Summer 2009 Trip

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August 3, 2009

  • Moab, UT — car lights self-mended by morn, odd. On to Arches National Park, rivals all others in exquisite rock formations.

Long arch
Long arches still standing, with rubble below showing sections collapsed.

Hole in wall
Like a keyhole, a giant gateway through the rock shows vistas beyond.

Erosion at work
Great gateway through rock smoothly rounded by relentless erosion. Kate poses sturdily.

Two with one shot
Two arches greet hikers. These objects are farther away than they appear to be.

Losing its head
Erosion not only leaves awesome formations but will someday make that column lose its head.


  • Hiking trails abound. On rough trail Kate's boot sole detaches. Ouch, hot sand burns even through sock. 10 min. later other sole gives out.

  • Try tying soles back on with shoestring. Meet Japanese hiker with same plight, great laughs. Hot sand eats boots, fries feet.

  • Van bravely hauls us up and down from 4000-7700 ft. elevation all day long. By evening warn lights return, self-heal by morn. How does it do that?

  • 3 days of motel Internet promises broken. Connectivity—not. If you're reading this, it's a long-delayed upload. Crystal Inn has cool logo

  • Cedar City, UT — without advance reservations, try 7 motels before getting room. Name? Super 7. Crystal Inn—no room but great logo.

  • Stairs — Utah folk must be rugged. Cedar City motel has 17 steps up to lug luggage, no lift. Restaurant servers haul food up 20 steps.

  • Zion National Park — lots full, keep driving except for occasional fab photo op pullouts. No hikes today. Gotta get to Vegas by tonight.

  • Mile-long tunnel through mountain, no lights, occasional openings for light and air. What a feat of engineering and construction. Salute!

  • Las Vegas, NV — Dense crowds, jarring sounds and lights. Gauntlet of booths just to cross a street. Hmm, would a Kadon booth work here?


    The gondolier
    Las Vegas is conspicuous excess, price no object. See the canals of Venice, complete with gondolier. See Kate in her coat of many pockets.


  • Long walk to Treasure Island in 108F, dine in Vietnam cafe midst acres of gaming machines. Girls in short skirts and high heels strut everywhere. Kate recalls own leggish dancing years.

    The temperature in Vegas
    Temperature of 108F—perfect for a long stroll on Las Vegas' main drag.

  • Cirque du Soleil always exceeds wildest expectations. Run 5 shows in Vegas. We see Mystère, not nude version. Spell-binding, flawless.

  • Long walk back to motel, through rows of shills pushing cards for "Girls Direct." Get icecream cones instead, been wanting some all week.

  • Ben & Jerry’s stand just closed. We plead, “We came all the way from Baltimore for this!” Oh, OK then. 2 doublescoops with tip, $25. Vegas!

  • Nevada episode — Saw casinos and slots almost everywhere, never played even one. Our only gamble: will the van get us home?

  • Depart Vegas on I-15 to Anaheim, CA. Long walk from motel to “Downtown Disney” at sunset. Good thing Kate brought 6 pairs of shoes.

  • Disney shops, eateries, live music everywhere. Buy CDs from Latin band, Alturas, and virtuoso violinist, Drew Tretick. Nice long walk back.

  • Dine in New Orleans-style restaurant. Waiter Gino (Giovanni) embodies role well. Their creamy onion soup, Kate vows, is world’s best.

  • Next day, “do” Disneyland, skip long lines at popular rides, walk through 7 lands, ride perimeter train and Mississippi River boat. Be kids.

  • Innovention exhibit — wander through futuristic house, see amazing gadgets. All glued/nailed down, even fake cake, books, knickknacks. Marvelous floor tiles espied:

A tessellation of squares, hexagons and octagons Floor tiling with polygons Inlaid floor pattern Colorful hexagon tiles



  • Watch 3D film, “Honey, I shrunk the audience,” great trick photography with sensory surprises (was that really a mouse brushing our feet?).

  • See dance parade/performance on Main St., with stilt walkers, dazzling costumes. Theme, “Celebrate yourself,” felt like less than met the eye.

    Disneyland parade, 'Celebrate'
    Disneyland pulls out all stops for Main Street parade.


  • Depart LA along I-5 to Hwy 101, scenic coastal drive, vistas of ocean, mountains, tricky curves to drive. Arrive San Luis Obispo for night.

Big Sur coastline
Gorgeous coastline vistas at Big Sur.


  • Up the coast, Rt. 1 to Big Sur, visit Hearst Castle gift shop, see castle far off. Some want to be kings. I like my house better, thanks.

    The Hearst Castle's giftshop
    The Hearst castle's gift shop—check out that full-length curved skylight.


  • Arrive 5pm Pebble Beach, CA. Dinner out with friends at "California cuisine" restaurant, sleep over. Their home is in a golf course—in it!

    Deer placidly feed near 14th hole
    Deer placidly feed in friends' front yard, also known as the 14th hole.

  • Watch sun set over Monterey Bay as gigantic full moon rises over mountains to the East and sea lions cavort slowly on rocks below.

    Kate and friends at sunset
    Kate and friends in sunset glow, moon rising in background.

  • Next day, sleep late, catch up 980 emails, visit Monterey Aquarium in former cannery. Funded by David Packard to protect rare ecosystems. [Hewlett-Packard—that one.]

    Coral at aquarium
    Underwater wonderland at Monterey Aquarium.

  • Never saw such huge jellyfish so close up. Their diaphanous domes glow in Hollywood-planned lighting, show 4-leaf clover ridges.

    Jellyfish   Jellyfish with belly ridges

  • Marvel at sea otters’ playful, languorous watercraft: spin on both axes, groom tails lying on back in water like balls of fur. Little imps!

  • Our host and friend Joe, a competition-class chef, barbecues today. Kate suspends vegetarianism for this feast. Best BBQ ever, she avers. Tomorrow, San Francisco.
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