We saw so many things today and I took so many pictures, it was hard to select any single one.
It was raining when we passed through Red Rock Canyon on the way to Bryce. There’s no doubt how this place got it’s name.
Travel
Outside Driftwood Lodge
After driving most of the day, we are finally in Zion. This is the view outside our room taken from the patio.
Outa Here
We’re outa here – the vacation starts today and we’re heading toward some of America’s most beautiful scenery. Here’s the route we picked . . .
We should be at Zion National Park this evening. We will be posting daily with something of interest from the road.
Delay Train
The other day, I posted a picture of a colorful sunrise. In that article, I mentioned the fact that I leave the house early so I can get to work early and come home early. Today it was not to be . . .
Note that this is the END of the train as it moved from right to left. There were two locomotives on this end and three on the other end of the train. It took eight minutes for the train to pass at a speed of about 15 MPH.
But, I was only a few minutes later than usual and we’re going to be on vacation next week. After that, there are only 379 calendar days left until my planned retirement date which is only 239 estimated working days to go, but then, who’s counting?
Wanderlust
In the not too distant future, we’re going to be seeing places like this . . .
Canyon de Chelly, Chinle, AZ. Click for the large panoramic view.
We can hardly wait.
Planning Our Future Vacations
When getting ready for the annual vacation this summer, the first thing on our list of priorities is to get our Utah CCW permits. It will be for a good reason – we like to travel via other than Interstates to scenic places – and we’re getting a little older and could be seen as easy targets by those with criminal intent.
I read an article today where the problems facing older unarmed Americans is described:
Criminals like easy targets. A nice new Motor home with out-of-State plates, some friendly retired folks traveling on vacation, out of their normal environment, sounds like an easy target? Have you ever considered what you would do if you were traveling in a remote, unpopulated, unfamiliar area and your vehicle broke down or you had a tire blow out?
For some reason that expensive cellular phone plan with three bars and excellent coverage around town suddenly has a dead zone exactly where you are now stranded? What if the wrong person stopped to help you? He or she may look innocent enough, but could actually be a serious criminal predator, searching for stranded motorists in need of assistance.
The author of the article also quotes John Lott on the effect of CCW on violent crime:
John R. Lott, Jr.: Author of More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, reveals that States with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest decreases in violent crimes. Thirty-eight states now have such laws – called “Shall-Issue” or “Right to Carry” laws. These laws allow adults the right to carry concealed handguns if they do not have a criminal record or a history of significant mental illness. Lott also points out that States with the most restrictive Gun Laws, such as California, New York, and Washington D.C., also have some of the highest violent crime rates in the Nation.
The Utah CCW permit is accepted by many states. When planning our vacation route, states that are candidates for where we’ll be spending our vacation dollars are shown in pink below.
Harbor Rails
Years ago, my Grandfather was employed as a motorman for the Pacific Electric Railway. He operated the famous Red Car (as seen in the semi-cartoon Roger Rabbit). Later in his career he operated an electric tender in the rail yards at the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. His job was to move rail cars to and from the piers for loading and unloading the ships in the harbor berths.
One time, he smuggled me and my brothers on the tender for a ride up and down the tracks of the harbor. As we passed the ‘control tower’ he would instruct us to ‘get down ’til we’re past the tower.’ Trains and railroads have been a fixation of mine ever since those times.
Yesterday, we were in the harbor area and Damsel took this shot of a couple of Union Pacific locomotives as they headed along an elevated track toward the Los Angeles side of the harbor. I like that they have the U.S. Flag on some of their engines.
Click on the image to view full-sized.