tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38690605480782169322024-03-05T03:39:03.854-07:00ArtStream Road Trip<a href="/">The adventures of a vintage Airstream trailer and its artist owners.</a>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-68585233292968663302014-09-02T08:17:00.007-06:002023-07-06T08:47:22.728-06:00Maynard Dixon Country 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Maynard Dixon Country show comes together once a year in Mt. Carmel, Utah. This year's event is Sept, 5-7, 2014. This art show features 33 of some of the best known artists from across the country. Now in its 16th year, this annual event is gaining national acclaim. If you are an art lover, it is a must see show. <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0d0d0d;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span>These four paintings are my entries in this year's Maynard Dixon Country.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ix7eTrFc1AM/VAXNfXf6MUI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/LBiuVgEbUMQ/s1600/sr-1699%2BCanyons%2Bin%2Bthe%2BSky.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ix7eTrFc1AM/VAXNfXf6MUI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/LBiuVgEbUMQ/s1600/sr-1699%2BCanyons%2Bin%2Bthe%2BSky.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Canyons in the Sky, 22x30'' watercolor</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cWbjMA5H1Y/VAXNigD8GLI/AAAAAAAAD-g/nLWnMitHO88/s1600/sr-1700%2BMorning%2BLayers%2B18x36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6cWbjMA5H1Y/VAXNigD8GLI/AAAAAAAAD-g/nLWnMitHO88/s1600/sr-1700%2BMorning%2BLayers%2B18x36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Morning Layers, 18x36 watercolor</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1R9p3f2NNqY/VAXOCbfq53I/AAAAAAAAD-w/i5F8mw6Z5y4/s1600/sr-1681%2BWind%2BChill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1R9p3f2NNqY/VAXOCbfq53I/AAAAAAAAD-w/i5F8mw6Z5y4/s1600/sr-1681%2BWind%2BChill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wind Chill, 18x22'' oil</div>
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The second day of the show opens at 10:00 am with a crowd of people trying to see all of what is called the Wet Painting Show. This show takes place in Maynard Dixon's historic studio. Here are a few photos from last year's wet painting show.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73XdIYn8zaw/VAXPowF_ZgI/AAAAAAAAD_U/Yz6x0cijwU4/s1600/Dsc_5309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73XdIYn8zaw/VAXPowF_ZgI/AAAAAAAAD_U/Yz6x0cijwU4/s1600/Dsc_5309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0">The crowd gathers awaiting the 10:00 entry to the wet painting sale.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFVZk3uaCMs/VAXPowzXnTI/AAAAAAAAD-8/9EjjNN_tRkQ/s1600/Dsc_5311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nFVZk3uaCMs/VAXPowzXnTI/AAAAAAAAD-8/9EjjNN_tRkQ/s1600/Dsc_5311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0">Inside Maynard Dixon's studio just before the door opens.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InOhF-zbgKA/VAXPpPWfzeI/AAAAAAAAD_A/KwlW2QNvupQ/s1600/Dsc_5312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InOhF-zbgKA/VAXPpPWfzeI/AAAAAAAAD_A/KwlW2QNvupQ/s1600/Dsc_5312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another view inside Maynard Dixon's studio just before the door opens.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAv3tpeYmc/VAXPp3dWluI/AAAAAAAAD_M/vgETrRuLk98/s1600/Dsc_5318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAAv3tpeYmc/VAXPp3dWluI/AAAAAAAAD_M/vgETrRuLk98/s1600/Dsc_5318.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0">Many discussions about which paintings to buy.</span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VhG_INtEM/VAXPqGHISbI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/WsAXGO-D5rs/s1600/Dsc_5319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VhG_INtEM/VAXPqGHISbI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/WsAXGO-D5rs/s1600/Dsc_5319.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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An up close study of some of the many paintings available.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVJYv3dcDLs/VAXPrGSeLDI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/g5iVAuKLirY/s1600/P8247927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVJYv3dcDLs/VAXPrGSeLDI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/g5iVAuKLirY/s1600/P8247927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Group art discussion in front of the Maynard Dixon bunkhouse.</div>
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-70088912475954414832014-05-10T12:01:00.000-06:002014-05-10T14:54:41.214-06:00A few recent paintings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I felt it was time to post a few paintings I've done the last little while. Most of these were done on location during various painting trips. Two of them are studio pieces.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4nZC3LJX4o/U25j8lBozuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/yILXhGIZ_2Q/s1600/sr-1672+North+from+Powell+Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O4nZC3LJX4o/U25j8lBozuI/AAAAAAAAD0g/yILXhGIZ_2Q/s1600/sr-1672+North+from+Powell+Point.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
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North From Powell Point, 10x12" oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4lOtMyrGTI/U25kaRAj9hI/AAAAAAAAD0o/uvDHwZ2_pFw/s1600/sr-1687+Heaven's+Breath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D4lOtMyrGTI/U25kaRAj9hI/AAAAAAAAD0o/uvDHwZ2_pFw/s1600/sr-1687+Heaven's+Breath.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
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Heaven's Breath, 15x22" watercolor - studio piece</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjFvZSi-zvM/U25ku3f1d7I/AAAAAAAAD0w/-Aj-9dHUj7k/s1600/sr-1688+Zion+Morning+Glory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjFvZSi-zvM/U25ku3f1d7I/AAAAAAAAD0w/-Aj-9dHUj7k/s1600/sr-1688+Zion+Morning+Glory.JPG" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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Zion Morning Glory, 12x16" watercolor - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUP-EMZ7WJc/U25lOR7sVjI/AAAAAAAAD04/fWvvFDMQHe4/s1600/sr-1639+Balancing+Rock+North+Rim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUP-EMZ7WJc/U25lOR7sVjI/AAAAAAAAD04/fWvvFDMQHe4/s1600/sr-1639+Balancing+Rock+North+Rim.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
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Balancing Rock North Rim, 10x12" watercolor - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVM-l2nMRgk/U25liusJyyI/AAAAAAAAD1A/y9lNmYo-qyM/s1600/sr-1641+Morning+at+the+Gorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LVM-l2nMRgk/U25liusJyyI/AAAAAAAAD1A/y9lNmYo-qyM/s1600/sr-1641+Morning+at+the+Gorge.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
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Morning at Rio Grande Gorge, 11x14" oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaATLVJo-4M/U25mMJ05dQI/AAAAAAAAD1I/komsIRXWiBk/s1600/sr-1675+Sangre+de+Cristo+Chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaATLVJo-4M/U25mMJ05dQI/AAAAAAAAD1I/komsIRXWiBk/s1600/sr-1675+Sangre+de+Cristo+Chapel.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sangre de Cristo Chapel, 9x12 oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYquxWVj19k/U25mriBcWpI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/fhTbX-GR9b0/s1600/sr-1617+Box+Canyon+Shade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYquxWVj19k/U25mriBcWpI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/fhTbX-GR9b0/s1600/sr-1617+Box+Canyon+Shade.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
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Box Canyon Shade, 12x16" oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJdNHozeAVg/U25nCKVWcrI/AAAAAAAAD1k/vDvNYLp6UsE/s1600/sr-1625+Winter+Moisture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJdNHozeAVg/U25nCKVWcrI/AAAAAAAAD1k/vDvNYLp6UsE/s1600/sr-1625+Winter+Moisture.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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Winter Moisture, 11x14 oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kDx2eIWax8/U25nbM8qMaI/AAAAAAAAD1w/mWoR1e8cTqA/s1600/sr-1577+Gate+Keeper+to+Grand+Wash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kDx2eIWax8/U25nbM8qMaI/AAAAAAAAD1w/mWoR1e8cTqA/s1600/sr-1577+Gate+Keeper+to+Grand+Wash.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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Gate Keeper, 14x11 oil - on location piece</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jac9dK1X9oE/U25n9-VFuAI/AAAAAAAAD14/2dPjKO2G_6I/s1600/sr-1663+Stormy+Sky+over+Taos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jac9dK1X9oE/U25n9-VFuAI/AAAAAAAAD14/2dPjKO2G_6I/s1600/sr-1663+Stormy+Sky+over+Taos.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stormy Sky Over Taos, 12x16" watercolor - on location piece<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEy6Y25GXtc/U25o0EkQVFI/AAAAAAAAD2E/3qHUakLFNz4/s1600/sr-1643+Morning+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEy6Y25GXtc/U25o0EkQVFI/AAAAAAAAD2E/3qHUakLFNz4/s1600/sr-1643+Morning+Announcement.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Morning Announcement Zion, 22x22" watercolor - studio piece</div>
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-89559988844925216962014-02-06T16:21:00.000-07:002014-05-10T14:55:36.947-06:00New Year's Road Trip 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vwP5lj0v9E/UvQPu0CXR5I/AAAAAAAADws/4rAnVCVIti4/s1600/1+DSC_6120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vwP5lj0v9E/UvQPu0CXR5I/AAAAAAAADws/4rAnVCVIti4/s1600/1+DSC_6120.JPG" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">After many weeks working hard on a major home improvement project (adding on a living room and dining room) we needed a break. We decided to hitch up our vintage 1955 Airstream trailer, Moonshadow, and head south to join 40 other Airstreams for a New Year’s Eve rally at Picacho Peak, Arizona. On December 27th we gladly left dreary cold and snow behind. The first day on the road we went as far as Burro Creek campground, a beautiful spot and popular birding location in Arizona. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXkBkeqjPmY/UvQQIQd4nuI/AAAAAAAADw0/EPJp8WTe1w8/s1600/2+DSC_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXkBkeqjPmY/UvQQIQd4nuI/AAAAAAAADw0/EPJp8WTe1w8/s1600/2+DSC_6142.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picacho Peak: warm sun at last! Even though our home is now much larger with two new rooms, we were getting cabin fever and after a long spell of sub-zero temperatures, we were more than ready for a change. At Picacho Peak, just north of Tucson, it felt like a summer day in Parowan.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4V6acUMIe7s/UvQQUqt0bOI/AAAAAAAADw8/D5nOaAsWZdM/s1600/3+DSC_6136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4V6acUMIe7s/UvQQUqt0bOI/AAAAAAAADw8/D5nOaAsWZdM/s1600/3+DSC_6136.JPG" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
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We thought we were here to celebrate the New Year, not Christmas! </div>
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I guess Santa needs to get away from cold weather too.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Ozg2tODTE/UvQQjibK7SI/AAAAAAAADxE/wASGDg9itMU/s1600/4+DSC_6375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Ozg2tODTE/UvQQjibK7SI/AAAAAAAADxE/wASGDg9itMU/s1600/4+DSC_6375.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Five days and nights camped amongst other Airstreamers, we had afternoon happy hours for socializing and sharing good food and drink. Pictured here: New Belgium Brewery of Colorado’s “Accumulation” IPA with Airstream in the snow label, a winter seasonal brew.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CDfkw--Ydw/UvQQ7_cXnPI/AAAAAAAADxM/NP14FNY6tgg/s1600/5+DSC_6193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CDfkw--Ydw/UvQQ7_cXnPI/AAAAAAAADxM/NP14FNY6tgg/s1600/5+DSC_6193.JPG" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nightly bonfire and b.s. sessions.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFpuBvfil7o/UvQRKJ63bOI/AAAAAAAADxU/gnU2oVxSLlo/s1600/6+P3226805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JFpuBvfil7o/UvQRKJ63bOI/AAAAAAAADxU/gnU2oVxSLlo/s1600/6+P3226805.JPG" height="260" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spike spent daylight hours painting rocks, arroyos and saguaros.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktuqnQt5e8o/UvQRv0_VtsI/AAAAAAAADxk/HfQNH_AwSmE/s1600/6+sr-1662+Picacho+Peak+Afternoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktuqnQt5e8o/UvQRv0_VtsI/AAAAAAAADxk/HfQNH_AwSmE/s1600/6+sr-1662+Picacho+Peak+Afternoon.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picacho Peak Afternoon, small 9x12'' oil<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtIVDG35UE8/UvQeB9-bVvI/AAAAAAAADzM/fMlrxObUYvU/s1600/sr-1493+Arroyo+Bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mtIVDG35UE8/UvQeB9-bVvI/AAAAAAAADzM/fMlrxObUYvU/s1600/sr-1493+Arroyo+Bottom.jpg" height="264" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arroyo Bottom, small 8x10'' oil</div>
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The last day of 2013 we gathered for a White Elephant gift exchange. Gifts ranged from the bizarre to the awful with a few good things mixed in. That night we rang in the New Year around a blazing campfire with plenty of champagne.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBkSpPLvXuA/UvQSuS_Qx7I/AAAAAAAADxw/dX4KcJF2Lx4/s1600/7+sr-1660+Evening+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBkSpPLvXuA/UvQSuS_Qx7I/AAAAAAAADxw/dX4KcJF2Lx4/s1600/7+sr-1660+Evening+Announcement.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Evening Announcement, 12x16'' oil</div>
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The evening glow on the surrounding mountains was pure eye-candy!</div>
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We began 2014 by moving further south to Saguaro National Park, just west of Tucson. We camped three nights at a county run campground and made day excursions for painting into the park and to San Xavier de Bac Mission and Tubac.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84S0SXGs2Rk/UvQUSn3fc7I/AAAAAAAADyc/jPGblsMQrj4/s1600/8+sr-1659+Sonoran+Desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84S0SXGs2Rk/UvQUSn3fc7I/AAAAAAAADyc/jPGblsMQrj4/s1600/8+sr-1659+Sonoran+Desert.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sonoran Desert, 12x16'' oil</div>
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It was amazing to see how green the desert was this time of year.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbAxDWHfjgU/UvQUTCRUlaI/AAAAAAAADyw/67myafWo5Kk/s1600/8a+sr-1485+San+Xavier+Mission+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AbAxDWHfjgU/UvQUTCRUlaI/AAAAAAAADyw/67myafWo5Kk/s1600/8a+sr-1485+San+Xavier+Mission+AZ.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
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San Xavier de Bac Mission, 11x14'' oil</div>
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Desert Wash, small 8x8'' oil</div>
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We headed home by way of Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs</div>
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where we planned to camp a night or two.</div>
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Crossing Navajo Bridge gave us a spectacular view of Marble Canyon and the Colorado River.</div>
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At Lee’s Ferry campground we grab the best campsite. For years we have lusted for this primo site which overlooks the river. Now, in the cold January weather, with the campground virtually empty, we have our pick of sites.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnyU1cNAT_I/Uzr2kRV8oyI/AAAAAAAADzo/ckDCiQ9zJAQ/s1600/sr-1658+Marble+Canyon+Tributary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnyU1cNAT_I/Uzr2kRV8oyI/AAAAAAAADzo/ckDCiQ9zJAQ/s1600/sr-1658+Marble+Canyon+Tributary2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marble Canyon Tributary, small 9x12'' oil.</div>
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One last chance to get in some painting time.</div>
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We stay two nights. Our last evening here, as the sun sets, warm light glows on the canyon wall above the cold river.</div>
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-76130906345714416252013-12-24T16:12:00.001-07:002013-12-24T16:13:27.110-07:00Digging out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We would sure like to get away for a little R & R. We hope to head for the Picacho Peak State Park New Year's Rally. The only problem is, I don't know if we'll be able to dig out! LOL!<br />
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-8420479224712754452012-06-04T15:25:00.000-06:002012-06-04T19:13:47.865-06:00Painting Trip around Southern Utah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kMgRgB8b-8/T80d13AS53I/AAAAAAAADQA/VaCnSU0-k4E/s1600/01a-DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1kMgRgB8b-8/T80d13AS53I/AAAAAAAADQA/VaCnSU0-k4E/s200/01a-DSC_0552.JPG" width="200" /></a>I recently made what turned out to be a nine-day painting trip through southern Utah. I did my best to get a few of my painting friends from New Mexico to join me but with no luck, so I took off on my own. My plan was to begin at Boulder Mountain just west of Capitol Reef National Park, then on to Bluff Utah, Monument Valley, Page Arizona and Marble Canyon. There are a few small natural lakes high up on Boulder Mountain just below the rimrock which I thought might make for good painting this time of year. By sunset on day one I drove within 3 miles of the trailhead to these lakes and made camp for the night. The next morning I drove on to the trailhead, grabbed camera and sketching gear and headed out for a one-mile hike. After what turned out to be a difficult hike trudging through snow drifts on the trail I finally arrived at the lake. Much to my surprise the lake was fully frozen over. </div>
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I expected part of the lake to be covered in ice but since this year's spring weather has been so warm, I thought it would be at least partly thawed. I took a few pictures, rested a while, then headed back to the van and on to Capitol Reef.</div>
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This kind of painting trip, for me, is done without a set itinerary. The idea is to know you’ll be out from one to two weeks. If the weather turns bad or the paintings don't go well, you move on. If all goes well, you stay put and continue painting.</div>
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Arriving in Capitol Reef, I knew I would stay at least two nights but ended up staying three. The campground at Capitol Reef is first-come, first-serve, unlike most National Parks that require reservations, in some cases a year ahead. This policy makes it hard to take a spontaneous painting trip based on many things, including good weather. I like to jump in the van and go when the conditions look right. For me painting on location (plein air) is a bit like fishing, sometimes you get a keeper and sometimes you have to throw them back. The keepers I got from my three days in Capitol Reef can be seen below.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBL4DNyNrJo/T80l2WKq__I/AAAAAAAADR4/ZEV4tixWlu4/s1600/02-sr-1575+Morning+Shadows+Grand+Wash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBL4DNyNrJo/T80l2WKq__I/AAAAAAAADR4/ZEV4tixWlu4/s320/02-sr-1575+Morning+Shadows+Grand+Wash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Morning Shadows Grand Wash, oil – 12x16 Painted on location</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wduum8w8nCk/T80gbafboAI/AAAAAAAADQY/ATHxYkTXoJk/s1600/03-sr-1577+Gate+Keeper+to+Grand+Wash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wduum8w8nCk/T80gbafboAI/AAAAAAAADQY/ATHxYkTXoJk/s320/03-sr-1577+Gate+Keeper+to+Grand+Wash.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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Gatekeeper of Grand Wash, oil – 14x11 Painted on location</div>
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After a few days of painting in Capital Reef the weather was beginning to close in and rain was threatening. I used the bad weather as a travel day and made my way to Bluff, Utah where I stayed at the Sand Island campground. Sand Island is where all the river runners spend the night getting ready to launch the next morning on a 10 day San Juan River float trip. I had no trouble getting a great little private campsite for two nights. The paintings completed from the Bluff, Utah area are below.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHg4mhUUvzc/T80gt2iI_VI/AAAAAAAADQg/910w2troYtk/s1600/04-sr-1576+Casa+Del+Eco+Mesa+Bluff+Utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHg4mhUUvzc/T80gt2iI_VI/AAAAAAAADQg/910w2troYtk/s320/04-sr-1576+Casa+Del+Eco+Mesa+Bluff+Utah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Casa del Eco Mesa near Bluff, oil - 14x18 Painted on location</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeyT6W8WZTE/T80g1P8_WhI/AAAAAAAADQo/iNdQW6cNsVA/s1600/05-sr-1578+Summer+Sky+over+Bluff+Utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeyT6W8WZTE/T80g1P8_WhI/AAAAAAAADQo/iNdQW6cNsVA/s320/05-sr-1578+Summer+Sky+over+Bluff+Utah.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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Summer Sky over Bluff, wc – 22x22” Painted in the studio after returning home.</div>
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From Bluff I made my way south toward Monument Valley but not before stopping at the Gooseneck Overlook State Park. This is a location where you can see how the San Juan River twists and turns slowly making its way to the east end of Lake Mead.</div>
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Gooseneck overlook</div>
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Arriving in Monument Valley I was very surprised to learn that the Navajo tribe had closed the primitive campground. The only way to camp at Monument Valley now is to drive 5 miles west and stay at the Goulding's RV Park. Don't get me wrong, Goulding's is a very nice park but for more than 30 years I’ve been visiting Monument Valley and staying at the primitive campground overlooking the valley. I've heard it said before that the only constant in the world is change but this is one change I was not glad to see. Monument Valley now has a highfalutin’ hotel at the valley’s overlook and the rooms have to be reserved at least three or four months ahead at a cost of between $200 and $250 a night. It isn't going to be easy to make quick trips to Monument Valley and stay without making plans well ahead of time.</div>
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I drove down into Monument Valley, picked out a painting spot and got to work. Later I drove around, took a lot of pictures and waited for the sun to slowly set. As I pulled into Goulding's RV campground it was obvious the place was packed. As I suspected, not one RV space was available, however the clerk said there was one tent site left. My lucky day. I said I'll take it. The next morning I got up early and made my way into the valley for the entire day. The paintings completed from my time in Monument Valley can be seen below.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfFTzCMkBHs/T80h4aiVJhI/AAAAAAAADQ4/tPjQy0DoMWA/s1600/09-sr-1574+Thunderbird+Mesa+Monument+Valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfFTzCMkBHs/T80h4aiVJhI/AAAAAAAADQ4/tPjQy0DoMWA/s320/09-sr-1574+Thunderbird+Mesa+Monument+Valley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thunderbird Mesa, oil – 14x12” Painted on location</div>
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Edge of Rain-god Mesa, oil – 12x10” Painted on location</div>
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I don't know what these flowers were, but they were all over the valley.</div>
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The yuccas were in bloom everwhere you looked, great time of year to visit here.</div>
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Page, Arizona is not far from Monument Valley, perhaps only a couple of hours driving time. Even though the sun was setting I decided to drive on to Page where I spent the night in the Walmart parking lot. The next morning I did the small painting seen below of one of the many very unusual formations found in this area.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_IOJoIsVFo/T80jLZxK_bI/AAAAAAAADRY/5QkpRykUo7M/s1600/11-sr-1572+Desert+Formations+Southern+Utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_IOJoIsVFo/T80jLZxK_bI/AAAAAAAADRY/5QkpRykUo7M/s320/11-sr-1572+Desert+Formations+Southern+Utah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sandstone Formation near Page, oil – 10x12” Painted on location</div>
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The weather forecast was for increasing clouds and fairly strong winds. Marble Canyon is only two hours or less drive from Page. If it was going to be cloudy and windy I didn't want to miss getting photos of the area around Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs. Approaching Navajo Bridge which crosses the Colorado River I noticed two California condors soaring above. I've seen them here before and was not surprised but I always stop to get photographs. As I was parking, one of these huge birds landed on the opposite side of the bridge. With camera ready I approached, wondering how close I might be able to get before condor number 73 would fly away. I was surprised but very pleased when the bird did not fly away at all. In fact it let me stand six or seven feet away and take as many photos as I wanted.</div>
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Condor # 73 </div>
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I may have to do some paintings of these odd looking creatures.</div>
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The weather continued to worsen and the light was not conducive to painting. This watercolor was completed in the studio after returning home.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDMarG_mx34/T80kd7VrL8I/AAAAAAAADRw/uwVzjGxru_M/s1600/15-sr-1565+After+the+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gDMarG_mx34/T80kd7VrL8I/AAAAAAAADRw/uwVzjGxru_M/s320/15-sr-1565+After+the+Rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the Rain, wc – 22x22” </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-55170356503452652922012-02-18T12:12:00.000-07:002012-03-12T10:10:04.414-06:00Art Exhibit, Sue Cotter in SLC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Utah Arts & Museums opened the exhibit <strong>Redux: Five Fellowship Artists Revisited </strong>on Friday, February 17 at the Rio Gallery in Salt Lake City. The exhibit will continue until March 30, 2012. Rio Gallery is located at 300 S. Rio Grande Street in Salt Lake City. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F. Admission is free. </div>
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For more than 25 years, Utah Arts & Museums has awarded two fellowships annually to outstanding professional artists to acknowledge their artistic excellence and encourage their careers. This exhibit takes a look back at some of those fellowship winners to showcase how this prestigious award has advanced their careers. The exhibit features five fellowship recipients: Sue Cotter (1992), James Charles (1995 and 2012), Jane Catlin (2000), Gary Barton (2001), and Madison Smith (2005). <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Artist Statement</span></strong> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j032yVDjfT8/Tz_msYLKB7I/AAAAAAAADIc/MejG3-6OO-c/s1600/02-Sue+Cotter+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j032yVDjfT8/Tz_msYLKB7I/AAAAAAAADIc/MejG3-6OO-c/s320/02-Sue+Cotter+2012.jpg" width="236" yda="true" /></a>I received a $5,000 Utah Arts Council Fellowship way back in 1992, two years after my move to Utah from Reno, Nevada. I had learned letterpress printing and bookmaking at the University of Nevada, Reno's Black Rock Press where I studied and worked as an assistant for two years. Leaving Reno and moving to Utah left me without access to all the printing equipment needed for my work. Bit by bit I found and purchased equipment as I could afford to, a printing press, paper cutter, small tools, but the Fellowship windfall allowed me to quickly complete my letterpress studio set-up. Suddenly I could buy much needed flat files and type cabinets, but most important, and most expensive of all, many fonts of new lead type in a range of faces and sizes. No more worn, nicked old used type with only two typeface options and never enough “h”s. It was a dream come true!</div>
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Today my studio occupies 1/3 of a home with two studios my partner, <a href="http://spikesart.com/" target="_blank">Spike Ress</a> and I built ourselves in Parowan. It is the first home I have ever owned and represents a commitment to living in Utah that is now going on 22 years. Our location offers Spike access to the dramatic red-rock and canyon landscape he loves to paint and puts me close to the more subtle, vast Great Basin region that inspires my work. </div>
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I love setting type, putting ink on the press and seeing the magic of printing but in recent years we have been traveling extensively, sometimes away from home for months at a time. I have adapted to this vagabond life by doing more collage and assemblage work using the bits and pieces I collect wherever we go. I am still devoted to the book theme and storytelling but in less obvious forms. I will never give up my letterpress. New book ideas are forming in my head and in my sketchbooks all the time. Making art, in whatever form, is an essential part of my life. </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Artwork</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Times; font-size: large;"></span></strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><strong>Mexican Door Story-box series:</strong> While in San Miguel de Allende I discovered weekly book sales at San Miguel's biblioteca where an assortment of discards sold for 25¢ to $1. I purchased books with bright colored covers like the houses of the city. I was in love with the beautiful artistry and creativity of doors in Mexico. Using book covers as a base I recreated doors in miniature using Mexican bark paper, polymer clay, spackle, paint and beads. Each exterior façade hides an inner story. Open the box to see the tableau. <br />
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<strong>Sacred Hearts, </strong>14x20x2'' </div>
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In the state of Oaxaca we saw many churches built on top of ancient sites of Zapoteca pyramid temples. The symbol of the bleeding or flaming heart has a prominent place in both religious cultures. I love the overlap of old and new so visible in Mexico. </div>
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<strong>Capilla de Artesanias,</strong> 10x18x2''</div>
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This door was on the street where we rented a casita for a month. We'd walk past it every day. It was one of my favorites for its color and primitive charm. We'd see people coming and going at all hours and could only guess it was headquarters for some sort of union of artisans. In this story-box I imagine what might have been behind that door. </div>
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<strong>Casa de Fortuna,</strong> 10x18x2''</div>
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This door speaks of much wealth and good fortune to the inhabitants of this home. The word Fortuna can mean luck, fate or fortune, all powerful concepts in Mexican culture. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWGuCwi3LXs/Tz_qL2UqWyI/AAAAAAAADI8/aP3xB9B85kU/s1600/06-p2107380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWGuCwi3LXs/Tz_qL2UqWyI/AAAAAAAADI8/aP3xB9B85kU/s400/06-p2107380.jpg" width="323" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<strong>Diego, mi amor,</strong> 10x18x2''</div>
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One year in San Miguel we saw an exhibit of some of Frida Kahlo's letters to Diego Rivera. These few letters had recently been found in a small, hand painted box hidden away in Frida's house. Frida's relationship with Diego was clearly tortured and conflicted. Seeing the actual letters and reading the translations was intriguing. That same year a friend who was looking at real estate in San Miguel was shown a rundown place near El Centro. When the agent opened the door she saw a small deer run across the courtyard into one of the rooms. She said it looked like the kind of deer Frida once kept as pets. The agent said it was a family pet though no one now lived in the house. This mystery, combined with seeing Frida's letters led to this piece. </div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong> <span style="font-size: large;">Altered Books</span></strong></span></span></div>
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Again, the book sales at the library in San Miguel supplied old books to alter into artworks. I did a series of altered books themed on birds of Mexico. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOWW8GeLBhs/Tz_rEFJr_YI/AAAAAAAADJE/c8D57dZvWWE/s1600/07-Chupaflores+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOWW8GeLBhs/Tz_rEFJr_YI/AAAAAAAADJE/c8D57dZvWWE/s400/07-Chupaflores+closed.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<strong>Chupaflores,</strong> 9½x6¼x1'' closed</div>
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A pair of hummingbirds kiss above a nectar filled blossom. The birds are made of bark paper embellished with glass beads and metallic thread. The pop-up paper flower has filaments made of black feathers. </div>
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<strong>Un Amor de Mexico,</strong> 25x7x1½'' closed</div>
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This piece is my ode to Mexico. The bird-headed woman is often seen in my work. In this representation she is an Inca dove made of bark paper, beads, and synthetic sinew. Inside is a handwritten excerpt from one of my Mexico travel journals and a niche filled with a jumble of small treasures. </div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"></span><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rock-books</span></strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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I have been making rock-books for many years. I find rocks that are already cracked and splitting open into book covers. Often the shape of the rock suggests the theme for the book. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dquIOjqn0bM/Tz_s7MKrb_I/AAAAAAAADJU/5wjwO0CnQao/s1600/09-Las+Calaveras+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dquIOjqn0bM/Tz_s7MKrb_I/AAAAAAAADJU/5wjwO0CnQao/s400/09-Las+Calaveras+closed.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<strong>Las Calaveras (The Skulls),</strong> 4x2x1'' closed</div>
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The shape of this rock said “skull” so this book just had to be about Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition we experienced firsthand one year while in San Miguel the first week of November. </div>
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<strong>Spare Me the Heartstrings,</strong> 10x2x1½'' closed</div>
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A heart shaped rock-book with a humorous twist. It speaks for itself. </div>
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<strong>Rock-book in a Jar,</strong> 3x2½x2½'' closed</div>
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This little egg-shaped rock became a “field guide” to birds' eggs. The pages are made of paper wasp paper backed with handmade abaca paper. The eggs were painted in watercolor, cut out and glued on. The glass jar with its wonderful patina and rusty lid were found in a junk pile in Taos, New Mexico. A few small natural treasures are also included in the jar like a child's precious collection. </div>
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<strong>Gracias Hija de la Luna,</strong> 14x10½x4½''</div>
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The idea for this assemblage was inspired by jacaranda pods, abundant on the ground in Mexico in the springtime. The Mayan myth of The Daughter of the Moon is represented here with handmade paper flower petals and a tiny silver bird. </div>
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<strong>Up on the Roof in Mexico,</strong> 25x16x6''</div>
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<em>left - doors closed, center - detail of book, right - book removed</em></div>
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From the rooftops we could see much of the colorful life going on all across the city. We spent a lot of time up there sipping coffee in the mornings and margaritas in the evenings. I collect a wide range of materials wherever we travel. This assemblage and book were constructed using wonderful “debris” from the streets. </div>
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<strong>Mexico Days,</strong> 16x15x3'' open</div>
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Mesquite wood diptych with book. The slab of wood was given to me by a friend Patricia Valencia who talked a Benedictine monk woodcarver out of it because she knew I'd like it. Since it came from the monastery property, I decided to make it an altar of sorts. This altar honors fond memories of Mexico Days. </div>
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<strong>Tangle of Language,</strong> 20x16x15½</div>
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The idea for this work grew from travels in several countries in Europe where we tried to quickly adapt to whatever language was spoken, often getting confused – bom dia, buenos dias, or buon giorno? Oui or Si? I have studied both French and Spanish. I am not good with either and often tangle them together. Nevertheless, I hope to continue traveling and learning. </div>
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<strong>Nuacht na Maidine (Irish; The Morning News),</strong> 20x16x3''</div>
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I arrived early morning in rain-soaked Ireland after leaving from Las Vegas, Nevada, flying all night. In a jet-lagged brain-fog two landscapes merged into a surreal vision. </div>
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<strong>Testament of Beauty,</strong> 26x18x3''</div>
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This assemblage is about the beauty, magic and mystery I find in the western desert landscapes of the U.S. In spite of my wanderlust, this is where I feel most at home. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-64718836242686676172012-01-22T17:04:00.000-07:002012-01-23T15:58:19.463-07:00Our Alaska Trip, The Final Leg<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The sun was setting on our long journey but before returning home we wanted to see more of the north Pacific coast. Neither of us had been there in many years. Spike hoped to do a few more paintings. </div>
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We traveled south on I-5 and soon experienced the worst 3 hours of the entire trip, Seattle-Tacoma area through Olympia in drenching rain, bumper to bumper stop-and-go traffic and the roughest stretch of road we'd seen yet- cracks, pot-holes, lumps and bumps. Not recommended for anyone towing a trailer. We were so happy to escape that urban mess at last, we stopped for the night at the first rest-area we saw. </div>
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Following the recommendation of another vintage Airstream traveler, Polly Pulver, we headed for Cape Disappointment on the mouth of the Columbia River where Lewis & Clark first reached the Pacific on their long expedition. This is at the very southwest corner of the state of Washington. We could see Oregon across the river. The Cape Disappointment lighthouse and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center are part of the Cape Disappointment State Park where we stayed for two nights. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f77TyPKPkjU/Txxlj8lZhBI/AAAAAAAADGM/IEoEf4EZoh8/s1600/03+pa312404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f77TyPKPkjU/Txxlj8lZhBI/AAAAAAAADGM/IEoEf4EZoh8/s200/03+pa312404.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Cape Disappointment campground was very large and well managed. We registered with a ranger sitting at a computer who assigned us a spot with water and electric for $27. Though not entirely full, the campground was busy. It was clamming season and the clam-diggers were out in force. It wasn't easy to smell fresh-dug clams cooking in campsites all around us while we opened yet another can of chili for dinner. </div>
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The Fish Cleaning Table, part of a public art project by Maya Lin called <a href="http://www.confluenceproject.org/" target="_blank">The Confluence Project.</a> Maya Lin is the artist best known for designing the Vietnam Memorial in D.C. With the Confluence Project she is creating site-specific, permanent installations at seven locations along the historic 450 mile Columbia River Basin. Of those we saw at Cape Disappointment, we found the Fish Cleaning Table most interesting and effective since it not only refers to the historic importance of the Chinook people in this region, but is also being put to practical use by present day residents for cleaning the day's catch. Formed out of columnar basalt, you can see in this photo the top is inscribed with the Chinook emergence story. The structure includes a deep sink with running water. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mC6ywMoMZHo/TxxpAATupiI/AAAAAAAADGc/KQH3yNraz8w/s1600/05+pa312436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mC6ywMoMZHo/TxxpAATupiI/AAAAAAAADGc/KQH3yNraz8w/s200/05+pa312436.jpg" width="200" /></a>We crossed the bridge into Astoria, Oregon. The north Oregon coast is dramatic with rocks and mist. We found another really nice campground at Nehalem Bay State Park. Here we paid $20 for water and electric in a spacious and very empty campground. Empty of humans, that is. We had white-tail deer visitors who were curious enough to come within three feet of us as we sat in the sun while a large herd of elk grazed nearby. </div>
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We took advantage of a sunny day to explore up and down the coast, looking at crashing waves, big rocks, cliff sides and lighthouses.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dp2K6HLq4F4/TxxqPDozvmI/AAAAAAAADGs/FZSU1sexiJU/s1600/07+PB032497+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dp2K6HLq4F4/TxxqPDozvmI/AAAAAAAADGs/FZSU1sexiJU/s320/07+PB032497+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was time to head eastward towards home. We cut across the state of Oregon, aiming for the SE corner where we intended to enter northern Nevada via route 140. This was not to be. Near dusk we encountered a snow storm that worsened until the roads were slick with snow. We passed up our turn off and crept into Lakeview, Oregon where, with much relief, we found an open RV park. Safely parked and hooked to electricity, we were prepared to sit out the storm as long as it took. </div>
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With luck, the next morning was clear. We continued south, cutting through the corner of California into Nevada. We decided to go as far south as possible to avoid high mountain passes. The forecast was for snow all over the northern part of the state. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSnG3n_peTM/Txxq35aIVrI/AAAAAAAADG0/dXgui2mHixU/s1600/08+pb052506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSnG3n_peTM/Txxq35aIVrI/AAAAAAAADG0/dXgui2mHixU/s320/08+pb052506.jpg" width="320" /></a>The coldest night of the entire 10 week trip was our last night on the road spent boondocking at a rest stop in Luning, Nevada. It was 17 degrees when we got up. We quickly made coffee and got back on the road towards home in time to see this a beautiful November sunrise looking west across the desert at the snow covered Wassuk Range. </div>
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We arrived home November 4th. It snowed the night before. We had one clear, sunny day to unload and winterize before a storm arrived November 6th and left 8” of fresh snow. Nevertheless, we were glad to be home. <br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">For travelers thinking of a trip to Alaska with your trailer</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGJvxzf8XkY/Tx3ggBHE4ZI/AAAAAAAADHs/QYmqnz9tOv0/s1600/10+frost+heaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGJvxzf8XkY/Tx3ggBHE4ZI/AAAAAAAADHs/QYmqnz9tOv0/s200/10+frost+heaves.jpg" width="194" /></a>This is what we found: road conditions are fine if you take it easy and drive smart. After winter’s wear and tear, road repairs take place in the warmer months. By autumn there were still patches of gravel to beware of as well as areas with dreadful frost-heaves (especially in the Yukon along the boundary of Kluane National Park.) We learned to watch for small, red warning flags along the roadside marking pot-holes or other road damage. With trailer in tow you sometimes had to slow down to 35–40 mph. Don’t be in a hurry and stay alert for wildlife. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7H_LTfF-tos/Tx3lz9tpa-I/AAAAAAAADH4/a0177UsdwGs/s1600/AlaskaHighwayFlag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7H_LTfF-tos/Tx3lz9tpa-I/AAAAAAAADH4/a0177UsdwGs/s200/AlaskaHighwayFlag2.jpg" width="200" /></a>We had no problem with availability of gas as long as we paid attention to the gas gauge and distance between towns. <a href="http://milepost.com/" target="_blank">The Milepost guide</a> is extremely helpful with information on availability of services but not always correct (as editions are updated yearly, use the most recent edition.) Carry extra gas and top-off at ½ a tank or less. Since we live and travel a lot in the southwest, great distance between gas stations was not a new concept for us.</div>
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Gas is very expensive in Canada (as is booze!) prices are somewhat lower in Alaska but food prices are high everywhere up north, especially in more remote areas. We resigned ourselves to paying $7 for a gallon of milk or $5 for a bag of tortilla chips. A favorite staple became giant Idaho baking potatoes, at close to 1lb each, they were a meal in themselves. We never see those here in southern Utah.<br />
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Many public and private campgrounds close up for the season mid to late September. This made finding campsites difficult as we continued to travel in October. Again, the Milepost guide was very helpful to locate not only campgrounds but also roadside pull-outs and rest areas. We also relied on local visitor centers for camping and dump station information. We grabbed all the helpful, free tourist literature we could. Some of these publications can be acquired on-line ahead of time. Pre-planning is helpful but winging it is fun too.<br />
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Driving the Alaska Highway, as well as all the other routes we traveled is no longer the rugged, daring adventure it once was, but it’s a wonderful adventure nonetheless.<br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><u>Summing it Up </u></span><br />
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Total days of trip: 69</div>
Miles covered: 10,832 <br />
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Fuel cost: $3,691.79 (for an average price of $4.24 per gal)</div>
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Gallons bought: 558.89</div>
Liters bought: 1181.84 (÷ 3.7854 = 312.21 gal )<br />
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Total fuel: 871.1 gal (with an average of 12.4 <span style="font-size: x-small;">MPG</span>) </div>
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Gasoline used in generator: 6 gal </div>
Hours of generator use: 51:25<br />
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<u><strong>Camping </strong></u><br />
Total camping fees: $844.92 (an average of $12.43 per night)<br />
Privately owned RV parks: 19 nights<br />
National, State, Provincial, Territorial or Municipal park campgrounds: 23 nights<br />
Paid campgrounds (including RV parks): 35 nights<br />
Free campgrounds: 9 nights<br />
Free roadside boondocking: 10 nights<br />
“Courtesy parking” at friends' homes: 12 (11 nights at the Bear's in North Pole, AK)<br />
Inside a home sleeping in a king-sized bed: 2 nights<br />
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<u><strong>Number of states, provinces or territories crossed: 11</strong> </u><br />
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Utah, Idaho, Montana, Alberta Canada, British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California. Nevada</div>
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International border crossings, passport required: 6<br />
Number of times we ran out of gas: 2<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 1st in Idaho the first day driving</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2nd in Faibanks 10' from gas pump, put gas in from can, pulled forward & filled the tank, LOL!</span><br />
Chips in the windshield: 1 (in Yukon Territory)<br />
Repairs, patches and improvements on Moonshadow: 11<br />
Oil changes: 2<br />
Credit cards used: 3<br />
Credit cards compromised: 1 (in Alberta, Canada)<br />
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Number of books read: 7.5</div>
Paintings done: 12<br />
Photos taken: 2,171 (thank goodness for digital!)<br />
<strong><u><br />Airstream sightings: 66</u></strong><br />
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Alaska scored the most with 14, Washington second with 10, in use 25, in storage 41.</div>
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<strong><u>Wildlife Sightings </u></strong><br />
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<strong><u>Mammals:</u></strong> black bears, brown bears (grizzlies), caribou, rock sheep, Dall sheep, bison, moose, muskox, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mink, red fox, muskrats, steller sea lion, harbor seals, sea otters, red squirrels, coyotes.</div>
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<strong><u>Birds:</u></strong> bald eagles, gray jays, black-capped chickadees, varied thrush, sandhill cranes, harlequin ducks, trumpeter swans, brant geese, red-breasted mergansers, common mergansers, common loons, Barrow's golden-eyes, spruce grouse, spotted owl, American pipits, nuthatches, winter wren, and many others less significant or unidentified.<br />
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<u><strong>Fish:</strong></u> coho salman (silver), chum salmon (calico or dog)<br />
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<strong><u>Mosquitoes:</u></strong> NONE! We were there in September & October.<br />
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<strong><u>Best things we bought along the way:</u></strong> clip-on LED lights, strap wrench, Peterson's First Guide to Forests, Alaska Wildlife Notebook<br />
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<strong><u>Best things we took with us:</u></strong> Big Heat electric space heater, 12 volt fan, Italiano stove-top espresso pot, The Milepost Alaska Travel Planner.<br />
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<strong><u>Things we wished we had brought:</u></strong> more underwear and warm socks, bathing suits for the hot springs, 5-in-one screwdriver, more DVD movies to watch, a device to hang clothes to dry in front of the Panel-ray heater (will have to invent something if it doesn't already exist.)<br />
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<strong><u>Things we brought that we didn't need:</u></strong> dress-up clothes, pop-up shade canopy.<br />
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<u><strong>Things we wish we'd had more time for:</strong></u> museums, visiting with friends - new and old, walking & hiking, painting, reading, eating crab & smoked salmon, and the list goes on...<br />
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If you have any specific questions we haven’t addressed here, please leave a comment below and we will do our best to give an answer. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-40611364483680552842012-01-04T13:31:00.006-07:002023-06-30T10:04:32.881-06:00Moonshadow Meets Island Girl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Back in 2010 as we began restoration on Moonshadow, our 1955 Airstream Overlander, we spent many hours researching on-line at the Air Forums and Airstream blogs by others who have done restorations, some experts and some amateurs like us. We became familiar with certain bloggers through reading posts and communicating on-line. Over time we've met a few in person and hope to meet more.</div>
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As plans for our Alaska trip developed we routed our return through Washington state in order to visit friends in the area and to meet one of these Airstream bloggers, Steve, whose work on his 22 ft. Caravanner, Island Girl, is inspirational, as is his story of over 20 years living on a 31 ft. sailboat with wife Pam. From 1996 to 2004 Steve and Pam circumnavigated the globe, wandering the world, having great adventures until Pam began to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. She did not want to give up their sailing life so they stayed on the boat but headed homeward. They continued to live on the boat at a marina in Blaine, Washington. Steve became Pam's full time caregiver. To keep himself busy he bought a 1957 Airstream Caravanner and dove into the restoration. </div>
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To learn more about Steve's project go to:<br /></div>
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Steve’s Air Forums thread - <a href="http://www.airforums.com/forums/f99/first-she-had-to-take-a-ride-on-a-boat-48054.html" target="_blank">First She Had to Take a Ride on a Boat</a></div>
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In August of 2011 Steve, Pam and cat, Brissy, gave up their beloved boat to move into Island Girl as Airstream full-timers. It was at the RV park where they now live that we met them in the last week of October.</div>
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Steve recommended Birch Bay State Park as a good, nearby campground. We arrived around 2:00 PM. It was one of those seaside parks so thick with trees you can't see the water. We paid $21 for a space with no hook-ups. Though electricity and water were available we didn't feel we needed it for one night's stay. Leaving a folding chair to mark our site as taken, we headed for town, trailer in tow. We wanted Moonshadow to meet Island Girl.</div>
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Island Girl was easy to spot as the only Airstream surrounded by </div>
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Island Girl and Moonshadow, side by side. Don't they look great together?</div>
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Steve turned out to be the nicest guy. Of course, talking Airstream is a source of great pleasure for him during a difficult stage of his life. The day of our visit a home care helper was there to care for Pam, giving Steve some free time. </div>
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Brissy, the exotic cat from Brisbane, Australia, adopted while Steve and Pam were on their world travels. Until now, Brissy had only ever known life on the boat. Now she adapts to the Airstream and terra firma. </div>
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After over 20 years on a sailboat, Steve said he still feels a need to be anchored.</div>
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Steve gave us the tour, inside and out. Here you can see the beautiful job he did with bamboo flooring, rebuilt cabinets and other interior details of his own design.</div>
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Steve told us that in 1957 Airstream started using molded plastic on the front interior, which he didn't care for. In order to get that vintage, 13 panel look, Steve covered the plastic with wood veneer to create a beautiful finish much like the interior of a boat. To further the boat theme, notice the green running light on the ceiling. Steve replaced both the red and green running lights on his boat, keeping the orginals as tokens of good memories. He made creative use of them by mounting both on the ceiling of Island Girl above his and Pam's comfy recliners. </div>
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The next morning we returned for a round of espresso, a bit more visiting, photo ops and goodbyes. In the chill of a light drizzle, Steve greeted us in short sleeves and bare feet. We were bundled up in fleece coats, scarves and hats. Steve laughed at us and said in Washington if the temperature is above 45 degrees, it feels like summer. </div>
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If you are a coffee lover, Steve makes the best cappuccinos ever. </div>
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We sipped our coffee in the cozy warmth of Island Girl </div>
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while Brissy went in and out, in and out. </div>
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Saying goodbye...parting is such sweet sorrow. We hope one day Steve will hoist the anchor and visit Utah to see us and make use of our “courtesy parking.”</div>
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A montage video and tribute to our new friends, Steve, Pam, Brissy & Island Girl.<br />
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Thanks for a wonderful visit.<br />
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Our next post will wrap up the last leg of our trip and conclude with answers to the questions some followers have asked about details of travel to Alaska in an Airstream. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-82219553328888077082011-12-19T09:46:00.003-07:002012-01-22T17:36:34.934-07:00The Cassiar Hwy to Lake Louise and back to the U.S.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was about 34 degrees when we awoke at Boya Lake after a night of rain. Frost was on the picnic table and the van windshield. Boya Lake was so beautiful, in another season we would have stayed a week, but we felt a need to be on our way down the Cassiar-Stewart (hwy 37) then eastward on the Yellowhead (hwy 16) to Jasper and Banff National Parks. We packed up to head further south with hopes of leaving behind the cold, gray of winter and rediscovering autumn gold. We had many miles to go.</div>
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Scenery along the Cassiar stretch was especially beautiful.</div>
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We saw many wood planked bridges in this region of British Columbia. We were curious to know why this material was used in such an ice-prone area instead of the steel grating we saw in other regions of the north. We never found out, so if anyone has the answer, let us know. </div>
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Mile by mile the landscape grew more colorful. Aspen and roadside willows in orange and yellow, fireweed foliage a brilliant red. There were even late season wildflowers in bloom. </div>
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We saw black bears munching on swaths of green grass. </div>
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A. Boya Lake, BC</div>
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B. Gitwangak, BC at intersection of Hwy 37 & 16</div>
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C. Lake Louise, Alberta</div>
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After a night boondocking roadside, we woke to dense morning fog. As we drove, the day continued overcast and damp. The Milepost guidebook informed us this region along the Stewart Hwy is totem pole country. Many Native villages have old totem poles still in place. We hoped to see some but time and weather conditions did not incline us to explore side roads. We were glad to come upon the Native reserve of Gitwangak, at the intersection with Yellowhead Hwy. Here the poles have been removed from original sites and gathered together in a row. </div>
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The word totem is derived from the Ojibwe word odoodem, meaning “kinship group.” Totem poles are like signposts, telling stories and honoring heritage, their symbols primarily representing the clans each pole belongs to. Usually carved of cedar or spruce, poles were traditionally painted in black, red, brown and blue-green, using paint made of charcoal, cinnabar, iron oxide and copper oxide mixed with oil from salmon eggs. The poles are typically not maintained or restored. It is generally believed the deterioration of poles is representative of natural processes of decay and death. </div>
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Another night of boondocking roadside. We woke to a sunny morning. </div>
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As we travel eastward we return to “civilized” agricultural areas in the broad valleys of British Columbia.</div>
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A classic BC farm scene. Would make a good painting. </div>
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Nearing Jasper National Park we can see the high peaks marking the Continental Divide.</div>
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Going south from the town of Jasper we drove the 230km long Ice Fields Parkway, noted for passing within viewing distance of seven icefields (large upland glaciers) and about 25 smaller but notable glaciers. We then entered Banff National Park where we planned to stay at the Lake Louise campground. </div>
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It was dark and very cold by the time we reached Lake Louise campground. We were grateful to find electric hook-ups available though no water and no winter rate reduction. (Spike's U.S. National Park geezer pass did not help in Canada) however, hot showers and flush toilets in a heated restroom was a plus. We stayed two nights. </div>
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The glacier fed Kicking Horse River carves stone to form dramatic </div>
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waterfalls and turquoise colored pools.</div>
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Though the day felt gloomy with overcast, such subdued light reveals interesting reflections in water such as these here at Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. In this region six national parks are clustered close together, Jasper, Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier and Mt.Revelstoke. The $19.60 daily National Park pass is good for all six. Unfortunately, in October most side roads, campgrounds and other facilities were closed. </div>
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A bit of sun breaks through at picturesque Lake Louise the morning of our departure. </div>
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We moved camp to the town of Golden, near (Canadian) Glacier National Park. We found a nice municipal campground right in town. In between spells of rain and fog, Spike ventured forth in his mobile-studio to paint near Roger's Pass. “If the windows are open, it's plein-air!” </div>
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A. Lake Louise, Alberta</div>
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B. Golden, BC</div>
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C. Revelstoke, BC</div>
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D. Vernon, BC</div>
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E. Canada - U.S. Border</div>
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After two nights in Golden we moved on to the city of Revelstoke where again, we found a nice municipal campground next to this beautiful small lake. </div>
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Late afternoon view of wetlands along the Columbia River. </div>
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The next day we were ousted by a city worker due to seasonal closing of the municipal campground. He suggested we move a short distance to a parking area next to the city ballfields, a beautiful spot beside the Columbia River. Once comfortably parked we noticed a sign saying no camping but we determined we were not “camping,” just parking overnight. No one seemed to object. <br />
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It was raining on us nearly everyday at this point. We felt perpetually wet. Just like the trees, Spike sprouted a bit of witch's hair lichen on his face! LOL.</div>
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Seeing old friends and making new ones. LtoR: Paul, Sue, Barbara, Spike, Ron.</div>
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We took a welcome break from Airstream-living while visiting friends, Paul and Glenys Schorn, a couple we met 17 years ago on an Escalante Canyon back-country expedition. They have stopped by to see us in Utah a few times over the years. This was our fist opportunity to visit them at their beautiful home in a resort community near Vernon, BC. It's a gorgeous area of rolling hills and mixed vegetation similar to the wine country of California, and, in fact, it is called Canada's wine country. </div>
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Our first evening there, neighbors Ron and Barbara were invited over for “nibbles” and wine. It was a fun evening of lively conversation and lots of laughter. </div>
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Spike, Glenys and Paul with a painting by Spike. The Schorns are great art appreciators and supporters of living artists. Their home is filled with an eclectic collection of art and artifacts from their world travels.</div>
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Note to friend Roger: remember the Grand Canyon painting that you saw on Spike's website and wanted to buy, but Spike couldn't find it? Here it is! Paul and Glenys bought it last time they visited us in Utah. Mystery solved.</div>
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After a wonderful two days spent with the Schorns, we were on our way again. Midday we made our last international border crossing of the trip. After a quick inspection of van and Moonshadow, U.S. Customs confiscated half a lemon and two limp green onions. </div>
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A friend suggested we visit North Cascades National Park in Washington state. Since it was right on our route west to the coast, we made it our next stop. Along the way we drove through gorgeous forests of spruce, pines and golden larch. We encountered light snowfall on the summits and drizzling rain below. Campground after campground was closed for the season. It was dark by the time we found the one camp still open. We didn't even bother to level the Airstream, just ate dinner and went to sleep. In the morning we discovered ourselves nearly swallowed up in a Disneyesque enchanted forest where you'd expect some magical creature to appear from behind a moss covered tree at any moment. </div>
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We had a sunny day to explore the beauty of North Cascades National Park. </div>
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Autumn color was at its peak in this area. </div>
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One of many cascades in the Cascades. </div>
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From here we continued directly west heading for an area north of Seattle where we planned to visit friends and meet with, for the first time, another vintage Airstream lover who owns “Island Girl” a 1957 Caravanner.</div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-73759550489656599952011-12-05T10:03:00.003-07:002011-12-10T16:45:03.976-07:00Going to Skagway and Beyond<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After getting advice from experienced Alaska travelers and studying the map, we decided to take the quick route from Haines to Skagway, travel by ferry. For our 47 ft. van and Airstream combo plus 2 passengers, the fare was $186, winter rate. We booked passage for Monday, October 10th on the Malaspina, a vessel large enough to carry up to 88 vehicles and 500 passengers.</div>
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A. Haines, Alaska</div>
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B. Skagway, Alaska</div>
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Though our departure time was 3:00 PM, it is required to check in early. Since we had to be out of our RV park space by noon, we arrived at the ferry terminal extra early. They told us to pull to the front of lane eleven. There was plenty of time to make lunch and watch the other lanes fill up with cars. The Malaspina arrived and unloaded at 2:00. Reloading began at once. We were the first because of our size.</div>
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Moonshadow's first ferry trip.</div>
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Lots of space as Spike parks our 47 foot rig...</div>
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...20 minutes later, packed in like sardines. </div>
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We retreat to the upper deck. </div>
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We cruised across the wide Chilkoot inlet, then turned north up Taiya inlet. The wind grew fierce and icy. We sought the comfort of an indoor lounge with cushiony seats and big glass windows. After 30 minutes we could make out the buildings of Skagway lit up by sunshine. We were soon pulling up to the dock.</div>
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First on, last off. After all other vehicles exited the ship, Spike was directed to back straight up into the bow. He had plenty of help from the ship's crew. As soon as he could, he made a hard left to exit the same door we entered.</div>
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As we left the ferry terminal we headed directly to the Visitor Center a few blocks away on Broadway. It was immediately evident, by the empty streets, that Skagway had shut down for the winter. It appears to be mostly a shopping stop-over for cruise ships. Cruising season was over. Though Skagway's quaint, historical charm has been preserved, the touristy aspect did not appeal to us.</div>
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Because the coming winter necessitates turning off outside water, no RV parks remained open, but the host at the Visitor Center suggested one park where the proprietor might let us stay without hook-ups. We did make a deal for free parking in amongst the falling autumn leaves. We were alone there and cozy for two nights. </div>
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The one thing we found interesting in Skagway was its history as the gateway to the Klondike gold fields No gold was ever found in Skagway Valley. The gold fields were 600 miles to the north near Dawson City, in the Yukon Territory of Canada, but Skagway's harbor made it an attractive starting point for those sailing in from Seattle, then continuing on foot. </div>
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An informative walking tour map can be picked up at the Visitor Center. Pictured here is the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, a fraternal hall with this amazing facade created in 1900. A battalion of lodge members collected some 8,883 driftwood sticks on the shores of Skagway Bay and nailed them up in an elaborate design. In 2004-2005 all 8,883 pieces of wood were removed. Forty percent had rotted and were replaced. Sixty percent were preserved and returned to their original position. </div>
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Among the few attractions still open in October was the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The park lands encompass all of the Chilkoot Trail area but the visitor center and museum are housed in Skagway. It's a small museum containing many fascinating gold rush era artifacts and photos with explanatory text panels. </div>
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The photo above is Chilkoot Pass, circa 1898. This hellish ¼ mile long staircase of ice was at the start of the 33 mile Chilkoot Trail linking this coastal part of Alaska to the Yukon River in Canada where gold seekers could then travel by boat on to the Klondike gold fields. Originally the Chilkoot Trail was a traditional Tlingit Nation trade route with its trail head in the Tlingit village of Dyea (pronounced die-ee.) The gold stampede brought over 30,000 gold seekers through Dyea between 1897 and 1900. When the rush was over, Dyea was gradually abandoned.</div>
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In summer months hardy hikers can still walk the Chilkoot Trail. Not advisable in October. We took the 7 mile scenic drive from Skagway to the old Dyea town site. Bridge construction prevented us from going all the way but we saw harbor seals and harlequin ducks in the cove and investigated the nice National Park campground. Free camping after September 15.</div>
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There was a reason they called it a “stampede.” The population of Skagway and Dyea exploded almost overnight. John Muir wrote “it looked like anthills someone stirred up with a stick.” Each stampeder was required, by the Canadian government, to carry a ton of goods – a year's supply of such things as flour, bacon, beans and sugar, tools, utensils, clothing, guns and ammo. It took most prospectors three months and 20 to 40 trips up the ¼ mile of steep steps to shuttle all their goods to the top.</div>
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Life in Skagway, 1897-1899. Living on a diet of beans, bacon and bread with no fresh produce, scurvy was common due to lack of vitamin C. </div>
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Panorama overlook. Skagway is a small town only four blocks wide and 22 blocks long. It has an airport runway up the north side and a big harbor welcoming cruise ships and ferry boats. In October the tourist shops were closed. Still open were shops catering to locals like the grocery store, a natural foods store, a hardware store, a small bookshop, a yarn and quilter's shop, a few bars, one gas station, the library and visitors centers. There has been effort to promote Skagway as a winter destination but we don't know where one would stay or what you'd find to do except ski and hang out at the bars. </div>
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A. Haines, Alaska</div>
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B. Skagway, Alaska</div>
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C. Night on the road to Boya Lake</div>
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D. Boya Lake, B.C., Canada</div>
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We departed Skagway on yet another overcast day but the drive still provided great scenery. Eleven miles north we crossed the Moore Bridge, an interesting 110 ft. cantilevered suspension bridge with only the south end anchored to rock while the north end merely rests on the opposite side. Since the bridge spans a geologic fault area, this design allows movement and prevents any fault shifting from destroying the bridge. This is one of only about a dozen such bridges in the world. </div>
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We encounter the first light snow flurries of our trip as we cross into Canada again. </div>
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Fellow travelers we met in Haines recommended a stop at Boya Lake along the Cassiar-Stewart Hwy in B.C., Canada. We arrived there at noon on the second day, after one night boondocking on the road. We had the entire campground to ourselves so we picked the best site with this scenic view. </div>
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Bare aspen and birch trees warn us winter is right on our tail. Earlier that morning there were tense moments when we encountered icy roads.</div>
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The afternoon brought sunshine. Sue took a short walk along the lake shore to enjoy the peaceful quiet and beauty of this turquoise lake. </div>
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Boya Lake's water is crystal clear. The color is caused by light reflecting off the perfectly white bottom which is coated with a mixture of silt and shell fragments.</div>
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The sun sets on our campsite. </div>
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The next day we continued south on the Cassiar-Stewart Hwy. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-10261559628846328342011-11-21T09:26:00.009-07:002012-01-22T22:50:48.554-07:00Haines, Alaska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On October 1st we left Homer, our next destination Haines. It was a 1,000 mile drive that took 2 ½ days, including a stop to change oil in the van, a job Spike did himself on a freezing cold, windy day in Tok, AK. At this point we'd driven over 5,000 miles since leaving home. </div>
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To reach Haines from Homer we had to go north, retracing our route back to Palmer, then northeast to Tok before turning south. There are no shortcuts in Alaska unless you go by aircraft or boat. </div>
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A. Homer, AK </div>
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B. 1st night in roadside pullout.</div>
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C. 2nd night in roadside pullout.</div>
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D. Haines, AK</div>
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From Palmer we took the Glenn highway, a new route for us which went past Matanuska Glacier. Clouds were dark and heavy, trees were bare, we saw snow along the roadside and ponds were iced over. Winter was on our tail. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsoHrvFz3Ig/TspxAZ5qFEI/AAAAAAAAC4k/OkgfnyydvZA/s1600/03+4pa031448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsoHrvFz3Ig/TspxAZ5qFEI/AAAAAAAAC4k/OkgfnyydvZA/s200/03+4pa031448.jpg" width="200" /></a> It was growing dark with no prospects for overnight stopping in sight. Thank goodness for The Milepost Alaska Travel Planner. We highly recommend this publication to anyone driving to Alaska. It became our bible for this trip. Among many other kinds of information, the Milepost informs you of every rest stop, trail head parking area, viewpoint pullout or pullouts of any kind. It gives descriptions of condition and configuration (paved or gravel, large or small, double-ended, etc.) and exact location by mile-marker reference and which side of the road. Even after dark we could find overnight stopping places with Milepost guidance. </div>
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On the road early the next morning we see sunrise on a snowy mountain. </div>
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As we crested a 2,000 ft. summit we were at snow-line. Here and there we saw fields of cotton flowers looking like snow banks. </div>
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A field of cotton flowers.</div>
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The further south we go, the more we return to warmer weather and autumn colors. </div>
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This lifts our spirits greatly, more sun, more brilliant colors, more beautiful Alaska. </div>
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One thing we learned about Alaska is that in Alaska the law allows travelers to camp anywhere on public lands they can find a space to park. As we neared Haines roadside spaces were full of campers. Here we spotted a little Alaskan humor. </div>
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The Haines Hwy follows the Chilkat River where a late season coho and chum salmon spawn was taking place. Fishermen were numerous. This explained the large population of campers in October. </div>
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The only full-service Haines RV park still open in October was <a href="http://www.oceansiderv.com/" target="_blank">Oceanside RV Park, </a>located on Portage Cove off the Chilkoot Inlet. Moonshadow shines like a lone star in a field of white boxes. </div>
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We soon learned the coming weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving. Haines would be further inundated with Canadian campers toting fishing gear. We decided to stay put through the holiday. This made our stay in Haines seven days. </div>
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Next morning's view of Portage Cove from the RV park.</div>
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The Haines area is noted as a location for massive congregations of bald eagles in the winter. As many as 3,500 have been counted along the Chilkat River between mid-October and January. Unfortunately we were a week too early. We saw only a few clusters here and there on gravel bars. </div>
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Another beautiful scene along the Chilkoot Inlet that may become a painting. </div>
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Morning Mist Beyond Portage Cove, 11x14 oil</div>
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Painted looking east from Oceanside RV park.</div>
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On approach to Chilkoot Lake. </div>
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The Oceanside RV park owners love to host crab boils for their guests. At $6 per crab we pitched in for two. These were the fresh catch of the day. </div>
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Once crabs were boiled and ready to eat, the RV park residents gathered together, each contributing a potluck item to the feast. We cracked crabs, talked and ate for hours. </div>
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Majestic mountains along the Chilkat River north of Haines. </div>
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Storm Over Portage Cove, 10x12 oil</div>
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Painted looking south from Oceanside RV park.</div>
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Our first Alaska sighting of Brown Bears, aka, Grizzlies. </div>
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This is a mother bear who has two nearly full-grown cubs.</div>
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We saw the mother and cubs everyday frequenting the Chilkoot Lake area. We could see she wore a tracking device and all three bears had ear tags. They were too busy catching fish and playing in the water to pay much attention to gawkers on the banks. Nevertheless, caution is always the rule.</div>
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Spike painting at Chilkoot Lake while grizzlies fish and frolic in the water below. </div>
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Chilkoot Lake on a misty afternoon. Our time in Haines included sunny, rainy and misty days. Spike especially liked the Chilkoot Lake scenes. </div>
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Riverside Totem pole. There were several beautiful, newly carved totem poles in the Haines area. We heard one could get a “totem pole tour” guide at the visitor center but we could never catch them when open. </div>
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Haines Borough Public Library Totem pole. This one was carved in 2009 by designer/carver Jim Heaton along with three Klukwan carvers and three teenage apprentices. It was designed specifically for the library. All the symbolism pertains to the library's history and purpose in the community. </div>
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Beautiful mountain view in Haines on our last day. We prepare to take the ferry to Skagway for the next leg of our journey. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-3937779936003185792011-11-11T14:29:00.014-07:002013-05-15T01:35:36.679-06:00Going South to Palmer and Homer, Alaska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Leaving Talkeetna our next destination was Palmer. Palmer is in the Matanuska Valley northeast of Anchorage, a wide valley surrounded by stupendous mountains. With the valley floor at an elevation of 240 ft., the abrupt slopes and sharply pointed mountain peaks tower imposingly above rich farmlands. We chose to explore this area because a friend back home described it as somewhat like the farm and ranch areas in Montana near the Tetons. That was true, but on a much grander scale. </div>
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In 1935, the era of the dust bowl and depression, the Federal Relief Administration, a New Deal agency, sent 203 families to join an agricultural colony in the Matanuska Valley in order to get a few poor farmers off the dole. It wasn't an entirely successful effort but some families stayed and the population grew. Agricultural no longer dominates but as we explored the region we did see red barns and green fields which make nice subject matter for paintings. We also saw brilliant autumn colors and massive glaciers that were breathtaking. </div>
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A. Talkeetna, AK</div>
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B. Palmer, AK</div>
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C. Homer, AK</div>
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Matanuska River and Chugach Mountains, seen from the Old Glenn Highway loop. </div>
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All the bushy-tailed squirrels we saw in Alaska were these very pretty Red Squirrels. </div>
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On an impulse we turned off the Old Glenn Hwy onto Knik River Road. It proved to be a beautiful drive.</div>
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A dramatic sighting of Knik Glacier, a river of ice and source of the Knik River. </div>
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Mirror-like reflections near Knik River.</div>
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View from our campsite at RV park in Palmer. As we reached the end of September </div>
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more and more State Park campgrounds were closed for the season. </div>
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We often ended up in private RV parks. </div>
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Farmland in the Matanuska Valley.</div>
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12x16 watercolor painted on location (en plein air) </div>
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Pioneer Mountain near Palmer, AK</div>
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Another spectacular view in Palmer, Alaska. </div>
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One highlight of our trip – seeing the Northern Lights on our last night in Palmer. We had been checking the aurora forecast website for current aurora activity. That night the activity level was 4 (on a scale of 1-10) and the visibility range shown on the map encompassed the Palmer-Anchorage area. The best time to see the lights is between 11:30 PM and 2:00 AM. </div>
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We had been collapsing into bed around 9:00 as the days grew shorter. When Sue awoke at 11:30 it wasn't easy to get out of the warm sleeping bag to step outside, but she was glad she did. She woke Spike up and he spent the next hour trying to get a good digital photo (not easy!) It was down to 27° F that night, the first time our water hose froze.</div>
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<u><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Heading for Homer, Alaska </span></strong></u></div>
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Homer, a town of about 5,000, is located on the southwestern Kenai Peninsula on the north shore of Kachemak Bay. We heard Homer has a large artist community due in part to their relatively mild climate and picturesque setting. This location was our first taste of the southern coastal part of Alaska.</div>
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Black bears, mother and cub (second cub is not in photo) We saw this family on the edge of Anchorage very near a big box store shopping complex. They were not at all concerned about our presence. </div>
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En route to Homer we spotted this Airstream transformation, a terrible fate for an Airstream! But we then realized that Beatrice Bee of the Beehive RV Park made a very effective mascot to attract the attention of travelers. Moonshadow just had to stop by to say hello and get a closer look. </div>
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View of the Chugach Mountains as we drove along Turnagain Arm, an inlet named by Captain Cook who was seeking the Northwest Passage in 1778. He thought it was a river and was greatly disappointed when he reached the end and had to turn around again. </div>
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We took a short side trip off the route to Homer to see Portage Valley, a narrow glacier carved valley where one can see 6 glaciers flowing down towards the valley, though all have receded greatly in recent years. </div>
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Moonshadow with a view of Portage Glacier and lake. We stopped for lunch in the empty parking lot of the Portage Valley visitor center. Sadly it was closed for the season. </div>
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Moose cow with twins crosses the river as we leave Portage Valley.</div>
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We saw this classic scene of mountains, clouds and lake along the way. There was no pull-out but being off-season with hardly another car on the road we were often able to take a quick shot from the roadside shoulder. </div>
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All over glacier country we saw this amazing turquoise blue in lakes and rivers. It is caused by what is called “rock flour.” As glaciers move over the land, the rocks they pick up are ground to fine dust particles that become suspended in the water. This causes the light to reflect turquoise blue from the milky surface. </div>
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We arrived in Homer and got this beautiful late afternoon view of the Spit. The Homer Spit is a narrow bar of gravel that juts out 4.3 miles into the bay. In the big earthquake of 1964 parts of the Spit sank 4 to 6 feet, forcing some buildings to be relocated. Today it is the site of a major deep water docking facility and lots of touristy shops and eateries. Homer is a popular halibut fishing location and the home base of the 7-boats and crews featured on Discovery Channel's “Deadliest Catch” reality series. </div>
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While in Homer we were unfortunate to hit a spell of rainy weather which hampered opportunities for good photos, with the exception of this lucky rainbow shot. In many cultures rainbows are considered good luck. We embrace that belief, especially when it happens to come right to our doorstep.</div>
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10x12 oil, done on location (en plein air)</div>
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In spite of unfriendly weather Spike found a good overlook of Kachemak Bay</div>
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and did this painting. </div>
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We were fortunate to catch a fascinating art exhibit at the Pratt Museum in Homer, by far one of the best small museums we have ever seen. Their exhibits cover the art, science and culture of the area with beautifully designed interactive displays. This photo shows artwork by Margo Klass who was one of three artists and one scientist featured in a special exhibit themed on Boreal Birch. </div>
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Also worth seeing in Homer is the Bunnell Street Arts Center. For such a small town Homer has a lot of interesting cultural activity. We were sorry we could not stay longer. </div>
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-10691618725635520942011-10-22T22:02:00.008-06:002023-06-30T09:40:53.559-06:00Denali & Talkeetna, Alaska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After our week of teaching we sought R&R at Chena Hot Springs north of Fairbanks, a great place for soaking in a naturally hot outdoor pool while moose and grizzlies lurk in the forest. </div>
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We then headed south to Denali National Park, location of the highest peak in North America, 20,320 foot Mt.McKinley/Denali. Officially named Mt.McKinley, the peak was originally called Denali, “The High One,” by native Athabascan speakers. Most Alaskans refer to it as Denali. On a clear day the huge mountain can be seen from Fairbanks, 200 miles away, and we did see it a couple of times while there. Now we wanted to see it up close.</div>
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Denali NP officially closes September 15th but they keep one campground open, without water or t.p. in the outhouses, and allow vehicles to drive in the first 29 miles as long as the road is clear of snow. </div>
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Moose cow and calf seen on our way to Chena Hot Springs</div>
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What a surprise to find Puff the Magic Dragon hiding in semi-retirement. </div>
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He’s looking old and rusty but is still working hard at heating up </div>
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the water for the hot springs.</div>
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We have heard that only 30-40% of visitors to Denali NP ever see “The Mountain.” This is due to frequent cloud cover, especially during the summer months. We arrived on a stormy day and began the scenic drive into a quickly shifting, misty, cloud-wrapped array of dramatic mountain and valley landscape. </div>
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Clouds parted to reveal a snowy peak lighted magically by the sun. It was not Denali but some other mountain of the Alaska Range. Sometimes stormy days such as this can be more beautiful than clear skies. </div>
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In the valley and lower slopes the colorful carpet of low-growing vegetation is a mix of dwarf birch, blueberry, a variety of willow species, fireweed, and higher up the slopes myriad highland plants including lichens and mosses. All were turning color as the days grew colder. Now past their peak, autumn colors seemed enhanced by the fresh rain. </div>
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Talkeetna Camper Park – a nice, clean, full service park at a reasonable price. With free wifi and laundry facilities, we were all set for a three day stay. Talkeetna is a little town of around 850 people. It lies south of Denali at the dead-end of a 14 mile road, next to the Talkeetna River. We heard it was a promising location for great views of Denali</div>
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The town began in 1896 as a trading post and riverboat supply base. It is now the jumping-off point for mountain climbing expeditions. The citizenry and overall feel of the place reminded us of Moab, Utah and Taos, New Mexico as they were in the 1970s. We saw lots of bearded men with dreadlocks and big dogs, burly mountain women and other assorted oddballs. In spite of its small population, Talkeetna has its own micro-brewery and NPR station, as well as a nice used bookstore and bead shop. </div>
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Walking around Talkeetna the first day we were not sure where the great view point was to be found. The town is surrounded by big cottonwoods. A helpful shopkeeper gave us directions to the river where everyone goes for the best sightings. “My husband and I saw the peak there an hour ago,” she said, so we hurried on foot down the road to the riverbank. We could see snow covered peaks with heavy clouds above but didn’t really know which way to look for Denali. The entire Alaska Range is 600 miles long; the National Park encompasses 6 million acres. Here we are seeing some of the peaks that lie below “The High One.”</div>
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The next day we saw this vision of a humongous, glowing white mountain floating in the sky. This is Denali, much larger than we had imagined. Denali’s 18,000 ft. vertical gain from its base is greater than that of Mt. Everest. It is truly breathtaking to see. We now understand why a sighting of this peak is the Holy Grail sought by park visitors.</div>
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Later in the day the sky cleared a bit more and the peak revealed itself. </div>
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We celebrate a successful sighting and a great time in Talkeetna </div>
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with some of the local brew. </div>
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A. Fairbanks </div>
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B. Chena Hot Springs</div>
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C. Denali NP</div><div style="text-align: center;">D. Talkeetna</div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-10558857228059498892011-10-18T21:09:00.004-06:002012-01-22T17:35:38.866-07:00Living with the Bears in Alaska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During our stay in Fairbanks we lived with the Bears at North Pole, Alaska. These bears did not try to make a meal of us; instead they fed us generously everyday from their own supply of salmon, halibut, crab and moose meat. We were very grateful for their hospitality. </div>
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Tom & Betsy Bear of North Pole, Alaska and us, in their backyard.</div>
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While Betsy was busy organizing, managing and attending Spike’s workshop, </div>
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and feeding us delicious dinners each night, Tom took off on a quest for moose </div>
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with son Chad (on left) and good friend Paul (right.)</div>
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Three 4-wheelers, three trailers, extra gas, camping gear, plenty of food, </div>
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guns and ammo – they are ready to go. </div>
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The great hunters return successful – enough moose burgers </div>
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to feed three families for a year. </div>
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A 54” trophy rack for son Chad.</div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-76920021050490131402011-10-08T11:56:00.004-06:002023-07-03T18:18:47.173-06:00Art Workshops Fairbanks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was the opportunity to teach workshops in Fairbanks that got the whole concept of this Alaska adventure underway. Spike’s 5-day watercolor workshop for the Fairbanks Watercolor Society came together first, thanks to the efforts of Betsy Bear. Betsy then put Sue in touch with Corlis Taylor, another Fairbanks artist, who gathered together a group for a 2-day book arts workshop. Our stay in Fairbanks focused on a full week of teaching, Spike’s workshop Monday through Friday, Sue’s on Saturday and Sunday.</div>
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<strong><u>Spike’s Workshop </u></strong><br />
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The plan for Spike’s workshop was to do a few demonstrations and some instruction indoors for a day or two, then spend time outside painting on location, weather permitting. Being September, weather was unpredictable but autumn colors were gorgeous and sunny days would be pleasantly warm. </div>
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Workshop participants experienced a no-nonsense approach to painting with individual and group instruction. Four key points were covered: simple guidelines to a better composition - laying down a foundation quickly and confidently - simplifying shapes and understanding what you see - understanding the balance of warm and cool colors.<br />
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For information about future workshops, visit <a href="http://spikesart.com/workshops.html" target="_blank">Spike's workshop page</a>.</div>
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A demonstration mirror lets everyone watch Spike as he paints.</div>
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First demonstration painting (15x22”) – a scene of the Copper River </div>
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based on a photo we took along the Alaska Highway. </div>
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After Spike’s demo, workshop participants attempted to paint the same scene.</div>
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Everyone takes a look at Spike’s mobile studio set-up.</div>
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A beautiful day painting outdoors at the Georgeson Botanical Garden in Fairbanks. </div>
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Gael sketches under a tree. </div>
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Spike helps “Jeanne from Mars.”</div>
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Spike advises Betsy.</div>
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Workshop information overload, “I can’t take in anymore!”</div>
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A bit later with Spikes help Nelda was happily painting.</div>
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Sherry hard at work.</div>
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Tom works on a masterpiece.</div>
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Spike and Helen discuss composition.</div>
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Tony, interrupted in his concentration.</div>
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Gathering for another demo.</div>
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Demo painting- Last Light, Wrangell-St.Elias (12''x16''.)</div>
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Thursday night we all brought food for a potluck feast. The workshop facility at St. Raphael Catholic Church was ideal with plenty of space, large widows for good light and a big kitchen.<br />
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An evening of good food and great conversation.</div>
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Drawing done by Spike during the outdoor session to demonstrate how important a composition sketch is so back in the studio the artist can complete a painting without photographic reference using only the sketch and one’s memory for color.<br />
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Last demonstration painting, Autumn Farm (12x16”) painted from the above drawing without reference to a photo. (now in the collection of Barbara Schuhmann)<br />
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A nice card from the appreciative group (accompanied by a gift of delicious smoked salmon and a bag of North Pole coffee beans.) We love these friendly Alaskans.<br />
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We had a wonderful time with the Fairbanks Watercolor Society gang. This was one of the nicest groups of people Spike has ever worked with. It was a great teaching experience for him. <br />
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(Some of the photos above are courtesy of Betsy Bear & Gael Murakami.)<br />
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<u><strong>Sue’s Workshop </strong></u><br />
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It was thanks to Corlis Taylor’s organizing efforts </div>
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With only two days to make our books the class worked quickly on the step-by-step process of painting, cutting, sewing pages and gluing on the cover boards. Once books were assembled everyone unleashed their own creative visions to work on covers and inside pages.</div>
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Much progress was made on these Spontaneous Books in the short time we had. It is hoped inspiration will continue as each artist works on their books, inside and out.<br />
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Left to right - Peggy, Sue, Janet, Timona, Linda, Corlis, DaLonna, Me.</div>
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Everyone had fun and did a great job. Sue left the group with paper and boards for each one to make another book. She looks forward to seeing the results if anyone wants to send a photo or two. </div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-11108989744972140772011-09-27T00:02:00.005-06:002012-01-22T22:51:53.537-07:00Yukon-Alaska Border to Fairbanks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When we crossed the border from the Yukon Territory to Alaska on the morning of September 6th we’d been on the road for 8½ days and 2,876 miles. Our plan was to arrive in Fairbanks on September 9th. This gave us a few days to spare. We felt it was high-time to slow down and really absorb the natural beauty all around us. </div>
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The first town of any size after entering Alaska was Tok (rhymes with poke.) Here we sought the very first restaurant meal of our trip (tired of cold turkey sandwiches) a few groceries (everything is expensive here) a full tank of gas, and camping information from the Tok visitor center. </div>
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At the visitor center a friendly volunteer gave us a tip on great camping 65 miles south on the Tok cut-off towards Anchorage. She told us to watch for the Nabesna road and a ranger station right after the turn. We had no idea what to expect but were quite amazed when we pulled into the ranger station and learned we had just entered the largest National Park in the U.S., Wrangell-St.Elias, with 22.9 million acres of park and preserve lands. There are only two roads that go in and neither goes out again unless you turn around and drive back the way you came. Nabesna Road was the northernmost of the two. We were told we could camp in any pull-out along the 28 mile gravel stretch. There was no entry fee and no camping fee, just enjoy! We set out in search of a site with a great view. There were plenty to choose from. </div>
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We parked Moonshadow on a rise with spectacular views all around. We had the place entirely to ourselves. Only a few other park visitors drove by each day. We were especially enthralled by the carpet of autumn colors painted on mountain slopes and valleys by the low growing brush with oddly skinny black spruce trees sometimes growing like a dense, dark forest and other times just poking up here and there. </div>
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Snow covered Mt.Sanford, a 16,237 ft. peak, and one of the many lakes </div>
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along the 28 mile drive. </div>
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View from our campsite, watercolor by Spike Ress.</div>
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Leaving the park after two relaxing days we intended to travel south to Gakona Jct., then north towards Fairbanks on the Richardson Hwy. Needing gas soon we consulted our Milepost guide and learned of a Texaco located at the junction. When we arrived we found it was an “EXACO” and was boarded up. Across the way beckoned a colorful little espresso wagon surrounded by flower pots full of blooming flowers. We drove on over and met Louise Lindley, “owner/slave” of Jeanni’s Java/ Loui’s Lunches. She had a warm, friendly smile and was happy to give advice. She assured us we’d find gas up the road at Sourdough. There was no Sourdough on the map but we had to believe her. She then suggested we try one of her “famous” salmon sandwiches. It was a sunny day, we were hungry and her picnic table surrounded by flowers looked inviting. When she brought us the sandwiches we knew the lettuce was very fresh because every flower pot and planter had big, healthy lettuce growing along with the nasturtiums and pansies. It was delicious. If you are ever passing through Gakona Jct., stop by to chat with Louise and eat a sandwich (except in the winter – forget it- she’s not there!)</div>
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Up the road a piece, sure enough, there was a place called Sourdough – an RV park/lodge/store/gas station, i.e., one lonely pump. As we pulled up to the pump (hidden here by the van) we were doubtful. The pump looked rusty and leaned to one side. The price on the pump meter read $1.79 per gallon. Before we could drive away a lean, tan, lanky man appeared, asked us if we wanted gas, then unlocked the little gray shed, went inside, flipped a few switches and the pump came to life. We had no idea what price per gallon we were about to pay but we had no choice. We were close to empty. </div>
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We had a nice conversation with the man about Airstreams and gave him a look inside our Moonshadow. When our gas tank was full he sent us inside to a woman at the register who calculated our charge based on current prices. The total was fair and we were pleased. We asked the man about buying drinking water. He said they had none for sale. They had to truck in safe drinking water for themselves, but he took our 3 gallon water container and filled it up from his own supply, no charge. Everywhere we go, we are meeting very nice people here in Alaska. </div>
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Back on the road we encounter two Caribou bucks.</div>
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Our first glacier sighting, Gulkana Glacier just south of our next camping destination, Fielding Lake.</div>
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We set up camp beside an inlet stream at Fielding Lake. </div>
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A view out our Airstream window, sunset on mountains to the east.</div>
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The previous day as we set up camp at Fielding Lake we met our camp neighbors who were renting a public use cabin right next to us, Alaskans Charley & Liz. They filled us in on recent moose and grizzly bear activity in the campground and welcomed us to Alaska with a package of their own <u>unbelievably delicious</u> smoked salmon.<br />
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The Richardson Hwy. parallels the Alaska Pipeline for many miles. In this view you can see its zigzag path across the landscape. We learned the zigzag is necessary to allow for expansion and contraction sideways during periods of extreme temperature fluctuation. This sideways movement prevents ruptures.<br />
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We arrived in Fairbanks area as scheduled, the afternoon of September 9th. For the coming week we will be camped in the driveway of our generous hosts in North Pole. More about these good friends in our next posting. <br />
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A. Yukon Alaska border</div>
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B. Wrangell-Saint Elias NP</div>
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C. Fielding Lake</div>
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D. North Pole, AK</div>
<br /></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-41221911516038657012011-09-14T23:50:00.016-06:002011-11-08T12:28:31.049-07:00Alaska, 3200 Miles One-way<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Why take an airplane when we can take an Airstream? Why fly 3,200 miles in a few hours when we can spend weeks on the road getting there? Why sit next to a sweaty, cranky stranger (or a too friendly one,) breathe stale, recirculated air full of germs while looking out at an endless blanket of clouds. We’d rather be in the comfort of our own vehicle, breathe fresh air all day long, watch the clouds above us shift shapes while experiencing every inch of every change in landscape and culture along the way from our home in southern Utah, through Idaho, Montana, into Canada; Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and back into the U.S. at the Alaska border, then on to Fairbanks. What a true adventure that would be, and we’re doing it! <br />
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It all began two years ago when a friend with the Fairbanks Watercolor Society worked to set up a 5-day workshop teaching gig for Spike in Fairbanks, scheduled for September, 2011. From the first we knew we’d rather drive than fly. Moonshadow (our 1955 Airstream) was in the beginning stages of restoration. Plans for a complete take-apart-to-the-frame and rebuild in 2011-12 were postponed as we prepared her instead for a long, sometimes rough journey northward. <br />
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As plans progressed Sue was able to line up a 2-day workshop for a group of Fairbanks book artists. We spent a busy summer working on Moonshadow inside and out, preparing materials for our workshops as well as doing art exhibits in Taos, Santa Fe and southern Utah. It was with relief and excited anticipation we hit the road at last on August 29th. We arrived in Fairbanks September 9th after twelve days and 3,400 miles (due to side trips.) What follows are photos and stories from the first leg of our trip. <br />
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August 30th, one and a half long days of driving, 941 miles from home, we cross into Alberta, Canada from Montana at the Port of Carway, an out of the way location west of the busy I-15 customs station. We were put through the full process - show passports, background checks, van and trailer search - but were back on our way within 15 minutes.</div>
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We drove through Calgary during the 5:00 PM rush-hour in a drenching downpour. The next day the sky cleared as we by-passed Edmonton (to avoid the morning rush-hour.) We enjoyed a sunny day across Alberta. </div>
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As we entered British Columbia we began to see alpine landscape with snowcapped peaks, white and black spruce and lodgepole pine. </div>
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We begin to see wildlife along the roadside. This caribou gave us a good shot before disappearing into the forest. This was the first of many caribou sightings ahead. </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #fac17b;">The Alaska Highway:</span></strong><br />
We connected with the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek BC, Canada on day 4, mile 1,666 of our trip. We re-set our trip-meter to zero because our Milepost guide book is based on mileages from specific starting points. The Alaska Highway starts in Dawson Creek at official mile 0, which is where construction on the road began in 1942. <br />
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The highway officially ends at Delta Junction in Alaska at historic milepost 1422. Improvements to the road over the years have straightened, leveled and re-routed some areas so current mileposts no longer match the historic mileposts, in addition, in the mid-1970s Canada switched to kilometers. Some of the historic mile markers are still in place.<br />
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Day five on the road we arrive at Muncho Lake, B.C., ready for R&R after four days pushing forward for as many miles as we could manage each day. We had planned ahead to make Muncho a sit-still break. Back in July we’d read an article in the Airstream club’s monthly magazine about a trip to Alaska taken by Airstreaming couple Pam and George Millis. Muncho was one of the most beautiful campsites they found. We took their advice to make a stop there. We were happy to get an excellent site right next to the water.</div>
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Shortly after we set up camp at Muncho, along came another Airstream and backed into the site right next to ours. It wasn’t long before we were visiting with Pam and George Millis in person! They were on their way home to Florida after their second grand tour of Alaska, on the road since May. </div>
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More roadside wildlife – this is one of two very large, intimidating bison bulls who were digging and rolling in the dirt on this slope near the highway.</div>
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We make our way further north and cross the border into Yukon Territory at historic milepost 585 on the original 1942 Alaska-Canada (Al-Can) highway.<br />
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<span style="color: #fac17b;"><strong>Signpost Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory.</strong> </span></div>
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The tradition of travelers posting a sign from their hometowns was begun by Clark K. Lindley, a U.S. Army soldier from Danville, IL. He was working on construction of the Alaska Hwy in 1942. Travelers continue to add to the collection which now numbers over 70,000. We forgot to steal a sign from Parowan before we left home. Maybe next time. </div>
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Yukon landscape is dramatic. The further north we continue, the more snow on the mountains and the more autumn colors. We had off and on rain with dramatic stormy skies for much of our drive across Canada. </div>
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A view of Kluane Lake as we drive the east boundary of Kluane National Park in Yukon Territory, Canada. There’s plenty of water up here!</div>
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Day 9 – Back in the U.S.A. - we reached the Alaska border 2,876 miles from Parowan, Utah, 242.7 gallons of gas. This photo looks north along a 20 ft. wide swath cut by surveyors in 1904-1920 along the 141st meridian, part of the boundary between Alaska and Canada extending from the Arctic Ocean 600 miles to the north to 250 miles south of this point. <br />
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A. Parowan, UT</div>
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C. Alaska border</div>
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-297811865423311622011-08-15T16:02:00.009-06:002011-08-16T13:30:08.251-06:001954 Silver Streak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Much to our surprise a few days ago we spotted this 24 foot, 1954 Silver Streak trailer at Cedar Breaks National Monument near our home in southern Utah. I couldn’t resist pulling into the parking lot in an attempt to talk to the owners. It had California plates, so I asked around for a while trying to find the owners but without luck.</div>
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Just as I was about to give up, a couple walked toward the trailer and opened the door. It belongs to David and Allison Page from Mammoth Lakes, CA. David and his family were very friendly and didn’t mind at all showing off their trailer. It seems they found it in Hatch, NM some ten years ago. David told me he hadn’t done very much to it in the way of repairs. He said they use it all the time and were on the way to Ojo Caliente, NM to visit family.</div>
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I didn’t spend too much time visiting with them as they were about to get going and I had an appointment to make about 50 miles away myself. As I drove away I thought of several questions I should have asked, but that’s the way it goes. It was nevertheless an enjoyable encounter.</div>
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<span closure_uid_7htwc6="272" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Addition to this post, <span style="font-size: small;">8/16/11</span><span style="font-size: large;">:</span></span></div>
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After this post, I received an email from David Page telling about a story he wrote a couple years ago--dragging the old Silver Streak out to Eureka Basin, Death Valley, N.P. Follow this link - <a closure_uid_9tl7if="250" href="http://matadornetwork.com/notebook/writing-and-driving-notes-from-1000-rpms/" target="_blank">Writing and driving notes from 1000 RPMS</a>.</div>
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Thank you David, we enjoyed your story and wanted to share it with others.</div>
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Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-80214565797685035662011-07-29T22:26:00.011-06:002011-07-31T08:54:02.090-06:00Restoration Rally - Four Courners Unit, Albuquerque, NM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9IIVOYe5-0/TjNulN3PnCI/AAAAAAAAChk/LzNKqRF3sbo/s1600/enchanted-trails-rv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9IIVOYe5-0/TjNulN3PnCI/AAAAAAAAChk/LzNKqRF3sbo/s200/enchanted-trails-rv.jpg" t$="true" width="200" /></a></div><div closure_uid_9d9vl="134" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div closure_uid_9d9vl="1108"><div closure_uid_ikkbh3="161">Early in June we attended the fourth annual Restoration Rally hosted by the <a closure_uid_ikkbh3="157" href="http://fourcorners.wbcci.net/" target="_blank">Four Corners Unit</a>. Since we returned home from the rally we have been so busy working on our Airstream, Moonshadow, we've had no time to blog. These long summer days are not long enough to do all we want to do. What follows are photos and memories from our Rally experience. </div></div><br />
<div closure_uid_skcgaq="131"><div closure_uid_cbeda8="129">Ken Johansen put together a great rally for those who desire to learn all about what it takes to restore one of these beauties. The whole thing was held in Albuquerque at the <a closure_uid_cbeda8="131" href="http://www.enchantedtrails.com/" target="_blank">Enchanted Trails RV Park</a> Located on old Route 66 just west of the city. If you like vintage, the owner of this RV Resort Vickie Ashcraft is passionate about anything vintage. It is a fun stay, rally or not.</div></div><br />
We had a great time and owe a big thanks to everyone who was part of bringing this event together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_30ztex="132" closure_uid_5r2bu3="132" closure_uid_8acrrn="129" closure_uid_9d9vl="238" closure_uid_a5gaix="129" closure_uid_cbeda8="135" closure_uid_ikkbh3="129" closure_uid_skcgaq="129" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NY_EHxm2AjM/TjN5JsTAM8I/AAAAAAAACho/wIMQiM4wToY/s1600/P6110066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NY_EHxm2AjM/TjN5JsTAM8I/AAAAAAAACho/wIMQiM4wToY/s320/P6110066.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seminar in progress under the big-top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_ikkbh3="154"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDoTTOYrb5k/TjN5jihqN4I/AAAAAAAAChs/fygq0t-o5xI/s1600/P6110072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gDoTTOYrb5k/TjN5jihqN4I/AAAAAAAAChs/fygq0t-o5xI/s320/P6110072.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_1e78xr="130">Luke Bernander telling his now famous story about his broken axle.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_5r2bu3="135"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRTx8VVDxVk/TjN6lvqv8fI/AAAAAAAACh0/PSJz3pNur1Y/s1600/P6110069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rRTx8VVDxVk/TjN6lvqv8fI/AAAAAAAACh0/PSJz3pNur1Y/s320/P6110069.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_m3ff19="129"><div closure_uid_a5gaix="131"><div closure_uid_5r2bu3="134"><div closure_uid_30ztex="134">Inspecting work being done by Steve Bittner on one of <a href="http://www.area63productions.com/">Area 63 Productions</a> project trailers.</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_a5gaix="175"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz7XmRb2KTE/TjN7AUpk2tI/AAAAAAAACh4/lFthgO_uPqA/s1600/uvs110729-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz7XmRb2KTE/TjN7AUpk2tI/AAAAAAAACh4/lFthgO_uPqA/s320/uvs110729-001.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_a5gaix="176">Uwe Salwender from <a href="http://www.area63productions.com/">Area 63 Productions</a> demonstrating how to convert drum brakes to disk brakes.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fO5rezF9HuM/TjN77CBvdtI/AAAAAAAACh8/T1iiOB2lCsk/s1600/P6120078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fO5rezF9HuM/TjN77CBvdtI/AAAAAAAACh8/T1iiOB2lCsk/s320/P6120078.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_u5ld42="130">Kip Eagan, the sheet metal & rivet wizard showing us everything we could possibly want to know, and more.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div closure_uid_u5ld42="131"><div class="separator" closure_uid_5r2bu3="191" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bPF-H0jwSs/TjRNre8cZfI/AAAAAAAACiU/WxwTlkxlmGU/s1600/Levon-Register-II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bPF-H0jwSs/TjRNre8cZfI/AAAAAAAACiU/WxwTlkxlmGU/s320/Levon-Register-II.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_5r2bu3="191" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levon Register, after a polishing demonsrtation.</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_5r2bu3="191" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_5r2bu3="136"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9rxbAlL510/TjN9TGcfhgI/AAAAAAAACiA/2C9SSCDHdoI/s1600/uvs110729-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9rxbAlL510/TjN9TGcfhgI/AAAAAAAACiA/2C9SSCDHdoI/s320/uvs110729-003.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Raffle night, Sue wins a 4CU cookbook. We were hoping for the grill but a cookbook is better than nothin'!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Rob & Shari Davis' trailer and new tow vehicle, a '63 Suburban.<br />
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That's us, Moonshadow & travel studio.<br />
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Jim & Lynda Polk's trailer.</div><div closure_uid_9d9vl="1001" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_9d9vl="1001" style="text-align: center;">We had a great time and even learned a few things!</div><div closure_uid_9d9vl="1001" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-50693787021371997872011-06-28T23:05:00.007-06:002023-07-06T07:44:37.513-06:00Taos, New Mexico - Paintings on Exhibit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Early in June we made a road trip to Taos, NM to deliver paintings for an exhibit at <a href="http://www.totalartsgallery.com/ArtistPages/Ress_Spike/Ress_Spike.html" target="_blank">Total Arts Gallery</a> where I (Spike) have been represented for the last ten years or more. The theme of the show was New Mexico landscapes, an exhibit of both oil and watercolor paintings which were completed on location and in the studio. In conjunction with the exhibit reception I promised to do a painting demo for the crowd. Don’t ask me how I got talked into that! <br />
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Here are a few shots of “Moonshadow” being towed by my mobil studio. Photos taken along the way between our home base in southern Utah and Taos in northern New Mexico. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ2iNZSUS7I/Tgqb-Uo3X6I/AAAAAAAACeU/NbElPA7bItE/s1600/P5319928.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ2iNZSUS7I/Tgqb-Uo3X6I/AAAAAAAACeU/NbElPA7bItE/s320/P5319928.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not far from home at 10,000 feet altitude US hwy 14 East of Cedar City, UT.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTuRJjg5qE/TgqcwNn0cmI/AAAAAAAACeY/HHBes43xrKI/s1600/P5319934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLTuRJjg5qE/TgqcwNn0cmI/AAAAAAAACeY/HHBes43xrKI/s320/P5319934.JPG" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few hours later we went from cold and snow to the hot and dry Arizona desert.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yavfsOW9B3E/Tgqd0ZqX1mI/AAAAAAAACec/9uX-gZdzqn4/s1600/P6019943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yavfsOW9B3E/Tgqd0ZqX1mI/AAAAAAAACec/9uX-gZdzqn4/s320/P6019943.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day we arrived in Taos to find the horses just as friendly as the people.</div>
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Below are a few of the paintings featured in my Taos exhibit. If you wish to see the entire exhibit, click to start the slide show at the bottom. A short video of the demo I did in Taos is located just below the slide show near the bottom of this post.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wv6fONVncY8/TgqhVVh471I/AAAAAAAACeg/YkCqLyOKJcA/s1600/sr-1512+My+Blue+Gate%252C+Taos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wv6fONVncY8/TgqhVVh471I/AAAAAAAACeg/YkCqLyOKJcA/s320/sr-1512+My+Blue+Gate%252C+Taos.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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My Blue Gate, oil 12x16'' <span style="font-size: x-small;">sold</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgKmoXJvnmQ/Tgqh6l7nQdI/AAAAAAAACeo/XXjxFk0sW1M/s1600/sr-1532+Sunshine+and+Snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" i="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgKmoXJvnmQ/Tgqh6l7nQdI/AAAAAAAACeo/XXjxFk0sW1M/s320/sr-1532+Sunshine+and+Snow.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunshine and Snow, watercolor 30x40''</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OApphvQmW9E/TgqhnujNzCI/AAAAAAAACek/g-fVpQwAtQI/s1600/sr-1524+Beautiful+Morning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OApphvQmW9E/TgqhnujNzCI/AAAAAAAACek/g-fVpQwAtQI/s320/sr-1524+Beautiful+Morning.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful Morning, oil 12x12'' <span style="font-size: x-small;">sold</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwLZT3p3Ueo/TgqiM-8xoJI/AAAAAAAACes/6M1XsiBwXwA/s1600/sr-1520+Looming+Storm%252C+Taos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" i="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwLZT3p3Ueo/TgqiM-8xoJI/AAAAAAAACes/6M1XsiBwXwA/s320/sr-1520+Looming+Storm%252C+Taos.jpg" true="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looming Storm, watercolor 15x22''</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XortOmgoD7s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
Public demonstration at <a href="http://www.totalartsgallery.com/ArtistPages/Ress_Spike/Ress_Spike.html" target="_blank">Total Arts Gallery</a>, June, 2011.</div>
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After four days in Taos we headed for Santa Fe where we spent a few days before going on to the WBCCI Four Corners Unit Airstream Restoration Rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More on that in the next post.<br />
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</div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-3478521595807743462011-05-29T14:15:00.021-06:002012-01-22T17:37:31.463-07:00Hehr Window Restoration: Rear Emergency Exit, Storage Door and More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5ZuLwk34M/TeKNWEq0pjI/AAAAAAAACW4/7kkOHwKCN1U/s1600/P4019481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sk5ZuLwk34M/TeKNWEq0pjI/AAAAAAAACW4/7kkOHwKCN1U/s200/P4019481.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Everyone who has rebuilt Hehr windows from the 50’s knows the work involved in replacing the famous back-frame gaskets. Let me just say, yes there are a lot of parts to clean, put back together with a new gasket, then re-rivet to the trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But come on folks, they are handmade pieces of history! Real craftsmanship from a time when what a person made with their hands meant something. In other words, true vintage, and I think they are great.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rear window in our trailer is an emergency exit window. This window has an extra frame mounted permanently in the shell of the trailer which the Hehr window is then mounted into with a hinge at the top. There are two lock down latches at the bottom inside which when released allows the entire window to swing out for exiting in an emergency.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn0YP7jVIy4/TeKNw6LofoI/AAAAAAAACW8/gs4a9jYD4jU/s1600/P4019487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn0YP7jVIy4/TeKNw6LofoI/AAAAAAAACW8/gs4a9jYD4jU/s320/P4019487.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here you can see the rear window with the drip-edge pulled up exposing the hinge at the top, which allows the entire window to open in case of an emergency.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9COM70jaCOA/TeKOWan5-qI/AAAAAAAACXA/rwQ56Ja5mPM/s1600/P4019503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9COM70jaCOA/TeKOWan5-qI/AAAAAAAACXA/rwQ56Ja5mPM/s320/P4019503.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After removing the entire window back frame and all, I also removed the storage compartment door and old hinge system.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDTA1kDBIrY/TeKO2vm35yI/AAAAAAAACXE/P1ZfmHDNrk0/s320/P4289809.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fifty-six years of a steel latch clip riveted to the aluminum rear window frame caused severe corrosion due to chemical reactions between the two metals. The corrosion was so bad I decided to remove the clip and clean it all up. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEzCo2kd9Zk/TeKQX0KZSZI/AAAAAAAACXI/yAJ9hEfHauc/s1600/P4289812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEzCo2kd9Zk/TeKQX0KZSZI/AAAAAAAACXI/yAJ9hEfHauc/s320/P4289812.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To my surprise they cleaned up much better than I thought they would. Before re-riveting the clip back to the window frame I wrapped it with two layers of electrical tape to prevent contact of the two metals with the hope that it will last another fifty-six years or more. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpTIxNwNi-o/TeKQ__ryVTI/AAAAAAAACXM/vXg2tiIhZr4/s1600/P4299818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UpTIxNwNi-o/TeKQ__ryVTI/AAAAAAAACXM/vXg2tiIhZr4/s320/P4299818.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rear window has two vertical mullions, one which holds the crank that opens it and one which holds the latch that locks it down. These vertical mullions are also steel riveted to aluminum which again results in corrosion. Before putting it back together I used a piece of folded plactic, seen here, and attatched it to the backside of the mullion using aluminum foil tape. I would have used electrical tape here but it could be seen from the outside. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wn_-FKztQ4M/TeKScfcOXAI/AAAAAAAACXQ/2nliukYI5eE/s1600/P4299825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wn_-FKztQ4M/TeKScfcOXAI/AAAAAAAACXQ/2nliukYI5eE/s320/P4299825.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The gasket that has to be glued to the back of the frame before reinstalling must be held firmly in place while the glue sets up. I made a couple of small wooden corners to use whenever adhereing these gaskets to hold them against the window frame. The adhesive I used was TremPro 644 RTV silicone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1XEpZkKvDg/TeKT3sbMMnI/AAAAAAAACXU/Zqt-6HhnErI/s1600/P4299821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1XEpZkKvDg/TeKT3sbMMnI/AAAAAAAACXU/Zqt-6HhnErI/s320/P4299821.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used aluminum foil tape to seal the seams on the inside edges of all corners, then put a nice bead of the 644 silicone on the opposite side of the foil (outside edges) as extra insurance against moisture getting past the gasket. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P19h15HmMFc/TeKUqpuZcMI/AAAAAAAACXY/lUwHEyl17-Q/s1600/P4299829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P19h15HmMFc/TeKUqpuZcMI/AAAAAAAACXY/lUwHEyl17-Q/s320/P4299829.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After putting everything back together I changed from normal window screen to a special sun-shade screen which helps keep the rear bedroom area cooler in the summer. This screen's over all gray color looks good too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XwOpSU_hIIo/TeKiHQTzutI/AAAAAAAACYM/Nt2MUzNGPR0/s1600/P4019485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XwOpSU_hIIo/TeKiHQTzutI/AAAAAAAACYM/Nt2MUzNGPR0/s200/P4019485.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I turned my attention to the rear storage door and hinge. The rear storage door on our trailer is also made by Hehr, or at least the hinge for it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hinges on the 50’s Hehr windows have a nice hook-over and loop-into sheet metal hinge system which works very well. This design is still used today by most RV and camper shell window makers. (Of course they are all extruded aluminum or plastic and not re-buildable in today’s throwaway world.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However when this hinge design is turned upside down, as it is on my rear storage door, see photo above, it acts as a catch-all for everything you don’t want it to catch, like water, snow and dirt. All of these things only serve to make the hinge work less correctly over time and our trailer has 56 years of time, so I was determined to change this upside down hinge to a better aluminum piano hinge. The following photos show what I did to correct the problem.</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDFwi4a7WKU/TeKVtNaf7dI/AAAAAAAACXc/H4soLNyomiA/s1600/P4019505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDFwi4a7WKU/TeKVtNaf7dI/AAAAAAAACXc/H4soLNyomiA/s320/P4019505.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Here you can see the hooked sheet metal on the bottom of the door which is part of the Hehr hinge and the catcher of rain, snow and dirt. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_F8W365SKK0/TeKWL5v0Q8I/AAAAAAAACXg/gGHoMZt5ksM/s1600/P4019507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_F8W365SKK0/TeKWL5v0Q8I/AAAAAAAACXg/gGHoMZt5ksM/s320/P4019507.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Normally this part of the door hinge would not be removed, simply cleaned and polished along with the door but I wanted to replace it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01nBdzkNSvA/TeKWhFgbQMI/AAAAAAAACXk/OfHaxPkw8Z8/s1600/P4079552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-01nBdzkNSvA/TeKWhFgbQMI/AAAAAAAACXk/OfHaxPkw8Z8/s320/P4079552.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the four inch piano hinge I bought from Fastenal, a company I never heard of until reading a post by Doug Bakken who publishes a blog named, <a href="http://tinman54.blogspot.com/">Just Streamin' 54 Cruiser "Nellie"</a> where he wrote about aluminum piano hinges from Fastenal. Just what I was looking for! I went on-line to learn there is a Fastenal store 20 miles from me, in Cedar City, Utah. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps4_J3N54Ic/TeKX400K0PI/AAAAAAAACXs/45Q5PyhDBT8/s1600/P4119602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps4_J3N54Ic/TeKX400K0PI/AAAAAAAACXs/45Q5PyhDBT8/s320/P4119602.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now the trick was to bend the hinge into the configuration needed so the storage door would properly seal against the gasket. After I cleaned the door and put it back together, I held it firmly in place and made a wire template of the bends needed for the hinge. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSjdFwXGF5A/TeKYTIJcMGI/AAAAAAAACXw/Z1o2VNR3Scc/s1600/P4119609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XSjdFwXGF5A/TeKYTIJcMGI/AAAAAAAACXw/Z1o2VNR3Scc/s320/P4119609.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next best thing to owning your own sheet metal break is having an ol' friend who has one. Friend, Tom Harris, matched the wire template exactly. Here he holds the results. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRPAk2SkFh8/TeKZBnaS5vI/AAAAAAAACX0/ktS144xB8RA/s1600/P4119620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRPAk2SkFh8/TeKZBnaS5vI/AAAAAAAACX0/ktS144xB8RA/s320/P4119620.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the door cleaned and polished and hinge attached with Olympic rivets and TremPro 636 (previously Vulkem) it was ready to be put back in place. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py-k6QvoUrY/TeKaNOyr2vI/AAAAAAAACX4/Bbmybn-ljRM/s1600/P4139630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py-k6QvoUrY/TeKaNOyr2vI/AAAAAAAACX4/Bbmybn-ljRM/s320/P4139630.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love it when a plan comes together. Old Hehr upside down hinge out, new Spike-styled hinge in! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtIwhYZF9Tw/TeKatnkslYI/AAAAAAAACX8/fcNZOtIskNU/s1600/P4029513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtIwhYZF9Tw/TeKatnkslYI/AAAAAAAACX8/fcNZOtIskNU/s320/P4029513.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now on to a few other things....My 40-something son, Paul, who doesn't mind working his tail off came up a couple of weekends from Las Vegas to help his ol' man do some polishing. He's more than willing to find time to help me fix up the old Moonshadow. It probably has something to do with the fact that I've told him, if he doesn't want to inherit it, I'm going to be buried in it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGs_LnOV5nk/TeKbIgQBmMI/AAAAAAAACYA/ijhbNkEDQZc/s1600/P3139399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sGs_LnOV5nk/TeKbIgQBmMI/AAAAAAAACYA/ijhbNkEDQZc/s320/P3139399.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul thought it was easier to work on the top of the trailer from the vent holes rather than climbing around the outside on a ladder. So I said go for it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6ox_9T54tY/TeKcl2JbOtI/AAAAAAAACYE/6gbVZENOmAY/s1600/P5079869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6ox_9T54tY/TeKcl2JbOtI/AAAAAAAACYE/6gbVZENOmAY/s320/P5079869.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the drip-edge reinstalled over the rear window and storage door, along with more polishing the rear end is looking better. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPLTOgrsRVM/TeKdX_NyqFI/AAAAAAAACYI/0DYnf_lwPhw/s1600/P5289924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPLTOgrsRVM/TeKdX_NyqFI/AAAAAAAACYI/0DYnf_lwPhw/s320/P5289924.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the first step of polishing is completed. We are about ready to head for the Four Corners Unit Restoration Rally in Albuquerque where we'll learn what to do next. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div></div></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-77961052245879830212011-04-26T16:36:00.022-06:002023-07-06T07:42:22.656-06:00Art & Books - Artist Books<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdoCeEOq094/TbdAMfWqB5I/AAAAAAAACPM/8G_Ft5ES0WA/s1600/Bird+book-Un+Amor+.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdoCeEOq094/TbdAMfWqB5I/AAAAAAAACPM/8G_Ft5ES0WA/s320/Bird+book-Un+Amor+.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><strong>On exhibit in Santa Fe</strong><br />
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Sue currently has work on exhibit at Vivo Contemporary Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is one of eleven book artists participating it a “book art eVent” April 22 to May 10, 2011. Vivo Contemporary is an exciting new gallery located at 725 Canyon Road in Santa Fe. Along with the eclectic mix of Santa Fe artists represented, they include an innovative Book Arts Gallery within the gallery, “a hands-on showcase of book arts in an inviting atmosphere.” <br />
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Vivo's “book art eVent” is a regional invitational exhibit featuring artists from California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. For those not familiar with the term “book art” here is an explanation from Vivo Contemporary Gallery's own website: <br />
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<blockquote><em>Contemporary book art integrates media such as printmaking, drawing, painting, photography, computer graphics, typography, story telling, calligraphy, writing and poetry. Artist books explore innovative connections between content, structure and technique. The resulting art is unique in its ability to create two and three-dimensional formats simultaneously. </em></blockquote>Pictured below are Sue's three pieces at Vivo Gallery with explanations of each. To see more, visit her website (see link on right listed under "Our Web Sites".)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkRV0WNtdCA/TbdBSLBJrCI/AAAAAAAACPQ/KxiBRhokdwI/s1600/1-Un+Amor+de+Mexico.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkRV0WNtdCA/TbdBSLBJrCI/AAAAAAAACPQ/KxiBRhokdwI/s320/1-Un+Amor+de+Mexico.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><strong>Un Amor de Mexico<br />
altered book</strong><br />
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An “altered book” is an ordinary, usually worn out old book which an artist has altered in various ways to transform it into a work of art. Quite often altered books become free-standing (or hanging) sculptural pieces. <br />
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The book I used for “Un Amor de Mexico” was purchased at a library book sale in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Its original title, Un Amor, suggested to me the theme. I wanted it to represent my love of Mexico and Mexican culture, to be a container of fond memories. <br />
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The bird figure is an Inca dove, common in Mexico. She's made of sculpted Mexican bark paper, embellished with glass beads and jacaranda pods. The inside pages were transformed into a small niche containing bits and pieces I collected along the way, each representing unique experiences. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IjovqeetCM/TbdB0D609AI/AAAAAAAACPU/2crPNccX4Nw/s1600/3-Where+from+Whither+bound.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IjovqeetCM/TbdB0D609AI/AAAAAAAACPU/2crPNccX4Nw/s320/3-Where+from+Whither+bound.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><strong>Where from, whither bound?<br />
rock-book</strong><br />
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I have made many books using split rocks for the covers. I find these rocks while on walks in desert arroyos or along mountain streams. For this book I made special sheets of paper formed in the shape of the rock. The pages are assembled in a concertina fold that opens out to reveal cutout sections of a world map. Most of the map sections show a location I have traveled to, with the exception of the star maps, of course, not yet anyway. When closed this book is secured with a cotton strap and length of chain. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VspSl-OwJcs/TbdCNTGrCEI/AAAAAAAACPY/TW8_sTrFGJ4/s1600/bird+journal+detail.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VspSl-OwJcs/TbdCNTGrCEI/AAAAAAAACPY/TW8_sTrFGJ4/s320/bird+journal+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong>A Bird Feeder's Year <br />
rock-book</strong><br />
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Sometimes the shape of a rock gives me an idea of what kind of book it should be. In this case, the rock reminded me of a bird's wing, so I turned it into a book about the birds who visit my feeders through the seasons. Since most are little brown birds, I decided to make the book in the form of a white-crowned sparrow, one of the most attractive sparrows, as sparrows go. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Slide show Inside pages of "A Bird Feeder's Year"</div><br />
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</div></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-51484162394099235862011-04-09T16:31:00.025-06:002012-01-22T17:38:32.046-07:00Airstream Restoration: Axles first, Spring of 2010<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hreI5RGk1xI/TaH4R9XPvsI/AAAAAAAACMs/NhUVaIwaOfE/s1600/sr-1467+Hint+of+Autumn+Canyon+de+Chelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hreI5RGk1xI/TaH4R9XPvsI/AAAAAAAACMs/NhUVaIwaOfE/s200/sr-1467+Hint+of+Autumn+Canyon+de+Chelly.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canyon de Chelly - oil 16x20''</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sue and I had been thinking of getting our Airstream back on the road for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old 6 volt brakes that came with the trailer served us well for many years with a voltage resister on the break controller, but the time had come to replace them. The easiest way seemed to be to replace the entire axel with new, modern brakes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next question was, where do we find new axles for a 55 year old trailer? At this point we had no idea. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In May of 2010 I was in Canyon de Chelly, AZ on a painting trip, car camping in my mobile studio. I pulled into the campground near the canyon entrance to discover some 90 Airstreams taking up most of the park. It was a WBCCI (Wally Byan Caravan Club International) caravan touring the South West. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMxnZa_NPCw/TaDV9q829tI/AAAAAAAACL4/kR-FDZGSHfI/s1600/caravan-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="45" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMxnZa_NPCw/TaDV9q829tI/AAAAAAAACL4/kR-FDZGSHfI/s400/caravan-2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WBCCI Caravan in Canyon de Chelly, May 2010</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Being a proud Airstream owner I just had to talk to someone in the group. A man named Jerry Hall from </span><state><place><span style="font-family: Arial;">North Carolina</span></place></state><span style="font-family: Arial;"> was very helpful and gave me good information about what’s going on in Airstream circles these days. He informed me Airstream now uses Dexter Axles and directed me to a source. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">When I returned home I got on-line, joined the WBCCI and then VAC (Vintage Airstream Club). Through the VAC on-line forum I found someone with a trailer close to the same year as mine, Bill Kerfoot from </span><state><place><span style="font-family: Arial;">California</span></place></state><span style="font-family: Arial;"> who owns a 1954 Airstream double-door Liner. Bill confirmed what I had concluded, that replacing the old axles with new axles and brakes was indeed the best way to go. </span> </div> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggsoEfF7wyI/TaDGtXhcTVI/AAAAAAAACLg/7h5X7Q8N9Us/s1600/P7087932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggsoEfF7wyI/TaDGtXhcTVI/AAAAAAAACLg/7h5X7Q8N9Us/s320/P7087932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Within two weeks we ordered new Dexter axles, they were delivered early in July. We began figuring out how to remove the old and install the new. To my surprise we discovered that at some point before I owned this trailer serious damage had been done to the center axle hanger that supports the equalizing arm on the curb side. I remember </span><city><place><span style="font-family: Arial;">Roy</span></place></city><span style="font-family: Arial;"> telling me about damage to the right side of the trailer that required a trip to the Ohio Airstream factory for repair. I wish I had paid more attention now. The photo below left, shows how off-center it was. It must have broken loose and was welded back in a misaligned position, almost a half an inch off. I always had bad wear on the right rear tire and now I understood why. </span> </div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udO110EPJ44/TaDIxFSz-cI/AAAAAAAACLo/naVvm3KoQ8o/s1600/P7087931-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udO110EPJ44/TaDIxFSz-cI/AAAAAAAACLo/naVvm3KoQ8o/s200/P7087931-2.jpg" width="168" /></a><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_nADfcAcdU/TaDHSu5deYI/AAAAAAAACLk/bDh8rmwbgYc/s1600/P7087931-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_nADfcAcdU/TaDHSu5deYI/AAAAAAAACLk/bDh8rmwbgYc/s200/P7087931-1.jpg" width="156" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The center hangers that came with the new axles were shorter than those originally mounted to the trailer frame. I wanted to use the old hangers so the trailer would not ride any lower than it already was so my solution was to cut the misaligned hanger off at a point that would allow me to weld the new shorter hanger to it, thus maintaining the same height (photo above right). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWA4QtBNnyA/TaDL13-gnQI/AAAAAAAACLw/9iL0uNrQKtk/s1600/P7178073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWA4QtBNnyA/TaDL13-gnQI/AAAAAAAACLw/9iL0uNrQKtk/s320/P7178073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With the center hangers measurement from the hitch, now the same on each side, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I used a jig to ensure correct alignment of the front and rear hangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzm_mTcF1DI/TaDKeIZQFdI/AAAAAAAACLs/6ZLUbZcPRRo/s1600/P7087933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzm_mTcF1DI/TaDKeIZQFdI/AAAAAAAACLs/6ZLUbZcPRRo/s320/P7087933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We loosened the belly skin in order to reach in <br />
and shroud insulation from welding sparks.</div> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With help from my oldest son Paul and a fellow Airstream owner Steve Masefield we got the new axels mounted and a brake controller installed in the tow van which is my mobile studio, (more about the mobile studio in another post.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwYncJ2O1Tk/TaDS6mL2ZZI/AAAAAAAACL0/0a7h9KLiiL8/s1600/P7178078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwYncJ2O1Tk/TaDS6mL2ZZI/AAAAAAAACL0/0a7h9KLiiL8/s320/P7178078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steve Masefield (left) helping with the brake controler. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9lyPg5aWU/TaDXZQC7K8I/AAAAAAAACL8/cA4-0hRuy1Q/s1600/P8048109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba9lyPg5aWU/TaDXZQC7K8I/AAAAAAAACL8/cA4-0hRuy1Q/s320/P8048109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally ready to roll.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>By now it’s the beginning of August and we wanted to be in Salida, Colorado by the 8th to attend the Rocky Mountain Vintage Rally hosted by a club in Denver. We had Moonshadow roadworthy only hours before our departure deadline.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2f5orVmloY/TaDY86INrlI/AAAAAAAACMA/q39jPptZjg0/s1600/P8058119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2f5orVmloY/TaDY86INrlI/AAAAAAAACMA/q39jPptZjg0/s320/P8058119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">First 500 miles on new axles, arrived safely at rally site.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqq5ZPNyaVw/TaDZ8Fpm7UI/AAAAAAAACMI/5WA9BvHZkhE/s1600/P8058122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqq5ZPNyaVw/TaDZ8Fpm7UI/AAAAAAAACMI/5WA9BvHZkhE/s320/P8058122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Patti Reed's 1953 Flying Cloud</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9vb20eujis/TaDZyV7749I/AAAAAAAACME/D1J84cWzYZI/s1600/P8058126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9vb20eujis/TaDZyV7749I/AAAAAAAACME/D1J84cWzYZI/s320/P8058126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Shari & Rod Davis' 1956 Safari / 2010 award winning restoration.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZCFr_QcqM/TaDaMuQmGnI/AAAAAAAACMM/lH7ngcpH5y4/s1600/P8058121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZCFr_QcqM/TaDaMuQmGnI/AAAAAAAACMM/lH7ngcpH5y4/s320/P8058121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Herb Spies' 1963 Globe Trotter, WOW, what a polish job!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7HntaP_9Yo/TaDaVw-hXoI/AAAAAAAACMQ/F18v7Db7qAE/s1600/P8088169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7HntaP_9Yo/TaDaVw-hXoI/AAAAAAAACMQ/F18v7Db7qAE/s320/P8088169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Our rally neighbors, Duane & Cheryl Ferguson with dog Buddy </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">& their 1976 Caravaner</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We had a fabulous time, met some great people, learned a lot and even got a polishing demo by Rob Davis done on our own Moonshadow. Watch this video, it’s almost as though, after 55 years, we get a peek into the hidden soul of our trailer.</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ElRp8kOVdMA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Our Airstream is still usable even though it needs a full restoration from the frame up. It is in original condition. As the guys on the VAP (Vintage Airstream Podcast) say, trailers like ours are survivors. Our plan is to do the outside cosmetic work and window restoration first while we enjoy a few more trips. We’ll then dive into it deep and serious towards the end of this year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuVP71nOpG0/TaDcwP5YLHI/AAAAAAAACMU/IbMVIL57rLM/s1600/Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuVP71nOpG0/TaDcwP5YLHI/AAAAAAAACMU/IbMVIL57rLM/s320/Aerial.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain Vintage Rally 2010</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">That's us at 9:00 in the innermost circle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img height="11" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMxnZa_NPCw/TaDV9q829tI/AAAAAAAACL4/kR-FDZGSHfI/s320/caravan-2010.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 216px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 344px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-29663947214958333372011-03-23T13:23:00.023-06:002017-02-18T15:15:52.710-07:00Airstream History - Ours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e9e8d8; color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The Story of Moonshadow, Our Vintage 1955 Airstream Overlander. </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #e9e8d8; color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">How it Found Us and Changed Our Lives.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Chapter 1</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">How it all Began<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RWilzdfIHR4/TYpGp7269CI/AAAAAAAACDw/WTUa2-zpf8Y/s1600/P3239473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RWilzdfIHR4/TYpGp7269CI/AAAAAAAACDw/WTUa2-zpf8Y/s200/P3239473.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circa late 80s Hwy 50 in Nevada </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Spike purchased this Airstream in 1978 from the original owners, Roy and Alice Atkinson who were friends of his. At the time Spike was a young, energetic member of the Nevada Watercolor Society in Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice Atkinson, octogenarian fellow Society member was as enthusiastic about painting on location as Spike. He often took her along on short painting excursions in his Land Cruiser. Their friendship developed over several years of painting together. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Spike had been talking with the Atkinsons about his idea of getting a pop-up tent trailer to use on longer painting trips. One afternoon Roy told Spike he wanted to show him something. They walked from the mobile home where Roy and Alice lived to a storage yard at one end of the trailer park. Roy pointed to an Airstream trailer parked amongst other RVs, boats and old cars. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“That’s what you should have, something like that Airstream. How'd you like to own that?” he asked. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Spike, then a commercial artist with a young family to support replied “Dream on!” There was no way he could afford such a nice trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“How much have you saved to get one of those pop-up things?” Roy persisted.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Spike told him he had about $600.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Well, that's my Airstream, so let me ask you again, how'd you like to have it?” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Are you kidding, how much do you want for it?” </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At that point Roy looked at Spike with a twinkle in his eye and said, “I was thinking about $600.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6XlKk9_E50o/TYpHOLcL_ZI/AAAAAAAACD0/j3iEs-XiOis/s1600/P3229471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6XlKk9_E50o/TYpHOLcL_ZI/AAAAAAAACD0/j3iEs-XiOis/s320/P3229471.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Original 1955 Owner's Manual</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Spike is sure Roy and Alice saw in him someone who would make good use of that trailer in the same spirit they had for thirteen years as full-time, on the road Airstreamers. </div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The trailer at that time had been sitting unused and in storage for ten years. For many weeks that summer Spike and Roy worked together to replace rotted weather striping, plumbing parts, hoses, etc, and cleaning it up inside and out. All the while Roy telling endless stories of the adventures he and Alice had with the trailer. After having four new tires mounted and getting a hitch installed on his tow vehicle, Spike had spent far more money on prepping the trailer just to get it home than he had paid for it but he knew he'd have no regrets. His adventures were just beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><b></b><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3869060548078216932.post-51629502405545848102011-03-16T10:44:00.008-06:002011-03-23T12:53:49.438-06:00Spring is in the Air<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Recently we’ve been working on the Artstream trailer and polishing it a little at a time. It seems one of our favorite neighbors has noticed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxyLcis8udA/TYDnC8_bTLI/AAAAAAAACAw/J9RRxvNRGxc/s1600/spring-in-the-air-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxyLcis8udA/TYDnC8_bTLI/AAAAAAAACAw/J9RRxvNRGxc/s320/spring-in-the-air-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIP90Qf4CvQ/TYDnVMHe1jI/AAAAAAAACA0/wDLAgROYhqM/s1600/spring-in-the-air-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIP90Qf4CvQ/TYDnVMHe1jI/AAAAAAAACA0/wDLAgROYhqM/s320/spring-in-the-air-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xTWhTxQCaFI/TYDnXA4fmeI/AAAAAAAACA4/MW28zE_BaWk/s1600/spring-in-the-air-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xTWhTxQCaFI/TYDnXA4fmeI/AAAAAAAACA4/MW28zE_BaWk/s320/spring-in-the-air-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">Poor thing, she seems to be confused. Or perhaps, just a bit vain! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><img height="72" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxyLcis8udA/TYDnC8_bTLI/AAAAAAAACAw/J9RRxvNRGxc/s200/spring-in-the-air-1.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 143px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 153px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Sue and Spikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07953370444775270424noreply@blogger.com3