Steve Piercy's Gallery

Hawaii March 2008

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:47:08 -0700

Steve and Tara briefly visit the big island of Hawaii. Photos include our hike into the Waipio Valley, Boiling Pots and a lava flow at sunset.

Waipio Valley from the overlook
Steve and Tara detach their heads and float over the Waipio Valley
Where's Tara?
Steve's detached head lands on a giant leaf
Boiling Pots from the overlook
Lava flow at sunset
The lava flows into the ocean
The clouds of steam are filled with sulphuric acid, ash and glass. Don't breathe this stuff.
Nice timed exposure
lava

Mexico

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:38:26 -0800

Yum...tequilla
OK, I'll try some.
Mayan mask
Teotihuacan, Mexico. Pyramid of the Sun
Pyramid of the Sun
Lalo, our Mexico City Guide
Mayan drawings at Teotihuacan
Mayan drawings at Teotihuacan
Mayan drawings at Teotihuacan
Pyramid of the Moon (in the distance) at Teotihuacan
Rich and Tara relaxing on the Pyramid of the Sun
Andy, Rich, Jenny and another student relaxing on the Pyramid of the Sun
Those stairs are steep leading up the pyramid.
Tara being very careful walking down from the Pyramid of the Sun
Mexico City from the Latinoamericano building
Mexico City at night from the Latinoamericano building
Entrance to a church in Mexico City
Christina and Rich studying important Spanish vocabulary
House of Tiles-Mexico City
Christina and Tara at the Palacio de Bellas Artes-Mexico City
Rich and Christinia at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Rich posing at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Folkloric Ballet at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Folkloric Ballet at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Metropolitan Cathedral-Mexico City
Metropolitan Cathedral-Mexico City
The Saints at the Metropolitan Cathedral-Mexico City
Metropolitan Cathedral-Mexico City
Rich standing with armed guards outside the Metropolitan Cathedral
Tara and Christina at Frida Kahlo's house
Telma helping Donna and Bob on a Spanish assignment
Donna and Bob working hard on their language skills
Students relaxing during break at the Spanish Institute of Mérida
Andy kicking back during class break
Students taking advantage of email during breaks between Spanish class
Frida Kahlo paintings
Cathedral of San Idelfonso-Mérida, Mexico
Palacio Gobierno-Mérida, Mexico
House of Francisco de Montejo-founder of M�rida in 1542
Typical street near the center of Mérida
Finnu and Rich enjoying dinner on the back patio in Mérida
Finnu gives Rich dancing lessons
Rich gives Pepe dancing lessons
Tara joins the fun
Mayan Rain God
Mayan stone figures
Guides, Sllamil and Fernando, hang out with Tara at the zoo
Fernando and Sllamil hang out with Rich at the zoo
Joe, Rich and Andy relaxing at Panchos
Flaming Mayan coffee being prepared for Rich
Boat ride in the flamingo preserve at Celestún
Flamingo Preserve-Celestún
White Pelicans-Celestún
Look at all those flamingos
Pictures do not do these flamingos justice
Boat ride through the jungle in the flamingo preserve
Boat captain in the flamingo preserve
Swimming hole at a natural spring in the flamingo reserve
El Castillo pyramid-Chitchen Itza
I'm hanging out at one of the Wonders of the World-Chitchen Itza
El Castillo Pyramid
Rich and Joe at Chitchen Itza
Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars
Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars
Mayan carvings
Ball Court where Mayans tried to get the ball through the circle on the top left
purty
Artisian crafts
Wall of skulls. Platform used to display the skulls of enemy warriors defeated in battle as well as the heads of sacrificial victims
Wall of Skulls
Here Leezard
Sacred Cenote. Believed to be used for human sacrafices to be offered to the God of Water
Temple of the Warriors
Temple of the Warriors and Plaza of the Thousand columns
El Castillo Pyramid
Plaza of a thousand columns
The Mercado in the center of the Plaza of a Thousand Columns
Cruzin through the jungle
Local artisian
Tara acting native in an adobe hut
El Caracol-The observatory at Chitchen Itza
Cenote-Fresh water under ground lake
Cenote-The rainwater seeps through the limestone to create underground rivers and lakes
Ted, flying high into the cenote
Rich and Tara after a refreshing swim in the cenote
Stairs leading away from the cenote
View from 1/2 way up the stairs
Kathy and her tropical drink
Tara's room
Rich slaving away on the computer. Is it fixed yet?
Back patio at Finnus
Backyard at Finnus
Hogar dulce hogar
My classmates working hard
My Spanish guide Sergio
Yeah, we're on our way to Tulum
The hotel we stayed at in Tulum
Relaxing in our cabana in Tulum
The over 30 crowd in Tulum
Aahh...Rich and Andy cuddle up
Beach view from our cabana
Ocean in Tulum
The cabana looks better than it really was!
Sunrise in Tulum
Joe and Andy enjoying the Mayan Riviera in Tulum
Tulum-sleepy backpackers town
Cabana
The log ride bath tub in the cabana
Dos Ojos cenonte where we went diving
Scuba instructor, Rochelle and Andy
Rochelle after her 2nd dive
Entrance into the cenote
Andy preparing for his 2nd dive
purty
Andy entering Tulum
Tulum or Walled City-Ruins
Tulum was a major link in the Maya's trade network
Tara at Tulum
View from the ruins
Looking up at the ruins from the beach
Yummy food at an Argetinian restaraunt in Tulum
Tara, Finnu and Rich
Finnu Jr. and Tara at dinner
Tara, Rich and guides after a hard day of playing spanish scrabble
Playing spanish scrabble
Level 3 spanish class. From left to right: Telma (teacher), Tara, Rich, Ally, Bob, Andy, Ted, Loren
Finnu, Eva and Tara talking about "choo-choo"
Two hot chics hitting the town
Rich, Finnu and Tara listening to Cuban music
Angela, our live in maid
Heading to the airport after 23 days in Mexico

Steve and Tara's Handfasting - Photos by Danielle Gillett

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:44:47 -0800

Karen, Jeff, Steve, Wendy, Dean, John, Janice, Lorraine
Dean, Karen, Steve, Jeff, Wendy
Dean, Steve, Karen
Steve before the ceremony
Steve
ooo! sparkly!
3 sisters
Cinderella slippers
AJ and April keep Tara from falling out of her gown
Tara's toe was previously married
Bride and bridesmaids head to the ceremony
AJ, Tara and April
AJ, Tara and April
AJ and Tara
AJ and Tara
Tara and April
When scarves attack!
Tara and AJ try to hitch a ride from a passing trucker. Hubba hubba!
Tami, Rylie, Tara and Vicki
Jim, Tami, Rylie, Tara and Vicki
Jim, Tami, Rylie, Tara and Vicki... and oh, Tara's gonna kill me cuz I can't remember!
Tara's bouquet and a single rose for her dad
Tara
Tara and bouquet
Tara with parasol
Tara
Tara
Tara
Tara
Wedding party walks down the boardwalk to Asilomar Beach
Duo Caprice from Mr. Toot's Coffeehouse
AJ and Shawn
Tara and Vicki
Steve sees Tara for the first time
Tara sees Steve for the first time
The setting at Asilomar Beach
The witnesses
Overview from the sandbank
Steve, Janus and Tara
Steve, Janus and Tara
Tara and Steve
Dean and Karen
108
Janus fasts Steve and Tara's hands together
The knot is bound
Steve and Tara are handfasted
The exchange of rings
Fisrt kiss as husband and wife
Recessional
Steve gives Tara his jacket so she stops shivering
Happy feet
Closeup
Kiss
Wheeeee!
Perfect sunset
Silhouettes
Silhouettes
The wedding party
Steve's side of the family
The couple with Steve's parents
The couple with Tara's side of the family
The couple with Tara's mom
The couple with Janus
The happy couple
Tara tosses a rose into the sea for her dad
Beauty surrounds the couple
Sky blazing
Brilliance
Aglow
Signing the guestbook
April's son Dane
Back: Lucci, Patricia, Helena, Jamie Seated: Kitty, Lieven, Peter, Shawn
Tara's friends, Sarah
Um...
Karen, Steve, Dean
Rose and Giampaolo
Angelina and Stefan
First Dance
Tami, Rylie and Jim dancing
Anjanette and Shawn dancing
Kitty and Patricia dancing
Renee and Angelina dancing
Steve and Tara dancing
Angelina, Stefan and Renee dancing
Angelina, Stefan and Renee dancing
Gail and Vicki
Everybody dancing to Shawn's deejaying
Steve and Tara lighting the unity candle
Steve and Tara slicing the wedding cake
Open wide!
Tara's friends
Tami and Vicki dancing
Two flames start a new life together

Steve and Tara's Handfasting

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:43:00 -0800

Saturday, November 5, 2005, Asilomar State Beach

Other photo albums:

Danielle Gillett, our professional photographer. We have originals for reprints. Please contact Steve or Tara.
Kitty's photos
Helena's photos
Patricia's photos
Lieven's photos

Engagement Photo
engagement announcement appearing in the Los Altos Towne Crier
Lorraine trying to run out of the camera frame. Not fast enough!
Lorraine, Janice, John
Danielle trying to get Steve posed properly
Anjanette, Tara and April
Tara in the Great Meadown
View from the shore
Speed bumps
Wedding party crashers
Patricia, Lucci, Kitty
Asilomar State Beach
The setting
Steve and Patricia
Table with handfasting cord atop
the setting
Duo Caprice, our musicians for the ceremony and cocktail and dinner hours
A gaggle of gothlings: Patricia hiding behind Jamie, Helena, Shawn and Peter
Lucci chillin'
Kitty and Patricia
Shawn and Peter
Lieven
The handsome groom
boutonniere
About to start
Steve and Janus, the officiant
April and Kurt
Tara and Vicki
Tara and Vicki
here she comes!

The bride walking down the aisle with Vicki

Fred, Kitty and Tara as she walks down the aisle
Walking down the aisle (It's not too late to run away! Last chance!)

exchanging vows

Janus conducting the ceremony

Performing the handfasting and exchange of vows

...and so the binding is made...
Making the bindings

We've tied the knot!

pronounced handfasted!

handfasted at last!
exchange of rings
Exchange of rings

muchas smoochas!
muchas smoochas!
okay, that's enough, you two!

Geez, get a room!

recessional
Leaning Tara of Soquel - Don't fall!

recessional
Recessional

Tara freezing her butt off

Dana
Jeff, Wendy, Dean

Danielle Gillett and assistant preparing a shot
The beach from the road

Patricia, Lucci, Kitty, Helena, Jamie
Patricia, Lieven, Lucci, Kitty, Helena, Jamie
Patricia, Lieven, Lucci, Kitty, Helena, Jamie
engagement photo roasting by an open fire
Helena with Happy Hands™

Steve and Tara first dance

Trinity River

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:23:05 -0700

Tara and Steph carry the kayak down to the river
Duke is ready to go
View from the Trinity River Adventure Inn waterfront
Shooting the mighty class 1+ rapids on the Trinity River
Duke paddles along the shore heading downstream carrying one of many sticks he found
Duke outraces us on the river
Resting at an inlet with fat trout swimming below.
One more look at the cove
Why walk when you can fly. Super Duke!
Another view from the resort
Cowabungah!
Nobody knows the troubles I've seen... arrr-ooooooooo!
Pretty boy
Tennis ball worship
Double-dawwwww!

Ventana Wilderness 2007

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:31:01 -0700

Our second trip to Pine Valley in the Ventana Wilderness, this time with more photos of the scenery than of Duke, and with amazing proof of a diving Labrador retriever!

Hiking Pine Ridge Trail with wildflowers covering the hillside
Lupins galore!
Rain clouds drizzle on our descent
A view eastward from Pine Ridge Trail
Tara with Duke still carrying his slobber-covered stick
Our first peek at Pine Valley waaaaaaay in the distance. Duke is off!
...and back!
The Hugging Tree. Beware of fire ants crawling through its bark. Not so huggable after all. Only one more hour of hiking to go!
Tara plays fetch with Duke, while filtering water from the Carmel River headwaters
FETCH!
Duke pays close attention to Tara.
What a cutie!
One of many swimmin' holes for Duke.
Our campsite was surrounded by giant pine trees.
The sun begins to set on our campsite
Chillin' with sudoku and theduko.
Jack's cabin. Jack English, a widower in his 80's, owns land in the middle of Pine Valley in Ventana Wilderness. He stays here during the summers, constructing bows for string instruments. The bows are prized by professional musicians around the world for their fine craftsmanship and materials. Jack uses rare hardwoods from rain forests, mother of pearl for inlays and the finest hair for the bowstrings. Jack invites hikers into his cabin for tea and to share stories. We found out that he owns a home in Soquel up Rodeo Gulch. Jack's wife, Mary, who passed away in 2000, started a lovely garden with strawberries and fruit trees, and Jack continues the garden in her honor.
Jack's memorial to his departed wife, Mary.
The meadow above Jack's cabin, which serves as a landing pad for a helicopter which delivers supplies to Jack during the summer. Last fall, we witnessed the helicopter landing and it was just like being in M*A*S*H. They delivered a case of peanut butter and crackers and other supplies.
As we leave Pine Valley, we look back toward the campsites.
Our return path out of Pine Valley
Tara confiscates a huge stick from Duke which was so heavy that it caused with mouth to bleed. Duke kept running back for it. What a dumbass.
Church Cross Divide, about 2 miles up from Pine Valley.
More clouds threaten thunderstorms on our hike out.
More lupins and California's state flower, the Golden Poppy, have popped up since our descent.
Widescreen view

Ventana Wilderness

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:54:10 -0700

Steve, Tara and Duke's adventures in the Ventana Wilderness

Duke the yellow labrador retriever

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:37:53 -0700

Duke the yellow labrador retriever's first night home

Sit, dammit!
Pretty boy!
Zombie dog entranced by chuckit and ball
mmm... baaaaallllll...
Happy dog
*slurp*
yummy ball
resting dog
time for my close-up
my tongue is my best feature!
yippee! I have a new home!
sleepy dog
good night
dogs will do anything for treats
...even the most humiliating and degrading acts...
...but what can you do when your stomach rules your doggie brain?
Siesta
Moof!
Say "beefcake!"
Good sit!
Good stand!
You *will* play fetch with me!
Fetch the stick! Good boy!
Airedale
Our kid is cuter than your kid. Look at the doggie jacket and booties! Dawwww...
Near the Lunch Creek nordic trail, elevation 7100 feet.
Diving Dookie Dawg 1
Diving Dookie Dawg 2
Diving Dookie Dawg 3
Duke swimming in Aptos Creek in the Forest of Nisene Marks
Tara Dawg with Dookie Dawg
Tara and Duke at Stevens Creek County Park
Duke chomping on a tasty stick
After hiking in the hot sun, a nice dip in a running stream is just what I need!
Dance, Dookie, Dance!
Good dawg!
peek_a_duke
Look what I caught!

Ventana Wilderness 2006

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:43:33 -0700

Steve, Tara and Duke go backpacking in the Ventana Wilderness. Round trip from China Camp to Pine Valley via Pine Ridge Trail was 11 miles, with 2000 foot descent into the valley.

Yummy leaf-encrusted slobber ball
Happy Duke
It\'s Log! It\'s Log! It\'s round, it\'s hard, and it\'s wood!
...and so deliciously chewy, it makes my nose stretch off my face!
Best cook in the whole campground
Traversing Pine Ridge at about 4800 feet elevation
Church Creek Valley
Pair of pack mules
Another view of Church Creek Valley
Nice viewpoint over Church Creek Valley from Pine Ridge Trail
Same viewpoint over Church Creek Valley from Pine Ridge Trail
Cuddling up in the tent against the cold night
Poor Duke is wiped out
Little does he know what we have in store for him tomorrow: the return trip and 2000 foot ascent!
Maybe he does know, which is why he has passed out so early
Creepy Duke looks dead
zzzzzzzzzz
Steve has been replaced
Tara has been replaced
Yucca and salvia along the trail on the return hike.

Rail and Trail Day 2006

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:25:12 -0800

Rail and Trail Day, Sunday, May 21, 2006, is the culmination of Bike Week in Santa Cruz County. Over 500 bicyclists loaded their bicycles, boarded the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad bound for Felton, and returned on Highway 9, which the California Highway Patrol closed off to southbound automobile traffic.

Over 500 bicyclists arrive for the Rail Trail Day 2006 at Depot Park in Santa Cruz
Big train engine
Micah pedal-powering the amplifier for the musician
Pedal-powered generator
All Aboard!
Loading up the bikes
Loading up the bikes
Loading up the bikes
Loading up the bikes
Loading up the bikes
Loading up the bikes
Another look from Depot Hill
Final boarding
Inside the car
Mountain biker demonstrating how to share a rail-trail
Mountain biker demonstrating how to share a rail-trail
Crossing the San Lorenzo River trestle near Felton
A canyon of redwood giants
A canyon of redwood giants
A canyon of redwood giants
A canyon of redwood giants
Guess the number of bicycles in these cars, and win a jellybean!
That's a lot of bikes!
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CHP blocking southbound traffic on Highway 9
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Train crossing Highway 9
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Walking bikes across the slippery tracks that turn bicycle wheels into "tacos"
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Rebecca and Justin's Wedding

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:24:55 -0800

Rebecca and Justin got married on June 18

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Hodge Podge

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:24:40 -0800

A veritable cornucopia of photographs

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Tiki Birthday Cube

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:23:33 -0800

The tiki gnomes commandeered my workspace for my 40th birthday.

Lizardog

I can't believe this!
Tiki gnomes attack!

Floribunda Palms Oahu Gardens Aug 2003

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:22:28 -0800

Photographs from Jeff Marcus' trip to Oahu Gardens

Actinokentia divaricata double head
Alloschmidtia glabrata
Areca oxycarpa
Areca oxycarpa
Asterogyne spicatus
Asterogyne spicatus
Asterogyne spicatus
Brassiophoenix drymophloeoides
Brassiophoenix drymophloeoides
Burretiokentia viellardii
Burretiokentia viellardii
Caryota rumphiana var papuana
Caryota rumphiana var papuana
Clinostigma haerestigma
Clinostigma haerestigma very rare
Cyphophoenix elegans
Cyphophoenix elegans
Cyphophoenix elegans
Cyphophoenix elegans
Cyphosperma balansae
Deckenia nobilis
Deckenia nobilis
Deckenia nobilis
Dypsis St Lucei
Dypsis St lucei
Dypsis St lucei
Dypsis St lucei
Dypsis decipiens
Dypsis decipiens
Dypsis decipiens
Dypsis decipiens
Dypsis decipiens
Dypsis fibrosus
Dypsis lastelliana
Dypsis lastelliana
Dypsis lastelliana
Dypsis lastelliana
Dypsis pembana
Dypsis pembana
Dypsis pembana
Geonoma monostachya
Geonoma sp
Geonoma sp better photo use this
Geonoma sp 1
Geonoma sp butterfly leaf
Geonoma sp butterfly leaf
Geonoma sp simple leaf
Geonoma sp simple leaf
Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
Kentiopsis oliviformis
Kentiopsis oliviformis
Kentiopsis oliviformis
Licuala cordata split leaf form
Licuala cordata split leaf
Metroxylon salomonense in full flower
Neoveitchia storckii
Neoveitchia storckii
Neoveitchia storckii
Neoveitchia storckii
Neoveitchia storckii better picture for web
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Pholidostachys sp buttercup
Pinanga insignis
Pinanga insignis
Pinanga javana
Pinanga javana
Pinanga javana
Prestoea schultzeana
Pritchardia arecina
Ptychosperma ledermannianum
Raphia farinifera
Siphokentia dransfieldii
Siphokentia dransfieldii
Sommieria elegans
Sommieria elegans
do not remember name

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Retail Store

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:22:14 -0800

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Retail Store

Vietnam Movies and Virtual Reality

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:21:11 -0800

New Caledonia Palm Gallery

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:20:28 -0800

Jeff's demo gallery for determining which photos to include in the site.

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Tahuichi November 2005

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:20:10 -0800

Tahuichi Soccer Academy, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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Car Free Move

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:19:49 -0800

No description

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Vietnam Nov 2003

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:19:30 -0800

Steve and Tara traveled to Vietnam in November 2003 to trek, kayak and ride bicycles

Tara arrives in Hanoi airport. So nice and cool inside...
Tara and Steve sweating in the airport van.
YUM! Tara hair!
Entrance to the pagoda on Hoan Kiem Lake
Altar in fron of the entrance to the pagoda on Hoan Kiem Lake
The Great Tortoise carried the Golden Sword on its back and swam to the botton of Hoan Kiem Lake. Only a king could retrieve the sword.
Shrine inside the Hoan Kiem Lake pagoda
In the pagoda courtyard
Hot, tired, and grumpy
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REALLY hot, tired and grumpy
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Home

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:18:08 -0800

Our quaint suburban home with the white picket fence, front porch and a faithful dog. Be it ever so normal, there's no place like home.

front elevation
front yard south half
front porch
front yard north half
side yard north from front
side yard looking down steps alongside garage
side yard looking north
side yard with grate and compost heap
side yard along back fence
side yard grate detail
side yard facing east looking up steps alongside garage
unknown green plant foliage
unknown green plant flower
rose
princess flower bush
artichoke and tomato
fuschia
fuschia detail
squash
pumpkin
unknown plant 5 feet tall
unknown plant crown
unknown plant detail
back deck from back garage door
back deck looking toward dining room
entry way
dining room from entry way
dining room
dining room with kitchen in background
kitchen
kitchen
kitchen
living room with recliners
living room with fireplace
living room entertainment center
main hall with entry at lower left
guest bath
guest bed with view of front yard
guest bed with office
master bed with closets at right
master bed
master bath
master bath sink with goofy splashguard
master bath sink with trippy faucet

Big Basin May 2004

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:12:11 -0800

Steve and Tara go backpacking around Big Basin State Park and camp on the trail

Tara loves to have her picture taken...
...so much that she could just go "dur... duh... dur...".
Tara snuggling up to Steve on the trail
Just silliness
Waddell Creek
Berry Creek Falls
Tara in big redwood tree
Tara and Steve in the same redwood
Tara and Steve in the same damned redwood
Okay, that's enough you two!
Prozac!
Tara kissed Steve too hard. Ouch!
Dawwwwww!
Kicking back at the base of Berry Creek Falls. Little do we know that we will soon climb up 700 feet over the next half-mile.
Ain't we cute?
More cuteness than we can handle
Vicious wild deer
Atop McCrary ridge, looking toward the Pacific Ocean, 9 miles distant and 1700 feet to descend
Tara on the trail as we round the final bend before descent
Steve on the trail as we round the final bend before descent
Along McCrary ridge, looking at to the Pacific Ocean
Along McCrary ridge, looking east across the East Waddell Creek canyon
Tara on McCrary Ridge
Dead pine trees
Dead pine trees and sandy rocky soil make a very hot last day
Tara hiding in the manzanita, but not very well

Castle Rock Feb 2005

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:11:41 -0800

Castle Rock hike Feb 2005

Spectacular view across Big Basin and out to the Pacific Ocean
"Don't jump, Kurt! It's not worth it!"
Panoramic 180-degree view from Goat Rock Viewpoint. Elevation about 3000 feet.
Forest of madrone trees
Where an oak tree and boulders engage in a WWF Smackdown
Monkeys at Castle Rock. ook ook.

Winter 2005

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:10:46 -0800

Travels during our Feb 2005 winter break

Steve and Tara near Lunch Creek Sno-Park off Hwy 49, elevation 7100 feet
Mark playing catch with Duke using snowballs
Elephant seals at Año Nuevo
Bull elephant seal, about 3000 pounds of blubber

Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:09:31 -0800

A grueling 4-day, 56-kilometer trek, over 3 mountain passes up to 4200 meters. Read an account of the trek at Hope There's No Spiders.

Sighting the first ruin on the bus ride to Km 82
Our porters with their trusty rice sacks
Staging area of the Inca Trail
Tara and Steve at Km 82
Start of the Inca Trail at Km 82
Map of the route
goat herd
Our first ruin!
At the top of our first ascent. Little did we know what torture lay further along the trail...
snow capped peak of Veronica 5860m
First rest on day 1

Looking down from the first ascent to Llactapata (also known as Patallacta)
Our first night's campsite
Peruvian "cow"
Our view from the tent first thing in the morning.
Another view
Smokey the Inca Bear at the first control point station
Tara with Dead Woman's Pass far, far up and away in the background
Leaving the first campsite. Those smiles won't last for long...
Standing aside so the porters can book it
Steve trekking alongside a very steep gully and stream
Trekking through sub-tropical forest alongside an arroyo
Two of the most beautiful sites on the trek: a snow-capped peak and relief from the "Inca 2-step".
Somewhere way down there was the camp for the start of Day 2
Dead Woman's Pass, 4200m. There is a row of itty bitty people at the pass, and we have another 100m or so to ascend. ***gasp*** ***wheeze*** ***pant***
WE MADE IT! Now where's the toilet?
Looking way, way, way far down to the start of the day's hike.
Our intrepid trekking group
At the pass
Us with our guides, Efrain and Marcelino, at the pass
Weird bromeliad
Leapin' Lupins!
Potato bush, but don't eat the poisonous roots
Looking back up toward the pass and waterfall
Another look
hummingbird sipping nectar from a bush
unknown flower

peek-a-boo!
Inca temple
unknown flowers
This flower smells like feet

Nearing the second pass
At the second pass
alpine flower
alpine flower in snow
At the second pass
unknown flowers
unknown flowers
unknown bush with striking red foliage
alpine grass
...yet another Inca ruin

Our trekking group preparing to sacrifice an alpaca to Pachamama
Inca irrigation system
Inca irrigation system
Altar where we sacrificed our guide

Begonia
This clover was everywhere
Tara levitating along the trail
Tara is too tall to fit!
Crouching Tara
interesting moss
another interesting moss
At the third and final pass on the third day, looking at some interesting erosion

The grueling descent to our final campsite
Incas must have had tiny feet! Our clod-hoppers hung over the edge of every step.
This stretch of the trail had over 2000 steps
...and took over 90 minutes to descend.
Only 1832 steps to go!
Steve in the Inca Tunnel
fuchsia and fern
Peruvian sky and scrawny tree
Purple flower tree. Most trekkers walked by this tree without looking up, even though the ground was strewn with its purple petals
an interesting bush, like a California oak, but with more colorful foliage
fuchsia
fuchsia
something like a Bird of Paradise
Begonia
Begonia

Begonia
fucshia?
fucshia?
orchid
Bromeliad from above
Bromeliad from the side, in florescence
Begonia
Begonias
Orchid
unknown flowering bush
unknown flowering bush, close up
Wi�ay Wayna at the end of Day 3
Wi�ay Wayna
Wi�ay Wayna
Wi�ay Wayna
Full moon through the temple at Wi�ay Wayna
Wi�ay Wayna
Fountain at Wi�ay Wayna
Fountain at Wi�ay Wayna
Fountain at Wi�ay Wayna
orchid?
Descending from the Sun Gate (which wasn't very sunny upon our approach)
Our first full view of Machu Picchu complete with the requisite alpaca
Machu Picchu
Our trekking group at Machu Picchu

Spanish graffiti

Trapezoidal doorway designed to withstand earthquakes
panning right to left along example of more recent to...
...transition to...
...more ancient and exquisite masonry.
Inca fountain

orchids
The real thing: a coca bush. Make your own cocaine!
orchid
Temple of the Three Windows
altar

freakin' huge stone weighing several tons. I can't imagine how it was quarried, carved, moved and laid.
our trekking group
these nubs were carved and used to carry the stones using poles, then carved away after set in place
unknown plant in florescence
another view of the plant
altar for sacrificing virgins

Begonias sprouting from the walls
cara cara, an adolescent eagle perched
closer view
temple of the condor. The stone below is carved into the body and head, and the wings are formed by the two triangular boulders on its flanks
Colin
Colin again
rafter supports
yet another altar for sacrificing virgins
same altar, another view

reconstruction a typical Inca roof

Debbie shooting Mel

Irrigation channel

The World's Most Dangerous Road

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:04:36 -0800

Mountain biking from 4500m to 1200m along 64km of narrow, mountainous dirt road

On a good day, this is what the summit looks like.
Another view of the summit and the lake
Unfortunately, it was not a good day for weather.
Snow at the 4500m summit and freezing rain put a chill on our spirits
The snow has turned to rain as we make our first stop
The view if there were no clouds
Happy Tara!
The snow finally has stopped
Tara after eating food. You can tell because she is smiling.

snack break!

The turnoff to the World's Most Dangerous Road. Keep left!

Rush hour

That's a long way down!
A really long way down!

Beggar at the restaurant

Blue macaw
Where are those Skittles?
Parrots at the resort at the end of the ride
The return trip begins. Ominous clouds loom ahead.
This does not look good.