tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161619012024-03-13T16:40:49.262-07:00Cinnamon ThoughtsSome things will be noted here that I do while living my life with my husband, Will, our cats Pepper, Jiggy, Pumpkin and Patches, our dog Ranger, and tortoise Buster. We travel and hike, take photos and watch movies, I cook and read and garden and listen to music. Oh yeah, and work.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.comBlogger301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-43681602042376208152015-08-30T12:54:00.000-07:002015-08-30T12:54:06.988-07:00Ranger's Road HomeJuly 2006. Will and I took a road trip. It was on the road driving through Monument Valley in Utah that our Ranger girl came into our life. <br />
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We picked up a car in Redding, Northern California, and we drove the back roads and byways through beautiful Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Canada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and back to Southern California. We saw and experienced amazing things; Castle Crags, Hells Canyon, geysers and buffalo in Yellowstone, thunder storms in Arches NP, a hometown 4th of July parade in Troy, MT, the great California Condor, and just the most beautiful countryside ever.<br />
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I was driving that day through magnificent Monument Valley in the Navajo Nation Reservation, and as I approached a pull out on the side of the highway I noticed a large mud puddle and next to it what looked like two little pigs. "Are those pigs?" I said aloud. Followed by "oh, no" as I slowed down and pulled off the road. Will and I got out and approached the two puppies at the edge of the mud puddle. It was mid-morning and already sweltering. <br />
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Will searched the area and behind a shrub was a box with two more puppies. Without hesitation we scooped them all up in the box and put them in the back of the rental car. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1X44NPeNMI/VeNL6pKjN9I/AAAAAAAABI0/7KpcwdyXTF4/s1600/IMG_8239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1X44NPeNMI/VeNL6pKjN9I/AAAAAAAABI0/7KpcwdyXTF4/s200/IMG_8239.jpg" width="133" /></a>We didn't know if they would live or die, but if they had somehow made it through the day, they certainly would not have survived the night. Will quickly cut the top off of our water a jug creating a big bowl and I tried to get the puppies to drink. Will took the wheel and we stopped at the first store we found to get food. <br />
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The next stop on our trip was the Vermilion Cliffs and we decided that if the lodge was situated in such a way that we could sneak four puppies in to our room, then that's what we would do, and fortunately it was. Once inside they all seemed to be recovering relatively quickly from their earlier ordeal as they ate and drank and then peed and pooped on the tile floor of the bathroom. They were little, about 6 weeks old, but seemed to be in good health, no visible signs of abuse or malnutrition, and the cutest bundles of bouncing joy ever. <br />
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The last stop on our trip before heading home was the Grand Canyon. We were not able to sneak the pups in the lodging there, so after explaining our situation we were directed to a kennel just outside of the park. We were told that abandoned puppies are dumped on the side of the road all the time out there on the reservations.<br />
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So our pups spent the night in the kennel and the next morning before heading out to explore the canyon Will and I went to visit them. It was the sweetest thing as all four came running out to us, like they knew us, and trusted us, and loved us, just as we loved them. We told them we would be back for them, that they were coming home with us. I know the pups believed it, I wondered if the kennel operator believed it.<br />
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When we picked them up the next day the kennel operator offered to take the little ones off our hands and get them to a shelter. We thanked them, but we had already decided we were going to see this through and take them home.<br />
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Indy was adopted by artist <a href="http://lisahanawalt.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Hanawalt</a>, Shortcut was adopted by a family in the Sierra Madre foothills, and Blackjack was adopted by a young family moving to Walla Walla Washington where she would spend her days on 10 acres of land.<br />
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And Ranger, well Ranger is our beloved!<br />
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Read Will's story <a href="http://www.wildbell.com/2006/07/11/574/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.wildbell.com/2006/07/29/and-then-there-were-three-two/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.wildbell.com/2006/08/03/empty-nest-syndrome/" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-76166359423183110572014-05-26T08:16:00.000-07:002014-05-26T08:20:47.009-07:00Settling Into Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With my Mom settling into her new place, my husband settling into his new position, and me, well, I'm just settling into Spring I guess. The Jacaranda trees are in full bloom, bougainvillaea are bursting, skies are blue and birds are signing. It's also the tail end of a long weekend with no big plans, nowhere to be, nothing. So what should I do today? I could install that stair rail, but I have to cut, sand, and stain it first. I could get out into the garden and pull/cut all of those pesky saplings. I could rage through the house spring cleaning. I bet Ranger, sleeping on the floor next to me, would love to go for a big walk. So, we'll see. It's early still. Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-75663782219281156932014-04-06T13:49:00.000-07:002014-04-06T17:17:41.608-07:00When Your World is Turned Upside DownMy beautiful Mom's world has been turned upside down. Her car packed with everything she was taking with her, we hit the road in Mrytle Beach South Carolina on Monday 03/24/14, and arrived in Tory Montana on Saturday 03/29/14. The rest of her life as she had known it left behind in South Carolina. <br />
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We traveled through areas that she had traveled with her late husband Lorne. The passing miles brimming with the memories of their life together. She was at times quiet and contemplative, Lorne naturally coming up in our conversations. We kept to ourselves throughout <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157643532173884/" target="_blank">the trip</a>, just the two of us, pioneer women, tearing up the road,
monitoring the weather, stopping at small towns across America for our
lunch breaks, seeing a lot of this country's beauty and making good time. <br />
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As we got closer to Montana, and her new life without him, it began to hit her harder. Our eyes and hearts brimming with love, life, death, ends and beginnings. I was just happy to be there for her when she needed me.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-76010653418538769222013-12-22T14:11:00.000-08:002013-12-22T14:11:08.546-08:00Wrap UpAs the year rapidly wraps up and I look back at it, I can say it's been another great one. Lot's of those ups and downs and accomplishments and frustrations, sure. They are the facts of life and a part of the whole journey. It wouldn't be life without them.<br />
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I know I sometimes let the frustrations mount and I can feel them physically consuming me. But then the path becomes clear and bright, and love settles the score, and it's all good and again.<br />
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I feel like the year ahead will unfold, and a see-saw of events and momentous occasions, planned and unplanned, will occur. And in the year ahead events to look forward to, and to dread, will present themselves. As long as I nourish my loves, my home, and my own being, and as long as I make good choices and stay true to my needs and my journey, I will continue to move forward in my life with joy. And with all the craziness and uncertainty in the world, I'm fortunate to be able to do so.<br />
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<br />Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-74309946588364995082013-11-10T17:50:00.000-08:002013-11-10T17:50:07.139-08:00The Perfect Compliment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Saturday Will and I decided to go see the Los Angeles Aqueduct Cascade in Sylmar. It's open to the public for a short period of time to celebrate it's 100 year anniversary. After that we went to Mission San Fernando. It's been wonderfully restored with a great historical museum and a vast collection of artwork, artifacts and furnishings throughout the buildings, gardens and church.<br />
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The <i>convento</i> building, completed in 1822, has four foot thick adobe walls and roman arches. In this building I came upon the hospice, a room with three rustic beds and paintings of saints on the walls, and a metal pot on the floor inside the doorway with coins scattered around it. I pulled a penny out of my coin purse and tossed it, it bounced off the floor once and landed right in the pot. And I said a little prayer for Lorne, my Mom's husband, who died of cancer on Thursday.<br />
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Lorne was my Mom's third husband. When they retired, they sold their house and hit the road RVing full-time, traveling across the U.S. for several years with their two cats until they landed in South Carolina and settled down there to a quite life on the coast.<br />
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Lorne had a quirky sense of humor and loved to tinker with computers and Mom says they complimented each other perfectly. It's been rough the last few year's, but his struggles are over now. And he will be with us forever in our thoughts.<br />
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Rest in peace dear Lorne.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lorne and Jeanette Waters </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo taken June 29, 1980</span></div>
Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-27097517346806242722013-09-02T11:47:00.000-07:002013-09-08T10:56:24.772-07:00Where There is Boundless Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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** Will and Ranger in the Alabama Hills w/Mt Whitney in the background **</div>
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There is boundless beauty in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range and valleys. Including these two; Will and Ranger. We traveled the US 395 from Lone Pine to Bodie and explored many points along the way. <br />
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Explorations over 6 days:<br />
<ul>
<li>Red Rock Canyon - Nature trail </li>
<li>Owens Lake - Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns</li>
<li>Lone Pine - Eastern Sierra Inter-Agency Visitor Center</li>
<li>Lone Pine - Horseshoe Meadow Rd. to Horseshoe Meadow and Cottonwood Creek; (10,000 ft).</li>
<li>Lone Pine - Mt Whitney Portal - Mt Whitney Trail (8,350 ft) to Lone Pine Lake (10,050 ft) - 5.5 mile loop; 1700 ft elevation gain.</li>
<li>Mammoth Lakes, Minaret Rd - Devils Postpile Trail to Rainbow Falls (7,500 ft) - 5.6 mile loop, 500 ft ele gain. The trail intersects the mega Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail.</li>
<li>Mammoth Lakes Earthquake Fissure - Nature trail off Minaret Rd.</li>
<li>Bodie Ghost Town - Photog location; Buildings date from 1870-1880s. </li>
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<li>Mono Lake - South Tufas and Navy Beach. Photog location and nature trail.</li>
<li>June Lake Loop - Scenic drive; 14 mile detour off US395.</li>
<li>Convict Lake - 3 mile trail around the lake.</li>
<li>Alabama Hills - Movie Flat Rd to Mobius Arch to Heart Arch loop trail and beyond + Tuttle Creek Rd. </li>
<li> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qob2DQvScA/UiTaad3ymGI/AAAAAAAABF0/OP9qT3Nrb0Q/s1600/IMG_8389+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qob2DQvScA/UiTaad3ymGI/AAAAAAAABF0/OP9qT3Nrb0Q/s400/IMG_8389+copy.jpg" width="266" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>Lone Pine Film History Museum - w/documentary movie. </li>
<li>Lone Pine Cemetery.</li>
<li>Lone Pine Earthquake Victims Grave - 1872 mass grave.</li>
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Where we stayed: <br />
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<li>Lone Pine - De La Cour Ranch, Main Cabin </li>
<li>Lee Vining - Murphey's Motel</li>
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Where we ate:<br />
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<li>Lone Pine - Mt Whitney Portal Store </li>
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<li>Lee Vining - Whoa Nellie Deli</li>
<li>Mammoth - Schat's Bakery</li>
<li>Convict Lake - Restaurant at Convict Lake Resort</li>
<li>Lone Pine - Alabama Hills Cafe</li>
<li>Grillin' back at the ranch </li>
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More photos to come...<br />
My <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157635348227771/" target="_blank">Flickr </a>Set <br />
Will's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildbell/sets/72157635421621503/page3/" target="_blank">Flickr </a>Set Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-72252992050403819752013-07-29T07:16:00.002-07:002013-08-04T09:31:10.245-07:00Landings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Very nice Sunday visit to the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/" target="_blank">Museum of Natural History</a> to see the Becoming Los Angeles exhibit. While there we traipsed through the <a href="http://www.nhm.org/site/explore-exhibits/special-exhibits/butterfly-pavilion" target="_blank">Butterfly Pavilion</a>. And completed the afternoon with a stop at <a href="http://www.melsfishshack.com/" target="_blank">Mel's Fish Shack</a> for fried catfish and coleslaw. Then we picked up a peach cobbler from The Cobbler King before heading home. <br />
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Photos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157634839025090/" target="_blank">here</a>.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-17366968035968034192013-07-14T17:05:00.001-07:002013-07-14T17:05:40.872-07:00One Journey's End ...<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"> is another's beginning. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157634644313810/" target="_blank">Will </a>receiving his certificate of completion at the graduation ceremony - Rio Hondo Police Academy Class No. 2012-1.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now, a note to my sweetie - Will, I'm incredibly proud of your accomplishment. I also look forward to the next steps in your journey and I admire your commitment to a career serving and protecting all animals. You will have opportunities to make a difference, and I know how much that means to you. </span><span style="font-size: small;">It's an honorable and meaningful path. I love you, sweetie.</span><br />
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<br />Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-64812574519352535242013-04-28T10:52:00.000-07:002013-04-28T10:55:53.721-07:00Repurposed Library Book Shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I (meaning I wanted it and my husband carried it) brought this library book shelf home after finding it left on the curb during one of our morning walks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A great thing around our neighborhood, and neighborhoods all over I'm sure, is that if you no longer want a piece of furniture just put it on the curb and someone will come along and take it. We've picked up a whole bunch of cool stuff on our morning walks. And since we're out at dawn we get a good head start on the rest of the scavengers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We don't always know what we're going to do with the pieces we pick up, and they usually sit wherever they fit for some time before a place is found where they have a purpose. In this case the shelf sat in a corner of the landing room. Just sat there with nothing going on, no purpose, not being used. Then Will rearranged a few things and found a new home and a purpose for my birthday dresser as our telephone station. Then I started looking at the library book shelf and thought I'd see if it fit in the kitchen. I had an idea that it might make an interesting produce bin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We typically have several bowls holding grapefruit, oranges, bananas, apples, lemons, limes, potatoes, and onions sitting on various surfaces from the dinging room table, the island, and on top of the microwave. So I pulled the library book shelf into the kitchen and what a wonderful produce bin it now makes topped with a couple of recipe boxes and a jug of fresh cut flowers from the yard and a juicer (also a found item).</span><br />
<br />Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-7769964107318393192013-03-24T10:51:00.002-07:002013-03-24T10:51:29.331-07:00An American ClassicI discovered Ivan Doig's <i>Dancing at the Rascal Fair</i> at a local independent book store in Echo Park.<br />
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I've been drawn to early American literature for some time. I think the seed was planted during my trips to Montana over the past several years. The first of which was a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157594404382755/" target="_blank">2006 road trip</a> through 7 states (plus a short hop up into Canada) geared around being at my Grandma and Uncle Jim's in Troy, MT for the 4th of July.<br />
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That's some beauteeful country, that is. My pioneer spirit was awakened and my longing has been fulfilled by immersion into these books.<br />
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<i>Dancing at the Rascal Fair</i> is the middle book in Ivan Doig's <i>Montana Trilogy</i>. I will be searching for the other two as well as the rest of his literary collection.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-38748147855076070602012-12-22T17:14:00.001-08:002012-12-23T07:41:42.276-08:00All Tied Up In a Bow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ranger dressed for the holidays.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-77057702258655544542012-11-23T08:40:00.000-08:002012-11-23T08:40:18.986-08:00Happy ThanksgivingAll my life I traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. Whether I lived in the same town, a neighboring state, or at opposite ends of the state, I made my way to their hearth and home. When I flew the coop as a young adult and moved to Los Angeles, my Mom would pay for my airfare. Those trips home where a wonderful time for me. My family gathered around me like a warm blanket. <br />
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Of course we eventually moved and settled further apart and those of us still on this earth now have thousands of miles between us. I believe 2004 was the last pilgrimage I ever made to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving. <br />
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So it wasn't until then that I got to cook a turkey. This year I think I finally got it right. I watched several YouTube videos for tips and settled on one that seemed right for me. A 14lb Butterball, sitting on a bed of chopped fruit, vegetables and herbs.Herbs and apples in it's cavity, and rubbed with butter and herbs all over. Pop it in the oven and leave it alone. I didn't use a thermometer though. I trusted the timing and when It came out of the oven at about 3 hours I pierced the thigh and the juices ran clear and I called it done.<br />
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And so it is with my husband and my mother-in-law beside me, I think of my family and Thanksgivings past and present, and give thanks to all. I love you all. Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-59035646034973572052012-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:002012-09-01T17:01:14.430-07:00Rejuvination is Spelled I-d-y-l-l-w-i-l-d<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spending a weekend in Idyllwild will rejuvenate the tired and weary soul. It's just the perfect escape from the grind. A mountain hamlet to while away the time. Breathe deeply, the air is infused with the scent of pine, the summer sun, rain. Walkable, dog-friendly, and super laid-back. And only a couple of hours from home. Who knew relief was that close.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157631255883068/" target="_blank">Photos here</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildbell/sets/72157631285453660/with/7881482036/" target="_blank">And here</a>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-15266054131151145982012-06-17T16:20:00.001-07:002012-06-17T17:55:51.618-07:00My Husband's Heart in an Anvil - 7th Wedding AnniversaryYesterday was our 7th wedding anniversary.<br />
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There's been a small box sitting on the floor next to my desk for about a week. It was a heavy little box. So when my husband and I began to open our gifts to each other, I've got the box open and whatever is inside is wound up in bubble wrap, and I'm unwinding it, and it's heavy, and he begins to tell me a little about his search for my gift that ended with him being outbid on ebay. But the next find was a 'buy it now' transaction, and I'm still unwinding my gift from the bubble wrap, so he found this anvil, and before I can even see it, I realize what he's said and that the weight in my hands, right there in my hands, is an anvil, and the tears just come and I'm laughing and crying and laughing. I found out after my Uncle died that my Grandpa's anvil didn't make the last move with my Grandma. Which I understand, it weighed a ton. But I loved that anvil, I wanted that anvil. My Grandpa's anvil. And now may husband, who knew how much it meant, has given that to me, and it's my husband's heart bound in an anvil wrapped with my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157630166721648/" target="_blank">Grandpa's</a> memory. Thank you sweetie. I love it. I love you.<br />
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<br />Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-63473264969346218012012-05-28T21:15:00.002-07:002012-05-28T21:20:21.617-07:00Memorial Day WeekendThe Plan. Spend Saturday morning volunteering for the Silver Lake Jubilee.<br />
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Take a day trip to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157629937605156/" target="_blank">San Juan Capistrano</a> on Sunday and explore the historic Mission and the area surrounding it.<br />
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Chill and grill on Monday with cold Corona's and Rib Eye steaks.<br />
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That's my Mom Jeanette on the left, my Grandma Laura in the middle, and me on the right. My Grandma's neighbor and good friend Tess took photos of the three of us during our visit to my Grandma's this past March. Though you wouldn't know it from this photo, it's a tough time for the three of us. My Grandma now lives by herself. My Mom and I live so far away and although my Grandma is able to live independently and she has wonderful and caring neighbors and friends, like dear Tess, as she approaches her 92nd birthday this year my Mom and I worry about her.<br />
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Being the new steward of our family photos, I've gone through them several times and there are some wonderful photos of my family, some dating back to the 19-teens. There are photos of my Grandma as a young woman with my Grandpa and her children, to my Mom as a toddler and a young girl growing up, to those from my childhood bringing back the memories of my life.<br />
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And here we are many many years ago. Me on the left, my Mom in the middle, and Grandma on the right. <br />
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This was probably 1968 or so, and I'm probably about 9. I remember that dress. I just love my Mom's hairdo, and I believe my Grandma is younger than I am now in this picture.<br />
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Another one found in the family photo shoebox. This is in the 70s. I'm in my teens. <br />
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I have a wonderful relationship with my Mom, and my husband and my family mean everything to me, but I do wish I had a daughter. With no daughter to continue the generation of our family the lineage will end with me. I am the last in the descent of our family of women. But, so be it. That time has long passed, and I've got my dog, five cats, a tortoise and a tree frog. I'm their Mom.<br />
<br />Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-45691564747163073672012-04-29T17:56:00.001-07:002012-04-29T17:59:42.280-07:00Joshua Tree NP Day TripI spent a glorious day at Joshua Tree NP.<br />
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We had been considering a quick trip to Death Valley this month and then decided to give Joshua Tree a look since neither of us had been there before, and it's closer, more like a two and a half hour drive versus the five hours to DV. <br />
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My research began weeks ago and I had narrowed it down to some of the trails I thought would be most interesting and the most accessible for the limited amount of time we had. <br />
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Up at about 3:30 am on Saturday morning, after showering, feeding the animals, and packing up photo gear and provisions for the day we hit the road a couple of hours later and rolled in at the Cottonwood Visitor Center at about 7:30 am.<br />
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We traveled from the south entrance, which is Colorado Desert side, to the north's Mojave Desert side, exiting at the town of Joshua Tree. Along with many 'Exhibits' along the road (otherwise known as points of interest), these are the sights and trails we hit:<br />
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Ocotillo Patch </div>
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Cholla Cactus Garden</div>
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Arch Rock Trail at White Tank Campground</div>
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Skull Rock Trail at Jumbo Rocks Campground</div>
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Keys View</div>
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Barker Dam Trail at Hidden Valley Campground</div>
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Ice cold beer and onion rings at Joshua Tree Saloon</div>
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It was a perfectly sunny 76 degree day with a light breeze. We laid down a blanket in the shade of a big boulder mid-day and ate our lunch. The rocks are fun to climb and they have a rough grippy surface. The landscape is also very navigable, with soft gravelly washes that make natural trails through canyons in the rocks, with plenty of pops of vivid wild-flower color everywhere. <br />
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We saw plenty of lizards, squirrels and ravens. We also saw a wonderful
black-tailed jackrabbit aaaaand a huge desert tortoise crossing the
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Future trips are definitely in store.<br />
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More photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/6979689152/in/set-72157629563308608" target="_blank">Flickr</a>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-7279415736521773032012-02-04T08:21:00.000-08:002012-02-04T10:00:04.936-08:00Where I Can Breathe<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W6kmS9LTY/Ty1fTgbt0uI/AAAAAAAAA9M/6GI3Nvw3FV0/s1600/IMG_3524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-W6kmS9LTY/Ty1fTgbt0uI/AAAAAAAAA9M/6GI3Nvw3FV0/s320/IMG_3524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705321091676623586" border="0" /></a>It's about time I put something new up. The new year seems to be flying by, already. I'm getting back on track with routine walks in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. The only thing that gets me out of bed on these 'chilly' mornings is waking up to my wonderful husband and our sweetie dog, all waggy tail and giddy-up lets go.<br /><br />We got out on some local trails for a couple of 4to5-milers in January.<br /><br />The Verdugo Mountain Trail and Bronson Canyon Trail (with its notorious cave, featured in commercials, tv, and movies). <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X4HMInnxP0/Ty1fTfbS6xI/AAAAAAAAA88/-OeoCrjgZtQ/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X4HMInnxP0/Ty1fTfbS6xI/AAAAAAAAA88/-OeoCrjgZtQ/s320/IMG_3521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705321091406424850" border="0" /></a>They're both wonderful trails and dog friendly.<br /><br />The Verdugo's a little less crowded. This was on New Year's day, and I was feeling like I needed to get up out of the city, up where I could see, where I could breathe. It was the perfect remedy. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YEN1VCHjUo/Ty1fUm9SOmI/AAAAAAAAA9g/MFPx5gZjYAo/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YEN1VCHjUo/Ty1fUm9SOmI/AAAAAAAAA9g/MFPx5gZjYAo/s320/IMG_3499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705321110607903330" border="0" /></a>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-22984189661667663212012-01-01T10:18:00.000-08:002012-01-01T10:30:01.138-08:00Happy New Year 2012<div style="text-align: center;">If it's New Year's morning, it must be time for a Mimosa.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3DQi_nBX6U/TwCled3RQAI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Uy6kHQu8DaM/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3DQi_nBX6U/TwCled3RQAI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Uy6kHQu8DaM/s320/IMG_3470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692731871827410946" border="0" /></a>* * *<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOzti-ACLf4/TwClel2SDqI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Cv7So6-thOw/s1600/IMG_3471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOzti-ACLf4/TwClel2SDqI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Cv7So6-thOw/s320/IMG_3471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692731873970753186" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">* * *<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDvfU5n7Kdo/TwClezwbh7I/AAAAAAAAA80/uApMROcVnDM/s1600/IMG_3483.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDvfU5n7Kdo/TwClezwbh7I/AAAAAAAAA80/uApMROcVnDM/s320/IMG_3483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692731877704304562" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year<br /><br /></div>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-90776657729741469862011-10-16T16:44:00.000-07:002011-10-16T17:53:01.088-07:00Town and CountryLast weekend Will and I visited the country town of <a href="http://www.julianca.com/index.htm">Julian, CA</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Shw0X0zts/Tpt6X1AllCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/uH6apIIFKog/s1600/IMG_7030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Shw0X0zts/Tpt6X1AllCI/AAAAAAAAA6A/uH6apIIFKog/s320/IMG_7030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664255506133652514" border="0" /></a>Home to rolling hills and apple orchards and a small town out of the 1870's. We picked apples at the Raven Hill Orchard and had lunch at Soups and Such, visited the Pioneer Museum and a one room schoolhouse, we walked up to the hilltop cemetery, browsed the bookshop and art shops, all under a glorious blue sky.<br /><br />On the way out we strolled those rolling hills in the Wildlife Sanctuary.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NU66ZOpW2bE/Tpt7tLhj9EI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/4RQ2e-yRsAE/s1600/IMG_7123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NU66ZOpW2bE/Tpt7tLhj9EI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/4RQ2e-yRsAE/s320/IMG_7123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664256972466418754" border="0" /></a>Today I made a Granola Apple Crisp with the Empire apples we picked. It's topped with Apple Cinnamon Granola and Honey Crisp Pecans from the Julian Cider Mill.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFCA4cyaQqc/Tpt6YZ267qI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/twFnnx5ZI8g/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFCA4cyaQqc/Tpt6YZ267qI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/twFnnx5ZI8g/s320/IMG_3284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664255516025220770" border="0" /></a><br />More photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157627784234027/">Flickr</a>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-51172404552681703692011-10-01T15:49:00.000-07:002011-10-04T07:32:27.255-07:00Ever Gentle on My MindThere was something so deeply intimate about being there in Troy, going through my Uncle's space, a space now empty of his physical presence, and yet he was everywhere. In the look on Rusty's face, the notes left on the table, a book on the nightstand, boots kicked off and laying on the floor.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mras2d62T14/ToemDUpoz3I/AAAAAAAAA5o/qJrQ-GpxhcQ/s1600/IMG_3182.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mras2d62T14/ToemDUpoz3I/AAAAAAAAA5o/qJrQ-GpxhcQ/s320/IMG_3182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658674032827486066" border="0" /></a>His ashes are heavy in my arms. And just like he did with my Grandpa before him, with my bare hand I lift the ashes out and let them fall through my fingers to the gentle wind, to the tall grass, to the river rocks, and to the wild river.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ8dn1W2VZQ/ToemDjt6f-I/AAAAAAAAA5w/zI4krBFXm7w/s1600/IMG_3196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQ8dn1W2VZQ/ToemDjt6f-I/AAAAAAAAA5w/zI4krBFXm7w/s320/IMG_3196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658674036871954402" border="0" /></a>There's deep sorrow and a calming peace in doing so. He's where he wanted to be. And I look at the bend in the river and tears of joy might stain my face, and the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind. But not to where I cannot see him walking on the back roads, by the rivers of my memory, ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOlWtnie6R4/ToeovrRPzNI/AAAAAAAAA54/dzvXiWusCKc/s1600/Jim%2B001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOlWtnie6R4/ToeovrRPzNI/AAAAAAAAA54/dzvXiWusCKc/s320/Jim%2B001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658676993836698834" border="0" /></a>Those song lyrics have been in my head and I take a moment to say goodbye before I rise from the riverside, and return to the others.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-68085458753592401932011-09-05T11:47:00.000-07:002011-09-05T17:36:12.992-07:00I Come From a Family of FishermenI've wanted to fish all summer long, and it seemed there was a reason this feeling consumed me. I come from a family of fishermen, says my Mom, and so it is with thoughts of my Grandpa fishing the rivers of northern California's Shasta county, with a bond so strong and a connection everlasting, that another member of those fishermen was dying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnwBlC1MEDY/TmUmpq_m3OI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/OFKrNs2Ak1M/s1600/IMG_7062.jpg"><br /></a>I learned in July that my Uncle Jimmy had terminal cancer, and by Saturday morning, September 3, 2011, he was gone. Jim passed away, quietly, at home with my Grandma.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDmCR4I1_-k/TmUmpFVUvNI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ROsKUx992TE/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDmCR4I1_-k/TmUmpFVUvNI/AAAAAAAAA5I/ROsKUx992TE/s320/IMG_3071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648963794854264018" border="0" /></a>Thinking about it all summer long, Will and I were up early yesterday driving east to the San Gabriel River. The sun rising before me, tears in my eyes, and my fishermen on my mind. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMSKujv9k5E/TmUmpeyl_lI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/SYDu2ogU3xM/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-rp3QuwSAk/TmVqHlFAwgI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ZuJsCrMlovE/s1600/IMG_7647.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-rp3QuwSAk/TmVqHlFAwgI/AAAAAAAAA5g/ZuJsCrMlovE/s320/IMG_7647.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649037986050916866" border="0" /></a>I didn't catch any fish (this time). But I connected with my fishermen, and had my husband at my side.<br /><br />Will and I stood on the banks of the river, casting our lines into the current, practicing more than expecting to catch anything more than twigs. And with the cool rushing water circling my legs and the warmth of the sun on my shoulders, I thought of my Grandpa and my Uncle Jimmy.<br /><br />Jim was a mountain man living in northwest Montana along the Kootenai River. Smart, strong, a master craftsman, always with a dog by his side, sometimes troubled and made mean by drinking, yet loving and loved deeply. I will miss him in my life.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnwBlC1MEDY/TmUmpq_m3OI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/OFKrNs2Ak1M/s1600/IMG_7062.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnwBlC1MEDY/TmUmpq_m3OI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/OFKrNs2Ak1M/s320/IMG_7062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648963804963724514" border="0" /></a>Rest in peace Jimmy.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-72615735373499655072011-08-07T17:38:00.000-07:002011-08-07T17:50:18.584-07:00OMGoats Are CuteThe goats are clearing the brush on the slope around and under Angel's Flight downtown. After going to a movie we thought we'd stop by and say "hay". They are just about about the cutest ever.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ6IIy46ry0/Tj8xEz6_IQI/AAAAAAAAA44/oXMYgvJrG6A/s1600/IMG_2804.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ6IIy46ry0/Tj8xEz6_IQI/AAAAAAAAA44/oXMYgvJrG6A/s320/IMG_2804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638279217218003202" border="0" /></a>More Goats on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157627256498585/detail/">Flickr</a>Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-12695009339895683902011-07-04T13:35:00.000-07:002011-07-04T14:06:28.265-07:00What's Goin' OnThis long weekend has been spent taking advantage of California's outdoor weather. A walk to the Silver Lake Farmer's Market always turns into photo ops.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHoFiDWb2R4/ThIm4MRch1I/AAAAAAAAA4w/Uo6t4TA7w8c/s1600/IMG_2566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHoFiDWb2R4/ThIm4MRch1I/AAAAAAAAA4w/Uo6t4TA7w8c/s320/IMG_2566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625601631348098898" border="0" /></a>Exploring the nearby Big Tajunga Canyon was a very pleasant surprise. Yellow <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157626983863091/">wildflowers exploding</a> everywhere and a river running through it.<br /><br />Weeks past we've been enjoying <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157626983962595/">classics on the big screens</a> of Los Anagles' grand theaters on Broadway.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br />As well as a jaunt out to Ojai for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/sets/72157627052459784/">Lavender Festival</a>.<br /><br />Whew. Summer's here.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16161901.post-53839930202935299332011-04-03T20:13:00.000-07:002011-04-17T12:29:41.091-07:00The Wonders of the EastJust back from our whirlwind trip to Thailand and Cambodia, my husband and I were with a band of travelers, compliments of my super great boss. This trip was packed with so many beautiful and interesting destinations, and photography, no matter how stunning or ordinary, can't begin to capture the reality, beauty, or scale of the places we visited.<br /><br />But that didn't stop me from blazing through my memory cards and snapping 2,217 images.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLUvWgGTyIo/TZk6wTVJASI/AAAAAAAAA4k/6ML2Zi2v_dw/s1600/Thailand%2B%2526%2BCambodia%2B1309.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HLUvWgGTyIo/TZk6wTVJASI/AAAAAAAAA4k/6ML2Zi2v_dw/s320/Thailand%2B%2526%2BCambodia%2B1309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591565013854257442" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite days happened when we broke away from the group, and with like-minded travelers Miles and Maryann (in the tuk-tuk ahead of us as we approach the gates of the Bayon Temple above), we ditched the luxury bus for a couple of tuk-tuks and hit the road for the countryside and some temples.<br /><br />I've uploaded a selection to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/there2roam/collections/72157626423775592/">Flickr</a>. Notes and captions still to come.Cinnamon Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927325526972284854noreply@blogger.com0