Rain Results

Chaco can be a beautifully green and lush place. This burst of flowers with Hungo Pavi against the canyon wall draws you into vibrant colors that are not brown.































Looking down into the canyon to the west from Tsin Kletso you immediately notice the green of the canyon floor in contrast with the walls and the surrounding area.











These small lizards are found where the habitat is friendly....not bright but they are fast.

Souvenirs R Us

I returned to Chaco with a specially requested souvenir for a pal. Not sure where he will wear it but he seems pretty pleased with it.

Classic Convention Picture

This photo of the Palins will probably grace the walls and halls throughout the country.

What a story! It will put Wasilla on the map for sure.

Fun on the Floor

The gentleman in the red hats functioned a cheer leaders and signaled the crowd as to applause, shouts and chants. Kind of reminiscent of President Bush's days in college.








I do appreciate the GOP elephant in such close proximity to the "Jumbo-tron"

The Convention Floor - Short Name Wins!

As I looked at this visual at the Convention I wondered how the GOP NC would have handled a really long or hyphenated last name to go on signage and buttons. I guess th McCain/Palin is quite a "balanced" ticket.

He's Convinced Me!

Conventions bring out the best and often the most interesting in all of us - especially if you have a few years to plan. I wonder which state he represents.....is he a delegate or a protester...at times the lines do blur.

"Country Music First"

I think this is very narrow view of music in America. I didn't realize that the Republican Party placed such a high premium on Country Music.

Is this a group of disenfranchised voters that the GOP wishes to woo? Is this another sneaky yet cunning plot that Karl Rove is behind?

Maybe I just don't get it...I do have visions of slogans such as "Blues First" "Reggae First" or to ensure the Cajun vote - "Zydeco First" or the Jewish vote - "Klezmer First". But the one that will win it big time for the GOP..."Gospel First."

Please don't flood me with outraged comments for my tongue in cheek approach to this slogan.

"Security First"

Security around the Convention Center and in Minneapolis was very present. It also provided a few ironies.

I especially liked the Minneapolis police upon their crowd control bicycles escorting some protesters parading down the Mall.








Perhaps first or at least a very close second is this picture of EMT guys with their long batons at the ready.


I guess the intent was to smack down the offenders and then provide immediate medical attention.

A thoughtful yet ironic approach.

RNC - 2008

I returned to Minneapolis to be with friends and family during the recent RNC. I knew something had changed as the airport was filled with bomb sniffing dogs and welcome booths. It was quite intimidating. As I road the light rail and went by Fort Snelling I saw all kinds of "people managing" trucks/tanks/bulldozers at the ready. Shades of the Democratic Convention in Chicago.

As we informed friends that we had people visiting us during the convention they were surprised to hear that they were coming as delegates and not as protesters.