On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Folks,
We’re trying a new feature here, so let’s see how it goes for the next week or so before it’s fully automated.
This post is for Balloon Juicers who are on the road, travelling, etc. and wish to share notes, links, pictures, stories, etc. from their escapades. As the US mainland begins the end of the Earth day as we measure it, many of us rise to read about our friends and their transient locales.
So, please, speak up and share some of your adventures, observations, and sights as you explore, no matter where you are.
Have at ’em, and have a safe day of travels!
Should you have any pictures (tasteful, relevant, etc….) you can email them to [email protected] or just use this nifty link to start an email: Start an Email to send a Picture to Post on Balloon Juice
Lots of Pics Today – mostly because I couldn’t get them into Friday’s post. So – Poco and more, after the fold!
Next, something wow from BillinGlendaleCA
Where it was taken: Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
When: March 14, 2016
Commenter: BillinGlendaleCA
Not sure the commenter – some very pretty deer.
These are rare key deer on Big Pine Key about 25 miles northeast of Key West. They are an endangered species. They are much smaller than regular deer. They only live on Big Pine. They just wander around the island, in and out of peoples’ yards, eating their gardens and overturning garbage cans. A bit too friendly for their own good
Taken last week
And I have a a host of photos to post for Sunday from Quinnerly but there are so many that I want to just post the best and so need to spend some time doing that later today. They’ll be Sunday, and anything else, next week. I don’t want to ruin Black Thumb – Spring appears to be here, so garden chat is more necessary than ever!
Michael Bersin
Yesterday: A conversation at the flag pole
UCM Police Officer: Hello.
Me: Hi, how are you doing?
UCM Police Officer: Pretty Good. What’s your connection to UCM?
Me: I teach here.
UCM Police Officer: You teach here?
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: Okay. I, I don’t understand your sign.
Me: Uh, it’s actually, it’s Russian.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: And, so I’m being sarcastic. It’s in Russian. So, it says “steladt Ameriku velikoy snova”.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: So, translated, it’s, “make America great again”. In Russian.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: So, it’s being sarcastic.
UCM Police Officer: Okay. So, ten four [into radio], um, so, did somebody give you permission to, to be out here holding your sign?
Me: [turn around, pat the bronze Bill of Rights First Amendment Plaque on the base of the flag pole].
UCM Police Officer: I understand that.
Me: Uh, huh.
UCM Police Officer: But in order to put signs out on campus you still have to go through the, the Union. There’s an office over there.
Me: Oh, really?
UCM Police Officer: Yeah.
Me: Well, it’s kind of interesting, ‘cause when I started doing this…
UCM Police Officer: Uh, hm.
Me: …the president of the university…
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: …came up to me…
UCM Police Officer: Uh, hm.
Me: …and we talked, and he’s like, thanks for doing this.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: So, are we getting like, is there a policy problem, that we’re getting like a disconnect?
UCM Police Officer: So, apparently that is.
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: So, do you have an ID by chance?
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: Okay, can I see it?
Me: Uh, do you need to see it?
UCM Police Officer: Yes. Just so I know who I’m talking to [inaudible].
Me: Okay. Um, but I’m actually under no obligation to show you my ID, am I?
UCM Police Officer: Well, you’re a UCM employee, right?
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: So, anybody here at UCM that a Public Safety officer asks for an ID…
Me: Okay. Fair enough. Okay. [hand over UCM ID]
UCM Police Officer: Do you have your driver’s license?
[….]
Me: [hand over driver’s license]
UCM Police Officer: Uh, typically like if people want to put signs out and things, like I say, they go to the Union. [wind noise] Trying to remember what office it is. But, basically they just have you fill out a form and then [inaudible].
Me: And, and I understand in certain…
UCM Police Officer: [responding to radio] I’m sorry, go ahead.
Me: What’s, what’s kind of interesting, ‘cause it’s, like, inconsistent.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: ‘Cause there’ve been Public Safety people that have come by and seen me…
UCM Police Officer: [reading driver’s license number into radio] I’m sorry. I had people talking.
Me: Yeah, yeah. I understand. So, it’s like, so, it’s kind of interesting, ‘cause it’s kind of inconsistent because I’ve been out here probably for a couple of weeks.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: And so, Public Safety people come by, walk by, see me, they’ll walk by.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: Whatever. Ignore me.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: And, so, it’s kind of interesting to me. In, you know, the president of the university knows I’m out here. Other people in the administration, in the university know I’m out here…
UCM Police Officer: [into radio] Go ahead. Okay.
Me: [….] Uh, as long as I’m not interfering, you know, making noise or anything. It’s like, it’s like [gesturing to empty quad] is there like anything going on here that I’m disturbing?
UCM Police Officer: Right. Well, the, kind of what normally happens [crosstalk]. Um, let’s say you weren’t associated with UCM. [crosstalk] and you want to have your signs.
Me: And I understand that, too. [crosstalk]
UCM Police Officer: Basically what we ask is that you move to sidewalks along the [wind noise].
Me: Yeah, and that kind of thing. Yeah. [….] I did his here fourteen years ago.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
[….]
UCM Police Officer: Like I say, you’re being peaceful and all that, [crosstalk] so I don’t really have a huge issue. I just needed to find out what was going on.
Me: Yeah. Oh, I understand that. Hello.
Second UCM Police Officer: How’s it going?
Me: Good. Good.
UCM Police Officer: Typically what they ask that you go through the Union. [to second officer] Do you know the office over in the Union that like approves signs on campus and stuff?
Second UCM Police Officer: Not off hand.
UCM Police Officer: And, um, but they basically authorize it and, and say it’s okay.
Me: Yeah, and, and I understand that. And, but, it’s my understanding is that nobody can really disapprove.
UCM Police Officer: Okay.
Me: You know, other than, especially since, you know, I’m not sitting here with a megaphone screaming at the top of my lungs and, you know, interfering with classes to be able to hear and stuff like that.
UCM Police Officer: Right. Yeah. Like I say you’re not shouting or…
Me: Nah.
UCM Police Officer: …or disturbing the peace. You’re just holding up signs.
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: Okay. What I’ll do, like I say, I got your name and everything and, and we’ll just kind of go from there.
Me: All right. Awesome.
UCM Police Officer: All right. Well, try to have a good day and enjoy this nice weather.
Me: Yeah, actually, it’s a little cool.
UCM Police Officer: It’s a little chilly, I agree.
Me: Yeah.
UCM Police Officer: Yeah, so, okay, all right, we’ll talk to you later.
Me: All right. Take it easy.
J R in WV
Good Morning, Balloon-Juice!!
U 2 rikyrah!
J R in WV
@Michael Bersin:
Pretty interesting exchange. Sounds like Cop 1 really wanted to hassle you, but knew that he would get in trouble if he did. Trumpist, no doubt.
Thanks for trying to keep America great, still.
Always thought that MAGA slogan was unpatriotic and inaccurate. Probably looks better in Russian, too.
Michael Bersin
@J R in WV:
Сделать Америку великой Снова
People do double takes. Those who are curious approach and ask. Almost invariably they laugh. I’ve encountered a few Trump supporters who, missing the irony of the statement in Russian, voice their approval after I translate it for them. When two protofascists (Why are they always in suit and tie, with significant facial acne?) voiced their approval I pointed out that it was sarcastic. One replied, “No one can read it.” I responded, “People ask.” They walked away.
OzarkHillbilly
Got another email from Poco. It said, “HALP! I’s bein’ deported to Mormonstan! You can find me at”
raven
@Michael Bersin: You really said “awesome”??? How about “no problem”?
Michael Bersin
@raven:
You may note I am afflicted with what many would consider a “sarcasm problem.” I asserted enough self control to leave the “dude” off the end of my reply.
raven
@Michael Bersin: I had to laugh, I just came from a teaching and learning conference where a very smart young man gave us an overview of research design. His presentation was very good except for the fact that he said “kind of” every other sentence. Drove me nuts!
JPL
While we are awaiting an update from Poco, the following is from the New Yorker magazine, about the sixth district race. link
Believe me, I’m not surprised.
OzarkHillbilly
Well, this is travel related:
Trump Tower alone is estimated to have cost $56.6 million already.
rikyrah
@Michael Bersin:
What sheer phuckery
rikyrah
Poco is beautiful
Raven
@rikyrah: poco is asleeping!
rikyrah
Bill’s pictures are always fabulous
Quinerly
@Raven: @rikyrah: @J R in WV:
Good Morning! Poco sez, “Thanks for all the compliments. I’m just an ex inner city St. Louis street dog who got incredibly lucky. I spent a great yesterday morning romping at Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP outside of where we are staying in Kanab, UT. Loved watching the dune buggies and ATVs. Mom thinks they were scouting for a Range Rover commercial b/c she counted 8 of them (I can only count to 5) and there were several people with video cameras. We went to Mt. Carmel Junction and Mom had an early afternoon beer…because we are in Utah, she has to order a food item by law so she is hoping she has started a trend…a Park City microbrew and “ho made” apple pie with hot buttered rum sauce. We dipped into Zion in time for a sunset. Great day. We are going to some town named after some saint today. I hope that saint is a good cook and has leftovers. Mom forgot to save me any Wild Game Meatloaf from the Spotted Dog Cafe at Zion. I smelled it on her breath. I pouted for 5 minutes. Say hi to Walter. Mom told me about his hard life. We rescue dogs are very lucky. Have a tail wagging day!”
Quinerly
@rikyrah:
These are great pictures. I would appreciate them a little more if I hadn’t almost hit not one but two Bambi moms right outside of Zion last night. Two really close calls with oncoming cars and cars behind us. I’m not driving around looking for sunsets anymore in this part of Utah…deer everywhere. I think I now know how they got part of the wild game in my meatloaf.
SFAW
@Quinerly:
OK, now I KNOW it’s not really Poco that’s writing — the REAL Poco would have written “I pouted for 5 minutes, but I can’t remember what it was about. Wait, is that a squirrel???? See ya!!”
OzarkHillbilly
@Quinerly: From your grill to theirs.
Quinerly
@SFAW:
Poco dictates. In more ways than one. He can only count to 5.?
SFAW
@OzarkHillbilly:
ZEGS will soon be pushing a multi-billion-dollar emergency funding bill to fund the northern, southern, western, and Russian (Lake Baikal?) White Houses, so that Shitgibbon doesn’t run out of walking-around cash. And then will scream at the Dems for being un-American if they don’t support it, because “Obama got whatever HE wanted!”
Quinerly
Alain, don’t mean to bombard you with pics. The only drawback from the Marble Canyon Lodge was no WIFI and now I have spotty WIFI in this Kanab rental. Laptop doesn’t have a data plan. Pictures are coming off of smarty pants Windows Microsoft phone….screen isn’t huge. Pick and choose if you want to post. We have really cute ones at doggie heaven..”Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP” if you want them. I’m hoping it will encourage others in the future to post “dogs on vacation comments and pictures.” Thanks for all you do. Have a great day.
SFAW
@Quinerly:
Right. “My Recent Life, by Poco (as told to Quinerly)”
Sort of like the books “written” by sports legends. (I almost said “The Art of the Deal,” but I didn’t want to sully Poco by having Shitgibbon anywhere near him.)
SFAW
“And they taste good, too!”
Quinerly
@SFAW:
Poco has very large paws….very, very large paws. It’s hard for him to type on smarty pants phone tiny keyboard.?
frosty
This is the last day of our Road Trip; we’ll be home tonight. It’s been an experiment. I’m planning to retire in a couple of years but in the meantime, my wife and I looked at each other, said “We’re alive, we’re healthy, let’s hit the road now.” So I cleared it with my boss and took a month off without pay since I don’t get enough vacation time to get away this long.
So here’s the experiment: Has everyone else managed to do my work for me so well that neither my co-workers or clients need me any more? I guess I’ll find out in the next couple of weeks … and maybe I’ll be on the road again sooner than I expected!
frosty
@Quinerly: Going into Bryce at sundown a few years ago. I had to keep slamming on the brakes to avoid the deer. The first one wouldn’t be too bad, but then the other suicidal ones decided to follow — almost on my bumper. We slowed it way down for the rest of the entrance road.
Quinerly
@frosty:
I totally miscalculated last night and it was a bit harrowing. I was saving Zion for Monday..start early. But we were driving around…looking and sniffing and so close to that Mt. Carmel Tunnel entry (I read it’s sometimes closed this time of year for weather). Got in the park around 4:00, a little tired, and hungry. Put us way too late for driving back to Kanab. Between the dark, winding roads in Zion and to Kanab…the deer and Utah drivers riding my bumper, I was pretty shot. I know now. Thanks for telling me about Bryce. Won’t make the same mistake.
Quinerly
@frosty:
Enjoy your last day!
Gin & Tonic
@Quinerly: Driving to Escalante late one night I ran into a herd of elk.
realbtl
Quinerly- You might have missed this. There is a great dirt road from Kodachrome Basin SP down to ~25 mi E of Kanab via Grosvenor Arch. Check local conditions as you don’t want to do this after a rain but easily done in your Escape if dry. Check it out.
Quinerly
@Gin & Tonic:
The elk stalked me on the Desert View road out of the Grand Canyon last week. They aren’t even shy and seem to aim directly for the car at dusk. This chick will now be at her destination by 4:00 pm every night…or in a city drinking a very dry martini. Too many close calls the last 10 days. I’m looking forward to that drive to Torrey but I will be fresh and it will be early in the day.
Quinerly
@realbtl:
Thanks! I have the Kodachrome Basin in my notes. Looking at the map right now.
dexwood
@Quinerly:
Many years ago, Mrs. dexwood and I were hiking at Bandelier National Monument on a trail through the forest when we heard something coming through the brush. We stopped, turned around to see what it might be, and saw an elk come out of the woods to stand behind us on the trail. It checked us out, we studied it, but it wasn’t being aggressive. We resumed our hike with the elk following along behind us like a dog for a quarter-mile before it headed into the trees again.
Aleta
Poco is gorgeous.
I’m loving this feature and its spontaneous rivulets.
realbtl
@Quinerly: I rode my street motorcycle down this road about 20 yrs ago but it is beautiful and really gets you “into” the Utah desert thing. Hope you can do this trip.
Quinerly
@dexwood:
Good morning! And a good morning to your lovely bride! I’m at the point in this trip that I’m changing up plans and might forego Canyonlands and Arches and head back after Bluff, UT. Not sure if I’m homesick, per se, but I think my heart for travel belongs in your New Mexico. I suspect I’ll take that casita in Bernalillo next year…last two weeks in January and first two weeks in February. Hope to hang out with you and the Mrs. in Albuquerque more next year. I probably won’t be dodging huge wildlife to get to La Cumbre Brewing…think I got the name right…Have a wonderful Blue Sky Day. It’s cloudy in Kanab.?
Quinerly
@realbtl:
Looks like Tuesday it is…if weather permits! Today is St. George. Tomorrow is Page, AZ. Monday is Zion. Any more great suggestions? Thanks.
Quinerly
@Aleta:
Poco sends you Poco snuggles (some of the best there are) and a giant wag with his fluffy tail. Have a great day!
dexwood
@Quinerly:
Will be about 70 damn degrees here this afternoon and we will be sitting at one of la Cumbre’s patio tables this afternoon (la Cumbre = the Peak for Sandia Peak). I’ll toast you with an Elevated IPA. It’s a date for next year. Let us know if the casita plan fall through, we’ll put out feelers for another place. Safe travels to you and beautiful Poco. Love the shot of him stretched out and snoozing.
Aleta
@dexwood: I used to hike at Bandelier. It’s where I first understood that ancient indigenous peoples picked living sites not just for food and materials resources, not just for protection, as I had been reading. But also (of course!) for their beauty and transforming views.
frosty
@Quinerly: We’ll try. Since it involves I-95 through Northern VA and the DC Beltway “enjoy” might be a stretch. And 301 is no better. There are 23 traffic lights thru Waldorf in Charles County MD.
Gin & Tonic
@Quinerly: Seems backwards, when you’re so close to Zion today. Anyway, while I don’t think the southern entrance to Zion will be crowded this time of year, the Kolob Canyons area gets far fewer visitors and is worth a trip.
If you do go up towards Torrey on Hwy 12, Escalante Outfitters has very nice cabins, reasonably priced, and will welcome Poco.
Quinerly
@dexwood:
I’m struggling a bit with Utah. Wish I was in NM….drinking a beer (without having to have the pie chaser…I prefer my microbrews that way.) I’ll email you later re the casita. Think she’s giving me a good deal and the location is nice for both Albuquerque AND Santa Fe…..however, if you hear of anything in Corrales….near that sweet little Tijuana Bar with the impromptu jam sessions….., I could switch gears in a heartbeat. I’m missing live music something fierce. Definitely no music scene in Kanab.
realbtl
@Quinerly: If your K Basin dirt road gets rained out (again be careful and check out local knowledge ) it is worth heading down hwy 12 a bit. I prefer 12 to other routes to Capitol Reef. If you camp in CR beware of the wandering skunks.
Quinerly
@Gin & Tonic:
Here in Kanab for a week as a base. Learned my lesson with the Grand Canyon last weekend…the weekend crowds. Park ranger said Monday or Tuesday would be better at Zion..spring breakers coming in this weekend. I hit Torrey after spending a night in Bryce car camping if the plan holds for the end of next week. Keeping plans a little loose for about 3-4 days before we get to our base in Bluff…got the cabins as a possibility or if weather is ok car camping in Capitol Reef. Car camping hopefully in Goblin Valley SP, too. Thanks for all the info a few weeks back. I had a cabin in Torrey in my sights and added your suggestions to my possibilities.
Gin & Tonic
@realbtl: I’ve recommended Hwy 12 to her a couple of times. One of the top 5 roads I’ve driven in North America, from Torrey to the Hwy 89 intersection north of Bryce.
Gin & Tonic
@Quinerly: Sorry, I (mis)understood you were in St. George today, not Kanab.
dexwood
@Aleta:
I’m sure you’re right. There are so many sites of the Ancient Ones around this state that support your idea that the beauty of chosen places appears to be a factor in their selection. When my son was a boy, we had an annual father-son trip to Chaco Canyon. Camping out at night, hiking the ruins by day. It is impossible to stand on the mesa of Pueblo Alto and not be struck by the beauty of the valley spread out beneath you. That’s just one example.
Quinerly
@Gin & Tonic:
The way I travel can be a bit confusing. On this trip I picked the main bases of Albuquerque; Cameron, AZ; Kanab, UT; and Bluff, UT…and a lot of driving out from the bases for day trips. The sleeping in the car a few nights between here and Bluff is a personal test for me. The having multiple bases is new to me. For 6 Februarys I just used Santa Fe as a base for the month…took an extra week at the front end or the back end to come into the state from a different direction. This long trip, moving around this year is all new to me. No one who I know in my circle really knew anything about this area of UT…hence, me with maps and books for weeks of mapping it out. I hope I kinda know what I’m doing. Definitely need a city today, so St. George it is.
realbtl
@Quinerly: I like your approach to travel, it is similar to mine. Research like a fiend then throw things to chance from an established base. I’m heading to Z/B/GC N rim in June w/an overnight in Kanab, one of my favorite (for UT) towns. Enjoy
Alain the site fixer
@Quinerly: no worries it was just late and I wasn’t prepared to think and evaluate so many pix so I didn’t even open one of them. When I go up to do some top floor chores, I’ll prep them for tomorrow. Enjoy UT and take my advice – Bluff to Durango to Salida to Breckenridge and then hop onto 70 at Frisco. The French bakery in Breckenridge is awesome as is the Jamaican Rasta Pasta!
Origuy
I was going to suggest Timpanogos Cave NM near Provo, but it’s closed for the season and they wouldn’t let Poco in the cave.
Gin & Tonic
Here’s mid-summer between Escalante and Torrey.
Quinerly
@realbtl:
So glad you piped in about Kanab. I’ve been here two nights and can’t get a handle on it. I picked it b/c of location and could get a small house with a Poco proofed yard at a pretty good off season rate..figured as Utah went it was pretty progressive because of tourist $$ and “Best Friends Animal Sanctuary” seems to own the town. There are some hippy dippy restaurants and art galleries. Of course, when I made my reservations in August I thought we would have a different outcome in November. With that said, within 30 minutes of my arrival, I had an elderly lady scream at me at a traffic light “the Clintons are crooks” and the man working on the roof next door hollered down to me after I said good morning yestersay “Trump won. Get over it.” Yes, I left my bumper stickers on…I also make so many friends on the pueblos of NM…in those old Spanish villages around Chama, NM…and was doing so well on tribal lands in AZ. I guess Utah is Utah is Utah any where in Utah. I’m beginning to resent spending money here. True story.
Sloane Ranger
Sitting in a bar in Castries, St Lucia drinking something very alcoholic with Rum in it. On a 16 day cruise from the Caribbean to the UK and feeling VERY mellow.
frosty
@Quinerly: Music. Next time you’re in ABQ or Santa Fe look for a band called Cactus Slim and the Goatheads. We chanced on them in a BBQ restaurant and thought they were pretty good. They play regularly all over the region.
frosty
@Sloane Ranger: Sounds great! We’re northbound and it dropped below freezing in NC last night. So we’ll be putting the rum away until maybe summer. Mojitos aren’t my idea of a winter beverage.
Quinerly
@frosty:
Love them! Have the t shirt and I never buy the t shirt. Have friends in the Madrid/Cerrillos, NM area and spent a month February, 2016 in a house across from the Mine Shaft Tavern. The band played there at least one night a week. Most if not all the band lives in or has a Madrid, NM connections. Fun guys to hang out with.?
frosty
@Quinerly: Awesome! Small world. My brother-in-law ia an artist there and they played one of his gallery openings. They looked like they’d be a fun bunch.
dexwood
@frosty:
Love The Goatheads. We have some good music in this town. Next time you’re in ABQ, I’ll buy you a beer or the beverage of your choice.
@Quinerly:
Too bad you’re Utah experiences are a bit flat. ABQ will definitely welcome you once more next year. Corrales, check. We have many friends there including the owner of a fine B & B, but understand your desire for a more independent situation.
Gotta be about my day, must earn that afternoon beer.
Elizabelle
I live for this feature. Love to hear about Quinerly and Poco, and frosty, and all the other intrepid BJ travelers. Plus, bonus photos from Bill in Glendale. Keep it up!
frosty
@dexwood: OK, I’ll take you up on that. We’re doing our usual at the end of the trip: planning the next one. I think ABQ will be the summer after this one.
HinTN
@Quinerly: Don’t worry about the a$$holes. There are nice people in Kanab. We passed through there on our way from Zion to Escalante and Page (and thence to Grand Canyon) and we ate a very nice lunch at a very funky place with very nice people.
Quinerly
@HinTN:
I have eaten at two fun places there so far. “Peekaboo Canyon Wood Fired Kitchen” (owners associated with BFAS) and “Rocking V’s.” Have now found this gorgeous place in St. George…”The Painted Pony.” Fantastic deck area, beautiful art…my favorite colors…orange, yellow, lime green. Sitting in the sun drinking an IPA out of Moab waiting for a late lunch…sun in my face, talking with the people next to me. This is how I like my weekends. Refuse to be pushed and herded around in Zion today. I’m too old for spring break.
HinTN
@Quinerly: We had a nice meal at Cliffside in St George. Enjoy Zion tomorrow!