tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67862033286477526012024-03-05T00:06:32.345-08:00Our takes on life in Japan. Travels and learning of the Pearlz family.bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.comBlogger318125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-31813125175006647182018-09-03T20:49:00.003-07:002018-09-03T20:49:52.234-07:00Typhoon JebiThanks to Typhoon Jebi, which is coming our way this afternoon, we are home today, ironically on Memorial Day back in the US. (Very Alanis Morisettey-use of the word ironic, I realize). But I can get you/us caught up on our trials and tribulations here in Nagoya!<br />
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The whirlwind that was week three here in Nagoya: our shipment (my bed!) arrived Tuesday, which meant the joy and struggle of unpacking and figuring out where to put all...this...stuff. And we got rid of so much stuff! Hey Americans: you have a lot of stuff. It's nice, however, to sit at a table and sleep in a bed again. And most--most--of our stuff made it rather unscathed. Wednesday-Friday, the gang of Pearlz left Nagoya for school retreats up in the mountains near <a href="http://www.go-nagano.net/">Nagano</a>. Gary and Emmett went on the 7th grade trip (because Mr. Pearlz is Emmett's homeroom teacher), I went camping with the 9th graders, and Des was at a different campground with the 10th graders. It was a blast: beautiful, the kids were great, and we got to be out in nature: hiking, kayaking, canyoning, mountain biking, geocaching, etc. But first off, the move:<br />
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before shot:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Day one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borrowed comfort</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h0-YxI6TLgCCKPggHdcVY1xczjjtMVxEavv-av5qrCOM9Z61LKqoZQVM5aefSlS75h9O8Y0IVStQBKFgB9xLKSSwpYq0vjNJvJhUxHUOnOyEAsky_-5sLpmsMMBSFK7oaRTDlvDIFS54/s1600/IMG-0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h0-YxI6TLgCCKPggHdcVY1xczjjtMVxEavv-av5qrCOM9Z61LKqoZQVM5aefSlS75h9O8Y0IVStQBKFgB9xLKSSwpYq0vjNJvJhUxHUOnOyEAsky_-5sLpmsMMBSFK7oaRTDlvDIFS54/s320/IMG-0476.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM0ntckGFbTkvnPw4sA448PoNw7BJiA5V0y_m47tx8GQnrYYDDdXgf8xEj9gLtngWAWjuRsbg7D7CwoRRbqOYnRUL1Znrh0yFIHvpdFsZVsUo3JaQDnnOU02LEQ_l7ey6yiCkInz7aoKD/s1600/IMG-0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM0ntckGFbTkvnPw4sA448PoNw7BJiA5V0y_m47tx8GQnrYYDDdXgf8xEj9gLtngWAWjuRsbg7D7CwoRRbqOYnRUL1Znrh0yFIHvpdFsZVsUo3JaQDnnOU02LEQ_l7ey6yiCkInz7aoKD/s320/IMG-0477.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookshelf over the balcony<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">One injury: a broken and fractured foot for this Bartle antique. Mom reminded me that it's just stuff, but I am in the market for a wood foot doctor here in Nagoya. I'm a big believer that scars add character!</span></div>
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NOW! For the real fun, pics from our trip. (Des took no pics. I'd like to think it's because he was having too much fun. I'm happy to report he came home with his cell phone, so that's all good!</div>
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From <a href="https://www.evergreen-hakuba.com/">Hakuba</a>, where I was camping with the 9th graders. We did get evacuated at 1 am from our campsite on Thursday night, due to the craziest thunder and lightning show I've ever seen. It was scary...it shook the ground! </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7gdbn-Q7NB2LVOp8QQ_nEbWcLJR-UF9aN4Lzwis0Ti_4oBMsuM4BW41LN91GASv41C2S-t5uTTWkAXUhUXnJIo8MvW2kORN3F4WYk3C_Jh-taJzns90ZnI75FX8VmdNxEuQfXaQXfxIt/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7gdbn-Q7NB2LVOp8QQ_nEbWcLJR-UF9aN4Lzwis0Ti_4oBMsuM4BW41LN91GASv41C2S-t5uTTWkAXUhUXnJIo8MvW2kORN3F4WYk3C_Jh-taJzns90ZnI75FX8VmdNxEuQfXaQXfxIt/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from the bus on the way to Nagano<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hwur0e1QWI-57sXonylnpd_k8ecXaB_w8c_m-Mu68eevSWy7QZTcyqEFVgPX-xSj3H533G1iT3-32du9NWz0LIgBLgZ0Dtz4TUdAdFqeFGbH3MFUJxtQRjV6I_h81HCj69bM6GiBpxA9/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hwur0e1QWI-57sXonylnpd_k8ecXaB_w8c_m-Mu68eevSWy7QZTcyqEFVgPX-xSj3H533G1iT3-32du9NWz0LIgBLgZ0Dtz4TUdAdFqeFGbH3MFUJxtQRjV6I_h81HCj69bM6GiBpxA9/s320/IMG_0526.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rather self explanatory<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRb7KN6wjYjCq6Wmmeo4RlYiW5ptG77RFcErowDLdt0FQ6jHcWK-6Hpzn6xXO-6OAyXFLs_I9_zMGTjpx4LhHow_jWqlK4cMe-7MemyhtN-MgmzRVhpnvPDb514N4t-e3mvg_3Ss7oX0J/s1600/IMG_0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRb7KN6wjYjCq6Wmmeo4RlYiW5ptG77RFcErowDLdt0FQ6jHcWK-6Hpzn6xXO-6OAyXFLs_I9_zMGTjpx4LhHow_jWqlK4cMe-7MemyhtN-MgmzRVhpnvPDb514N4t-e3mvg_3Ss7oX0J/s320/IMG_0528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Kids getting instruction on how to set up tents<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I'm intents! It's confirmed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7tzSs1RkSYybUCiLvKpA_aUgX4Lhyphenhyphen9iLr4a1unYZn38GCTOAix5gUEz3dOkGEOdujqJfVVudu0TJa6GHkxBWu281qruKSW9Wj1rxZdq9pO3pt6RXlBBIfk_E7ScJjNqkDeIMMRe9_u6R/s1600/IMG_0530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7tzSs1RkSYybUCiLvKpA_aUgX4Lhyphenhyphen9iLr4a1unYZn38GCTOAix5gUEz3dOkGEOdujqJfVVudu0TJa6GHkxBWu281qruKSW9Wj1rxZdq9pO3pt6RXlBBIfk_E7ScJjNqkDeIMMRe9_u6R/s320/IMG_0530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Pretty contrast in colors</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvlzyQcrMeWbYzG6xF0PV_VUasLMGS_U1kx9paePJOOe9WEvZWMIKgNzKHXKcV-SsfCI5NxaBMEexS0RxQUHvBVexFwb4T3hecT16RlqdUc5oL39qZwdESMepEV-UZe_PPaZnt02HzgOc/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvlzyQcrMeWbYzG6xF0PV_VUasLMGS_U1kx9paePJOOe9WEvZWMIKgNzKHXKcV-SsfCI5NxaBMEexS0RxQUHvBVexFwb4T3hecT16RlqdUc5oL39qZwdESMepEV-UZe_PPaZnt02HzgOc/s320/IMG_0535.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Geocaching with a group of impulsive 14 yr old boys. It was fun...until it wasn't. I think we covered 6 miles in 2hours. They found it annoying I wouldn't run from site to site.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Scoping out the mountain for the future...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN8YOs9uyRpj1FDfsAjUFPN8dxgdFZNcaHJCKxwQFYPFaRWKgox5Zg0HCRjdPBLE4GNTM2qs2fl69YC0h0JIEuROITXMzJislNSbLKqmUQ0WCY38hnxHg78TjR5sBRQ9Hl6MWtw8vpQOr/s1600/IMG_0562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN8YOs9uyRpj1FDfsAjUFPN8dxgdFZNcaHJCKxwQFYPFaRWKgox5Zg0HCRjdPBLE4GNTM2qs2fl69YC0h0JIEuROITXMzJislNSbLKqmUQ0WCY38hnxHg78TjR5sBRQ9Hl6MWtw8vpQOr/s320/IMG_0562.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Local taxidermy...not a specialty here, obvi<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8JrrrgHMWRtjW4LOiThzxWthyphenhyphenolzmGCPZuJ2dqUJfhNSPvyOgrKCPk4s8RBfCeImAxXK4Vv_OCZ2O-CaEXp1dv6rS79M_sc6m9jbJ5_xV7jg4vAMH9ErcTmwASFbp5Snli1c_RcpLoFX/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8JrrrgHMWRtjW4LOiThzxWthyphenhyphenolzmGCPZuJ2dqUJfhNSPvyOgrKCPk4s8RBfCeImAxXK4Vv_OCZ2O-CaEXp1dv6rS79M_sc6m9jbJ5_xV7jg4vAMH9ErcTmwASFbp5Snli1c_RcpLoFX/s400/IMG_0537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from the bridge next to our campground.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg3Tjhw7I59cuwYaPE-viTVmQaL_mFSPvOh0xkuSgcLGggEEKnKpPTIAZEKWEoWxJlupc9ht79a21O6Ql6VZDQAdYKrfc7iPWRVrWEO6_i_-Qne9QIqdJNrLLshfN1Q8JCaP_RZHYb7Ux/s1600/IMG_0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="1600" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg3Tjhw7I59cuwYaPE-viTVmQaL_mFSPvOh0xkuSgcLGggEEKnKpPTIAZEKWEoWxJlupc9ht79a21O6Ql6VZDQAdYKrfc7iPWRVrWEO6_i_-Qne9QIqdJNrLLshfN1Q8JCaP_RZHYb7Ux/s640/IMG_0568.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pano from our <a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Donguri+Hokujo,+Hakuba,+Kitaazumi+District,+Nagano+Prefecture+399-9301/@36.7157507,137.8271372,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5ff7cdc151485a79:0x7d97f64e4d275d49!8m2!3d36.7157525!4d137.8446468">hike</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLKd8MbExDZnWchjQEWjrQB7kpsSnqNqg1Zk2iB6gUHMuMMjLOqNSM8JXr6FqpVFdpijRqGi3rJA13mmYdRm6i1eAy548S8E1NkCzXM1bcKscaCf4PCgs_IfZ3osIIMQ5qmj_qYfCO8iQ/s1600/IMG_0563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLKd8MbExDZnWchjQEWjrQB7kpsSnqNqg1Zk2iB6gUHMuMMjLOqNSM8JXr6FqpVFdpijRqGi3rJA13mmYdRm6i1eAy548S8E1NkCzXM1bcKscaCf4PCgs_IfZ3osIIMQ5qmj_qYfCO8iQ/s320/IMG_0563.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Hanging with the locals<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-33376036794272529902018-08-18T21:27:00.002-07:002018-08-18T21:27:43.033-07:00Weekend number 2 in Nagoya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While many of our NIS counterparts head to music festivals in <a href="http://www.summersonic.com/2018/english/osaka.html" target="_blank">Osaka</a> and <a href="http://www.summersonic.com/2018/english/osaka.html" target="_blank">Tokyo</a> this weekend, the Pearlzes are still in heavy-duty set up and back to school mode. We spent the week, and the weekend, getting ready for school to start....gulp...tomorrow! It's been a whirlwind...new teacher orientation ended Monday, everybody reported back Tuesday, and we've been head down trying to get set up and figure out all these new systems in order to stay one step ahead of the students next week. The boys have been bored out of their gourds with no tv, friends, dog, etc, but they have been troopers! They are appropriately nervous and excited for school to start tomorrow.<br />
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Here are pics of our weekend...couch and school supply shopping at the 100 Yen store (one billion times better than the dollar store in the US); and Gar and I took a great 2 hour walk through the giant forest park right next to our house/school. Emm and I practiced his walk to/from school, through which he has to go through dragonfly alley. He also took some pics of some things we found amusing while poking our noses in nearby stores. We're blogging from our neighborhood Starbucks, as our bottomless wifi at home seems to have found a bottom.<br />
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Missing Burta Reynolds, so we turned Emm into a cat; </div>
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First lake near our house</div>
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Abandoned baseball field in the park; planning for Peca playing and kickball matches</div>
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Gar in mid-stretch </div>
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G enjoyed the extensive labeling at this park</div>
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Beautiful man-made lake; lots of fast runners passing us by</div>
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cool cloud!</div>
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Jeff Dungan tried to get G to upgrade this hat (I think the new one is in the shipment...)</div>
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Tried to snap this dragonfly; much cooler looking mid flight!</div>
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We enjoy the colorful tile roofs of the neighborhood</div>
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Ample signage to pick up your poop; gardens everywhere!</div>
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Pretty street; this is the size of the neighborhood roads!</div>
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At the fancy lifestyle store...why snood? </div>
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We think Aunt Katie will approve of this level of sun coverage</div>
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Just fyi</div>
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strange message from a drinking vessel</div>
bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-2451797799359216152018-08-11T05:56:00.001-07:002018-08-11T05:56:12.062-07:00So, we live in Japan nowHey again loyal readers. Sorry for the 4 year lapse--won't happen again, or at least not soon.<br />
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Here are some pics from our first week in Japan. We are almost over jet lag, and excited for our real beds to arrive after our shipment clears customs.<br />
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In no order:<br />
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1. One thing I notice is mascots. Maybe our ward (like a district of a city) used to have a lot of squirrels? I have seen zero, but that's the mascot anyhow. I took this pic while waiting for our residence registration to get done. Turns out we also get a stipend for the kids. A few hundred bucks per quarter, nice!<br />
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2. First dinner out was okonomiyaki. Grill it yourself savory pancakes. Pretty meh, we thought. But fun to go out with new colleagues. Boys are only teacher kids among new staff, so they have been troopers. Bored some but helping out with classroom setup too. Other kids will be around as of next weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgexQmoTP8uO7YsmJydI7VF515SDSh39fQBzYrz4HrjqxgnHxR7cMF5-kqDH6TixKETk6chyphenhyphen77NM7EyH2ybHlMh6lYnP43h7wpCEvBhUUQyWBqCHDsiLkoBmMRhuO9iZyrC6Uvn7p1Neg/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgexQmoTP8uO7YsmJydI7VF515SDSh39fQBzYrz4HrjqxgnHxR7cMF5-kqDH6TixKETk6chyphenhyphen77NM7EyH2ybHlMh6lYnP43h7wpCEvBhUUQyWBqCHDsiLkoBmMRhuO9iZyrC6Uvn7p1Neg/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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3. It's weird how much baseball we have been seeing. The big summer tournament for High School teams is on all the time. Even soda can be named for crappy American teams:<br />
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4. This looked cool:<br />
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5. Hard to read, but this old dude I saw on a gym tour is sporting an Oregon Project shirt.<br />
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6. This name is not a euphemism. Actual marshmallows, I think.<br />
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7. These had better be the bomb for $39!</div>
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8. The store called Donki has great costumes, as poo head and squid head discovered.<br />
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9. At a random corner downtown, we saw a mini replica of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis" target="_blank">Mannekin Pis</a>. Denis--how about it!?<br />
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10. obvi</div>
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11. Learned the ropes on subway today. Pretty chill. People here let you get off before they board. Unlike in some countries (cough, cough, China).</div>
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12. On a walk near home, several ponds to be enjoyed.</div>
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13. Safety Bear.</div>
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14. Hill near home makes for a great hike. Gary has been up it 3 times already.<br />
We went Thursday in honor of Ellie B, who loved her some mountains.<br />
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15. This morning we powered up at Mister Donut. So good. Sarah caught D with his mouth full in this shot.<br />
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16. Hey South America fans--you can get Inka Kola here. so come visit!<br />
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17. This pig hosted us well, in so many ways, for lunch today. Tonkotsu!<br />
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18. The view from the empty lot next door. Storms are coming, and should be here for a lot of August. Could be a wild drive to IKEA tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwfBTUhlF39EEgtJKKv1syKI8FZGXcESobh5ZhkVeQdOH5sLuFy1-9V3dCXbFCT0ZEkpxkoJ2cTMtm3RyG4Rn6B8lIUq_sUFQyA9LtMQpRgpDX5AvsbF-NZteKm_cSkAhqRbcXJYrvI_u/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwfBTUhlF39EEgtJKKv1syKI8FZGXcESobh5ZhkVeQdOH5sLuFy1-9V3dCXbFCT0ZEkpxkoJ2cTMtm3RyG4Rn6B8lIUq_sUFQyA9LtMQpRgpDX5AvsbF-NZteKm_cSkAhqRbcXJYrvI_u/s320/IMG_0454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bed now. We are happy and healthy and have AC and like our new school so far. One more week of prep and then school for real on Aug 20.<br />
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Love, Gbob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-66796635381677073302014-12-20T17:11:00.003-08:002014-12-20T17:11:55.284-08:00DC part 1<div class="p1">
In the second week of April, having waited out winter, we headed north of the Mason-Dixon line. Washington DC is a city that no trip around the USA would be complete without (I would include New York, New Orleans and Chicago on that list too). When I planned this leg of the trip, I had the famous cherry blossoms on my mind. (Funny coincidence, the Cardinals were also in town to play the Nationals). Sarah also had a lucky bit of timing: the MentorCoach conference was in DC the first weekend we were there.<br />
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Our hosts were Brad and Marlo, and they took excellent care of us. They live in Silver Spring, which (funny story!!!!!!) is also the ancestral home of our pal Kefira. (OK, not "funny ha-ha.")</div>
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DAY ONE: While Sarah conferred, I took the boys to the Tidal Basin. The cherry blossoms were, well, you can see for yourself:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game faces on</td></tr>
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We happened to be there on the blossoms' <b>peak day</b>. In our nation's capitol this is, as we say in the Twitterverse, #KindOfaBigDeal. As my family has heard me say many times, sometimes you get lucky.</div>
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We saw lots of people enjoying the beauty, including many who I assume were from Japan. (The cherry trees were a gift from Japan to the US about 100 years ago.) It was crowded, but once again I appreciated how well-prepared for crowds the boys are. Thanks, Shanghai!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBZ_RxsMPcm_ZOHMMxS5MuQbJ7vUVu7n7bGfF-LRJYTX1UUBGkDTr9EObVgC0BQfgOoc3m8hVTFaRVCtWkrG03XZG9ne_OVWSDEk5WwzD74flz1zXlDXeL9qPLch-rSNBsGnFptlu881i/s1600/IMG_4781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBZ_RxsMPcm_ZOHMMxS5MuQbJ7vUVu7n7bGfF-LRJYTX1UUBGkDTr9EObVgC0BQfgOoc3m8hVTFaRVCtWkrG03XZG9ne_OVWSDEk5WwzD74flz1zXlDXeL9qPLch-rSNBsGnFptlu881i/s1600/IMG_4781.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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While we were downtown, on a gorgeous Friday, I thought we would fit in some more sightseeing. You never know when the rain will hit (more on that in the next DC post). So we walked to the Jefferson Memorial, and read his words inscribed inside the dome.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaNUa6dYZt9AX1f1i__ndi5ZuiIZ5ax7D9Ua5nulblcpoaMgToZgajhQVpHjq0qveMy0I4a-gJOF7AaTORYWeyuArzEwljiyOsB-UCKTdV6d3E61Y2LeUoCOFSKIoNZGCy2UySWEjvBl7/s1600/IMG_4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaNUa6dYZt9AX1f1i__ndi5ZuiIZ5ax7D9Ua5nulblcpoaMgToZgajhQVpHjq0qveMy0I4a-gJOF7AaTORYWeyuArzEwljiyOsB-UCKTdV6d3E61Y2LeUoCOFSKIoNZGCy2UySWEjvBl7/s1600/IMG_4751.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boys and I puzzled over a slaveowner writing "…all men are created equal." Desi put the question to the park ranger, who did his best for ten minutes to explain. He earned his pay that day!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrriZjc1Db1B11nRRIVITsBmO5y-bRWkfKxKT0TSaIdWZjdpHM9NEcUZsMgGGKZlF9e5mSRHid-sYOjtGI8XpuW1ssm2XV_3XHNQTIsBHyWgdDQDSTjVH2jI_Xxh7DEbRqsvKgTXC-RCC/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrriZjc1Db1B11nRRIVITsBmO5y-bRWkfKxKT0TSaIdWZjdpHM9NEcUZsMgGGKZlF9e5mSRHid-sYOjtGI8XpuW1ssm2XV_3XHNQTIsBHyWgdDQDSTjVH2jI_Xxh7DEbRqsvKgTXC-RCC/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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From Jefferson we headed to the memorial of another Democrat. Maybe the most famous one of all: FDR. Love him or hate him, you have to admit: his memorial is really BIG.</div>
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It is laid out in sections, chronologically. We didn't know that, though, so we came upon the World War Two part and toured it backward. I felt proud that the boys were able to recognize references to the Great Depression. They have been absorbing more than I give them credit for. And they loved the statue of Fala the dog:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKfouHlpjpPWrl-ptrsyVEYa_z1yFkVN68NSgMAmEtz20QwlkeQFUAImG_hV5wsx9NSMC9N0cLWLS8shJYCkwha8TLqw25RxCqpkgMdL31JgyfP1BdgBmGqswARkdxYxKDN6qI4CI3dr0/s1600/IMG_4766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKfouHlpjpPWrl-ptrsyVEYa_z1yFkVN68NSgMAmEtz20QwlkeQFUAImG_hV5wsx9NSMC9N0cLWLS8shJYCkwha8TLqw25RxCqpkgMdL31JgyfP1BdgBmGqswARkdxYxKDN6qI4CI3dr0/s1600/IMG_4766.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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EPIC Pano-bomb. Notice my legs, also. Ahhh!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw1S_UsjCVSgWb18HfOIh1RCINA0ad07legtlNEaS3vGwzFLJ2UBswIjEmCUruPF6YiycOJ39-acooXWYJeAyEkJP6FMNTH2NavCo59ZGR6STL3O1cn356lkqyOAAtedgt_c-XfpYvXhN/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw1S_UsjCVSgWb18HfOIh1RCINA0ad07legtlNEaS3vGwzFLJ2UBswIjEmCUruPF6YiycOJ39-acooXWYJeAyEkJP6FMNTH2NavCo59ZGR6STL3O1cn356lkqyOAAtedgt_c-XfpYvXhN/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" height="179" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He said "A nude eel." Heh heh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huMVTxxXaAT2z0fv6em0T7dQntQLKi8VdDi9VN3mdf6Ss46cQUR-C4qN1GETJ1UAcOpznrA1BnhsKx9ygtt6q4YwhgZX55hzdYszAAb6tqvxjFChr17iQtfATa03ISP3006s99VPV_7R/s1600/IMG_4775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5huMVTxxXaAT2z0fv6em0T7dQntQLKi8VdDi9VN3mdf6Ss46cQUR-C4qN1GETJ1UAcOpznrA1BnhsKx9ygtt6q4YwhgZX55hzdYszAAb6tqvxjFChr17iQtfATa03ISP3006s99VPV_7R/s1600/IMG_4775.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 cool dudes. I want his hat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQyhDkMB7q3RbKcv4XLKEoJLWl3p5EiYm1YyKjWSscdwSeTVnM8gskgnbZhgFEvr6e_8zXeXdgsBhP2fPgKeIjbu0hdt-TmjQlt6uAmwcG_UeeTEQwt6naeL7x1u9TM0RoB8vFbXr-Qrc/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQyhDkMB7q3RbKcv4XLKEoJLWl3p5EiYm1YyKjWSscdwSeTVnM8gskgnbZhgFEvr6e_8zXeXdgsBhP2fPgKeIjbu0hdt-TmjQlt6uAmwcG_UeeTEQwt6naeL7x1u9TM0RoB8vFbXr-Qrc/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleanor's words inspire me every time I jump in a really cold swimming pool: "Do something every day that terrifies you."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WGDxIcC4Eb48kEVBLWonjcX5R9nWgW40qtvN6ua89KmyhpLRNhUoQDqkJAOD9XduBCZUOiBEjr-hAg3s9Q8E-3BW4i5IyEsEBC6Rref_5gMxpuZeJtIPiH_4vX2BNFEonpxOzZaHr6R8/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WGDxIcC4Eb48kEVBLWonjcX5R9nWgW40qtvN6ua89KmyhpLRNhUoQDqkJAOD9XduBCZUOiBEjr-hAg3s9Q8E-3BW4i5IyEsEBC6Rref_5gMxpuZeJtIPiH_4vX2BNFEonpxOzZaHr6R8/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They swear FDR whispered "Pull my finger." </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuZUi6Tm0eQmECtASUDkrt42irm0fV5Mxdfj-z05iRvwqkM5ClCWxXnLWvdh_EYB0tlze4Bak37t1OyPkqj23m5d1JrFFthND_gOhzSaoT2d_f5GJuoVq2oaaKvAWaUeR1FWXg4_WYWxK/s1600/IMG_4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuZUi6Tm0eQmECtASUDkrt42irm0fV5Mxdfj-z05iRvwqkM5ClCWxXnLWvdh_EYB0tlze4Bak37t1OyPkqj23m5d1JrFFthND_gOhzSaoT2d_f5GJuoVq2oaaKvAWaUeR1FWXg4_WYWxK/s1600/IMG_4772.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmett took cuts</td></tr>
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Not far away is the newest addition to the Mall: the MLK Memorial. Just over 50 years ago, he gave the "I Have a Dream" speech not far from this spot. The design is based on a line from the speech: "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WRveE9ZMq9yxjc-6gXqCHbaDZl3ZUJ-LRKNbB0JsgNSy1jPRZA4RlNQPoa5Iku1GJhltLlH8ww17055wE1kvd28YJNrMGBT5zR8WfkOXBvInQ6AQBE8TpNQZygZIGVhZapyCs6z6f3CK/s1600/IMG_4779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WRveE9ZMq9yxjc-6gXqCHbaDZl3ZUJ-LRKNbB0JsgNSy1jPRZA4RlNQPoa5Iku1GJhltLlH8ww17055wE1kvd28YJNrMGBT5zR8WfkOXBvInQ6AQBE8TpNQZygZIGVhZapyCs6z6f3CK/s1600/IMG_4779.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the whoosh-y lines and their "comin' atcha" effect</td></tr>
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Lots of well-chosen MLK quotes. And the sculptor is from China. (Which I'm sure came as no surprise to the yay-hoos who thought MLK was a commie.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR2u9f4iEkeuZ1RC6Tw9c4L5TJ4Gy6ooTWG-eN-ag4Y15W5rEWSUck-8ZmVqUNY_6ogkuean9-MQSzdeSowenOjAvSAy3DbMqqfR70yaBS4ZAuWln445fwN1IAeQFoh7Wpprr4oqg-Sw1/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR2u9f4iEkeuZ1RC6Tw9c4L5TJ4Gy6ooTWG-eN-ag4Y15W5rEWSUck-8ZmVqUNY_6ogkuean9-MQSzdeSowenOjAvSAy3DbMqqfR70yaBS4ZAuWln445fwN1IAeQFoh7Wpprr4oqg-Sw1/s1600/IMG_4782.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it was time to head back up to home base in Silver Spring.</td></tr>
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Coming soon: DC day 2. Should be posted within a few months haha!</div>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-33965255631381659722014-07-16T23:03:00.002-07:002014-07-16T23:03:15.291-07:00Been super busy MEMO<br />
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To: Anyone who has the fortitude to check this blog still<br />
From: Its wayward author<br />
Re: What has been going on<br />
<br />
A lot.<br />
<br />
Went to DC, NYC, Amherst, Boston, New Hampshire, Ontario CANADA, Michigan and several points west on our way back to Portland. Where we now live on as permanent a basis as this family ever does anything.<br />
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I have let down my DC friends and uber-hosts Brad and Marlo, among others. Know that I will be posting the whole last 5 weeks of our Road Trip. I would post DC now but Sarah has my laptop with the photos on it--in DC! Brad and Marlo are hosting her while she attends a conference.<br />
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Yes, I am married to a DC policy wonk. A power broker.<br />
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Anyway, we are loving being home and visiting with friends without feeling like we have to cram a year of fun into 6 weeks of summer.<br />
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Check back soon. Or call us! We're normal people again, living in one place, paying the water bill!<br />
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<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-78958319646309731672014-05-07T19:34:00.002-07:002014-05-07T19:34:55.465-07:00What was next...Williamsburg!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In between visits with friends, we took a step back in time in <a href="http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/" target="_blank">Colonial Williamsburg</a>, on our way to D.C. We'd been told by way too many people this was a no-misser, especially with our heavy focus on US History tour. We camped across the water in <a href="http://www.chippokes.com/" target="_blank">Chippokes Plantation State Park</a>, which wasn't far as the crow flies, but had this extra step (that added um...some time....) It made the outing feel all the more old timey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMLH5G1T9KHEIoTUd4tSTZSzEhFTqnXqObBEc4CPRVXlHJVRF8fDzmouV-E1tpUxm-a4JhVqLyxcOlCYBMoD8Mv7wc5iRVurPwRurKDQ3WHRVbFN1-TNdNqA00GVj3XNtqlRbW3kEFQVa/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMLH5G1T9KHEIoTUd4tSTZSzEhFTqnXqObBEc4CPRVXlHJVRF8fDzmouV-E1tpUxm-a4JhVqLyxcOlCYBMoD8Mv7wc5iRVurPwRurKDQ3WHRVbFN1-TNdNqA00GVj3XNtqlRbW3kEFQVa/s1600/IMG_0196.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Upon entering Williamsburg (mention you're a teacher! They didn't ask us for ID), Des asks about the kids program...little did we know we were about to become rebels trying to help Ben Franklin enlist French support for the revolution! Williamsburg has the <a href="http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/do/special-events/revquest/" target="_blank">coolest kids program </a>anywhere. The purple scarves you'll see below were to help the fellow revolution supporters know we were on their side. We had to figure out codes, meet at certain checkpoints and know the secret passwords, and look for hidden signs. So fun! But, you'll be glad to know, Mr. Franklin got on the right ship to France.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp1et6QOSXXkAFjG64CEKNj4l0x_opVJRg_ekAK91kYCXEUD3niw6-DYca8RsMYGh8ww0r1PhT95lKpCOsBGQzGyzblBRdLowZ7THLn5JgQfc35OT9J6JwDBfzvXReFCw9h9VR03EP1hT/s1600/IMG_0198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp1et6QOSXXkAFjG64CEKNj4l0x_opVJRg_ekAK91kYCXEUD3niw6-DYca8RsMYGh8ww0r1PhT95lKpCOsBGQzGyzblBRdLowZ7THLn5JgQfc35OT9J6JwDBfzvXReFCw9h9VR03EP1hT/s1600/IMG_0198.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm on guard at the<a href="http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbpal.cfm" target="_blank"> governor's house</a> (home to Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiU6w0fbO1qD_WYgvJPFpwNMWiwysMsGbv4H9B80qxcMblYNgJc6-7zpkf4OpzYhSKnj58wwr5SWzfjKn7CQ5iBWQpqZHma28XKP0DnVn7vof5U42dS0RaMT9GT7LodbTClkrcL10ruay/s1600/IMG_4695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiU6w0fbO1qD_WYgvJPFpwNMWiwysMsGbv4H9B80qxcMblYNgJc6-7zpkf4OpzYhSKnj58wwr5SWzfjKn7CQ5iBWQpqZHma28XKP0DnVn7vof5U42dS0RaMT9GT7LodbTClkrcL10ruay/s1600/IMG_4695.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we tried to fit it in the car</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eKdEorwVz2Z22n5Mgz27zUpb9ppD2iMJNzoZ3GReKcr7PuDJugbo0e9twwOrhmd5GK_JDgHCq0eFvdisZmA5cT0851eQbFhO726FIKd-Cj6Ma1UgOk-AC2MvuWsuHUpwaqbKDWm441fQ/s1600/IMG_4697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eKdEorwVz2Z22n5Mgz27zUpb9ppD2iMJNzoZ3GReKcr7PuDJugbo0e9twwOrhmd5GK_JDgHCq0eFvdisZmA5cT0851eQbFhO726FIKd-Cj6Ma1UgOk-AC2MvuWsuHUpwaqbKDWm441fQ/s1600/IMG_4697.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">learned how to decode a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigpen_cipher" target="_blank">pigpen ciphe</a>r</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs__76oUjQ2-I50-O9A0x4E2mWbn1hNWLjVfdPxOTnX-t7lq_cjzOYr0uZ7HhJpyVjUS18EVNUEm-9YWTfKfDACL36DGc2-ur9sU2Wm6WpCYbvL9qlTSn9j5cly0OFrLpZzgzAoskGA0W/s1600/IMG_4698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs__76oUjQ2-I50-O9A0x4E2mWbn1hNWLjVfdPxOTnX-t7lq_cjzOYr0uZ7HhJpyVjUS18EVNUEm-9YWTfKfDACL36DGc2-ur9sU2Wm6WpCYbvL9qlTSn9j5cly0OFrLpZzgzAoskGA0W/s1600/IMG_4698.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not all things in Colonial Williamsburg were old timey, or maybe this guy forgot his costume and was hustling home for it??</td></tr>
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Williamsburg did a great job of transporting us. We saw a "runaway slave" being brought to the "general," and learned about the amazing acts of <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/james-armistead-went-from-slave-to-spy-to-revolutionary-war-hero" target="_blank">James Armistead</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJ8Op-yLZBeF04Fw9S7kTE6bKRWrTZDv46c7SzOvpL6roqmIf8gjaFp_t2k9BVregW_kXqi5vcoGKWiY1yz_AKc-aPHWOfBSgpmGC1V2Xgy6u8ueiNH2EXwxyFs7iFx9xJJLJ71KZH0Hy/s1600/IMG_4707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJ8Op-yLZBeF04Fw9S7kTE6bKRWrTZDv46c7SzOvpL6roqmIf8gjaFp_t2k9BVregW_kXqi5vcoGKWiY1yz_AKc-aPHWOfBSgpmGC1V2Xgy6u8ueiNH2EXwxyFs7iFx9xJJLJ71KZH0Hy/s1600/IMG_4707.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
We also got to tour the jail, where Emm is exhibiting how the old timey toilets worked. More comfortable than what I had in The Gambia or the Carrefour in Shanghai!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMmlDM2w0JtezyONW1EY2tvMnuszNjwhFkezpgm1HOG6wEfv0ibr29OXdfBmT8gL0nHp4tyXel-CXmcRvKxzhZd8d2KIrlN9uifRyEqE5T4R0Wyp4e0rQHh1ra3-aZGdr7pUrze0vvxDK/s1600/IMG_4708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMmlDM2w0JtezyONW1EY2tvMnuszNjwhFkezpgm1HOG6wEfv0ibr29OXdfBmT8gL0nHp4tyXel-CXmcRvKxzhZd8d2KIrlN9uifRyEqE5T4R0Wyp4e0rQHh1ra3-aZGdr7pUrze0vvxDK/s1600/IMG_4708.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary on timeout</td></tr>
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We also got to experience some full-on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife_and_drum_corps" target="_blank">fife and drumming</a>, by local kids. What a way to walk into battle...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">standing at atten-hut!</td></tr>
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Then the re-enactors blasted away at nothing in particular. So we could "hear the freedom," Gary supposes.</div>
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When you're walking into Colonial Williamsburg, the sidewalk has a timeline going backward in time. It marks things like "you now live in a place with segregated schools," and "women cannot vote." When you're coming back out toward the modern world, the plaques mark our progress. Emm was happy to pose with this one:<br />
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And of course, we appreciated the little things:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what a day!</td></tr>
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<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-64279718628000298442014-05-07T19:25:00.003-07:002014-05-07T19:25:59.074-07:00Video montage for FL and NCHere's some videos from last month. Better late than never!<div>
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A cool <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/anhinga/id" target="_blank">anhinga</a> bird, also known as a snake bird. Watch how it eats!<br /><div>
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Okefenokee Swamp tour includes cool flowers. See how they float!</div>
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The Durham Bull lights up and breathes smoke after a home team home run. Feel how exciting!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dos0PP539Us?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Wool E Bull, the Durham Bulls mascot, drives like a maniac. See how crazy!</div>
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The boys cruised around the bases. That photo from the previous post does not do it justice. </div>
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Watch 'em fly! (except near 2nd base. Bit of a logjam.)</div>
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And if you need proof that getting great footage isn't easy, check out these <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgLl0_mqLtc" target="_blank">Star Wars bloopers</a>!</div>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-57989492646995042622014-05-05T07:42:00.003-07:002014-05-05T07:42:35.865-07:00Ford fun in Chapel Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As Gary and the boys load the car, I'll take advantage of the Brookline wifi to catch up on our adventures...we got to spend time with great old and new friends in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when we visited Jen, Nick, Isabel and Charlie. Our kids were like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chesters-Way-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0688154727/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399299341&sr=8-1&keywords=chester%27s+way" target="_blank">Chester and Wilson, Wilson and Chester.</a> The greatest part of watching the kids together is that they were so interchangeable (as long as siblings were apart). Emmett and Charlie made this amazing fort in the backyard, for example; Emmett and Isabel also had a great time taking Jen and I shopping. How Jen and I (and Gary and Nick, for that matter) created children who like shopping for its own sake is beyond me, but I know of extended family members (ahem...Janet? Katie?) who may have passed on this trait. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">side view of the fort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or was this the side view?</td></tr>
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Isabel and I had a great time talking books and in general being silly. She shared her bow collection with me, and we can safely report Isabel has a bow for every occasion, including her awesome jumprope team, the <a href="http://www.bouncingbulldogs.org/" target="_blank">Bouncing Bulldogs</a>. We were so happy to have been there for the end of camp performance! What a cool group to belong to!</div>
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Jen is as great a cook as ever, and we lucked into the Ethiopian feast she makes once a month. I'm sorry I don't have a better pic of this lovely friend!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four peas in a pod</td></tr>
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We had a great time touring the Duke campus, with its surprisingly tiny basketball court. That's where all the magic happens?<br />
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Duke also had some beautiful botanical gardens, which we somehow managed to avoid taking pictures of. G made me take the requisite picture; I have avoided pulling over the road for so many things named Bear, that I felt I should give in over this one.<br />
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While Isabel and Emmett shopped, Des and Charlie took their dads to a <a href="http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t234" target="_blank">Durham Bulls</a> game. Just like his father, Des will take baseball any way he can get it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they got to run the bases at the end! Go farm teams!</td></tr>
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Thanks so much, Fords, for a great visit. We hope it's not our last with you! Now we must go explore Boston. When asked if they wanted to learn about pilgrim days, revolutionary days, or abolition, the boys picked abolition. Can't say no to the learnin...off we go to see where the Underground Railroad took people in Boston! Love to all y'all...under one month left of this crazy journey!<br />
<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-35676080801003792852014-05-05T05:51:00.000-07:002014-05-05T05:51:10.924-07:00Asheville on my mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here in Boston, as we wind up a short but soul-nourishing occupation of the home of our college friends Gretchen and Brian, it seems like North Carolina was far away and a long time ago. That's one of the beautiful aspects of Road Trip--time can seem to hold so much more life when you are on the move. </div>
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Of course, time also has a way of flying when one ought to be blogging!</div>
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So, on our way up out of Atlanta, we snuck in a lunch date with Uncle Roger and Aunt Ruth, up in the Blue Mountains. It was good to see them again and update them about Florida and what all we did in Atlanta. Roger even took us to a candy store stocked with old school stuff like Moon Pies and Goo Goo Clusters. The boys are still chipping away at their supply of wax lips and jawbreakers.</div>
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North Carolina welcomed us in many ways. Great food and beer, nice people, and trees trees trees. In general it reminded us of Oregon--a lot. Maybe more than any place we have been.</div>
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West Asheville was our first stop, in large part so we could take our tent trailer in to the factory (its birthplace!) for some fine-tuning. Believe it or not, I am not the most handy of handymen. (I know, I know. "What about that excellent doorknob repair back in '07?" you ask.) Well, the trailer needed a hydraulic part replaced, and for that it helps to have muscles like the fella below.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guy in the green shirt _also_ has big muscles</td></tr>
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<br />The folks at <a href="http://www.sylvansport.com/">www.sylvansport.com</a> were so helpful and generous. They got us back in "like-new" shape. It was fun to see how the Go is assembled and check out some accessories.<br />
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Another fun thing about our 2 days in Asheville was <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1861002" target="_blank">the house we rented</a>. Built right into the forest, it had a tree growing up through the deck. AND OUR OWN PRIVATE ZIPLINE.</div>
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Thanks to a recommendation by our Shanghai pal Erika, who had recently been here, we hit the <a href="http://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Wicked Weed</a> for dinner. Beers were all great, as was the food. The patio on a warm night was THE place to be. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">And to hug.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sampler comes in a little stockade. Free the libations!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right, a mid-bite bi-fie with Brussels sprouts. #TotalHipsterMove</td></tr>
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In 48 hours, we cooked zero times. Too many great places to eat, including Jack of the Wood (thanks Trista!) and <a href="http://sunnypointcafe.com/" target="_blank">Sunny Point Cafe</a> (insanely good breakfast). Also, Moe's BBQ, which had a free arcade game with tons of different 80s games! These days, it is so important that kids these days get educated about Centipede and Dig Dug. (more on that soon, when we hit FUNSPOT in New Hampshire!!!!!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#RealLifeLearning #history #oldskool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moe's tap handle and license plate collection (note Oregon, 4th from left)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beer list from Jack of the Wood. Asheville is serious about beer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N5T_VuYdOssnaiX032WjGE4vPRh454GjR8I23fHWLqSr3taJwfhuMNnSScTRwUfQy7ZIdMSKX4nUmgCSrpXbAhbUmogDHxsFCED6Guhxq0B1VA9xTsD22f0grnGe_623ddofJJRIvPZD/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N5T_VuYdOssnaiX032WjGE4vPRh454GjR8I23fHWLqSr3taJwfhuMNnSScTRwUfQy7ZIdMSKX4nUmgCSrpXbAhbUmogDHxsFCED6Guhxq0B1VA9xTsD22f0grnGe_623ddofJJRIvPZD/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It would be hard to thump this place up any higher</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xs0jJYLPegWhnXXFfv9ZbdlTQUHWlMzukBMGZAnFDPpfyFBG142b1XzGgJr2Jq_h_Z3eUbPs5GXEudz81tokk3VEzXVzOgPEYkNY6rQrH5om_Z9QvhkNXO08PeWs_dyw3RmtloDjsJ3I/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xs0jJYLPegWhnXXFfv9ZbdlTQUHWlMzukBMGZAnFDPpfyFBG142b1XzGgJr2Jq_h_Z3eUbPs5GXEudz81tokk3VEzXVzOgPEYkNY6rQrH5om_Z9QvhkNXO08PeWs_dyw3RmtloDjsJ3I/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the maroon signs on the wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#OneStopShopping</td></tr>
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Time to pack up, so I must away. If, after reading this, it seems to you like all we did in Asheville was eat and drink and zipline, then Right On. Thanks for reading!<br />
bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-46372826982085615692014-04-27T06:27:00.002-07:002014-04-27T06:27:52.592-07:00What?! No Ludacris Museum? Oh well, A-T-L still earns a second look<div class="p1">
Editor's Note: Wow have we been busy. Between DC and NYC, we have been doing everything except blogging. This post was started long ago, and it's time to finish!<br />
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After one day with big ol' mosquitoes and another with cold weather in the Okefenokee swamp, we were thrilled to roll into the city of Atlanta. We had spent only two nights there in our first visit. This time we got a little time with the Greens (Sarah's cousin's family) but less than we would have liked. They were off to Mexico so we dog-sat for them. Wow, did our boys love JoJo. Fastest dog I have ever seen. We walked him a lot, and to burn off his (ample) remaining energy we revved him up to run circles in the street. He was like black lightning. So of course he needed his rest. Can't believe I didn't film him running. This totally non-posed shot will have to do:</div>
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Suburban Atlanta was a nice slice of everyday life. The stuff people who aren't on walkabout might not realize they'd miss. We watched cousins play Little League and high school lacrosse, we took a walk to the park. Simple pleasures. </div>
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As for "stuff we did," three deserve your attention. One was a reunion with our old friend Scott, who we volunteer-mentored with, more than 15 years ago. He moved from Portland many years ago, and we hadn't seem him since. So we invited ourselves over for brunch and got to meet his wonderful wife and kids. Two girls and little redhead twin boys who LOOK JUST LIKE SCOTT. We ate great latkes and bagels (oh how we have missed thee). The kids put on several short plays for our entertainment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiWs_k3dwm3ILynMxBBKbEqpTsponKODlxt49DyvCtVJcmUgJMfX1J2jZWrvP0BIfkxmHyYI526vXfpNhu1uWPD9d72Zgfl9rMFkO-TDUhwa0ojj9-fwsyJmCXJeQ3v5tvWd47SFm1jhv/s1600/2014+Pictures+336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiWs_k3dwm3ILynMxBBKbEqpTsponKODlxt49DyvCtVJcmUgJMfX1J2jZWrvP0BIfkxmHyYI526vXfpNhu1uWPD9d72Zgfl9rMFkO-TDUhwa0ojj9-fwsyJmCXJeQ3v5tvWd47SFm1jhv/s1600/2014+Pictures+336.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a pile of humanity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Emmett in the Big Bird suit</td></tr>
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Scott remains a mellow dude, even with four kids scampering around. We enjoyed meeting Amy and wish them all the best as they approach the post-diaper phase. (Not much longer!)</div>
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Next big stop was the <a href="http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Botanical Gardens</a>. Even though we went on an overcast day, it was gorgeous. Sarah loves these places, and we 3 boys learn to love them. Especially when there are carnivorous plants and humongous flowers to see.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E shows off the apple trees trained to the trellis. There's a word for it, but I forget.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDzggF8baPXKXE-S7bP0UYGrx1QXkXxWEkH6t3zTaDMexNkwSLQzOMS6fe4BiEclBZNWHFlgsgIbBvDgjE_LxXBJr2Y9OUor2vKYym_pPQMoIbsZoWrpU_qlcQpJ1GVCH2-De734rxRnv/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDzggF8baPXKXE-S7bP0UYGrx1QXkXxWEkH6t3zTaDMexNkwSLQzOMS6fe4BiEclBZNWHFlgsgIbBvDgjE_LxXBJr2Y9OUor2vKYym_pPQMoIbsZoWrpU_qlcQpJ1GVCH2-De734rxRnv/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpj937-164nrt-62W1iBiONnjebG5ur4Gu5zpF8_K0OBbyml27AslZF38mk-F9jhwB0cBGx4Px-qP_MMTJq7k6pvc2z9Z7nLeyopDqAa8yo_cIYFnPdbYJf5Cv5MLH18izDrq4un1m-ecP/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpj937-164nrt-62W1iBiONnjebG5ur4Gu5zpF8_K0OBbyml27AslZF38mk-F9jhwB0cBGx4Px-qP_MMTJq7k6pvc2z9Z7nLeyopDqAa8yo_cIYFnPdbYJf5Cv5MLH18izDrq4un1m-ecP/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYO9E1B-LiU-ufTDho7NyyOIRKEsL8ryJDJ9mogWZHcyQM0aXfSVw9DVTpZ6QbwFQSzm-wF866L7NNxe3T7Wtwc7bHVVsDk0lR-jZ5sLrtD7Jpy0KoHOmzWQf9qW6OMZc8lcOlm3KIw4R/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYO9E1B-LiU-ufTDho7NyyOIRKEsL8ryJDJ9mogWZHcyQM0aXfSVw9DVTpZ6QbwFQSzm-wF866L7NNxe3T7Wtwc7bHVVsDk0lR-jZ5sLrtD7Jpy0KoHOmzWQf9qW6OMZc8lcOlm3KIw4R/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cocoa tree, I believe</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZYv8GBw_96Er1oce_mSk28a3wy9xdjRKeCNd2hCd519NizDLNdKGikZKcxOLTlTdhI0ko2ZFx98F5-NehAhCHLoTesQe0srrMlKmyIErZoKip3onq5fhmlamdSEGY7hVS193aeZ3-qDq/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZYv8GBw_96Er1oce_mSk28a3wy9xdjRKeCNd2hCd519NizDLNdKGikZKcxOLTlTdhI0ko2ZFx98F5-NehAhCHLoTesQe0srrMlKmyIErZoKip3onq5fhmlamdSEGY7hVS193aeZ3-qDq/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TREE FROGS!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Chihuly! Just like the one in Indianapolis, only smaller.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwXorvY0gAtd-bnZTDa-tIPpLpoamHUZ36OOVwuoMNn3BH9TVtSX50Xx9XLXaoIklAoBA_1rdkuLoIsQMwX72aH_LrFdJT55Kmtas_nN4uicDA70DKjgOF3pwHw3RTnMsr-jweQ8kFVmO/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwXorvY0gAtd-bnZTDa-tIPpLpoamHUZ36OOVwuoMNn3BH9TVtSX50Xx9XLXaoIklAoBA_1rdkuLoIsQMwX72aH_LrFdJT55Kmtas_nN4uicDA70DKjgOF3pwHw3RTnMsr-jweQ8kFVmO/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardy Oregonians, braving the damp. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhh.... [photo credit: Emmett]</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature can be crazy looking</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYql1RLMYY0O37UqeXNflan9ENsm5SVdiLX61k7VJOs8eYy4rwW06Dob0g3cDf-Xc8MZiI8t26wT2uoRcVLW121bsSBa9X-RtZlW6LKcnJS2t_CoSrUOYoV6tQjnrJg1VQ99T5ygLu6qOg/s1600/IMG_4487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYql1RLMYY0O37UqeXNflan9ENsm5SVdiLX61k7VJOs8eYy4rwW06Dob0g3cDf-Xc8MZiI8t26wT2uoRcVLW121bsSBa9X-RtZlW6LKcnJS2t_CoSrUOYoV6tQjnrJg1VQ99T5ygLu6qOg/s1600/IMG_4487.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no! FROGZILLA!</td></tr>
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Last, but certainly not least, in our tour of Atlanta was our Sunday in the city. A city trip, when you're staying out in the 'burbs, requires a 40 minute drive and you risk getting stuck in traffic. How bad can traffic get in Atlanta? Bad enough that <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2014/03/report-atlanta-traffic-not-among.html" target="_blank">when Atlanta was NOT on a list of ten worst cities for traffic, that itself was a news item</a>. But what we did that Sunday was worth it. </div>
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We knew that Martin Luther King Jr. had been the co-pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. (Loyal readers will remember that we learned that during our tour of Dexter Ave. Baptist in Montgomery.) So I thought we could combine a little religious education with some social studies by attending Sunday services at Ebenezer Baptist. It turns out that the old church is now used mostly as a tourist site. So the service was in the new building:</div>
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And what a service it was. I was nervous beforehand. We didn't have our most formal clothes, I wasn't sure if we would be the only White people there, it wasn't clear how long the service would be, would there be a lot of religious references we might not understand? All our concerns melted quickly when we saw the program. Turns out that weekend was the <a href="http://www.urbancusp.com/2014/03/hymns-hip-hop-conference-rahiel-tesfamariam/" target="_blank">Hymns and Hip Hop conference</a>. The youth pastor organized it to bridge the gap between the church and "kids these days." So the service was full of hip hop songs (like Kanye's "Jesus Walks") and skits with half the youth choir dressed up like stuffy adults. Very engaging and thought-provoking. </div>
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The guest pastor was a woman from the Bronx who went to Stanford and Yale. She discussed the struggle to reconcile loving hip hop music and being Christian. As the songs got rougher in the early 90s, she boxed up her CDs and chose religion over music. Now she wonders if the two can coexist. Not anything Sarah or I had ever struggled with (music wins!) but fascinating to hear about.</div>
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The boys were patient, and even clapped at the right times. The big payoff came right afterward, when we hit Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles for a late lunch. Emmett had been hankering for it for months, ever since we saw it on <a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/video/adam-cooks-and-bonds-with-gladys-knight-12292" target="_blank">Man Vs. Food</a>. It was worth the wait, especially since standing outside for an hour is easier when it's 70 degrees and sunny.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XclSR0AJFMXlIIFc39CrdH6aNk3WD3HbcUIg84dvJ2ghWBtIaSKZUaQmaofmmFXGy2US5EMgyWU0GHk__aHXr37NqY-Jc_cKjb0ayXc8Pq7FJMac3PNtgFLrPv_jhpFObLNhbFeJeySw/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XclSR0AJFMXlIIFc39CrdH6aNk3WD3HbcUIg84dvJ2ghWBtIaSKZUaQmaofmmFXGy2US5EMgyWU0GHk__aHXr37NqY-Jc_cKjb0ayXc8Pq7FJMac3PNtgFLrPv_jhpFObLNhbFeJeySw/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">By the way, we followed the rules.</span></td></tr>
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[Leaving NYC in an hour. To Rhode Island for camping and hiking. State #30! Will try to catch up on blogging NC soon!]</div>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-53233586225576543912014-04-08T11:52:00.001-07:002014-04-08T11:52:48.808-07:00Ol' Virginny here we come!State #27. Looking forward to hiking and colonial Williamsburg. Maybe we'll get to churn butter!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluVhR4R3nf1-M9etfvHwzL08Xi27YcPwwYSl7TRgi4dzOaz7G16omq2xrVzALfJ0VzyawmjK9YcYq_dOXw0g0wGkfWZU-HhPXCzczoo3XiGQHGD-b0LI9DJSHtga2iCRXXq2ttR0u07nL/s640/blogger-image--1757175221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluVhR4R3nf1-M9etfvHwzL08Xi27YcPwwYSl7TRgi4dzOaz7G16omq2xrVzALfJ0VzyawmjK9YcYq_dOXw0g0wGkfWZU-HhPXCzczoo3XiGQHGD-b0LI9DJSHtga2iCRXXq2ttR0u07nL/s640/blogger-image--1757175221.jpg"></a></div><br></div>bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-59389720344315379272014-04-08T06:54:00.004-07:002014-04-08T06:54:32.039-07:00Swamp-vision 2000<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pretty bird, pretty bird</div>
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And Nature's perfect predator (not on that day, lucky for us)</div>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-60342118875754807602014-04-08T06:28:00.000-07:002014-04-08T06:28:01.553-07:00Okefenokee Swamp critters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have any of you looked at a map of Florida lately? It's long. And the Everglades are at the very tip of it. We've learned that when you drive really far to somewhere, you then have to turn around and drive all the way back. So, we're happy to report there are plenty of gators to view at the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/WildernessCanoeing.html" target="_blank">Okefenokee Swamp</a>, and that's up in Georgia, folks (barely). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4IxKyZ0CbR955xJIzfArhyGvvm-U03TaBqwiuhRBPEr_CztNLqAaDtZvOVajup8z3bW51-rZmn15xqtuto_aOLJJmKwbFmaZCnfHQhoaUHjYEOjcXV_m46KmgyArJm7xLX32t2z7mR5j/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4IxKyZ0CbR955xJIzfArhyGvvm-U03TaBqwiuhRBPEr_CztNLqAaDtZvOVajup8z3bW51-rZmn15xqtuto_aOLJJmKwbFmaZCnfHQhoaUHjYEOjcXV_m46KmgyArJm7xLX32t2z7mR5j/s1600/IMG_4350.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
As we do whenever possible, we started our next adventure at Trader Joes. With the new opening in Tampa, we had to decide: Tampa or <a href="http://www.gainesville.com/article/20121212/ARTICLES/121219904" target="_blank">Gainsville</a>? We're glad we took the latter, as there were these sweet topiary monkeys hanging from the tree out front. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8TLc-Bs_gKVQYkKv7rbcRDUdA3zL43n3SroBabZVO_0w459mhQAow99u5A41lxsNfUaOx8vcWomnrd3ruVdHjDGFcrGkbLyIbhwiGlb3fHwC1EtELtDcZZjxliF1meq0q9si6Oihx_Ka/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8TLc-Bs_gKVQYkKv7rbcRDUdA3zL43n3SroBabZVO_0w459mhQAow99u5A41lxsNfUaOx8vcWomnrd3ruVdHjDGFcrGkbLyIbhwiGlb3fHwC1EtELtDcZZjxliF1meq0q9si6Oihx_Ka/s1600/IMG_4353.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stop at a gas station before you see this sign; it's 20 miles to the campground!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh89mOUIMfKvB2I5kad9qfLf4nNePFuVrLmKkx9YKYAyX252UaeDbl8b5NJirOGlFrpJ1QZ9hV57D3LmRmFsj6Yuk5mnJL9wM3q9lnJWKLqAsKlBEGwTZJZRbNgHwBXp8t03F2Ksw-thpd/s1600/IMG_4356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh89mOUIMfKvB2I5kad9qfLf4nNePFuVrLmKkx9YKYAyX252UaeDbl8b5NJirOGlFrpJ1QZ9hV57D3LmRmFsj6Yuk5mnJL9wM3q9lnJWKLqAsKlBEGwTZJZRbNgHwBXp8t03F2Ksw-thpd/s1600/IMG_4356.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
As you can see, it was absolutely beautiful. The birds were all singing, and the swamp attracts a pretty diverse bird crowd. It also attracts lots of skeeters, which is why Gary is reading so far away from the tent, in the sun, fully covered. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yep, he's real</td></tr>
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<br />We took a <a href="http://www.gastateparks.org/StephenCFoster" target="_blank">guided boat tour </a>with a real swampee (that's what I've decided to call the locals). While I'm blanking on his name, his dad had been a ranger in the park as well. He knew a thing or two about the swamp...<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImKg8TDppDXDo83MipZIbYczw0AF_C5B0me1WjQLKHde7JGIPwLI1NJMQHuA1VwiqORcUS351Wt5fIlby9u_EKjzVG6hHcrRzRBBsM_fK6KimuwD2yATkILkax5AvHB4UIeQPLVuuCu14/s1600/IMG_4362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImKg8TDppDXDo83MipZIbYczw0AF_C5B0me1WjQLKHde7JGIPwLI1NJMQHuA1VwiqORcUS351Wt5fIlby9u_EKjzVG6hHcrRzRBBsM_fK6KimuwD2yATkILkax5AvHB4UIeQPLVuuCu14/s1600/IMG_4362.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why is the water <a href="http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/Okefenokee%20at%20a%20Glance%20webpage.pdf" target="_blank">tea colored</a>?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dAxcVf43xDRoBwiqcxRelqlhmNnDogdOiOYSbsVm34ILnfFiJikKMLTzd_TCmW7amr4vzhE9EMuOGmkvXeXL55G9Js-NRU4K0dEqVzuVkNQoL3_qMLBlWLrVTr5KXNPDcaubJC4OLN2g/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dAxcVf43xDRoBwiqcxRelqlhmNnDogdOiOYSbsVm34ILnfFiJikKMLTzd_TCmW7amr4vzhE9EMuOGmkvXeXL55G9Js-NRU4K0dEqVzuVkNQoL3_qMLBlWLrVTr5KXNPDcaubJC4OLN2g/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you spot the gators? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlxjlZPzCMsKv-h1a71d80tLNSKu9pRCcS0aQc-HC2IGSlxixJy-IgQBiOWjOWWNvGpp7aoHApQkiYvDthCdGstM90hHCZxiuYJQo6ib5gjNTjQ_VFZmtUxmOSfU7vNL7PX6OHGyxTEy_/s1600/IMG_4367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlxjlZPzCMsKv-h1a71d80tLNSKu9pRCcS0aQc-HC2IGSlxixJy-IgQBiOWjOWWNvGpp7aoHApQkiYvDthCdGstM90hHCZxiuYJQo6ib5gjNTjQ_VFZmtUxmOSfU7vNL7PX6OHGyxTEy_/s1600/IMG_4367.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that thar cypress tree is <a href="http://sherpaguides.com/georgia/okefenokee_swamp/natural_history/index.html" target="_blank">900 yrs old </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnybLd6D_Xo_806N0rnFulJNMS1gj6ZgwjfNSXWGbEmnOmjCzx2oMM5AFO1n3pggzeF9jCDGphbeXto6vr5lN24DmzbGwDzYJv9NWA4NwOSeZnMMJY05yV0EPFlD8R2Z-tTos4d5oW7agq/s1600/IMG_4372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnybLd6D_Xo_806N0rnFulJNMS1gj6ZgwjfNSXWGbEmnOmjCzx2oMM5AFO1n3pggzeF9jCDGphbeXto6vr5lN24DmzbGwDzYJv9NWA4NwOSeZnMMJY05yV0EPFlD8R2Z-tTos4d5oW7agq/s1600/IMG_4372.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des got to pull out the <a href="http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/bladderwort/" target="_blank">bladderwort plant</a> and see the insects inside!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO9bT1eWWhwhsSxzxHcMfsXM7iLIihOrOXactx-fx_kyTRFPDbWHrUrZt66_Pqx1tFoQt2ANPRxzlr7MASErECdy_aYKi8tE1wllT_rvzDgu-ZvW-j-oGKfbyRyc6_1sdOJLjxSnPCsE4/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO9bT1eWWhwhsSxzxHcMfsXM7iLIihOrOXactx-fx_kyTRFPDbWHrUrZt66_Pqx1tFoQt2ANPRxzlr7MASErECdy_aYKi8tE1wllT_rvzDgu-ZvW-j-oGKfbyRyc6_1sdOJLjxSnPCsE4/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">luckily, alligators are quite lazy</td></tr>
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We ended our camping trip like we usually do, and found the smoke to be especially helpful with the skeeters. Piling into the tent smelling like campfire smoke is one of those smells that takes you back and envelops you in happy memories. I'm so very grateful to have them. </div>
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<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-38107255465939599482014-04-02T18:58:00.002-07:002014-04-02T18:58:36.169-07:00How could we forget?Sarah's excellent post about Largo and Lois continued a hot streak for us. After some slacking, we are now blogging regularly. (Most of the credit goes to Sarah).<br />
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In our flurry of catching up, I left out one major event. Our last night in Vero, I surprised my newly-40 wife with 2 tickets to see Paul Simon and Sting in Orlando. I had asked Taunya if she would watch the boys, and not only did she say yes, she and Jeff and Cole took them to a polo match and a movie and pizza. Wow!<br />
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What a great show it was. After coming out a half hour late (Sting cut himself shaving and the bleeding took a long time to stop. He <i>is</i> <b>62 years old</b>, after all.) they rocked it. The two of them were clearly having a great time up there. Their combined bands totalled 15 souls, I believe. [Side note: One of them works as a ranger at New Orleans' National Historic Park for Jazz. When we visited there, his fellow ranger had mentioned that he was away, touring with those 2. That's what gave me the idea in the first place]. Almost every song you would expect to hear <a href="http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/paul-simon/2014/amway-center-orlando-fl-53c2cfb1.html" target="_blank">got played</a>. We both cried at various times. I broke down during Fragile. It's always been one of my favorite Sting songs. Simon covered most of the verses and they shared the chorus. I was missing Dad and felt some intense catharsis. Ironic in light of Dad's dislike for Sting ("limousine liberal"), but hey, we never agreed much on music.<br />
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Here we are, enjoying being the 2 youngest people in the building (but not the 2 youngest in the city, as it was St. Patty's weekend and spring break--whoa!). I think we were the only 2 who did not get up during the show to use the restroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me on the right!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty good seats, off to stage left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finale of the straightforwardly-named tour</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/paul-simon-sting-concert-review-680721" target="_blank">One review</a> (of the LA show) mentioned some of the funny banter. There was a lot of that, as well as a healthy mutual respect. And some appropriate adoration by Sting of Simon.<br /><br />
A great date night and memories we can revive every time we listen to their music, which is almost daily. If you haven't heard Simon's recent work, do check out these 2 albums:<br />
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<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-beautiful-or-so-what/id430022401" target="_blank">So Beautiful or So What</a><br />
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And one that's not so recent but still newer than what most people have in their Simon collection: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/youre-the-one/id380591854" target="_blank">You're the One</a> -- we played it on repeat when Desi was taking his sweet time getting borned.<br />
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So long for now, from lovely Asheville NC! Okefenokee Swamp will be the topic of our next post. Yes it's real!<br />
<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-4495778276542470082014-03-31T13:12:00.000-07:002014-03-31T13:12:16.302-07:00Last but not least...Lois and Largo!We ended our Florida tour in Largo, Florida, with the wonderful Lois Granstrom. Lois is Lynn Granstrom Teff's mom, my sister from anotha mutha (that would be the aforementioned Lois). Lois treated us like family; she helped us find an icecream cake for Emm's birthday, toured us around to beaches, animal refuges, parks, and restaurants, and maybe most importantly, let us take over her place and unwind. It is hard to explain how much this does for this nomadic unit. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir92R8l60y17sxqZuRfigiqbP4LKKH_w3fmhrjXFsUyaxWvQs7c_lKgdKwuigf9BQIVemWUkVqnCsUyLJQuSHU4A2w5hRcNL7cPgo2OLpCTFCaxjHYmf5w_f95zvQyykIE7Cn6eNnj4Mln/s1600/IMG_4285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir92R8l60y17sxqZuRfigiqbP4LKKH_w3fmhrjXFsUyaxWvQs7c_lKgdKwuigf9BQIVemWUkVqnCsUyLJQuSHU4A2w5hRcNL7cPgo2OLpCTFCaxjHYmf5w_f95zvQyykIE7Cn6eNnj4Mln/s1600/IMG_4285.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok; we may have rubbed the weather in a little to Lois's family back in Ramsey...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA3Dbkp0avvSQtqOKMUqXihluXjq9fCuZfo5K4sfSvnCNifEQPDIwu8c26rPlmLOQdgNT7yQLmFgRpGZkF2FGEzIhxvT7tF9L8DX2d3pTC_YCdsuEkCJArhl0o9wmWCzJzXF-YwSUDSBp/s1600/DSCN0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA3Dbkp0avvSQtqOKMUqXihluXjq9fCuZfo5K4sfSvnCNifEQPDIwu8c26rPlmLOQdgNT7yQLmFgRpGZkF2FGEzIhxvT7tF9L8DX2d3pTC_YCdsuEkCJArhl0o9wmWCzJzXF-YwSUDSBp/s1600/DSCN0190.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm at his favorite place, making art out of the environs</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJHGUcqbAOUlIRzEEovpGvNZG2ZXPQ43HJFP7R7yfbdG9Mb4JlPy2V26QhtqU1Ug1ytw8gDgMQe28-zoJcYancGOsOad3FJcf0CEQMYFjmJMrenMGu_glvyn4pYYULadHUGaHl2zaTqxj/s1600/DSCN0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJHGUcqbAOUlIRzEEovpGvNZG2ZXPQ43HJFP7R7yfbdG9Mb4JlPy2V26QhtqU1Ug1ytw8gDgMQe28-zoJcYancGOsOad3FJcf0CEQMYFjmJMrenMGu_glvyn4pYYULadHUGaHl2zaTqxj/s1600/DSCN0213.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm and Sarah at the Largo botanical garden</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30uzlbuDdp4swjBEdmSAyN2fYEeJgDya12A4nNlo3BVNELP7w5dnOqYbiZlhKVeM1BXeGdCcWqUiITSv12kspRtuf8Yl5hlGUDd6PqnxqX6_hejou6ZEJ2Y0_4eCHp0hQFhAzeadG_q9O/s1600/DSCN0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30uzlbuDdp4swjBEdmSAyN2fYEeJgDya12A4nNlo3BVNELP7w5dnOqYbiZlhKVeM1BXeGdCcWqUiITSv12kspRtuf8Yl5hlGUDd6PqnxqX6_hejou6ZEJ2Y0_4eCHp0hQFhAzeadG_q9O/s1600/DSCN0210.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm metamorphosing...or taking flight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LIUZmHtbfplz9psMBV-MLgyH_Bq7Esd2tVLV1SnmdluZgF-ntcVtbnXQE0So2JPW2KX_HbD9QMC04QaZuVe2cfopatNH9xoVTMMQddQdD6uxvTssCfmxfyXDtd4tUxYjhzQRv6OAa2xU/s1600/DSCN0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LIUZmHtbfplz9psMBV-MLgyH_Bq7Esd2tVLV1SnmdluZgF-ntcVtbnXQE0So2JPW2KX_HbD9QMC04QaZuVe2cfopatNH9xoVTMMQddQdD6uxvTssCfmxfyXDtd4tUxYjhzQRv6OAa2xU/s1600/DSCN0208.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's room for more!</td></tr>
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<br />While Emm, Lois and I went to the Botanical garden, Gar and Des found a Twins/Phillies game in Clearwater...out of respect for my Twins-loving hostess, I will not recount the game. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM3YnSD1BABjnpYonqKXxAPXdbFlzLiLW3-4vKrsI7Vjz7TeZw4U8EQuB8ZatN1ejol8JCgvnFH021QFZ-gKuCp74DmJ0pAwZg0E3Dr3zJHbckKpe_yuCWwioTIMI1v_A7EEkMx7aTFat/s1600/IMG_4341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM3YnSD1BABjnpYonqKXxAPXdbFlzLiLW3-4vKrsI7Vjz7TeZw4U8EQuB8ZatN1ejol8JCgvnFH021QFZ-gKuCp74DmJ0pAwZg0E3Dr3zJHbckKpe_yuCWwioTIMI1v_A7EEkMx7aTFat/s1600/IMG_4341.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des ran down the <a href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/community/phi_community_phanatic.jsp" target="_blank">Phanatic</a></td></tr>
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Largo had a great climbing tree, which we visited often...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyJRgo8_WwUusVm7meL4eyojvIdZLyzW_pESYWj5dl7nibIth0XAJlhNsHFACr3vEmhD03JFBKHFoitS-JTRxwVNC0H1BMkmGzDPTyUwNkbbs9dbSPCDRT4s4_GVPFvbEgXYBoCo2cQhh/s1600/DSCN0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyJRgo8_WwUusVm7meL4eyojvIdZLyzW_pESYWj5dl7nibIth0XAJlhNsHFACr3vEmhD03JFBKHFoitS-JTRxwVNC0H1BMkmGzDPTyUwNkbbs9dbSPCDRT4s4_GVPFvbEgXYBoCo2cQhh/s1600/DSCN0198.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGiPuQ-cDDIOoWywIbC1tWn1dTNHZP2uwidOIqm9qHXbYG0t7-sTOW5sR-r3y2ecmPr2B7VvH9Jdoq3sK68fp2R7hAs0c52PBpawWwYP4_s2kxLHypVuIllSaxcgfDBnPexXa6ZxptJRq/s1600/DSCN0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGiPuQ-cDDIOoWywIbC1tWn1dTNHZP2uwidOIqm9qHXbYG0t7-sTOW5sR-r3y2ecmPr2B7VvH9Jdoq3sK68fp2R7hAs0c52PBpawWwYP4_s2kxLHypVuIllSaxcgfDBnPexXa6ZxptJRq/s1600/DSCN0199.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrX3VQlzpmMwzI_QhBDjeYxb1lBQow6rsZGDlBrDlUiCJLm34GWGELnvScgnAashhd-PFZhgW-iOu8nvIEondrx5zgMf35QwK8jPNGL8w8wc5KXwiokFUwFJcO7E0RgNM11hPALcCCniU/s1600/DSCN0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrX3VQlzpmMwzI_QhBDjeYxb1lBQow6rsZGDlBrDlUiCJLm34GWGELnvScgnAashhd-PFZhgW-iOu8nvIEondrx5zgMf35QwK8jPNGL8w8wc5KXwiokFUwFJcO7E0RgNM11hPALcCCniU/s1600/DSCN0207.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we enjoyed the trails at the<a href="http://www.largo.com/egov/apps/locations/facilities.egov?view=detail&id=23" target="_blank"> turtle park</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-UEEoxmZ0UxvhzEANpn62Tq0KG05i3Gc4OP-Gp0cRi_vQRmxgQHomHRr5s9RAy-Ne_l4hXJ9qPLMCf_csblN6Zx3f-9rE0GiLLtgWrGVwNkYBphwaUr1Mhu0MnZuD4z4daaQ1cCjf79Y/s1600/DSCN0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-UEEoxmZ0UxvhzEANpn62Tq0KG05i3Gc4OP-Gp0cRi_vQRmxgQHomHRr5s9RAy-Ne_l4hXJ9qPLMCf_csblN6Zx3f-9rE0GiLLtgWrGVwNkYBphwaUr1Mhu0MnZuD4z4daaQ1cCjf79Y/s1600/DSCN0196.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm found his brethren</td></tr>
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Lois took us to <a href="http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/sawgrass.html" target="_blank">Sawgrass Lake Park</a> to see the baby gators, among other animals. Below is an example of making a text to self connection. So much learning!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZdpUKDBWOwad9TX2lLNZgjBHImuDaMz9k-H7Jqusp6MhpMUzXUN9_75UN7xEHr0NjVXjVmAUFYCDv7W9BmXmzDifrErSRVrtbWlbxoK3aVLAUbZ71RByBymbd-_WD_HwOIJmEOBTQjEZ/s1600/IMG_4303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZdpUKDBWOwad9TX2lLNZgjBHImuDaMz9k-H7Jqusp6MhpMUzXUN9_75UN7xEHr0NjVXjVmAUFYCDv7W9BmXmzDifrErSRVrtbWlbxoK3aVLAUbZ71RByBymbd-_WD_HwOIJmEOBTQjEZ/s1600/IMG_4303.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSGvY4f2Vo8De1NU_OMxpOUknhpFl6iSVPT8JAiPgsNyL9QoC-ZgfoNzD5J7GFD9L8NglyEJdhvWYKhkHcAjYGqL4kO6o1REBvNx8aGPN_Znv6DmSndY4WvNOy9qx3yQP12wWiP7HLtzo/s1600/IMG_4305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSGvY4f2Vo8De1NU_OMxpOUknhpFl6iSVPT8JAiPgsNyL9QoC-ZgfoNzD5J7GFD9L8NglyEJdhvWYKhkHcAjYGqL4kO6o1REBvNx8aGPN_Znv6DmSndY4WvNOy9qx3yQP12wWiP7HLtzo/s1600/IMG_4305.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shall I try and identify? If I didn't have a lot of stuff to do, I totally would...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciJja9ZBlbQg8RktuzPDwOHCCq-lW55d1xg9GRON7YzD1W2l0beygbFIXkovHucM6zPytFTCrcEUcUGH89VTVU-XHb52kr0NisQcWyOHSsYNifEmPnD3Puvz5T5OyPyc0KqFmLUzyBIC/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKciJja9ZBlbQg8RktuzPDwOHCCq-lW55d1xg9GRON7YzD1W2l0beygbFIXkovHucM6zPytFTCrcEUcUGH89VTVU-XHb52kr0NisQcWyOHSsYNifEmPnD3Puvz5T5OyPyc0KqFmLUzyBIC/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know this guy is a <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/anhinga/id" target="_blank">snake bird</a>...yes!!!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZsiLA6G3g6hqy-9CxZKCeFOkNTBhFNGv5hV8cS1sD2oLoEsMVjMsvbJ_Kj0A-nn7FdeVYvTmVLiK7itVlOqyo5rInEH65qL00NJeGpj0MSG0ICl57r3DdweI41AhAVvF776aen06XGTh/s1600/IMG_4314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZsiLA6G3g6hqy-9CxZKCeFOkNTBhFNGv5hV8cS1sD2oLoEsMVjMsvbJ_Kj0A-nn7FdeVYvTmVLiK7itVlOqyo5rInEH65qL00NJeGpj0MSG0ICl57r3DdweI41AhAVvF776aen06XGTh/s1600/IMG_4314.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can also handle <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/roseate_spoonbill/id" target="_blank">this one</a></td></tr>
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We spent a day at one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/worlds-best-beaches-accor_n_2718799.html" target="_blank">best beaches in the world</a>, Ft De Soto Park. For those of you who live in a day or two radius of this place, best look <a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm" target="_blank">online</a> and book your camping spot...it's something special. Emm voted it best digging sand anywhere, and we loved watching the pelicans dive bombing. Gar claims to have seen a stingray jump out of the water (no photos to substantiate, and I didn't see it, sooo....)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU_S6wmU4zWRCt6vaZlYVkOCcnx_Q0hUPNGaGMcO-Oi8l66vxC8bPlr15jUFk8NUmab3snUd0EtrTwbDjTPSsu6qzfaAyk30tmiE5FRvj8sQkiebT7d-2XAZ2sMbMYHAAlCblEC6Iail6/s1600/DSCN0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU_S6wmU4zWRCt6vaZlYVkOCcnx_Q0hUPNGaGMcO-Oi8l66vxC8bPlr15jUFk8NUmab3snUd0EtrTwbDjTPSsu6qzfaAyk30tmiE5FRvj8sQkiebT7d-2XAZ2sMbMYHAAlCblEC6Iail6/s1600/DSCN0192.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stopped in Gulfport on the way back to Largo on a recommendation from a <a href="http://barrelandbarley.com/" target="_blank">growler guy</a> here in Woodstock, Ga. He recommended <a href="http://www.pegscantina.com/" target="_blank">Peg's</a>, and it was worth the out of the way stop! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fpx5iiaoFgliMCW8gAsdYjtoytRr3An2NYTOmPhCiyUEoU8-poNCRGpBygUvVJy0MsAVdmR7aSClcnjJaJDQL0LPmMwX4PkLS_2VNZsfAOPjnMkNgWQq67XjIIBaQCUi1JWX4SMBiS21/s1600/IMG_4324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fpx5iiaoFgliMCW8gAsdYjtoytRr3An2NYTOmPhCiyUEoU8-poNCRGpBygUvVJy0MsAVdmR7aSClcnjJaJDQL0LPmMwX4PkLS_2VNZsfAOPjnMkNgWQq67XjIIBaQCUi1JWX4SMBiS21/s1600/IMG_4324.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary's sampler</td></tr>
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Gulfport was about as cute as can be, as evidenced by Gary's new ride...<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv37HoMGEDK-XZvREaw8EJPCSIJOXMtsApREyEKrQa0DE93dvR9pgBH_btZddwLFjgODcsVBT7PqNVJMbZhHvydvj1BFKLUrCI-ISJlAaPZuRTyrwCkredmvxgDeJ0aBwE1RE4q5ef95Ds/s1600/IMG_4326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv37HoMGEDK-XZvREaw8EJPCSIJOXMtsApREyEKrQa0DE93dvR9pgBH_btZddwLFjgODcsVBT7PqNVJMbZhHvydvj1BFKLUrCI-ISJlAaPZuRTyrwCkredmvxgDeJ0aBwE1RE4q5ef95Ds/s1600/IMG_4326.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOcswkivK-_ZmBR1whwmDoIUu9lrSvqT900GCNbSK-sv6UVjUGk-br7V_7vu7egMyJDEQb3CvjU46nyBsAe7G2TlqZi05aPwg_XO72jdi3eAsGWSXAgqXU0NbDB_NA-sOI0SOqA_xoplL/s1600/IMG_4327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOcswkivK-_ZmBR1whwmDoIUu9lrSvqT900GCNbSK-sv6UVjUGk-br7V_7vu7egMyJDEQb3CvjU46nyBsAe7G2TlqZi05aPwg_XO72jdi3eAsGWSXAgqXU0NbDB_NA-sOI0SOqA_xoplL/s1600/IMG_4327.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the boys' new ride...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kDmNYaLaKOZqwakX6IHSVQ9YOFvU9vl4yliF16iW3-XhG-BottvlC0fkzGJbDIE2PcdmpjvCyrSmGHN-F65EU5N5lJN6x_HZmCXzyymwJQEru7uI8d93jJGHeW56JC7inleYVaCGgIl2/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kDmNYaLaKOZqwakX6IHSVQ9YOFvU9vl4yliF16iW3-XhG-BottvlC0fkzGJbDIE2PcdmpjvCyrSmGHN-F65EU5N5lJN6x_HZmCXzyymwJQEru7uI8d93jJGHeW56JC7inleYVaCGgIl2/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We felt quite at home here!</td></tr>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-82593401599867587432014-03-31T09:16:00.004-07:002014-03-31T09:16:48.132-07:00Legoland is Awesome! by Emmett with Two T's (watch the Lego movie, you'll get it)
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My trip to Legoland was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTqXEQ2l-Y" target="_blank">awesome</a>!!!!!!! There were lego dudes made out of legos, cars and every once in a while you'd see a squirrel (also made of legos!) O.K. you're probably wondering about all the roller coasters; the first one I went on was CoasterSaurus. The second one was...what was the second one? Umkay, it doesn't matter if it's in order or not. We did all the rides. The best part was having a birthday with my friends Ben and Alex at Legoland. I'm going to describe the pictures below now. </div>
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Here we are entering Legoland. Photographer: Gary Pearlz. When were going to Legoland but not there yet, I saw a sign that said Legoland. And I thought "why are we going past Legoland without going to it, and today's the day for my surprise, so I'm guessing it's that." We were around the corner, and saw a Beef O'Brady's. Mom asked me if I wanted to go to <a href="http://www.beefobradys.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Beef O'Brady's</a> or Legoland. I chose Beef O'Brady's. JK!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT2NltgYR-4XfLd_TdOQPBDNyPxkLytZWv1e8mjGZoDdpBkPB1IWcGTeJ_KcdzpqahlptKHCsz6Um2UO1zx3MGqea4RdOfcmyumugAsDtkTam5nseuev5nRSX58U9ANQG86SCnFCGDPpn/s1600/IMG_4209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT2NltgYR-4XfLd_TdOQPBDNyPxkLytZWv1e8mjGZoDdpBkPB1IWcGTeJ_KcdzpqahlptKHCsz6Um2UO1zx3MGqea4RdOfcmyumugAsDtkTam5nseuev5nRSX58U9ANQG86SCnFCGDPpn/s1600/IMG_4209.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Uhhhhhhhh....."</td></tr>
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You see those blonde kids there? They are Ben (by Desi) and Alex (by me). We met them in Texas at the Guadalupe Mountains <a href="http://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/camping.htm" target="_blank">campground</a>. They are from Canada, and are doing basically what we are doing, except they have an RV (lucky them). Here's a link to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/markinatrail?ref=profile" target="_blank">adventures</a>. My parents called their parents so we could meet up at Legoland. They had planned it that long ago!!! In this picture, we are in the Lego Star Wars section (in case you didn't notice the gigantic Darth Vader behind us).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is me and Darth Maul (same pose)</td></tr>
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Here we are on Coaster Saurus for the second time. It's definitely not Coaster Snorus! Watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ1SwTEL0EI" target="_blank">video</a> to see what it's like to sit in the front (even though I didn't do it).<br />
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Here we were at the place where you got your fake driver's license. (Now I know how it feels to actually drive! Now I know why it's so annoying when you go the wrong way to some place. We are watching what to do when you drive. For example, don't run a red light! So dumb). Editor's note by Sarah: as you may guess, Emm was a very cautious driver. Des? you can also guess. (As the cars couldn't go more than a mile/hr, there wasn't much risk of injury).<br />
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You had to pedal this ride to get higher. This is Alex and Desi, probably the highest ones. Editor's note: Tami and I definitely pedaled higher than all the little boys; Emmett objects to this editor's note. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh, that beer is good. What kind? Oh, bark chip in here? blech..."</td></tr>
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This is another place where there was a really awesome roller coaster, The Dragon. And there was a dragon, of course, one made of legos, and one that you rode in. The one made of legos shot a mist of water out of its nose to make it look like it was breathing smoke. And there was a fat, drunk dude who spat at you. It made me wish that I lived in the times of dragons (not that I believe in dragons).<br />
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Alex and Ben, remember when we took that picture before you left for the hike in Guadalupe Mountains? I thought that was the last time we were going to see you. When I saw you driving into the parking lot at Legoland, I was soooooo happy! I wish I could see you a billion more times, and I think you said that you might go to Oregon? I hope that you do! </div>
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bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-46508946548449332362014-03-30T21:42:00.002-07:002014-03-30T21:42:38.450-07:00Flah-ridda Post #2: Vero Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here on Opening Day, let us all pause to bask in the return of spring. (pause) Rebirth, optimism, light, and an end to this brutal winter. Well, brutal for most people. As for us, we were in Florida! (As loyal readers know.) Sarah's step-sister Taunya and her husband Jeff were generous enough to host us and put up with our traveling carnival. Their son Cole entertained the boys, and the dog made sure no one broke into the house (DOWN GIRL!). Vero Beach was lovely and we had the ocean to ourselves, most days. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporting the cap from our favorite oyster bar in <i>Chahls</i>-ton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backyard gym</td></tr>
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Among Vero's other good qualities is its proximity to <a href="http://rogerdeanstadium.com/" target="_blank">Roger Dean Stadium</a>, spring home of the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. We got to watch them thump the Braves 11-0. Cards hurler Lance Lynn struck out the last 8 batters he faced. <a href="http://www.ksdk.com/story/sports/mlb/cardinals/2014/03/13/lynn-strikes-out-10-as-cards-beat-braves-11-0/6381749/" target="_blank">Full story here</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our seats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wcYd8SkfXYHqyrQVD0FNAtevp9QpNCc2AJJbI15v2dfwZ-SeEYFpPvq9Q1vRr7WZLVqp03H0zAo-IXuNkeZ31qC-Q_xEXadwwhrZmgDr0yua3cMG5sVX1hxeGQDtevdCyQTzRmccmZo4/s1600/IMG_4095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wcYd8SkfXYHqyrQVD0FNAtevp9QpNCc2AJJbI15v2dfwZ-SeEYFpPvq9Q1vRr7WZLVqp03H0zAo-IXuNkeZ31qC-Q_xEXadwwhrZmgDr0yua3cMG5sVX1hxeGQDtevdCyQTzRmccmZo4/s1600/IMG_4095.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nacho helmet helps E get through the game</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUzqnNff73vfVjxwhmMYkBtS7LgNkip7FCEdZ6iCP3PirHp-TXYZh4b7cvVaDtgVH3dcVW2Jfmn374G8mxDNZphIU3BpOh-UgcoJp8QAxnqo2rv67PhHNQG2h9CtTp-A6y7E3XX6g6Xex/s1600/IMG_4099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUzqnNff73vfVjxwhmMYkBtS7LgNkip7FCEdZ6iCP3PirHp-TXYZh4b7cvVaDtgVH3dcVW2Jfmn374G8mxDNZphIU3BpOh-UgcoJp8QAxnqo2rv67PhHNQG2h9CtTp-A6y7E3XX6g6Xex/s1600/IMG_4099.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REPRESENT. #BestFansInBaseball</td></tr>
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<br />After the game, we had some seafood at a place on a marina. We threw fish food to some catfish, which annoyed the many seagulls because they didn't get any. Back at home, we saw this turtle, making decent time alongside the driveway. Just a classic-looking turtle, isn't it?<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrilj5mMD28tHItCqzJB0LTS4htbqr1Es2GMsU5H0TuK6Ybvm5bil3ilymPy2Mjw78MQFa2ipD1JBgX6-IhKiBJhM2lUgiZrajkHX44NhxBEAvJ_-3cNB4iDpgTdy73ZZbXuaMI6MaHZOF/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrilj5mMD28tHItCqzJB0LTS4htbqr1Es2GMsU5H0TuK6Ybvm5bil3ilymPy2Mjw78MQFa2ipD1JBgX6-IhKiBJhM2lUgiZrajkHX44NhxBEAvJ_-3cNB4iDpgTdy73ZZbXuaMI6MaHZOF/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We grilled and ate outdoors, got our first mosquito bites of the season. The full moon over our tent in the driveway was beauteous. No photo, though--I only saw the moon during a 3am bathroom break and I don't carry my phone or camera then.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU7_ZbmsfFc1OSPoEjFx_Vg9O2ejJn0WXy3jNi-bh8UK903Ex82KYrtvXZpB8BQlTfpc8vBzMPOwLlyQpiwYrp-I679wUnUo3s8qO-GUjuAHbzkWKcaqJwu-7knhh9XImYJAdbWalWHLI/s1600/IMG_4143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU7_ZbmsfFc1OSPoEjFx_Vg9O2ejJn0WXy3jNi-bh8UK903Ex82KYrtvXZpB8BQlTfpc8vBzMPOwLlyQpiwYrp-I679wUnUo3s8qO-GUjuAHbzkWKcaqJwu-7knhh9XImYJAdbWalWHLI/s1600/IMG_4143.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last stop in Vero was the <a href="http://www.mckeegarden.org/" target="_blank">McKee Botanical Garden</a>. Mom loves these, and we 3 boys are learning to enjoy them also. This one had several statues sprinkled about, all of them done in the 1980s.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh1Mx4skK7bdo0DX3ncTI7UF5Y-mmiM4xgrdcMEfkLPWfctIOv4FMpK4FI_mhkc1AFpTgHvsGbkKbKmeOmSAs12H2BrExH6L_jf6u6OR3J9rWrdLZs1pp2uOaSBO9xnfVeDtDVDx9oh-x/s1600/IMG_4156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimh1Mx4skK7bdo0DX3ncTI7UF5Y-mmiM4xgrdcMEfkLPWfctIOv4FMpK4FI_mhkc1AFpTgHvsGbkKbKmeOmSAs12H2BrExH6L_jf6u6OR3J9rWrdLZs1pp2uOaSBO9xnfVeDtDVDx9oh-x/s1600/IMG_4156.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">80s sweater, anyone? #PopThatCollar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyUP8AIYRDtieMRZt5ClDwdYmcr_ZabmA5eAjTYWWjZuL7knulerKB5v1xrIndrjQEMZvdtdy8ENdFiswArHWAvtk2EkYpViJjXYO948aKMgIN1onnnyWHEoKqRz_Z4hsoURwLbU-dhml/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyUP8AIYRDtieMRZt5ClDwdYmcr_ZabmA5eAjTYWWjZuL7knulerKB5v1xrIndrjQEMZvdtdy8ENdFiswArHWAvtk2EkYpViJjXYO948aKMgIN1onnnyWHEoKqRz_Z4hsoURwLbU-dhml/s1600/IMG_4158.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me--by the end, the garden didn't leaf me frowning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXQeqqVfvg-JNj9prKdTEDWPoj5fpjn5gN9BZS9c7bRmMlnFuyEiIU1m6vbG869LUye781pFJxRHY7seksv72PUTe9W8LPxkDu8P8wRGflAZCviTEfWOjDUpI3MDRZQVEM3xijgr_c3mJ/s1600/IMG_4163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXQeqqVfvg-JNj9prKdTEDWPoj5fpjn5gN9BZS9c7bRmMlnFuyEiIU1m6vbG869LUye781pFJxRHY7seksv72PUTe9W8LPxkDu8P8wRGflAZCviTEfWOjDUpI3MDRZQVEM3xijgr_c3mJ/s1600/IMG_4163.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desi leads the way, as usual</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzzCX0rPoMm28ZZbHT4ZkA6ZJlneorSGbEh2ELcYj1greOHD1HWd_simNEMKwWKaNx1sl6t-QipgDbCk-wXosQd2cetRnH0ItK15KRPP2EI8wkHX2NdzqKwrU3sypCsiKUYFRwMJA7km/s1600/IMG_4165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkzzCX0rPoMm28ZZbHT4ZkA6ZJlneorSGbEh2ELcYj1greOHD1HWd_simNEMKwWKaNx1sl6t-QipgDbCk-wXosQd2cetRnH0ItK15KRPP2EI8wkHX2NdzqKwrU3sypCsiKUYFRwMJA7km/s1600/IMG_4165.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My St. Patty's beard #NoPinch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGxTkopRLVxili8iUzHPlZ2AKtfuipHt_hBV9nd3a74n9GBCRBHMpr-HiFd9Jim82mo4yJyZNbKAvbXnENPD_OKZ4LwOGnLbhh2cRIYOn6Gqsl-rsZfI2yUnugSkndcfXsBobjWggBQLC/s1600/IMG_4167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGxTkopRLVxili8iUzHPlZ2AKtfuipHt_hBV9nd3a74n9GBCRBHMpr-HiFd9Jim82mo4yJyZNbKAvbXnENPD_OKZ4LwOGnLbhh2cRIYOn6Gqsl-rsZfI2yUnugSkndcfXsBobjWggBQLC/s1600/IMG_4167.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No idea what this is, except purty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEdAZDht4LfhnpSlP5UWM5HjO6OEje7AR9eX9WV6UB4yaBvpbV49J-2Wo9NyXnR6nuguciKlOhTCZjY43l2Ezrtybvoba9JdSXdB3wHCIcQK6FLmOeiYXgi1PzYUaWdZfzDUvWO3gdZXN/s1600/IMG_4169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEdAZDht4LfhnpSlP5UWM5HjO6OEje7AR9eX9WV6UB4yaBvpbV49J-2Wo9NyXnR6nuguciKlOhTCZjY43l2Ezrtybvoba9JdSXdB3wHCIcQK6FLmOeiYXgi1PzYUaWdZfzDUvWO3gdZXN/s1600/IMG_4169.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D with his explorer backpack, looking for ways to find shelter/water. Not exactly a Junior Ranger program, but fun anyway<br /></td></tr>
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We left Vero feeling rested and one shade pinker than when we arrived. Good thing we slept well because we needed lots of energy for our next adventure...<i>stay tuned</i>bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-84880350748274928212014-03-29T19:28:00.001-07:002014-03-29T19:47:09.810-07:00Florida post #1: St. Augustine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We spent over two weeks in Florida, so we've got lots to report. And we're happy to report Florida was MUCH cooler than we thought it was going to be (no offense). We started in <a href="http://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/" target="_blank">St. Augustine</a>, the oldest continuously-inhabited (by foreigners) city in the US. We weren't able to camp, but G found us a sweet motel on the beach...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uaftTer8ELBZPyUD5ZhpTZ2MMQI_vuykZKQDKpe9FPxaod45nimeqNyIJQMwzsUk-P5mxxUJ4XORuP6y54Ggh0xFkUdKK03BFrnKSMXSdCwM1DkRIqjuEifj6UBx3YF5rdk1uycsoegM/s1600/IMG_3998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uaftTer8ELBZPyUD5ZhpTZ2MMQI_vuykZKQDKpe9FPxaod45nimeqNyIJQMwzsUk-P5mxxUJ4XORuP6y54Ggh0xFkUdKK03BFrnKSMXSdCwM1DkRIqjuEifj6UBx3YF5rdk1uycsoegM/s1600/IMG_3998.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emmett, in his zen zone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBlOkmc8o7yQC2uOBSNwvYqWd7VsJt4rscjyGtNgseWMcrbEuYOP6Kwllm9WjYs4VfS_Ed5tHgNMOxWoOIeo-ksz9RskReIteZv67-QnQx0JnFxWrmj28XFqS3OajC_REjnyN_-sgWLd/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBlOkmc8o7yQC2uOBSNwvYqWd7VsJt4rscjyGtNgseWMcrbEuYOP6Kwllm9WjYs4VfS_Ed5tHgNMOxWoOIeo-ksz9RskReIteZv67-QnQx0JnFxWrmj28XFqS3OajC_REjnyN_-sgWLd/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.magicbeachmotel.com/" target="_blank">Magic Beach Motel</a> at night...yah baby....</td></tr>
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The rangers at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm" target="_blank">Castillo De San Marcos</a> dress in period uniforms. As we walked in, the ranger asked the boys their ages; once he learned that they were over 6 and had 4 good teeth, he explained that they were of proper age to be conscripted into the army in the 1600s. Writing every day and the occasional fight with mom about why you have to know how to figure out percentages didn't seem as big of a deal (for a minute or so).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde2jpv7yBb4eeVUU5ydru4WfLFZo5JJF14y4VTp4cmTt_Jtv4ZcI6Uz3mYdE06nrIR48zpaG3epxgUjdGikiEmki8ZQqKK7ooLOevxIjLTdUUHEhDvRN41il6BsBby7tTeZ5JHh1zKjIB/s1600/IMG_4001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde2jpv7yBb4eeVUU5ydru4WfLFZo5JJF14y4VTp4cmTt_Jtv4ZcI6Uz3mYdE06nrIR48zpaG3epxgUjdGikiEmki8ZQqKK7ooLOevxIjLTdUUHEhDvRN41il6BsBby7tTeZ5JHh1zKjIB/s1600/IMG_4001.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des is so into Junior rangering, he chose to do the most demanding level of the program, including writing a letter! Wha? Go Des!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7so2sn43ZzUJEPt0laCnoC1_e-DegTC0iBHYxYD9zPpIzgjG2DjccI4nBt0M706HAUU-fXO619rzk1ianNwK2ne5Aphf0xuj3QAUJWOumPPDxm_PdW3fMJIjLuFg6Q39zXfp3dTNkGZzk/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7so2sn43ZzUJEPt0laCnoC1_e-DegTC0iBHYxYD9zPpIzgjG2DjccI4nBt0M706HAUU-fXO619rzk1ianNwK2ne5Aphf0xuj3QAUJWOumPPDxm_PdW3fMJIjLuFg6Q39zXfp3dTNkGZzk/s1600/IMG_4004.JPG" height="160" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe this has been here for over 350 years!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUMhosjFc4Z7Sh0uiGq40NBsDL07NY-YuKeWirVQb1DT5ZwVH5SXZLlU6KEZEccigoxaitRrcaylu0f93y-uTenvLPu3KEih2QO1ow2B-L6RpJtv7ZEsFVuY3pi8ZAfBf5xvte1x0Rz5x/s1600/IMG_4013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUMhosjFc4Z7Sh0uiGq40NBsDL07NY-YuKeWirVQb1DT5ZwVH5SXZLlU6KEZEccigoxaitRrcaylu0f93y-uTenvLPu3KEih2QO1ow2B-L6RpJtv7ZEsFVuY3pi8ZAfBf5xvte1x0Rz5x/s1600/IMG_4013.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we didn't go see the Fountain of Youth, but enjoyed the beautiful trees on Magnolia St.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcSFpA3eIBVrav3seHwa_y1zgydYAlseF0aO7q8Ax-XRYyidQFXCbF2UGz-t24dyogKxZjVWrldudxwwA-KXDIpEpZMpGKfEoq5i6FR8HhwokvBGwwTyO4-GNznaGC4aFzqtt1yNjj33/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcSFpA3eIBVrav3seHwa_y1zgydYAlseF0aO7q8Ax-XRYyidQFXCbF2UGz-t24dyogKxZjVWrldudxwwA-KXDIpEpZMpGKfEoq5i6FR8HhwokvBGwwTyO4-GNznaGC4aFzqtt1yNjj33/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boys showing off their ranger badges<br /></td></tr>
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Next up...Vero Beach and the <a href="http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/" target="_blank">Grapefruit League</a>! </div>
bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-47309293036616763272014-03-23T19:59:00.000-07:002014-03-23T19:59:02.841-07:00Doin the Charleston: Shrimp, Grits and the Intra Coastal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are so lucky. So damn lucky! We've seen a lot of cool stuff this year, and Charleston makes the very short list for one of our favorite cities. Plus, it was a bonus family visit: Aunt Christy and Uncle Doyle were starting their sailing adventure on the <a href="http://www.captainjohn.org/ICW.html" target="_blank">IntraCoastal Waterway</a>, and dad and Linda were joining them for a couple of days. As we were "in the neighborhood," in Suches, Ga., we went east for a couple of fun-filled days. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvEEmdLmj30Py_o_KWdLhBUkJuIwUuhM93MDD7AT_2PqTSQtJTdvqlecrAjQU4uKXNBQ3dap_uiH5KMtwYVmN7cSipmWPprIcxuIjCq0WsgDkHzRzTBmjVJhYetDHPwhvevpmzTiZEqHf/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvEEmdLmj30Py_o_KWdLhBUkJuIwUuhM93MDD7AT_2PqTSQtJTdvqlecrAjQU4uKXNBQ3dap_uiH5KMtwYVmN7cSipmWPprIcxuIjCq0WsgDkHzRzTBmjVJhYetDHPwhvevpmzTiZEqHf/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the obligatory state sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGZ6aCBR-UrEmBA6JvqOq8vCMVfxTfw0IFrzlbN_kZ3ZtexvzzuewWk015h-eArAZ32eUAEASw_YOHALsTyJ1LtqRyG_m0PdPM5ON1KEMAc8jAJHndtXvl2wgjnrkgWt7AhY_FoMmW_xJ/s1600/IMG_3909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGZ6aCBR-UrEmBA6JvqOq8vCMVfxTfw0IFrzlbN_kZ3ZtexvzzuewWk015h-eArAZ32eUAEASw_YOHALsTyJ1LtqRyG_m0PdPM5ON1KEMAc8jAJHndtXvl2wgjnrkgWt7AhY_FoMmW_xJ/s1600/IMG_3909.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Millers' new home, The Abaco Lady</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6pceiYAEe6ecR55LdDx3T_vUKv0rWbj0sRZVXFLUc0eD204Sx6gcJzS6f5Q7WazqtapvBpJq2aoYgmRJWt8HPwBg8CEkHy6BGHXn30PPSw1ftzZL3sDJhlD8dC0p0MUoT7ZMV-wenLD1/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6pceiYAEe6ecR55LdDx3T_vUKv0rWbj0sRZVXFLUc0eD204Sx6gcJzS6f5Q7WazqtapvBpJq2aoYgmRJWt8HPwBg8CEkHy6BGHXn30PPSw1ftzZL3sDJhlD8dC0p0MUoT7ZMV-wenLD1/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm on the bow, searching for pirates</td></tr>
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Our biggest score, for both food and gear, was at the<a href="http://www.pearlzoysterbar.com/" target="_blank"> Pearlz Oyster Bar</a>. As quoted by the poet laureate, Emmett Pearlz, "they even spelled it right!" We bought more gear than food, but the food was divine. We slurped raw oysters and had fabulous, spicy shrimp and grits. My mouth is watering….</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSDeYaYjxxLclbqu987SJGabqy3KoG8mqAwibTQul-trhnjyu-pQjyyluinXQmgBFUzo03DepofPtJfQ93KIYaaj5z6X5oCZ2NRgXw3xbOBXCVdMdphydXULdECn3t5tMCYwI45VoeKQD/s1600/IMG_3914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSDeYaYjxxLclbqu987SJGabqy3KoG8mqAwibTQul-trhnjyu-pQjyyluinXQmgBFUzo03DepofPtJfQ93KIYaaj5z6X5oCZ2NRgXw3xbOBXCVdMdphydXULdECn3t5tMCYwI45VoeKQD/s1600/IMG_3914.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, Gar! That's how you spell it! Pearmine plus Volz equals Pearlz!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrPsjhnTnSieHGepEMf_taGiHjW_XnGaZnaJey0Kw45IMNfiOI8dlWlqrWoU9fyT7L3ABPrIGsSD2LAo32j7jy1X9v4_5x0xBgskKVBKR0An1gIdN3f5I0d3F53rJB2AoWMc85RtKPmGX/s1600/IMG_3943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrPsjhnTnSieHGepEMf_taGiHjW_XnGaZnaJey0Kw45IMNfiOI8dlWlqrWoU9fyT7L3ABPrIGsSD2LAo32j7jy1X9v4_5x0xBgskKVBKR0An1gIdN3f5I0d3F53rJB2AoWMc85RtKPmGX/s1600/IMG_3943.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm doing it! My first raw oyster!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Aunt Christy arranged for a walking tour of the city by a 14th generation Charlestonian, who took us on winding paths and told us fabulous stories about the history of this amazing place. And for an American city, it's got some history! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsTL0Fnr_ufbiTd6euHuL9tr-8sw0R2JBwn1VX8_ObmuNKRVdpFlwv9xk90TmUGcZA5yzvsQtzKDJOz5cU0UvoemPRgB8G4D0hOBeZvlrAyINduotFgYLkHwatmfdTbM1pRIjcuo74IuD/s1600/IMG_3919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsTL0Fnr_ufbiTd6euHuL9tr-8sw0R2JBwn1VX8_ObmuNKRVdpFlwv9xk90TmUGcZA5yzvsQtzKDJOz5cU0UvoemPRgB8G4D0hOBeZvlrAyINduotFgYLkHwatmfdTbM1pRIjcuo74IuD/s1600/IMG_3919.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearlz parkour at Patriot's Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8zpM5hBqJ4qiWIZ-rATrnG-Da9KrVSZBmDQ0lW3JjrBfIY2Sydtwmqnm6lZZ6vuzeCKvmrpnj-Y7slkT_EKXtV9LRtDqq8AnYl5_vGV0WBDYcXGTcAbDHKxBbTSWOMbUcGiy3NWU-dGJ/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8zpM5hBqJ4qiWIZ-rATrnG-Da9KrVSZBmDQ0lW3JjrBfIY2Sydtwmqnm6lZZ6vuzeCKvmrpnj-Y7slkT_EKXtV9LRtDqq8AnYl5_vGV0WBDYcXGTcAbDHKxBbTSWOMbUcGiy3NWU-dGJ/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#lifewithdes</td></tr>
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Emm is wiping his non-muddied shoe on the original shoe cleaner outside an old home. We enjoyed imagining the streets with horses on the narrow streets, and the mess that may ensue on a rainy day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVl4cWuRtEPFm8PMZwqkRGp7vkiRIyiEGy6GcYibteR4VGZfsWuKAu4srWLMC6ZTq8c_acW8EDXpnL0UFnRqsHfavES-jpUaTO4XB4w4IuGFsg3Mg9fgkCtoBMwJam2BdRqmu0LUj5A_W/s1600/IMG_3927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVl4cWuRtEPFm8PMZwqkRGp7vkiRIyiEGy6GcYibteR4VGZfsWuKAu4srWLMC6ZTq8c_acW8EDXpnL0UFnRqsHfavES-jpUaTO4XB4w4IuGFsg3Mg9fgkCtoBMwJam2BdRqmu0LUj5A_W/s1600/IMG_3927.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMFMk9T5mthzcuDUP47-2I6hFB5T-Mk2BgJ6C2tAArUvV33OteTjLQyQn0NygJMcL2s7JQG-5RGiGOnLPZRW270laN8c18146BDOMt6p6x2-KQQEoGYC3nwEODvUayXbAoWiAOKhvGH6m/s1600/IMG_3928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMFMk9T5mthzcuDUP47-2I6hFB5T-Mk2BgJ6C2tAArUvV33OteTjLQyQn0NygJMcL2s7JQG-5RGiGOnLPZRW270laN8c18146BDOMt6p6x2-KQQEoGYC3nwEODvUayXbAoWiAOKhvGH6m/s1600/IMG_3928.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring has sprung!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3gqYwwMTKy8RYxhMnqgVoAiAzN4qy-8oPI6FZglAE1WWekZvwjZ5CxdNspeFluksUf2TXYRqA8Qj89KghDri2G2lo9SuuKoQBTEzyblBM8ibMoFSlSoMvIbTVYy19k7TwqraJ61qyWNQ/s1600/IMG_3933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3gqYwwMTKy8RYxhMnqgVoAiAzN4qy-8oPI6FZglAE1WWekZvwjZ5CxdNspeFluksUf2TXYRqA8Qj89KghDri2G2lo9SuuKoQBTEzyblBM8ibMoFSlSoMvIbTVYy19k7TwqraJ61qyWNQ/s1600/IMG_3933.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emergingcivilwar.com/2013/08/27/9573/" target="_blank">little bit older than the PNW</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzLylkytPfF156JbEma8mG4OIOX2-Msev3siQo9-CC1kRBs36rMSVXCItiXHvKR3ymLKIhyG8GKqlrAGB3A8ji54L6KuZ-pqsERwptCS0tEUDdaw-wTqgKzwEIZsiBywTqo-FeCRx4a3b/s1600/IMG_3934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzLylkytPfF156JbEma8mG4OIOX2-Msev3siQo9-CC1kRBs36rMSVXCItiXHvKR3ymLKIhyG8GKqlrAGB3A8ji54L6KuZ-pqsERwptCS0tEUDdaw-wTqgKzwEIZsiBywTqo-FeCRx4a3b/s1600/IMG_3934.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cool alleyways</td></tr>
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Christy, dad and the Pearlzes had the opportunity to walk across the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Ravenel_Jr._Bridge" target="_blank">New Cooper River Bridge,</a> 2.5 miles across into Mt. Pleasant. We saw dolphins following boats, and all of Charleston frolicking in the sun. Beautiful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fZZwlb0GqZrhpAT8Vwsh4My8K3VTtunjHX1f3qQUYj3lGTG0nXwmfxNviX-oAfCrPBPgw2GP1__AuuQxuHIPaaajOT7AJPO-DEP4KrCB-4rYG5QNS_LWY9dZX_Oen7xsCV-op-Cf4zod/s1600/IMG_3953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fZZwlb0GqZrhpAT8Vwsh4My8K3VTtunjHX1f3qQUYj3lGTG0nXwmfxNviX-oAfCrPBPgw2GP1__AuuQxuHIPaaajOT7AJPO-DEP4KrCB-4rYG5QNS_LWY9dZX_Oen7xsCV-op-Cf4zod/s1600/IMG_3953.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnX2ktRXxCkDKuFf6N75mdJnqOSY-1k1MIdufJB15a7q21_JP_QQB9mDTkwS3ov5ws-OiOVq3sBzfuJD92cqCYup6RGGgIzk8_JUalk9P355x-KKn2k3jLmQQsGGyIv3nFi60qgpppD_L/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnX2ktRXxCkDKuFf6N75mdJnqOSY-1k1MIdufJB15a7q21_JP_QQB9mDTkwS3ov5ws-OiOVq3sBzfuJD92cqCYup6RGGgIzk8_JUalk9P355x-KKn2k3jLmQQsGGyIv3nFi60qgpppD_L/s1600/IMG_3960.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Of course, we couldn't end this blog post without another talk of food. Emm had his first chicken and waffles, but it won't be his last. It's on his short list for Atlanta, which we'll be back to soon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk4wTCMqq17Q5BwcLxXd80xTW7NSlJfhN0GoUtnHM-82Ak0vUP-fJVstdfAPGpg7fNa3wkh5LHxQFXCp2bpyuJ41QHypuleblmXW4-EEmYjEX7kTapUqYoj8ukAXOSFYiW19gw7-t0FLV/s1600/IMG_3971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk4wTCMqq17Q5BwcLxXd80xTW7NSlJfhN0GoUtnHM-82Ak0vUP-fJVstdfAPGpg7fNa3wkh5LHxQFXCp2bpyuJ41QHypuleblmXW4-EEmYjEX7kTapUqYoj8ukAXOSFYiW19gw7-t0FLV/s1600/IMG_3971.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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GREAT BOOK RECOMMENDATION (Thanks Aunt Christy and Christine Walter!): <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Invention-Wings-A-Novel/dp/0670024783/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395629848&sr=8-1&keywords=the+invention+of+wings" target="_blank">The Invention of Wings</a> by Sue Monk Kidd. Great history, girl power, Charleston imagery. Read it!bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-1206546048108458952014-03-19T19:18:00.000-07:002014-03-19T19:18:01.018-07:00Georgia (cousins) on my mind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oregon is far away from Georgia, and Shanghai is somehow even farther, so we haven't seen some of these cousins for a long, long time. Well, that's a shame, because these are some damn fine people down here in the South! We had such a great time catching up (and meeting the offspring of) the Chris and Stacy Johnsons and the John and Courtney Greens. All these old people ended up laughing and talking until the wee hours...which was much easier before all those children were around. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tjcyFEw3tf1hA8RWumWw-p8H0jo1jR__ZEMCI76ph0qSgiG-wNNQCO_50WzRZydqCJIbECfrzoto1jnu-v_6iy_dj-rHrmcPZC6Je3zPbRs1Kf_4uM5ZFF5_a8BFx9_4Pwrd-TCbCICq/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tjcyFEw3tf1hA8RWumWw-p8H0jo1jR__ZEMCI76ph0qSgiG-wNNQCO_50WzRZydqCJIbECfrzoto1jnu-v_6iy_dj-rHrmcPZC6Je3zPbRs1Kf_4uM5ZFF5_a8BFx9_4Pwrd-TCbCICq/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey good lookin! John Green, G and cousin Chris Johnson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_mHBsPGi76KaG0DxFMzAMFY3yf676OhQu88ZlRfZudc-wVjTU-NF8Rj31Vg_pE3v_h7G8OhtitQxaxXt_Wvhtsyr41JJANWjJvwQ1HRlEK_FI9WpzwtXTUKeVRAa_zcQJmliJUr0jci8/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_mHBsPGi76KaG0DxFMzAMFY3yf676OhQu88ZlRfZudc-wVjTU-NF8Rj31Vg_pE3v_h7G8OhtitQxaxXt_Wvhtsyr41JJANWjJvwQ1HRlEK_FI9WpzwtXTUKeVRAa_zcQJmliJUr0jci8/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and cousin Courtney Green</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYZH6MaamVJ8-rKeREIHA8IVL9KOd7noKxOs_RTsKg0jAdlrGeS1xf-vaVwhVrtB4CHBuplqwFaAEhKESnWgE78hVuevX1lWFJsH1Rl2ENhCH8mb79C7Qm1Vtb_AerhENHBn_D90Zn42m/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYZH6MaamVJ8-rKeREIHA8IVL9KOd7noKxOs_RTsKg0jAdlrGeS1xf-vaVwhVrtB4CHBuplqwFaAEhKESnWgE78hVuevX1lWFJsH1Rl2ENhCH8mb79C7Qm1Vtb_AerhENHBn_D90Zn42m/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des got to try on firefighter equipment that John sells<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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We don't have any pictures of all the kids...guess we'll have to go back for another visit! It might be because they were all headed in different directions...baseball, basketball, on bikes, in cars, etc. We'll see ya'll again in a couple of weeks!<br />
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We also got to head up to Suches, Georgia, for a visit with Aunt Ruth and Uncle Roger (Ruth is my ma's big sister). We got to...play in the woodshop with Uncle Rog, who's quite talented! He had just enough wood to make some boxes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBPh2Rq7_y60f1FwIc0zbP019CSQQeCGJp_6jz6cWI6ZE9SCk_GtDRgFdFfo6qWo-E23qQBa5N6-NsE7CaCfsJvoTKNiMcaW_w8fLtFCX9fw72eKsRXAWvdfK2UyLxdRkJgE9IgtxB6ga/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBPh2Rq7_y60f1FwIc0zbP019CSQQeCGJp_6jz6cWI6ZE9SCk_GtDRgFdFfo6qWo-E23qQBa5N6-NsE7CaCfsJvoTKNiMcaW_w8fLtFCX9fw72eKsRXAWvdfK2UyLxdRkJgE9IgtxB6ga/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOOfGl6_PPTHcF-TPwU0wMm3Pu8nH8bI5ej-2GmfEOt_Pukj5o1_98PyntWD1hQzERiqiipWqceJb8mbK5_F1XMsor-dw3EPnyysyAdhDEiePHFrcF3NxCZ4_0NN_UUwuI2X5UflyJ5hk/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOOfGl6_PPTHcF-TPwU0wMm3Pu8nH8bI5ej-2GmfEOt_Pukj5o1_98PyntWD1hQzERiqiipWqceJb8mbK5_F1XMsor-dw3EPnyysyAdhDEiePHFrcF3NxCZ4_0NN_UUwuI2X5UflyJ5hk/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to play in the woods outside of their house!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emm made his box original, of course</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxmwPhLGJjWpHNWi2IRaPxhFQyTbaqMbX-YfEG4tJIERj4WgWehOxkdxr4fIb5caw7YMPdw4-7qUtIRW8b4bL4ybJAQ67VB_lU8WvvF6OyjITOwMD16sqnF307n7BepmPJi-FQ1o_5kgD/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxmwPhLGJjWpHNWi2IRaPxhFQyTbaqMbX-YfEG4tJIERj4WgWehOxkdxr4fIb5caw7YMPdw4-7qUtIRW8b4bL4ybJAQ67VB_lU8WvvF6OyjITOwMD16sqnF307n7BepmPJi-FQ1o_5kgD/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We learned how to fly fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiS0WJFlPDEqfB_-CWuMhXzhkpeMyhH3Na7qvQT8AT4s4himT0QwVSwImurM92ckhj6WYQu1qxDNYtU7ThDcRHr3HsqgikOv-Gz7zlc5X15y46eT1J-OKk2Py8rVPcrMF6U7v4wSlrv00/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiS0WJFlPDEqfB_-CWuMhXzhkpeMyhH3Na7qvQT8AT4s4himT0QwVSwImurM92ckhj6WYQu1qxDNYtU7ThDcRHr3HsqgikOv-Gz7zlc5X15y46eT1J-OKk2Py8rVPcrMF6U7v4wSlrv00/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no bites<br /><br /></td></tr>
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We added the <a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail" target="_blank">Appalachian Trail</a> to our hiking repertoire, just three miles out and back from Woody Gap. We got to see lots of people whom we assume were hoping to become <a href="http://www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail/2000-milers" target="_blank">2000 milers</a>. We saw one guy wearing a "vow of silence" sign, which we might incorporate for parts of our drive. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVvR7vFS2My4K7SzDvWEZ0iRpbvYNQrYCSjfEoJyNOLJ-6fnMZ6lImKg3Krdjj1IN-AAiQxRlAHxYhVKdgxDbp4I1UG34L4o71TDErKU-qhfACW4_5K7xxE84HzoqOncEf4pVHTocty6/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpVvR7vFS2My4K7SzDvWEZ0iRpbvYNQrYCSjfEoJyNOLJ-6fnMZ6lImKg3Krdjj1IN-AAiQxRlAHxYhVKdgxDbp4I1UG34L4o71TDErKU-qhfACW4_5K7xxE84HzoqOncEf4pVHTocty6/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">have you seen a cuter hiker on the AT?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAS56YsUmlLadyGlKe4B7QdPjaVmQA66dJuyiB2wmlYnL63-KbFISjODffXI5lSCP3VFSui6X9D_J-4k8UaL5gQy0sMnyy9vpEDuj2rJB9jPAGJUU36qlXWug7BQTUUZW39VAIb_MzN8h/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAS56YsUmlLadyGlKe4B7QdPjaVmQA66dJuyiB2wmlYnL63-KbFISjODffXI5lSCP3VFSui6X9D_J-4k8UaL5gQy0sMnyy9vpEDuj2rJB9jPAGJUU36qlXWug7BQTUUZW39VAIb_MzN8h/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of the Blue Ridge mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenRiXmXwqAWUZzFuZOdvZHQ_X22jfzlICDpub_-2tfsgEL43WzDTSb2cd6XWsRHtLnRgw78y2JgbFCgMdRl5XvHmU96lfzCIanMmdUZkU_enL0h-C4f2f10ESiGBGUSIEdwso8pN9sWbP/s1600/IMG_3700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenRiXmXwqAWUZzFuZOdvZHQ_X22jfzlICDpub_-2tfsgEL43WzDTSb2cd6XWsRHtLnRgw78y2JgbFCgMdRl5XvHmU96lfzCIanMmdUZkU_enL0h-C4f2f10ESiGBGUSIEdwso8pN9sWbP/s1600/IMG_3700.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">super camoflaged</td></tr>
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We got pretty spoiled by this wonderful woman, my Aunt Ruth. She fed us, and fed us, and fed us. Thanks, Johnsons! We love you much!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UJ2KmvugZHdXSr0-u2ri0jrBT5sR0xgHZsDHS2O12QJH077loD_jTn_9eJbZ1CskbX9GL70YhPP8zCpNnv-D-RB0nj4nXysL9EuaUOKG4VxrBRXgUr3ZYiW58Ngan3d2Tlw688enzDLM/s1600/IMG_3900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UJ2KmvugZHdXSr0-u2ri0jrBT5sR0xgHZsDHS2O12QJH077loD_jTn_9eJbZ1CskbX9GL70YhPP8zCpNnv-D-RB0nj4nXysL9EuaUOKG4VxrBRXgUr3ZYiW58Ngan3d2Tlw688enzDLM/s1600/IMG_3900.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-2676463738487095632014-03-19T08:05:00.001-07:002014-03-19T08:05:13.622-07:00Me and PharrellOur buddy Michael Branch has done it again. He teaches English in Shanghai, at our old school. But that's just his side job. Mostly he produces the annual Faculty Follies. This year, some of us ex-teachers got to participate via video. My part starts around the 4:50 mark, but be warned: if you skip ahead you will miss some epic half-court shots.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxXqeEWLCA0&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Check it out </a>bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-53684031020887399852014-03-17T19:47:00.003-07:002014-03-18T07:33:28.665-07:00The original Road Rebel (no, not James Dean)<br />
When we get T-shirts made to commemorate our road trip, the front side will say Road Rebels. We came to consensus on that name after MUCH deliberation. (One of the facts of life on the road is ample discussion time). So it was fitting that we spent some time in Montgomery, Alabama. That's where two events took place during the civil rights movement. One quite famous, the other less so, which is too bad.<br />
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Most of us learn in school that in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. True enough. What we learned at <a href="http://www.troy.edu/rosaparks/" target="_blank">Rosa Parks Library and Museum</a>, and what makes the story even richer for me, is that, contrary to what I had always heard, Mrs. Parks was legally entitled to keep her seat. The belief that Montgomery's laws required Black riders to move back when the Whites Only section was full was just that--a belief. Still, she told the driver "You may do that" when he threatened to call police. (That's my favorite moment in the whole ordeal. Calling his bluff! She can take the weight just like those convicts on The Wire.) Her arrest gave local activists a rallying point, and the bus boycott began within days. Such amazing organization, to get carpools going and 35,000 flyers printed. For over a year the boycott lasted. And all the NAACP demanded at first was a more humane system of segregation, just hatred with a smile. But the bus company refused, so the demands were upped to full integration of the buses. Which came via a Supreme Court order in 1956.<br />
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I showed the boys most of "Eyes on the Prize" episode 1, to prep them for Montgomery. If you have never seen it, maybe you should. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVB2AlVpt0I" target="_blank">Watch it here</a><br />
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Of course, the boycott matters not just for its immediate success, but because it helped launch MLK's career as a leader of non-violent social protest. We toured the church he pastored for 5+ years, which is right next to the Alabama state capital (that's one theory for why it never got bombed, even though almost every other Black church in the city did. As did King's house.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyO5RS7epr8_iyTEjD2uKCvEPKECowt4a-mAz6z9hfThoLAM12DfBvR40pMN58yF3159m9CZIPT9cCefTq4TEbaVlnM3uEiC9BAm7czVhy-m5UFdSPxaL2giN2tjTa4ByZm5DQwRNfFv3/s1600/IMG_3663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyO5RS7epr8_iyTEjD2uKCvEPKECowt4a-mAz6z9hfThoLAM12DfBvR40pMN58yF3159m9CZIPT9cCefTq4TEbaVlnM3uEiC9BAm7czVhy-m5UFdSPxaL2giN2tjTa4ByZm5DQwRNfFv3/s1600/IMG_3663.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church stands just to your right as you look up the hill one block to the capital</td></tr>
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to be continued after some sleep…<br />
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Updated March 18: I'm back! A stormy night here in Lakeland, Florida had us switch from the campsite we had reserved to a hotel. Glad we did. Feeling refreshed, plus the Days Inn conti brekky had cinnamon toast THAT YOU ACTUALLY PUT IN THE TOASTER (sorry no photo). Also excited because...<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Emmett turns 8 today!</span></h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's getting big, folks</td></tr>
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He is extra-excited because yesterday we surprised the boys by taking them to Legoland Florida. We scored super cheap homeschooler tickets and arranged to meet up with a fun family we had met in Texas. Their boys are same age as ours.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desi couldn't wait until the photo was taken to start running in</td></tr>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PBl9g7HKgU0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ42ESmioO_TC8zUCz-r6ezP4WZbiO-ZcucyrKfAzceI5acc5m8BtfEZygEAaC1s-gAQpdko5UKG5_kBmUapp5O_MShkDStyUP3wQrJGjkoxTHa4jK_AxfmV4rRDMAi37ShOVdxqqlOSJP/s1600/IMG_4220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ42ESmioO_TC8zUCz-r6ezP4WZbiO-ZcucyrKfAzceI5acc5m8BtfEZygEAaC1s-gAQpdko5UKG5_kBmUapp5O_MShkDStyUP3wQrJGjkoxTHa4jK_AxfmV4rRDMAi37ShOVdxqqlOSJP/s1600/IMG_4220.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it's made entirely of Legos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OK, back to Montgomery, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -8px;">back to buses. A less famous, but even more dramatic, event in American history also took place on a bus in Montgomery. I had known about the Freedom Rides, even taught about them in class, before we got to Montgomery. But I gained a new appreciation for those brave riders when we went to the old bus station where they got attacked. Only some of the original station is left, but it doesn't take much imagination to see where the mob chased and beat these kids. Once again, just like Parks, the riders did what was legal (ride a bus, sit where you want) and provoked an over-reaction that led to </span><span style="text-indent: -8px;">positive</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -8px;"> changes. </span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -8px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, I had prepped the boys by showing and discussing Eyes on the Prize. (gotta run, will </span>update<span style="font-family: inherit;"> later </span></span>today!)</div>
bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-69355280300552324822014-03-10T13:25:00.001-07:002014-03-10T13:25:04.057-07:00Sunshine? Don't mind if we do!Charleston was charming, and I will blog Montgomery and Georgia soon. For now, we are in Florida, state #26. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGHBa-0ssFmL76kJntrwqRBIgPTbMMiBZ5IN5ObiLGLTUnMPcXYsdgrJcmHZVmGQcCyonS19ocu6_SmA4C1WSH2xHkWfTSP_94YfRD1uxryIxjmwxRncvAnJ4B2L_0ZVADIBzTSyoovgr/s640/blogger-image--1877160951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGHBa-0ssFmL76kJntrwqRBIgPTbMMiBZ5IN5ObiLGLTUnMPcXYsdgrJcmHZVmGQcCyonS19ocu6_SmA4C1WSH2xHkWfTSP_94YfRD1uxryIxjmwxRncvAnJ4B2L_0ZVADIBzTSyoovgr/s640/blogger-image--1877160951.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>73 degrees and sunny, and tomorrow we visit the oldest fort in North America. Junior ranger program, natch!<div><br></div><div>Here was lunch today. Mobile sandwich unit: </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOEDxIKz480Ytx2GjUhUy4cWsIfSNjGiAmVrecRPSw544Ndi32Z6s9fE8CNH0y5AOwEHJCSMDlfd7IWjFSWVGhWMhe1EEbyc7gaohruLCLz69QTXd5oPLbuNer7qCWllcgiKiyl90Fo4/s640/blogger-image-539131868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobOEDxIKz480Ytx2GjUhUy4cWsIfSNjGiAmVrecRPSw544Ndi32Z6s9fE8CNH0y5AOwEHJCSMDlfd7IWjFSWVGhWMhe1EEbyc7gaohruLCLz69QTXd5oPLbuNer7qCWllcgiKiyl90Fo4/s640/blogger-image-539131868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Below, we are in Charleston this morning with Aunt Christy, who is soon to begin boating the Intra-coastal waterway with Doyle (and, for a few days, with Larry and Linda). We saw their boat and showed them our camper. We loved being spontaneous and seeing those 4 this weekend. Look for a full post soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0ADYv9MjU3u6kdrNoF6wBxNX_UAZgTetrBj0zztlMpz0xq1kTuyb_qAvobxzNO3XGu7Y_mlf4cC_5cErUtrbwh4TtAmn8pTKOipDgIeN5X7mKqpk-oTi_Nn6-BeD6yg3-rQ4fFpt-mrF/s640/blogger-image-507177864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0ADYv9MjU3u6kdrNoF6wBxNX_UAZgTetrBj0zztlMpz0xq1kTuyb_qAvobxzNO3XGu7Y_mlf4cC_5cErUtrbwh4TtAmn8pTKOipDgIeN5X7mKqpk-oTi_Nn6-BeD6yg3-rQ4fFpt-mrF/s640/blogger-image-507177864.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is not their boat. Just thought the name was funny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vevLNHI5TsUbVlHiXySErJkS_Bd3SJjSZSw_tUEFLahUVaFwqQSG6ocsd6BXlMteY-aigO6qkMWGfV1O10xVgMphYP9bigPOL59ng237LdJJaA4p9kNbYqhJmc4eYR1ssni39gdqu9E_/s640/blogger-image-1971743387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vevLNHI5TsUbVlHiXySErJkS_Bd3SJjSZSw_tUEFLahUVaFwqQSG6ocsd6BXlMteY-aigO6qkMWGfV1O10xVgMphYP9bigPOL59ng237LdJJaA4p9kNbYqhJmc4eYR1ssni39gdqu9E_/s640/blogger-image-1971743387.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Admiring the cool boat-mover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Think spring!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div>bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-63158961169118866312014-03-07T18:51:00.004-08:002014-03-07T18:51:50.398-08:00Mufulettas, PoBoys, Beignets, oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every trip to the French Quarter should begin with this lovely lady, and we Portlanders who used to live in NE Portland and drove by the <a href="http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-18702-dr_know_a_burning_(saint)_question.html" target="_blank">sister statue </a>couldn't get enough of her. Des used to ask "Dad, who's that lady?" and we'd have a conversation about Joan of Arc, the rebel. Well here she is, in all her glory, in New Orleans. Makes a bit for sense there. We were on a food/music/history/sightseeing tour, and got all that we wanted, and none that we didn't. Des found the hippies living out of their van drinking on the street wildly upsetting...guess that rules out the Hawthorne neighborhood as a destination upon our return to Portland!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Orleans Joan </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gar remembering the different side of Mardi Gras, 20 years ago...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJofwhtA89iDksQclK9048sRjhBTGzIDgJNSt7YxkqSjBjJUwQmgNtwgrr08M4K25zljCjRt_Z_hNaETnL44YVl0KB9GLzSpVCBsmRjwPTcWurrBS9M1X9g4sXoapK5espS4mmZ5G2kizD/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJofwhtA89iDksQclK9048sRjhBTGzIDgJNSt7YxkqSjBjJUwQmgNtwgrr08M4K25zljCjRt_Z_hNaETnL44YVl0KB9GLzSpVCBsmRjwPTcWurrBS9M1X9g4sXoapK5espS4mmZ5G2kizD/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Gary found us a great free music show at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/jazz/planyourvisit/events.htm" target="_blank">New Orleans Jazz Historical Park</a>. Here you can see Des dancing with what we guessed was a West African <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/returned/tell-your-story/" target="_blank">RPCV</a>...what other kinda white lady speaks French, wears a sarong, and shakes her booty to African drumming? Anyway...we dug it...at this Park, the rangers play music. Another ranger is currently on tour with Paul Simon and Sting...not a bad gig!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC4sc8SpkK03PdDB8T80I_OhFuqXQlJMRZN_-CmCBqxDwK_Ot0C65BT-wpkTFD0r8q6x4voVZzY7shlp9UIGwJNg6Ie17JWAl3V7d1uWJPHHn1R_pDeu1YrrXUduQLoEJY_GE_IgtB71E/s1600/IMG_3553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC4sc8SpkK03PdDB8T80I_OhFuqXQlJMRZN_-CmCBqxDwK_Ot0C65BT-wpkTFD0r8q6x4voVZzY7shlp9UIGwJNg6Ie17JWAl3V7d1uWJPHHn1R_pDeu1YrrXUduQLoEJY_GE_IgtB71E/s1600/IMG_3553.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you gotta pay extra to hear Saints!</td></tr>
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We made sure to hit up Cafe Du Monde, and it was ALL THAT. Big ole table of beignet fans!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Des errs toward stalker with his happy face...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">while Emm feels the horror of it all. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJX4Z8PfVDrk8hSUiZKjQLLKN1YKkb-jg-Q_WIe0FuRaIrwZxLFi4aRZyjqlKKTexAIAPvI_XmlAwv0Sa296Fxv4tjAgc-92x69OkMQxSCMyzkN5yaQ0asEN0nhKGindBovBt9cN8PHrn/s1600/IMG_3559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJX4Z8PfVDrk8hSUiZKjQLLKN1YKkb-jg-Q_WIe0FuRaIrwZxLFi4aRZyjqlKKTexAIAPvI_XmlAwv0Sa296Fxv4tjAgc-92x69OkMQxSCMyzkN5yaQ0asEN0nhKGindBovBt9cN8PHrn/s1600/IMG_3559.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY STELLA RUBY PEARMINE! WE WERE THERE ON YOUR ACTUAL BIRTHDAY!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6JVCGCKM3ut1RAIgYbKZDtHK-wW7XxzFHr_qkQMy2mDP-v4k-VDwbfedYFnnZmXX9CdjSmmLXPlpnTp_G3o_4MXaKaRPjhdUZWBMhqk3Tdxx_gMKkNbmx449rOAf-jNWptpbBP4gRRap/s1600/IMG_3560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6JVCGCKM3ut1RAIgYbKZDtHK-wW7XxzFHr_qkQMy2mDP-v4k-VDwbfedYFnnZmXX9CdjSmmLXPlpnTp_G3o_4MXaKaRPjhdUZWBMhqk3Tdxx_gMKkNbmx449rOAf-jNWptpbBP4gRRap/s1600/IMG_3560.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even the local buses get into it.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPCKFcHFySbWj8aA1onCS0GZnT1N7jyZpRV7EVNy5es4c_jdv6epY5WoveqeQqFH2t2A_JADKjd-4bgxlx7RS_NNYruBnnPL97hKFLjMW0j0G_ZehQNIdof0e7z5fqmCbhkFqOMU0mk1/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCPCKFcHFySbWj8aA1onCS0GZnT1N7jyZpRV7EVNy5es4c_jdv6epY5WoveqeQqFH2t2A_JADKjd-4bgxlx7RS_NNYruBnnPL97hKFLjMW0j0G_ZehQNIdof0e7z5fqmCbhkFqOMU0mk1/s1600/IMG_3562.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
After a great <a href="http://www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/imax/now-showing/hurricane-bayou" target="_blank">IMAX</a> movie on the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina (see, we're learning stuff, people!), we came across this beautiful <a href="http://www.holocaustmemorial.us/index.htm" target="_blank">Holocaust Memorial</a> at Woldenburg Park. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefxnpUcMTwoHpVz5NSgKjE9kX2oOx8MrKdsMc6OgSzDuLNKhifegnl2JvQObnjC78ZPjKoj-jlOUZ2aVPviB12B3_06QiTydNTVdXKalnGKhRwfhoNe7WL0_9WChwLkFHUWSNLQeLHqa7/s1600/IMG_3563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefxnpUcMTwoHpVz5NSgKjE9kX2oOx8MrKdsMc6OgSzDuLNKhifegnl2JvQObnjC78ZPjKoj-jlOUZ2aVPviB12B3_06QiTydNTVdXKalnGKhRwfhoNe7WL0_9WChwLkFHUWSNLQeLHqa7/s1600/IMG_3563.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view from the other side</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the boys showing their interpretations of "monument of the immigrant"</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5vvj4wguQOli0mI5Q8HmgZlsW0pKaL6Siqe4_f2nrfPyG8pvFKs3xfy6rAXd0s0PO8UqWL4g2QSz-6Kr2WaVaSI0t8oyOjWG-Ep9rHQdwhxerAIbembUSAS63ZD3LT-u3gNFn8glmcMq/s1600/IMG_3566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5vvj4wguQOli0mI5Q8HmgZlsW0pKaL6Siqe4_f2nrfPyG8pvFKs3xfy6rAXd0s0PO8UqWL4g2QSz-6Kr2WaVaSI0t8oyOjWG-Ep9rHQdwhxerAIbembUSAS63ZD3LT-u3gNFn8glmcMq/s1600/IMG_3566.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
While we're trying not to be "those people" who take pictures of their food...we've been eating a lot of really good stuff. Here G is showing off his rabbit and dumplings at <a href="http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Cochon</a>...go ahead and take a gander at the menu. We ordered nearly half of it! bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786203328647752601.post-70564151903012688692014-03-01T14:38:00.001-08:002014-03-01T14:41:54.522-08:00The halfway pointWe wanted to spend at least one night in 40 states. Tonight marks State #21--Georgia. Halfway there. Thank goodness New England is so crammed together.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyMDmvXFUidrvUUAoMNvJRZ54RvCmWQpRMOcqc4tZIHOUmOv6nOonH_Rcj2UsRDLaWi9uBRGxXDdQkxOBfwWAlLphK-DzsyBmPKZWR6rC1W56Tmo4WuEIlEDqfgrJSgIMm93DsRlj6e89/s640/blogger-image--1036146509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyMDmvXFUidrvUUAoMNvJRZ54RvCmWQpRMOcqc4tZIHOUmOv6nOonH_Rcj2UsRDLaWi9uBRGxXDdQkxOBfwWAlLphK-DzsyBmPKZWR6rC1W56Tmo4WuEIlEDqfgrJSgIMm93DsRlj6e89/s640/blogger-image--1036146509.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIC6YXybjaYfHWYpt4kVbd8E3uK3_yk1lta3azDyfuTGi4h6S8bYGNq0AfkkYRoCA3vVsnZhfDfRV5l83dphJSxIKqwiG7X9U20fQOFky6XoSz6b_qCAGGqn3HQu_yffF3Vt_eNQNjKFI/s640/blogger-image--2045358129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIC6YXybjaYfHWYpt4kVbd8E3uK3_yk1lta3azDyfuTGi4h6S8bYGNq0AfkkYRoCA3vVsnZhfDfRV5l83dphJSxIKqwiG7X9U20fQOFky6XoSz6b_qCAGGqn3HQu_yffF3Vt_eNQNjKFI/s640/blogger-image--2045358129.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Best river name ever</div><div><br></div><div>Plus, the burbs north of ATL have 7 and even 8 lane highways. Sprawl much?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3cGO6XtG1dzHziqJXP_cks-XKDx0ApIVuU2es5zZUvcHWGdgTceJi-l06EBYpQh0RH1qwXEVRgsT5oeXTrlWLg1Hnl96u3HnUBCCJrWGLudIVWYKZKHdBvYPsnHCqf6LMQbs_0T6caxZ/s640/blogger-image--607839351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3cGO6XtG1dzHziqJXP_cks-XKDx0ApIVuU2es5zZUvcHWGdgTceJi-l06EBYpQh0RH1qwXEVRgsT5oeXTrlWLg1Hnl96u3HnUBCCJrWGLudIVWYKZKHdBvYPsnHCqf6LMQbs_0T6caxZ/s640/blogger-image--607839351.jpg"></a></div>Hard to see, but yes, there are 7</div>bob l oblawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17016213158467996552noreply@blogger.com0