The Adventures of Deb 'n Paul

Oh yeah...

2012-01-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

Great Harvest Cookie break. Best darn cookies ever made!!

2012-01-15T14:22:00.000-05:00

Snowshoes! Let the fun begin...

2012-01-15T14:21:00.000-05:00

SNOWING! God I love these mountains!!

2012-01-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

Paul.

2012-01-15T14:18:00.000-05:00

Snowshoeing in the mountain forest. Sigh....

2012-01-15T14:17:00.001-05:00

My beautiful Rocky Mountains.

2012-01-15T14:09:00.001-05:00

Cool2...

2010-10-23T13:44:00.000-04:00

More space shuttle landing strip.

Very cool...

2010-10-23T13:42:00.000-04:00

Riding on the shuttle landing strip.

The Space shuttle...

2010-10-23T13:39:00.002-04:00

Launches in about a week!

Tour De NASA

2010-10-23T13:37:00.000-04:00

Paul and I ride 32 miles on family day at NASA. The Vehicle Assembly Building is in the background.

UFO?

2010-09-19T18:26:00.002-04:00

Fishing down in Mosquito Lagoon just north of NASA. Is that a UFO? I didn't see it in the sky as I snapped this pic of Paul. What really goes on at NASA--Paul???

Viking serenade

2010-08-01T20:09:00.000-04:00

What a way to spend the last night of our great adventure! How many have a "viking" sing to you? Thanks for joining us--now it's time to get back to the real world.

Last meal

2010-08-01T19:53:00.001-04:00

Our last night in Iceland and our three week adventure. What a fabulous time we've had!!! We decided to spend our last night at the very gaudy but fun Viking Hotel and restaurant. So much fun!

Paul in the geothermal river

2010-08-01T19:49:00.001-04:00

One last adventure

2010-08-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

On our last afternoon before flying out of Iceland Paul and I hiked up 3 km to a geothermal river. I'm not going to kid u--we do a lot of hiking but this hike was made tougher by the sloppy conditions of the trail--as well as the fact that it was cold and drizzly. But--OMG-- the view was spectacular and the water was so warm (hot) that although it took us an hour to hike there we could only relax in the water for ~20 minutes!

Four-wheelin' in Iceland

2010-08-01T19:38:00.001-04:00

I can't tell u how many rivers we had to forge with our trusty 4-wheel drive rental car. Paul did a great job of keeping us dry. In this crossing I decided to climb out of the sun roof and film it--I'm being tossed around the window pretty good so was glad when it was over!

Mt Hekla

2010-08-01T19:32:00.000-04:00

Still waiting for that earthquake--just a little one. Ok so we're a little crazy. Just want our money's worth.

Close up of the volcanic eruption layer.

2010-08-01T19:24:00.000-04:00

Sediment layers tell all

2010-08-01T19:23:00.000-04:00

How can u not get excited about sediment? I say this knowing some of my students r now rolling their eyes. Yet these layers tell the story of a fractional history of the planet they live on. How very cool that we can touch the time of a volcanic eruption (black layers). The thickest layer was from a former eruption by Mt. Hekla.

Camping in Iceland

2010-08-01T13:29:00.000-04:00

Really enjoyed it!

Glacial flour

2010-08-01T12:41:00.001-04:00

On the ferry ride back we saw the effect of glacial melt on the ocean water. Lots of fine-size particles suspended in the water column due to massive amounts of glacial input.

Not so lucky homeowner

2010-08-01T12:35:00.002-04:00

They are actually excavating some of the homes that were covered by the lava flow. Makes for rather strange viewing.

Lava field

2010-08-01T12:27:00.001-04:00

The last eruption on this island occurred in 1973 and consumed part of the town. This homeowner was lucky. The next pic shows that others were not!

Ferry to Vestmannaeyjar

2010-08-01T12:14:00.000-04:00

These islands were created from volcanic eruptions. Still active. Cool stuff.

After the dive

2010-08-01T12:10:00.001-04:00

A hot bowl of lobster soup in Stokkseyri at Vid Fjorubordid. Again--highly recommended!

Ready to go

2010-08-01T12:04:00.001-04:00

Diving in the rift valley

2010-08-01T12:03:00.001-04:00

Putting on my dry suit before diving into 4degree C water that fills a crack in the rift valley. Spectacular experience. Visibility is ~150 meters. Deepest part of the crack we dove was 65 meters. Highly recommended.

Waiting for the geyser

2010-08-01T11:56:00.000-04:00

Iceland is a geothermal hotspot. They create most all of their energy needs from it.

Ok so this is stupid

2010-07-30T15:49:00.001-04:00

Trying to give a big shove to the plate.

Touching the trailing edge of our plate.

2010-07-30T15:47:00.002-04:00

We are actually touching the trailing edge of the North American Plate!!!! How can you NOT think this is cool ;-)

I've been waiting for this!

2010-07-30T15:46:00.000-04:00

We are in the rift valley on Iceland standing between the north American and Eurasian plates!! How freaking cool. They are diverging at about 2 cm per year. Can u see it ;-)

Farewell espanol

2010-07-30T15:30:00.000-04:00

Time to leave beautiful Spain and move on to Iceland. We've had a great time!

Once is enough

2010-07-30T15:27:00.000-04:00

We decided to drop in on the tiny country of Andorra. The subject line says it all.

We're here

2010-07-22T10:21:00.001-04:00

And it's been raining for two days. But we r excited and having fun. Our sign is located in a spot that Lance is sure to see--on his climb to the top of the Col de Tourmalet! Viva la Tour!!

The Peleton

2010-07-20T13:38:00.000-04:00

They are traveling down the Col de Tourmalet at ~100 km/h!

O-M-G!!!!!!

2010-07-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

Words can not express how very cool this was! Not only that--I swear when I yelled 'go Lance' he turned his head and looked back at us. Even Paul stopped taping and commented about it.

More friendly Americans

2010-07-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

Before the race passes.

Breakfast pizza

2010-07-20T02:23:00.001-04:00

By the time we got here all of the bread in the town was sold out and markets were closed. So we decided to order a pizza to take home for breakfast--a salmon pizza with white sauce and...lemon slices? Yes--and it was strangely good!

Tour eve

2010-07-19T15:57:00.000-04:00

How exciting--didn't I already say that?

Carpe diem

2010-07-19T15:30:00.000-04:00

Life is short--seize the day! Tomorrow
we see Lance, Andy Schleck the leader and Contador--the bad boy ;-(

How exciting

2010-07-19T15:24:00.000-04:00

We are here with million other tour fans

2010-07-19T12:28:00.001-04:00

On our way to the Pyrenees mountains to see our cycling hero Lance Armstrong. Picked up some paint and brushes in the town so we could paint a big sign that will read--Lance thanks for living strong! In reference to his charity. Paul thinks that might be too long for the queen size bed sheet we'll be writing on--will see. We will get to view the race two days. Will watch tomorrow with end of race at Pau. Will try to be at the top of the Col de Tourmalet on Thursday when they finish. This is his last Tour so--Go Lance!!

Paul's crepe...

2010-07-19T03:58:00.001-04:00

Yes Paul's. It's too easy to get fat here!

St Emillion France

2010-07-19T03:37:00.000-04:00

Came to tour the Bordeaux region of France and was told to stay here. St Emillion was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Wine is good too ;-)

Dinner at our hotel

2010-07-19T03:30:00.000-04:00

If u go to Guethary stay at The Madrid Hotel and ask for room #5.

It's pronounced...

2010-07-19T03:26:00.000-04:00

Guethary France. I highly recommend.

Beautiful flowers

2010-07-17T02:51:00.000-04:00

Along a street in Guethary.

Geology info

2010-07-17T02:43:00.000-04:00

Finally found out about the geology around here. All these upturned bed are the result of a collision between the Iberian plate and the Eurasian plate 40 million years ago--forming the Pyrenees mountains--where Lance Armstrong will be riding his bike in a couple of days :-) The vid is of the ripple marks that formed on the ocean floor ~80 million years ago.

Our French chalet

2010-07-16T06:53:00.000-04:00

LOVE this room!

Our magical view

2010-07-16T06:44:00.000-04:00

Ocean view

2010-07-16T03:28:00.001-04:00

Change in scenery

2010-07-16T03:27:00.002-04:00

Didn't plan on it but ended up in France. Today and the next 3 are free days--we had no plans no reservations we just go and see where the road takes us. This can be slightly stressful but always adventurous. So--we found ourselves on the coast of France. Boy the roads are tiny and people drive like they are in the Daytona 500. We wanted a room with a view of the ocean that was inexpensive. Hard to find u say? You'd be right but as usual on these spontaneous situations there happened to be one room left on the little town of Guethary over a restaurant/bar in the curve of the road and right next to the trains. It was a corner room with 2 windows--1overlooking the town/trains and the other the ocean. No AC, phones, or tv and u had to share bathroom/shower with 3 other rooms. It reminded me of old Europe. I fell in luv with it Paul did not. We stayed! And found out later that this is a surfing hotspot Will take pics. Waves are 10-15 feet and pound in on rock wall--no beach!! Crazy surfers!!!

Really cool

2010-07-16T03:10:00.000-04:00

You can see the ripple marks.

Beds up close

2010-07-16T03:09:00.001-04:00

Here is a pic of the tilting beds that make up this beach.

Life guard station

2010-07-16T03:03:00.000-04:00

To all the lifeguards in my oce class--this pics for u!! This is the lifeguard stand in Deva Spain.

Feet in the ocean

2010-07-16T02:54:00.001-04:00

How much fun. Different kind of beac. Kind of muddy.

What beach?

2010-07-16T02:46:00.001-04:00

No beach here and for my geology students maybe you can see the bedding planes dipping at~45degree angle into the ocean.

The Atlantic Ocean!!

2010-07-16T02:43:00.001-04:00

Made me tear up when we reached the eastern boundary of the AO. We're not in NSB anymore.

Same la Nina

2010-07-15T04:39:00.000-04:00

This little one Is obviously dedicated to becoming a matador. After putting down her bull she then began practicing her bow. She kept approaching her reflection in the window and doing the matador bow.

Muy bonito la Nina

2010-07-15T04:35:00.001-04:00

I'm probably slaughtering the Spanish language but when Paul and I saw this cute little girl (taller one on the left) out running the el niños I had to have a pic of her. So I started yelling la Nina la Nina and she stopped to look at crazy American women wanting to take her pic. When she figured out what I wanted she started to pose but then 2 other children also wanted in on the pic so also struck a pose. Cute!!

Ole!

2010-07-15T04:10:00.001-04:00

It's funny to see the toy of choice here. Kids of all ages are chasing each other with these bullheads on wheels. Other kids will slap a stick on the ground while twirling a cape to 'tame' the bull.

Dinner in the village

2010-07-15T04:07:00.001-04:00

On the plaza where it seems all come to visit. It's about 8pm and the restaurants never open until 8:30pm(?). So we sit,have a glass of wine and watch the people.

Cool bottle opener

2010-07-15T04:03:00.000-04:00

So--since the cork is also very old they actually open the bottle by heating this thing, which heats the bottle around the neck and they then brush cold water around the neck and the change in temp causes contraction and the bottle opens.

My future wine cooler

2010-07-15T03:59:00.000-04:00

This was pretty interesting--the modern winery is actually over 150 years old and keeps many of there old stuff down in tunnels.

Computerized control

2010-07-15T03:55:00.002-04:00

Modern storage

2010-07-15T03:55:00.001-04:00

Wine tours

2010-07-15T03:54:00.001-04:00

Paul and I have gone to a number of wine tours. The pic is of one of the more modern wineries in Spain with it's building having been designed by Frank Gehry. These new modern ones were nice to look at on the outside but the wine-making methods are very antiseptic looking and they use computer technology to monitor the wine. I'll load a number of pics to show u. Paul and I were far more impressed with 2wineries in the village that did it the old fashioned way--the grapes leaves and stems are all dropped into 150 year old clay-lined fermentation pit where the grapes are them stomped!! How can u not love that? After storing in barrels etc. The wine is bottled and stored in caves beneath the city. I couldn't take pics of this cause it's mostly done in the low lit caves and my phone doesn't have a flash.

Muy bonito vista

2010-07-14T10:04:00.000-04:00

All villages are atop a hill. Built this way for easy defense back in the day. Here is Paul overlooking the great view. U can see some of the vineyards in the background.

Bogedas Palacio

2010-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

This is where we are staying in Laguardia. A beautiful vineyard/hotel. I highly recommend to anyone traveling here. Great service, food and of course wine--all nestled within the vineyard.

Big head parade parade

2010-07-14T09:53:00.000-04:00

This is the 4th time I've sent this vid so hopefully they won't all show up. The big head parade took place in Pamplona and was part of the festival de la fermin--a part of the running of the bulls.
Paul is a bit under the weather today so we will rest a bit and continue on the wine tours in Laguardia, Spain.

Big heads walking

2010-07-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

The crowds follow them down the street to the plaza del toro.

2010-07-13T05:45:00.000-04:00

On our way to Rioja wine region (yay!). I'd also like to give a special call out to Martha in NSB. Got your comment--thanks and wanted u to know that Paul and I actually stayed at your lovely B&B our very first night in NSB. Hugs to u all.

Ole Mr. Bull

2010-07-13T05:10:00.000-04:00

Mucho loco spaniards. Mucho drunkio too!

And they're off!

2010-07-13T05:02:00.000-04:00

Doesn't seem like much but it was fun. Actually a little hard to get a sense of the number of people around mostly because the medics kind of got in the way.

Ouch!

2010-07-13T04:57:00.000-04:00

Getting ready for the bodies ;-/

And the band played on

2010-07-13T04:56:00.000-04:00

They are a festive people.

Early in Pamplona.

2010-07-13T04:48:00.000-04:00

Waiting for the run.

2010-07-12T16:38:00.001-04:00

Finally got to our hotel-tired and hungry. Must remember doors in europe push in not pull out--helps when u think they've locked u out. Finally got in where Spanish look at us as those lame amerians. Got the card key went to the room--no Lights no electricity called the front desk. Who new u were supposed to put the cArd key into the wall to get lights? But still no air--who knew we had a remote control for the air conditioner? We Americans are so lame. Thank goodness Spain has wine!!

Spain's renewable energy

2010-07-12T15:24:00.000-04:00

SO--while "the most powerful country in the world" embraces it's addiction to fossil fuels, progressive Spain works diligently to increase it's renewable sources of wind and solar. There are some regions that have achieved using 70% consumption from renewables. Time to step it up U. S.!!

Crazy señorita

2010-07-12T15:12:00.003-04:00

Our day started out rather rough. We took a taxi to the aeroport to get our rental (boy they drive fast here). Got the car and Paul started driving--in the crazy traffic. Doing fine til we realized small car problem--back to the aeroport to get new car. New car with crazy lady gps we did not like her so turned her off then got VERY lost turned crazy lady gps back on and 8hours later finally made it to Pamplona for the running of the bulls. Trip should have taken 4hours. We learned to love the crazy lady gps!

SCORE!!!!!!!

2010-07-12T02:39:00.000-04:00

HOW MUCH FUN!! And how great to just happen to be here at just the right time. Also enjoyed the game thru texting with Ben who now lives all the way over in Seattle. Luv u son. It was fun!

Let the game begin!!

2010-07-12T02:34:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed the world cup along with about a million of our new best friends.

Wait 'till tonight

2010-07-12T02:31:00.000-04:00

This is the site of tonight's big world cup party.

Touring Barcelona

2010-07-12T02:26:00.000-04:00

Fun tour bus. Great way to get our quick view of the city.

Laundry.

2010-07-12T02:24:00.000-04:00

They hang their laundry out of their windows. Might try this in florida ;-)

Streets of Barcelona.

2010-07-12T02:21:00.000-04:00

Blue lagoon still

2010-07-11T08:34:00.000-04:00

Feet enjoying the lounging area before our message.

Blue lagoon

2010-07-10T18:58:00.001-04:00

Me by the bridge.

Blue lagoon

2010-07-10T18:52:00.000-04:00

10 hour layover in Iceland and a nice soak in the blue lagoon. A hydrothermal spa.

Adventures in packing

2010-07-07T19:01:00.000-04:00

Getting ready for our big trip to Spain France and Iceland.

Adventures with Cate and Heather in the Rockies...

2010-01-24T15:45:00.025-05:00

We recently had the great pleasure of visiting Cate and Heather--now living near the beautiful Colorado Rockies! It was like going home for us--since we lived in Boulder for about 5 years. Paul and I didn't waste any time hiking up to our favorite spot at Cub Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the spot where we took seasonal photos to display on our wedding invitation. Here is a map of the hike. We start at "YOU ARE HERE" and then hike 2.3 miles to Cub Lake.

Our hike will take us around the entire loop which runs thru Cub Lake, down to The Pool and then back around to our start about 7 miles.

When we got to the top the snow was sparkling and it look absolutely magical...it's always so invigorating to be back in the mountains.

As usual, we took our picture on our "special" rock.

But this time, I was taking a movie of Paul taking a picture of us ;-)

A few days later, I took Cate and Heather on the same hike to show them our special spot. Here are the happy hikers now...And--we're off--all smiles and having fun...

Buuuuuuuuut, unfortunately we encountered some problems in the lower altitudes with the snow and our snow shoes. The snow varied from just a little snow then deep snow then no snow. Oh, and did I mention that we had our snow shoes on the wrong feet? The once happy hikers were un poquito unhappy with the snow-shoe struggle and chose to carry them in their backpacks for the rest of the hike up.

The hike continues--up, up, up thru the deepening snow.

Here's a pic of smilin' Heather. Is this a pic of Heather:
(A) crawling to the top of the mountain?
(B) hiking to the top knee-deep in snow?
-or-
(C) falling on her a** and wishing she still had those snow shoes on?

YAY Cate and Heather!!! You've finally made it to the top with only un poquito b#*&^ing ;-)

And now it's time for rest and a snack on the special rock...

..and then--a little skating on Cub Lake...

Due to an incoming snow storm, we opted to descend to the start and not down the back side of the mountain and around the loop.

Here are the muy happy hikers--mostly happy to be back at the car!!!

Adventures in the Louisiana Bayou and Isle Derniere...

2009-07-13T14:34:00.041-04:00

We know you've waited a long time for this-- BUT--we think it's worth waiting for. We joined Diane and Big Lou (Deb's sister and dad) on a fishing trip off Isle Derniere (meaning Last Island) in south Louisiana. Enjoy this video with it's great Cajun Zydeco music and we'll venture into the educational stuff after that...

Wasn't that music cajun-kickin' fun?? Makes ya' wanna get up and dance...but I promise I wont...maybe.

And yes--I also caught some fish. Here's a video of my speckled trout. It was 18" measured the 'Deb way' --yep--18"--that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!! Oh yes--note how calm the waters are in the background (we'll discuss this later) and...don't mind that crazy man in the squeaky chair--his hat is too tight!

Ok so-- the lands associated with coastal Louisiana come courtesy of the Mississippi River. This lazy ol' thing has shifted its course across south Louisiana numerous times--east to west and back again looking for the shortest/easiest route to sea--each time creating a new delta system. The most current Delta is known as the Plaquemines or Birdfoot delta because of the shape its distributaries make. (click on the photo to enlarge)

When the Mississippi River abandons one spot for another, it takes with it the source of sediment--sand, clay and silt--that is needed to maintain an active delta. Without these sediments--coastal landforms succumb to the erosive powers of wind and waves until only the sturdy bar that was once the river's mouth remains. Eventually, all of the marsh built along the river sinks or is washed away--leaving open water between the mainland and the remaining barrier island. This is the process that created Isle Derniere--the Last Island--a barrier island once associated with the LaFourche Delta. The following map gives you an indication of what Isle Derniere once looked like in its heyday---and yes--it had a heyday...
.So the story goes that back in the day..Isle Derniere was an island getaway--an exclusive summer resort for the rich folks of New Orleans who wanted to escape the city heat. Roads were built from New Orleans for easy travel to the numerous cottages erected to accommodate these wealthy families and the many servants they brought along to do the cooking/cleaning, etc. --Reportedly about 400 inhabitants.

On August 10, 1856 the residents noticed increased wave heights and there seemed to be a storm-a-brewin' to their south...little did they know--'cause there was no TV or satellite imagery...a Category 4 hurricane was barreling towards their shore! Somehow--Weather Underground was able to recreate its track.

Needless to say--most of its residents were killed--washed out to sea or worse. Paul and I got out of the boat and waded to the island. I took the following video of what remains of Isle Derniere--just seagulls and a bunch of poop--certainly not enough of it left to build much of anything.

Before we return to the boat--let's have a brief oceanography lesson...When we first arrived at dawn..the waters were flat and calm. The wind was pretty much undetectable--muggy and hot actually. But with a little time, things began to change--the wind picked up speed and made for a most pleasant day. The waves also began to increase in size--due to the combination of increased wind speed, time and fetch--the length of water over which a given wind has blown...and the greater the length of water--the greater the wave size.

Here is my video of those crashing waves that almost took my life!!! No--really ;-)

So if the waves weren't threatening enough--how 'bout being abandoned on a deserted island. Well it just about happened to us! Big Lou and Diane motored their way--back and forth--fishing and babbling and forgetting about us. WE ALMOST DIED--AGAIN--NO REALLY ;-)

Enough of the drama. The last point I'd like to address before I end this post is the presence of the Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana. I'm surprised when many students in my Oceanography classes don't realize that Louisiana has a heavy presence of this industry--they think that Texas is the only real oily spot on the Gulf Coast. So--here's a little 'oily' flavor for you to swallow about Louisiana...my message...GET READY FLORIDA!!!

To begin with, I'd like to show you a temporal map of oil and gas production platforms in coastal Louisiana (40 year period). Although the final year of this map is dated 1981, it gives you a good sense of the increasing presence of this industry in Louisiana.
Now about some of the problems. To begin with, data from the Department of Energy indicates that well over 80% of the U.S. offshore oil and gas is piped through Louisiana's coastal zone. The map below was produced by the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and shows the extensive number of pipelines offshore of Louisiana (and fewer off Texas). While we were fishing, tugboats approached with yet more pipeline to lay thru Isle Derniere. I'll post the video as soon as Paul gets back from hunting in Idaho with his dad.

"So what" you say--well to begin with ...it ain't pretty. Offshore Oil and gas production requires an enormous infrastructure--offshore production platforms are connected by pipelines to onshore storage and refining facilities. In Louisiana alone the numerous offshore production facilities have deemed it necessary to dredge "thousands" of miles of canals to accommodate pipelines and access production facilities--each pipeline and canal increases the many problems associated with saltwater encroachment and coastal land loss. The photo shows what these canals look like.

The USGS has determined that Louisiana has lost about 34 square miles of coast PER YEAR over the last 50 years--that's a landmass about the size of Delaware!! Although there are natural processes that lead to coastal land loss, data from the Gulf Restoration Network indicate that the activities associated with Louisiana's Oil and Gas Industry are responsible for up to 60%. The photo shows an example of this land loss.

I imagine most citizens of Florida don't realize that offshore drilling will bring new problems and challenges to a state heavily dependent upon a $65 billion-a-year, beach-type tourist industry. So--what about those oil spills? Not too many tourists are gonna wanna sit on a piped and oil-stained beach!! And don't think a spill wont happen. Even Louisiana's decades of experience with laying/maintaining its pipeline couldn't deter the recent oil spills of August, 2009--resulting in contaminated beaches along Louisiana and Texas.

Storms only increase the spill factor. Data reported by the MMS indicate that hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused 124 offshore spills that dumped more than 743,000 gallons of pollution into the ocean while another 9 million gallons of pollution was spilled from onshore pipelines, tanks and refineries.

Seriously Florida--think about it!! It's not too late to just say no!!! and take this time to be innovative...on the cutting edge of new and daring forms of energy...like maybe tap into the endless amount of energy produced by the Gulf Stream or try Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion--maybe a little solar energy. Fossil fuel is history--let's try something new!!

Adventures on the Grand Staircase...

2009-06-07T10:33:00.000-04:00

We recently experienced the grandeur of Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks--also known as the Grand Staircase due to their Geological interconnections. These parks were formed as the Colorado River sliced thru the uplifted Colorado Plateau--exposing 2 billion years of sedimentary rocks formed from ancient sea and sand dune deposits.

But before we start our journey--I feel compelled to insert an older photo of Paul fishing at the head of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park---not quite the river you might expect--still just a wee baby of a river--BUT it will soon receive water from many tributaries before grandly entering and carving into the Colorado Plateau.

Continuing--geologically speaking, Bryce Canyon is at the top of the Staircase and exposes the youngest of the geological formations. The lowest formation (step) in Bryce Canyon is the highest formation (step) in Zion. And the bottom formation in Zion is the top of the Grand Canyon--where the oldest layers are found. In addition to the Sedimentary Rock formations in the Grand Canyon--we will also explore Metamorphic and Igneous Rocks associated with the Grand Canyon's basement.

The unusual formations found in Bryce Canyon are called Hoodoos (Paul standing in front of them in the photo)--and are caused by millions of years of water erosion. Breaks called joints formed during the uplift of the Colorado Plateau. Joints allowed water to flow into and through the various rocktypes found in the canyon--e.g., sandstone and limestone--resulting in differential erosion. As water flowed through the joints, erosion widened them into rivulets and gullies. Over time, deep slot canyons formed in the sides of the plateau.

Paul took this video (below) while we hiked Peekaboo Loop--a 5 mile hike thru the canyon---and VERY hot ~105 degrees in the shade (what shade?)

Further down the Grand Staircase is Zion. Our first video is from our campsite. Who wouldn't want to wake up here every morning?

Zion has some of the most fabulous outcrops of the Navajo Sandstone--a late Triassic/early Jurassic-aged formation created by the deposition of ancient sand dunes. This picture of us shows the incredible detail of sand layers within the dunes which were created as grains of sand are blown up the windward side of the dune and then deposited on its leeward side. The next photo shows the beautiful cross beds that result when dunes migrate in relation to wind direction (the layers are inclined in the direction the wind was blowing). The depth of the Navajo Sandstone indicates that these ancient sands were ~3000 feet deep --compare this to the depth of the Sahara Desert with sands only a couple of hundred feet deep.

One of the fun (?) things we did while in Zion was to hike Angels Landing--a very steep and "thrilling" 5-mile hike. One portion of the landing is called Walter's Wiggle--a series of numerous switchbacks. I asked Paul to hike up while I videotaped him--it's kind of a funny video...enjoy...

Ok--let's move on to the Grand Canyon. I have to admit--when we drove into this forested park and then all of a sudden--the Earth opens up into the immense, phenomenal canyon--it brought tears to my eyes!! I just new I had to get down into it and explore its depths in order to really appreciate its extraordinary geology...so I suggested to Paul that we hike down. I never saw Paul's eyes get so big--"are you crazy?" was his response--but--I knew it had to be done!!

So--this photo was taken in the naive moments before our 7-mile descent into the depths of the Earth on the South Kaibab Trail (the depth of the canyon is only ~1 mile).

The hike--although really hard--was full of some of the most incredible geology I have ever encountered!--nothing like touching prehistoric time!--fossils abound. You turn over a rock and realize--this hasn't seen the light of day in millions/billions of years!! What MUST the Earth have been like back in that day? HOW VERY COOL!!!

Moving thru the Kaibab Limestone Formation (~270 million years ago--m.y.a.) --representing an ancient shallow sea-- into the Coconino Sandstone Formation (275 m.y.a.)--representing the faces of ancient wind-blown sand dunes. The term Formation refers to any rock unit that is recognizable and traceable for a long distance.

In this video--note that the Coconino Sandstone Formation creates the white 'bath-tub ring' around the upper canyon. (Beneath it is the more red color associated with the Supai Group)

Next...we move from the Coconino Sandstone into the Supai Group (315-285 m.y.a.). A Group is a succession of two or more contiguous or associated formations. The Supai Group consists of layers of shale, siltstone, sandstone and limestone and represents both marine and non-marine enviroments. During this time, this area was experiencing a period of rapidly changing coastlines created by rising and falling sea levels.

Step down...down...down...down....for 7 miles or ~36,960 steps...oh my aching knees!!

We finally enter the famous Bright Angel Shale Formation--I heard a lot about this formation From Dr. Gary Zumwalt--my fabulous professor of Geology at Louisiana Tech (thanks Dr. Z). I've dreamed of 'communing' with it ever since! The Bright Angel Shale is an accumulation of muddy sediments associated with a quiet offshore marine environment. It is a source of wonderful fossils--including Bryozoa--animals that build their skeleton of calcium carbonate--somewhat similar to today's coral.

A photo of Bryozoa in the Bright Angel Shale (click on it for a better closeup).

The journey down continues..

We finally enter the Inner Gorge--the location of some of the oldest rocks in the Grand Canyon. Paul mis-spoke in this next video--the Vishnu Schist is part of the basement rocks--the metamorphic rocks that compose some of the oldest rocks in the canyon (~2 Billion years old!). Also present here are the Igneous Intrusive rocks called the Zorastor Granite.

Paul talks about 'the black streaks going up'--what he's seeing is the black-colored Vishnu Schist mixed with intrusive portions of the 'red' Zorastor Granite...

Fatigue from this long hike has certainly set in--BUT--we are almost--almost to the bottom!!!!!! In the video--I mention that we've been down 5280 steps (the approximate number of steps for 1 mile of hiking). BUT--actually, it's more like that times 7---since we've gone almost ~7 miles!!!!!! That's about 36,960 steps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH MY GOD------WE MADE IT-----WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF 2 BILLION YEARS OF EARTH'S HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're now at Phantom Ranch--THE place to stay if you make it to the bottom. This place is a MUST DO BEFORE YOU DIE kind of place. We stayed in his 'n her bunks for a couple of nights while we rested for the hike up the canyon. The people are fabulous--the food is great----the wine and beer is relaxing--and the camaraderie is more than memorable!!! Meals are served family style which gives you the time to really talk and get to know other people in the world--I truly believe that if we all did this--there would be NO MORE WARS!!!---it's simply that fabulous and effective of an experience!!!

Sadly--and I really mean this--it's time to leave this fabulously exclusive location---and HIKE UP 9.5 miles to the top of the Canyon!!!!! DO WE REALLY HAVE TO LEAVE????

Ok so--we've been hiking for a while and decide to take a break--only--we are stalked by a suspiciously hungry-looking squirrel!!! (hey Ben and Cate--note the squinty eye--see where you get it?)

And then--we are forced to forge a raging stream! (?) Ok so--not so raging but Paul had fun filming it...

And believe it or not--there were actually a lot of beautiful wildflowers in the Grand Canyon...

MULE TRAIN--the code of the trail is--if you encounter a mule train--hikers must stand on the inside of the trail (mountain side) until the mules pass. It was kind of fun at first. But after about the 5th mule train--ya' got kind of tired of it. ESPECIALLY since WE were HIKERS--the REAL kings/queens of the trail!!

YES--it was HOT at the bottom--REAL HOT!!! Paul took a video of two thermometers...(it's much cooler on the rim 'cause it's a mile higher in elevation).

Taking another look at the Geology of the Grand Canyon--Paul takes a final look and points out the Bright Angel Fault--it creates the great valley system that accommodates the trail.

CAN IT BE TRUE--ARE WE REALLY REALLY ALMOST THERE??? As you can hear in the background of this video--I can't decide whether to be happy or sad--should I laugh or should I cry? It's been such a phenomenal experience--but also such a phenomenally HARD hike!! All I know is--I was hiking, hiking, hiking and then all of a sudden I looked up and saw the Park Ranger's building on the top---I WAS STUNNED!!! AFTER 9.5 MILES OF HIKING UP UP UP-- THERE REALLY WAS AN END TO THIS TRAIL!!!

OK FOLKS--this is it--our last Grand Canyon video. And yes--I cried like a little girl when it was all said and done (not in the video). As I walked through crowd on the rim--I felt so bizarre. Kind of felt like saying 'Hey guys--I've just come back from the Moon--And this is the best you can do to greet me?' I can only say--this has been one of the best adventures of my life and I would highly recommend it to EVERYONE!!!

Next time--a Rim to Rim hike!!! (really!)
THANKS PLANET EARTH FOR SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!

Cheers from the top--Deb'n Paul

Our Great Yukon Adventure...

2009-06-06T16:06:00.000-04:00

Here we are at the beginning of our great Yukon adventure. The trip would take us from Whitehorse to Carmacks. We started with a 30-mile paddle in upper Lake LaBerge

The lake was really beautiful but BIG. It took us 1 ½ days to finally reach the Yukon River.

At the first camping spot, Cate noticed that we had camped on a bed of wild strawberries. What a nice treat for our first (of many) breakfast of hot oatmeal.

We finally made it to the Yukon River!! (For those of you unfamiliar with kayaking—we are wearing our sprayskirts—it keeps a water tight seal between you and your kayak.)

This is the 30-mile trading post. The Yukon River has been designated as an historical and scenic river. It is sprinkled with old prospector’s cabins, etc. and the government has placed wonderful descriptive markers all along the way explaining the historical remains of the gold rush.

At our fist camping spot on the Yukon—Paul taught Cate how to flyfish. If Paul’s not looking too happy, it’s because Cate caught all the fish the first night and Paul caught-----NONE!! And yes, Cate is in her jammie pants. She’s already taken her bath in the VERRRY cold Yukon River. I always knew she was a little crazy!!

Here’s our little kayaker. Hard to believe Cate never complained—HONESTLY!! She seemed to really love the experience.

Lunch consisted of peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat pita bread---EVERYDAY!! OK so—by day 6 Cate was ready to sprint to the end for a meal at the Carmacks Burger Shack—so was mom.

Paul looks on (wearing his mosquito jacket) while Cate readies for another day of paddling. Everyday started with crawling out of the tent, pulling stuff out of the kayak for breakfast (it had to be securely stored to keep away from bears), packing-up camp, repacking the kayaks and moving on to the next campsite—and doing it all over again. It was a lot of daily work but SOOOOOO worth it!!!

On an average day we paddled ~40 miles. There were about 20 hours of daylight and 4 hours of twilight. It never got completely dark—which was good with me since I was always looking for bears.

This is our tent. Paul and Cate are busy making breakfast. We purposely chose a tent with a ‘screened porch’ since the mosquitoes operated on the ‘greet and eat’ approach. I learned real fast that the most mosquito-free areas were in the middle of the Yukon River on islands.

BUT--I also mistakenly believed that islands would provide a safe haven from bears—that is until we excitedly watched as a bear very easily swam across the wide and raging river and plopped his ‘squishy butt’ on an island that we were about to claim for the night!!! Yes—we moved

on…

A gold-stampeder’s cabin. A visit to it’s interior tells you that they knew how to entertain ;) That’s my kind of camping!! Too bad they were all empty ;-)

Home sweet home. Paul takes a break in his hammock in front of another stampeder’s cabin while I pan for gold…Yes—I’m gonna keep my day job—

Paul and I relax around the campfire while Cate makes friends with a worm—does this mean she’s tired of being with us???

Here we sit on our kayaks on the last day of our great Yukon adventure. We are tired but we’ve had such a spectacular time!!! We only wished Ben had come along….We missed you!!!