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(368, 2, '2011-10-04 23:56:40', '2011-10-04 23:56:40', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50 without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights gained from it about the universe b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of it from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  more than three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where cars are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it become uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and formation in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to a colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for a while now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not one to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  In short, it would not be where we were eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called down the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude:  when asked if they had vegetarian stuff and/or fish tacos, said yes and they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were now the special of the night).\n\nOur review of the place is\n\nat dinner time, we decided to go out for Tex-Mex...fill in the details\nwent to grocery store after dinner for provisions...not the best store\n\nmore rain arrived at 8:30 when we were going to sleep\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-21', '', '', '2011-10-04 23:56:40', '2011-10-04 23:56:40', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=368', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(369, 2, '2011-10-05 00:30:03', '2011-10-05 00:30:03', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50 without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights gained from it about the universe b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of it from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  more than three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where cars are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it become uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and formation in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to a colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for a while now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not one to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  In short, it would not be where we were eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called down the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude:  when asked if they had vegetarian stuff and/or fish tacos, said yes and they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were now the special of the night).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic and b) tourists c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter finishing our me\nwent to grocery store after dinner for provisions...not the best store\n\nmore rain arrived at 8:30 when we were going to sleep\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-22', '', '', '2011-10-05 00:30:03', '2011-10-05 00:30:03', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=369', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(370, 2, '2011-10-05 00:37:33', '2011-10-05 00:37:33', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50 without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights gained from it about the universe b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of it from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  more than three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where cars are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it become uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and formation in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to a colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for a while now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not one to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  In short, it would not be where we were eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called down the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude:  when asked if they had vegetarian stuff and/or fish tacos, said yes and they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were now the special of the night).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic and b) tourists c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped inadvertently at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  We were\n\nmore rain arrived at 8:30 when we were going to sleep\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-23', '', '', '2011-10-05 00:37:33', '2011-10-05 00:37:33', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=370', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(371, 2, '2011-10-05 00:47:28', '2011-10-05 00:47:28', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50 without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights gained from it about the universe b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of it from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  more than three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where cars are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it become uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and formation in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to a colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for a while now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not one to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  In short, it would not be where we were eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called down the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude:  when asked if they had vegetarian stuff and/or fish tacos, said yes and they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were now the special of the night).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic and b) tourists c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped  at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  It was a bit frustrating, but we were resupplied and had waited out the rain that had come in.\n\nOn the way back to the campsite, I recalled seeing signs for some free WiFi, so I stopped to try and access it quickly from the car, but to no avail.  However, that stop left Dad to re-examine our route tomorrow for reaching Canon City, CO and identify an issue.  The predicament was that it was at least an 8 hour drive on highways if we went east through NM then north, but a friend familiar with the area suggested a more scenic drive would be going north first, into CO, then east, but this would be on lower-speed highways with sections going through towns.  After much back-and-forth, and examination of paper maps and GPS calculations, we decided to go with the safer route on the major highways.\n\nOur course set for the next day\'s long drive to Canon City, we returned to the campground and concluded our a very full day.', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-24', '', '', '2011-10-05 00:47:28', '2011-10-05 00:47:28', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=371', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(372, 2, '2011-10-05 00:59:25', '2011-10-05 00:59:25', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50 without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights gained from it about the universe b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of it from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  more than three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where cars are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it become uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and formation in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to a colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for a while now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not one to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  In short, it would not be where we were eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called down the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude:  when asked if they had vegetarian stuff and/or fish tacos, said yes and they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were now the special of the night).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic and b) tourists c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped  at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  It was a bit frustrating, but we were resupplied and had waited out the rain that had come in.\n\nOn the way back to the campsite, I recalled seeing signs for some free WiFi, so I stopped to try and access it quickly from the car, but to no avail.  However, that stop left Dad to re-examine our route tomorrow for reaching Canon City, CO and identify an issue.  The predicament was that it was at least an 8 hour drive on highways if we went east through NM then north, but a friend familiar with the area suggested a more scenic drive would be going north first, into CO, then east, but this would be on lower-speed highways with sections going through towns.  After much back-and-forth, and examination of paper maps and GPS calculations, we decided to go with the safer route on the major highways.\n\nOur course set for the next day\'s long drive to Canon City, we returned to the campground and concluded our a very full day.\n<embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"></embed>', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-25', '', '', '2011-10-05 00:59:25', '2011-10-05 00:59:25', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=372', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(373, 2, '2011-10-05 01:24:30', '2011-10-05 01:24:30', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50am without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  (I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.)\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights about the universe gained from it b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested ;-)\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of its information from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions of celestial bodies and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon like other sites we\'d seen, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option existed to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, after nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where drivers are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it became uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and landscape in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to the nearby colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes ones along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for awhile now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not of the type to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  As suspected, it was not where we\'d be eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude.  When asked if they had vegetarian items and/or fish tacos, they said yes and that they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were going to be the special of the night he told me).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing though that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic b) tourists and c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped  at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  It was a bit frustrating, but we were resupplied and had waited out the rain that had come in that evening.\n\nOn the way back to the campsite, I recalled seeing signs for some free WiFi, so I stopped to try and access it quickly from the car, but to no avail.  However, that stop left Dad to re-examine and identify an issue with our route for reaching Canon City, CO tomorrow.  The predicament was that it was at least an 8 hour drive on main highways according to the GSP if we went east through NM then north, but a friend familiar with the area suggested a more scenic drive would be going north first, into CO, then east, but this would be on lower-speed highways with sections going through towns that would add several hours to the already long trip.  After much back-and-forth, and examination of paper maps and GPS calculations, we decided to go with the safer route on the major highways.\n\nOur course set for the next day\'s long drive to Canon City, we returned to the campground and concluded our a very full day.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-26', '', '', '2011-10-05 01:24:30', '2011-10-05 01:24:30', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=373', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(374, 2, '2011-10-05 01:26:59', '2011-10-05 01:26:59', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\n\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50am without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\n\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  (I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.)\n\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\n\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights about the universe gained from it b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested.\n\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of its information from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions of celestial bodies and the role they play in the universe.\n\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon like other sites we\'d seen, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option existed to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, after nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where drivers are questioned and can be potentially searched.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it became uncovered for us all to see.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and landscape in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to the nearby colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes one along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for awhile now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\n\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not of the type to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  As suspected, it was not where we\'d be eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude.  When asked if they had vegetarian items and/or fish tacos, they said yes and that they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\n\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were going to be the special of the night he told me).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing though that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic b) tourists and c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped  at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  It was a bit frustrating, but we were resupplied and had waited out the rain that had come in that evening.\n\nOn the way back to the campsite, I recalled seeing signs for some free WiFi, so I stopped to try and access it quickly from the car, but to no avail.  However, that stop left Dad to re-examine and identify an issue with our route for reaching Canon City, CO tomorrow.  The predicament was that it was at least an 8 hour drive on main highways according to the GSP if we went east through NM then north, but a friend familiar with the area suggested a more scenic drive would be going north first, into CO, then east, but this would be on lower-speed highways with sections going through towns that would add several hours to the already long trip.  After much back-and-forth, and examination of paper maps and GPS calculations, we decided to go with the safer route on the major highways.\n\nOur course set for the next day\'s long drive to Canon City, we returned to the campground and concluded our very full day with a peaceful night\'s sleep.\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-27', '', '', '2011-10-05 01:26:59', '2011-10-05 01:26:59', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=374', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(375, 2, '2011-10-05 01:28:19', '2011-10-05 01:28:19', 'Start:  Sedona, AZ\r\nDestination: <a href=\"http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html\" target=\"_blank\">Red Rock State Park Campground</a>, Gallup, NM\r\nOdometer: 106,301 (start)  106,567 (end) – 266 miles\r\nDate:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011\r\n\r\nWe arose before day-break and quietly broke camp by 5:50am without waking our youthful, late-arriving neighbors.\r\n\r\nThe drive that morning took us back north to Flagstaff and then east on route 40.  The landscape makes an abrupt shift after Flagstaff, from a hilly/mountainous and rocky desert to flat planes similar to the mid-west.  (I  was driving and unfortunately didn\'t take pictures.)\r\n\r\nThe original plan had us stopping at <a href=\"http://www.meteorcrater.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Meteor Crater,</a> but we began second-guessing ourselves that morning and decided to skip it in order to have more time at other spots.  The tickets were $15/person and felt we\'d seen enough holes in the ground.  That is, until we were hit by their advertising campaign.  First, there is their radio station which airs a loop listing all the amazing attractions, from an actual piece of the meteor to having a Subway sandwich shop.  Then there are the billboards, listing facts about the meteor and the crater.  Lastly, there\'s just the uniqueness of the place as the \"world’s best preserved meteorite impact site.\"  One of the guiding philosophies/rules of the trip was that we\'d not have regrets of \"oh, we should/could have done that, but didn\'t.\"  The closer we got to passing the crater, the more I felt that I would be felling that, and so I caved and made the turn onto Meteor Crater Road.\r\n\r\nThe drive to the crater is on a nice several-mile road, empty at that early hour of the morning, through flat grassland, leading towards what looks like an average hill.  As we\'d eventually learn, that grassland was eviscerated 50,000 years ago and that hill is the rim of the giant crater.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-329\" title=\"STA70251\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70251-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived just as the ticket office was opening.  I bought the tickets (again, we benefited from a senior discount) and received an informational tri-fold.  I read this while Dad made some business phone calls.  I must say, this was a lengthy, but very well written tri-fold, that explained:  a) the science about the meteor, the impact, the resulting geology, and insights about the universe gained from it b) told the story of its discovery, mining attempts, controversy over what formed it, its use by NASA, and how/why it was turned into an attraction, and c) raised excitement about what we\'d be able to see from the public vantage point and the Visitors Center.  As rare as the meteor is, it\'s also rare to find such a detailed yet readable pamphlet to a natural attraction.  I think my Dad still has it in his trip document folder if you\'re interested.\r\n\r\nWhen we entered the visitor center, we were informed that a short movie was going to be starting in a few minutes, so we headed towards the theater instead of the exit to the crater.  The film was neat, but I had already learned most of its information from the pamphlet...which came in handy when answering the pre-film quiz questions.  The film did add better insights about how the crater helped improve scientific understanding of collisions of celestial bodies and the role they play in the universe.\r\n\r\nFinally, we were outdoors and standing atop the crater.  At first, it\'s rather unimpressive:  just a big hole in the ground.  Then the reality and scale sinks in:  three football fields with over 2 million spectators in the stands around the circumference could be held there, the spec at the base is the size of person, a boulder along the rim (pictured below) is the size of a house, and last but not least:  this whole thing wasn\'t caused by erosion, an earthquake, a volcano, or some terrestrial phenomenon like other sites we\'d seen, but from a rock, only 150\' wide, from deep in the universe slamming into the ground just 50,000 years ago.  And just think, now it\'s next to a Subway - there\'s something either crass or poetic about this intersection of human civilization and the universe.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-333\" title=\"STA70223\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70223-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-334\" title=\"STA70236\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70236-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe walked around the rim as much as we could, but we were fairly limited.  It would have been cool if an option existed to walk to the base of the crater were available, but there wasn\'t one yet.  This was made up for however in the visitor center where they had a real / non-replica piece of the crater that was eventually discovered.  And for some reason, there was also an Apollo Test Capsule on display.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-336\" title=\"STA70248\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70248-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-337\" title=\"STA70249\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70249-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nIn all, we were glad that we stopped here. It\'s a pretty cool site and you can easily spend a few enjoyable hours seeing the crater and walking through the educational exhibits.   After our couple hours, we were ready for some breakfast and to get on with the trip to see the petrified forest and the painted desert.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-338\" title=\"STA70241\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70241-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347408804574625%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\r\n\r\nThe Petrified Forest is one of the great American landscapes.  Now, many of the places we\'ve gone to were priceless and couldn\'t be stolen by anyone other than Carmen Sandeigo.  At the Petrified Forest however, the thousands of pieces of tie-die colored petrified wood that form the landscape are also priceless, but also easily stolen by anyone.  Indeed, after nearly every step one comes across a piece of petrified wood that would look great on one\'s mantle, in one\'s living room, or many other places around the house.  Apparently several tons are stolen each year (not sure how they really measure this), so there are checkpoints upon entering and exiting the park where drivers are questioned and can be potentially searched.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-341\" title=\"STA70298\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70298-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-342\" title=\"STA70274\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70274-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nSome of the dinosaur fossils found in the muck were also on display.  I had never seen skeletal structures like these.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-343\" title=\"STA70301\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70301-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-344\" title=\"STA70305\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70305-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-345\" title=\"STA70303\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70303-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe headed onto the next stop of the drive through the park which features more petrified wood.  For the most part, it was similar to what we had just seen, but this site had a nice hill, petrified wood that still looked like wood, and a clearer visualization of the muck that the petrified wood was in before it became uncovered for us all to see.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-346\" title=\"STA70329\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70329-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-347\" title=\"STA70337\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70337-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-348\" title=\"STA70345\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70345-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nOur time walking around this pleasant, pre-historic landscape was interrupted however by storm clouds that quickly emerged above and released its rain on us below.  The next couple hours would be an interesting mix of sites and extreme weather.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-352\" title=\"STA70347\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70347-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived at the Agate Bridge in time to be hailed upon.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-353\" title=\"STA70355\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70355-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived at the dunes to see a cloud opened up in the distance.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-354\" title=\"STA70378\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70378-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-355\" title=\"STA70382\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70382-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAnd to the petroglyphs (images etched into rocks by people 650-2000 years ago) to see an intense cloud column formation.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-356\" title=\"STA70397\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70397-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-357\" title=\"STA70407\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70407-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs we exited the park, we were able to see the accumulation of rain by means of the raging river that had now filled the previously dry river bed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-359\" title=\"STA70412\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70412-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThe Petrified Forest was one of the highlights of the trip.  I had heard about this place and had seen petrified wood before, but experiencing the geology and landscape in person was spectacular.  This is one of those places where one could spend the entire day taking pictures and still feel there was a lot that was missed.  Definitely add this to your list of places to visit.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659349178884697809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\r\n\r\nWe then moved on from a colored forest to the nearby colored desert.  The scenic drive through the Painted Desert takes one along landscapes of incredible shades of pink.  It was very pleasant and unique, but its very monotonous and the hour was getting late, so we hurried through the drive.  Next stop:  Gallup, NM.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659347940258898321%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\r\n\r\nThe drive to Gallup was rather uneventful, with a flat landscape interspersed by impressive mesas and other rock formations.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-362\" title=\"STA70456\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70456-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-363\" title=\"STA70457\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70457-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived at the campground around 6 and settled in.  The campground is part of a state park and situated amongst red rock cliffs.  On the plus side, there\'s showers, nice scenery, and an inexpensive, informal payment process.  On the down side, the bathroom requires a key (which is easy to forget when hurrying to the bathroom in the morning), a lot of the scenery is blocked by trees unless you go into the park itself, and we had some anxiety about if, when, and how we\'d be paying for the site.  Either way, we were settled in and it was time for dinner.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-364\" title=\"STA70468\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70468-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-365\" title=\"STA70469\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/STA70469-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe were low on food and had been going through the southwest for awhile now, yet hadn\'t had any \"authentic\" mexican / tex-mex, so we opted to find such a restaurant and then stop at a supermarket.\r\n\r\nWe didn\'t have a restaurant in mind, so we relied upon the GPS.  The GPS listed dozens in the area of Gallup, so we decided to just drive downtown and see what we saw along the way.  Unfortunately, nothing stood out, so I choose one from the list and followed the GPS to a residential part of the city.  Now, for better or worse, not being from the area, it\'s hard to tell what is a bad part of town; however, the place we stopped did not seem particularly inviting, and not of the type to have much of  a vegetarian option, so I decided to call.  As suspected, it was not where we\'d be eating that night.  Hungry and a bit frustrated at not being able to find what I thought would be simple enough, we parked and I called the list of options in the area according to the GPS.  Of the first 5, only one, <a href=\"http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-metate-tamale-factory-gallup\" target=\"_blank\">El Metate</a>, had the right answer and attitude.  When asked if they had vegetarian items and/or fish tacos, they said yes and that they could make whatever we\'d like.  This seemed like a place to patronize so we reset the GPS and were on our way.\r\n\r\nAgain, we arrived to a residential part of town where the restaurant had parking in the back.  We were again a bit skeptical of the area, so we put our main valuables in my backpack and brought it in with us.  We received a friendly greeting from the waiter and a recognition that I was the one who had called earlier (fish tacos were going to be the special of the night he told me).  The restaurant is rather simple and the bathroom could be better maintained, but the food is good and has a fresh, homemade feel to it.  The thing though that honestly stood out to me were the customers.  This is a very hispanic restaurant in a very hispanic part of town, yet everyone eating there that evening was a) white non-hispanic b) tourists and c) middle-class and/or yuppies.  Something was up.  After googling the restaurant, it turns out that this place has many 5 star reviews and positive comments on Yelp, all from tourists who either stumbled upon it or went there because of the recommendations on that site.  If people needed more evidence about the power of good online reviews, I think this should settle it.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659350845031938289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\r\n\r\nAfter dinner, we stopped at the supermarket but didn\'t get much beyond the basics of some fruit, bread, tuna fish, and ice.  I had apparently stopped  at the discount supermarket and while probably great for others, it lacked the items and diversity expected from a mainstream grocery store.  It was a bit frustrating, but we were resupplied and had waited out the rain that had come in that evening.\r\n\r\nOn the way back to the campsite, I recalled seeing signs for some free WiFi, so I stopped to try and access it quickly from the car, but to no avail.  However, that stop left Dad to re-examine and identify an issue with our route for reaching Canon City, CO tomorrow.  The predicament was that it was at least an 8 hour drive on main highways according to the GSP if we went east through NM then north, but a friend familiar with the area suggested a more scenic drive would be going north first, into CO, then east, but this would be on lower-speed highways with sections going through towns that would add several hours to the already long trip.  After much back-and-forth, and examination of paper maps and GPS calculations, we decided to go with the safer route on the major highways.\r\n\r\nOur course set for the next day\'s long drive to Canon City, we returned to the campground and concluded our very full day with a peaceful night\'s sleep.\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5659352540732325425%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 16:  A Meteor Crater, a Petrified Forest, and a Painted Desert', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '322-revision-28', '', '', '2011-10-05 01:28:19', '2011-10-05 01:28:19', '', 322, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=375', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(377, 2, '2011-10-05 19:54:14', '2011-10-05 19:54:14', '', 'Auto Draft', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision', '', '', '2011-10-05 19:54:14', '2011-10-05 19:54:14', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=377', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(378, 2, '2011-10-05 19:59:12', '2011-10-05 19:59:12', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\r\n\r\nwe started the day @ 5:15\r\nate PB again at a rest stop\r\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\r\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\r\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\r\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\r\nrained off and on as we drove\r\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\r\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\r\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\r\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\r\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\r\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\r\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\r\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\r\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\r\n\r\n\r\nstart:  106,594\r\nend:  107,153', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-2', '', '', '2011-10-05 19:59:12', '2011-10-05 19:59:12', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=378', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(379, 2, '2011-10-05 20:00:31', '2011-10-05 20:00:31', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-3', '', '', '2011-10-05 20:00:31', '2011-10-05 20:00:31', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=379', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(413, 2, '2012-01-27 01:26:07', '0000-00-00 00:00:00', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 617 miles\nDate:  Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011\n\nOur day began around 5:40am and the sun eventually arose over the mountains to join us.  Our destination today is Rocky Mountain National Park, but prior to our arrival, we have an important errand.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-416\" title=\"STA70534\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nMy sister is an avid runner, and had recently finished and enjoyed <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Running-Buffaloes-University-Colorado-Cross-Country/dp/1585743283\" target=\"_blank\">Running with The Buffaloes</a> which follows the University of Colorado cross country team  for a season.  Since we were possibly going to be nearby, my sister asked that we get her a Running with the Buffaloes t-shirt.  One would think this would be an easy task, but alas, it was not.\n\nAt first, we weren\'t sure if our schedule would be conducive with stopping at the campus bookstore.  They open later in the morning and we\'d possibly be driving by early in the morning.  As will be discuss late, we were going to meetup with a friend of mine who lives in Boulder, CO, and so we asked if she couldn\'t pick it up\n\n&nbsp;\n\nleft @ 5:40\nstopped at Boulder to buy a t-shirt for Bethanne\nrich was starving and a little irritable, so we went to a restaurant near Rocky Mountain NP for brunch, Dad had buffalo burger which wasn’t bad, I had french toast and hash browns\ndrove to drake which literally and figurately lies at the intersection of routes 34 and 43, it consists of 3 buildings, including a post office and a restaurant and campgrounds\nscenic drive by a creek through a canyon\non the way back, we took different roads and had views of the mountains\nbought some food at local safeway, which would become a hanging out spot for us since it had free WiFi and a comfortable place to sit and work\nwhile were driving, we saw elk grazing on the side of the road\nwe found our way to bear lake parking lot and located trail heads we’d use on Saturday/tomorrow\nKirstin is supposed to meet us tomorrow and join us for a day of hiking\nwe had shabbat dinner of peroggies and soup - tuna hadn’t thawed\nrich was anxious to get back to camp, prepare dinner, and empty car for tomorrow to fit Kirtsen in the car and remove any food items or things with scent to trunk to make safe for bears\nRich and I share trait of becoming anxious when there are tasks to be done\npreparred car for bears, bags were removed and put in the trunk or tent, anyting with scent (food, toothpaste, etc) put in trunk...oops, the next morning, Dad discovered after all the efforts we put into making the car safe, we had left a bag of snacks in the front seat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSaturday\nlast night was cold, threat of rain, but only a drizzle came, wind was howling, but trees sheltered our tent\nDad got up at 6 to dress and use bathroom.  Found the phone had lost most of its power during night, only had 3-4% left.  Being saturday, Rich was still sleeping in bed at 8:45.  Dad to meet Kirstin at 10am and plan to leave camp @ 9:15.  Turns out Kirsten has also gone out of her way to buy a XC shirt for Bethanne.\nDad and I had PB sandwiches before going on hike...Kisten had already eaten\nwe went to Spraque lake which was a short, pleasant walk and a hike to Alberta Falls, which was about 2 miles round trip, which we did in a drizzle that ended in a heavy/heavier rain/downpour.\nthe cascade at alberta falls was worth the hike, which hopefully you’ll appreciate from the pictures...but the long hike to the top of the falls we passed up on\nhad lunch/dinner at pizza shop\nKirsten ate with us\npizza was good and was served in small pieces instead of 8 slices\nthe three of us polished off the two pizza\nreturned to the tent, outside a bit wet, but inside was dry\ntonight we might go to the DQ and rich might work on the blog - ended up just as Safeway\n\nSunday\nawoke to a wind storm at 5:50, must have slept well, becuase that is the first time I saw\nno sence getting up until storm ends\nwe plan a long drive around RMP and no sense driving if we can’t appreciate the views due to the darkness or storm\nDad got up around 6:30, rich around 7\nwe should soon be on the road for a 200+ mile scenic drive around RMP\nlast night we were at safeway until after 10:30 finishing day 9 blog - we began after sundown about 8pm - Rich took a shabbat nap from around 5-8\nRich retunred from bathroom to car that morning where dad was wrting note sand warming up.  a few seconds later, rich exclimed , look!, and there wer thre elks grazing around our tent, no more than 5 feet away...see pictures\nwe left about 7:30 for the drive\nthere was snow on the RM\nthe first part of the drive is the trail ridge road which is the highest road in the US\nwe eventually reached a point on that road of 12,246’ (according to the GPS) the temp had dropped about 9° to 31° and 12,000 foot peaks were now low hills, since we were at almost the same elevation as the peaks\nthere were strong winds...we were at the level of the clouds and could see the motion of the clouds.\nat millner pass we stpped at a point on the continential divide and we learned that the unassuming lapoudre creek that we were looking at flowed into the platte river to the Miss. to Miss. to the gulf and the Atlantic, while the creek on the other side down the road, hte beaver creek flowed to the Col. river, thorugh GC, to the Cal. Gulf and the pacific ocean\nlater we ate lunch - PB sandwiches and fruit and popcorn - at grand lake and later in the day drove up Mt. Evans to an altitude of 12,883 feet\nMt. Evans is actually 14,264 feet, which is 100 or so feet higher than Pikes Peak, but access to the summit by cars is denied after labor day.\nthe 9-mile road up Mt. Evans was a comfortable two-lanes, but winding and alternated sheer drops with traffic going in opposite direction.\nthere was ice and snow on the side of the trail and on the mountain\nRich got altitude (and/or car) sickness\nreturned to camp at 5:40pm, having spent 10hours driving the 200+ miles\nbikers on the mountain\nat this point, we have driven 6301 miles on 204.33 gallons @ $748.50 (you’ll notice the 2 cents ia more reaonslbe even number...blame rich)\nmade tuna steaks nad enjoyed watermellong brought from the farm Kirsten works', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'draft', 'open', 'open', '', '', '', '', '2012-01-27 01:26:07', '2012-01-27 01:26:07', '', 0, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=413', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(381, 2, '2011-10-10 00:42:40', '2011-10-10 00:42:40', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-4', '', '', '2011-10-10 00:42:40', '2011-10-10 00:42:40', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=381', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(382, 2, '2011-10-10 00:59:48', '2011-10-10 00:59:48', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-5', '', '', '2011-10-10 00:59:48', '2011-10-10 00:59:48', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=382', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(383, 2, '2011-10-10 01:02:50', '2011-10-10 01:02:50', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-6', '', '', '2011-10-10 01:02:50', '2011-10-10 01:02:50', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=383', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(384, 2, '2011-12-07 02:08:39', '2011-12-07 02:08:39', '', 'STA70472', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70472', '', '', '2011-12-07 02:08:39', '2011-12-07 02:08:39', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(385, 2, '2011-12-07 02:12:23', '2011-12-07 02:12:23', '', 'STA70473', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70473', '', '', '2011-12-07 02:12:23', '2011-12-07 02:12:23', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(386, 2, '2011-12-07 02:13:44', '2011-12-07 02:13:44', 'Day 17:  Canon/Canyon City\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some humor to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, advertising the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object 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flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-7', '', '', '2011-12-07 02:13:44', '2011-12-07 02:13:44', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=386', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(387, 2, '2011-12-07 02:22:29', '2011-12-07 02:22:29', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" 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(388, 2, '2011-12-07 02:45:05', '2011-12-07 02:45:05', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nbut did not mention that there was a password and that the office would be closed when we\'d arrive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn short, Moishe House is a\n\nBefore we could settle in, I had business to conduct.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-9', '', '', '2011-12-07 02:45:05', '2011-12-07 02:45:05', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=388', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
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(390, 2, '2011-12-07 02:53:45', '2011-12-07 02:53:45', '', 'STA70474', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70474', '', '', '2011-12-07 02:53:45', '2011-12-07 02:53:45', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(391, 2, '2011-12-07 03:15:27', '2011-12-07 03:15:27', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an international organization aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching, was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, and was looking for a Jewish community closer to my demographic.  The interview went well, and am currently living in the MoCo\n\n&nbsp;\n\na Moishe House consists of 3-5 young Jews living together and creating a community for Jews in the .  The interview went well, and in fact, I moved in to the house last week and am writing this post in my new home.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nbut did not mention that there was a password and that the office would be closed when we\'d arrive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn short, Moishe House is a\n\nBefore we could settle in, I had business to conduct.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe arrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-10', '', '', '2011-12-07 03:15:27', '2011-12-07 03:15:27', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=391', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(392, 2, '2011-12-07 03:28:28', '2011-12-07 03:28:28', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nDad\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" 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(393, 2, '2011-12-07 03:53:54', '2011-12-07 03:53:54', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour sour on the\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" 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(394, 2, '2011-12-07 04:15:06', '2011-12-07 04:15:06', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  It\'s Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThere\'s two things to say about Canon City and KOA Kampground.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" 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(396, 2, '2011-12-07 05:22:59', '2011-12-07 05:22:59', '', 'STA70486', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70486-2', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:22:59', '2011-12-07 05:22:59', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA704861.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(397, 2, '2011-12-07 05:23:58', '2011-12-07 05:23:58', '', 'STA70481', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70481', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:23:58', '2011-12-07 05:23:58', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(398, 2, '2011-12-07 05:24:31', '2011-12-07 05:24:31', '', 'STA70489', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70489', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:24:31', '2011-12-07 05:24:31', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(399, 2, '2011-12-07 05:25:12', '2011-12-07 05:25:12', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee.  Fortunately, it was off-season, the park was closing down, and they weren\'t looking to gouge us at the gorge, and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n360-acre (150 ha) theme park\n\nThe money-making venture around the we went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-14', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:25:12', '2011-12-07 05:25:12', '', 376, 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(400, 2, '2011-12-07 05:32:06', '2011-12-07 05:32:06', '', 'STA70494', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70494', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:32:06', '2011-12-07 05:32:06', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(401, 2, '2011-12-07 05:36:22', '2011-12-07 05:36:22', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs promised, the views were good and we were also able to watch a sw\n\n&nbsp;\n\n360-acre (150 ha) theme park\n\nThe money-making venture around the we went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" 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(402, 2, '2011-12-07 05:41:15', '2011-12-07 05:41:15', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  I forget what we hypothesized, but apparently they\'re the same thing, with one word being spanish and the other English.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n360-acre (150 ha) theme park\n\nThe money-making venture around the we went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-16', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:41:15', '2011-12-07 05:41:15', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=402', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(404, 2, '2011-12-07 05:49:00', '2011-12-07 05:49:00', '', 'STA70523', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', 'sta70523', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:49:00', '2011-12-07 05:49:00', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(403, 2, '2011-12-07 05:46:10', '2011-12-07 05:46:10', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the drive and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n360-acre (150 ha) theme park\n\nThe money-making venture around the we went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\n\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-17', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:46:10', '2011-12-07 05:46:10', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=403', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(405, 2, '2011-12-07 05:53:08', '2011-12-07 05:53:08', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\n\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering the food and\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" 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(406, 2, '2011-12-07 05:59:47', '2011-12-07 05:59:47', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\n\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\n\nThe rain passed quickly and by the time we were done, were able to quickly clean everything and after doing some work in the car, retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-19', '', '', '2011-12-07 05:59:47', '2011-12-07 05:59:47', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=406', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(407, 2, '2011-12-07 06:06:13', '2011-12-07 06:06:13', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\n\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\n\nThe rain passed quickly and by the time we were done, were able to quickly clean everything and after doing some work in the car, retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-20', '', '', '2011-12-07 06:06:13', '2011-12-07 06:06:13', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=407', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(408, 2, '2011-12-07 06:06:27', '2011-12-07 06:06:27', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\r\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\r\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\r\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\r\n\r\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\r\n\r\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties. Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\r\n\r\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there\'d be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\r\n\r\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campground (in the $30 range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be gratis with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.\r\n\r\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\r\n\r\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  Fortunately, the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.\r\n\r\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\r\n\r\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\r\n\r\nThe rain passed quickly and by the time we were done, were able to quickly clean everything and after doing some work in the car, retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<embed type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"></embed>\r\n\r\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\r\n\r\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\r\n\r\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\r\n\r\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\r\n\r\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\r\n\r\nMAKING DINNER\r\n\r\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\r\n\r\nDINNER\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nwe started the day @ 5:15\r\nate PB again at a rest stop\r\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\r\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\r\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\r\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\r\nrained off and on as we drove\r\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\r\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\r\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\r\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\r\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\r\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\r\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\r\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\r\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\r\n\r\nstart:  106,594\r\nend:  107,153\r\n\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" 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(410, 2, '2011-12-07 16:26:42', '2011-12-07 16:26:42', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\r\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\r\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\r\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\r\n\r\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\r\n\r\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties.  Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\r\n\r\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there would be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked, see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and I am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\r\n\r\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campgrounds (in the $30+ range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be free with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.  I had always seen KOA Kampground signs but this was my first time staying there. If you want the services of a hotel and to have family entertainment at your campground, KOAs seems to provide that well, but we didn\'t need those so weren\'t as impressed.\r\n\r\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but I felt the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\r\n\r\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  We arrived as the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.  Again, let\'s pick one and go with it.\r\n\r\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive, and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\r\n\r\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\r\n\r\nThe rain passed quickly and was gone by the time we were done our meal. Dad cleaned up while I did some work in the car, and we retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-23', '', '', '2011-12-07 16:26:42', '2011-12-07 16:26:42', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=410', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(409, 2, '2011-12-07 16:26:20', '2011-12-07 16:26:20', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties.  Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there would be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked, see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and I am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campgrounds (in the $30+ range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be free with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.  I had always seen KOA Kampground signs but this was my first time staying there. If you want the services of a hotel and to have family entertainment at your campground, KOAs seems to provide that well, but we didn\'t need those so weren\'t as impressed.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but I felt the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  We arrived as the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.  Again, let\'s pick one and go with it.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive, and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\n\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\n\nThe rain passed quickly and was gone by the time we were done our meal. Dad cleaned up while I did some work in the car, and we retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDRIVING THROUGH THE FLAT PARTS OF COLORADO?\n\nMULTIPLE SPELLINGS OF CITY NAME\n\nKOA...FIRST TIME AT...SENSE OF THEM\n\nDRIVING TO THE BRIDGE, NOT WANTING TO PAY\n\nDRIVING THROUGH REST OF THE CITY\n\nMAKING DINNER\n\nTELECONFERENCE AND WORKING ON BLOG WHEN WE ARRIVED\n\nDINNER\n\n&nbsp;\n\nwe started the day @ 5:15\nate PB again at a rest stop\ndebate about route to take:  the scenic route or the freeways.  GPS suggested freeways, friend/Kirstin recommended the more scenic route.  Had planned scenic route, but when push came to shove, given the 9 hour drive, was afraid that the scenic route would be too slow and 9 hours would be 11 or 12, so we decided to take the GPS freeway route\nhad pleasnt drive from Gallup to Canon City, discussed some politics\nthe mountains came into view from colorado\nthe river level we passed was high from the rains\nrained off and on as we drove\narrived at our site @ KOA around 2:15\naltough check-in wasn’t until three\nRich found internet service in laundry room and Dad cleaned up the tarp and tent\nfor days, we had been discussing whether we should do skyline drive.  this is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  when we got ot Canon city, we saw it was highly advertisted, tourist attraction, gateway at entrance.  The decision was made for us when we foudn the entrance way closed, presumably due to rains fro the previous days.  To be honest, Dad had all but decided not to do it, and I think Rich agreed on the grounds that it was silly to put our selves into such a stressful position, even though we both knew we’d be able to do it, since millions have before us.\nwe went over to the gourge bridge to see the gourge without paying the $25 fee.  it was a pleasnt drive to campsite to gourge parking lot, but can’t get to the bridge, without going through the amusement park, which is why they charge the $25.  The guard collecting the money ws nice and told us about the free overlook up the road.  went there and got very satisifying views of deep gouge and ARK. river running through it, and the bridge over it.  BTW, the question of the dif. between gourge and canyon...and the answer we’ve decided upon is that a gourge is in effect the open save, and the canyon is the walls and river floor.\nthe camp site was more expensive than our typical campsite.  this one was about $30 whn we usually pay $20 or less.  but it had other amenities, including mini golf and go-karts.  Then we found out the go-karts were closd and the mini golf which included an inferior course with water-filled holes cost an additional 2.50.\nwe had a prive site not too far from the bathroom, which included a free shower that we both eventually used.  free wifi with rich used quite a bit.\nmade tuna sandwich dinner, but it rained so ate in the laundry\nby this point, we had travelled 5684 miles using 179.83 gallons at a cost of $661.02\n\nstart:  106,594\nend:  107,153\n\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><img src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-includes/js/tinymce/themes/advanced/img/trans.gif\" class=\"mceItemMedia mceItemFlash\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" data-mce-json=\"{\'video\':{},\'params\':{\'src\':\'https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\',\'flashvars\':\'host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\',\'pluginspage\':\'http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\'}}\" alt=\"\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-22', '', '', '2011-12-07 16:26:20', '2011-12-07 16:26:20', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=409', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(411, 2, '2011-12-07 16:27:10', '2011-12-07 16:27:10', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\r\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\r\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\r\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\r\n\r\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\r\n\r\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties.  Fortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\r\n\r\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there would be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked, see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and I am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\r\n\r\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campgrounds (in the $30+ range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be free with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.  I had always seen KOA Kampground signs but this was my first time staying there. If you want the services of a hotel and to have family entertainment at your campground, KOAs seems to provide that well, but we didn\'t need those so weren\'t as impressed.\r\n\r\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but I felt the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\r\n\r\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  We arrived as the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.  Again, let\'s pick one and go with it.\r\n\r\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive, and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\r\n\r\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\r\n\r\nThe rain passed quickly and was gone by the time we were done our meal. Dad cleaned up while I did some work in the car, and we retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\r\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-revision-24', '', '', '2011-12-07 16:27:10', '2011-12-07 16:27:10', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=411', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(412, 2, '2011-12-07 16:52:45', '2011-12-07 16:52:45', 'Start:  Gallup, NM\nDestination: <a href=\"http://koa.com/campgrounds/royal-gorge/\" target=\"_blank\">KOA Kampground</a>, Canon City, CO\nOdometer: 106,567 (start)  107,153 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nUnlike Gallup, where there was much to see on the way, the drive to Canon City was rather bland, especially given what we had been seeing for the past two weeks.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-384\" title=\"STA70472\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70472-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAdding some irony to the blandness was the Welcome to Colorado sign, which advertised the colorfulness of Colorado through a rather colorless dark brown and white sign that was hard to see in the grey mist falling upon us.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-385\" title=\"STA70473\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70473-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nFortunately, Dad and I had some colorful political discussions to enliven the drive which started in the dim light shortly after 5am and ended in the sunny afternoon shortly after 2 at the Canon City KOA Kampground.\n\nRather than setup the tent immediately, I had to rush to access the WiFi at the campground so I could connect to a video interview for Moishe House that had been postponed due to earlier technical difficulties.  Unfortunately, those difficulties initially continued to occur.\n\nI had called the campground before we arrived to confirm that there was WiFi, and they confirmed they had it, so I relaxed, thinking there would be no issues.  Well, we arrived during the quiet part of the day when the office was closed, and so couldn\'t check it.  Fine, we can do that later, I\'d just connect to the WiFi.  The network was quickly found, but a password was required to connect.  Ugh.  I called the office number only to hear the phone ringing behind the locked, see-through entrance door.  I tried visually scanning the office for a paper that might display the password, but saw nothing of the sort.  I set my laptop down on a shelf in a wooden kiosk near the office and was resigning myself to having to postpone the meeting again when I noticed something in the corner.  Sure enough, there was a welcome packet for us and it contained the password for accessing the WiFi.  Huzzah.  And who should appear shortly after connecting? The campground manager to check us in who told me what I now knew and invited us to take whatever campsite we wanted as the tent area appeared completely vacant.  Dad left to pick and setup a site and I went to have my meeting.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-389\" title=\"STA70476\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70476-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-390\" title=\"STA70474\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70474-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nI setup my office in the laundry room of the campground which had a large shelf-table and some chairs.  This interview was part of the process for becoming a resident of the Moishe House in Montgomery County, MD.  In short, this house is part of an <a href=\"http://moishehouse.org/\" target=\"_blank\">international organization</a> aimed at Jewish community building and education for 20-30 somethings.  I enjoy Jewish learning and teaching and was in need of a housing arrangement for the Fall, so it seemed like a good fit.  Indeed, the interview went well, and I am writing this post in my new home at the MoCo Moishe House.\n\nWhile I was busy on the computer, Dad roamed the campground.  This KOA Kampground was the most expensive campground of the trip, and KOA\'s seem to be on the more expensive side for campgrounds (in the $30+ range).  In exchange, they provide an assortment of amenities, from WiFi, clean showers, and laundry rooms, to a miniature golf course, go-karts, and a potato-sack slide.  We thought these would be free with the cost of the campsite, but apparently the entertainment amenities are extra.  It was the off season though, so most of the attractions were closed, except for mini-golf.  The course wasn\'t in good shape, but they still wanted to charge.  Dad finished his tour impressed with the extent of services at the campground but sour about the lack of generosity/customer service regarding the golf course.  I had always seen KOA Kampground signs but this was my first time staying there. If you want the services of a hotel and to have family entertainment at your campground, KOAs seems to provide that well, but we didn\'t need those so weren\'t as impressed.\n\nWe didn\'t come to Canon City to see the campground though, so we hit the road to explore the area.  The first thing I noticed was that this city needs to get some agreement on its name.  Depending on the sign, we were in Canon City, Cañon City, or Canyon City.  I know they are pronounced similarly, but I felt the residents should decide to be anglicized or spanish and stick with it.\n\nThe main attraction in the city is the <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Gorge_Bridge\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Gorge Bridge</a>.  The bridge, until recently, was the highest suspension bridge in the world (nearly 1000\' above the Arkansas river) and is about a quarter mile long.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-395\" title=\"STA70486\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70486-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nLest this bridge not be commercialized, there is a large theme park built on each side of the bridge with a $25 entrance fee to visit the park and drive over the bridge.  We arrived as the park was closing and the security guard informed us that we could actually get a nice, free view of the bridge, river and gorge, a few hundred feet away.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-397\" title=\"STA70481\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70481-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-398\" title=\"STA70489\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70489-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-400\" title=\"STA70494\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70494-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nAs described, the views were impressive and we were also able to watch a swarm of bats out for a late afternoon feast.  While atop the gorge, we tried to figure out what the difference was between a canyon and a gorge.  We hypothesized that a gorge is in effect the open space, and the canyon is the walls and river floor, but apparently <a href=\"http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070604202119AAFI5El\" target=\"_blank\">they\'re just synonyms,</a> with one word being Spanish and the other English.  Again, let\'s pick one and go with it.\n\nThe other nearby attraction is a skyline drive which is a one-lane road with sheer drops on both sides.  We were debating whether to take the potentially nerve-racking drive, and when we got to Canon city, we saw it was highly advertised tourist attraction, but the decision was made for us when we found the entrance to the drive was closed, presumably due to rains from the previous days.\n\nSo, rather than drive along the sky, we drove along the Arkansas river until close to dusk.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-404\" title=\"STA70523\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/STA70523-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nWe arrived back to the campsite with not much time to spare before the sunlight left us, so I started to quickly make dinner.  As I was about to finish though, rain drops started falling on our head, so we quickly gathering up everything and took sanctuary in the laundry room.\n\nThe rain passed quickly and was gone by the time we were done our meal. Dad cleaned up while I did some work in the car, and we retired to the tent for a quiet night\'s sleep in preparation for the Rocky Mountains.\n<object width=\"400\" height=\"267\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"src\" value=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" /><param name=\"pluginspage\" value=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /><embed width=\"400\" height=\"267\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf\" flashvars=\"host=picasaweb.google.com&amp;noautoplay=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feat=flashalbum&amp;RGB=0x000000&amp;feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F107638235733347757198%2Falbumid%2F5660090674877210849%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US\" pluginspage=\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" /></object>', 'Day 17:  Canon City, CO', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '376-autosave', '', '', '2011-12-07 16:52:45', '2011-12-07 16:52:45', '', 376, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=412', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(414, 2, '2012-01-26 15:30:23', '2012-01-26 15:30:23', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 586 miles\nDate:  Thursday, September 15, 2011\n\nstart:  107.153\nend:', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '413-revision', '', '', '2012-01-26 15:30:23', '2012-01-26 15:30:23', '', 413, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=414', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
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(417, 2, '2012-01-26 18:44:07', '2012-01-26 18:44:07', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 617 miles\nDate:  Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011\n\nOur day began around 5:40am and the sun eventually arose over the mou   before the sun was up, with us\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-416\" title=\"STA70534\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nleft @ 5:40\nstopped at Boulder to buy a t-shirt for Bethanne\nrich was starving and a little irritable, so we went to a restaurant near Rocky Mountain NP for brunch, Dad had buffalo burger which wasn’t bad, I had french toast and hash browns\ndrove to drake which literally and figurately lies at the intersection of routes 34 and 43, it consists of 3 buildings, including a post office and a restaurant and campgrounds\nscenic drive by a creek through a canyon\non the way back, we took different roads and had views of the mountains\nbought some food at local safeway, which would become a hanging out spot for us since it had free WiFi and a comfortable place to sit and work\nwhile were driving, we saw elk grazing on the side of the road\nwe found our way to bear lake parking lot and located trail heads we’d use on Saturday/tomorrow\nKirstin is supposed to meet us tomorrow and join us for a day of hiking\nwe had shabbat dinner of peroggies and soup - tuna hadn’t thawed\nrich was anxious to get back to camp, prepare dinner, and empty car for tomorrow to fit Kirtsen in the car and remove any food items or things with scent to trunk to make safe for bears\nRich and I share trait of becoming anxious when there are tasks to be done\npreparred car for bears, bags were removed and put in the trunk or tent, anyting with scent (food, toothpaste, etc) put in trunk...oops, the next morning, Dad discovered after all the efforts we put into making the car safe, we had left a bag of snacks in the front seat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSaturday\nlast night was cold, threat of rain, but only a drizzle came, wind was howling, but trees sheltered our tent\nDad got up at 6 to dress and use bathroom.  Found the phone had lost most of its power during night, only had 3-4% left.  Being saturday, Rich was still sleeping in bed at 8:45.  Dad to meet Kirstin at 10am and plan to leave camp @ 9:15.  Turns out Kirsten has also gone out of her way to buy a XC shirt for Bethanne.\nDad and I had PB sandwiches before going on hike...Kisten had already eaten\nwe went to Spraque lake which was a short, pleasant walk and a hike to Alberta Falls, which was about 2 miles round trip, which we did in a drizzle that ended in a heavy/heavier rain/downpour.\nthe cascade at alberta falls was worth the hike, which hopefully you’ll appreciate from the pictures...but the long hike to the top of the falls we passed up on\nhad lunch/dinner at pizza shop\nKirsten ate with us\npizza was good and was served in small pieces instead of 8 slices\nthe three of us polished off the two pizza\nreturned to the tent, outside a bit wet, but inside was dry\ntonight we might go to the DQ and rich might work on the blog - ended up just as Safeway\n\nSunday\nawoke to a wind storm at 5:50, must have slept well, becuase that is the first time I saw\nno sence getting up until storm ends\nwe plan a long drive around RMP and no sense driving if we can’t appreciate the views due to the darkness or storm\nDad got up around 6:30, rich around 7\nwe should soon be on the road for a 200+ mile scenic drive around RMP\nlast night we were at safeway until after 10:30 finishing day 9 blog - we began after sundown about 8pm - Rich took a shabbat nap from around 5-8\nRich retunred from bathroom to car that morning where dad was wrting note sand warming up.  a few seconds later, rich exclimed , look!, and there wer thre elks grazing around our tent, no more than 5 feet away...see pictures\nwe left about 7:30 for the drive\nthere was snow on the RM\nthe first part of the drive is the trail ridge road which is the highest road in the US\nwe eventually reached a point on that road of 12,246’ (according to the GPS) the temp had dropped about 9° to 31° and 12,000 foot peaks were now low hills, since we were at almost the same elevation as the peaks\nthere were strong winds...we were at the level of the clouds and could see the motion of the clouds.\nat millner pass we stpped at a point on the continential divide and we learned that the unassuming lapoudre creek that we were looking at flowed into the platte river to the Miss. to Miss. to the gulf and the Atlantic, while the creek on the other side down the road, hte beaver creek flowed to the Col. river, thorugh GC, to the Cal. Gulf and the pacific ocean\nlater we ate lunch - PB sandwiches and fruit and popcorn - at grand lake and later in the day drove up Mt. Evans to an altitude of 12,883 feet\nMt. Evans is actually 14,264 feet, which is 100 or so feet higher than Pikes Peak, but access to the summit by cars is denied after labor day.\nthe 9-mile road up Mt. Evans was a comfortable two-lanes, but winding and alternated sheer drops with traffic going in opposite direction.\nthere was ice and snow on the side of the trail and on the mountain\nRich got altitude (and/or car) sickness\nreturned to camp at 5:40pm, having spent 10hours driving the 200+ miles\nbikers on the mountain\nat this point, we have driven 6301 miles on 204.33 gallons @ $748.50 (you’ll notice the 2 cents ia more reaonslbe even number...blame rich)\nmade tuna steaks nad enjoyed watermellong brought from the farm Kirsten works', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '413-revision-3', '', '', '2012-01-26 18:44:07', '2012-01-26 18:44:07', '', 413, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=417', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(418, 2, '2012-01-26 18:46:53', '2012-01-26 18:46:53', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 617 miles\nDate:  Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011\n\nOur day began around 5:40am and the sun eventually arose over the mountains to join us.  Our destination today is Rocky Mountain National Park, but prior to our arrival, we have an important errand.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-416\" title=\"STA70534\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nMy sister is an avid runner, and had recently finished and enjoyed <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Running-Buffaloes-University-Colorado-Cross-Country/dp/1585743283\" target=\"_blank\">Running with The Buffaloes</a> which follows the University of Colorado cross country team  for a season.\n\nleft @ 5:40\nstopped at Boulder to buy a t-shirt for Bethanne\nrich was starving and a little irritable, so we went to a restaurant near Rocky Mountain NP for brunch, Dad had buffalo burger which wasn’t bad, I had french toast and hash browns\ndrove to drake which literally and figurately lies at the intersection of routes 34 and 43, it consists of 3 buildings, including a post office and a restaurant and campgrounds\nscenic drive by a creek through a canyon\non the way back, we took different roads and had views of the mountains\nbought some food at local safeway, which would become a hanging out spot for us since it had free WiFi and a comfortable place to sit and work\nwhile were driving, we saw elk grazing on the side of the road\nwe found our way to bear lake parking lot and located trail heads we’d use on Saturday/tomorrow\nKirstin is supposed to meet us tomorrow and join us for a day of hiking\nwe had shabbat dinner of peroggies and soup - tuna hadn’t thawed\nrich was anxious to get back to camp, prepare dinner, and empty car for tomorrow to fit Kirtsen in the car and remove any food items or things with scent to trunk to make safe for bears\nRich and I share trait of becoming anxious when there are tasks to be done\npreparred car for bears, bags were removed and put in the trunk or tent, anyting with scent (food, toothpaste, etc) put in trunk...oops, the next morning, Dad discovered after all the efforts we put into making the car safe, we had left a bag of snacks in the front seat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSaturday\nlast night was cold, threat of rain, but only a drizzle came, wind was howling, but trees sheltered our tent\nDad got up at 6 to dress and use bathroom.  Found the phone had lost most of its power during night, only had 3-4% left.  Being saturday, Rich was still sleeping in bed at 8:45.  Dad to meet Kirstin at 10am and plan to leave camp @ 9:15.  Turns out Kirsten has also gone out of her way to buy a XC shirt for Bethanne.\nDad and I had PB sandwiches before going on hike...Kisten had already eaten\nwe went to Spraque lake which was a short, pleasant walk and a hike to Alberta Falls, which was about 2 miles round trip, which we did in a drizzle that ended in a heavy/heavier rain/downpour.\nthe cascade at alberta falls was worth the hike, which hopefully you’ll appreciate from the pictures...but the long hike to the top of the falls we passed up on\nhad lunch/dinner at pizza shop\nKirsten ate with us\npizza was good and was served in small pieces instead of 8 slices\nthe three of us polished off the two pizza\nreturned to the tent, outside a bit wet, but inside was dry\ntonight we might go to the DQ and rich might work on the blog - ended up just as Safeway\n\nSunday\nawoke to a wind storm at 5:50, must have slept well, becuase that is the first time I saw\nno sence getting up until storm ends\nwe plan a long drive around RMP and no sense driving if we can’t appreciate the views due to the darkness or storm\nDad got up around 6:30, rich around 7\nwe should soon be on the road for a 200+ mile scenic drive around RMP\nlast night we were at safeway until after 10:30 finishing day 9 blog - we began after sundown about 8pm - Rich took a shabbat nap from around 5-8\nRich retunred from bathroom to car that morning where dad was wrting note sand warming up.  a few seconds later, rich exclimed , look!, and there wer thre elks grazing around our tent, no more than 5 feet away...see pictures\nwe left about 7:30 for the drive\nthere was snow on the RM\nthe first part of the drive is the trail ridge road which is the highest road in the US\nwe eventually reached a point on that road of 12,246’ (according to the GPS) the temp had dropped about 9° to 31° and 12,000 foot peaks were now low hills, since we were at almost the same elevation as the peaks\nthere were strong winds...we were at the level of the clouds and could see the motion of the clouds.\nat millner pass we stpped at a point on the continential divide and we learned that the unassuming lapoudre creek that we were looking at flowed into the platte river to the Miss. to Miss. to the gulf and the Atlantic, while the creek on the other side down the road, hte beaver creek flowed to the Col. river, thorugh GC, to the Cal. Gulf and the pacific ocean\nlater we ate lunch - PB sandwiches and fruit and popcorn - at grand lake and later in the day drove up Mt. Evans to an altitude of 12,883 feet\nMt. Evans is actually 14,264 feet, which is 100 or so feet higher than Pikes Peak, but access to the summit by cars is denied after labor day.\nthe 9-mile road up Mt. Evans was a comfortable two-lanes, but winding and alternated sheer drops with traffic going in opposite direction.\nthere was ice and snow on the side of the trail and on the mountain\nRich got altitude (and/or car) sickness\nreturned to camp at 5:40pm, having spent 10hours driving the 200+ miles\nbikers on the mountain\nat this point, we have driven 6301 miles on 204.33 gallons @ $748.50 (you’ll notice the 2 cents ia more reaonslbe even number...blame rich)\nmade tuna steaks nad enjoyed watermellong brought from the farm Kirsten works', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '413-revision-4', '', '', '2012-01-26 18:46:53', '2012-01-26 18:46:53', '', 413, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=418', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(419, 2, '2012-01-26 19:04:01', '2012-01-26 19:04:01', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 617 miles\nDate:  Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011\n\nOur day began around 5:40am and the sun eventually arose over the mountains to join us.  Our destination today is Rocky Mountain National Park, but prior to our arrival, we have an important errand.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-416\" title=\"STA70534\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nMy sister is an avid runner, and had recently finished and enjoyed <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Running-Buffaloes-University-Colorado-Cross-Country/dp/1585743283\" target=\"_blank\">Running with The Buffaloes</a> which follows the University of Colorado cross country team  for a season.  Since we were going to be nearby, my sister asked that we get her a Running with the Buffaloes t-shirt.  One would think this would be an easy task, but alas, it was not.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nleft @ 5:40\nstopped at Boulder to buy a t-shirt for Bethanne\nrich was starving and a little irritable, so we went to a restaurant near Rocky Mountain NP for brunch, Dad had buffalo burger which wasn’t bad, I had french toast and hash browns\ndrove to drake which literally and figurately lies at the intersection of routes 34 and 43, it consists of 3 buildings, including a post office and a restaurant and campgrounds\nscenic drive by a creek through a canyon\non the way back, we took different roads and had views of the mountains\nbought some food at local safeway, which would become a hanging out spot for us since it had free WiFi and a comfortable place to sit and work\nwhile were driving, we saw elk grazing on the side of the road\nwe found our way to bear lake parking lot and located trail heads we’d use on Saturday/tomorrow\nKirstin is supposed to meet us tomorrow and join us for a day of hiking\nwe had shabbat dinner of peroggies and soup - tuna hadn’t thawed\nrich was anxious to get back to camp, prepare dinner, and empty car for tomorrow to fit Kirtsen in the car and remove any food items or things with scent to trunk to make safe for bears\nRich and I share trait of becoming anxious when there are tasks to be done\npreparred car for bears, bags were removed and put in the trunk or tent, anyting with scent (food, toothpaste, etc) put in trunk...oops, the next morning, Dad discovered after all the efforts we put into making the car safe, we had left a bag of snacks in the front seat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSaturday\nlast night was cold, threat of rain, but only a drizzle came, wind was howling, but trees sheltered our tent\nDad got up at 6 to dress and use bathroom.  Found the phone had lost most of its power during night, only had 3-4% left.  Being saturday, Rich was still sleeping in bed at 8:45.  Dad to meet Kirstin at 10am and plan to leave camp @ 9:15.  Turns out Kirsten has also gone out of her way to buy a XC shirt for Bethanne.\nDad and I had PB sandwiches before going on hike...Kisten had already eaten\nwe went to Spraque lake which was a short, pleasant walk and a hike to Alberta Falls, which was about 2 miles round trip, which we did in a drizzle that ended in a heavy/heavier rain/downpour.\nthe cascade at alberta falls was worth the hike, which hopefully you’ll appreciate from the pictures...but the long hike to the top of the falls we passed up on\nhad lunch/dinner at pizza shop\nKirsten ate with us\npizza was good and was served in small pieces instead of 8 slices\nthe three of us polished off the two pizza\nreturned to the tent, outside a bit wet, but inside was dry\ntonight we might go to the DQ and rich might work on the blog - ended up just as Safeway\n\nSunday\nawoke to a wind storm at 5:50, must have slept well, becuase that is the first time I saw\nno sence getting up until storm ends\nwe plan a long drive around RMP and no sense driving if we can’t appreciate the views due to the darkness or storm\nDad got up around 6:30, rich around 7\nwe should soon be on the road for a 200+ mile scenic drive around RMP\nlast night we were at safeway until after 10:30 finishing day 9 blog - we began after sundown about 8pm - Rich took a shabbat nap from around 5-8\nRich retunred from bathroom to car that morning where dad was wrting note sand warming up.  a few seconds later, rich exclimed , look!, and there wer thre elks grazing around our tent, no more than 5 feet away...see pictures\nwe left about 7:30 for the drive\nthere was snow on the RM\nthe first part of the drive is the trail ridge road which is the highest road in the US\nwe eventually reached a point on that road of 12,246’ (according to the GPS) the temp had dropped about 9° to 31° and 12,000 foot peaks were now low hills, since we were at almost the same elevation as the peaks\nthere were strong winds...we were at the level of the clouds and could see the motion of the clouds.\nat millner pass we stpped at a point on the continential divide and we learned that the unassuming lapoudre creek that we were looking at flowed into the platte river to the Miss. to Miss. to the gulf and the Atlantic, while the creek on the other side down the road, hte beaver creek flowed to the Col. river, thorugh GC, to the Cal. Gulf and the pacific ocean\nlater we ate lunch - PB sandwiches and fruit and popcorn - at grand lake and later in the day drove up Mt. Evans to an altitude of 12,883 feet\nMt. Evans is actually 14,264 feet, which is 100 or so feet higher than Pikes Peak, but access to the summit by cars is denied after labor day.\nthe 9-mile road up Mt. Evans was a comfortable two-lanes, but winding and alternated sheer drops with traffic going in opposite direction.\nthere was ice and snow on the side of the trail and on the mountain\nRich got altitude (and/or car) sickness\nreturned to camp at 5:40pm, having spent 10hours driving the 200+ miles\nbikers on the mountain\nat this point, we have driven 6301 miles on 204.33 gallons @ $748.50 (you’ll notice the 2 cents ia more reaonslbe even number...blame rich)\nmade tuna steaks nad enjoyed watermellong brought from the farm Kirsten works', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '413-revision-5', '', '', '2012-01-26 19:04:01', '2012-01-26 19:04:01', '', 413, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=419', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(420, 2, '2012-01-26 19:15:10', '2012-01-26 19:15:10', 'Start:  Canon City, CO\nDestination: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes, Co\nOdometer: 107,153 (start)  107,770 (end) – 617 miles\nDate:  Friday, September 16, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011\n\nOur day began around 5:40am and the sun eventually arose over the mountains to join us.  Our destination today is Rocky Mountain National Park, but prior to our arrival, we have an important errand.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-416\" title=\"STA70534\" src=\"http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/STA70534-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\nMy sister is an avid runner, and had recently finished and enjoyed <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Running-Buffaloes-University-Colorado-Cross-Country/dp/1585743283\" target=\"_blank\">Running with The Buffaloes</a> which follows the University of Colorado cross country team  for a season.  Since we were possibly going to be nearby, my sister asked that we get her a Running with the Buffaloes t-shirt.  One would think this would be an easy task, but alas, it was not.\n\nAt first, we weren\'t sure if our schedule would be compatible with stopping at the campus bookstore.  They open later in the morning and we\'d possibly be driving by early in the morning.  As will be discuss late, we were going to meetup with a friend of mine who lives in Boulder, CO, and so we asked if she couldn\'t pick it up\n\n&nbsp;\n\nleft @ 5:40\nstopped at Boulder to buy a t-shirt for Bethanne\nrich was starving and a little irritable, so we went to a restaurant near Rocky Mountain NP for brunch, Dad had buffalo burger which wasn’t bad, I had french toast and hash browns\ndrove to drake which literally and figurately lies at the intersection of routes 34 and 43, it consists of 3 buildings, including a post office and a restaurant and campgrounds\nscenic drive by a creek through a canyon\non the way back, we took different roads and had views of the mountains\nbought some food at local safeway, which would become a hanging out spot for us since it had free WiFi and a comfortable place to sit and work\nwhile were driving, we saw elk grazing on the side of the road\nwe found our way to bear lake parking lot and located trail heads we’d use on Saturday/tomorrow\nKirstin is supposed to meet us tomorrow and join us for a day of hiking\nwe had shabbat dinner of peroggies and soup - tuna hadn’t thawed\nrich was anxious to get back to camp, prepare dinner, and empty car for tomorrow to fit Kirtsen in the car and remove any food items or things with scent to trunk to make safe for bears\nRich and I share trait of becoming anxious when there are tasks to be done\npreparred car for bears, bags were removed and put in the trunk or tent, anyting with scent (food, toothpaste, etc) put in trunk...oops, the next morning, Dad discovered after all the efforts we put into making the car safe, we had left a bag of snacks in the front seat.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSaturday\nlast night was cold, threat of rain, but only a drizzle came, wind was howling, but trees sheltered our tent\nDad got up at 6 to dress and use bathroom.  Found the phone had lost most of its power during night, only had 3-4% left.  Being saturday, Rich was still sleeping in bed at 8:45.  Dad to meet Kirstin at 10am and plan to leave camp @ 9:15.  Turns out Kirsten has also gone out of her way to buy a XC shirt for Bethanne.\nDad and I had PB sandwiches before going on hike...Kisten had already eaten\nwe went to Spraque lake which was a short, pleasant walk and a hike to Alberta Falls, which was about 2 miles round trip, which we did in a drizzle that ended in a heavy/heavier rain/downpour.\nthe cascade at alberta falls was worth the hike, which hopefully you’ll appreciate from the pictures...but the long hike to the top of the falls we passed up on\nhad lunch/dinner at pizza shop\nKirsten ate with us\npizza was good and was served in small pieces instead of 8 slices\nthe three of us polished off the two pizza\nreturned to the tent, outside a bit wet, but inside was dry\ntonight we might go to the DQ and rich might work on the blog - ended up just as Safeway\n\nSunday\nawoke to a wind storm at 5:50, must have slept well, becuase that is the first time I saw\nno sence getting up until storm ends\nwe plan a long drive around RMP and no sense driving if we can’t appreciate the views due to the darkness or storm\nDad got up around 6:30, rich around 7\nwe should soon be on the road for a 200+ mile scenic drive around RMP\nlast night we were at safeway until after 10:30 finishing day 9 blog - we began after sundown about 8pm - Rich took a shabbat nap from around 5-8\nRich retunred from bathroom to car that morning where dad was wrting note sand warming up.  a few seconds later, rich exclimed , look!, and there wer thre elks grazing around our tent, no more than 5 feet away...see pictures\nwe left about 7:30 for the drive\nthere was snow on the RM\nthe first part of the drive is the trail ridge road which is the highest road in the US\nwe eventually reached a point on that road of 12,246’ (according to the GPS) the temp had dropped about 9° to 31° and 12,000 foot peaks were now low hills, since we were at almost the same elevation as the peaks\nthere were strong winds...we were at the level of the clouds and could see the motion of the clouds.\nat millner pass we stpped at a point on the continential divide and we learned that the unassuming lapoudre creek that we were looking at flowed into the platte river to the Miss. to Miss. to the gulf and the Atlantic, while the creek on the other side down the road, hte beaver creek flowed to the Col. river, thorugh GC, to the Cal. 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Evans was a comfortable two-lanes, but winding and alternated sheer drops with traffic going in opposite direction.\nthere was ice and snow on the side of the trail and on the mountain\nRich got altitude (and/or car) sickness\nreturned to camp at 5:40pm, having spent 10hours driving the 200+ miles\nbikers on the mountain\nat this point, we have driven 6301 miles on 204.33 gallons @ $748.50 (you’ll notice the 2 cents ia more reaonslbe even number...blame rich)\nmade tuna steaks nad enjoyed watermellong brought from the farm Kirsten works', 'Days 18-20:  Rocky Mountain High', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'open', '', '413-revision-6', '', '', '2012-01-26 19:15:10', '2012-01-26 19:15:10', '', 413, 'http://www.richgoldman.info/blog/?p=420', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
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--
ALTER TABLE `wp_postmeta`
  MODIFY `meta_id` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=499;

--
-- AUTO_INCREMENT for table `wp_posts`
--
ALTER TABLE `wp_posts`
  MODIFY `ID` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=427;

--
-- AUTO_INCREMENT for table `wp_terms`
--
ALTER TABLE `wp_terms`
  MODIFY `term_id` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=5;

--
-- AUTO_INCREMENT for table `wp_term_taxonomy`
--
ALTER TABLE `wp_term_taxonomy`
  MODIFY `term_taxonomy_id` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=5;

--
-- AUTO_INCREMENT for table `wp_usermeta`
--
ALTER TABLE `wp_usermeta`
  MODIFY `umeta_id` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=40;

--
-- AUTO_INCREMENT for table `wp_users`
--
ALTER TABLE `wp_users`
  MODIFY `ID` bigint(20) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT, AUTO_INCREMENT=3;
COMMIT;

