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You are here: Home / Photo Blogging / On The Road / On the Road and In Your Backyard

On the Road and In Your Backyard

by Alain Chamot (1971-2020)|  August 3, 20175:00 am| 33 Comments

This post is in: On The Road, Open Threads, Readership Capture

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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.

Submit Your Photos

Good Morning All,

This weekday feature is for Juicers who are are on the road, traveling, or just want to share a little bit of their world via stories and pictures. So many of us rise each morning, eager for something beautiful, inspiring, amazing, subtle, of note, and our community delivers – a view into their world, whether they’re far away or close to home – pictures with a story, with context, with meaning, sometimes just beauty. By concentrating travel updates and tips here, it’s easier for all of us to keep up or find them later.

So please, speak up and share some of your adventures and travel news here, and submit your pictures using our speedy, secure form. You can submit up to 7 pictures at a time, with an overall description and one for each picture.

You can, of course, send an email with pictures if the form gives you trouble, or if you are trying to submit something special, like a zipped archive or a movie. If your pictures are already hosted online, then please email the links with your descriptions.

For each picture, it’s best to provide your commenter screenname, description, where it was taken, and date. It’s tough to keep everyone’s email address and screenname straight, so don’t assume that I remember it “from last time”. More and more, the first photo before the fold will be from a commenter, so making it easy to locate the screenname when I’ve found a compelling photo is crucial.

Have a wonderful day, and enjoy the pictures!

 

First,  a picture from valued commenter SmallAxe.

Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo TX from earlier this summer

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo TX

 

Thank you so much SmallAxe, do send us more when you can.

 

 

From realbtl:

 

On June 6 my friend and I flew to St. George UT, rented a hot rod Camaro convertible compared to my same year Mustang and spent most of a week exploring Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon North Rim.  This was taken outside Parry Lodge in Kanab UT.

I’m still using my $100 Nikon P&S.  In this part of the country there too much scenery to capture in a landscape picture so I tend to use my zoom to cut down the field of view.  Here are a couple from our condo just outside Zion NP, same shot different times.  Bryce and GC to follow.

 

Here are a couple from Bryce.

Just amazing!

 

North Rim GC.  Because it is so isolated the N rim gets much less crowded than the S.  We stayed in one of the cabins built in the 20s, charming as hell.  A pleasant surprise-  when I was here 20 years ago the noise pollution from sight seeing planes and helicopters was near constant.  Apparently they have severely restricted over flights and we heard only 2 copters in 2 days and nights.

 

Thank you! I’ll never forget a United flight to San Diego one Saturday morning. The pilot flew the length of the Grand Canyon, slowly rocking so both sides could see down the whole distance. It was just amazing, with a perspective greater than any tour could offer. Creationism’s got nothing on the glory of nature and the history of this great Earth.

 

Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.

 

Once again, to submit pictures: Use the Form or Send an Email

 

Also, there’s a tentative meetup tonight! in DC. If you are interested, please coordinate with Anne Laurie to learn more. I’m not coordinating nor attending.

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Reader Interactions

33Comments

  1. 1.

    raven

    August 3, 2017 at 5:05 am

    Wowzer!

  2. 2.

    Mary G

    August 3, 2017 at 5:17 am

    The last out-of-state trip I took my mom on was to the Grand Canyon. She was in her late 70s and had never seen it. We stayed in Williamsburg and took the old-fashioned train up to the canyon. It was awesome. We were supposed to go on to Utah to see the national parks, because she had seen them but I never had. My RA flared up and we had to turn back because I was not going to be able to do the driving. Still hoping to make it there, maybe. The pictures are beautiful.

  3. 3.

    Lapassionara

    August 3, 2017 at 5:30 am

    These are great. Thx

  4. 4.

    OzarkHillbilly

    August 3, 2017 at 5:45 am

    Ah yes, Amarillo TX, where one will find The Big Texan Steak Ranch and Brewery, home of the 72 oz Steak Challenge!

    Soon after the original Route 66 Big Texan open it’s doors in 1960, owner Bob (RJ) Lee was amazed at how many REAL Texas Cowboys, were coming in for his HUGE TEXAS SIZE STEAKS, that his menu offered. He also saw how much fun his out of town patrons & visitors were having watching these true Texans trying to “out do” each others carnivorous appetites. Most of his Big Cowboys dinners came from a near-by stockyard operation, & would stop in after a long days work. Friday’s was payday at the stockyard & he would cash their paychecks & offer 25 cent beer.

    One Friday, he put several tables together in the center of the dinning room & sat all the cowboys together & told them he wanted to see who could eat the most one pound steaks in an hour. The cost was $5 per eater & whoever ate the most got to keep the entire entry-fee.

    The rules were simple; you could not get up during the contest or have anyone help you eat, you did not have to eat the fat & if you got sick, you were out.

    The cowboys put in their money,took a seat & the contest was on, steaks were flying.

    One of the eaters took the lead by swallowing two steaks in ten minutes.
    Next,he politely requested a salad & a shrimp cocktail be served with his third steak. He consumed the extras, then this soft spoken giant called for his fourth steak & ask for a baked potato & a bread roll. He wasted little time on devouring those items & called for his fifth steak.

    As the hour contest came to an end, this gastronomic superman had eaten:
    4 & 1/2 pounds of steak, (which is 72 oz’s) baked potato,shrimp cocktail,salad & a bread roll.

    In his amazement & delight of the crowd, Owner Bob (RJ) Lee stood up on a chair in the middle of the dinning room to proclaimed that: “from this day forward, anyone who could eat the entire 72 oz dinner-in one hour– gets it for FREE.

    On that date in 1962 the legendary 72oz Steak Challenge was born & to this date the contests stands strong.

    Back in the day I used to pass thru Amarillo a couple times a year. I never took the challenge but I did have a steak or 7 at the Big Texan over the years. It’s a hoot, and the steaks aren’t bad either.

  5. 5.

    eclare

    August 3, 2017 at 6:08 am

    Great pics! Recognize Bryce anywhere, did some hikes, and wow, lack of oxygen was a shock! Used to air you can scoop with your hand in Memphis.

  6. 6.

    Amir Khalid

    August 3, 2017 at 6:12 am

    The Cadillac Ranch even has a song of its very own.

    @OzarkHillbilly:
    4 1/2lb of beef is more than I’ve ever eaten in a week, never mind at one sitting.

  7. 7.

    rikyrah

    August 3, 2017 at 6:18 am

    Wow. These pictures were beautiful?

  8. 8.

    satby

    August 3, 2017 at 7:13 am

    @raven: Seconded!

    How’s your baby doing? Did you decide on a pacemaker?

  9. 9.

    Iowa Old Lady

    August 3, 2017 at 7:25 am

    Spectacular pictures.

  10. 10.

    MomSense

    August 3, 2017 at 7:27 am

    Wow!!!

  11. 11.

    Lahke

    August 3, 2017 at 7:29 am

    Great pix!
    For DC meet up:. Did Barbara ever confirm the usefulness of the Elephant and Castle?
    If all are agreeable, can we meet there at 5:30 and thereafter?

  12. 12.

    JPL

    August 3, 2017 at 7:31 am

    What an amazing journey, and thank you so much for sharing.

  13. 13.

    debbie

    August 3, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Modern art haters used to point to it as proof that modern art is pointless, but I’ve always liked the Cadillac Ranch

  14. 14.

    raven

    August 3, 2017 at 7:56 am

    @satby: She’s ok. I don’t think we are going to put her through another surgery. She’s been breathing hard for some time so I think we’ll leave her be.

  15. 15.

    OzarkHillbilly

    August 3, 2017 at 8:20 am

    @raven: Aid and comfort.

  16. 16.

    raven

    August 3, 2017 at 8:23 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: I just finished putting her 7 eye meds I’m and then pushing her 2 miles to and from the bakery!

  17. 17.

    Elizabelle

    August 3, 2017 at 8:28 am

    My late, great beagle and I visited Cadillac Ranch. And I have eaten, 2-3 times, at Big Texan. Quite delicious. A smaller steak, mind you.

    One beautiful drive: 287 out of Fort Worth up to Amarillo. It’s Last Picture Show territory; they filmed “Hud” in Claude, TX. Chillicothe has Valley Pecans with a cute gift shop. Watch out for restaurant hours on Sunday, though.

    Love Texas’s microclimates. It’s a beautiful and austere state. Have never driven the Odessa route, or seen Marfa yet … haven’t even been to Austin. The Lone Star State. Actually quite wonderful. Would that its politics were not so whack.

  18. 18.

    Elizabelle

    August 3, 2017 at 8:28 am

    @raven: She appreciates her rightful due.

  19. 19.

    raven

    August 3, 2017 at 8:30 am

    @Elizabelle: Goofy format but a good read with a nice Hud reference

    The Trouble With Academic Prose

    wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/calabj/pdf/Academicprose.pdf

  20. 20.

    eclare

    August 3, 2017 at 8:35 am

    @Elizabelle: TX also has Big Bend National Park, which is gorgeous. Plus it’s in an unpopulated area, about six hours from San Antonio, so great shooting star gazing.

  21. 21.

    Waratah

    August 3, 2017 at 8:40 am

    The Cadillac Ranch and the big Texan Steakhouse are fun but please take the time next time you pass thru to drive down to Palo Duro Canyon. I like to think of it as a mini Grand Canyon that you can drive down.

  22. 22.

    MomSense

    August 3, 2017 at 8:44 am

    @raven:

    Aww, you’re a good human Raven. Hope you are all enjoying your bakery trip.

  23. 23.

    raven

    August 3, 2017 at 8:48 am

    @MomSense: Almost every day for 17 years!

  24. 24.

    OzarkHillbilly

    August 3, 2017 at 8:49 am

    @raven: Sweet.

  25. 25.

    OzarkHillbilly

    August 3, 2017 at 8:57 am

    @Elizabelle:

    The Lone Star State. Actually quite wonderful. Would that its politics were not so whack.

    The biggest problem with Texas is that it’s full of Texans.

  26. 26.

    Elizabelle

    August 3, 2017 at 9:00 am

    @raven: Thank you. Will read it.

    Made a few visits to Larry McMurtry’s bookstore empire in Archer City, TX. Met his staff and cat, but he was not in evidence. Bought a bunch of good books and took a lot of photos. Maybe should find and share them. Literary heaven.

    @eclare and waratah: thank you for the recommendations. Have not been to Palo Duro or Big Bend, and they are on the 18 month bucket list.

    Just bought a little tent for camping; very excited to take up car camping. Love road trips.

  27. 27.

    Elizabelle

    August 3, 2017 at 9:01 am

    @OzarkHillbilly: Most true.

    And a lot will be the souls of kindness, to your face, and they mean it. But then they go and vote like the whack jobs they also are. Le sigh.

  28. 28.

    Waratah

    August 3, 2017 at 9:32 am

    @Elizabelle: @Elizabelle: I hope you are able to see both.

  29. 29.

    satby

    August 3, 2017 at 9:47 am

    @Elizabelle: car camping: my plan for next year!

  30. 30.

    satby

    August 3, 2017 at 9:50 am

    @raven: It’s probably for the best, a surgery at her age is dicey.

    I’m running my own dog hospice now too. As long as they’re happy, comfortable, and still enjoying life it’s all good.

  31. 31.

    eclare

    August 3, 2017 at 9:59 am

    @satby: You’re both good humans!

  32. 32.

    Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism

    August 3, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Reports from the cut power line to the Outer Banks:

    This was a replacement trunk recently placed because the original trunk was on the old bridge. It was well marked. The drilling company was moving a steel caisson to a new location in the dark and no inspectors were on site.

    Lawsuits are already getting underway, and more join daily. Even if the drilling company isn’t bankrupted, they will never find another insurer.

    (The Bonner Bridge replacement project is cursed, I tell you. Cursed!)

  33. 33.

    John Weiss

    August 3, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    @OzarkHillbilly: Spoken like a true Arkie.

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