water carved cave through dolomite. Somewhere in the miles of cavern is another entrance which allows a brisk wind to blow through.<br />
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In 1951, a group of girls from Iona, Lincoln and Idaho Falls were camping at the Darby Canyon Girls Camp and chose to hike to the Wind Cave. It was an overcast day and after playing in the cave for awhile, they came back to where they had stashed their lunches and began to eat. As they were eating, lightning struck nearby and some of the camp leaders shouted for the girls to go to the open field and lie down while others told them it would be safer for them to hide in the trees. Before anyone could really move, another lightning bolt crashed into a tree that some of the girls were huddled under. Accounts say that girls were flung through the air up to a hundred feet. Two of my aunties were there and one was knocked unconcious and the other was badly burned. Four girls and one leader lost their lives that day. A memorial was placed near the site where the unfortunate incident happened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TvsCpuiBxUmTqn6r3tjoXgppAWYzp38kQbF-xfeMVAmVZqtjabpDahIE3DDONsijQcVZ8tP9gZYLT1teJGS1J45RMDXHd3L78kUYdtuD0UI2QvJ_0rzHGKKXpm-qRUnWw5q2Ftccc2c/s1600/IMG_3740+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TvsCpuiBxUmTqn6r3tjoXgppAWYzp38kQbF-xfeMVAmVZqtjabpDahIE3DDONsijQcVZ8tP9gZYLT1teJGS1J45RMDXHd3L78kUYdtuD0UI2QvJ_0rzHGKKXpm-qRUnWw5q2Ftccc2c/s640/IMG_3740+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorial to the ones lost</td></tr>
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When my boys go to camp, I like to take a day and spend with them if I'm available. Lately I've tried to go with them on their hikes. I was excited to go to Darby Canyon with them. I had only been there once before and had only gone as far as the memorial.<br />
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We met at the trailhead at about 7 AM which meant I had to leave home no later than 5:30. I drove through the Teton Valley and arrived a little early. When the boys arrived, we spent a few moments getting ready and then we embarked. I've discovered that each hike I go on takes on a different characteristic. This one ended up being all about wildflowers. I was absolutely amazed at the abundance of wildflowers in the canyon and the many different varieties. There were many varieties I don't believe I have ever seen before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPVEbm8tQaCFAohh2JHNEG_5uDs0saWphnoZ9CWeKK_9zkq_YKR-20wJ5oxQ-WqY5Rfasm3XspwleqVrsA-5TFBnPSm7nwD5kH2khIpLAuMB_JObuIIaq9j8nn_PhEvtEGexRe2qpk-I/s1600/IMG_3594+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPVEbm8tQaCFAohh2JHNEG_5uDs0saWphnoZ9CWeKK_9zkq_YKR-20wJ5oxQ-WqY5Rfasm3XspwleqVrsA-5TFBnPSm7nwD5kH2khIpLAuMB_JObuIIaq9j8nn_PhEvtEGexRe2qpk-I/s640/IMG_3594+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the house at first light</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZICqiTX3tmE4NOvgQPdKR6TloUdM7IqGPBUUSvJr_qKSSiRMgCJcOcOkiXygZ0UtXWPRVexoAS2qUbnE85hqqCUglegauQWt5GiqRMIIGr6NXQQ0dooMBOrgu7MsmtN5duQSXoR2bFGU/s1600/IMG_3600+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZICqiTX3tmE4NOvgQPdKR6TloUdM7IqGPBUUSvJr_qKSSiRMgCJcOcOkiXygZ0UtXWPRVexoAS2qUbnE85hqqCUglegauQWt5GiqRMIIGr6NXQQ0dooMBOrgu7MsmtN5duQSXoR2bFGU/s640/IMG_3600+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teton Valley at first light</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7FR4Dx7uCqac2UM3kpU-bHqgQXBdGdian6fxy3ICmzD49kCi9DjFD6LeVWCW0fn8XW_L90zNilO3vWOHBxwI8ojUXBX5co41b3RMcEH7mnqzHLMX-9g9oTgMAYJrg34uQcfkUN1O3yQ/s1600/IMG_3618+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7FR4Dx7uCqac2UM3kpU-bHqgQXBdGdian6fxy3ICmzD49kCi9DjFD6LeVWCW0fn8XW_L90zNilO3vWOHBxwI8ojUXBX5co41b3RMcEH7mnqzHLMX-9g9oTgMAYJrg34uQcfkUN1O3yQ/s640/IMG_3618+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-yuDFV9bhV-Mg1AKzKDmDZfHXs-tA1Di8EsFHMBC_byvOYQtwttWI9R5sGPZ9l9YaQ5GZYHoeMOAnNMAcI_JEeyLlejPQ05EsQLHzUrm_8505h-2LUJCi053jswgh3u1cHbTe4qz-7U/s1600/IMG_3619+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-yuDFV9bhV-Mg1AKzKDmDZfHXs-tA1Di8EsFHMBC_byvOYQtwttWI9R5sGPZ9l9YaQ5GZYHoeMOAnNMAcI_JEeyLlejPQ05EsQLHzUrm_8505h-2LUJCi053jswgh3u1cHbTe4qz-7U/s640/IMG_3619+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aNnZejHsTPg61kcYXYt6zaBB_6AvEdX6PDx-O3svD3UOmibcBUDSCEg5hfpX0LgzBiPBcML1SyLJmptagN2JBaCwntNLphndhbziu6QzUL1pcrVL95Yf-4mKAntQn8am97uFdE48rCI/s1600/IMG_3622+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aNnZejHsTPg61kcYXYt6zaBB_6AvEdX6PDx-O3svD3UOmibcBUDSCEg5hfpX0LgzBiPBcML1SyLJmptagN2JBaCwntNLphndhbziu6QzUL1pcrVL95Yf-4mKAntQn8am97uFdE48rCI/s640/IMG_3622+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEpj83pTzU_x-rzr1aAqg7cqVe6nai6Ra5JotyTuDYKehH0eB7LZF7VGwTOd5_7_xPPUKtj54mTPwI8PwK3O8rO0LxUuu6r0muVTE9Um0EgIGJgtMmKK0gMRAveh7gjsX7gredQtMA0g/s1600/IMG_3623+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEpj83pTzU_x-rzr1aAqg7cqVe6nai6Ra5JotyTuDYKehH0eB7LZF7VGwTOd5_7_xPPUKtj54mTPwI8PwK3O8rO0LxUuu6r0muVTE9Um0EgIGJgtMmKK0gMRAveh7gjsX7gredQtMA0g/s640/IMG_3623+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu9DBnFylJ36ZABkXfXhdHTGBL_fqNbT3IZffxLPSl2ILfQC1-q39N0euIU1y_7-hs5ua3xrhsiSdLwZl2IBQeyhlM6_NUAD5jgozuXvbVrAyInSrOhl1Oq-bkqo3wcr_NDq9agjZ01E/s1600/IMG_3624+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu9DBnFylJ36ZABkXfXhdHTGBL_fqNbT3IZffxLPSl2ILfQC1-q39N0euIU1y_7-hs5ua3xrhsiSdLwZl2IBQeyhlM6_NUAD5jgozuXvbVrAyInSrOhl1Oq-bkqo3wcr_NDq9agjZ01E/s640/IMG_3624+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisokzxw4w9p6DCT0jGRQsiB26e2499W5XyYOyLY9fiW0PUFnHpUMVBNi7dFHodB5IuzF-kc0azfvY5hJhTRzNWQn2LbH7og5OvQXAbudEu1sDmpOtfjzxcmoqPxuY4PPpQhfy01r0zeSk/s1600/IMG_3633+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisokzxw4w9p6DCT0jGRQsiB26e2499W5XyYOyLY9fiW0PUFnHpUMVBNi7dFHodB5IuzF-kc0azfvY5hJhTRzNWQn2LbH7og5OvQXAbudEu1sDmpOtfjzxcmoqPxuY4PPpQhfy01r0zeSk/s640/IMG_3633+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our troop at the trailhead</td></tr>
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The trailhead lies at 7069 feet above sea level and over the course of 2.6 miles gains about 1800 feet in elevation. The elevation gain is masked by the fact that the trail switches back and forth frequently so even though there is significant gain, it is really a moderate hike. It is a very pleasant hike, even for someone like me who is out of shape and has bad knees.<br />
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At 8940 feet above sea level, the hike isn't quite alpine, but close. The trail is forested for most of the way but further up the trail, it breaks out into sub-alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. There is evidence of glaciation everywhere, from the U-shaped valley to glacial outwash and deposits to striations on the rocks. <br />
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The valley is fairly narrow where the trailhead begins and there is a giant boulder that has either fallen from above or dragged into place by the advancing glaciers. Rhys called it the "tent rock" because of it's shape. The vegetation and thick undergrowth everywhere reminded me at once of the Jenny Lake Trail we went on last summer in Grand Teton National Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8mMdJGYBTOgVZzAkOn0Z0yz6Wm4dKs1PazcO-Kddq5CagP8Bddck2XajdxyY33FTxPK-2tD2rtT4HrJOwt6JkoVkH7uQ5OrEFrdl92LbNbcRyny_g6nDavf0WPhdnQstdoBQz2_euJI/s1600/IMG_3636+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8mMdJGYBTOgVZzAkOn0Z0yz6Wm4dKs1PazcO-Kddq5CagP8Bddck2XajdxyY33FTxPK-2tD2rtT4HrJOwt6JkoVkH7uQ5OrEFrdl92LbNbcRyny_g6nDavf0WPhdnQstdoBQz2_euJI/s640/IMG_3636+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Tent Rock"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjYAWGOy9qmxPkim8mYGFAA_ttT0G22G6w3Z8HleQdhr1LOUAuVJTt0_DJvbKq_C1LaYL1zyyV1fJJ0A9amMQJZ-ySmudDiLRj7NILBtcGnAOAIVnblzXwqBSNR9Fx1rsdQWwtx7RqNE/s1600/IMG_3643+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjYAWGOy9qmxPkim8mYGFAA_ttT0G22G6w3Z8HleQdhr1LOUAuVJTt0_DJvbKq_C1LaYL1zyyV1fJJ0A9amMQJZ-ySmudDiLRj7NILBtcGnAOAIVnblzXwqBSNR9Fx1rsdQWwtx7RqNE/s640/IMG_3643+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Tent Rock" from above</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfxpXIu8nu6Grd1H5Tuxyw6j_yrg-SgSiOQ8SeOyF8rqiqDZ-zwVLVOLVYodVwZytJezpBMsVpyRBn-Fu7Akj0_9_IQ_KQxQEzwnSmBdZSncwrVPMei0T2rzz8mM4cE0L0-1MtrW7IOw/s1600/IMG_3640+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfxpXIu8nu6Grd1H5Tuxyw6j_yrg-SgSiOQ8SeOyF8rqiqDZ-zwVLVOLVYodVwZytJezpBMsVpyRBn-Fu7Akj0_9_IQ_KQxQEzwnSmBdZSncwrVPMei0T2rzz8mM4cE0L0-1MtrW7IOw/s640/IMG_3640+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool rock in the canyon wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeHajLvVxZyza-PRPLXFIDT2zq5dEpQuX8zJtNvQBHsXUWSXLuGOntihw1E0JvXxOEOYABJEYPmt4ysnYnc6nVi5pbMop-VAm_nEdy-0ja1DZcmBYwr10Jp12fyzbJxbkF934hRnxyGs/s1600/IMG_3644+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeHajLvVxZyza-PRPLXFIDT2zq5dEpQuX8zJtNvQBHsXUWSXLuGOntihw1E0JvXxOEOYABJEYPmt4ysnYnc6nVi5pbMop-VAm_nEdy-0ja1DZcmBYwr10Jp12fyzbJxbkF934hRnxyGs/s640/IMG_3644+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lush undergrowth</td></tr>
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Rhys is usually a very fast hiker and last year he summitted Table Rock a full two hours ahead of me. This year, he hung back and hiked with me. Also in our group was my dear friend, Christan Airth and Rhys' friend Kyle. <br />
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Along the way, there are a few huge boulders still clinging to the side of the valley, left over from the periods of glaciation. There is great water erosion marks on the tops of the boulders. Those flat boulders offer great views of the valley and the first views of the Wind Cave. On one of the boulders, one of the boys spotted what he thought was a wild turkey, but as I looked at it, I thought is was a sage grouse. I photographed it and identified it online when I returned home and found we were both wrong. It was a "dusky grouse" male, which is a species I had never heard of before. When I got close, the bird fanned it's tail, inflated it's body to make it look bigger and thumped it's air bladders and made a 'threatening' sound. It was very cool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgSivZ6UqdwfY99ak4pg98Q8UNnk1yly-9_RnAxcaAJe2sj67mIAkYXN1zovHTCuMCUr5BTCV509T4mtZVkFY5jvwy7rEwAy9bDRntHt-GxMm72qqWaY3suuWzZpEKCcPWWn9_7DrqrM/s1600/IMG_3650+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgSivZ6UqdwfY99ak4pg98Q8UNnk1yly-9_RnAxcaAJe2sj67mIAkYXN1zovHTCuMCUr5BTCV509T4mtZVkFY5jvwy7rEwAy9bDRntHt-GxMm72qqWaY3suuWzZpEKCcPWWn9_7DrqrM/s640/IMG_3650+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and Christian on the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Dd5tt_ylF_tiF4dGDzVtxL41AZPoY5tKl2lwAdeKh0h7ZnflGpKQp4qKCSacCaU9pUnOEJbXNdhCdcpSSczWrk9bRONeO0NxqWVJf7cJ6aAFN8XEGG75Ljzf9evgmMZyMjzzSZjmhU/s1600/IMG_3677+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Dd5tt_ylF_tiF4dGDzVtxL41AZPoY5tKl2lwAdeKh0h7ZnflGpKQp4qKCSacCaU9pUnOEJbXNdhCdcpSSczWrk9bRONeO0NxqWVJf7cJ6aAFN8XEGG75Ljzf9evgmMZyMjzzSZjmhU/s640/IMG_3677+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder on the side of the canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYmEgcZu9F-44Rc25cZt0u1lOt2TyiONrR1ayJbRsCaQp6c4Hw4g_D8rzOpcCpdA03lWSFqTbxSrSz55dbOq3Dan40fbh4o7qRrJ765UnWlRv3vvxe-DNZTaoQf-GbeuVaujZgLyVMMM/s1600/IMG_3680+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYmEgcZu9F-44Rc25cZt0u1lOt2TyiONrR1ayJbRsCaQp6c4Hw4g_D8rzOpcCpdA03lWSFqTbxSrSz55dbOq3Dan40fbh4o7qRrJ765UnWlRv3vvxe-DNZTaoQf-GbeuVaujZgLyVMMM/s640/IMG_3680+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erosion patterns in the top of the boulder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte4wd3TFxLDxx3l-jEIsFb3o-0mR2g3FpcykOL5-8SIajLxnuH8A0Si3vUXZ0nYzcrQHnqImI2pR4TaBFyMlfj-2DGS1Gm0ngkAAG_OtmopAdlt-6lWdwWvsm30H1ByJE-htLGOiPrdg/s1600/IMG_3676+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte4wd3TFxLDxx3l-jEIsFb3o-0mR2g3FpcykOL5-8SIajLxnuH8A0Si3vUXZ0nYzcrQHnqImI2pR4TaBFyMlfj-2DGS1Gm0ngkAAG_OtmopAdlt-6lWdwWvsm30H1ByJE-htLGOiPrdg/s640/IMG_3676+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of the Wind Cave</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunizX7Bl7_BBHBSh5OZLEDlRUKhKGhLhjrkghoYAfDk8LppbHutyHRlhQLRz6k139mhOZBOx2IGdyedfeOWlCngC1hBr3bf6BRxjHxr5SxZLWMTb3Y6TRSV2_jsHh2_cPyJk-k0jT2Xk/s1600/IMG_3669+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunizX7Bl7_BBHBSh5OZLEDlRUKhKGhLhjrkghoYAfDk8LppbHutyHRlhQLRz6k139mhOZBOx2IGdyedfeOWlCngC1hBr3bf6BRxjHxr5SxZLWMTb3Y6TRSV2_jsHh2_cPyJk-k0jT2Xk/s640/IMG_3669+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "wild turkey" on the boulder</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5Ocpy3_6IRwin3Nyqdhu0RiZ2DLZ1T_iNPcMWNtrwTTE14acoUU3KLE-Ai7PDSUNN3IxoKK8qqbR6S7Zjij-oCOmXhi1tGt2IxA8AtY20onvXkduN85WiDGYoGRXCEupJb82dnfWRw4/s1600/IMG_3674+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5Ocpy3_6IRwin3Nyqdhu0RiZ2DLZ1T_iNPcMWNtrwTTE14acoUU3KLE-Ai7PDSUNN3IxoKK8qqbR6S7Zjij-oCOmXhi1tGt2IxA8AtY20onvXkduN85WiDGYoGRXCEupJb82dnfWRw4/s640/IMG_3674+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of the dusky grouse</td></tr>
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We crossed a beautiful sub-alpine meadow filled with wildflowers before we reached to last part of the forested trail to the Wind Cave. The last hundred yards or so are the toughest of the hike, the elevation gain is quite steep. There are stairs there, however but I'm not sure if they were placed or naturally occuring in the rock. At the base of the summit, the trail splits off to the bottom of a waterfall and the other side goes to the brink of the falls and finally the Wind Cave. We played around at the base of the waterfall then we hiked into the cave. It is quite a cavern. The ceiling has collapsed over time and coverd over the creek that flows under the rubble. Rhys thought that was extremely cool to be walking over the scree and hear the water flow underneath.<br />
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We spelunked back into the cave to the point where it narrows and I stayed there and let Rhys and his friends explore beyond. It felt too small for me to get through with my camera. Next time, however I will go deeper into the cavern. Right at the narrows, the wind is the strongest and very cold. Next time I go, I will definitely take a jacket for this part of the hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOp4nitRmveDmmz72zOye90b63ZpdOss1Vu5CXVfPJuG7VNNp791z_LSjyAy5UKnyroLJAjRCN7Yha9Bn8nRfbkbjHRSrGFfG0DlTj7WBJMh_M4mYlZDvo51JW7iC_HTVohXdXfDQkNg/s1600/IMG_3697+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOp4nitRmveDmmz72zOye90b63ZpdOss1Vu5CXVfPJuG7VNNp791z_LSjyAy5UKnyroLJAjRCN7Yha9Bn8nRfbkbjHRSrGFfG0DlTj7WBJMh_M4mYlZDvo51JW7iC_HTVohXdXfDQkNg/s640/IMG_3697+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sub-alpine meadow just before the summit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xuYy8Jz53QzRBELB31wmC-j6jQGu_rqU6O6ussd8YHl1kvD2pfeb-5fA42fSDGYs4dt_UgWf4U4L-BeohJM1Ct0dE_1gtFirPdCuR0FkGK7sh6NoUpB1sBiuWf_KWGcdT31rgZ4TBZQ/s1600/IMG_3698+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xuYy8Jz53QzRBELB31wmC-j6jQGu_rqU6O6ussd8YHl1kvD2pfeb-5fA42fSDGYs4dt_UgWf4U4L-BeohJM1Ct0dE_1gtFirPdCuR0FkGK7sh6NoUpB1sBiuWf_KWGcdT31rgZ4TBZQ/s640/IMG_3698+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian, Rhys and Kyle just before the summit trail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgeOUGnt41Av0HN3iqJ6UYpE11eUgKUMdGtmXIOmAXcZj4X4dQuqg1ZGBCu8gCLPy3JMSL9TGjvgKRqMN_5BA-qkguqMhvYFe2j-P9DxWMXB0JMHUewooC2mgA0vHiJzPFGTibnLd5dk/s1600/IMG_3705+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgeOUGnt41Av0HN3iqJ6UYpE11eUgKUMdGtmXIOmAXcZj4X4dQuqg1ZGBCu8gCLPy3JMSL9TGjvgKRqMN_5BA-qkguqMhvYFe2j-P9DxWMXB0JMHUewooC2mgA0vHiJzPFGTibnLd5dk/s640/IMG_3705+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacial striations in dolomite on the trail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-uUlp2Q21CnrFMhwkfJNIxtYuejb1pjnPukcL2ncFjXA-y1IMod_cHUvDqMn1BnjO8wU3iGXos1y0EOrHM0Ew2nwVAdCIi3s6mOVr1Gu66tPi7vU1heUfoLJb8uldsva0E3vWDGbahc/s1600/IMG_3706+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-uUlp2Q21CnrFMhwkfJNIxtYuejb1pjnPukcL2ncFjXA-y1IMod_cHUvDqMn1BnjO8wU3iGXos1y0EOrHM0Ew2nwVAdCIi3s6mOVr1Gu66tPi7vU1heUfoLJb8uldsva0E3vWDGbahc/s640/IMG_3706+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub-alpine meadow</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG79WAxeSE7Nmwla7A7ZSy-YJrAiAgFb7EIX80tbFeR6Rk5osRfE1wRXP44Q0Kq2TcGWzDy56-A9_Skup0jcTuAlIYlyGCXmC3wahDIEE1IFI8148jG54M-xbYtMt0uWi88B0ePJaI_6E/s1600/IMG_3722+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG79WAxeSE7Nmwla7A7ZSy-YJrAiAgFb7EIX80tbFeR6Rk5osRfE1wRXP44Q0Kq2TcGWzDy56-A9_Skup0jcTuAlIYlyGCXmC3wahDIEE1IFI8148jG54M-xbYtMt0uWi88B0ePJaI_6E/s640/IMG_3722+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of waterfall and Wind Cave just before the summit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwb1pr2l8-2ylPa9bZmf4zw7dvnr3VAmrKtaA7jw7iivSV7846APqKAxALNUzckQguXrQNxUdO_Xtcwu4lEzoyw6NjumBKxh82wsgCJmPF0RcW9VWFYG53Pw6Vn-IN5lzo46TpbKWhyphenhyphenI/s1600/IMG_3732+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwb1pr2l8-2ylPa9bZmf4zw7dvnr3VAmrKtaA7jw7iivSV7846APqKAxALNUzckQguXrQNxUdO_Xtcwu4lEzoyw6NjumBKxh82wsgCJmPF0RcW9VWFYG53Pw6Vn-IN5lzo46TpbKWhyphenhyphenI/s640/IMG_3732+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture makes me feel peaceful</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgj9DnYrcb-mscEB4T3jihjRSvnXKRUaiidIVYzcg8D7DmLXe5CiQpd4JDWQLkMZHnyU97acdzIuyw38H27hv-WHHInfT5kL-dJcvOZfI4BBwPwcLbb445paB6NgpRn-EMuWCYHl4-gY/s1600/IMG_3736+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgj9DnYrcb-mscEB4T3jihjRSvnXKRUaiidIVYzcg8D7DmLXe5CiQpd4JDWQLkMZHnyU97acdzIuyw38H27hv-WHHInfT5kL-dJcvOZfI4BBwPwcLbb445paB6NgpRn-EMuWCYHl4-gY/s640/IMG_3736+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The valley from the base of the falls</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSnl04YEcC21wjuILrnq0AzWAFGnBu91pAuIvK4nV2gfyvhr7CGwRnoyM-gydD5GDDvMyF26TMmdhuxq7M1zFkERQdFH7UWBOPPRsv4uDqYkB0DGPpKMb8jC3uTOL0E1r2daYsE4Z6HY/s1600/IMG_3765+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSnl04YEcC21wjuILrnq0AzWAFGnBu91pAuIvK4nV2gfyvhr7CGwRnoyM-gydD5GDDvMyF26TMmdhuxq7M1zFkERQdFH7UWBOPPRsv4uDqYkB0DGPpKMb8jC3uTOL0E1r2daYsE4Z6HY/s640/IMG_3765+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and Kyle</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hoBdc4kSyM0s542mbztiEzcjgT_iUFSXSPC-1BxwrBLEx46aR4IONLH5Dr2JEED-jB6iSAesuZooMSRgXu4CYaA-sps9Q8PYRI6SwwQzLXGllomFIkF499ErfClfHWeQYflR_llLe-g/s1600/IMG_3768+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hoBdc4kSyM0s542mbztiEzcjgT_iUFSXSPC-1BxwrBLEx46aR4IONLH5Dr2JEED-jB6iSAesuZooMSRgXu4CYaA-sps9Q8PYRI6SwwQzLXGllomFIkF499ErfClfHWeQYflR_llLe-g/s640/IMG_3768+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and Kyle under the falls for a sense of scale</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKC3AojtuKmdVQB2NUmwTD3jcDXaw2NRSHbB4_jIDnAK3VGl4H8cblUHIy5jh_hEk8P_1Yy10Bq0kbDtsW_6zDMQGmNml1FQsIxxR7efQZ08N-cygKquJL2SpOkv2WFyrcl4O4FEk3E/s1600/IMG_3785+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKC3AojtuKmdVQB2NUmwTD3jcDXaw2NRSHbB4_jIDnAK3VGl4H8cblUHIy5jh_hEk8P_1Yy10Bq0kbDtsW_6zDMQGmNml1FQsIxxR7efQZ08N-cygKquJL2SpOkv2WFyrcl4O4FEk3E/s640/IMG_3785+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall through scree going up to the cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7KKb34WO6oYSMedSs_Z6ZhUsbYCPuJihKtjLVaLC_68q-3Ijm6IO7eZs43TXdbEVyUu5QC7_je378eIdAckjtIedUO4yWJfY_0kSHl-ezXSRsYNQBTQa5vI9uQ_Nt5mXo-V-mqe48ls/s1600/IMG_3798+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7KKb34WO6oYSMedSs_Z6ZhUsbYCPuJihKtjLVaLC_68q-3Ijm6IO7eZs43TXdbEVyUu5QC7_je378eIdAckjtIedUO4yWJfY_0kSHl-ezXSRsYNQBTQa5vI9uQ_Nt5mXo-V-mqe48ls/s640/IMG_3798+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of moss</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jSxzHbfxCc15sR0j9bGYy0AcMnEAKEU_4hrx-6ufWtLS_9yfEeHOFXE5HVd2C5IVXtB4t-vyhH9s0XhsHakJ8R8ZyqallLZjmbbl9yIlq4_hAXN40hT4Cy5_Ko5gvltDJmgZ1KM-ZqY/s1600/IMG_3804+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jSxzHbfxCc15sR0j9bGYy0AcMnEAKEU_4hrx-6ufWtLS_9yfEeHOFXE5HVd2C5IVXtB4t-vyhH9s0XhsHakJ8R8ZyqallLZjmbbl9yIlq4_hAXN40hT4Cy5_Ko5gvltDJmgZ1KM-ZqY/s640/IMG_3804+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just liked this picture</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Mh-RgqRWcxcBRhfyC4331XQd5sNZVF0-Nat_FFz-gdKNAqXYPEWbXOw5C3V5rCAtVqD4mfitIKu2YijcJRHEavE6ionMbFL0HQbQFIlS8SsESNwtexXrMot6L3YYflZgDLeExI0GDTc/s1600/IMG_3834+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Mh-RgqRWcxcBRhfyC4331XQd5sNZVF0-Nat_FFz-gdKNAqXYPEWbXOw5C3V5rCAtVqD4mfitIKu2YijcJRHEavE6ionMbFL0HQbQFIlS8SsESNwtexXrMot6L3YYflZgDLeExI0GDTc/s640/IMG_3834+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and chums at the narrows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFasayG7dntJbRGjcncv_Y70g3wkvOq4VyaJnkr4mLiQMfDJZ4LnFLPr3-HE2Tyg0bszVy6K_fCEAJhu4IdpjTKZNzzYOpHJIPRnohd-6ppbrv0V1zjVNmhZ-jRse9BF_PPYMC_Ro97Y/s1600/IMG_3840+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFasayG7dntJbRGjcncv_Y70g3wkvOq4VyaJnkr4mLiQMfDJZ4LnFLPr3-HE2Tyg0bszVy6K_fCEAJhu4IdpjTKZNzzYOpHJIPRnohd-6ppbrv0V1zjVNmhZ-jRse9BF_PPYMC_Ro97Y/s640/IMG_3840+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys in the cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JuSWPJ_EIKDwK_96WSrNAH2iRTlF-VpHW67hyphenhyphenxRwZt_PXLuGv0IHHC_MdOvxWTB3QGdfUjhu4zuRRpD0CyE8sxfKyo8TEYE6IOTK2CuBm84conmVAf3zJNZElQK-c6khreR6FO-r8Vk/s1600/IMG_3847+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JuSWPJ_EIKDwK_96WSrNAH2iRTlF-VpHW67hyphenhyphenxRwZt_PXLuGv0IHHC_MdOvxWTB3QGdfUjhu4zuRRpD0CyE8sxfKyo8TEYE6IOTK2CuBm84conmVAf3zJNZElQK-c6khreR6FO-r8Vk/s640/IMG_3847+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The troop at the waterfall</td></tr>
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When we were done with the hike, we went back to the scout camp. This is the same scout camp I attended when I was a boy. There is a giant boulder in the center of the camp that is now called Chief Rock. When I was at scout camp it was called Eagle Rock. When I was there, only people who had attained the rank of Eagle Scout were allowed to stand on it. I hadn't been an Eagle when I was at scout camp so I never did. Some of my troop mates did stand on it without getting their rank however. Today, the requirements for standing on Chief Rock are different than when I was a scout. They aren't tougher, by the way but more reasonable for someone attending. I went to the camp counsellors and asked them if I could stand on Chief Rock under the old standards and they agreed. This has been something on my bucket list for 36 years. I scratched it off.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35e-gMI-tRodAMD0RoYHGh9D-2cs4O45Dr8if67AUgWXnjVBsvOLJYde2mSVjxfiAKHpz77tUw16D0hKKvvIa-0sJBV2KAxAMU0AiWc0hNZLNP-7RDrQ1puj4YWTJSdNqb4qtrCCvCSg/s1600/IMG_3900+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35e-gMI-tRodAMD0RoYHGh9D-2cs4O45Dr8if67AUgWXnjVBsvOLJYde2mSVjxfiAKHpz77tUw16D0hKKvvIa-0sJBV2KAxAMU0AiWc0hNZLNP-7RDrQ1puj4YWTJSdNqb4qtrCCvCSg/s640/IMG_3900+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me standing on Chief Rock, scratch an item off the bucket list</td></tr>
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This post has become too long and I still have more material, namely all the wildflowers to show, so I am going to add a part II to this blog post that will be dedicated to the wildflowers I saw on this hike. There were so many and they were so pretty that they deserve their own blog post. I will add it at a future date.<br />
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This was a great day, from spending the day with Rhys and our friends to hiking up to the Wind Cave, to standing on Chief Rock. I very much enjoyed my time in Darby Canyon. Christian said that we needed to find a time when we could take our wives up to this cave. I agree. I will hike here again. Now I'll leave with a parting shot of the Tetons in the afternoon from the same position I photographed them that morning. Enjoy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpprn6_AWTzQ778G1uTo6XhhWR3VJVPzmAAx1uXvz5EJ6k1CoTsHFEr92aAhZeOpwaresn9Crhc7ke_CdUWOPDJUdmIOSUYwvSnjVhpggKpOveVxvx-r6t7zK2q8uURyGbE8K1ULgyXio/s1600/IMG_3929+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpprn6_AWTzQ778G1uTo6XhhWR3VJVPzmAAx1uXvz5EJ6k1CoTsHFEr92aAhZeOpwaresn9Crhc7ke_CdUWOPDJUdmIOSUYwvSnjVhpggKpOveVxvx-r6t7zK2q8uURyGbE8K1ULgyXio/s640/IMG_3929+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teton Range in the afternoon from the same vantage point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-14758138742065468072012-07-31T02:17:00.002-06:002012-07-31T02:17:12.345-06:00How I Spent My Summer, 2012 Part IV: Travelogue: Yellowstone Canyon<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJyH6R9MJeM8M6Up1Qyl-2cgcZBNa92T9zYJJRLtJu5p3nzSbPRSU3eYxuhpPq5p5mZ-cstz2T2Aj8rLd5Z4XOGvvolCrwaFmqGwx6p02a3XKgacQbxu2FG9YmX4E2H-ELy4SHShGESI/s1600/IMG_3423+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJyH6R9MJeM8M6Up1Qyl-2cgcZBNa92T9zYJJRLtJu5p3nzSbPRSU3eYxuhpPq5p5mZ-cstz2T2Aj8rLd5Z4XOGvvolCrwaFmqGwx6p02a3XKgacQbxu2FG9YmX4E2H-ELy4SHShGESI/s640/IMG_3423+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Fall of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone</td></tr>
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I grew up with Yellowstone National Park literally in my backyard. When I was young, though we mostly went into Old Faithful and then returned home because of the family business. When I was about fourteen I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with Dad and my brothers to fish. I did that two summers in a row. The joke was that it took fifteen minutes to get down to the bottom of the canyon and two hours to climb out. It wasn't a joke. Other than that, I had been to Artist's Point and a few of the other scenic overlooks over the years, but I had never really experienced Canyon. I found out for the first time last summer that Canyon is Chimene's favorite part of the park so I determined that we would do Canyon right this summer.<br />
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My oldest sister, Cynthia and her husband Byron and son Chad were in town last week and wanted to have a picnic in Yellowstone with as many family members as possible. Since I was out of school, it was possible for us to attend. We decided to meet at noon on Tuesday at the Wapiti Picnic Area on the south rim of the canyon. My Mother was there as well as my sister Paula and her husband, Ferron and two of their daughters, Emily and Shelley. I brought Chimene and two of my sons, Haydn and Garrett.<br />
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We met for the picnic and enjoyed one anothers' company for an hour or so and then we went our seperate ways. Mom and Cynthia had tickets for The Playmill and were headed that direction, Paula and her clan were headed to Cody, Wyoming for a vacation. That left us to explore Canyon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbrtYiepyt00V-4I5RNY6w1GGCpPR_SmlvtLw-zyl5Uxg-PHUQY9MuKLdYKAiJku5QEc-D0siFtU1IYPfxE-4BDaRiw-6yQuaAPz8FSaHkzgLlbHcsnnZJHWAwVDdVaI0-iJ6lBC_f98/s1600/IMG_3293+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbrtYiepyt00V-4I5RNY6w1GGCpPR_SmlvtLw-zyl5Uxg-PHUQY9MuKLdYKAiJku5QEc-D0siFtU1IYPfxE-4BDaRiw-6yQuaAPz8FSaHkzgLlbHcsnnZJHWAwVDdVaI0-iJ6lBC_f98/s640/IMG_3293+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic in the park</td></tr>
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I bought a book last year called "Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park--82 Great Hikes" by Robert Stone. We consulted the book and found that the Crystal Lake hike had it's trailhead at the Wapiti Picnic Area. It was a loop hike that started and ended at the picnic area. I like loop hikes better than there and back hikes because I always want to see something new. The Clear Lake Trail seemed like the right thing to do. Last season, a man was killed by a grizzly bear on that trail, so naturally we had to take it. The trailguide called it a moderate hike, nearly level. It started out in a sub-alpine meadow filled with wildflowers and snaked it's way toward the forest for almost a mile before we ended up in the trees. Throughout the meadow we saw numerous buffalo wallows, where bison paw and scratch at the dirt and roll around supposedly to keep biting insects away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHY1XQL83heIBcqz0Lo9kfgLifB3omdHSBkb_kzzwG2-w_w5Pk2flCVVeacZFv4YLZQD6dG0DbXi-xA1wGKtQ8dlP5qqlwWaaBGDtS2SLO3UtmNqIGcKqc0Ww_oC9L4oeoIDrtYQh4dc/s1600/IMG_3315+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHY1XQL83heIBcqz0Lo9kfgLifB3omdHSBkb_kzzwG2-w_w5Pk2flCVVeacZFv4YLZQD6dG0DbXi-xA1wGKtQ8dlP5qqlwWaaBGDtS2SLO3UtmNqIGcKqc0Ww_oC9L4oeoIDrtYQh4dc/s640/IMG_3315+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimene, Haydn and Garrett on the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz5pBf3SXnvTu7bnGN4cKTdKQLpS_FxV-oFw2WZOsVlyKqd5dIAKK5xdn6JpSRaBRCM0vk_QcnTSNzBy_7Ve6LVHS29rA9wqZ5gn-fD09vMirTUCt833qu_7Ff9ukK8kbF9L9KwgyZDU/s1600/IMG_3323+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz5pBf3SXnvTu7bnGN4cKTdKQLpS_FxV-oFw2WZOsVlyKqd5dIAKK5xdn6JpSRaBRCM0vk_QcnTSNzBy_7Ve6LVHS29rA9wqZ5gn-fD09vMirTUCt833qu_7Ff9ukK8kbF9L9KwgyZDU/s640/IMG_3323+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was there too</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfwZPbELj6H2KPUdvqzbNRzGMRPP8RzIroGvVnEEyxFUm7Kof7giXm6By1pSghyYRWYdUPwmThW3hpJKMDstPy6GjwYmx8Qjff-v6Wiyq2TR34N_moyok_zJp7OZ_gy3kj1FJ3YUI-8Q/s1600/IMG_3308+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfwZPbELj6H2KPUdvqzbNRzGMRPP8RzIroGvVnEEyxFUm7Kof7giXm6By1pSghyYRWYdUPwmThW3hpJKMDstPy6GjwYmx8Qjff-v6Wiyq2TR34N_moyok_zJp7OZ_gy3kj1FJ3YUI-8Q/s640/IMG_3308+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sub-alpine meadow covered in wildflowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GCUZyof_PCoZxdAcK703FTQlJWIseA5YgW-GXMJYZ0kOheWGFIU9ELS9WYkUxxWqIMWAzHdQmtqAlQt5VGS7VG7MArjxzWkZPYG9vVk6xnpGGFNqLqwv9igYQl4v9dlfn8QqWt9sSZQ/s1600/IMG_3318+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GCUZyof_PCoZxdAcK703FTQlJWIseA5YgW-GXMJYZ0kOheWGFIU9ELS9WYkUxxWqIMWAzHdQmtqAlQt5VGS7VG7MArjxzWkZPYG9vVk6xnpGGFNqLqwv9igYQl4v9dlfn8QqWt9sSZQ/s640/IMG_3318+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflower covered hillside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDP-G53gTGB2E5clrPP5BcTisW0l9pNUSVUWTjEe4oeAVfVTjdvPjURTUU4YtQiU32gHCnkYmCcImmlLBrm3W7OTKr6WBeICaBntnbXuMB0Lgw7PZKXnuwyD8k5UFsSBrlJHj_1-48ow/s1600/IMG_3322+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDP-G53gTGB2E5clrPP5BcTisW0l9pNUSVUWTjEe4oeAVfVTjdvPjURTUU4YtQiU32gHCnkYmCcImmlLBrm3W7OTKr6WBeICaBntnbXuMB0Lgw7PZKXnuwyD8k5UFsSBrlJHj_1-48ow/s640/IMG_3322+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd0xEIEQdJeJC06uBwDzJtMpeg9Tf76mC2ZEt1Wfb8BCknvfEuLIf0VCgwmOpwnT7HXVpXPr_8U3wMnaZcBDZOrRKMyMSPqXga7AVkriFjciBr2XqnaYKyE1fg4BD7tl2AIqiGtduFSw/s1600/IMG_3316+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd0xEIEQdJeJC06uBwDzJtMpeg9Tf76mC2ZEt1Wfb8BCknvfEuLIf0VCgwmOpwnT7HXVpXPr_8U3wMnaZcBDZOrRKMyMSPqXga7AVkriFjciBr2XqnaYKyE1fg4BD7tl2AIqiGtduFSw/s640/IMG_3316+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many buffalow wallows</td></tr>
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The trail entered the forest and we came almost immediately upon a thermal feature called Clear Lake. There was no inlet and no outlet and we could see a steady stream of gas bubbles out in the middle of the lake. The water was cool to the touch, though so it wasn't a particularly hot lake. <br />
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We followed the trail past Clear lake and entered into a barren, almost alien looking landscape where thermal activity had once flourished. There were remains of exploded geysers and the rubble that ejected from them littered about the ground. There were also a few active mudpots, but nothing so impressive as Fountain Paint Pots or some of the others.<br />
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After we passed through the alien landscape we came to another thermal lake covered in lily pads and aptly named "Lilypad Lake". It was a pretty little lake out in the middle of the forest with a marshy area at one end and a floating bridge spanning it. After that the trail wound through the forest past interesting rock formations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeEv5V_bcJJNQ5Vwxp5B0-whmKOdC0MX3CgP2ggxfc3KxBuaTVo5vBNqb6QiimYskxLZNwSaRg4tTFXSQUxZ-U1q_5vWjJELTTGHj5qvGkV4k8U1KsUr4ko6v0ZyrYTh3EPGlnAYJEYA/s1600/IMG_3328+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeEv5V_bcJJNQ5Vwxp5B0-whmKOdC0MX3CgP2ggxfc3KxBuaTVo5vBNqb6QiimYskxLZNwSaRg4tTFXSQUxZ-U1q_5vWjJELTTGHj5qvGkV4k8U1KsUr4ko6v0ZyrYTh3EPGlnAYJEYA/s640/IMG_3328+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-lXtSJh-g0Ity3xbyZzhN989aqTH3KPvLmWREnI9LXGu4YQwBz4mDLPruVP7uOc0yQY2msRiU7mnjWggwy81IqJiCAJ9jPeV_pyNGkPCh8bMmig83AmDZpdbWLDSQ1fT1tqI6s5WUgk/s1600/IMG_3333+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-lXtSJh-g0Ity3xbyZzhN989aqTH3KPvLmWREnI9LXGu4YQwBz4mDLPruVP7uOc0yQY2msRiU7mnjWggwy81IqJiCAJ9jPeV_pyNGkPCh8bMmig83AmDZpdbWLDSQ1fT1tqI6s5WUgk/s640/IMG_3333+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barren landscape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvcM3M24b2OPfxq7B0NBduYKO2vTKbZv6A7G6V2_fRRYXMRn4utUyvq8qTXw86YHDfPKNaZ1GoK9IvkoZsciedbXntu7Xk11aBNrPpcUi2DMFvWPsJ1Ch6Sw0LVl-FOb1Co0ft-HLHz8/s1600/IMG_3337+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvcM3M24b2OPfxq7B0NBduYKO2vTKbZv6A7G6V2_fRRYXMRn4utUyvq8qTXw86YHDfPKNaZ1GoK9IvkoZsciedbXntu7Xk11aBNrPpcUi2DMFvWPsJ1Ch6Sw0LVl-FOb1Co0ft-HLHz8/s640/IMG_3337+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichen covered boulders ejected from an exploding geyser</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFNZM991iRA9cRMgB3_WdAhNfew8fH4soGk7uv84J7G3ijr8nDqjqp5p7VjOTvX-MB3VMbJB5PAAe5qjtIJLDzcKSFpFdhTNVrvNNvIdhfMSqOiN-UBgAfBnZd0SmU-KcdKiJnseQteM/s1600/IMG_3344+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFNZM991iRA9cRMgB3_WdAhNfew8fH4soGk7uv84J7G3ijr8nDqjqp5p7VjOTvX-MB3VMbJB5PAAe5qjtIJLDzcKSFpFdhTNVrvNNvIdhfMSqOiN-UBgAfBnZd0SmU-KcdKiJnseQteM/s640/IMG_3344+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilypad Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCyTinhULB-hKX6gqIwNPrZV9sCYiP_NEnbwdUn9kzgYY8Ki5kQ6ndedE-ZEZa2bG7upi85ZY2bP7FimEKGW2NoOaOKcjIaaFiy2sTklxNI3VRkj89HVU_BRqPMHejz-ULZcr83BCJCI/s1600/IMG_3349+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCyTinhULB-hKX6gqIwNPrZV9sCYiP_NEnbwdUn9kzgYY8Ki5kQ6ndedE-ZEZa2bG7upi85ZY2bP7FimEKGW2NoOaOKcjIaaFiy2sTklxNI3VRkj89HVU_BRqPMHejz-ULZcr83BCJCI/s640/IMG_3349+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating bridge over the marsh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7j4Pg82PI8DID2Xy5J7T_TMc8vkPFosKYMXlW1gZyuGpTwjPe7ENEh-Qk9PdZVvKq-pdlPgzZxjGP0QXw9pXAl3VPlCLxvEleyhhSJwd1kwT4fY0I7PZrWYyhPEIb9FBVWHKf2QPB7Q/s1600/IMG_3357+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7j4Pg82PI8DID2Xy5J7T_TMc8vkPFosKYMXlW1gZyuGpTwjPe7ENEh-Qk9PdZVvKq-pdlPgzZxjGP0QXw9pXAl3VPlCLxvEleyhhSJwd1kwT4fY0I7PZrWYyhPEIb9FBVWHKf2QPB7Q/s640/IMG_3357+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys in front of a rock</td></tr>
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After Lilypad Lake, the trail wound through the forest for a quarter mile or so and suddenly burst out onto the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Up until this moment, I had kind of considered the hike to be a bit of a letdown. The scenery was pretty, but not outstanding. Chimene and I both commented that we were glad we chose to hike the direction we went instead of going in reverse because it would have been anticlimactic otherwise.<br />
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The view of the canyon was breathtaking and astonishing. Words and pictures don't do it justice, they just whet the appetite for future travels to the canyon. From the rim to the bottom of the canyon is about 1000 feet. The Yellowstone River is a mighty stream that has carved this canyon and continues to carve it. The rocks on the walls of the canyon are colorful but the predominant color is yellow, which is where the park got it's name. There is a high sulphur content in the rock because of all the thermal activity and vulcanism of the region. All along the canyon walls were remnants of harder rock eroded into spires and minarets.<br />
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We followed the trail along the canyon rim and emerged at Artist Point for a wonderful view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. That is the iconic view of the falls and one of the signature images of Yellowstone National Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW5LqTEbn7wRfYvOfltpog1DdlUe8bdGy3t3d0BcpOCf-fd-IwCJQooo63WsDziM_6uinxNrx9M2-isGdKB3w5ojxfnpf2nlQa7ppY6hXPwFnR4S8Ih8Jt5yv76dn8PQiDZDqrqZhJ5k/s1600/IMG_3360+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW5LqTEbn7wRfYvOfltpog1DdlUe8bdGy3t3d0BcpOCf-fd-IwCJQooo63WsDziM_6uinxNrx9M2-isGdKB3w5ojxfnpf2nlQa7ppY6hXPwFnR4S8Ih8Jt5yv76dn8PQiDZDqrqZhJ5k/s640/IMG_3360+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Yellowstone River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHDBdVDk-MWbW06VUIr705KkRazBi9P_8woQHyzDF9aTMSwShtOPrGE2pc3-luFoBP2wCWHIz6jn8NzSYtqyen1o1_wLtfuYDuKpX57uhNZ7iFKsyglHbM4L54xNp23fnfhQ_yViPYm0/s1600/IMG_3364+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHDBdVDk-MWbW06VUIr705KkRazBi9P_8woQHyzDF9aTMSwShtOPrGE2pc3-luFoBP2wCWHIz6jn8NzSYtqyen1o1_wLtfuYDuKpX57uhNZ7iFKsyglHbM4L54xNp23fnfhQ_yViPYm0/s640/IMG_3364+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowstone River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRthMQw3fgqDIayaypM_V7Rg9xIAKYm0o7MVvC_RiyYdpTkN0Wzc9DRwdW7POSE1sweHxWkAx9tdcXBtJqUmNfGx-FCiZNq3Z8MwR5z9TU_J3yFYLOWrT0FINUyEX_6L2W0eGYOuQhwk/s1600/IMG_3376+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRthMQw3fgqDIayaypM_V7Rg9xIAKYm0o7MVvC_RiyYdpTkN0Wzc9DRwdW7POSE1sweHxWkAx9tdcXBtJqUmNfGx-FCiZNq3Z8MwR5z9TU_J3yFYLOWrT0FINUyEX_6L2W0eGYOuQhwk/s640/IMG_3376+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the park got it's name</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vNX8T-gPNVYzDAexOkTltx3xZXX9gUlb1Bx84EY0RYeyXJgKqXS44MzMzgEvPIfdO6hxkjqZQVIS3Fihliq8nOv2eDwTgWJY-lOUFEqAwmH4lhpvWpZ0sgVfuuNgOaAyHaWSm_kIsa8/s1600/IMG_3388+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vNX8T-gPNVYzDAexOkTltx3xZXX9gUlb1Bx84EY0RYeyXJgKqXS44MzMzgEvPIfdO6hxkjqZQVIS3Fihliq8nOv2eDwTgWJY-lOUFEqAwmH4lhpvWpZ0sgVfuuNgOaAyHaWSm_kIsa8/s640/IMG_3388+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colorful canvas of rock</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrTaJYERIGRo9HbyomEjR4YEDk_GwGqZTV2Z2N6CC0pPNYxnGCViAmmd8bBD-FG4OARnSFaQXPdpNlclVr_giiuqVJ2dsC3fG5xUrL7cGlTp-dwzT4oUTmEG48mYiKgWHvD8LKI7HamQ/s1600/IMG_3405+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrTaJYERIGRo9HbyomEjR4YEDk_GwGqZTV2Z2N6CC0pPNYxnGCViAmmd8bBD-FG4OARnSFaQXPdpNlclVr_giiuqVJ2dsC3fG5xUrL7cGlTp-dwzT4oUTmEG48mYiKgWHvD8LKI7HamQ/s640/IMG_3405+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky outcroppings all along the canyon wall</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB-EJuKwDiEciv_FFQ-ba0gDSWiQAzE4Qutbkvksg7R7go3hQc4DvuzF3DIfCf0ZvEGB0MZEgpJ32aFlu3LNO6fohKWJyN5vBqomHPASZJT0BhefjB3K1YL-ApOcPe2Yte7uX2C4Gc9g/s1600/IMG_3417+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB-EJuKwDiEciv_FFQ-ba0gDSWiQAzE4Qutbkvksg7R7go3hQc4DvuzF3DIfCf0ZvEGB0MZEgpJ32aFlu3LNO6fohKWJyN5vBqomHPASZJT0BhefjB3K1YL-ApOcPe2Yte7uX2C4Gc9g/s640/IMG_3417+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River from Artist Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JLdZEB0y_Zx94ia8xmD64s1fD9iPZZdn8cwFvPNPeYNOH8-ggEoL3qaiwQ3H1Vt36-Hrm0Rl6Ci4i5atb57dm7mJMQRbld9hSc9joDOHVJHIYFgey06N9JKnH5FyyGd-f3TmfocG6gg/s1600/IMG_3431+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JLdZEB0y_Zx94ia8xmD64s1fD9iPZZdn8cwFvPNPeYNOH8-ggEoL3qaiwQ3H1Vt36-Hrm0Rl6Ci4i5atb57dm7mJMQRbld9hSc9joDOHVJHIYFgey06N9JKnH5FyyGd-f3TmfocG6gg/s640/IMG_3431+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A random tourist snapped this for us</td></tr>
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After we had enjoyed the view from Artist Point, we made our way along the south rim toward the Wapiti Picnic Area. The trail passed by the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River as well. The scenery was spectacular all along the trail. The beginning of the trail was okay, and I'm glad we took it but once we arrived at the canyon it was fantastic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhoSVtredoBbWIKEQT65YVIlwg3Eq-a0F68Vs8DI013ebEYYMkP4J4nuAxzvZpYgFV3c5rBHBw9sWLn4Os5DzmIgvITPfkPI7IUbbA0jCV-ZrXbc2q2Iy3m74aftjG_2XQGY9ErTqUL0/s1600/IMG_3453+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhoSVtredoBbWIKEQT65YVIlwg3Eq-a0F68Vs8DI013ebEYYMkP4J4nuAxzvZpYgFV3c5rBHBw9sWLn4Os5DzmIgvITPfkPI7IUbbA0jCV-ZrXbc2q2Iy3m74aftjG_2XQGY9ErTqUL0/s640/IMG_3453+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhcrliVHVnHQJhheMkn43raiE_bTregqyO1CffMmhFC3AQrZkuKqVrnyLOk8jUwZ9bbUkde60dreC9JgaODa-hwsEJueU52GDjfr_UsunQxX-mNa1cNTymU3yYYgYEYyV-f2-AWB3lD4/s1600/IMG_3467+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhcrliVHVnHQJhheMkn43raiE_bTregqyO1CffMmhFC3AQrZkuKqVrnyLOk8jUwZ9bbUkde60dreC9JgaODa-hwsEJueU52GDjfr_UsunQxX-mNa1cNTymU3yYYgYEYyV-f2-AWB3lD4/s640/IMG_3467+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lush undergrowth along the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAA5TzZnxl1YGVov9wb5gwSBsiq1J4vGlmyGdsWCcyoPRACAtBySR5Cj614jTwmXUA5wHxItB2eQQMkm3CkBu3leckn4qtKfhTnXj0safTnfm9RnYMlONGSlIVOFuBTqMEZ2OWV7-Cic/s1600/IMG_3484+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAA5TzZnxl1YGVov9wb5gwSBsiq1J4vGlmyGdsWCcyoPRACAtBySR5Cj614jTwmXUA5wHxItB2eQQMkm3CkBu3leckn4qtKfhTnXj0safTnfm9RnYMlONGSlIVOFuBTqMEZ2OWV7-Cic/s640/IMG_3484+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss on the rocks near the brink of the upper falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Ph4qnAoGiogEx7a6x_x12aip-xeU-7S_30OZD4OHhEdBVbOj0dQ20ar9L1NJ3paVJQvJ7cCROokUoFIXwJWaQNvJhyphenhyphenllwNRxZ9Yyd-mgg6HQBOU49kV-BQuCheIiaA0N1cP2pW0MpI/s1600/IMG_3486+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Ph4qnAoGiogEx7a6x_x12aip-xeU-7S_30OZD4OHhEdBVbOj0dQ20ar9L1NJ3paVJQvJ7cCROokUoFIXwJWaQNvJhyphenhyphenllwNRxZ9Yyd-mgg6HQBOU49kV-BQuCheIiaA0N1cP2pW0MpI/s640/IMG_3486+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old road, now a walking path</td></tr>
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When we arrived back at the car, Chimene said she wanted to go to Inspiration Point on the North Rim. I mentioned that it would be sad to come all this way and not see Crystal Falls which was at the Brink of the Upper Falls pullout just across the river from where we were. We walked down to the brink of the Upper Falls, then did a short hike to Crystal Falls, then we drove to Inspiration Point. On the way we spotted a large bull elk in a meadow along side the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdCiaPyzvSlw8D_Cq7bo5pz8OUUnhSJYavNwU79SuYlpIGQCFU2SmTU5gw0wk_hHopGJvU9dtN72MJc4k89R8egZjMQ_YaKsFiup_RKsEp9P_Oe3Xo5B6glkmbzyWWkkmQwLDIWqyi5I/s1600/IMG_3508+(1024x672).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdCiaPyzvSlw8D_Cq7bo5pz8OUUnhSJYavNwU79SuYlpIGQCFU2SmTU5gw0wk_hHopGJvU9dtN72MJc4k89R8egZjMQ_YaKsFiup_RKsEp9P_Oe3Xo5B6glkmbzyWWkkmQwLDIWqyi5I/s640/IMG_3508+(1024x672).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Elk</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K0x0TpbueNMj1Vb0L_xUk8Olewh1TNo6Q985HnO03pAryxNArIZ23v7V-tyn6dZgCULxteVjV4_r3hR6upPIguKYMX6nFp6U1iFXWtudXp1peiUnG7bE959Uelzzytz910PZOK-evQk/s1600/IMG_3513+(1024x648).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K0x0TpbueNMj1Vb0L_xUk8Olewh1TNo6Q985HnO03pAryxNArIZ23v7V-tyn6dZgCULxteVjV4_r3hR6upPIguKYMX6nFp6U1iFXWtudXp1peiUnG7bE959Uelzzytz910PZOK-evQk/s640/IMG_3513+(1024x648).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers that found purchase in the rocks at the brink of Upper Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffLG7C6McnBs-mIrqJKECg_vzEUd-rHEv8bSvnqoI_z43iANgTiKDlx4puoxIRyWHrP-sEmPPgGfSJGZjY-26vF68mXkuKl-dHDmj3OEsZMtvOy0kUWcxORnZeZvwBBHH_iqv_Kr7xAQ/s1600/IMG_3520+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffLG7C6McnBs-mIrqJKECg_vzEUd-rHEv8bSvnqoI_z43iANgTiKDlx4puoxIRyWHrP-sEmPPgGfSJGZjY-26vF68mXkuKl-dHDmj3OEsZMtvOy0kUWcxORnZeZvwBBHH_iqv_Kr7xAQ/s640/IMG_3520+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARnxtLTppG1a1zIUkBT_-liC92tf7BVZHopWQHzuRRDvffWi2IqfSmPw-qCtpaYApN9aDxUvH8F7cU-2jaidQVkxbaCnk6s4igNh0wSFjZPHmtBrgaDaF-pnhC_-vuPzgpxO-XlhGUHg/s1600/IMG_3528+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARnxtLTppG1a1zIUkBT_-liC92tf7BVZHopWQHzuRRDvffWi2IqfSmPw-qCtpaYApN9aDxUvH8F7cU-2jaidQVkxbaCnk6s4igNh0wSFjZPHmtBrgaDaF-pnhC_-vuPzgpxO-XlhGUHg/s640/IMG_3528+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The south rim from Inspiration Point. We hiked all along that, right on the edge</td></tr>
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On the way home, we decided to take a scenic drive along the Virginia Cascades Loop Road. It had been years since we had seen the Virginia Cascades and we wanted to photograph them. It's a two or three mile one way road past the cascades and opens up in a beautiful meadow where moose ought to roam. We didn't see any of them this trip, but I'm still holding out hope that we will this summer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaVD1se_BmFb6GXLWhqqD7y9pjorw3sbeVoPnHE4sWRkjxfKOllVqz3xftWcdoX9lffjiAX8gnQbc3xYL9JvJSGLBXWi7f267bWRneQjZRUJVJmbH8aAq4DN-eO4I_OY-WiSp1fNCcG8/s1600/IMG_3534+(759x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaVD1se_BmFb6GXLWhqqD7y9pjorw3sbeVoPnHE4sWRkjxfKOllVqz3xftWcdoX9lffjiAX8gnQbc3xYL9JvJSGLBXWi7f267bWRneQjZRUJVJmbH8aAq4DN-eO4I_OY-WiSp1fNCcG8/s640/IMG_3534+(759x1024).jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Virginia Cascades</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig02DjGS2I5b6H81B0FSx0uyp354JBQvs4p_AktGFSlmmksmyPE3Hg28F2BAz04ZrMqr2-fSz3E6omNeQOfjXJTAhiQoadHOXv8nlGAu7orJcbxLdfgJ5f3j3xIVJzDPITRWaTZaZDmK4/s1600/IMG_3558+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig02DjGS2I5b6H81B0FSx0uyp354JBQvs4p_AktGFSlmmksmyPE3Hg28F2BAz04ZrMqr2-fSz3E6omNeQOfjXJTAhiQoadHOXv8nlGAu7orJcbxLdfgJ5f3j3xIVJzDPITRWaTZaZDmK4/s640/IMG_3558+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meadow</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMruC6lwzQE5Se3EU1SY0aQmBIDXzl2tc1q2unCTLhGDSrXnGaomDae-aF5xJ0gVQU4xWiBhcbFZMa9iZsPaHKVe_h51SRkhwB8KF45Xytj5NhPq-9sgXu1gu41Fqm_fVoC6R4zuhmbA/s1600/IMG_3588+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMruC6lwzQE5Se3EU1SY0aQmBIDXzl2tc1q2unCTLhGDSrXnGaomDae-aF5xJ0gVQU4xWiBhcbFZMa9iZsPaHKVe_h51SRkhwB8KF45Xytj5NhPq-9sgXu1gu41Fqm_fVoC6R4zuhmbA/s640/IMG_3588+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting over the Madison Plateau</td></tr>
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<br />
In total, we hiked around 7 miles in the canyon area. It was a pleasant hike that I would not be opposed to doing again. We had a wonderful time with our family. It was a good day.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-40259061639930018762012-07-30T01:37:00.000-06:002012-07-30T01:38:06.245-06:00How I Spent My Summer, 2012 Part III--Travelogue: Lower Mesa Falls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hUIgviA8vfDnLAOS85Zjnfpucoe15FPgw3cB0isN518p39-fvylVZTdsaQM5LzqyZNp2Wr1e9EkutS0d4fmWvyFeXwNJtCh3k79wb6hyphenhyphenYfvgUii_2srro-22azUvaHNv2rlHzsdYHJc/s1600/IMG_3255+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hUIgviA8vfDnLAOS85Zjnfpucoe15FPgw3cB0isN518p39-fvylVZTdsaQM5LzqyZNp2Wr1e9EkutS0d4fmWvyFeXwNJtCh3k79wb6hyphenhyphenYfvgUii_2srro-22azUvaHNv2rlHzsdYHJc/s640/IMG_3255+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brink of the falls, Lower Mesa Falls</td></tr>
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On June 16th, 2012, Chimene and I went to a retirement party for one of my colleagues up in West Yellowstone, Montana. We decided to leave early and take the <strong><a href="http://bascombemania.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-i-spent-my-spring-travelogue-part-v.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mesa Falls Scenic Byway</span></a></strong>. We had been to Mesa Falls many times, but this time we noticed a trail to the brink of Lower Mesa Falls. In some of the travel literature we have, I saw a close up picture of the Lower Falls and we decided we had to hike it. I couldn't find much literature on hiking trails in the area, but I did find a link that talked about scrambling down the <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scree" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">talus slope</span></a></strong> to the river and a great view of the falls. That's the route I decided to take.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyafLhRidnvLDxcnuzt0Sz8-Uqqu-Ub2N8ovY0w8Mc2xdL5DCObkm63kctxL_ERKgRLAZbrEipG0HvrLyKCiGXg5FxyunJehhbZKaMisHXgWARQBHvcb9cf6JbrY1fRH4K-TqNT0HT5w/s1600/IMG_3212+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyafLhRidnvLDxcnuzt0Sz8-Uqqu-Ub2N8ovY0w8Mc2xdL5DCObkm63kctxL_ERKgRLAZbrEipG0HvrLyKCiGXg5FxyunJehhbZKaMisHXgWARQBHvcb9cf6JbrY1fRH4K-TqNT0HT5w/s640/IMG_3212+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talus Slope at Lower Mesa Falls</td></tr>
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Our party included Chimene (my wife), my sons Haydn and Garrett and me. On the way, we stopped at one of the scenic overlooks to view the Teton range. At many places in the snake river plain the Teton mountains are visible. This is a beautiful spot to see them from. While we were there, we came across several different species of wildflowers, some of which we had never seen before.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgRHh5UVE4LE4WaIoq_P2mP9u6qQk_eCM2KlEFNHi_4a59UbFo521WfVabG27e1TzWeYl9s1igcohasTGP41acbfx1jvtdH_qr1cntXcsDUKplVSls90KZswfAg-fXscA18EJPsLBrBk/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgRHh5UVE4LE4WaIoq_P2mP9u6qQk_eCM2KlEFNHi_4a59UbFo521WfVabG27e1TzWeYl9s1igcohasTGP41acbfx1jvtdH_qr1cntXcsDUKplVSls90KZswfAg-fXscA18EJPsLBrBk/s640/IMG_3186.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teton Range from the scenic overlook</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjUz-sqSBiFjCIVFm1ECNj7uvuzPh9yJfEUE3CTZPaMDMkTZpcNW6BzsEPkgPg2FmW1mHitkzBG6nrrdHhB7SRyJuuoMVy7h7jQpAkQIIMGTEi9SLzt4_ce-vlI9KwnIe7-2CqnwMEYQ/s1600/IMG_3188+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjUz-sqSBiFjCIVFm1ECNj7uvuzPh9yJfEUE3CTZPaMDMkTZpcNW6BzsEPkgPg2FmW1mHitkzBG6nrrdHhB7SRyJuuoMVy7h7jQpAkQIIMGTEi9SLzt4_ce-vlI9KwnIe7-2CqnwMEYQ/s640/IMG_3188+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Sweet Pea</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPZE81LXIXKgMYvpDjup29ALXY90UOzInzpuv9utLFgPNyQXKTnHbIQ93tTS9OX22NudWpTVXyXkRzdc2x29ripJYnmK-u-a-eQM1XK-f9ytDj8Bj2xymxLmkkcs1oL2UWR6yM2DBhE0/s1600/IMG_3199+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPZE81LXIXKgMYvpDjup29ALXY90UOzInzpuv9utLFgPNyQXKTnHbIQ93tTS9OX22NudWpTVXyXkRzdc2x29ripJYnmK-u-a-eQM1XK-f9ytDj8Bj2xymxLmkkcs1oL2UWR6yM2DBhE0/s640/IMG_3199+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireweed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGerHkUd1DWsF2Gev-nFE6IZdixV0Gu-33rxlriLhMDJH21maUye_rBc07DYNQRISrp3_QnltRejWvBjGTi2gZz6fBmB8AeNBX3zg2NzzTtJQO9PTcpTHMit5kQbwo75rT9MMMILanM-g/s1600/IMG_3205+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGerHkUd1DWsF2Gev-nFE6IZdixV0Gu-33rxlriLhMDJH21maUye_rBc07DYNQRISrp3_QnltRejWvBjGTi2gZz6fBmB8AeNBX3zg2NzzTtJQO9PTcpTHMit5kQbwo75rT9MMMILanM-g/s640/IMG_3205+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly Payette Beardtongue</td></tr>
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When we got to the Lower Falls, Chimene discovered that she had not brought along her hiking shoes and only had sandals. So the overlook for Lower Mesa Falls was as far as she went. The rest of the time she spent reading in the car while Haydn, Garrett and I scrambled down the scree slope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG-mKI9p2VLUZGodgwCqthluEdwODN1-GYDsSX7UYDzoTd7Mo70Qy7zQmvtSbqBJCt53sJKZFnueAQpx1VGW8YKcebDGh0ea4DadIkHeVRsuJP1fKw6PiMyXUD2q7A5mvBX9lF5CEkv0/s1600/IMG_3210+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgG-mKI9p2VLUZGodgwCqthluEdwODN1-GYDsSX7UYDzoTd7Mo70Qy7zQmvtSbqBJCt53sJKZFnueAQpx1VGW8YKcebDGh0ea4DadIkHeVRsuJP1fKw6PiMyXUD2q7A5mvBX9lF5CEkv0/s640/IMG_3210+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimene's only pic of the day</td></tr>
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The hike consisted of a scramble down about 500 feet of boulders with a few stands of trees in the middle. It was tough going. Some of the boulders weighed in excess of a ton. The pitch was up to 60 degrees in some places but settled to around 45 degrees in others. By the time we got to the bottom, I decided I was going to find a different way up. All the way down and back up, Garrett and I feasted upon wild raspberries that we found in the canyon. They tasted like raspberries, but were slightly more tart than the domesticated ones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGSC3a1TfxCyz7o2RBmiu4GWT1gROvUBeGipR2zsBK2PEX372h4aX6bHgwrFaZ8l1Dx7wi00eRTKO1CYoD5YWweJi3KSsdCKJOG0zYvhkP-1-3APBl16GgqYFGyCyAj7D7TRQNgzeKoM/s1600/IMG_3213+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGSC3a1TfxCyz7o2RBmiu4GWT1gROvUBeGipR2zsBK2PEX372h4aX6bHgwrFaZ8l1Dx7wi00eRTKO1CYoD5YWweJi3KSsdCKJOG0zYvhkP-1-3APBl16GgqYFGyCyAj7D7TRQNgzeKoM/s640/IMG_3213+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haydn and Garrett on the scree to show scale. Note the pitch at around 40 degrees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI_Ft8r9jbWAGwIK-jZdIGcLFwoZF3SLi3Q5OD5sr7P8XtG-pZ78tv_CA5kqtvyHCqoNYsrP0cWtHkz0ZN7MzWot7Tm51kRkcAQqghrppm6j-sZ8VTxGr4Es26ZsbTPtmBmnqBlsiulQ/s1600/IMG_3217+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI_Ft8r9jbWAGwIK-jZdIGcLFwoZF3SLi3Q5OD5sr7P8XtG-pZ78tv_CA5kqtvyHCqoNYsrP0cWtHkz0ZN7MzWot7Tm51kRkcAQqghrppm6j-sZ8VTxGr4Es26ZsbTPtmBmnqBlsiulQ/s640/IMG_3217+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up the scree pile. Daunting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6T1zNpUBUnSCbJ0DRbYbPj0t7wvgOOPPJUsgWdhFubV5iBhceki1bReWTTFx3ZV-MJT5ii42rnHJWDUi_99GYELSS17pb2-WLwURHiKGJ6M7az6tL-Aa5ZaQhGp4fiypVJvUfBeOOKQ/s1600/IMG_3219+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6T1zNpUBUnSCbJ0DRbYbPj0t7wvgOOPPJUsgWdhFubV5iBhceki1bReWTTFx3ZV-MJT5ii42rnHJWDUi_99GYELSS17pb2-WLwURHiKGJ6M7az6tL-Aa5ZaQhGp4fiypVJvUfBeOOKQ/s640/IMG_3219+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life will always find a way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnggtKOK4M4bvTW56IPt2HThdnWTJYEFodA9WSq8gIMgaZKlRBroQX7-9Jnbz3uJB8YSgUyH9mA1LVGc32J8pv12DQJyJx-grQloQvMk1XUV4CWUupLoxCITKvwD_Mas-UsHYCDCpPus/s1600/IMG_3223+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnggtKOK4M4bvTW56IPt2HThdnWTJYEFodA9WSq8gIMgaZKlRBroQX7-9Jnbz3uJB8YSgUyH9mA1LVGc32J8pv12DQJyJx-grQloQvMk1XUV4CWUupLoxCITKvwD_Mas-UsHYCDCpPus/s640/IMG_3223+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grove of trees in the middle of the scree pile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngbdWAK8vvDyrjgKbKgnbRmlN0a2-cC3AFcIpAZWLtfhh9UC3wHt5VNi0ywGeLP8uaXDq1XTX2NpuIM78w9X-KbH-lof7LAjQE5oSEzTwF1GtEwjsviVEBLS2aDHrH00Yo3RxyB-PjlU/s1600/IMG_3216+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngbdWAK8vvDyrjgKbKgnbRmlN0a2-cC3AFcIpAZWLtfhh9UC3wHt5VNi0ywGeLP8uaXDq1XTX2NpuIM78w9X-KbH-lof7LAjQE5oSEzTwF1GtEwjsviVEBLS2aDHrH00Yo3RxyB-PjlU/s640/IMG_3216+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild raspberries</td></tr>
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After we exited from the small grove, we came upon our first view of the Lower Mesa Falls. It was magnificent. There is a basalt tower that is a remnant of an earlier falls at the location. The falls are steadily moving upstream. We saw evidence of at least two other falls systems while we were on the trail. <br />
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Haydn and Garrett wanted to go all the way to the river's edge and I felt it would be more practical to skirt alongside the talus at the level of the falls until we got to the brink. They visited the river and I cut a trail to the falls through the boulders. We met up about a hundred yards from the falls where we picked up a real trail. When we got to the falls, they did not disappoint. The Upper Falls is wide and a single sheer drop and is impressive in it's own way. The lower falls, however is a tiered waterfall that shoots through a narrow canyon over three distinct levels. The Lower Falls drops about 65 feet in total. The trail went right to the brink of the falls. It was magnificent and the sheer power of it was incredible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjsGYr9V_ENwagG1Jy5qslnqwtv41nyjJHqM2w03zDKgOa5HND7sLzfPBU1uxhhgqh1z83ZKauPfISXVHsHV0GVf_cfvTeaznGHRjVhilUNxajWLQPSMbXs1M6h02PIdqFpe3iVwmw8c/s1600/IMG_3228+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjsGYr9V_ENwagG1Jy5qslnqwtv41nyjJHqM2w03zDKgOa5HND7sLzfPBU1uxhhgqh1z83ZKauPfISXVHsHV0GVf_cfvTeaznGHRjVhilUNxajWLQPSMbXs1M6h02PIdqFpe3iVwmw8c/s640/IMG_3228+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first view of the falls after exiting the grove. Note the sun shining through the mist from the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp5Z9rAj64JffxyAKTL0uKLl3g_r-3EKKq6am-mvEZ1x32zSbr3PvJzoUZgTlU2dHM88XDgJ6HQ3sHxHK2S0moNPbIS0Ak9prZwnbyqZ-wojqJHcc5_fmKc8tBL9efohnsDSo0ipQTAI/s1600/IMG_3241+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp5Z9rAj64JffxyAKTL0uKLl3g_r-3EKKq6am-mvEZ1x32zSbr3PvJzoUZgTlU2dHM88XDgJ6HQ3sHxHK2S0moNPbIS0Ak9prZwnbyqZ-wojqJHcc5_fmKc8tBL9efohnsDSo0ipQTAI/s640/IMG_3241+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haydn and Garrett at the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyoiHnJQBKCuidx-GA6LXnIpt4X7t2JlnzsUxoHG1CKSauEWZcCaE8umn_4lBei1iU5mStBz6H9taQxMwU-fMdFO5_EYZ6zwfdYyeKNRxlTr0O_pEpI4IPi23BmuF2HOhoQLKGEF0Q1I/s1600/IMG_3238+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyoiHnJQBKCuidx-GA6LXnIpt4X7t2JlnzsUxoHG1CKSauEWZcCaE8umn_4lBei1iU5mStBz6H9taQxMwU-fMdFO5_EYZ6zwfdYyeKNRxlTr0O_pEpI4IPi23BmuF2HOhoQLKGEF0Q1I/s640/IMG_3238+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the falls with the basalt tower visible</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFIopsZk-bks39mwqOKt9Yo0g3ta5fSD4yXX89UiSegSeoIyVTM3CKQ0laXxlnd1rf5jqv8KeduMegTxPUGJxvZWAEKzZ_WmskASEnfF5Qf1YQ1QO11mToQrKM3CxfiGhoFF83uyFqbA/s1600/IMG_3245+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFIopsZk-bks39mwqOKt9Yo0g3ta5fSD4yXX89UiSegSeoIyVTM3CKQ0laXxlnd1rf5jqv8KeduMegTxPUGJxvZWAEKzZ_WmskASEnfF5Qf1YQ1QO11mToQrKM3CxfiGhoFF83uyFqbA/s640/IMG_3245+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basalt tower from the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkvzYKWweyRSQk_PtLjWfqQZqJKOgsfA8WbZTQdeBqDJT0q8OUWP2Cc2taItAnRBA2gJDpZqKl5zRM6TcQaEksRI4_PEnFDR4wiEQXFsnf4_6ax6s7CRfAOCuEosBDdTfwcag045wOmc/s1600/IMG_3247+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkvzYKWweyRSQk_PtLjWfqQZqJKOgsfA8WbZTQdeBqDJT0q8OUWP2Cc2taItAnRBA2gJDpZqKl5zRM6TcQaEksRI4_PEnFDR4wiEQXFsnf4_6ax6s7CRfAOCuEosBDdTfwcag045wOmc/s640/IMG_3247+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The falls from the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdY5wrRDtH6tNAn775s9CAKZc_d8e8PH8oboAq144x-h73uqdumZP1yUUqbAVCRDypGyPKdHHft_y8_IzhVZWuvEP6CyGcPUxN41W2rXIGRAh-BesakNTFhrqG60XmOkKgF6VBuYeSco/s1600/IMG_3253+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdY5wrRDtH6tNAn775s9CAKZc_d8e8PH8oboAq144x-h73uqdumZP1yUUqbAVCRDypGyPKdHHft_y8_IzhVZWuvEP6CyGcPUxN41W2rXIGRAh-BesakNTFhrqG60XmOkKgF6VBuYeSco/s640/IMG_3253+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first tier of the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MlZgfc_TRN8eoDr-7m_OWufStd7WvSyrG6gZ7xkh6NxLFzg2pbZOKbi8J1f75fBqiHRyEgSriabejFVS8ACa0FZR-fhy-Vx4hfzBxaNygA3oIGoCGhoxQahCp0hiKcgaDlrOiVleJiQ/s1600/IMG_3254+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MlZgfc_TRN8eoDr-7m_OWufStd7WvSyrG6gZ7xkh6NxLFzg2pbZOKbi8J1f75fBqiHRyEgSriabejFVS8ACa0FZR-fhy-Vx4hfzBxaNygA3oIGoCGhoxQahCp0hiKcgaDlrOiVleJiQ/s640/IMG_3254+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A deep hole I would not want to kayak through</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xmqE6bFj7Z6p4ERBGTSuvPYYiQV2KVX9Sv_Fjf1fmPeiYnCPKvka6KmLOkwQ-yEFmKzLzOiBQsFDTw9tgHCkPwQHDY89hHp6nOtdxmN54HlMj4IuS67PDdhy-27ybatBUIMxunoamus/s1600/IMG_3257+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xmqE6bFj7Z6p4ERBGTSuvPYYiQV2KVX9Sv_Fjf1fmPeiYnCPKvka6KmLOkwQ-yEFmKzLzOiBQsFDTw9tgHCkPwQHDY89hHp6nOtdxmN54HlMj4IuS67PDdhy-27ybatBUIMxunoamus/s640/IMG_3257+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty little grotto on the side of the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI7O0XKp_p5Wkjmp5L4cRFuBZp5Q2RMEAdoMeq-ZzfEJDIz7OZEYOAO0m_vq3V5Sl1uSMr3DICD6dre5JiC2_c1Tu4_MXjuGl0AVjHjeUXP2bEltdFvY9QDSTUlqgQcDOfB5wDlV10Pk/s1600/IMG_3262+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI7O0XKp_p5Wkjmp5L4cRFuBZp5Q2RMEAdoMeq-ZzfEJDIz7OZEYOAO0m_vq3V5Sl1uSMr3DICD6dre5JiC2_c1Tu4_MXjuGl0AVjHjeUXP2bEltdFvY9QDSTUlqgQcDOfB5wDlV10Pk/s640/IMG_3262+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly my favorite picture of the day. Complimentary colors of yellow and purple with Goldenrod and Fireweed at the edge of the waterfall</td></tr>
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None of us wanted to climb out the way we had come down the canyon so I opted for another trail. We skirted along the columnar jointed basalt until we found a notch we could climb up the cliff. There was a plateau there that gave another view of the falls but more interestingly it showed at least two previos extint channels the falls used to follow. I found a jeep/horse trail that gave access to a few backcountry camping spots and we followed it for awhile. It became clear to me that it exited at the Upper Falls campground which was a mile away from where we wanted to be. What I learned though was it is an easier trail than the one we went down and the one we went up.<br />
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We backtracked and cut across the plateau to a much gentler incline up the scree pile than the one we came down and made our way up to the top. We emerged right in front of our car in the parking area. This was a rigorous hike across the boulder field, and one that I'd like to do again, but when I'm in a little better shape. The boys liked it and we had a fun time together. This was well worth it. I recommend this hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYSiMql1bSVhNsYQx9WRCfhPEIdOQUl__D_ceItbcsKVEgb5idotjDTRkHHa0LPfCmL1m7GcVPayLCGD0Gu6ZZlFmccYzRoWf8cYeP7txG5pB8zO48EGHONB6THK-CejDoMkkj7-WL00/s1600/IMG_3274+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYSiMql1bSVhNsYQx9WRCfhPEIdOQUl__D_ceItbcsKVEgb5idotjDTRkHHa0LPfCmL1m7GcVPayLCGD0Gu6ZZlFmccYzRoWf8cYeP7txG5pB8zO48EGHONB6THK-CejDoMkkj7-WL00/s640/IMG_3274+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys climbing out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvz2e4KRukAS03j63SsMzFYaGBpZ09ttnDY4gSiNEEkV6VGTqlm9DDqMG-yMgJ6DikjWY8Mo8GzxqHukrBg5SoGOIXKU0hBSXBToLRz6KaSXKTWWA-ZBrn0mUu4nHZGzXUkK5z9s6Yik/s1600/IMG_3278+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvz2e4KRukAS03j63SsMzFYaGBpZ09ttnDY4gSiNEEkV6VGTqlm9DDqMG-yMgJ6DikjWY8Mo8GzxqHukrBg5SoGOIXKU0hBSXBToLRz6KaSXKTWWA-ZBrn0mUu4nHZGzXUkK5z9s6Yik/s640/IMG_3278+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The falls from the plateau, also showing the ancient course of the river and waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFNyVvDBmZ5-PWMWog8XPYXVRLdTlLambOIKssfp96pb2OAgg4WGO7e4Vx3LR1s4y5p6QGCNcrWuUUyPu91ExGwSALqvgbdk0ryyUrkXpuVCErox1If5V_20ayw_kM2MCjE9elI_P1eg/s1600/IMG_3283+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFNyVvDBmZ5-PWMWog8XPYXVRLdTlLambOIKssfp96pb2OAgg4WGO7e4Vx3LR1s4y5p6QGCNcrWuUUyPu91ExGwSALqvgbdk0ryyUrkXpuVCErox1If5V_20ayw_kM2MCjE9elI_P1eg/s640/IMG_3283+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river valley from the plateau on the way out of the canyon</td></tr>
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<br />Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-70962837078988415062012-07-15T18:46:00.000-06:002012-07-15T18:46:54.256-06:00How I Spent My Summer, 2012 Part II--Travelogue: Sheep Falls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2fV35_BgRdhzsK9uq7HGfoZ3EplrvdAWX_t1mqQCZvQGTpPxH4Wn4PeJ_EufgX88PzMWRZ1atgf-u9YwUgfl3aCrHv9tdzdJ4S3cCLkWjjZ_Me8CmXvGN1-5N64l8MVuXWjjC-Dgwhc/s1600/IMG_3070+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2fV35_BgRdhzsK9uq7HGfoZ3EplrvdAWX_t1mqQCZvQGTpPxH4Wn4PeJ_EufgX88PzMWRZ1atgf-u9YwUgfl3aCrHv9tdzdJ4S3cCLkWjjZ_Me8CmXvGN1-5N64l8MVuXWjjC-Dgwhc/s640/IMG_3070+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hot Chick and my two youngest sons at the trailhead to Sheep Falls</td></tr>
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On July 7th, we only had a few hours for an excursion so we decided to visit Sheep Falls, Idaho. My youngest son, Garrett was just a baby when we visited here last. This time we brought the camera. The falls aren't very large, more of a cascade really. But the canyon and gorge are impressive. Kayakers can navigate the falls with little problem. I imagine there is a certain degree of difficulty but I wouldn't know about that.<br />
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To get to the falls from Rexburg, head north on Highway 20. Go past Ashton and up the Ashton Hill, which is really just the rim of an ancient <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Park_Caldera" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>caldera</strong></span></a>. Once over the rim of the caldera, watch for milepost 369 as the northbound sign for Sheep Falls is currently missing. After the milepost, take the first right. The road will pass two small roadcuts before the turn. Once on this road, head east for a few miles. I'm sorry that I didn't take better note of the mileage. There are a couple of turnoffs, but don't take them. Only turn north on the road marked "Sheep Falls". The road goes down about a hundred yards to a turnaround where you can park. It's been noted in some literature I read not to take a car down this road, that it's little better than a jeep trail. My Chrysler Town & Country navigated it just fine. When we got to the parking area, one of the first things I saw was a Sego Lily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5dZ_SEc12Ltx6YV_l9ORsdd7PX1UEmJRCpBVl_PGLojtAsOa5P5NMN8oCrbQMYS6auG3qBzmqU0gHdWmj8ypxwQMuQTZ2wUFQoabuI1y34o6dWl6QtV5u618L7WZJGClnCQu0s54-bY/s1600/IMG_3068+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5dZ_SEc12Ltx6YV_l9ORsdd7PX1UEmJRCpBVl_PGLojtAsOa5P5NMN8oCrbQMYS6auG3qBzmqU0gHdWmj8ypxwQMuQTZ2wUFQoabuI1y34o6dWl6QtV5u618L7WZJGClnCQu0s54-bY/s640/IMG_3068+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RZdAFRjG77yVzvOzu91CvmQ9cnmbezUj_LkNE00tXRgxNy55DMv5xFIXalmP0WHv1o3hICAfHvEP2AyA5dnjN7mv0WKTvsAFC80MC8fupbdKsGC6y0LO6QtQcZ8k_edsjXtUKTe-iv8/s1600/IMG_3067+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RZdAFRjG77yVzvOzu91CvmQ9cnmbezUj_LkNE00tXRgxNy55DMv5xFIXalmP0WHv1o3hICAfHvEP2AyA5dnjN7mv0WKTvsAFC80MC8fupbdKsGC6y0LO6QtQcZ8k_edsjXtUKTe-iv8/s640/IMG_3067+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sego Lily</td></tr>
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The trail to the canyon bottom follows a gentle slope with a couple of switchbacks to make it a very easy hike. I think the trail is only .7 miles from the parking area to the brink of the falls. Along the trail we saw several varieties of wildflowers, some of which I can identify, some of which I cannot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNbq86y34uPX7XozMX2R-0bEXBiBHesxRkuskgN1NyyFGTfPFwu2N_AKyULGJbQ83yqZoqpN_tc_KBV-ODiC5HfYkfyPKMZ0935x55NkxK3qEOYsdUqKZsdAsp4JwSmkwIVR_yLKhKUA/s1600/IMG_3073+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNbq86y34uPX7XozMX2R-0bEXBiBHesxRkuskgN1NyyFGTfPFwu2N_AKyULGJbQ83yqZoqpN_tc_KBV-ODiC5HfYkfyPKMZ0935x55NkxK3qEOYsdUqKZsdAsp4JwSmkwIVR_yLKhKUA/s640/IMG_3073+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Rose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLbmFJ0SzEVYe8J2-fyXJjYq9MHSFbk857eR1tOLIORi2hsjvfZU1kaJJMSimQtjRMZGxAmIRgmLDrknoJnytMjramnHRzzwYDdkedDk4fbqkDr3lYuleY_DMz44ROBe2Migir63fpmc/s1600/IMG_3074+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLbmFJ0SzEVYe8J2-fyXJjYq9MHSFbk857eR1tOLIORi2hsjvfZU1kaJJMSimQtjRMZGxAmIRgmLDrknoJnytMjramnHRzzwYDdkedDk4fbqkDr3lYuleY_DMz44ROBe2Migir63fpmc/s640/IMG_3074+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paintbrush, formerly called "Indian Paintbrush"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluRqDC9-WByzIN9-MQnL66IhO0FtPJ0VfshERu3Eg-we1tuu3oNZ1BafKJYyJszGg3PoRlOLKUUumIRRXK6meffj5-3c1neHCPL6dG5nG-M6MaKJ2PNqZbwCCBrwFXcAZt-L3GQaY3nI/s1600/IMG_3079+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluRqDC9-WByzIN9-MQnL66IhO0FtPJ0VfshERu3Eg-we1tuu3oNZ1BafKJYyJszGg3PoRlOLKUUumIRRXK6meffj5-3c1neHCPL6dG5nG-M6MaKJ2PNqZbwCCBrwFXcAZt-L3GQaY3nI/s640/IMG_3079+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown white wildflower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2s9zWusamowzoTOGyPzuO6I6MwzmbbyBQPfoaV9hZQBENZNT9qNQGu_zSGvBXsA42QJlCYLqFMqJK4Yecd4qkzowyQExEzBKjMGFbIKTlMP3R5ba0NhReDhodhUBlyomEX57zzgwenU/s1600/IMG_3081+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2s9zWusamowzoTOGyPzuO6I6MwzmbbyBQPfoaV9hZQBENZNT9qNQGu_zSGvBXsA42QJlCYLqFMqJK4Yecd4qkzowyQExEzBKjMGFbIKTlMP3R5ba0NhReDhodhUBlyomEX57zzgwenU/s640/IMG_3081+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Geranium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As we approached the bottom of the canyon, we began to see evidence of ancient river channels, and in fact most of the trail at the bottom of the canyon wound it's way through and around the ancient stream bed and long dry waterfalls. The lava rock was scoured smooth in these areas and I learned by watching just how the falls had come to be. The lava in this canyon follows a columnar jointing pattern, much like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant%27s_Causeway" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Giant's Causeway</strong></span></a> in Ireland. As the water eroded the softer rhyolite, it coursed over the jointed basalt and peeled off the leading edge of it one stone at a time, one layer at a time. It was very interesting to me, but then again, I'm a geology groupie.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaKJlleZ-VUl3W2-1esCoedxmvqBfPES3bg3VYJvYDXmbPenm0T0qTCsWSp9GoLN7QlT5G8eaXqr928B6aWtNdY5C1TYR71OHplRboFOc7uu7oL571LiJAAWI99UkPjh7npREpJf5KY8/s1600/IMG_3085+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaKJlleZ-VUl3W2-1esCoedxmvqBfPES3bg3VYJvYDXmbPenm0T0qTCsWSp9GoLN7QlT5G8eaXqr928B6aWtNdY5C1TYR71OHplRboFOc7uu7oL571LiJAAWI99UkPjh7npREpJf5KY8/s640/IMG_3085+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First vantage point of the falls from the trail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28gQFmlxtcqz2wS_BCW8xkvdZYkIb10beU6rnzyqxULhZOMwtNIANZ59sbdAYCdoFepo0GyET7B2uA8QhEZvB5oKMc25SrpbTPwZq0GcqZzCD3RH3XDk8-RXhu0rH48LfJrxyYVaKun0/s1600/IMG_3087+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28gQFmlxtcqz2wS_BCW8xkvdZYkIb10beU6rnzyqxULhZOMwtNIANZ59sbdAYCdoFepo0GyET7B2uA8QhEZvB5oKMc25SrpbTPwZq0GcqZzCD3RH3XDk8-RXhu0rH48LfJrxyYVaKun0/s640/IMG_3087+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstream from the same vantage point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHTIrWNPEGPqsBGhHceDkGJrMykap7tPpn35x0LAe_aE1Ae1GsuX86TOmcst17SLs52oCRd7ghww7y1Vok4-0kcG8M9Z3gL-xGzAw9gWAcyEYaMARjtKurLb7d3vlNo2LO8f8VwlO0xU/s1600/IMG_3091+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHTIrWNPEGPqsBGhHceDkGJrMykap7tPpn35x0LAe_aE1Ae1GsuX86TOmcst17SLs52oCRd7ghww7y1Vok4-0kcG8M9Z3gL-xGzAw9gWAcyEYaMARjtKurLb7d3vlNo2LO8f8VwlO0xU/s640/IMG_3091+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall of ancient river channel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49yafjAGGyf-KB6Z-QXYnZHKwoTvjEE9hyphenhyphent6MUdO7OiVUp83R1e6dLAlKh10dtqgSUThbZC2Nr25kJjXAzGel_NMR7l2c0p6w7XP7wBi53TrP7b2yPtkiDZY7-IslZTsfU-Z1ZaTi_ms/s1600/IMG_3096+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49yafjAGGyf-KB6Z-QXYnZHKwoTvjEE9hyphenhyphent6MUdO7OiVUp83R1e6dLAlKh10dtqgSUThbZC2Nr25kJjXAzGel_NMR7l2c0p6w7XP7wBi53TrP7b2yPtkiDZY7-IslZTsfU-Z1ZaTi_ms/s640/IMG_3096+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient river channel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQflEJzJ0XejS6JNW_4Cf8p1Jeebr9epwBVh4BN9sOeEvfM4n9t4ZCCOnR1YqOm62OlwIHBVxKcAwTt4t58ZuUxo8EdVii3b5XovMo0HNpykALD62BWjjHwtpGjSAD40SC7eLGHIzDKJo/s1600/IMG_3099+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQflEJzJ0XejS6JNW_4Cf8p1Jeebr9epwBVh4BN9sOeEvfM4n9t4ZCCOnR1YqOm62OlwIHBVxKcAwTt4t58ZuUxo8EdVii3b5XovMo0HNpykALD62BWjjHwtpGjSAD40SC7eLGHIzDKJo/s640/IMG_3099+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the ancient falls, now at the brink of the current falls. Note the columnar jointing habit of the lava rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro7fDFvUKaeb26OlCqUm0Y1ggtEnsUbGAOMZTk-jWoLtnszbgBkd4vW19ua9gym0QShiwkB8aF5yqUbhWXQCVLPGL-1huQd2tPxSb2PP6kUG9-a__09GC_PD0-HBmagbB7XoHbfkoFkU/s1600/IMG_3102+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro7fDFvUKaeb26OlCqUm0Y1ggtEnsUbGAOMZTk-jWoLtnszbgBkd4vW19ua9gym0QShiwkB8aF5yqUbhWXQCVLPGL-1huQd2tPxSb2PP6kUG9-a__09GC_PD0-HBmagbB7XoHbfkoFkU/s640/IMG_3102+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep Falls on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JNZXpw6T4yKXuet7QXHvAdPAn2wVNc5rfOmKnht-sGPbAwvBreQzTknVOiQNTbcAxtrW5Fx1T_UsMmLfuQ4PN57oMnb2fKf3L67J9jFctoTo9Tir3ndH5bXZEKxlTccrWFiDMpNlssU/s1600/IMG_3105+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JNZXpw6T4yKXuet7QXHvAdPAn2wVNc5rfOmKnht-sGPbAwvBreQzTknVOiQNTbcAxtrW5Fx1T_UsMmLfuQ4PN57oMnb2fKf3L67J9jFctoTo9Tir3ndH5bXZEKxlTccrWFiDMpNlssU/s640/IMG_3105+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View downstream from the same vantage point as the photo above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0zAq_PCsn9VFQwizgumJrzJNNnlvnKRSpJaV1OLIMjY_gSktUxlOffzuKfVQYinvKppLD9MGK_v8Y9-vcnzO9jGSkX1wMqMbof5l2qTMRPPSMlYdjjCGXhyvoiF63PFkP2G4mTNzfXk/s1600/IMG_3110+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0zAq_PCsn9VFQwizgumJrzJNNnlvnKRSpJaV1OLIMjY_gSktUxlOffzuKfVQYinvKppLD9MGK_v8Y9-vcnzO9jGSkX1wMqMbof5l2qTMRPPSMlYdjjCGXhyvoiF63PFkP2G4mTNzfXk/s640/IMG_3110+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water scour over basalt in ancient streambed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We followed the river downstream for another two hundred yards or so to get to the end of the rapids through the gorge. The last time we came down this canyon we only ventured to the falls. This time we went further and were not disappointed. Once again the trail followed the ancient riverbeds through the ancient gorge. We headed back up the trail once we reached the end of the rapids and I found a place where we could rock climb down to the river. The boys were all over that. Chimene complained that I was only taking pictures of things and not people, so I took some pictures of her and the kids. Once I did that, she took the camera away from me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH-SVwSS23hk0V7iUe1W1N4IsOBFMO6QELvyCdRJpdRl7OI0-1d8f5E4_OaBuKez673wS6eY6L60aphJ76qNpRL202Q685HiuGW1Xy73UgZALgvvvf2gB63ThSRIpGy9pEVESIUpDwa4/s1600/IMG_3117+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZH-SVwSS23hk0V7iUe1W1N4IsOBFMO6QELvyCdRJpdRl7OI0-1d8f5E4_OaBuKez673wS6eY6L60aphJ76qNpRL202Q685HiuGW1Xy73UgZALgvvvf2gB63ThSRIpGy9pEVESIUpDwa4/s640/IMG_3117+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient streambed showing columnar jointing habit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O5diV7jerJeM7Ai49GAeiuQUP0FMII_vB1cptYymx-vZ1D3tbR1h-R_g-YDb_5oQlXw2kk4DS90F3JU9OTrxf1gMVYkhCu8LeStnFKF2Bf5hM7FJuin_zmh6ejc3bXUW3LwD8Dl-l0o/s1600/IMG_3124+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O5diV7jerJeM7Ai49GAeiuQUP0FMII_vB1cptYymx-vZ1D3tbR1h-R_g-YDb_5oQlXw2kk4DS90F3JU9OTrxf1gMVYkhCu8LeStnFKF2Bf5hM7FJuin_zmh6ejc3bXUW3LwD8Dl-l0o/s640/IMG_3124+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapids from the trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7i6eNVSaAQY3ywTdArE2TlYqFypRuAjUNsrdFKrcG6CjIhkeMVlpOCHoNFu669bMPUM93aYncA4EDJfvtxE0qvsRtuyqwmcoSjsa9B3piVd0IF_cJnC-FlfNK-npQoCU3BsQOOP7ns8/s1600/IMG_3127+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7i6eNVSaAQY3ywTdArE2TlYqFypRuAjUNsrdFKrcG6CjIhkeMVlpOCHoNFu669bMPUM93aYncA4EDJfvtxE0qvsRtuyqwmcoSjsa9B3piVd0IF_cJnC-FlfNK-npQoCU3BsQOOP7ns8/s640/IMG_3127+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff face of columnar jointed basalt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvHWoD0Z2PWapzb-Gv3Wl2vUrVsXm77L-MFuIDndQ-zgwEYogIQ1EA17C7KYSGmaO-6jpWHFlUp55WX92s8kRi7Q2iZ2vXnkPDlqlMgnOGi_1z7xzBg2Xa80a7P6yU_ntNxPn59gXTvs/s1600/IMG_3131+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvHWoD0Z2PWapzb-Gv3Wl2vUrVsXm77L-MFuIDndQ-zgwEYogIQ1EA17C7KYSGmaO-6jpWHFlUp55WX92s8kRi7Q2iZ2vXnkPDlqlMgnOGi_1z7xzBg2Xa80a7P6yU_ntNxPn59gXTvs/s640/IMG_3131+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hot Chick and the boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F759ej7Z1CuXq06uKQivKsK55zS5pzW-1uD8ntVnU1Nxr-BDQuvhKW1QKn6TRodsaqHtEg3C9Bez_WbMFh7D6BL2SrcAUYwC8iFr4xU8cFIeIBzqjp3CCDnoENLSTNF9Fk4ESoBldV0/s1600/IMG_3144+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F759ej7Z1CuXq06uKQivKsK55zS5pzW-1uD8ntVnU1Nxr-BDQuvhKW1QKn6TRodsaqHtEg3C9Bez_WbMFh7D6BL2SrcAUYwC8iFr4xU8cFIeIBzqjp3CCDnoENLSTNF9Fk4ESoBldV0/s640/IMG_3144+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She took the camera away from me after this shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCu45WMHWJ4qHTzO4xHB4FcvjNJRua9UoDX3YI8Hs8oXu4Y3xOQxZ0fKNPcYk6JLkvqMvookKZJ-raOib_mBUdORAT_wQcAKoMuVSNk3xlYgnIl-_FM0qPeekoHyWahVxpmAKf9wI_-c/s1600/IMG_3149+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCu45WMHWJ4qHTzO4xHB4FcvjNJRua9UoDX3YI8Hs8oXu4Y3xOQxZ0fKNPcYk6JLkvqMvookKZJ-raOib_mBUdORAT_wQcAKoMuVSNk3xlYgnIl-_FM0qPeekoHyWahVxpmAKf9wI_-c/s640/IMG_3149+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys and I walking back through the ancient gorge and riverbed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxT1pLzOgIpZwWOWUJtiQKt-Taz1hFuJpXiLtt5OqozqZTu-Mc-3Siq6fDbjkCnyIiURld8yP8sPGS8xylhVNqVIU2aozEJWQk7llVsEP5RCk__LW8RxR7ceXDGFen3mZM4ybkUEqvrU/s1600/IMG_3160+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxT1pLzOgIpZwWOWUJtiQKt-Taz1hFuJpXiLtt5OqozqZTu-Mc-3Siq6fDbjkCnyIiURld8yP8sPGS8xylhVNqVIU2aozEJWQk7llVsEP5RCk__LW8RxR7ceXDGFen3mZM4ybkUEqvrU/s640/IMG_3160+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys standing at the brink of an ancient, extinct waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAJxVQxNRWTY-2A7NPz1U7o0OyZoLLRoSD7_0FjhD-UGjDLZrZlAj5Afp_IOw68l87tvcJDmPeBGmGu29yHXOUdLA8wozYG06KsTyz6ZMA6U9rsHjkyDOhoXYBSPZ6ybaY8kDX6x-gAs/s1600/IMG_3162+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAJxVQxNRWTY-2A7NPz1U7o0OyZoLLRoSD7_0FjhD-UGjDLZrZlAj5Afp_IOw68l87tvcJDmPeBGmGu29yHXOUdLA8wozYG06KsTyz6ZMA6U9rsHjkyDOhoXYBSPZ6ybaY8kDX6x-gAs/s640/IMG_3162+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimene took this of me at the falls on the way out of the canyon</td></tr>
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This was not a difficult hike, more of a walk really, but the scenery was magnificent. The trail was shaded almost all the way down until we got to the river, then the water insulated against the heat of the day. The geology was very interesting to me and of course we all enjoyed the rock climbing. We were warned of bears, and this is grizzly country, but we didn't see any and we didn't see any bear sign (that's the polite way to say bear poop). We all enjoyed this hike and we will do it again.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-86845167034637628112012-07-13T23:21:00.001-06:002012-07-15T17:21:24.147-06:00How I Spent my Summer, 2012 Part I--Travelogue: July 4th Cave Falls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8I7hyphenhyphenFaVcIinesXP0vs7252DKAokw7kFLY6zTDR9_g_QaqRgyXEfI6o-xypxStT8XbPnsqt3VDk0GHfarpa4vyt_pB3dHv28unMYNUkbF1lfY20uxIuQMKvtEpjsbKfa-weNe4zcfvc/s1600/IMG_2972+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8I7hyphenhyphenFaVcIinesXP0vs7252DKAokw7kFLY6zTDR9_g_QaqRgyXEfI6o-xypxStT8XbPnsqt3VDk0GHfarpa4vyt_pB3dHv28unMYNUkbF1lfY20uxIuQMKvtEpjsbKfa-weNe4zcfvc/s640/IMG_2972+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Falls, Yellowstone National Park</td></tr>
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I have lived more than thirty years of my life near the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, and this year is the first time I have ever visited Cave Falls. Yellowstone is home to many great things, animals, geysers, mountains, lakes, rivers and over 300 waterfalls. For the last several years, we have been on a pilgrimage to see as many of Yellowstone's waterfalls as we can. We only had a few hours on July 4th so we decided to visit Cave Falls. We were not disappointed.<br />
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The southwest corner of Yellowstone is sometimes referred to as "Cascade Corner", because some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park are situated there. This part of the park is visited less than other areas because almost all of it is backcountry and only accessable by hiking. Most of the hikes are long but the trade off is that they are mostly level with little elevation gain. Last summer I hiked with my son Haydn to Union Falls in the southwest corner and blogged about it <a href="http://bascombemania.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-i-spent-my-summer-travelogue-part_29.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>here</strong></span></a>. <br />
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To get to Cave Falls from where we live, we headed north on Highway 20 and turned east on Highway 47 which is now designated as "Mesa Falls, Scenic Byway". Just before the road dips down into the canyon for Warm River, there is a turnoff to Cave Falls to the right. From there it's about 18 miles to the falls. The road to Cave Falls terminates at the falls. We discovered that Cave Falls is really a waterfall flanked by cascades. There is one set of cascades about a hundred yards downstream from Cave Falls and another one about thirty yards upstream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD-_wnUwHPSLlfEPnvDU8oUJeCug3lRlscc19mXCMj-2KTpB8G-XeiBURFlZm6FSDa9_UY6wtArkQD6fftjzchRqZdNczXCw17-4UP7AEk2zuwcNRPRbYmeAdgDv_Ts6JuTN6A9q1uRA/s1600/IMG_3056+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJD-_wnUwHPSLlfEPnvDU8oUJeCug3lRlscc19mXCMj-2KTpB8G-XeiBURFlZm6FSDa9_UY6wtArkQD6fftjzchRqZdNczXCw17-4UP7AEk2zuwcNRPRbYmeAdgDv_Ts6JuTN6A9q1uRA/s640/IMG_3056+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cascades before the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RPlsPB1_IPEzOYTBSbfkQ2mnPxQQygL0X_lB4YAlVjxgOLJpCC849MQFJUrHyXEfpXXjBec1KrBWCkiOYzO9khl3G0ZcJMVeez-vfEOjPQBtOFjaBOjg0T8cowmY0Xd231GauS6SFKI/s1600/IMG_3055+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RPlsPB1_IPEzOYTBSbfkQ2mnPxQQygL0X_lB4YAlVjxgOLJpCC849MQFJUrHyXEfpXXjBec1KrBWCkiOYzO9khl3G0ZcJMVeez-vfEOjPQBtOFjaBOjg0T8cowmY0Xd231GauS6SFKI/s640/IMG_3055+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brink of the cascades before the falls</td></tr>
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Cave Falls only drops about 20 feet, but at 250 feet wide, it is the widest of all of Yellowstone's waterfalls. It was quite impressive and there was still alot of water flowing over it. Cave Falls was so named because there was a large rock overhang about a hundred yards long that flanked the river. Part of the overhang actually went deeper into the hillside and part went under the waterfall. Unfortunately, the overhang collapsed in 2008, so there is no cave at Cave Falls any longer. Even without the cave, though it is an impressive sight.<br />
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We walked down the short trail from the parking area to the falls and ran into some friends from home. It was nice to see familiar faces there. While we were there, I think there was a bug hatch going on because the water was boiling with trout jumping just below the falls. It's always fun to witness that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsrRVx_NvVkqQizOSSF00tSPo6_yt3HfFEcRmepEuI5WCfgsiXhsHomlw6sUM7wU5xANfi9oVhjrLBdWTZTXbJVoukvcPtAE7775zVoaNUorCdmEDiiCtWxKqRUO91Tk4iEa8JwlZPXc/s1600/IMG_2963+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsrRVx_NvVkqQizOSSF00tSPo6_yt3HfFEcRmepEuI5WCfgsiXhsHomlw6sUM7wU5xANfi9oVhjrLBdWTZTXbJVoukvcPtAE7775zVoaNUorCdmEDiiCtWxKqRUO91Tk4iEa8JwlZPXc/s640/IMG_2963+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends from home</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTM-83okFFaICBUVaNY9iK4mVwHMaWBHc_omVZN9KGEqx4UTxPPF_LunmlpxAKdiFOAvxIYOfaT3brFyE_S2i7Lv29f79NcITyt2JM2WozUQoZzDMI6wD3snHKcO9flBPVZsIGsV8fIWk/s1600/IMG_2973+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTM-83okFFaICBUVaNY9iK4mVwHMaWBHc_omVZN9KGEqx4UTxPPF_LunmlpxAKdiFOAvxIYOfaT3brFyE_S2i7Lv29f79NcITyt2JM2WozUQoZzDMI6wD3snHKcO9flBPVZsIGsV8fIWk/s640/IMG_2973+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Falls and the cascades above the falls</td></tr>
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We discovered that there was another waterfall upstream from Cave Falls about a mile and a half called Bechler Falls. Of course we hiked that. We did discover that we should have brought bug repellent on the trip with us, however because whatever bugs were feeding the trout were feeding on us. That being said, though the trail was very pleasant and shaded most of the way. at the trailhead there were a series of wooden steps up a steeper portion of the trail. After that, the going was mostly level with only an occaisional, gentle elevation gain. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO8zAhQuohBcWFZUrHG1dhoZ3y1zUT_0jjW3PJvSD14Qhp-O8KoKx4-uSL9A8yZg6wURGx_qoal1l_jVvDRuQQjRcuxgyhYuZ5tzkhia9dWXDZyr3YnggxycMmKyHt_X4u9Bz6IRxQbM/s1600/IMG_2969+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO8zAhQuohBcWFZUrHG1dhoZ3y1zUT_0jjW3PJvSD14Qhp-O8KoKx4-uSL9A8yZg6wURGx_qoal1l_jVvDRuQQjRcuxgyhYuZ5tzkhia9dWXDZyr3YnggxycMmKyHt_X4u9Bz6IRxQbM/s640/IMG_2969+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain ash branch in sunlight at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoNPMGhyHMrz2qwlgsTCH9LzMOJ0-1lBLt_kZJ-kNxmPkGS-OF8JeEcXJdwCoe0EgroBzRU9L_Y8GbEfRgILYUcjtqKo3ahRwMrDNSUwxSc8YYPTbrM6kZnAzijAq6rIJ-pk5owtemog/s1600/IMG_3044+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoNPMGhyHMrz2qwlgsTCH9LzMOJ0-1lBLt_kZJ-kNxmPkGS-OF8JeEcXJdwCoe0EgroBzRU9L_Y8GbEfRgILYUcjtqKo3ahRwMrDNSUwxSc8YYPTbrM6kZnAzijAq6rIJ-pk5owtemog/s640/IMG_3044+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden stairs at the trailhead</td></tr>
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The trail flanked the river for all but the last sixty yards or so where it cut through the forest to navigate around a small promontory. Here and there, cascades and rapids were visible along the trail. The forest was mainly lodgpole pine with a few fir trees to keep them company. Wildflowers were also on display.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHplshivmxfa3C09OjRHm3yu4ZBPr5vOdZWWvN4wQBJ_CcyOUVND1f17M1MTPdZ3E4FdeHh1sm4YV51Z9csLKyoX0TbJdxboPDtbmLC2-taogSbRYg9gaH2VuYaZq2rZCEHogiC6mZTmc/s1600/IMG_2990+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHplshivmxfa3C09OjRHm3yu4ZBPr5vOdZWWvN4wQBJ_CcyOUVND1f17M1MTPdZ3E4FdeHh1sm4YV51Z9csLKyoX0TbJdxboPDtbmLC2-taogSbRYg9gaH2VuYaZq2rZCEHogiC6mZTmc/s640/IMG_2990+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascades along the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBq3fnIlcqKkn9bLmfZ3pEdrw21AjEUCoHTt3_nenQ_87QMssUWTgBfItoZI0Ega4tKR0Oo_lipqSebCAad-8u7UD949WO_g8igcdpSBWnIOMKF0WSn-vsGI5RhUq8Syjs6KE4YvHTgM/s1600/IMG_2996+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBq3fnIlcqKkn9bLmfZ3pEdrw21AjEUCoHTt3_nenQ_87QMssUWTgBfItoZI0Ega4tKR0Oo_lipqSebCAad-8u7UD949WO_g8igcdpSBWnIOMKF0WSn-vsGI5RhUq8Syjs6KE4YvHTgM/s640/IMG_2996+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aspen shadow on trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc6j5Y_jTtC8Evj1xJ2U8-UH4BpsWE5drlD9LNnGXik4GYgGSlLhfz2W95Zb7iRP7lhMk94lkjOlyhYxIwlPcf5nz6Ta9-X_dtuVZB1M4own0XX22db5q52v18qAgDcPs2BSXbihSzzA/s1600/IMG_3020+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc6j5Y_jTtC8Evj1xJ2U8-UH4BpsWE5drlD9LNnGXik4GYgGSlLhfz2W95Zb7iRP7lhMk94lkjOlyhYxIwlPcf5nz6Ta9-X_dtuVZB1M4own0XX22db5q52v18qAgDcPs2BSXbihSzzA/s640/IMG_3020+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodgepole forest</td></tr>
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The trail passes by the confluence of the Warm River and the Bechler River, and continues following along the Bechler to the falls. From Cave Falls to Bechler Falls, the river seems to be one series of cascades after another. About two hundred yards away from the falls, I began hearing the rumbling of tumbling water. I pointed it out to my sons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBUTZ6VNP4oi4aUNXg_ORxE2QC92QDmP7KLx2kh3b8fDuTiISrxFiJ-R4CoNYO80_2Pmh7jUr722j9nUoxjOrOd66FVAkTadNZ8fCuVsHwzdmsic74GWK-eG2_nijiF6Yn9OBmIzZHAM/s1600/IMG_3027+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBUTZ6VNP4oi4aUNXg_ORxE2QC92QDmP7KLx2kh3b8fDuTiISrxFiJ-R4CoNYO80_2Pmh7jUr722j9nUoxjOrOd66FVAkTadNZ8fCuVsHwzdmsic74GWK-eG2_nijiF6Yn9OBmIzZHAM/s640/IMG_3027+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confluence of the Warm and Bechler Rivers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnAUUIOigBPtzSv_0XOwUW_V2kQdOdGSuIIizmtRH3uIu9Tb1eSfYxLCc11BL8FHjyNQS245tBU5EODAtx_HTqkoaKmRzNCwrroQmDiQJQOyCraMkmh1ZLRH4b9iJy6x81WSU_DPrOas/s1600/IMG_3031+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnAUUIOigBPtzSv_0XOwUW_V2kQdOdGSuIIizmtRH3uIu9Tb1eSfYxLCc11BL8FHjyNQS245tBU5EODAtx_HTqkoaKmRzNCwrroQmDiQJQOyCraMkmh1ZLRH4b9iJy6x81WSU_DPrOas/s640/IMG_3031+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool rock along the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWIwb9VILSCAtLTmtjEQOemKe5EFYmUqtFLtb846HlZjT7n5E0cv2vxz1HJycTOjMEUi10GnYeiB8Pf0-R8NHydaqHl_FhwGODAt8w0WrESje2PBdgYN1nhIXiu6GOhtwxB56gmrL80E/s1600/IMG_3001+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWIwb9VILSCAtLTmtjEQOemKe5EFYmUqtFLtb846HlZjT7n5E0cv2vxz1HJycTOjMEUi10GnYeiB8Pf0-R8NHydaqHl_FhwGODAt8w0WrESje2PBdgYN1nhIXiu6GOhtwxB56gmrL80E/s640/IMG_3001+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bechler Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlsc-8Xol4bidMNsIBm-19L6UjG2nqv-EFt7-pGzTHbjEyxyDixgRgAlb_VeXUp7zaBSXwM4K6YKk1gEijqXhXf1W2D8bt-QIyUsTRt9gmO-L1tRmkrtTQ8CaCdzw_TZB8QrsVsf91jM/s1600/IMG_3012+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlsc-8Xol4bidMNsIBm-19L6UjG2nqv-EFt7-pGzTHbjEyxyDixgRgAlb_VeXUp7zaBSXwM4K6YKk1gEijqXhXf1W2D8bt-QIyUsTRt9gmO-L1tRmkrtTQ8CaCdzw_TZB8QrsVsf91jM/s640/IMG_3012+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mossy rock at the base of the Bechler Falls</td></tr>
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Haydn and I hiked upstream for another fifty yards or so while Chimene and the two younger boys started hiking back to the car. Above the falls, the river looked like it was made of glass. Beautiful and still. It is here that the famous Bechler Meadows begin. This is truly a beautiful part of Yellowstone National Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh7ckQJ_PgJW6nfAITC7WQrRbxBZOTv5cyLKTvkiSQgJGPhvt-Pc8Rc3hoSibxOT30zAK4wsgi6VUieUFOuseof0sh8O4HvOXByLk5smm0rePD7dKUcT9GtzuY3A19_EQkiPp2WpINXM/s1600/IMG_3016+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh7ckQJ_PgJW6nfAITC7WQrRbxBZOTv5cyLKTvkiSQgJGPhvt-Pc8Rc3hoSibxOT30zAK4wsgi6VUieUFOuseof0sh8O4HvOXByLk5smm0rePD7dKUcT9GtzuY3A19_EQkiPp2WpINXM/s640/IMG_3016+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bechler River above the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3x6msWYnvVveElqotBd5saSc8LtdtM29wvXrTmho95V4daRzTjiXILPT1ji0E35AXyVd4Xfi0_QFE_ArXhkH0NkFbjiVp3savj3GqtIstKaP9sZ_WHMR0gZ_6jaDCcR33ONAp7lgts/s1600/IMG_3018+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3x6msWYnvVveElqotBd5saSc8LtdtM29wvXrTmho95V4daRzTjiXILPT1ji0E35AXyVd4Xfi0_QFE_ArXhkH0NkFbjiVp3savj3GqtIstKaP9sZ_WHMR0gZ_6jaDCcR33ONAp7lgts/s640/IMG_3018+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty yellow wildflower along the trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VymsAPc6r35gWIrpDeWZeWGfKusxKIpP6LqzytUChHJJnIgqkdfDLI38U_AGpU3STokKHjVs0khALHZFu9SIEsgk8l34Q1zdYEOZUBfBiC8bpmagQpavoB7dZLILeKfo0SajvvricpE/s1600/IMG_3040+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VymsAPc6r35gWIrpDeWZeWGfKusxKIpP6LqzytUChHJJnIgqkdfDLI38U_AGpU3STokKHjVs0khALHZFu9SIEsgk8l34Q1zdYEOZUBfBiC8bpmagQpavoB7dZLILeKfo0SajvvricpE/s640/IMG_3040+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More wildflowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEr-H3GPOUPRisxPakLipmRrd2ZnahVGJ8qoukdMI4IlTCodt8_Pdo0vILI4YUnHkaR9YB0L9rrsBKgGTaD0W_iBY4s4MHFsrKP9Onv5B4A3rHS6cm0CXLUhLFkMz39VOwj_bFYgepn9M/s1600/IMG_3042+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEr-H3GPOUPRisxPakLipmRrd2ZnahVGJ8qoukdMI4IlTCodt8_Pdo0vILI4YUnHkaR9YB0L9rrsBKgGTaD0W_iBY4s4MHFsrKP9Onv5B4A3rHS6cm0CXLUhLFkMz39VOwj_bFYgepn9M/s640/IMG_3042+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still more wildflowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1G46m3Pp5XotU2pFGmltHF6KJrnwucV1WAjjAnoUXHY_cgKeL7C1BloHLA5XV_cX9z3Oc8xyzwzq-D7j8VtAX3hx7zoRkIZpJpTl5Tfvdj5xDOfit5-oa032jUr0QqAWNxDyUOXtyTc/s1600/IMG_3060+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1G46m3Pp5XotU2pFGmltHF6KJrnwucV1WAjjAnoUXHY_cgKeL7C1BloHLA5XV_cX9z3Oc8xyzwzq-D7j8VtAX3hx7zoRkIZpJpTl5Tfvdj5xDOfit5-oa032jUr0QqAWNxDyUOXtyTc/s640/IMG_3060+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red wildflowers</td></tr>
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This hike is short, about 3 miles roundtrip and very easy. Very little elevation gain and where the trail does rise it's a gentle slope. The scenery is beautiful and because of the shade and the proximity to the river, it tends to feel a little cooler than the outside temperature. Make sure you bring bug repellent. I would definitely hike this trail again.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-76881407367241420742012-07-09T00:21:00.001-06:002012-07-09T00:23:03.773-06:00How I Spent My Spring--Travelogue: Part V Mesa Falls<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg870bXkEvE-UPRQe8vxDxr-zKwu3n1Br4WjdqP0rkG1HX1vyKVCeGBxLrbpOdkuVc-TwOZV2DX74-4l2YTedfXfjNE4qELI3HLN4mR4K7VKjyKomrrAG1gviqBGzfsW3SFJkfrMy5qNlA/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg870bXkEvE-UPRQe8vxDxr-zKwu3n1Br4WjdqP0rkG1HX1vyKVCeGBxLrbpOdkuVc-TwOZV2DX74-4l2YTedfXfjNE4qELI3HLN4mR4K7VKjyKomrrAG1gviqBGzfsW3SFJkfrMy5qNlA/s640/IMG_2802.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the Hot Chick overlooking Lower Mesa Falls</td></tr>
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On June 16th, the theatre department held a retirement party for Susan Whitfield up in West Yellowstone, Montana. Susan has been the costume designer and a faculty member at Ricks College and Brigham Young University-Idaho for forty-one years. She has been a mentor, a friend, a colleague and an inspiration to me. We honored her with an exhibit in the Spori Gallery this semester. I blogged about it and you can read about it <strong><a href="http://bascombemania.blogspot.com/2012/05/costume-designs-of-susan-whitfield.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Here</span></a></strong><span style="color: black;">.</span><br />
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Chimene and I decided to leave a little early and take the scenic route up to West Yellowstone, via the <strong><a href="http://www.visitidaho.org/attraction/waterfall/mesa-falls/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mesa Falls Scenic Byway</span></a></strong>. Mesa Falls is a two waterfall system on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. They are both very beautiful and well worth the visit. The byway begins in the town of Ashton, Idaho and winds it's way down past Warm River and up the side of the Island Park Caldera. Along the way there are a few stops that offer beautiful vistas over deep canyons and views of the distant Teton Range.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd-3_jXaYeFvksDwWOt8_7G08ZTK1pmYI8aaxEw4_cgEEJlCOE_aIRzRtUsFgVbAyg5T-re5ur9A2vwMfr8-Zlqadl8x7xYMojKUlTfHNOls4O8w4ZNA5JQNVIskmc3bjjJRC4Lel1gA/s1600/IMG_2791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd-3_jXaYeFvksDwWOt8_7G08ZTK1pmYI8aaxEw4_cgEEJlCOE_aIRzRtUsFgVbAyg5T-re5ur9A2vwMfr8-Zlqadl8x7xYMojKUlTfHNOls4O8w4ZNA5JQNVIskmc3bjjJRC4Lel1gA/s640/IMG_2791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Teton Range in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GLy0vY66gWUlE8c9SQHTwfrIHNhtbMhk47eK-2byXnyOLV60347J5zbJtzua-dUSoPnuTlwHEc3jk9DeIL2iAHeH77zWGHm8yK8jG6nK_0wCs1yibkQNi5xcqdnY6N1-SRIGoUtV6hc/s1600/IMG_2797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GLy0vY66gWUlE8c9SQHTwfrIHNhtbMhk47eK-2byXnyOLV60347J5zbJtzua-dUSoPnuTlwHEc3jk9DeIL2iAHeH77zWGHm8yK8jG6nK_0wCs1yibkQNi5xcqdnY6N1-SRIGoUtV6hc/s640/IMG_2797.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Gulch scenic overlook</td></tr>
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Along the way, there are several trails that we didn't have time to take, but made note of them for a future excursion. The next major stop was Lower Mesa Falls. Lower Mesa Falls drops 65 feet over several tiers through a narrow gorge. Even from the rim of the canyon, you can hear the thunder of the falls. Along the canyon wall, there is an area of talus that should be navigable if one wished to climb down. I may some day to reach the base of the falls trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4gwEmidkCI6FGjQW6oL_ZDsbjNBNI488uhDibEUNcoe6h1oVDjLSmOc0lAmU4xWLY91IZhUD8b1TfBQ934QRX0TQHqHj7tTgJIkqAJWb7MncPP5G4gyfrybGp3o7nGtKKcBCg8fxjBA/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4gwEmidkCI6FGjQW6oL_ZDsbjNBNI488uhDibEUNcoe6h1oVDjLSmOc0lAmU4xWLY91IZhUD8b1TfBQ934QRX0TQHqHj7tTgJIkqAJWb7MncPP5G4gyfrybGp3o7nGtKKcBCg8fxjBA/s640/IMG_2810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Mesa Falls from the observation area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yaZep92XiwcMR8Lx8liloaVhbj68dWj532TjzFNs1SPyo9a6hzEb4CnOpZp995zGsRw60231miF-ZbgsNsj64FLVjeRmPT0XMbHl40663J6PrLRD71xave2MK6BjHhaA478ZW-BOIGc/s1600/IMG_2816+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yaZep92XiwcMR8Lx8liloaVhbj68dWj532TjzFNs1SPyo9a6hzEb4CnOpZp995zGsRw60231miF-ZbgsNsj64FLVjeRmPT0XMbHl40663J6PrLRD71xave2MK6BjHhaA478ZW-BOIGc/s640/IMG_2816+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talus slope</td></tr>
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About a mile upstream from the lower falls is Upper Mesa Falls. At this parking lot, there is a five dollar day use fee. Cheap at twice the price. Five dollars is well worth the price of admission here. From the parking area there is a paved trail that descends to the brink of the falls and at some point becomes boardwalk. There are several flights of stairs along this path. Thick green vegetation is abundant on both sides of the trail and it almost has the feel of a rainforest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv2-K3MU1z2Gik09_uvMZhb_erCVzmqsUQq3gtMmiJnFgFMblQyMD5d-9x7GlIZmeAHHkdBFkXyleZhMibxIxAG_2AN3GpMCFwsJDpyGTBkW_JTvfaZ7ksA2gxQg4CGja4L6DDEPpRHQ/s1600/IMG_2830+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYv2-K3MU1z2Gik09_uvMZhb_erCVzmqsUQq3gtMmiJnFgFMblQyMD5d-9x7GlIZmeAHHkdBFkXyleZhMibxIxAG_2AN3GpMCFwsJDpyGTBkW_JTvfaZ7ksA2gxQg4CGja4L6DDEPpRHQ/s640/IMG_2830+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetation along the canyon trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiOr_LuNb3iE0cOLauzYbgiMKTAYQ3QZIEHn0PpMKxXdSEBtfa_-O7waSvWcbenWpg_8zTlWYTyVQZVMzaZkCO9GR4vBgJ7_Z-KnNNuYm3bNCE7jM6Ti5ykvQ5Z_5uxgdzrVaB80JULI/s1600/IMG_2832+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiOr_LuNb3iE0cOLauzYbgiMKTAYQ3QZIEHn0PpMKxXdSEBtfa_-O7waSvWcbenWpg_8zTlWYTyVQZVMzaZkCO9GR4vBgJ7_Z-KnNNuYm3bNCE7jM6Ti5ykvQ5Z_5uxgdzrVaB80JULI/s640/IMG_2832+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More vegetation</td></tr>
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As you descend into the canyon, every now and then you can see glimpses of the falls. Upper Mesa Falls drops 114 feet and is 200 feet wide. This is an impressive falls and not an insignificant amount of water flows over it. Upper Mesa Falls is also the only major falls on the Snake River that hasn't been co-opted for hydroelectric power or irrigation. It is pristine and beautiful.<br />
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The boardwalk takes you to the brink of the falls, then continues downstream along the canyon wall with frequent overlooks to give entirely different views of the magnificent falls. The spray from this falls has created a micro climate on the far wall of the canyon, which is very much like a rainforest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VF6JHoMzvVkTbTrG_68dMDj2M7680Z6ZN6IlPTn-2nYcHd3q_MdtUI5-6ZbTMkDWA3abs2IivtvOc1cGR8mn_KIoHvDovnmyH_XTVcsstng6cm1iAatcWIgQebDrOW-KjRVsIhGcdCM/s1600/IMG_2826+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VF6JHoMzvVkTbTrG_68dMDj2M7680Z6ZN6IlPTn-2nYcHd3q_MdtUI5-6ZbTMkDWA3abs2IivtvOc1cGR8mn_KIoHvDovnmyH_XTVcsstng6cm1iAatcWIgQebDrOW-KjRVsIhGcdCM/s640/IMG_2826+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brink of the falls from the canyon trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRvenlKO_jMvZRPneQ1xz5Isnp3Ea2iOkW8OW3yARti91bxseQe586hmyqlgXlnSCt9g10V4QVtE-YfR5nmy5WGxFRsldtydq_COQfZjInC-qyHIJ0TL9J7FU8OkVAiTMY646iGct-gg/s1600/IMG_2841+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRvenlKO_jMvZRPneQ1xz5Isnp3Ea2iOkW8OW3yARti91bxseQe586hmyqlgXlnSCt9g10V4QVtE-YfR5nmy5WGxFRsldtydq_COQfZjInC-qyHIJ0TL9J7FU8OkVAiTMY646iGct-gg/s640/IMG_2841+(683x1024).jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brink of the falls from the first overlook</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih30TPUeg2q8vULOFiBgAT5oMO080VQKzVNZ8JzUNNth5ZYI6Lg-H5I2084ca81dSSFTtwtm4gGt0ivn_D2HRR8J5fKfA9sZipT71pT3wC8tzBG7jM_CRDhbbA2jjmqEFoD4tJ3lKL9OM/s1600/IMG_2853+(683x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih30TPUeg2q8vULOFiBgAT5oMO080VQKzVNZ8JzUNNth5ZYI6Lg-H5I2084ca81dSSFTtwtm4gGt0ivn_D2HRR8J5fKfA9sZipT71pT3wC8tzBG7jM_CRDhbbA2jjmqEFoD4tJ3lKL9OM/s640/IMG_2853+(683x1024).jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesa Falls from the second overlook</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuaSPNUiZKk7fetlNBQiyXIAIMX4aAwGXp51-6hReJ5BT8ChOyHozLKd5a08otynSsRUyyB0QYIGEQ-f7Fw7s61tiYbUrChyK5ytfkoQYbOKddXZriFkH1ch9jeMtwFhF7iV8lOwEweo/s1600/IMG_2855+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuaSPNUiZKk7fetlNBQiyXIAIMX4aAwGXp51-6hReJ5BT8ChOyHozLKd5a08otynSsRUyyB0QYIGEQ-f7Fw7s61tiYbUrChyK5ytfkoQYbOKddXZriFkH1ch9jeMtwFhF7iV8lOwEweo/s640/IMG_2855+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hot Chick at the second overlook</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rWKBz_7n4woBkt3_vL3Ite-jxsHiOZcL82Fk2tc9XYBvwbOfmEWJ_yB1Te2f0Q9Md86Cq_RvKSIAWTN9CDHVyvmEU-d33SJmR6fyHRNK3T-BpvcldeCAkd3XsEj1pyPhxgFjA_h93Dc/s1600/IMG_2857+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rWKBz_7n4woBkt3_vL3Ite-jxsHiOZcL82Fk2tc9XYBvwbOfmEWJ_yB1Te2f0Q9Md86Cq_RvKSIAWTN9CDHVyvmEU-d33SJmR6fyHRNK3T-BpvcldeCAkd3XsEj1pyPhxgFjA_h93Dc/s640/IMG_2857+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eroded rock pillar in the canyon, downstream of the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhCqXpJI0xsN0wtg2uhBbsJFKDgtN2L7LK8KiuZ4IlmGlcAKcZSMxTUifjlFptWJVrsp5gYuLDxor1v5A-Uoc7j711FTobYJO6xGUriACP62sI3VK3fS2aCFk6D5btvfwD02tcPdu7Wg/s1600/IMG_2860+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhCqXpJI0xsN0wtg2uhBbsJFKDgtN2L7LK8KiuZ4IlmGlcAKcZSMxTUifjlFptWJVrsp5gYuLDxor1v5A-Uoc7j711FTobYJO6xGUriACP62sI3VK3fS2aCFk6D5btvfwD02tcPdu7Wg/s640/IMG_2860+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro climate on the far side of the canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJACekVYn12-mnQidLCX5sKj794b0Ff21yES0KFZgZ-8SHYP4jJ4IoMu0bkmbMicR150tSdGWoE0m6VwsWxUO-x4v7kIReje204bf-po9HlmcsopvuwBfVM371QaryqHfC_npZwkMkR7E/s1600/IMG_2867+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJACekVYn12-mnQidLCX5sKj794b0Ff21yES0KFZgZ-8SHYP4jJ4IoMu0bkmbMicR150tSdGWoE0m6VwsWxUO-x4v7kIReje204bf-po9HlmcsopvuwBfVM371QaryqHfC_npZwkMkR7E/s640/IMG_2867+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers of columnar jointed basalt on the canyon wall</td></tr>
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There is an historic lodge near the parking lot that is over a hundred years old and has been restored. It is now a museum and visitor's center. One of the exhibits is a very unique petting zoo. They have pelts of many of the animals from the area that were trapped and hunted during the fur trade and they encourage patrons to touch. It's quite interesting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhX102vJ9ytFBje-rtDQk0M8Zt2NY8t8eJU99_1cVu7CANDcwJYHmegxoYNv8dDr4D9ZFK7tQnAW-kAYHKmhoGsL1QnjmBrrgC2yjV-pxn_r0OjyQPv1MSB4J3rHwcKS5wHETI-VrsTI/s1600/IMG_2884+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhX102vJ9ytFBje-rtDQk0M8Zt2NY8t8eJU99_1cVu7CANDcwJYHmegxoYNv8dDr4D9ZFK7tQnAW-kAYHKmhoGsL1QnjmBrrgC2yjV-pxn_r0OjyQPv1MSB4J3rHwcKS5wHETI-VrsTI/s640/IMG_2884+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic lodge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfM_J1AQu3862HJcU8psnXF45zlij4IkVj2Xz0XipBCQsjiFsV-Y7JJ82fI0ALrSfbhbNlfvf3gt-eZ6kd3OsZYOu4Pp8wtcmRT_dbtC-wNpc0jM9GVRrnzOxyJQ0ec0Uhpv5tu7h4Vo/s1600/IMG_2872+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfM_J1AQu3862HJcU8psnXF45zlij4IkVj2Xz0XipBCQsjiFsV-Y7JJ82fI0ALrSfbhbNlfvf3gt-eZ6kd3OsZYOu4Pp8wtcmRT_dbtC-wNpc0jM9GVRrnzOxyJQ0ec0Uhpv5tu7h4Vo/s640/IMG_2872+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very odd petting zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcZxdk4t17kWLgq78mRz_8r_dYeuN5OVwio1XWc_D4ytKUscquU4n-5mcE409T41fHFUSawu6PFxhOfKg3HJqlzsf94d1ONkPnj8ji0402HYSjFzk0HK8-LNcMS1c_c129uO1JeaVYq4/s1600/IMG_2874+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcZxdk4t17kWLgq78mRz_8r_dYeuN5OVwio1XWc_D4ytKUscquU4n-5mcE409T41fHFUSawu6PFxhOfKg3HJqlzsf94d1ONkPnj8ji0402HYSjFzk0HK8-LNcMS1c_c129uO1JeaVYq4/s640/IMG_2874+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could be better than a wall of skulls?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIXqfmK23QlZWYxhE4otDaG0eBL1eu0XIlfrkWW7CZJgnb5ROyXPYc2CEXs2uzaqwfN7Qrw-akpna0mZTMADU8Y8u-vhxe4wibkAG23PsKiVsrhztnfEPjKtNYd0HPcJCY8Z9d2-EiU4/s1600/IMG_2880+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIXqfmK23QlZWYxhE4otDaG0eBL1eu0XIlfrkWW7CZJgnb5ROyXPYc2CEXs2uzaqwfN7Qrw-akpna0mZTMADU8Y8u-vhxe4wibkAG23PsKiVsrhztnfEPjKtNYd0HPcJCY8Z9d2-EiU4/s640/IMG_2880+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Y'all come back now, y'hear?"</td></tr>
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We ate at an ethnic Spanish restaurant in West Yellowstone. I can't remember the name, but it is now my favorite restaurant there. The food was very flavorful and many of the menu items were naturally gluten free. Not only that, but the price was right. Very reasonable, affordable in a town that is neither reasonable nor affordable in most cases. After dinner, we caught a show at The Playmill Theatre, my Dad's old business. We saw "<em>The Drowsy Chaperone</em>." It was a good show and very enjoyable. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJauJK6bIAy2JQ2relhcDaVX7kTNYQ6X5-ed4NAKsNpfSYRTTlfeUXTzqKpz1qhYMcvrAskQvJY6rOyXLjqWTGpl3ShoeEay493xAbotB9UhA1TAZFcrMRM_QXAekfotHxYdPh6IltP8/s1600/IMG_2889+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJauJK6bIAy2JQ2relhcDaVX7kTNYQ6X5-ed4NAKsNpfSYRTTlfeUXTzqKpz1qhYMcvrAskQvJY6rOyXLjqWTGpl3ShoeEay493xAbotB9UhA1TAZFcrMRM_QXAekfotHxYdPh6IltP8/s640/IMG_2889+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Playmill Theatre</td></tr>
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My Dad often said, "The secret to a happy life is to create beautiful memories." This was one of those.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-53110289783627125772012-06-05T20:46:00.000-06:002012-06-05T20:46:08.897-06:00It's Tomato Time<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD_FwmFXWnF3aIdv4UBNZh4Opk6H0P2NGOIVo8nGuPektLYfa4G9JHByQE2hO3hDizxCnEvrog53srodrb-4qQcsDm8u37MFWKwHQDIdh-JaTQ1Y_74gEL2Q3Hz_ILSf3Em3MgXZOvwU/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD_FwmFXWnF3aIdv4UBNZh4Opk6H0P2NGOIVo8nGuPektLYfa4G9JHByQE2hO3hDizxCnEvrog53srodrb-4qQcsDm8u37MFWKwHQDIdh-JaTQ1Y_74gEL2Q3Hz_ILSf3Em3MgXZOvwU/s640/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heirloom Tomatoes</td></tr>
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I've been growing Heriloom Tomatoes for more than a decade now. I started growing them after I saw a picture in one of my wife's magazines of an heirloom tomato salad. It looked very interesting and I ordered a seed kit for five varieties. Every year since, I've grown heirlooms. Each year, I try to grow a variety or two I've never grown before. Now I grow between 20 and 26 plants. In the fall I will can stewed tomatoes and maybe some of Nick's famous spaghetti sauce. Nick is my son-in-law.<br />
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Over the years I have developed a system for growing the tomatoes and I want to share it here.<br />
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First, I start growing the tomatoes from seed inside. Several years ago, my kids gave me a <a href="http://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/ideas/images/3_tier_compact_mini_greenhouse_outside.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>compact, indoor greenhouse</strong></span></a> for my gardening habit. The one the kids gave me is about three times bigger than the one pictured in the link. It has enough shelf space on the top rack for 7 greenhouse trays (which hold eighteen 4" pots). That was the best gift ever. Over the years, I have acquired more and more equipment so I can grow more and better crops.<br />
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I start the seeds in <a href="http://www.acetogo.com/photo/product/7002959.jpg" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">peat pots</span></strong></a> with a <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/26/2642fd2a-0f67-4210-9e70-7ac091c0f1ed_300.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>soilless seed starting mix</strong></span></a>. I put the peat pots in greenhouse trays and place the trays on <a href="http://gardensandnature.com/gardensandnaturemagazine/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/seedheatmat.jpg" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">heating mats</span></strong></a>. I have trays that have a clear plastic cover which makes them a mini greenhouse. When the seeds finally sprout, I remove the heat and let them grow until a second set of true leaves appear, then I repot them into 4" pots and put them under grow lights. I've had the neighbors razz me a bit about the grow lights, wondering exactly what it is I'm growing. We all have a good chuckle over that.<br />
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Sometime in May, I select the best of the tomatoes I have grown and start to plant. Before you can plant, though you have to harden off the tomatoes by putting them outside for a few hours the first day and increasing the time each day for several days. Once they are hardened off, the first step is to prepare the garden soil. I'm not 100% organic, but I'm close. I like to amend the soil with composted manure every two years or so. Last year I loaded up the bed of my pickup with about two cubic yards of cow manure and tilled that in. I till to control weeds that have sprouted and I like to get to them before they set seeds.<br />
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Once the soil is prepared, I empty a bag or two of garden manure into my wheelbarrow and spray it with the hose. Then I mix it to create a thick slurry. I dig a hole, fill it partway with water and put a shovel full of the manure slurry in the bottom of it and begin to plant. I plant the tomato right on top of the manure. This year, for half my tomatoes, I put a trout carcass in the hole with the manure. I learned that the Native Americans used to fertilize their gardens with fish, so I wanted to try it this year. I'll report on it come harvest time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNy6MzsKpO4buGsvSGbRwpuzuIlkplzU51vyN4rFeTI18uIIKXbjL5G7jrLbmyIuCNpzN2v1juHVcNKJOOw35ba-pUEmk5vG7PlD6fA53ttpDG6dOrwSMWmj4zv65qqjPEKrwFVY9puA/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNy6MzsKpO4buGsvSGbRwpuzuIlkplzU51vyN4rFeTI18uIIKXbjL5G7jrLbmyIuCNpzN2v1juHVcNKJOOw35ba-pUEmk5vG7PlD6fA53ttpDG6dOrwSMWmj4zv65qqjPEKrwFVY9puA/s640/IMG_3239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hole with water in the bottom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvVDnBVBF56GHigTnqUfDn6bDzAzCAjLl7PMGoUHKPahMU67Cx6aA-Kl8gGSSWisMA0sDe2GHOvcLCnCvx2Rdqa9ZqZb0_dLGKCUp_oyjzcDt3LSYr-oYzswvnSQ0ynDl3n7NRKYm7Fc/s1600/IMG_3240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvVDnBVBF56GHigTnqUfDn6bDzAzCAjLl7PMGoUHKPahMU67Cx6aA-Kl8gGSSWisMA0sDe2GHOvcLCnCvx2Rdqa9ZqZb0_dLGKCUp_oyjzcDt3LSYr-oYzswvnSQ0ynDl3n7NRKYm7Fc/s640/IMG_3240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manure slurry, about as much as I put in the hole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A3JMvwstduJ96bFpqYSBghgwBv4Y8qExqhhaH3zJCgnlwT-RZzUWnZfZtgjvhsuq1_C8MU_cu8HQ_QTWVqlx4Wd8d9OEngBP9TRO4EGZHcUf2Cb34miX4brdUF3u__aS34zof1yMi5g/s1600/IMG_3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A3JMvwstduJ96bFpqYSBghgwBv4Y8qExqhhaH3zJCgnlwT-RZzUWnZfZtgjvhsuq1_C8MU_cu8HQ_QTWVqlx4Wd8d9OEngBP9TRO4EGZHcUf2Cb34miX4brdUF3u__aS34zof1yMi5g/s640/IMG_3242.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manure slurry in the hole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcW2wVxJ3co_OZsBh2zVhJgJow_SgHWMbgJMRDYbk8SChUnPVOWEwsf1BtVv0HHLAgH-npKSH55ax6hthEXR_KTUIJTGEhTRk2WWEEBDm3BZIBgBt0xo2F6VoWubEVBHoUo5-2qMq1-k/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcW2wVxJ3co_OZsBh2zVhJgJow_SgHWMbgJMRDYbk8SChUnPVOWEwsf1BtVv0HHLAgH-npKSH55ax6hthEXR_KTUIJTGEhTRk2WWEEBDm3BZIBgBt0xo2F6VoWubEVBHoUo5-2qMq1-k/s640/IMG_3244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato on top of manure slurry</td></tr>
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Then I fill in the hole, but I create a depression in the dirt about eighteen inches in diameter. I build a bit of a dam around the edge of the depression to keep the water in when I hand water. It is important to hand water tomatoes. When you use a hose and a sprinkler, it can cause the leaves to get diseased and burned. Plus if you hand water, you put the water only where you want it which means you aren't watering the weeds. Whatever time it takes me to hand water, it saves me three or four times the amount of time in weeding. I'd say that's a fair trade. <br />
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When I have the depression the way I like it, I place two Jobes Tomato Fertilizing Spikes about eight inches away from the stem in opposite directions. This is the part that isn't organic, by the way. Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so that's why I used the shovelful of manure slurry, a fish and the spikes. After the spikes are installed, I add about a three inch layer of last year's grass clippings down in a mulch in the depression. That does several things, first it insulates the roots, second it keeps the water in the soil and impedes evaporation, and third it provides a weed barrier. Only the most tenacious weeds grow through the mulch, and they are easy to pull because the mulch causes them to send down shallow roots. Win Win Win.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX0SQhHYsWfNPb6OPCFycnX1xPVBHwO3kQECmlnJ-JAFH9p3VUyV7uklyZxntZYcy1gjF3L98zlMqAcZy7I-Kc9G5uFuMUV0DqaPevZBg_sn4QuxPw6L7UhbVgP3GvjCrLc3w1geARQQ/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX0SQhHYsWfNPb6OPCFycnX1xPVBHwO3kQECmlnJ-JAFH9p3VUyV7uklyZxntZYcy1gjF3L98zlMqAcZy7I-Kc9G5uFuMUV0DqaPevZBg_sn4QuxPw6L7UhbVgP3GvjCrLc3w1geARQQ/s640/IMG_3246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depression gardening (I got rid of the handprints, they aren't important)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW87j_V5IUz9m8Yvqq_DZLEgPloWsCJ-LcBk0j1WBlMvZWgKhaHQ_LamzvnoQXkk1YAoNiTwpLJ0tIbW8Lp_h2QfL5r2lTZBdwJ7Zrw4fsjtnzngHVVVqQfyfHtWbPV_vtkLUcYf53Cc/s1600/IMG_3249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW87j_V5IUz9m8Yvqq_DZLEgPloWsCJ-LcBk0j1WBlMvZWgKhaHQ_LamzvnoQXkk1YAoNiTwpLJ0tIbW8Lp_h2QfL5r2lTZBdwJ7Zrw4fsjtnzngHVVVqQfyfHtWbPV_vtkLUcYf53Cc/s640/IMG_3249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jobe's Tomato Spikes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFGkLp-mtzcEi4mU2sv7JYavnULRtJZM9W_-_K_AAToIG1EyjhGV5rkK9n5eEvy9cbcNicDW4IME9sulRBbmhNQxkYgf_l7Fn6_mUxuaxw5KIPDFSks8oqA6uCeqrpoVqQVaGV6Ku4M0/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFGkLp-mtzcEi4mU2sv7JYavnULRtJZM9W_-_K_AAToIG1EyjhGV5rkK9n5eEvy9cbcNicDW4IME9sulRBbmhNQxkYgf_l7Fn6_mUxuaxw5KIPDFSks8oqA6uCeqrpoVqQVaGV6Ku4M0/s640/IMG_3248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fertilizer spikes in ground. I bury them about an inch deep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk_tOV_FrEilLsATGcmKGLRNJuh8b9bb_CjkaTzc25JoO1ClMllPS3KccclyDc_OMnLBwklLwx8JvYI1fhUL6AWUhu0J2rNJW_l_1VfqB1ypNwDPrGTUw2Pi5EGO0CaeFArOHHCzOIds/s1600/IMG_3250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk_tOV_FrEilLsATGcmKGLRNJuh8b9bb_CjkaTzc25JoO1ClMllPS3KccclyDc_OMnLBwklLwx8JvYI1fhUL6AWUhu0J2rNJW_l_1VfqB1ypNwDPrGTUw2Pi5EGO0CaeFArOHHCzOIds/s640/IMG_3250.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three inches of grass mulch</td></tr>
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After the mulch, I place a wall of water around each plant to insulate it during the spring. A wall of water is a flexible plastic sheath that has individual cells that are filled with water so it can stand up on it's own. The water cells capture the heat of the sun and keep the plants warm in the cool spring nights. We can have as much as a 40 degree shift from daytime to nighttime to nighttime temperatures here in Southeast Idaho. <br />
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I have a bunch of wooden tomato cages I built with my Dad several years ago. Once I have the wall of waters around the plants, I hammer the tomato cage around the wall of water. When the first of July hits, I'll remove the wall of water through the top of the cage which allows the branches and leaves of the tomato plant to fall nicely on the horizontal bars. I know people who wait to cage the tomatoes after they have removed the wall of water. My way is better. Less breakage of branches, less handling of the plant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvdX-HxgOPNLKLSsJPlLOrUsbX8XV8IC4_LE66fTtQu73q0to03SVvvZ4KhZSSL2Q14uiY5k96EbwKbJlAEHlXpZCAzvKFPPArId-ysktRtVAv-1Q78gScPTpk1cFtkIeKK6xs70W24/s1600/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTvdX-HxgOPNLKLSsJPlLOrUsbX8XV8IC4_LE66fTtQu73q0to03SVvvZ4KhZSSL2Q14uiY5k96EbwKbJlAEHlXpZCAzvKFPPArId-ysktRtVAv-1Q78gScPTpk1cFtkIeKK6xs70W24/s640/IMG_3252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall of waters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXe6YAdqz932aeNeca3m8Zt_67zFQfAhgIC56NlN8pKbdl_LpsFbhy3Qest32Wo-eUwqnRj6KhkaCB-wwWjS428lyhgX9PsuVkFVx6yMT1FUrFazD93myDieWyN7biBW5lAsomvWI61I/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXe6YAdqz932aeNeca3m8Zt_67zFQfAhgIC56NlN8pKbdl_LpsFbhy3Qest32Wo-eUwqnRj6KhkaCB-wwWjS428lyhgX9PsuVkFVx6yMT1FUrFazD93myDieWyN7biBW5lAsomvWI61I/s640/IMG_3254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato cages with wall of waters</td></tr>
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I drew a diagram of my process. I have been growing tomatoes like this for several years with quite a bit of success. I like the depression method because it really conserves water while still being able to generously water the plants. Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliQQO-Kb5fU0SfHH0-OSjDuouL0LUumMax8Wa6-x51303Rh7XxBqquIi3ztNPZmtOqWi9hW_tk1qe0No24wupNqRgaC8x1dvOrydVLQXr5ZaKBc5dWZUTCSjXxrflxoffHt8uLUoj8ug/s1600/Image+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliQQO-Kb5fU0SfHH0-OSjDuouL0LUumMax8Wa6-x51303Rh7XxBqquIi3ztNPZmtOqWi9hW_tk1qe0No24wupNqRgaC8x1dvOrydVLQXr5ZaKBc5dWZUTCSjXxrflxoffHt8uLUoj8ug/s640/Image+(5).jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram of depression gardening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-47796787214984691092012-05-30T23:49:00.001-06:002012-05-30T23:49:50.112-06:00How I Spent My Spring--Travelogue: Part IV Memorial Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51ulFVt63PvrTk7MTmUNgihFehgNt1BLgnZ-mTJZjsPSCNEWMbB7MY05GdvJj40NqEDO3zN4vg80Lr5bhF_WvIM4RaYnSjXnvEsBvLYxTa5F4hjADALvc6DybZzsc6QbyO_VXpGNiZDc/s1600/Memorial+Day+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51ulFVt63PvrTk7MTmUNgihFehgNt1BLgnZ-mTJZjsPSCNEWMbB7MY05GdvJj40NqEDO3zN4vg80Lr5bhF_WvIM4RaYnSjXnvEsBvLYxTa5F4hjADALvc6DybZzsc6QbyO_VXpGNiZDc/s640/Memorial+Day+045.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new skull shirt</td></tr>
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For Memorial Day, we went to the Moreland, Idaho cemetery to visit my Dad. When he was still living, Dad used to say things like, "When I kick off..." and other things that were slightly irreverent about death. Because of that, I wore my new skull shirt to the cemetery. In my own odd way I was paying tribute to my Dad. Of course, some of my family members objected and thought it was slightly inappropriate, but I didn't care. My nephews thought it was cool. That was enough.<br />
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Moreland, Idaho is a very small town. It seems to be shrinking, too. When I was a kid we'd go visit and there were stores and gas stations. They're all boarded up now and it seems that the population is less. The best thing about Moreland, though is that it's where my family comes from and many of them still live there.<br />
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With a town that small, it is funny and ironic that both my wife and my son-in-law have people buried there. Chimene is from Seattle and Nick is from Baltimore. Chimene's grandmother grew up in Moreland and was friends with my grandmother. I got to know her for a few years before she died. We go and visit her grave every year as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc6edmZS8_fLQdXKMryrGvYAOAbTjJmhlVE8Hi_vtSqRJSTNsSJumOHbUBWScQqM1-1K5pTKkUN1RcI_Hcl4I8yncFW434cXV4Ne1SDsiiz-Skc1MbA1sLGvf-KgbUoicp_fcm9asP1A/s1600/Memorial+Day+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc6edmZS8_fLQdXKMryrGvYAOAbTjJmhlVE8Hi_vtSqRJSTNsSJumOHbUBWScQqM1-1K5pTKkUN1RcI_Hcl4I8yncFW434cXV4Ne1SDsiiz-Skc1MbA1sLGvf-KgbUoicp_fcm9asP1A/s640/Memorial+Day+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and Mother's stone</td></tr>
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My kids were scandalized when they put the stone over Dad's grave. They were wierded out that their grandma's name was on it when she was still living. Imagine their consternation when they saw the back and my name was on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9YJcG23A8gzkc3mwN4hJEH_1l01AaH7Fc6mbYR3LFivYTvbM26EPodUzVFD8ja_DIp4LR6cGrCT2G_VgcRpZUGvQ7GN7jUI4LKwGPMXOD7d9y0Db5UsBXM8FdFSwqwKDta3Mq616Ffw/s1600/Memorial+Day+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9YJcG23A8gzkc3mwN4hJEH_1l01AaH7Fc6mbYR3LFivYTvbM26EPodUzVFD8ja_DIp4LR6cGrCT2G_VgcRpZUGvQ7GN7jUI4LKwGPMXOD7d9y0Db5UsBXM8FdFSwqwKDta3Mq616Ffw/s640/Memorial+Day+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The backside</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrbhVZaN5cXG_3ZZoMEkz-L0YLaiTXTzCatF4JblVZNkA9jj55nJuqEtwhuqJt5wdaaVe7BPBup9j0n9mUMz0T_8rcaZO_k4abJolYK5hRpm58Ou4JOe0ErKpEgpOIEauq4N8PUzYvi4/s1600/Memorial+Day+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrbhVZaN5cXG_3ZZoMEkz-L0YLaiTXTzCatF4JblVZNkA9jj55nJuqEtwhuqJt5wdaaVe7BPBup9j0n9mUMz0T_8rcaZO_k4abJolYK5hRpm58Ou4JOe0ErKpEgpOIEauq4N8PUzYvi4/s640/Memorial+Day+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandparents' stone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RZLcGJ1LeOvraw9ZGUcApBMyJQYwsLxGqJtxGekqN1tIdA9sOT4_RgYQWydNZX19ZZmln-nebyf14xGXyFmAhfMZU7cqmodri4ysmqxI0Dqy3rwIClGq6TSoVWI_juIMSYGS807csI4/s1600/Memorial+Day+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RZLcGJ1LeOvraw9ZGUcApBMyJQYwsLxGqJtxGekqN1tIdA9sOT4_RgYQWydNZX19ZZmln-nebyf14xGXyFmAhfMZU7cqmodri4ysmqxI0Dqy3rwIClGq6TSoVWI_juIMSYGS807csI4/s640/Memorial+Day+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chimene's grandparents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EazAmmDQAvcJEGJUD81fJDXMKivwGXtVCEaHbSPVGaPXTMYsxhy-AxBJNK6HnVwWayZ3MhvOBR3Wl9UWCxbEy-Ig2t8HTE8etrwkzbj_t1DzVn0b8TLCtLOwaAcdwvnX8ku8OCKTiAQ/s1600/Memorial+Day+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EazAmmDQAvcJEGJUD81fJDXMKivwGXtVCEaHbSPVGaPXTMYsxhy-AxBJNK6HnVwWayZ3MhvOBR3Wl9UWCxbEy-Ig2t8HTE8etrwkzbj_t1DzVn0b8TLCtLOwaAcdwvnX8ku8OCKTiAQ/s640/Memorial+Day+027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick's family members</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9ba-l0wBBDFoMgWfxV_utzytpu4Xq7ncBMQY65zDjSXQSc-x7ihRdqynxca-UVJcsUasqej1PJX7I576zykSjXLJTRkj6fBkrcUuPFw3PV2AHSUUoxAuqIJD9CCJOuCVKj5n08Q3B4w/s1600/Memorial+Day+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9ba-l0wBBDFoMgWfxV_utzytpu4Xq7ncBMQY65zDjSXQSc-x7ihRdqynxca-UVJcsUasqej1PJX7I576zykSjXLJTRkj6fBkrcUuPFw3PV2AHSUUoxAuqIJD9CCJOuCVKj5n08Q3B4w/s640/Memorial+Day+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The extended family at the cemetery</td></tr>
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After the cemetery we drove on into Pocatello where a Viet Nam veteran has for the last 8 years set up a memorial to the casulties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This memorial has grown in size and scope over the last eight years. Part of why it has grown is the number of casulties has gone up every year. The organizers of the event said they hoped it didn't get any bigger, and I knew exactly what they meant by that.<br />
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I had intended to show up, take a few pictures, explain the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to my sons and be done. When we got there, however I realized just how important this thing really was. Seeing over 6000 crosses and realizing that each one represents a deceased American serviceman was sobering. Just seeing it on television or on the internet does not give one the full impact of seeing it for real. It was heartwrenching. We stayed for almost two hours. It was a sacred experience.<br />
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There was a section for the soldiers killed in Afghanistan, one for the soldiers killed in Iraq and another section for the Idaho soldiers killed in both conflicts. There was also a small section reminding us that there are still eight Idaho soldiers who are still unaccounted for from the Viet Nam War. I grieve for the families and friends of these soldiers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMasfIF9dlCURFglFckKySBPLW8j0T_nwJVDwpoxkXKazYUrVy3qgBWgq2CjnBwM9-yQ7SP4v2qzdfFdFXoxXWIoTkaHuWmVuH8vANLwR23L4MmJU5zE5ePHG_gZv1EOezxRGZzv4bPVA/s1600/Memorial+Day+087+(800x533).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMasfIF9dlCURFglFckKySBPLW8j0T_nwJVDwpoxkXKazYUrVy3qgBWgq2CjnBwM9-yQ7SP4v2qzdfFdFXoxXWIoTkaHuWmVuH8vANLwR23L4MmJU5zE5ePHG_gZv1EOezxRGZzv4bPVA/s640/Memorial+Day+087+(800x533).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho's Field of Heroes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXJrJ8yQbSu71BUDhOMMI1AZ0hU8tq7hFCDHTh_tubJYuZEPHwyrBckk645APDlB0LjMQ2n9mz0FsSH8N7zs-IhSKEW_X1VqSs_f6R7yO0vtV1Rc06Q15Y2x2D285C7zG8yXVTZ9RaM4/s1600/Memorial+Day+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXJrJ8yQbSu71BUDhOMMI1AZ0hU8tq7hFCDHTh_tubJYuZEPHwyrBckk645APDlB0LjMQ2n9mz0FsSH8N7zs-IhSKEW_X1VqSs_f6R7yO0vtV1Rc06Q15Y2x2D285C7zG8yXVTZ9RaM4/s640/Memorial+Day+067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Operation Iraqi Freedom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuoit-pDdxBbAqRzI6SY8OKwDNHGfUuMOcKJ1X8dtB1IjPHbe4nz2S_in93zqY4dsW0XAE-on_do1Afuq0PFjjkBrurvXq-U7_73g4xHOwUB932g2voEB3NYoqVJBv9Cqni3pEvSu-1o/s1600/Memorial+Day+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuoit-pDdxBbAqRzI6SY8OKwDNHGfUuMOcKJ1X8dtB1IjPHbe4nz2S_in93zqY4dsW0XAE-on_do1Afuq0PFjjkBrurvXq-U7_73g4xHOwUB932g2voEB3NYoqVJBv9Cqni3pEvSu-1o/s640/Memorial+Day+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Operation Enduring Freedom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ThGkrTRTLpI6UebdHqhSIQnvBrH0Dv8t5BFQes2TxPL1fbUvRFyMtydnwyoYUpzeVk-LfRe7OkgxONB9P5sWFauEp-0nK6utrkO3snLTFagl1vNhTnZwhwmljExvRyJC_dogMhotsVg/s1600/Memorial+Day+054+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ThGkrTRTLpI6UebdHqhSIQnvBrH0Dv8t5BFQes2TxPL1fbUvRFyMtydnwyoYUpzeVk-LfRe7OkgxONB9P5sWFauEp-0nK6utrkO3snLTFagl1vNhTnZwhwmljExvRyJC_dogMhotsVg/s640/Memorial+Day+054+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho's MIA from Viet Nam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCdDPiQDkj2P6S1V8gwMdd4NehBa5h_vG3s1S2z28Cej8ODZEdtK4VZcqYekz8RvAaPFApgdwtV8hToXUKkCD-_bTdfmNR5KUfoCP9ccngqW1XCp26k0TmILhp8vtDGe2M2FW06to_a4/s1600/Memorial+Day+068+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCdDPiQDkj2P6S1V8gwMdd4NehBa5h_vG3s1S2z28Cej8ODZEdtK4VZcqYekz8RvAaPFApgdwtV8hToXUKkCD-_bTdfmNR5KUfoCP9ccngqW1XCp26k0TmILhp8vtDGe2M2FW06to_a4/s640/Memorial+Day+068+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idaho's casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrMojwwV0M6PKimOp2mxdw54pZ_BdBBcRl043pxM0Uhhjboslgjly7QDqibryP_teNPicUPTIFblcc7akhEYLDchRAv1XGq7Txi5vEW1iFR5i7iBAAvnxCrUGw_DPpEHtwM5lyb9991s/s1600/Memorial+Day+083+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrMojwwV0M6PKimOp2mxdw54pZ_BdBBcRl043pxM0Uhhjboslgjly7QDqibryP_teNPicUPTIFblcc7akhEYLDchRAv1XGq7Txi5vEW1iFR5i7iBAAvnxCrUGw_DPpEHtwM5lyb9991s/s640/Memorial+Day+083+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field of crosses</td></tr>
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Nick and Cynthia and their children were with us all day, and on the way back to Rexburg, we decided to walk the interpretive trail at the rest stop at Hell's Half Acre. I have always liked Hell's Half Acre. I have always wondered why filmmakers haven't used it as a location. It is some of the most rugged terrain I have ever seen. Hell's Half Acre is a 4100 year old lava flow along the Snake River Plain. Interstate 15 runs through the southern arm of the flow and there is a rest area there. At the rest area there is an interpretive trail through the flow. Both sides of the highway have trails and I have walked both of them. In my opinion, the trail on the southbound side is more scientific but both sides are very cool. It's called Hell's Half Acre, but in reality, the flow covers about 150 square miles. The trails at the rest areas are paved and not too long. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS7F3u1hctx2z6rzXRkqtzfJq_T-sg7gwu1P0McfsjEunTowDlQqHLT5HWVk0o9JyRI6VYLAqXRtvL8eOwVvoZhGm3u5pybBCZOhy_NERxEMlmwNiQe64ZJajG9U29TDqxIIrU9ZhS3Y/s1600/Memorial+Day+098+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS7F3u1hctx2z6rzXRkqtzfJq_T-sg7gwu1P0McfsjEunTowDlQqHLT5HWVk0o9JyRI6VYLAqXRtvL8eOwVvoZhGm3u5pybBCZOhy_NERxEMlmwNiQe64ZJajG9U29TDqxIIrU9ZhS3Y/s640/Memorial+Day+098+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0EiDCWOiGH89EVEA08y5fY809939U9I9KsK9SdftvB0RVm9WGbS5n1JT-ij34O3k9Sh07g4sTgjr_7kWDLw73qPOEoRT-x0A6EvUTNNktm818LKd_9-awORE7U4ChQgtv2Bp0Q8gTVg/s1600/Memorial+Day+112+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0EiDCWOiGH89EVEA08y5fY809939U9I9KsK9SdftvB0RVm9WGbS5n1JT-ij34O3k9Sh07g4sTgjr_7kWDLw73qPOEoRT-x0A6EvUTNNktm818LKd_9-awORE7U4ChQgtv2Bp0Q8gTVg/s640/Memorial+Day+112+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pahoehoe flow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOE-Nm8LW01CsyKSs3bG7K945XG6GY490xXym8NcR-XpFppCwN7guWZ1VejWF8SGFZmdpAIAcce_OpZz_SMq6Brqs-bn-9vCCPZ1LInTnQ5HsrPT4dxgj7BO_ZSD9fWiqHQ7JDzroviQ/s1600/Memorial+Day+114+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOE-Nm8LW01CsyKSs3bG7K945XG6GY490xXym8NcR-XpFppCwN7guWZ1VejWF8SGFZmdpAIAcce_OpZz_SMq6Brqs-bn-9vCCPZ1LInTnQ5HsrPT4dxgj7BO_ZSD9fWiqHQ7JDzroviQ/s640/Memorial+Day+114+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fissure</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8_I3kifrB6RT0ZVUwY39oze7wGH0rQuhpKoywsRdDdy_Fs3S5F4slYuxTCzC37FwRVAEL615xT35JcAjqakQJAAiQOTeECbrcifLPh_pJ9duztSXrZw-HQZDtwI7jLpNqkbTbtVhIzQ/s1600/Memorial+Day+125+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8_I3kifrB6RT0ZVUwY39oze7wGH0rQuhpKoywsRdDdy_Fs3S5F4slYuxTCzC37FwRVAEL615xT35JcAjqakQJAAiQOTeECbrcifLPh_pJ9duztSXrZw-HQZDtwI7jLpNqkbTbtVhIzQ/s640/Memorial+Day+125+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small fern that grows here</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHtxSFMmxpjX1HygYJFeXsuqXGyGW3MkjqDCyJn_OuZNV5gKCy6i56OG0eKiatW2VIojdO1kMZQZLmuM1r0hWG2y2n_PQfJdOXNY0IPlfPCCYe8vk4f3IbaglTY_WiNqSNTSIuR4fSZ4/s1600/Memorial+Day+132+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHtxSFMmxpjX1HygYJFeXsuqXGyGW3MkjqDCyJn_OuZNV5gKCy6i56OG0eKiatW2VIojdO1kMZQZLmuM1r0hWG2y2n_PQfJdOXNY0IPlfPCCYe8vk4f3IbaglTY_WiNqSNTSIuR4fSZ4/s640/Memorial+Day+132+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper berries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP46y2Y2IRXrkWBY5yyldyeBdCbroj1shpcdEgodAH8OF6T_rBjMtCsJ_NLC3IVzIGt9BWeouCqPHBpMSuI8193ZNmZf2XEeBKFznA6l7f39WyZWOxEBdly1GOWwTTkwYhP-8ziPdfuzU/s1600/Memorial+Day+135+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP46y2Y2IRXrkWBY5yyldyeBdCbroj1shpcdEgodAH8OF6T_rBjMtCsJ_NLC3IVzIGt9BWeouCqPHBpMSuI8193ZNmZf2XEeBKFznA6l7f39WyZWOxEBdly1GOWwTTkwYhP-8ziPdfuzU/s640/Memorial+Day+135+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss on the rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r3Xk04X35Js14rjfzl_DfJKza26bp6uSqIf1q4UIZMWga4Z7sMqLK-nh3JZl65TFZZ5x6RSNjQFTsE2d4VUQytWfy2s_cINRce4yiG_uExXxFYvC3EdthdOHR_OatdtcQ71_dwT-mKo/s1600/Memorial+Day+136+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r3Xk04X35Js14rjfzl_DfJKza26bp6uSqIf1q4UIZMWga4Z7sMqLK-nh3JZl65TFZZ5x6RSNjQFTsE2d4VUQytWfy2s_cINRce4yiG_uExXxFYvC3EdthdOHR_OatdtcQ71_dwT-mKo/s640/Memorial+Day+136+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichen on the rocks, the first step in soil building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqH68PhQgpQTIRg78-RRuznej3RBatyK6mMMLxf50DT9ehSkvG9JaJT4Z1ZKXatoIxGvm74g_jZHxQIpi_ZF_wbjvzwaVg_zq82xrzv1iK3XpgbRgKJbLEw8koSJJdakrxaXIGl4vwI/s1600/Memorial+Day+128+(729x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqH68PhQgpQTIRg78-RRuznej3RBatyK6mMMLxf50DT9ehSkvG9JaJT4Z1ZKXatoIxGvm74g_jZHxQIpi_ZF_wbjvzwaVg_zq82xrzv1iK3XpgbRgKJbLEw8koSJJdakrxaXIGl4vwI/s640/Memorial+Day+128+(729x1024).jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor and Haydn on the path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lYeXO8IpsYsylXkInGjTwWHoEmFmEm7YDSJZsmXwINaEY4GfWNmr6QgS4y_zNiU-CBFmmj7I3kG-PMuUv_HlY4emGmhErEQLPcPRbvmoAKWmxOLpTAs6WB3ve5x4J-koQg7M9Z3oWdc/s1600/Memorial+Day+131+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lYeXO8IpsYsylXkInGjTwWHoEmFmEm7YDSJZsmXwINaEY4GfWNmr6QgS4y_zNiU-CBFmmj7I3kG-PMuUv_HlY4emGmhErEQLPcPRbvmoAKWmxOLpTAs6WB3ve5x4J-koQg7M9Z3oWdc/s640/Memorial+Day+131+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan, Garrett, Chimene, Hunter and Rhys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkDi8es0mVXQBxT-1FWxJcyet6vKaGvVGJGoZwDXKYRb91kRjRXgHhaaEO41S8d2TXXSQod_S070t1B9UCG7sRLZPL67-ac94Jpry-Lu_8QVy4GnwZMiBUsR8lOvYhsOcK4CrN_o7h5s/s1600/Holden+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkDi8es0mVXQBxT-1FWxJcyet6vKaGvVGJGoZwDXKYRb91kRjRXgHhaaEO41S8d2TXXSQod_S070t1B9UCG7sRLZPL67-ac94Jpry-Lu_8QVy4GnwZMiBUsR8lOvYhsOcK4CrN_o7h5s/s640/Holden+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holden, my youngest grandson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmTHHT7KqAZDPzC3xbBUBfIZ6FNFcwjyqZqdSWYCFdWOmwhrMWAQDxjNzATCYTi3i9dYP-IOlNmtx-8iqMZkz_bhqYs4iQuTHdxJ9bSMEAKSnCBYk4V4dh4QQusKXKZjRvbWs3lY0QDc/s1600/Memorial+Day+140+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmTHHT7KqAZDPzC3xbBUBfIZ6FNFcwjyqZqdSWYCFdWOmwhrMWAQDxjNzATCYTi3i9dYP-IOlNmtx-8iqMZkz_bhqYs4iQuTHdxJ9bSMEAKSnCBYk4V4dh4QQusKXKZjRvbWs3lY0QDc/s640/Memorial+Day+140+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and the boys exploring a cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv3JVTYwg3nPXz6ZabInkq82Y-r57d-gx0I-xsl6NjItHYBucpwWO7dno-eWCp61TVCWPtI58_bVErlq6T8rB6gQV7z3lnWTqTqtGKHYYnHmBAdZhCGhCvBWvEwPZhyphenhyphenbcKeChsbY6EJ4/s1600/Memorial+Day+143+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUv3JVTYwg3nPXz6ZabInkq82Y-r57d-gx0I-xsl6NjItHYBucpwWO7dno-eWCp61TVCWPtI58_bVErlq6T8rB6gQV7z3lnWTqTqtGKHYYnHmBAdZhCGhCvBWvEwPZhyphenhyphenbcKeChsbY6EJ4/s640/Memorial+Day+143+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys on the lava</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaevpGcMPUPnLr_9oTdYifF5caNVyelp7Qi5XZiXlkZxH-S31RGMXJC4Tc4JmhiGZESVbgzjAFGQa_BlZkFBr5Y1OdlAI2738buhaEmenOb20IKC4X-5fjiPHlnFKVzc5WMB5_ZbuqL2E/s1600/Memorial+Day+109+(1024x683).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaevpGcMPUPnLr_9oTdYifF5caNVyelp7Qi5XZiXlkZxH-S31RGMXJC4Tc4JmhiGZESVbgzjAFGQa_BlZkFBr5Y1OdlAI2738buhaEmenOb20IKC4X-5fjiPHlnFKVzc5WMB5_ZbuqL2E/s640/Memorial+Day+109+(1024x683).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and Cynthia and a whole bunch of boys on the trail</td></tr>
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I never get tired of Idaho. I'm glad we moved here. There's alot to like about this place. Most of all, though I love my family. I was thankful to spend the day with them.Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419894457298436686.post-48188730067256126542012-05-27T22:03:00.000-06:002012-05-28T08:05:05.652-06:00How I Spent My Spring--Travelogue: Part III Fishing With Bruce<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rO-5uzn0YROJchDAEkdZRQSTqhm1sJ9NdHZ6utAb9OrtGqpcXBNctCiAX9IJjvxJm4o8vsXr8fq8eFEb0UsxUnbjc6uW8fOi40TZMb9m5dW_tQb_s5sREwYbZViiOAy20Vp4LvZwV3c/s1600/fishing+with+Bruce+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rO-5uzn0YROJchDAEkdZRQSTqhm1sJ9NdHZ6utAb9OrtGqpcXBNctCiAX9IJjvxJm4o8vsXr8fq8eFEb0UsxUnbjc6uW8fOi40TZMb9m5dW_tQb_s5sREwYbZViiOAy20Vp4LvZwV3c/s640/fishing+with+Bruce+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother Bruce and my two youngest sons</td></tr>
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I've never really been much of a fisherman. Fishing wasn't much fun when I was a kid. To me, fishing was going to Fan Creek with my Dad, being put on a rock in the middle of the stream that I couldn't get off of, getting dehydrated and sunburned while Dad fished for three hours.<br />
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I've often thought I should learn how to do it and learn to like it because I have children who would probably like to be fishermen. Last week, my brother, Bruce made the decision for me and invited my two youngest sons to go fishing with him. They accepted the invitation and when I took them to his house on Saturday, he asked why I wasn't coming. I tried to make some excuse, but he said I didn't have to fish, I should just come and take pictures of my sons fishing. I finally agreed to go and now I'm glad I did. We had a wonderful time fishing. I could even see myself learning to like it.<br />
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We drove out to Warm River near Ashton, Idaho and walked in to the fishing hole which is in the campground. It was a little chilly and when we first arrived it was drizzling. We went to the river and the boys started fishing right away. A man across the river started shouting at us and warned us of the skunk that was approching. I did something really stupid, I tried to get close enough to get a good picture, but the skunk was wise and moved away from us quite rapidly, choosing to stay under cover. I did not get a good pic and I did not get sprayed. It wasn't for a lack of trying though. He did raise his tail at us a couple of times, but we didn't corner him and he thought it best to leave us alone as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm River, Idaho</td></tr>
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Bruce taught the boys how to spin cast and Rhys, my 12 year old caught a rainbow trout almost immediately. He was really excited. He hooked a couple more during the day and Bruce hooked one and let him fight it in, but that was the only one he caught from start to finish. He felt like it was enough, though. He had a great time and said he wanted to go back and fish again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKQxVFaM-UqTmxn0hZ-jiorj2MBamD6oTQuE3BmS_8o5hli-pnsGTJ_Nk9_wBPyKNoTDIpOEkKudDWlmFOzyQhdGyg3Ubnj9Ou6oGMEdaDugqloNAxKx6Fo_itVt739GjlScwbsmH5VQ/s1600/fishing+with+Bruce+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKQxVFaM-UqTmxn0hZ-jiorj2MBamD6oTQuE3BmS_8o5hli-pnsGTJ_Nk9_wBPyKNoTDIpOEkKudDWlmFOzyQhdGyg3Ubnj9Ou6oGMEdaDugqloNAxKx6Fo_itVt739GjlScwbsmH5VQ/s640/fishing+with+Bruce+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bruce teaching the boys to fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhys and his first fish</td></tr>
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Garrett's day started out slower. Bruce set Rhys up in a pretty good hole, but Garrett wasn't having much luck where he was so Bruce took him to a couple more spots. Bruce had to help Rhys with something and I was with Garrett and the skunk. We decided to go where Rhys was and on a whim, Garrett cast off the wooden bridge in the campground and immediately hooked a fish. He was thrilled. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT59OhVeCNvwV-5m3pYMogIS4eP58kESIGcM85QySfhl-X3KrfpTDlkTks48cUDDc8NnMYZ4s0qxpb9YSvHdvugk1VGLPzuvWRMf-QnWxbHe_qdp-GRJFie6PupqGFYLcIreZzt_sDIb4/s1600/fishing+with+Bruce+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT59OhVeCNvwV-5m3pYMogIS4eP58kESIGcM85QySfhl-X3KrfpTDlkTks48cUDDc8NnMYZ4s0qxpb9YSvHdvugk1VGLPzuvWRMf-QnWxbHe_qdp-GRJFie6PupqGFYLcIreZzt_sDIb4/s640/fishing+with+Bruce+024.JPG" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garrett and his fish</td></tr>
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Then it started to rain. Rhys and Garrett were getting cold and opted to sit in the car for awhile. Bruce took his pole under a concrete bridge and started fishing. The rain stopped for a few minutes and the sun came out from behind a cloud and Bruce started catching fish. I hollered at the boys and they came over and watched him catch a bunch. In less than ten minutes, Bruce had caught his limit. They wanted to start fishing again but by that time, the sun had gone back behind a cloud and it started to rain again. <br />
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We packed up and started for home. There is a place on Warm River where for a hundred yards there is no fishing allowed. It's a kind of fish preserve and the trout grow to be huge. Some of them are eight to ten pounds and nearly 20 inches long. There is a vending machine there with Purina Trout Chow in it and you can get a handful for a quarter. Some people brought bags of dry cat food and fed the fish with that. It was neat to see the water boiling with big fish trying to feed on the cat food. My Dad took me there when I was a boy. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to do that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big trout in the water</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big ole rainbow trout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNlhYpkaKBb5GED7plQjPZAmWXy5MRS4zKt07ui9hsSKvUV-8YQh_vfH6zGDJOlYgI3I8aXCwqZTMZA1DfLxK2yI5oAztbTOc-1DDjjgnpsRon2FIPH3rZhgVIXpZJo84nBY-fIguLFA/s1600/fishing+with+Bruce+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNlhYpkaKBb5GED7plQjPZAmWXy5MRS4zKt07ui9hsSKvUV-8YQh_vfH6zGDJOlYgI3I8aXCwqZTMZA1DfLxK2yI5oAztbTOc-1DDjjgnpsRon2FIPH3rZhgVIXpZJo84nBY-fIguLFA/s640/fishing+with+Bruce+072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another big fish</td></tr>
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On our way out of the canyon, Bruce pointed out an old stone bridge. It's not really used much anymore and it's all overgrown, but it looked like it ought to be in Vermont or someplace back east. I had to photograph it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zqi_NjD2-cqHQ2n0fHPOtevuBKcwiKsyK5niofDxjLqGa_m9ovtpmlfmhty-8z5XLLpR_ldI6sbqazJnN1xV5bwW5qXc8693rV-Ke9DKNZU_mFhNBSCr_44hrAcL9QoA1nkKJwibI0g/s1600/fishing+with+Bruce+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zqi_NjD2-cqHQ2n0fHPOtevuBKcwiKsyK5niofDxjLqGa_m9ovtpmlfmhty-8z5XLLpR_ldI6sbqazJnN1xV5bwW5qXc8693rV-Ke9DKNZU_mFhNBSCr_44hrAcL9QoA1nkKJwibI0g/s640/fishing+with+Bruce+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very old stone bridge</td></tr>
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When we got home, Bruce taught us all how to filet the fish so you didn't have to gut them. Pretty ingenious. Basically you just slice the meat off the bones and leave the head, tail and gut cavity intact. Lots easier than the old way. This was a great day. I'm glad my big brother Bruce convinced me to go. We had a really nice time with him. I think he may have convinced me to give fishing another shot and I may end up buying a license and a fishing pole. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our haul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gary Bensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308576044648596810noreply@blogger.com0