3/31/09

Chaco And A Few Observations

I am back to the real world after being gone 12 days. Drove the better part of 3400 miles. Spent $238 on gas and averaged 29 mpg.

People drove so well and there were only a couple driving errors I saw the whole way. I did something to piss this guy off when I left the coast of California. He wouldn't go away for several miles until he exited thankfully. I apparently made an error.

Everybody everywhere was so nice and courteous in addition to being helpful - that alone is very cool and says something about our society. There were quite a few people along the Grand Canyon with much fewer numbers elsewhere. I find it a bit odd that unless you say something very seldom do people acknowledge you. Human nature I guess.

Being able to grow up and or live along the coast of California must be something very special. I wonder how different it would be if I had grown up in this vibrant atmosphere. I stayed in Pismo Beach one night and liked it and the people. The way the houses were layed out close to the beach seemed friendly with a lot of diversity in the architecture but yet similar.

Santa Barbara was very nice too but as with many places has changed over the years but I didn't see that. Easy to get around. Went up to the observation tower at the county building downtown which gives a fantastic 360* view. Two things stood out. Some of the hallways with offices were open to the outside. I bet it can get cold sometimes. There was no one around. Asked a clerk and she said something to the effect of don't put a hex on this because very seldom was it like that. We all laughed hard.

The hills outside of the city are gnarly bastards for sure. Poison oak all over and the growth makes many places jungle like not to mention the degree of incline. Ticks plenty! Tiny bastards but they didn't get me. Everywhere it was green but when all browns out probably not as pretty. But you still got the beach.

But what you can do in these hills is grow things. With a bit of water and care it's a perfect growing environment for many things. The fire issue scares me at least where I was staying.

Small towns in some places looked depressed along with closed signs in businesses that looked like they were open not that long ago.

If you ever get a chance visit Chaco Canyon and spend a couple days or more as you won't regret it.

Back to work tomorrow. It's snowing and is supposed to snow every day of the week. It will not be an early spring as previously thought. It's good to be home and I'm not going anywhere for awhile. Colorado is a great place to live too.

It was overcast and the video is only an attempt to show the size of some of these structures. The steps intrigue me. These people did things in straight lines. First time I saw these I envisioned what it must have been like for the kids when the biggies descended over the cliff dressed to the hilt in very colorful attire. They truly were gods to these young minds.

Thanks for visiting.














6 comments:

  1. Wow, great video..that place is HUGE!

    I really enjoyed your thoughts on the Cali coast and our living almost on top of each other. ;)

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  2. Your photos make me want to see Chaco Canyon in the worst way now! ;)

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  3. Thanks Dusty. And if you do plan on visiting Chaco-remember you are in the heart of the
    Anasazi culture with many incredible sites to visit in the Four Corners area.

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  4. I would someday like to see Chaco Canyon, the stark beauty is fascinating.
    I'm glad ya got to go and had a good time. Sorry to hear about the headgasket problem and that it is still snowing constantly.
    I must say, I have never actually had to shovel a roof, yet.
    Thanks for the pictures Bud!

    Busted

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  5. you made it to chaco canyon, but NOT to albuquerque???

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  6. It's true Russ. I was running out of time and had to beat it up to the ranch and then home. I will be down sometime that's for sure cause I'd like to meet you fellers down there and take you up on your offer of all the lobster I can eat.

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