TravelStream™ news feed for member alex_merwin on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/alex_merwin en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:39:03 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1211144760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1211144760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1211144760/tpod.html Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:39:03 -0500 Thailand

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Bangkok, Thailand

After a 20 hour flight (which actually went smoothly, no delays or cancellations) we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand. Our accommodations were first rate - stayed at the Millennium Hilton. Modern decor, great food, and, most importantly, awesome A/C. It didn't take long to feel the humidity taking its toll.... my Coloradan blood is way out of its element in the tropics. Woke up to a great breakfast - is that papaya juice in my OJ? - and jumped over the the Chatuchak Markets to get a first hand look at all things Thai.

Shirts? Ties? Food? Laser-engraved wood carvings? Art? You want it - you can find it at these markets. Row after row, aisle after aisle completely packed full of all sorts of random nick-naks. Typical of markets like this most of it was junk but hidden within the stalls were some real gems - cheap gems! The exchange rate is very favorable in Thailand - about 30 baht to 1 dollar when we went - and things are good if your using the USD. To illustrate - here were some typical expenses:

Bottled water: 10 baht = $0.30
Street food - Pad Thai (enough for a full meal): 30 baht = $1
Full body massage (beach in Phuket): 400 baht = ~$13

You get the idea. Thailand is THE place to travel on a budget.

As you walk around Bangkok you are assailed by an incredible array of smells - good and bad. All in the span of a minute strolling through the open air markets we encountered such blissful smells as fresh pad thai and roasting meats followed by whiffs of rotting sewage & wet dog! The good seems to come with the bad in Thailand.

If you want to get a taste of a culture, you have to eat the street food. Thailand especially. I read it in the guide book but didn't believe it until being in Bangkok myself. Local thai don't need "fancy" restaurants. They don't want "ambience". They want great food. Who cares if your fryer is a pot lashed onto the back of a rickety scooter? If it tastes good - eat it. Lindsey & I put this into practice when we saw a vendor at the markets making fresh pad thai - we didn't waste much time jumping in line. Shrimp prawns, dried tofu, peanuts, green onion, salt (or sugar?), sprouts egg & a few unidentifiable ingredients came together in the greatest pad thai I've ever had - although my favorite thai place in Boulder isn't too far off the mark. All for 20 baht (~ $1). Awesome.

Finishing out the day and resting up, we woke up the next morning for a guided tour of the Orchid Market & saw the Wat Pho. The Orchid Market was beautiful & dynamic. People flowing by on foot, scooter, tuck tuck taxi, car, bike - you name it. A constant flow of people and commerce complemented with an overarching smell of fresh flowers. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha (where the Wat Pho is housed) was almost beyond description.

First off, while the Buddhist temples of Thailand attract a lot of visitor traffic they are centers for very devout, practicing Buddhists. As such, Ryan, Steve and I were required at multiple points in the trip to put on pants in order to be admitted to certain temples or palaces. Apparently spaghetti straps are *risque* as well because Lindsey in addition to covering her legs was also asked to place a shall over her shoulders. In 90 degree weather with nearly 100% humidity you can imagine what a difference this makes - but what are you supposed to do? Say no?

Upon entry, we were stunned to view the gargantuan gilded reclining buddha, the Wat Pho. It is 46 meters long! Housed in a beautiful temple complex, I especially enjoyed the detailed work on the various altars and the mother of pearl in-lays on the buddhas feet. It is a stunning sculpture. The complex itself packs nearly as much shock value as the buddha himself - please see some of the pictures of the surrounding architecture to see what I mean. We kept encountering trees wrapped in fabric so I asked our guide the significance. Apparently there are traces of animism in the practiced buddhism of Thailand because they believe the trees have spirits, and if they don't "trap" them in with the wrappings they will come out and roam among the living....

At this point, we really started feeling the heat. Sightseeing can really take a lot out of you, and walking around in the sun for hours in near 100% humidity and high heat is a recipe for disaster. For the first three days of the trip we were completely wiped out be early afternoon and had to call early days. It wasn't until later on that we learned the secret - you have to take frequent breaks. Instead of going for 4 hours straight, it is critical in tropic climates to only go sightseeing in 1-2 hour chunks. Then go cool off in an air conditioned place for a bit before going out for another round.

The next item on our itinerary was a day trip to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was the capitol of Thailand from 1350 to 1767 A.D. when the Burmese invaded and destroyed the city. At that point, the government moved the country's center of power down the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. Today, ruins still litter the vast area where the kingdom of Ayutthaya once reigned. I have a particular affinity towards ancient civilizations (while this isn't exactly "ancient"..) and I loved walking around and taking in the history. Breaking the heat with some coconut milk (straight from the coconut, broken right in front of us) we ventured around and saw a few of the temples strewn about the area. Once you get away from the city we encountered stray dogs everywhere. I warned Lindsey of rabies but if there is a cute dog around, she's going to pet it - period. And they were cute all right.

Our tour of Ayutthaya was accessed by boat. Much of Bangkok is canal accessible and we took a few canal tours to get a taste of what this way of living is like. We encountered economic polarization - it seemed as if you were either rich or extremely poor. Some houses looked cherry-picked from Martha's Vineyard while 2 houses down was a pile of sticks that looked one violent wave from destruction. It is exposure like this that reminds me of how very blessed we all are.

Finishing out our stay in Bangkok, we checked out the National Museum, Grand Palace and Golden Mount. The initial section of the museum was not air conditioned and consisted of several dioramas that looked like they were put together by an unsupervised kindergarten classes - to say the least we were not really digging it. However, as we progressed into some other parts of the repository we ran across a bewildering array of national treasures. Buddha sculptures, weapons, art. Definitely a must see if you are in Bangkok - but if your not into museums it will put you to sleep.

The Grand Palace had a more universal appeal. The architecture is stunning! Colorful, vibrant, and distinct the buildings reach high from the ground imposing their regal aura to all that pass by below. Following this Lindsey and I ventured to the Golden Mount. The Golden Mount is a temple that is built on the highest hill in Bangkok and before the era of skyscrapers was the tallest structure in the city. Today it is shrouded in forests of orchids and green fauna with torrents of tourists and locals rushing in to say a prayer, see a view or buy a trinket from the gift shop.

For all the beauty and positive associations i have with spending some time in Bangkok, I feel obligated to recognize some of the negative characteristics as well. Bangkok is crowded - REALLY crowded. When you cram 8 million people into a relatively small geographical space there are consequences. Traffic is horrible - do not rent a car. The pollution is present and unsettling. A cab driver mentioned to me that before 10 years ago there were toxic compounds in the air. While government regulations have helped some the volume of particulate matter in the air is still substantial and many locals where surgical masks over their faces to protect their lungs from everyday exposure. If you are into big cities - then you'll love Bangkok. However, if your not into the "hustle bustle" of city life it might be a little much for you. I'm part of the latter school of thought, so I was looking forward to plopping my ass on the beach in Phuket.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1226184720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1226184720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/6/1226184720/tpod.html Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:32:36 -0500 Thailand

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Phuket, Thailand

We arrived in Phuket in the early evening and were treated to one of the greatest sunsets I have seen in my life. Every 5 minutes the sky was transformed into an even more beautiful canvas of vivid colors and unending perspective. Sipping some Johnny Walker Blue Label and watching the sunset from an executive lounge of the Phuket Hilton.... can it really get any better?

Waking up in paradise, Lindsey and I started the day off with a long walk on the beach outside of our hotel. The water was turquoise green and warm like a bath tub. Gazing over the waves my attention was brought back to the beach when dozens of little sand crabs permeated my peripheral vision - almost disappearing before my eyes had the chance to define their outlines burrowing into the glistening sand.

After breakfast it was ocean time - let's go swimming! Then a minty mojito by the pool..... aw this is the life. You know - I've worked hard walking on the beach and drinking mojitos - its time for a massage. Good thing its only going to cost me $13! Thats right, if you're in Phuket just walk down to the beach and for less than 2 lattes in Seattle you can be rubbed down for 45 minutes. When I saw her scooping aloe straight from the leaf and rubbing it into my shoulders I knew I hit the jackpot.

Traveling around Phuket was a trip. I saw Thai people on bikes, scooters, cars, even elephants! While we didn't do much "sight seeing" we did find play mini-golf with some dinosaurs. Why not?

I read on a pamphlet from the hotel (first bad sign...) that great sunset views could be found at Promthep Cape. So, we check it out. We charter a bumpy taxi ride an hour into the jungle and emerge at a complete tourist trap. Shops and a restaurant. Clearly enough to keep the throngs of Asian tourists happy because they all seemed to have smiles on their faces.... we were a little less enthused. On dropping us off the cab driver says:

"I wait here for you - you pay when you want to leave".

Uh...no thank you mister taxi man. We're Americans. We don't need to pay you to sit there waiting for us - we'll just get another cab.

So - we settle in for the sunset. Nothing fantastic - definitely couldn't compare to the other night. Then it hits like a ton of bricks - we're hungry! But no! There is only one restaurant in this dive - surely it can't be good! So, we plan our escape and head for the parking lot.

There we discover what our prior hubris had brought us. Every cab in the lot was chartered and had clients waiting to come back. It started to look like we were going to be stranded. We waited for 45 minutes trying in vain to flag a cab down. Finally, once we got sick of being the main course for the mosquitos, we decided - reluctantly - to give this place ago.

Well - it ended up being the best Thai cuisine of the trip. Go figure! The tables were all outside with a pleasant breeze blowing from the ocean below. Family style portions, cheap prices, and ass scorchingly hot entrees. It was amazing. My favorite was a red curry dish with beef and creamy coconut milk - so good! After stuffing our faces and calling the hotel to send a cab we found our way back, full & happy. So - just because a place looks like a dive - don't write it off. You may just eat the best food of your life.

We finished up the trip with a day long boat trip to the Phi Phi islands. These picturesque islands have played host to many hollywood films, including The Man With The Golden Gun and The Beach starring DiCaprio. We actually went to the same lagoon this film was shot, and if it weren't for the hundreds of hairy europeans putting out their cigarettes out in the sand it would have been amazing. However, even they couldn't destroy the natural beauty of the lush green jungle and beautiful clear water. We snorkled and enjoyed the colorful fish and perfect natural surroundings - it was really stunning. All-in-all the tour was a little touristy but we definitely left with positive memories and some great photos - what else can you ask for?

Phuket is a beautiful place. Check it out, but don't expect to encounter much local flair - it is a tourist island. However, if this is what you're looking for, it is nothing short than an idyllic beach paradise. Unfortunately, jobs awaited us all (job hunt for me) so we couldn't stay forever - it was time to go home. Our trip to Thailand was a wrap.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/5/1207497180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/5/1207497180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/5/1207497180/tpod.html Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:17:22 -0400 Big Bend National Park

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Boulder, Colorado, United States

Taking full advantage of our week off for spring break, Linds & I left Friday, March 8 on a trip to Big Bend National Park. This, however, was only the final destination - The Guadalupe  mountains, Carlsbad caverns and White sands national monument rounded out the itinerary. Also, as we covered the 2000 miles in Linds' 4Runner, many great side trips surfaced. Here is an account of our trip.
 
We drove south through Albuquerque, NM, and stayed a night with Lindsey's dad to break up the trip. Of course, no trip to Albuquerque is complete without some scorching Mexican food - we got our fix at El Pinto. Killer red chile & tamales!
 
The game plan was to get up at, as my dad would put it, the "ass crack of dawn" in order to get to Carlsbad by that night. Heading out for a week long camping trip, however, kind of set things back a bit and resulted in a belated start to our adventure.  Going with the flow, we took some scenic highways (as denoted on our atlas by soon to be indispensable little green dots..) to White Sands National Monument. On the way, we stopped at a rock shop about 50 miles from anything else (save for a "general store" across the street). Why stop to look at rocks? Well, we wondered that too, so we went to the store for some refreshment. In actuality, it was some neo-conservative dude's house. We walked in, no one seemingly around, and were immediately creeped out by the Ron Paul posters, Confederate flags and strange memorabilia strewn about the dive. Deciding to forgo the outside-advertised apple cider in order to avoid certain death, we bailed Carrizozo and continued our drive. Noticing the dropping sun and our proximity to White Sands, we stopped for one of the most striking sunsets I've ever seen. Deep orange and red hues in the sky lit afire by the setting sun contrasted sharply with the cool blue tones of the rolling white sand dunes. It was a surreal experience. Of course, at this point with 4 hours still to Carlsbad, we were starting to regret our late start to the day. Sucking it up (and downing a few energy drinks), we got in late and hit the sac, refueling to check out the caverns in the morning.

Getting an earlier start we got our butts to Carlsbad Caverns, because there really isn't much else to do in Carlsbad. Carlsbad Caverns is actually a National Park (annual pass - score!), the country's smallest. The velvety endlessness of the deep black caverns swallows you and cultivates an acute sense of awe within. Unfortunately, the throngs of people did well in killing the moment. I can recall gazing upon beautiful cave ornaments and being knocked into by bratty siblings running amuck - parents seemingly hiding several yards away, escaping the madness if only for a moment. It takes a lot of distraction to ruin an experience like Carlsbad Caverns - there was ..almost.. enough on our visit. What an unbelievable place. Following the caves, we packed up the 4Runner and set out for Guadalupe Mountains to camp for the night. Bad weather hit hard. Cold temps, chilling wind, overcast skies. All complemented by an open-fire ban - it turned into a long afternoon. Our only available time in the park being consumed by staying warm versus enjoying a hike, it was hard not to feel the shaft.

Awakening to clear skies we realized that the foggy hill next to us the day before was actually a stunning bluff - the surrounding vista incredible. Too bad we had a long (5+ hours) drive to Big Bend, and didn't really have to time to enjoy Guadalupe Mountains at all. Always next time I guess. Luckily, our weather for the rest of the trip held out well! Western Texas is a landscape of monotony and on the flat horizon we could make out the craggy peaks of Big Bend National Park from a great distance. It was stunning to see our field of vision being filled slowly with long lines of high mountains - breaking out of the surrounding geography like an iceberg peeking above the ocean. Getting in just in time to set up camp and make dinner before losing light, we hit the hay to refuel for our first day in Big Bend - our final destination where we would be spending the next 3 days.

Hitting up the Ranger station for some good info, we found out about a nice hike on the far side of the park with some geothermal hot springs in close proximity. Big Bend is monumental in scale - our campsite was in the middle of the park and it took a solid 45 minutes (at 40-50 mph) to make it to the far eastern edge for our hike. Hiking 6 miles we encountered an incredible variety of scenery. The hike began next to the Rio Grande, and followed its bank past a geothermal feature before veering up a steep bank onto an adjoining bluff. The river bank, with its abundant moisture, held host to an incredible array of plants and fauna. Bamboo, palm trees, and long grasses made this part of the hike feel more like a tropical stroll versus a trek through the desert. Veering away from the river, the vibe changed dramatically as cover began to disappear. Glad for bringing plenty of water (but still fighting heat exhaustion) we pushed on to a beautiful 360 degree viewpoint from the top of the bluff over the Rio Grande below and sprawling park to our rear. Getting back to the car and peeling away clothes drenched in sweat, we threw on our suits and jumped into the hot springs for a soak to ease our tired muscles. On our previous passings of the hot spring leaving on and returning from our hike the springs were crowded. Fortunately, we lucked out and got a 10 minute window to enjoy the springs solo before a hairy, euro-trash family emerged from the bush in speedos overflowing with ungroomed hair. It was time to leave.

Next day was our rafting adventure! Well, actually, canoeing adventure as the flow was too low to facilitate rafts. Actually, let's scratch "adventure" as well since the most death defying moment we faced on the tranquil, 6 - 12 inch deep waters were the mosquitos making lunch of us as we floated through gorgeous canyons shooting over 1000 feet up on either side of our vessel. Our tour included lunch, cold cuts, but a welcome respite after a long morning of rowing. Following a side hike into an adjoining canyon from our lunch spot (Fern Canyon), we floated down the distance we had just paddled up and cruised into the valley behind us. It was a great time, but a little disappointing as we were expecting rafting and instead had a low-key canoe trip. It was a tad bit on the expensive side as well.... lessons for next time I suppose. Excellent camp food for dinner this night - dutch oven pizza with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers & artichoke hearts with tons of cheese. Awesome.

Thus our trip was pretty much over, all except for a 3 day drive back home to Boulder on which we would pass through El Paso, Albuquerque & Garden of the Gods. 10 days, 2000 miles, and tons of great memories (and muscle aches!). You know it's a good camping trip when you leave a scum ring in the shower afterwards. My final spring break was a wrap!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/sevilla-2007/1178482140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/sevilla-2007/1178482140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/sevilla-2007/1178482140/tpod.html Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:23:43 -0400 Study Abroad - Sevilla, Spain - 2007

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Barcelona, Spain

Although it has been almost a year, I figure I am better chronicalling my trip to Barcelona now better than never. Although some things have begun to slip into the abyss of my failing memory, I still retain something from my last destination before coming home from abroad. So, without further adeau, I present Barcelona.


The Romans founded Barcelona 2,000 years ago, dubbing the city Barcino, and the city was shot into the modern stage when the 1992 Summer Olympic Games were hosted there. With a long tradition of hosting ecclectic artists such as Picasso, Miro, and Dali, the city's premier son is the visionary Antoni Gaudi. His unique buildings breath new life into a city whose Gothic quarter remains largely unchanged. All considered, Barcelona is an especially diverse city in just about every possible way.


The city is nestled on the Mediterranean sea and surrounded by gently sloping green hills. Two of the main parks of the city, Parc Guell and Parc Montjuic, are situated on these hills. These elevated platforms not only provide beautiful places of solace when sightseeing in Barcelona, but offer beautiful panoramic views of the city and sea beyond.


By far the premier characteristic feature of Barcelona is its modernist architecture created by Antoni Gaudi. During my brief visit, I had the opportunity to see the Parc Guell, La Pedrera and La Sagrada Familia.


The Parc Guell, originally slated to be a housing site, took a far left turn in development and became a peculiar public space adorned with beautiful tile mosaics, bizarre sculpture, and innovative forms. With commanding views of the city and abundant street performers, you almost forget about the swarming tourists surrounding you. However, if someone offers you a carnation, pay attention - they probably have an accomplice waiting for you to be distracted so they can take your purse or wallet!


La Pedrera (otherwise known as La Casa Mila) is an apartment building that still holds private units, but the top floor and roof have been dedicated to recognizing the buildings creator. The flowing façades are supposedly inspired by Mt. Montserrat, but some say they would be more at home in an episode of the Flintstones. Love it or hate it, the amazing forms on the roof, and the intriguing museum on the top floor, are definitely worth a visit.


La Sagrada Familia was Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, he spent over 40 years of his life working on it before being run over by a tram on June 7, 1926. The modernist chapel is completely unique and refreshing for the seasoned European traveler who is well versed in the large, Gothic cathedrals of western Europe; this structure is the antithesis to convention. Unfinished, a foundation still works feverishly on construction, which is estimated to be completed in 2030. The nature inspired architectural elements and mouth-dropping façades make this a can't miss.


If I were to return to Spain and live in another city, Barcelona would be at the top of my list. I loved the relaxed and authentic people, peculiar architecture, and astounding location right on the mediterranean. It is a spectacular place that everyone needs to see at least once.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192899840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192899840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192899840/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:12:06 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Estes Park, Colorado, United States

With the weather turning, Lindsey and I decided to use our parks pass for one more excursion into Rocky Mountain National Park to end out the summer season on a high note. Looking through our book, we decided on the "Sky Lake" trail - a 10 mile hike that was described as the "...most scenic in this entire book". A high claim - we decided to check it out.

And what a joy it was. The hike starts through an Aspen groove (although they had long changed by the time we got there) and continues through a diverse landscape of marshland, sporadic lakes, and culminating in an Alpine scramble to the top. Unfortunately, about 1/4 mile from the "Sky Lake" the trail became inaccessible - covered in ice. Since we forgot our crampons (gosh...retards huh?) we went down in shame (not really) to one of the lower lakes. The partially frozen streams and encroaching ice on the lakes provided for all the escape we needed.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1191603360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1191603360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1191603360/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 13:03:17 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Balloon Fiesta rocks Albuquerque each year, and Lindsey and I decided to make a trek down south to catch the giant sacks of hot air. Sandia Peak overlooks the city, and the La Luz trail provides a great opportunity to check out that amazing Albuquerque countryside (right..). Really though, the blooming cactus flowers and dramatic panoramas were very picturesque, and although we didn't make it the entire 8 mile hike, we managed to summit a small peak along the way.

Waking up at the crack of dawn we saw the mass ascension - luckily. Due to strong winds we weren't sure if they would be able to launch or not. Fortunately our luck pulled thorough and we got to watch the balloons rise towards the New Mexican sun with our stomachs filled with breakfast burritos made with authentic green chili - a very righteous moment. A terrific visit.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1189875120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1189875120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1189875120/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:55:45 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Vail, Colorado, United States

The changing Aspens, always a crowd-pleaser. In all reality, the seasonal forests of North America are a special treat for those of us lucky enough to be near them. Changing dramatically throughout the seasons, the mountains here always wear a different face.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898700/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:51:48 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Ward, Colorado, United States

Outside of Ward, CO is Blue Lake - an amazing 3 mile hike that ends at a beautiful alpine lake in the setting of majestic peaks. The aesthetic value of this spot is impossible to describe, and the pictures hardly do it justice. A very, very spectacular hike. Not for the faint of heart, the water is plenty deep to plunge into - however the water, probably around 40-50 degrees, is quite a shock! Be sure to bring a towel!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1192898400/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:51:20 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Idaho Springs, Colorado, United States

Outside of Idaho Springs exists the highest paved road on North America, leading to the summit of Mt. Evans. Built originally as a "scenic tourist" route, it still serves this very purpose. However, many pull-ofs exist where you can ditch your car and walk around the endless fields of tundra with their particular breed of high-altitude vegetation. And of course, to keep this growth under control are the mountain goats. A spectacular destination for anyone driving through the Colorado high country.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1181061000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1181061000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/alex_merwin/america-2007/1181061000/tpod.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:37:29 -0400 The Beauty at Home

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Moab, Utah, United States

Itchy feet and Lindsey's love of the southwest culminated in a small trip out to the National Parks of Moab in June. The drive is easy, and exceptionally scenic - I-70 is truely an astounding feat of civil engineering. We made a few stops along the way: Hanging Lake in Gleenwood Springs, Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. Both were incredibly scenic - the scale of the geographic features of the west can be flabbergasting!

Arriving in Moab we set off on our camping/hiking adventure! A 6 1/2 mile hike in + 100 degree heat through Arches National Park was unreal - we brought at least 10 liters of water and had barely enough. Even with the exertion we had a great time - the desert is a special place. Even with all the marvelous hikes in and around Boulder, you can always see civilization on the horizon. Utah is different. Here you trek into the desert only to be met with hundreds of miles of wilderness, where the only thing you can see on the horizon is the breaking line of unobstructed sand, dust, and rock. It is a humbling experience akin to gazing out to the endless plane of the ocean, and equally profound.

Before returning home, we camped out one night in Canyonlands by the Needles. Car unpacked and dinner on the table ready to go, we left camp for an hour to explore our surroundings. We climbed up the cliffs of slick-rock that surrounded our campsite and gazed out into the distance at a healthy storm brewing - and heading out way. It was a surreal experience to watch the storm, feeling the wind on our backs as the storms low pressure center was sucking in all the air around it. Realizing the possible calamity that would occur to us if the storm came our way (we were camped out at the bottom of a low-laying canyon), we returned to camp to load up the car with all our necessities should a quick evacuation be necessary. About 50 yards from camp, we saw circling birds and were shocked to see our dinner jealously being snatched up by a group of huge desert birds! Scaring them away, we were left to clean the mess they left behind. FInally getting some food in our bellies and our car packed up, we waited for the storm - but it never came. The storm literally went around us, and we got to watch the whole thing. The lightning was exceptional - however particularly difficult to photograph... maybe next time.
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