Ferry Fun to Vashon Island

We spent Sunday and Monday in Kitsap County, about an hour east of Port Angeles, which included a night camping at Man- chester State Park. The next day we decided on a whim to take a ferry as walk-ons to Vashon Island for lunch.

Ferries are always fun and we never get tired of riding them around Puget Sound. We usually go to Seattle, but they travel all over. They are part of the state highway system and everyone depends on them.

The only thing more fun than a ferry ride in Washington is a ferry ride on a warm, sunny summer day.

Oh yes, and then we spent a few hours in the cute little Norwegian town of Poulsbo on the way home.

From Santa Fe to Port Angeles

I spent Sunday night in Santa Fe, strictly to see the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the Loretto Chapel with the Miracle Staircase. I got to the chapel at 9 a.m., and the museum at 10 a.m., catching the shuttle to the Albuquerque airport at 11:40. It was a bit rushed, but I managed to take it all in anyway, and loved it! My first time in Santa Fe, and I must admit....the famous Plaza area was a tourist-driven ripoff site while the surrounding streets, not far away, were quite dumpy.

But the museum was great -- a twin show of a Georgia-selection, alongside some Ansel Adams prints. The two were friends and colleagues from 1929 onward, and had a lot in common with their respective art.

The Loretto Chapel boasts the Miracle Staircase. When the nuns needed a staircase constructed in 1878, near the end of the completion of the chapel itself, they ran out of money. So they prayed for a staircase and lo and behold, an unknown carpenter came along and built the staircase for free. The literature says, "The stairway confounds architects, engineers and master craftsmen. It makes over two complete 360-degree turns, stands 20 feet tall and has no center support. It rests solely on its base and against the choir loft. The risers of the 33 steps are all of the same height. Made of a previously unknown wood species, it was constructed with only square wooden pegs and without glue or nails."

Hey, I believe in miracles!

Then it was home to Port Angeles Monday afternoon -- Home Sweet Home, my city as seen from the commuter flight from Seattle.

New Mexico was great, but I was happy to be back.

Gorman-O'Gorman

What are the chances of not only seeing someone with my name here, but he's in my class this weekend, too -- Gale Gorman from Houston, Texas. I just had to have a picture taken of us with our name tags. I don't think we're really related, though, as all the Gormans in my family had lots of girls, few boys, (of which even fewer survived) or no kids at all. So I don't really have cousins out there to speak of, at least none with the Gorman name. We got a kick out of it, though, and I call him "Cousin."

More stormy weather here in Taos. It's different every day, every hour, and every minute. And the best part is the smell of wet sagebrush afterwards.

On my walk, I found this bunny who stood there long enough for me to take a pretty closeup photo. He was a highlight, and who can resist a bunny?

Last day of the conference tomorrow. It's been great and I've learned a lot. Now to put it all to use!

Real Indian stuff

That was my favorite sign at Taos Pueblo today. I finally got to see the place. The Pueblo is the oldest continually inhabited village - 1,000 years to be exact. The Pueblo Indians live there, much as they have for those 1,000 years, and not much has changed in all this time. About 150 people live there full time; there is no electricity, running water, or plumbing. Every floor in every house and shop is bare dirt. And it's a World Heritage Site.

They mostly make their living selling crafts. There were about 20 shops to look in. I bought a couple of sets of necklaces and earring, but couldn't find my ideal bear fetish necklace. I went into one place that had a little old Indian man, and I just couldn't walk out without buying something. So I got a small handmade drum that he had made....a Chirstmas tree ornament, really, but I told him I would have it displayed to admire year-round. He was cute.

And naturally I found the only cat in the place. Or should I say, he found me?

Two hours to shop

Today was the only day I could get to The Taos Plaza where all the shops are located. And I only had a couple of hours before I had to be at the workshop in the afternoon. I took the Chile Line city shuttle--40 minutes up there, 10 to get back. It's a loop.

I was on a mission to find a Zuni bear fetish necklace for myself. Don't ask me why, but I suddenly wanted one. The expensive stores wanted WAY more money than I was willing to part with. But I found two cute ones in my price range. So now this is what I wear: Keith's Valentine Irish heart and two Zuni bears---all at the same time. It would look funny in Port Angeles, but it looks perfectly normal here. (This photo was taken on a big tile).

As for an authentic Zuni bear fetish necklace, I'll try to find one at the Pueblo tomorrow. I'd rather have one from the Indians there than from a fancy upscale shop anyway.

The Rio Grande Gorge

Three of us--a U of NM driver and another attendee and I set off for the Rio Grande Gorge on the way to the Harwood Museum this morning. Quite a detour, but well worth the 10 or so extra miles out to see it. Shades of the Grand Canyon on a tiny scale, but a wonderful break from all the long, wide expanse of sagebrush desert in all directions around Taos. I didn't know this existed, so it was an unexpected surprise to my morning.

These excursions prove to be a refreshing break from the workshops, fun as they may be. The conference organizers schedule the classes for half days for this very purpose--to see the sights. And I am . . .

Quite the welcome sign

I walked outside tonight for the short walk to Guadalajara Grill, my favorito taqueria, and this is what greeted me. I caught this quarter- rainbow at just the right spot over the "Welcome to Taos" sign. It pays to take the camera everywhere, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Rainbows don't wait for you to go back to the room to get it.