Gone Camping--will report beautiful natural phenomena

I will be mostly out of wifi range for about 5 days this week. We are going camping! Beautiful Zion National Park is our destination--of course I will report back!

Flutterbyes and Fighter Planes--in the Low Desert of SoCal

Visiting the Butterfly House at The Living Desert in Indio, California. Buckeye Butterfly

Janet photobombing a Tiger Heliconian butterfly.

Doris Heliconian.

Another phenomenal adventure! This time in the month of April to the Low Desert of California to see the Butterfly House at the Living Desert in Indio, and the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs. My friend from high school, Janet, went with me.

Janet and I are both retired teachers, and now have time  to develop butterfly gardens. Lots of good info here with the Winged Wonders.

Butterfly Pavilion, the Living Desert

The Butterfly Pavilion was like a lovely Victorian Conservatory, filled with all the flowers butterflies love as though they were the favored, special guests at a high tea. 

Grey Cracker and Hamadryas laodamia .

Here is a nice buffet of fruit--banana, oranges, and watermelon.

Grey cracker enjoying Tang in a sponge.v

Apparently butterflies also greatly enjoy orange flavored Tang. 

Gracias por saludos de cumpleaños, mariposa.

A lovely Malachite butterfly landed on my hat--it was my birthday and I accepted its best wishes.








This Julia Butterfly is enjoying milkweed, a plant loved by all pollinators, and essential for the endangered Monarch.

And here is a Monarch--not on milkweed, of course.

The Living Desert
http://www.livingdesert.org/

The Living Desert’s mission is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation.

The objectives of The Living Desert are:

• to preserve a portion of the Colorado Desert in its natural state;
• to foster, through interpretive exhibits, programs and publication, an awareness of, and an appreciation for, the variety of plants and animals in worldwide ecosystems;
• to build up under controlled conditions, populations of various species of desert animals and plants threatened with extinction in the wild state;
• and to foster through cooperative research and educational programs, biological studies contributing to the protection of desert species in a wild state.

The corsair, the mural and me.

Janet and I also visited the Palm Springs Air Museum. I've been before to see a static display of an F-4 Corsair from WWII because that's what my dad flew. It is still there, and the marvelous plane hangar wide and tall mural of a Corsair landing on an aircraft carrier.

Bomb bay.

Janet and I decided to join the docent on a guided tour of the inside of a B-17.  (BTW, my dad's first cousin, Blake Treece, was the radioman on a B17 during the D Day invasion. They went down over Caen, France.) The docent climbed the ladder up, Janet followed, and I realized we would have to crawl to get to the standing area. As mentioned, Janet and I are retired and both have what I would term 'grandma' knees--but that didn't stop us! I am very proud, we crawled through the small passage to a narrow, even tiny bridge through the bomb bay--between where the bombs would have been--then to the cramped area packed with communications equipment. It was really interesting. And then a ladder down and out.

B 17--you can see the lower ball turret on the bottom. Big guys need not apply.

The Air Museum was filled with students enjoying special programs, veterans, and planes, artifacts, and info on all wars from WWII to Korea to Vietnam and just opening a hangar with the Cold War. The docents are veterans. Sometimes there are flights and displays in the air, and you can book a ticket if you like.

Palm Springs Air Museum

http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/

The Palm Springs Air Museum is a living history museum dedicated to educating the public about the role Air Power played in preserving American liberties and way of life. The Museum preserves, exhibits, and flies aircraft from World War Two, Korea, and the Vietnam Wars. Most of the aircraft are in flyable condition.

Yosemite Trip: No Yogi Bear Or BooBoo But Lots Of Beauty

View from our Yosemite campsite.

We had site #25--near the river and restrooms.

'Welcome,' quoth the raven.

Visiting a National Park is a privilege, powerful and just plain fun.
We had the lovely experience this April to drive up to Yosemite National Park through the Sierras to a very nice campsite, complete with bear-proof food box, fire pit, wildlife and fantastic river running through marvelous trees and mountains.

Onward ho

Abraham Lincoln began the
process of
acknowledgement
for Yosemite to become a National Park
--and it is
now also a World Heritage Site.

My daughter and I rented a covered wagon--er-- F150 truck--emulating our pioneer ancestors (like if.) The drive included a spectacular climb through the Sierra elevations to  the Yosemite Valley.

I love that river!

We camped near the Merced River, and at first I thought we heard the thundering waterfalls as we slept--but they are so huge, they seemed close but were actually miles away. It was rapids on the river I heard.




The trees were very tall, healthy, filled with lovely birds and the light through the branches (including the moonlight of a full moon) was transcendent.

Lil ole tree hugger me.

The trees make a person feel like a small child with tall, caring adults surrounding. Yes, I hugged them.

There is also excellent transportation (a fleet of vans) to Yosemite Village and the main sites. If you must have a pizza, civilization isn't far.

A multitude of fearless birds--robins, bluebirds, ducks, and the observant ravens, and so many I cannot tell you who they are. But they were all sassy.

Yosemite provides a healthy habitat for the critters, including squirrels with extraordinarily luxurious tails. Too early and chilly (in the 20s F at night) for butterflies. No bears. I think they were still hibernating.
Fine with me.

Me, taking the pic on the left.

The incredible Yosemite Valley has 360 degree views of mountains, waterfalls and grand vistas. There are no bad shots. The cool fresh air, light breeze and occasional mist--it was like camping in a fantasy story.

Collaborators in fun!

Head 'em up, move 'em out!

We actually left a day early--the weather forecast called for snow, and even if we thought we could get down the mountains okay, we were not too sure about all the other campers driving down the rather skinny mountain roads! So we headed back through Central California--Tulare and Bakersfield and Buttonwillow and the Tehachapi's winding trail (actually a freeway) on our way home. BTW, my daughter is a great driver!

The famous Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite. 

Field Trip: Las Vegas!

Big Bird at the Vegas sign.

Pablo Picasso, 'Pitcher and Bowl with Fruit.'

Nerd alert! This is a nerd's tour of Vegas. I visit family in Vegas several times a year, and have discovered many nerd-appropriate activities when my kids are at UNLV or working.
What's a nerdy, goody-two-shoes like myself to do in Sin City? I found some excellent pastimes that do not involve any of the seven deadly sins; in fact, I've found some good clean fun and intellectual stimulation just like a real cultural center! Who knew?

Pablo Picasso, 'Woman' ceramic

One of the first things I found was that Vegas has world class art museums and rotating exhibits. There's the Titanic, Luxor, Nuclear Museum, and, of course, fine art. I viewed my favorite Picasso, 'Pitcher and Bowl of Fruit,' at the now closed Guggenheim Museum at the Venetian. Pablo Picasso communicates in a very intellectual manner to me. Almost mathematical. Maybe its the cubism thing. The Bellagio had a great exhibit of his sculptures, and video of him painting on plexiglass. http://www.all-art.org/art_20th_century/picasso7a.html

Van Gogh, Mountains at St. Remy

Vincent Van Gogh

Van Gogh has also visited 'The City That Never Sleeps,' at the now defunct Guggenheim and the very popular, and very open, Bellagio Museum of Fine Arts.

Van Gogh, Fields at St. Remy 

These works of art communicate best in person--it's the difference between a live performance and a dvd. I can't really explain how aesthetics affects our minds, souls and emotions. But Van Gogh is like the artist version of Beethoven. Vibrant, real, emotional. Van Gogh somehow communicates a personal compassion for the viewer. His works have a very warm presence. Not to get all mystical or anything.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_van_Gogh

Rouen Cathedral in the evening, Monet

Rouen Cathedral in the morning, Monet

 Right now, a new exhibit at the Bellagio features Monet. This is a once in a lifetime presentation and later today I'll take my daughter and grandchild, who is a fourth grader and a very good artist himself. http://www.lvrj.com/neon/monet-paintings-lead-impressionist-exhibit-at-bellagio-gallery-139426673.html

Bellagio Museum of Fine Arts

I viewed an Impressionist exhibit in Vegas at the Bellagio about seven years ago, and there were two of his paintings of Rouen Cathedral side by side. It was a profound, even spiritual experience and with my season pass, I could visit every day I was in town. Almost like going to daily Mass.

Monet in his Giverney garden @1920.

The new Monet exhibit will be in Vegas til January 2013, 'Haystacks' and all.

Great musical compilation!

You say its your birthday? My daughter took me to enjoy the amazing Cirque du Soleil, Beatles-supported production of 'Love" as a memorable gift a few years ago. George Martin and son Giles worked a miracle by messing with the Beatles' music and not ruining it. Its an awesome merging of their remarkable accomplishments. My favorite was 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' enveloping the entire theatre in dreamy fantasy. I took exception to the production of 'Blackbird,' I think our French Canadian cousins missed the point. It is not comic, but a civil-rights-inspired folk song.

The Fab Four and two birds (MzTeachuh and daughter.)

 





Get back, JoJo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_Y29GNZj4&feature=related

Lots of collectibles.

Need something cool to read while you're cruising down the Strip? How about a unique store with comic books and on the edge toys? This is a little way from the Strip, but it is interesting and if you are a true nerd, you will enjoy the retro and hot- off-the-presses books and art.

So many comics, so little time.

Visit Forsaken Toys and Collectibles! You can get items online, but its always more fun to go in person. The tactile feel of comic books on your fingertips is so soothing. Look for a blog soon about using comic books to enhance literacy. And here's your cool Vegas source.

 http://www.yelp.com/biz/forsaken-toys-and-collectibles-las-vegas
http://stores.ebay.com/Forsaken-Toys-and-Collectibles

You can be Forsaken Toys FB Friend, too. Every nerd's dream.

Michael Jackson fans have a Man in the Mirror.

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forsaken-Comics/210075415734248

I'm looking for 'Duck Tales' comic books. One of my first literary memories. If needed, I'll special order.

Something for the mantelpiece?

I'm going to hit the store tomorrow, and browse the comics.


Being a nerd, I am a Star Trek fan, and am also partial to Spiderman.
Nerd Nirvana!

The production of 'Phantom of the Opera' in Vegas is also worth seeing. There's a dynamic chandelier, though it didn't seem the theatre enhanced the singer's voices.

Cool corset; steampunk all the way.

By the way, the cool corset my daughter is wearing is from a Las Vegas fashion designer, Travis Lilly, of Lilly's Workshop, who was recently interviewed by CNN.

http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/18/the-classy-clockwork-couture-of-steampunk/

A cool steampunk experience in this town.

http://www.etsy.com/people/LillysWorkshop
http://lillysworkshop.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LillysWorkshop




Every season the Conservatory at the Bellagio changes its display. Its sort of like a static Rose Parade display, but better. Serendipity comes seldom to me, but these displays always have something delightful; above the fact that floral displays are eternally marvelous. And this is free, just wear shoes and shirt, I'm guessing its required. It will be difficult, but I will just choose a few of my all time favorites. The flowers are always fresh and so fragrant and lovely. The creativity is invigorating. I love the pretty surprises.

Fall: topiary horses, and working river mill.

Summer: Ferris wheel full of sunflowers, and greenhouse with butterflies

Winter: sometimes the penguins iceskate

The Conservatory at the Bellagio actively engages  all your senses--

• smells like a flourishing garden, 
• sounds like a water massaging your hearing, with a variety of water features
• feels like 72 degrees on a spring day (I'm sure it is 72 degrees), 
• looks like living Impressionist paintings we move through in three dimensions
• tastes like chocolate because Jean Phillippe's Chocolate and Pastries is just around the corner.

Spring: working windmill, Dutch clogs with Tole painting, and 1000's of tulips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9R1afORKwkioter

This is my favorite of the Bellagio fountain dances (which is also free.) The Pink Panther--the water does undulate like a feline tail!

The Bellagio Fountains--I am now convinced this is art