Wednesday, June 27, 2012

I could bite today on its soft, pink underbelly.


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We gathered up our cameras, water, and unjuiced vegetables and headed out. I had Mormon Lake on my mind.




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I wanted to see what Happy Jack was; it isn't anything. Annie was upset that they could give something a name that isn't a place. But, we did see something weird just over the treetops, so we checked it out:
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Discovery Channel telescope!




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Feeling encouraged by the signage.




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Annie says I feel "privileged." I disagree - I just feel "authorized." I could see they didn't want us to drive up, so we walked.

She thought one of us should wait at the bottom, and whoever was interested in seeing the observatory should go on up the hill. 


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I was pleased to get some shots of the building, but when I got to the top I nearly quacked myself:

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A trail of cowpies? Oh no, I won't be fooled a second time.
We went looking for our next home.





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We asked the camphosts about this spot we wanted. They were polite, but resolute.

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Oh today, nice job!

28 comments:

Bob said...

But where were the Mormons? I wanted to see some Mormons.
Well. *thinks* maybe not.
Just about perfect. A nice change from some of the crazy-assed weather most everywhere else.
Gonna be a mighty fine day here in Wienerland methinks.
Keep that sunblock handy.

Page said...

Mormon Lake appears to be missing some water.

Be safe and be well.

Karen and Al said...

Perfect spot, perfect day.

Jim and Sandie said...

Mormon Lake was rather a disappointment. That would be a mud hole in my book. And you are so much braver than I am. I'd read that stay out sign and I'd stay out. Jim would be up the hill with you.

Tesaje said...

Bob: go back a little ways to the porta-pottie convention post - all those people were Mormons. There are Mormons and there are Mormons. Summer is the best time to spot regular Mormons because their magic underwear might peek out from their shorts and tank tops. Dead give-away. The polygamists are as easy to spot as the Amish - prairie dress and the women all have bent heads.

Russ Krecklow said...

I can tell by your blog post that you've obviously had too much juice! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos. Don't step in the "Hoya". I'm sure you were authorized, you should have taken some advantage of that authority.

Donna K said...

Of course you are "authorized". You "author" a blog don't you?

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

Great view! And to think you saw it without being thrown in the slammer. You must enjoy living life on the edge... ;c)

¡Vizcacha! said...

Nice one, Donna! You zinged that one right past. How are you guys?

Russ, it's possible you've had too much juice, too, I just can't tell what kind! I speak Hoya, and so wasn't fooled.

Our Eastern Mormons are detectable only by their missionaries' white shirts. Nothing too flamboyant. Everything is tamer in the east.

Sandie, it was one sufferin' lake. And, to be honest, the "Road Closed" gate had a footpath worn around it, so I was pretty sure I wouldn't be the first "authorized" person to hike up there.

It was, Karen!

Page, we'll look around monsoon season for the missing water. It is dry, dry, dry here.

Bob, no Mormons in Vienna?

¡Vizcacha! said...

Paul and Marti, the imminent danger made the view that much sweeter! I always fall back on my middle-aged, plump, harmless appearance. How much damage could I do with one stick, Officer? Oh, where did I leave my medication??

Anonymous said...

Lovely forest and sunset pix!

By the way, your LJ feed has gone kind of wonky; it only posts the first paragraph or so of each article.

Anonymous said...

Niiice shots. I am jealous and believe your grass is greener than mine...or is that because you're drinking it :) In any case am impressed by the pics and your commitment to the reboot.

Nina

Spotted Dog Ranch: said...

Awesome sunset photo!

Barbara and Ron said...

We also checked out Mormon lake. I sure hope those Mormons weren't counting on it. Gorgeous pictures of a perfect day.

Vicki said...

Hey Roxie, since your in that area, I sent ya a message thru your FB page on some nice places to see over there.

Anonymous said...

Great photos!

Marsha & Joe campers4lifex2 said...

I am in agreement with "wheelingit" .. your day was waaay more interesting than mine. Yuck , I worked on rearranging the RV most of the day, and now my bum knee is acting up .. I always get excited to see new post from the Ducks, cause I know awesome pics will be there to delite my eyes, please don't stop. Ever!

Harriet said...

The observatory was a great unexpected fine. You are not only authorized but practically commanded to do nothing less. If it wasn't for that chain link fence surrounding the place you could have knock on the door for a little look see. Photos are beautiful but if those are cowpies, that cow must have been on a re-boot :) Stay cool, were having a heatwave!!

Anonymous said...

Mormon Lake at early dusk is when the elk come out. Sometimes they'll bugle, too. Hope you see some (if that's something you'd want to see).

Emjay

¡Vizcacha! said...

MJ, that would be beyond cool. Where do you go to see such a sight? I saw a dirt road below the overlook; maybe I need to find out how to get down there?

Thanks Harriet, that's exactly how I saw the situation. Practically a mandate.

You're right - they're kinda small. What else poos like a cow, but smaller? And, aren't cows always on a reboot?

Thanks, C4L - that's kind! You realize you're only encouraging me, right?

Thanks, Paint!

Vicki, I got your message! 1000 thanks - I will check out those tips.

Barbara and Ron, that would have been a disappointment. Hopefully they got there during monsoon.

Thanks, Chinle!

Nina, they do say the grass is always greener in the glass. We're a little sad and concerned that nothing makes us feel quite as good as the veggies.

Bleen, I have to confess that it's a manipulative scheme to get you over here to post. Otherwise I almost never see your remarks, which is a shame. I would say it's a "vast" scheme, but I think you may be the only LJ subscriber who actually reads.

LG61820 said...

Wonder who had a better day? You, seeing all that green and being just a little disobedient - or me sitting under fluorescent lights in a tired, underfunded bureaucracy??? I'm guessing you had the better day.

You guys are looking great, by the way. LG

The Good Luck Duck said...

Oh, LG, I feel that. I'm just out here getting the green warmed up for you. And, thanks!

Sherry said...

Those are some mighty fine pictures you risked your life to get. And I for one am very appreciative. Love the clouds, love the bovine telling you to mooooooooooooove on. Although that picture of you two is so terrific I cannot understand why they wouldn't be just tickled to have you as neighbors.

The Good Luck Duck said...

You're welcome. Any time. Could you put in a word with those camphosts? Vouch for us, maybe?

Russ Krecklow said...

That's just what you need...a camping voucher!

Andra Watkins said...

These pictures are little gifts, Roxanne. Such a lovely part of the world. It is a treat to climb to the top of something and find such a happy surprise.

The Good Luck Duck said...

What a lovely way to put that, Andra - thank you! And, you're so right. That unexpected panorama was a large gift.

MFH said...

Nice to see a couple who don't have to deny themselves just because one doesn't want to. That pic of "Trail" is great!! What a wonderful eye you have. (And the rest ain't half-bad neither.)