tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48641907292068647552024-03-05T19:17:35.693-08:00One Gal's Quest Through America's Beautiful Parks.Today, right now, in this moment, this blog is a place for me to record my memories, thoughts, and feelings regarding what I consider to be the most amazing adventure of my life, my quest through America's beautiful National Parks! This blog will include lots of photography, quotes, and reactions to what Ken Burns has named America's Best Idea.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-616477845296966772011-12-31T16:33:00.000-08:002011-12-31T16:33:04.677-08:00Blogging shame!So the one thing I didn't count on while traveling in Australia and New Zealand was how painfully expensive and difficult it would be to get reliable internet access. I thought that by traveling with my iPad, I'd be able to access wifi anywhere and everywhere, but regretfully, no. Today, January 1 (happy new year, btw) is the first day I've had reliable, free and useable internet access. But unfortunately, I can't post photos yet, those will have to wait until I get home, but if you want me to email you some highlights directly, just comment or shoot me an email. <br />
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Highlights so far however:<br />
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Getting very lost in Brisbane<br />
Seeing wallabies engage in tons of afternoon delight (when is that *not* funny?)<br />
Having the best fish and chips of my life in Havelock, NZ<br />
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef<br />
Discovering that my favorite place on the planet is a small island off the central east coast of Australia called Fraser Island.<br />
Finding much more common ground with my younger sister than ever before.<br />
Seeing my mom face some of her demons and get into very deep water for the first time in her life!<br />
Touching the opera house in Sydney<br />
Wine tasting in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.<br />
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The best thing about getting away from everything this long (and I could definitely be gone for another 3-4 weeks if work/time/money allowed) is that I am absolutely certain of what I do/don't want in my life when I return to it in a few days and I have a pretty clear path on how to get there. <br />
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Happy new year! Light and love to all of you and see you in 2012.morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0Sydney NSW, Australia-33.873651 151.20688960000007-33.885485 151.19397910000006 -33.861817 151.21980010000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-28021456648364407912011-12-20T01:10:00.001-08:002011-12-20T01:10:29.422-08:00Search for Flight of the ConchordsIn New Zealand for three days now, and no sign of Bret or Jemaine. Will report back when they emerge. (there were however, 13 commercials for the Rhys Darby comedy DVD.)morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-13086537464178904782011-12-19T02:09:00.001-08:002011-12-19T02:09:17.428-08:00Koalas are furry and mean.Really. Not amused by them. They look so cute and cuddly, then try to claw your face off. <br />
morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-74283667083763494542011-12-15T23:27:00.000-08:002011-12-16T07:50:59.682-08:00Going down under...So it's officially one day until my trip to Australia and New Zealand! So exciting. Yes, I've been to a few parks since starting this blog but grad school applications (and acceptances!) and work and planning for The Biggest Trip of My Life has gotten in the way of actually blogging and having more than the occasional adventure. However, you can have a sneak peek into where I'm going!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.portdouglas.com/accommodation/port-douglas-mile-beach-2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.portdouglas.com/accommodation/port-douglas-mile-beach-2300.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Port Douglas -- where we'll set off to the Great Barrier Reef!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.concierge.com/images/destinations/destinationguide/australia_pacific/newzealand/new_zealand_south/newzealand_si_019p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://www.concierge.com/images/destinations/destinationguide/australia_pacific/newzealand/new_zealand_south/newzealand_si_019p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Marlborough Sounds where <a href="http://www.mail-boat.co.nz/">we'll deliver the mail!</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bestsydneydeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Sydney-Attractions-Opera-House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.bestsydneydeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Sydney-Attractions-Opera-House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sydney of course, where we'll be climbing the bridge and doing lots of walking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Fraser_Island_a06_lake_mckenzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Fraser_Island_a06_lake_mckenzie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fraser Island -- where we'll be swimming in that gorgeous lake. Yes, it really looks like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://no1guide.co.nz/images/AbelTasmanNationalPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://no1guide.co.nz/images/AbelTasmanNationalPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Abel Tasman National Park, where we'll do some of the most spectacular kayaking in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hybridhomes.co.nz/images/Yachts,%20Nelson%20NZ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.hybridhomes.co.nz/images/Yachts,%20Nelson%20NZ.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nelson, where we'll try our hand at some sailing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Renwick_New_Zealand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Renwick_New_Zealand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Renwick, where we'll be biking through New Zealand's amazing Marlborough wine country!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cheapaussiehotels.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3_melbourne_airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.cheapaussiehotels.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/3_melbourne_airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Melbourne, where the trip ends! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Of course, most of this is out of order, but I plan to blog every couple of days not only to keep you informed, but to keep this as a journal and record of my trip. See you on the other side of the world!<br />
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</div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-12535686733111095062011-08-11T17:45:00.000-07:002011-12-16T07:51:50.897-08:00Some random bits.<div><br />
</div><div>Gentle readers, apologies for my lengthy absence! I have been out in the world actually seeing things and adventuring (I even made it to two National Parks!)... much to the chagrin of this blog (since I haven't been paying attention to it). So many adventures have taken place! Here is a smattering of some recent, and not-so-recent photos of aforementioned adventuring. Here we go! </div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zzKvStMsVITMRTpihyVLMPC3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXUftSk5_FpY1euCoT39WvC5F4c02reXDnj5Hsa6MyeLyFqzRR7_q7kG-trRa4iiqamMgIFk0rZLrMKDJEiZiuXM961etRAHZnR32UsvXiNseuZMqFjKVOyJzRKgjZKdCciDUf6lZnSE/s400/DSC00601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div>One of my favorite photos from the Solvang trip from a few months back. Even though the place is a gigantic tourist trap, there were still lots of little shops, a boat trip on the lake and oh-so-much-wine to be had. I don't know what I love more about the Los Olivos/Santa Ynez region -- all of the wineries the valley's landscape or the actual scenery itself. Either way, I'm so glad to live as close as I do to such breathtaking beauty. <br />
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</div><div>So the above photo is obviously, totally, not any of that landscape, but the underside of a really neat structure off the beaten path in Solvang that I took to. It was beautiful! Below are some photos of the good stuff...</div><div><br />
</div><div>I mean, it doesn't get much better than this, right?</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/lN7M279uBax738p7zAhbI_C3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq5sjLmkAL_rfYnCYeecvXA7TGbE0FuF84NkMzcGuRV5-jcuSri_wLNYCA01GANeKIHnAXAiPHUbIkbVyN6fabJ1AaJU_xyVleKy5iCZw3f1OClHcNzwueoClWm3Bc4fxyoOqdX2GMe0/s400/DSC00508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>From our lake adventure...</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-Bs1mtvEuI-e5W4A_zMzO_C3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCB1vMgB5vX7NnsWDgkA1S_j7nhi3VfBMNazhD6b21KknEleVv0ZAN7DgGB5FLHfcL9mHCAXsLJ7n6uD0ZavXyrr-3Z_Udc-nen5k5VNRPK0qzWKOqM95lXGZoSwzz2qdVSfoWoH7C48/s400/DSC00556.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Some local flora... (couldn't quite get my focus right on this one)</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WL_-bgDKqbINP1L-6AUvr_C3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh8FViA2fBl2dUL05_arKpCRgZRiVaHPFrU7SYn-5-FQP4ZJrOkRddOiN8X4nYg19BTw1FDhbEspo6IHOi3nx80izhasGaKiEL9Eylzy9BG0gr4fI1u2BxUVCGuqqTeN1EU1tCIY39fU/s400/DSC00590.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div><br />
</div><div>And now for something completely different, Pacific Park! I walk along Palisades Park to Pacific Park every Sunday with my mom, it's kind of our "church" these days. Having grown up Catholic, the ritual of doing something familial every Sunday morning is deeply entrenched in my bones and in the way my family interacts. So instead of being sedentary and going to boring church, my mom, sister, and I have decided that we'd rather be outside, in the beautiful city of Santa Monica, and do something for our health! So below is another smattering of photos, from a recent trip to Pacific Park. (What?! It DOES have Park in the name, right?)</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/94ENCrr_a6bghZex0gP36vC3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZO64EE9ZB_bimiZKu-vkmk647_zGcY97a17MvQDffWow4S488s3jtK8ja_Zb4qguJMM-E4a4Vq8SrKY4RYo5TDJ35npxMT_nnk4OpY7JD7_JSTBiVwL2iRfCIAKwCCCbzifR3HibtvY/s400/DSC00763.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Another image of the gorgeously photogenic ferris wheel. </div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g6dCox-jI8aXLQ39jryknfC3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyW7sOOL2Gd869I4F_yZbMcsYlsJgaJBRPEqr0NZWh1mhoQyw9ReQF0LMz9Poj8hP6zbggVoy3sNfm5zCOt7Md4uPDL3J8_dz-NN8yvBOLSnP3GTk07khNctKPLWZGyJeo0sYdkGernlM/s640/DSC00768.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And an image of the sign. This is not as centered as I would like, but you get the gist, right?</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gj4Q1o9bpW66nAVhoKQRdPC3KZLHwB9_E1P8nbvdAig?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtgpkF906jDvW-vCZO0yRnN5Hncs4LKI89hdnY22K_-WuJ-d6l3Pw70EF4_kXhXUzIMSQ9aGAZBq1f37bHp92SdLnYZ8BBnFSpqgZmxYPpDK0iSK000YXjxj8cUgsYSV1t48pqtIi1SY/s640/DSC00779.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>So many more adventures to come, National Parks, Julian, I'm going on a Mission trip this weekend... stay tuned!</div><div><br />
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</div></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-13206079858393634412011-06-29T18:50:00.001-07:002011-07-07T17:58:42.394-07:00finally! salton sea/julian!Welcome to another post that doesn't include a National Park! The point of these posts is to help me I hope that this blog will serve as more than a photo dumping ground, but I have a lot of photos to post and loads of raconteuring to do. So here we go! <div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago the lovely Jess was in San Diego and we decided that not only did we want to spend some significant time together, but that we wanted to do so in the form of a roadtrip. So to <a href="http://www.julianca.com/">Julian</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea">the Salton Sea</a> we went. I'm not going to bore you with my version of historical facts, but safe to say, each place was pretty spectacular in its own way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some (slightly) interesting photos. </div><div><br /></div><div>So welcome to the Salton Sea.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5886447914/" title="SaltonSea1 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5886447914_6e7f3075c4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea1" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had been obsessed with it for quite some time and am still intrigued by it, especially because of all of the dilapidated buildings that exist there, not to mention the eerie and quite sullen history. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's another sign...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5886448886/" title="SaltonSea2 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5158/5886448886_79c3834215.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea2" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What surprised me the most was just how gross the stench was. Imagine hot, humid, the smell of fish, dilapidation and literally the bones of millions (possibly billions) of dead fish. Here you go, images of dead fish and dilapidation:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5886450762/" title="SaltonSea4 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5316/5886450762_964c231fd1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea4" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885884421/" title="SaltonSea5 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5278/5885884421_6d1ff14237.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea5" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885885299/" title="SaltonSea6 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5885885299_15321b5601.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea6" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I mean really, what happened to this stuff? </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885888765/" title="SaltonSea10 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5885888765_b1652076bd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea10" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Why would you leave your treasured trailer there? </div><div><br /></div><div>And oh yeah, the dead stuff:</div><div><br /></div><div>(Sorry about the lopped off top.)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885889651/" title="SaltonSea11 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5885889651_447c510244.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="SaltonSea11" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>See the beach? Yeah, Eric pointed out to us that it was all bones of dead fish that we were walking on. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885890419/" title="SaltonSea13 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5885890419_71581b44ee.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea13" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885891359/" title="SaltonSea14 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5885891359_dc82c8980c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea14" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And one last shot of the Salton Sea, pretty fitting, I think.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64642469@N04/5885882725/" title="SaltonSea3 by morganmoonbeam, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5315/5885882725_f5785720d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="SaltonSea3" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So lessons learned:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>The Salton Sea absolutely, unequivocally reeks. </li><li>Never go there again on a 100+ degree day like we did.</li><li>Yes the stuff that you're stepping on really is made of dead fish.</li><li>It's an absolute must-see if you're ever in Southern California.</li></ul></div><div>Up next, Julian! </div><div><br /></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-34560829886132169172011-06-17T16:09:00.000-07:002011-06-17T16:14:37.224-07:00Things To Look Forward To<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49Ztpa1seMSgUzknYXu3QHlLfar5YdhLrSCZOA2FDZ8B4fRICNCasSP89-B5iEGx351fTcg2jYVqt2hDcC8UYMxB2SuaCyojKOspmh2kjT0phx5Ko_eAvsmMqomA-D9I8RfL_4I-oTd8/s1600/mission+san+miguel.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49Ztpa1seMSgUzknYXu3QHlLfar5YdhLrSCZOA2FDZ8B4fRICNCasSP89-B5iEGx351fTcg2jYVqt2hDcC8UYMxB2SuaCyojKOspmh2kjT0phx5Ko_eAvsmMqomA-D9I8RfL_4I-oTd8/s400/mission+san+miguel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619330860142608610" /></a><br />The above image is one of my favorites I've ever taken. Last year I went on a road trip (my very first solo road trip! Probably the first of many to come.) to Carmel and on the way up there, right off the 101, you could see Mission San Miguel -- this is just one of many images from that glorious mission. The purpose of this, gentle readers, is that I just wanted to give you proof that I am not always a crappy photographer! Yes, I am learning the rule of thirds, I am reading my fair share of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Photographs-Camera/dp/0817439390/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1308351777&sr=1-1">Understanding Exposure </a>and am devouring my email from <a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/">Light Stalking</a>.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1) My post about Pacific Park (yes the little amusement park in Santa Monica).<div>2) Another post about the amazing <a href="http://www.missionsanmiguel.org/">Mission San Miguel</a> (perhaps this is another project -- I'd like to follow in <a href="http://www.calgold.com/missions/">Huell Howser's footsteps </a>and see all of the missions, too!)</div><div>3) My trip to Kings Canyon and Sequoia with my (not such a baby anymore) sister!</div><div>4) My trip to Channel Islands soon to be determined!</div><div>5) My post about the Salton Sea and Anza Borrego Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>This blog is already one of the best things I've ever done since it is really making me get out of my comfort zone and really see what this gorgeous country has to offer. Thanks for reading! :)</div></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-40944301600974295992011-06-12T19:47:00.001-07:002011-06-17T16:48:16.277-07:00Will Rogers State Park, or using my crappy camera phone.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaN0DmBQMo0vM7PasFlyuZlT4vSJQuuaPL6Z5WdZPJ08VFIsormlU1Zs59CZwuFBn93f_Nvmc5GnGOdHkRmN28wW1nmiQ5u8DaErefoLFd2reexiUqMGlxUm3AjEukSB1Z7yTuXb1Uj8/s1600/wr3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaN0DmBQMo0vM7PasFlyuZlT4vSJQuuaPL6Z5WdZPJ08VFIsormlU1Zs59CZwuFBn93f_Nvmc5GnGOdHkRmN28wW1nmiQ5u8DaErefoLFd2reexiUqMGlxUm3AjEukSB1Z7yTuXb1Uj8/s320/wr3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619032977175251362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvmFVCgwmhdd-xUH5KfujVWjrFGT8xXpmqA0w3kJpTNoR0ObU-Pe1z_z0KXO3ZGGQf63a-TmjXA5UHNoj283TTBq7H9bM4U-PRsvexWy52cYAfAmQzkOnOkiOexOKxKoSdBIzg5o4u1A/s1600/wr4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvmFVCgwmhdd-xUH5KfujVWjrFGT8xXpmqA0w3kJpTNoR0ObU-Pe1z_z0KXO3ZGGQf63a-TmjXA5UHNoj283TTBq7H9bM4U-PRsvexWy52cYAfAmQzkOnOkiOexOKxKoSdBIzg5o4u1A/s320/wr4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619032968086764802" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Today's blog post is brought to you by my crappy camera phone! I was hoping that the images would be a little more focused and interesting, but oh well! <div><br /></div><div>Will Rogers park evokes so many memories for me... my sister and I went there as small children and it felt so large and wild to me. Last Sunday when I went, it seemed so closed, so constricted, so manicured -- much like how I used to be. Not wild at all. Still beautiful however. </div><div><br /></div><div>There weren't very many images of my own I could post on here because they were *that* bad... but I promise to 1) never forget my camera/charge my batter every time and b) not regale you with overly crappy photos (although, I really don't think I'm that spectacular of a photographer). </div><div><br /></div><div>As this is a work in progress, the definition of the kind of park I can post about will be a little loose. For instance, I recently went to Pacific Park in Santa Monica -- so that counts, right? (Photos coming soon.) At any rate, the above photos are the only two I felt were worth sharing. The sign, of course, which will from now on, be posted for every entry (if there is a sign to be posted) and the only interesting photo that came from the set of crappy camera phone shots. The ropes pictured above are Will Rogers' ACTUAL ropes! I snuck touching one --- so cool! I am not nearly as educated about Will Rogers as I'd like to be, but from what I understand, he was a pretty extraordinary person. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, lesson learned = bring real camera next time.</div></div><div><br /></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-35554464970763238212011-06-11T13:02:00.000-07:002011-06-17T11:06:50.994-07:00Joshua Tree<div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBEl5xqo5y8bSO3x8lE4vYHwYXKuq1726n4ZeFqq90lMnEG3H3CYh7k6LCXBnnkfBSeJIZaaJLSLOxHZ5DcjNhpzAsbTEpMYT8fGdtvUFv2XFLsb0s2zdyc5WLMGyjxnqTMawxsQwmFo/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBEl5xqo5y8bSO3x8lE4vYHwYXKuq1726n4ZeFqq90lMnEG3H3CYh7k6LCXBnnkfBSeJIZaaJLSLOxHZ5DcjNhpzAsbTEpMYT8fGdtvUFv2XFLsb0s2zdyc5WLMGyjxnqTMawxsQwmFo/s160/IMG_5066.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">So Joshua Tree, as I previously did not know, is divided by a line between two deserts. On the west side of the park, lies the Mojave Desert (which is where all of the famous rock formations and Joshua Trees are.) As soon as you enter from the 29 Palms/Yucca Valley side (which is where most people enter from) you start to see these unbelivably beautiful rock formations. The aformentioned rock formations are lined with Joshua Trees, other various cacti and multitudes of flora/fauna. I couldn't take a picture of everything I wanted to unfortunately, but here are a few favorites. </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pkEcA55i4dGlKHApMwcGwRXrUlAdjUaQwyH1M5XiPWbtPGs4f0EK9FMcnEYIhXuAnBzm1mvrAleHnc7YzgtcFqRG2lj-3RZZ-4-tGRJ7NMxbdDOlf1joOtA5lDVh-fNrIdUfWaRQmQ/s1600/IMG_5070.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1pkEcA55i4dGlKHApMwcGwRXrUlAdjUaQwyH1M5XiPWbtPGs4f0EK9FMcnEYIhXuAnBzm1mvrAleHnc7YzgtcFqRG2lj-3RZZ-4-tGRJ7NMxbdDOlf1joOtA5lDVh-fNrIdUfWaRQmQ/s160/IMG_5070.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this photo because it has such beautiful light and it really reminded me of something you'd see in a Tim Burton movie. Never has there been a more "magic" hour than in Joshua Tree right before sunset. We were really, really lucky to have gotten there when we did!</div><div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4whwj51FhsLcJWgtSrdyLCYmnW5ro7ZEifBRzjk4fnGcl8mGKrUvxN1KCY2p7mZflVJQk3ieo95vPUJr5-hCPtglgKelsSqsKiGp1PLmJp8RHTd8G2N_V0dZ48qSDrKh760Iex_S_oFY/s1600/IMG_5079.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4whwj51FhsLcJWgtSrdyLCYmnW5ro7ZEifBRzjk4fnGcl8mGKrUvxN1KCY2p7mZflVJQk3ieo95vPUJr5-hCPtglgKelsSqsKiGp1PLmJp8RHTd8G2N_V0dZ48qSDrKh760Iex_S_oFY/s160/IMG_5079.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Another example of incredible rock formations! I wish I could properly convey the magnitude and actual human: rock scale in the photos I took, but just trust me, they were HUGE and attracted so many rock climbers! </div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAOOvws15uArI1QovQBoRNXOvB7I4WxRH3kjfJwqYmXm1n4JvWwTqr0ul56vU3HGEHcL0QMo-kpXfxPkLcWwghmi_7bhuu9_b4qbK-A-c1TNA829d15Pc0BHIOoZyy2u2qOszDBbjv_Q/s1600/IMG_5084.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAOOvws15uArI1QovQBoRNXOvB7I4WxRH3kjfJwqYmXm1n4JvWwTqr0ul56vU3HGEHcL0QMo-kpXfxPkLcWwghmi_7bhuu9_b4qbK-A-c1TNA829d15Pc0BHIOoZyy2u2qOszDBbjv_Q/s160/IMG_5084.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't think I'll ever tire of the beauty of these trees. I thought they were cousins of the palm tree, but I was dead wrong! The Joshua Tree is a cousin/hybrid of the pine tree. They were "discovered" and "named" by Mormon settlers in the 1800s. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_brevifolia">wikipedia</a>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">the trees were named Joshua because they looked like objects in prayer with their arms raised up to God. I can definitely see that! They're pretty spectacular up close and I definitely felt the presence of <i>something </i>while in the park, even if it was just my own calm settling within me. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI9IX32H8zH2hAmSEUO3FA1DQMHdK0x4JK-_WCl4dLuHy2AlH4Pj3kg6tFlGGbd87TVOoWE4LP6MvNDzgi5Pk8ZnLMzkJYsG9XT94wYZ89Fp9iDnLljRVA4BxIqAk9sWR0fhW4Yh2n0Y/s1600/IMG_5090.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI9IX32H8zH2hAmSEUO3FA1DQMHdK0x4JK-_WCl4dLuHy2AlH4Pj3kg6tFlGGbd87TVOoWE4LP6MvNDzgi5Pk8ZnLMzkJYsG9XT94wYZ89Fp9iDnLljRVA4BxIqAk9sWR0fhW4Yh2n0Y/s160/IMG_5090.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Another gorgeous example of cacti in Joshua Tree! These were everywhere, especially in the Mojave Desert side of the park. (The other side of the park, which I neglected to mention, is the Colorado Desert. One can witness a stark difference in landscape, temperature, animals and plant life in the two deserts. It's almost like entering a different country!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGPm7m06PpKw9PL6wygTmauXcdu8Dx2hmAxDyzRfF61WSliGsto-X9X775-uBAoswsZTjhgam8wnEbpmpUNFeDf8z0bVuy7JwtcqMsBlZ6_iKBhoJ9GDpEmpB1udBgEA6OWj1KG6cVLw/s1600/IMG_5103.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGPm7m06PpKw9PL6wygTmauXcdu8Dx2hmAxDyzRfF61WSliGsto-X9X775-uBAoswsZTjhgam8wnEbpmpUNFeDf8z0bVuy7JwtcqMsBlZ6_iKBhoJ9GDpEmpB1udBgEA6OWj1KG6cVLw/s160/IMG_5103.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This was a beautiful rainbow cloud -- how did this happen?! There was no rain as far as the eyes of my companion and me could see and I honestly have no idea how this phenomenon occurred. Any guesses? (Seriously, I don't know!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1Iba0GYFHUzd1df3hhv5JuJhD_ZRVyWtZCifUQkTYLGSEwfDkJRlJjL3JIyUgZXjNmlhkL65loC7OybXEdUNzdcogflySJWfTgE9AxsR4h4FWAWMsOZZIz320L0tUGdbGCDFLBJysGc/s1600/IMG_5119.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1Iba0GYFHUzd1df3hhv5JuJhD_ZRVyWtZCifUQkTYLGSEwfDkJRlJjL3JIyUgZXjNmlhkL65loC7OybXEdUNzdcogflySJWfTgE9AxsR4h4FWAWMsOZZIz320L0tUGdbGCDFLBJysGc/s160/IMG_5119.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Burnt Joshua Trees -- still gorgeous to me. I've always been fond and felt a connection with natural decay, anything dilapidated and spooky/scary. These burnt Joshua Trees were just so incredible looking to me. </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Anyway, that's it for now, I hope to post more photos from the trip later as well as a few anecdotes regarding this, my first in my National Parks Project. </div><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4864190729206864755.post-78480650412751453812011-06-11T10:33:00.001-07:002011-06-17T11:07:36.289-07:00Welcome!<div>Welcome to my adventure blog! </div><div><br /></div>So, the purpose of this blog is simple. I've set out to see all the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Parks_of_the_United_States">National Parks</a> in the country. In my life, I have seen: The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Redwoods and from what I can remember, Haleakala. I don't know how often this will be updated or how often I'll be able to go, but I hope that this will be a great place to catalog my attempts at photography in aforementioned, record thoughts and ideas regarding my experience with very beginners-level outdoorsy stuff and maybe be a link dump as far as other ideas and whatnot are concerned. I also hope that this space will serve as a place for me to catalog other visits to state parks, national reserves, national forests, city/county parks, nature hikes, and anything else I want basically, etc. <div><br /></div><div>The idea for this came about while driving around in<a href="http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm"> Joshua Tree </a>a few weeks ago while visiting the park for the first time. During aforementioned drive, taking in the ethereal beauty of Joshua Tree a thought occurred to me ... "this is what I want to do for the rest of my life." Perhaps it was the pleasant company, or the newly found freedom I'd had from the last previous disastrous relationship in my life, or just the astounding scenery around me, but I was so moved and really, for the first time, felt the presence of something greater in the universe in the my surroundings. Coming on the heels of this "a-ha!" moment, I thought that this project, daunting as it seems, was something I'd like to dedicate my life to. Although I've been to quite a few parks before, in my project, I need to visit every single one again, this time with the project in mind in order to accomplish my goal. I know it's not new, original, thoughtful, or perhaps all that interesting to most people, but it's for <i style="font-weight: bold; ">me</i><span style="font-weight: bold; ">, </span>and it's the first instance in my life that I am doing something absolutely and entirely for myself. It's about time! </div><div><br /></div><div>What are conditions of the project then? </div><div><br /></div><div>1) To post about it here with at least one photo.</div><div>2) Get a bumper sticker from the park and put it either on my car or in my sticker book.</div><div>3) To take as many photos as possible!</div><div>4) Take at least one nature walk while at the park. </div><div><br /></div><div>So I hope to see you along my travels! I can't commit to updating x times a month, but what I can commit to is to at least check in more than once in a while to let you know how I'm doing on my journey. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02854848214717361309noreply@blogger.com0