Pics by Rick
See Nature’s harshest yet most tantalizingly beautiful landscapes of Death Valley
Click to start your visual journey
Death_Valley/
Sep
3
2009
3
2009
Death Valley U.S.A. Photo Gallery
Nov
17
2004
17
2004
A Sizzling Finish
Plumes of steam billowed slowly upward from her gaping mouth, brilliant against the azure sky; a blanket of snow softly draped her neck; her lower body encased in a placid grey obsidian exterior – since September 23, 2004, Mount St. Helens epitomizes a gentle, snoozing giantess, expelling an even stream of exhalation, with an occasional burst of “throat clearing”. “Be prepared with masks and goggles” is the message to the torrent of volcano-watchers flocking to the vantage point off Washington State Highway 504; geologists watch closely pondering not “IF” but “WHEN” and “HOW ABRUPTLY” this behemoth will again awaken.
Oct
30
2004
30
2004
Warm Fuzzies in Chilly Northern Places
By Irene Butler
The audience became still; not a single shuffle or whisper could be heard. A stellar radio-voice announced the particulars of this Sunday’s presentation. The full-symphony orchestra at the base of the stage, behind a rainbow of potted flowers, was drenched in a rose glow. Above them, spreading into a ‘V’ formation on either [...]
Oct
17
2004
17
2004
Rolling Ocean to Desert Sands
By Irene Butler
Ahhh, the Ocean. After five months of travelling inland we arrived in San Diego, California. Palm trees swaying in the breeze and a warm sun added to a glorious setting in which to roam the streets of the historic “Gaslamp” area, brimming with enticing shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries.
Oct
1
2004
1
2004
Saguaro Country
Years ago, we saw it as the eagle flies, in a small aircraft dipping its wings from side to side to show off the breathtaking mammoth chasm. “I want to hike down someday,” I passionately related to Rick. And here we were, after a night’s stay in the sleepy little town of Holbrook AZ, aiming [...]
Sep
16
2004
16
2004
The Land of Enchantment
By Irene Butler
For miles the parched raw sienna sand dappled with dark green juniper and pale olive sage stretched in all four directions; further off the chameleon mesas rose in grandeur turning from browns to russets with the slightest change of light; mountains in the distance began in charcoals, ending in layers of misty cobalt [...]
Sep
5
2004
5
2004
Billy’s and George’s Backyards
By Irene Butler
Arkansas conjures up visions of hillbillies in the Ozark Mountains cooking up homebrew; probably due to Jed Clampet and family hailing from “dem der hills” before striking black gold in the Beverley Hillbillies T.V. series. The banjo and guitar pick’in music and folklore of the Ozarks is still alive, especially along northern routes.
Aug
20
2004
20
2004
America, Eh?
By Irene Butler
“You are going to Chicago, but you don’t know what you want to see there?” said the suspicious border guard as her colleague picked through our belongings. Quickly racking my brain for what I knew of Chicago, I only came up with Al Capone and Oprah, which I did not verbalize. Rick saved [...]
Aug
16
2004
16
2004
Friendly Manitoba
By Irene Butler
Scripted on the province’s license plates, “ friendly” is a well-chosen attribute describing Manitoba’s peoples and places; with our thirty-three family members living here adding heaps to the cordiality. Hospitableness extends from the cultural centre of Winnipeg crammed with entertainment and fine dining, to the Precambrian Shield for adventures in the great northern [...]
Jul
28
2004
28
2004
Salute to Saskatchewan
Wheat elevators are landmarks in seas of grain; a complete turn with eyes scanning the firmament often reveals every category of cloud in the same rotation, the right sky is blazed with sunshine……