As we complete our course and head back to our known lives, mixed emotions are present in all of us. During the 16 days of AMTRACK Across America VI, we've had a journey beyond compare. To make a trip to a National Park is a once a summer event. To make it to two even better. But to circumnavigate this country of ours, by plane, train, boat, bus, school bus and mini-van is simply without words. And we've done this together.
How does one explain the sites we've seen?
How does one describe the places we've been and the things we've done there?
How does one relate to the relationships we've built with folks we knew nothing about 17 days ago?
And how does one say goodbye to folks I've come to enjoy being with?
Those that know best me know that my words are instilled in the pictures I take. I teach my students that as a scientists, we observe. It is our most important job - to observe. And when we observe a picture, it's worth a thousand words (Thanks Qian). So in our closing post, I leave with you these memories that have been created digitally. To observe. To remember. To enjoy. For once you see a picture, rarely does it leave your mind. Hopefully they will be as positive a memory for you as they are for me.
Feel free to use and abuse these photo's of us. I tried to upload to Canvas but still can't figure out how that system works. If you want copies of these photo's, text me. Here goes...
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| Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon, AZ |
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| At Juana's house in New Orleans discussing her flooded house and it's raising up |
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Bob, Malcom & Bill on Boynton Canyon Trail, Red Rock District, Coconino National Forest, AZ
Why did these guys keep kicking our butts? |
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| Sacramento to LA on the Coast Starlight |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
At the spring on the Modesto Canyon Trail, a moderate to strenuous hike! |
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Boynton Canyon Trail, Red Rock District, Coconino National Forest, AZ
Ami, Calena, Jenn & Kerry catching some rest and water in the 106 degree heat. |
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| Touring the Mississippi River Levees and homes, New Orleans, LA |
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Fort Davis National Historic Site, TX
Qian & Tina |
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| The Pacific Ocean @ Long Beach, CA |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
Anika & Maureen along the upper trail heading back to the coolness of the Visitors Center |
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| Along the Industrial Canal where it broke or breached to flood the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, LA |
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Big Bend National Park, TX
Jenn & Kerry resting up before taking on the heat and the hike |
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Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
Maureen, Patty & Tom on the Bright Angel Trail |
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| Checking air quality inside the city of Long Beach, CA |
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| The infamous mud used to coat those cacti wounds alongside the Rio Grande, TX |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
Phyllis doing her best on the moderate to strenuous hike... |
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The inner marshes of New Orleans, LA
Anika, Maureen, Kerry, Tina & Patty |
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Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle, New Orleans, LA
Patty alongside a cypress swamp that died off after the floods |
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| Overlooking the Industrial Canal, New Orleans |
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French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
Juana leading us on a spooky ghost tour |
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The Rio Grande, TX
Jenn enjoying the cool muddy waters while searching for rocks |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
Randy, Calena, Steve and Marion, our lead hikers on the way back to the Visitors Center |
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Mr. Michael, Bowles Farming Company, Los Banos, CA
Checking out the carrot crop in the Central Valley |
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| Mather Point, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ |
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| Checking air quality next to the Port of Long Beach, CA |
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| Alpine, TX |
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| Big Bend National Park, TX |
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East Los Angeles, CA
Jenn and Paul Botello, city muralist |
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| Zia and Steve, downtown Los Angeles, CA |
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East Los Angeles, CA
Phyllis and Paul Botello, city muralist |
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| Boynton Canyon Trail, Red Rock District, Coconino National Forest, AZ |
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| Mather Point, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ |
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| We Loved It Too |
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The Industrial Canal Flood Wall, New Orleans, LA
Patty, Kerry & Anika enjoying the view from 12 feet up |
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The Rio Grande, TX
Tina cooling off from the 100 degree heat... |
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| Along the Pacific Ocean onboard the Coast Starlight headed to LA |
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Fort Davis National Historic Site, TX
Bill & Bob |
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| Mr. Michael, Bowles Farming Company, Los Banos, CA |
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| Harbor Tour of the Port of Long Beach, CA |
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| Botello describing his artwork in East Los Angeles, CA |
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| On the Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ |
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| Qian checking her notes in the cool library, Long Beach, CA |
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| Pacific Heights overlooking the Catalina Islands and the Pacific Ocean |
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| The Industrial Canal and Florida Avenue Bridge, New Orleans, LA |
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| Touring the marshes and Bayou's of the lower delta aboard the R/V Dos Gris, Cocodrie, LA |
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Big Bend National Park, TX
Qian overlooking an abandoned ranch inside the park |
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| The very muddy Rio Grande, TX |
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| Union Station, Los Angeles, CA |
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Big Bend National Park, TX
Maureen & Phyllis ready for the next hike |
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| Jones Pumping Plant, Byron, CA |
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| AMTRAK - the scenic car |
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| Bob & Bill doing their best to recruit... |
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| Alongside the Rio Grande, TX |
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| On Lake Pontchartrain, LA |
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| Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Triangle, New Orleans, LA |
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| The tall and mighty Saguro cacti of the Arizonan desert |
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| On the Bayou @ LUMCON, LA |
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| Big Bend National Park, TX |
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| Tom, Anika and Marion watching the world go by... |
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The Rio Grande, TX
Patty enjoying the shade |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
Steve capturing the sights |
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Fort Davis National Historic Site, TX
Maureen conducting her sense of place |
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The Rio Grande, TX
Randy & Jenn cooling off from the heat |
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Mr. Wade, California Farm Water Coalition
discussing the locks of the Delta Cross Channel between the Sacramento & Mokelumne Rivers, CA |
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| AMTRAK - the scenic car |
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| Ami & Tom in Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA |
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| Long Beach, CA |
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The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute - Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Fort Davis, TX
Russell explaining the desert flora and fauna |
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The Rio Grande, TX
Taking a sense of place inventory |
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17th Street Pumping Station, New Orleans, LA
Juana discussing their workings |
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| Big Bend National Park, TX |
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| Juana showing off the engineering of raising her house, New Orleans, LA |
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And finally, for all of our friends who thought this relationship wouldn't work.
Because Frack likes the Red Sox, the Patriots, fishing, pasta and Republicans.
And Frick likes the Yankees, the Steelers, mac n'cheese, government handouts and Democrats.
But both of us love baseball, great food, best friends and even better conversation.
Still though, after 16 days of being roomies and 36 straight hours on the train together since the Big Easy,
Frack just couldn't take it anymore. Sooooo..... |
