Hiking at noon in the desert isn’t the brightest idea. But we had plenty of company. This 4.8 round trip hike takes you through a canyon, along a creek, and has a 1930s cabin. 
Refreshing
A trio of b/w images.
A variety of plants
Limestone shelf
Slate in a field of limestone
El Capitan
Filed under Photography, Travel
My friend said Carlsbad Caverns are as stunning as the Grand Canyon. She might be right. This is a high quality US National Park.
The Bat Amphitheater 
Top notch landscaping 
Speleothems
Stalactite with Popcorn
Stalagmite
The elevators were out of order. I felt bad for a lot of people.
Filed under Photography, Travel
Pacifique and Tresor traveled 8,000 miles from Kigali Rwanda to St. Louis, Missouri in the United States. They brought with them a message of Peace through their Artwork, Dance, and Music. Pacifique founded the NIYO Cultural Center and the NIYO Arts Gallery. They have inspired our building to think globally.
Welcome to NKMS
Rwandan Drums
reflection
Pacifique
giant smile
Tresor descending
Painting technique
students helping out
vision unfolding
interview time – Tresor telling stories
rain stick
choir
Tresor playing national songs
shields and drums
Filed under Art, Photography, Travel
Even though it can be crowded, Clingman’s Dome in North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains provides gorgeous vistas, stunning wildlife, and unpredictable weather. The Appalachian Trail provides quick access to solitude. The Forney Ridge Trail and Andrews Bald are spectacular.
These are some rugged trails…
My son now leads on our adventures.
The clouds rolled in
Hidden beauties.
That’s not a volcano. :-).
The highest point in Tennessee about 6700 ft.
Filed under Photography, Travel
I went to San Diego in 2003, but didn’t make it over to Joshua Tree National Park. Twelve years later, I finally explored this relatively unknown park. The Colorado Desert and its cholla cacti and yucca plants in the south contrasts with the Mojave Desert and the Joshua trees in the North. Large exposed boulders of granite abound.
The Valley
Cholla Cactus Garden
Cholla Cactus
Cholla Cactus
An Oasis in the Colorado Desert
The Arch
Rock and Cacti
Near the Arch
Exposed Granite
Joshua Trees
Wind Farms outside of Palm Springs
Filed under Photography, Travel
Peace and Harmony in the American West…
Life Long Friends
Joshua Trees
Blossoming Sandstone
Bridge from the Past
Loss of Control
Fortress of the Birds
Nevada Pines
Lava fields – Sunset Crater
Mysterious Lines
Rhyolite Sacrifice
The End of the Trail
Death Valley Sculpture
Pariah
Filed under Photography, Travel
I spent one week in Nevada, California, Utah, and Arizona exploring the natural world. I have now visited all 48 of the lower U.S. States along with Hawaii. The National Parks are truly one of the United States’ best ideas.
Out for a Stroll
The Temple at the top in the distance…
First Glimpse…
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Utah
Forty Miles of Dirt Road through the Escalante Staircase in Utah.
Grosevenor Arch
Blue Sky at the Arch
Winter in Bryce Canyon
Twisted Rocks
Hoover Dam
Colors of the Canyon
The Watch Tower at Desert View
Grand Canyon
Gorgeous Colors
Sneaking a Peak
Photographers
in Zion
In Zion National Park
Straight Up to a Hidden Canyon
Mother Nature at Work
Filed under Photography, Travel
A mid October evening walk took me through the 200 year old buildings, to live music playing at local restaurant and along the Missouri River. Savoring every beautiful evening before the winter takes over Missouri.
Filed under Photography, Travel
Freshly "Pic'ed" 