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This was the first year I got to attend the Capitola Begonia Festival. This first part consisted of the Sand Castle Contest. Some of them were quite interesting. My favorites where the giant great white sand castle, and the giant sand sculpture of Poseidon and the BP oil spill. This one was definitely the best, it had a message about the BP Oil Spill and of course the quality of the sculpture was amazing. The eyes and teeth made out of shells where so amazing and life-like. The seaweed oil spill was an interesting and unique touch as well. It was the last one on the beach and looking out over the whole crowd was quite a spectacle. ...

There is a relationship between all living things, a dependence, a connection that you have to look very closely to find. Yet at times it is so obvious you would have to be blind not to notice. A bee’s romance with the flower it seeks life from. A child’s connection to its mother as they grow old together with a bond that surpasses that of genetics. Or the look in an animals eye as it looks upon a potential predator but neither make a menacing move. It is a dance, a balance between one beings life and another’s. Can you see it, the connection, the relationships of the world around you. If you can’t now, start looking before it is too late to look at the harmony in the world around you. It is beautiful.

In my earlier travel update on our trip to Yellowstone this summer and the black bear we saw walking right next to the road. I wasn’t very smart about it and was running down the road after him to get good pictures along with a missive crowd of people. This are the best photos of him that I thought were worth re-posting on their own. So here he is.

Out in Cooke City Montana there is an old house. It has new glass in the windows, it’s doors hang on rusted hinges, the inside was long ago torn out and slowly accumulated junk within, and the house itself has been weathered by time so much that it now more resembles an old haunted house. I love this house. Every time I see it I have to take a picture. This year it was different. The ground around the old broken down house was covered in purple flowers. Slowly but surely all that was old becomes new and all that is new will soon be old. It just takes time, all things change in time. You will only see it though if you are willing to wait. So wait for change and bring in the new from the old and maybe even the old from the new.

Yesterday was a long drive up to Bishop, but the route up Highway 95 and then over to Bishop was really beautiful. We start nice the day early and head for Mammoth Lakes and Devils Postpile for some excellent hiking. We checked out the rock formations from above and below, and then hiked out to Rainbow Falls. Our next stop is Mono Lake. And then it’s up and over Tioga Pass into Yosemite via Tuolumne Meadows. I’ve really wanted to do some backpacking out this way, but permits are always so tough to come by. One of these days I’m thinking I’ll have to do the Pacific Crest Trail from here down to Whitney. One of these days. ...

We arrived at the North Rim yesterday, and this morning it’s pretty cold, but that certainly doesn’t hinder any of the beauty of this place. Charlotte and I hike around the edge of the canyon, but we don’t have a lot of time today as we’ve got a long drive up to Bishop for our last night of the road trip.

You were sitting out by the Boardwalk when a friend and I walked by. You had a mantra on a cardboard sign in front of you. It was nice to read it and talk with you. Thanks for the mantra and the picture, keep Santa Cruz weird.

We arrived in Bryce Canyon yesterday, so it’s time to dive into a new National Park to see what it has to offer. It’s a spectacular morning and a good chance to capture some great lighting. This is easily the most unique hike I’ve ever done. Everywhere you look there are amazing rock formations. The colors and quiet trails lead you on a wonderfully meandering path. We spend most of the day exploring as many areas as we can find. ...

Yesterday was a great day of hiking in Zion, so this morning we’re headed to the Kolobs Canyon entrance for a hike on the Taylor Creek trail. The Double Arch Alcove at the end was an impressive sight. I hope to come back this way for some backpacking in the future. It looks like a fun multi-day hike across the park. A little of the wildlife and wildflowers along the way. ...