Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Retirement

Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017

eclipse-2017.jpgWe started planning on viewing the total eclipse even before experiencing the annular eclipse last week. We think that we will observe the total eclipse from Casper, WY, although that could change.

The eclipse is still more than five years in the future and since it will occur on a coast to coast path across the United States, there are a lot of places to view the phenomenon. The greatest eclipse will occur in Western Kentucky – that is when the duration of totality is the longest – two minutes and 40 seconds of totality in this case.

Image: Path of totality across the states. Click to go to the official NASA eclipse site.

Wherever we decide to view the eclipse, I’m sure it will be spectacular. In Wyoming, totality will last about 2 minutes and 24 seconds. That’s plenty of time to see the stars and planets come out and for the surface temperature to drop noticeably.

This is a long time away, but we wanted to make this note about it on the blog. Maybe over the next five years we can organize an expedition of family and friends to enjoy the event. We’ll see . . .

28 May 2012 by Astronomy Environment Retirement

Grand Canyon Railway

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On our way out of Williams, AZ, this morning, Damsel got this shot of a vintage steam locomotive and caboose in the yard of the Grand Canyon Railroad The locomotive is still used for occasional trips to Grand Canyon Village. The railroad also uses more modern diesel electric locomotives on most of the runs to the rim. Click on the image to enlarge.

We were going to stay one more night on the road, but decided before pulling into the campground that we had plenty of vacation for the time being. We reset the GPS to take us the last 50 miles or so to our little home in Wickenburg, where we are enjoying recuperation and relaxation.

23 May 2012 by Arizona Photography Retirement Travel Wanderlust

The Colorado River and Grand Canyon

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We never get tired of seeing the scenery of the Grand Canyon. Although we didn’t spend a lot of time in the park today, I did manage to get a lot of nice photos. The one above is from a scenic view site about six miles west of the east entrance to the park on State Route 64. Click on the image to enlarge.

22 May 2012 by Arizona Photography Retirement Travel

Colors of the Desert

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This is a view of the lower Colorado River basin taken from US 89 west of Page, Arizona. The trees and terrain in the foreground are on the top of the mesa where the highway descends down into the basin. The ridge with the three peaks at the left and the cliffs beyond lie above the Colorado River on its journey toward Grand Canyon and beyond. Click on the image to enlarge.

21 May 2012 by Arizona Photography Retirement Travel

Eclipse Excursion – Day One

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Today’s the first leg of our excursion to Page, AZ to witness the May 20, 2012 annular eclipse of the Sun. We had a good trip that took us from our Wickenburg home, through the Saguaro forests along AZ SR 74 to I-17, thence north to Flagstaff, where we set up camp for the night among the tall conifer trees. Tomorrow, we head towards the ultimate destination with a few scenic stops along the way. Click on the image to enlarge.

18 May 2012 by Arizona Retirement Travel

If You Can’t Take the Heat

. . . get out of the kitchen. Now that the outside temperatures are regularly above 90° and frequently above 100° (see inset in photo), I moved the baking chores to the patio. Meet my new best friend, the TOAST-R-OVEN.

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We prepared our meal this afternoon mostly outside; I baked three potatoes in this oven and Bob grilled steaks on the outdoor portable grill. No heat in the kitchen!

13 May 2012 by Food & Dining Retirement

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