I asked Brian K about poker games in the deep south, and he replied with "I thought you were already intimately familiar with the games spread at Foxwoods."
Touché.
Sigh. The REAL deep south, dammit! Like Mississippi, for instance.
Oh, like Tunica? I hear they play lots of tournaments there, and you're likely to find a good 2/5 game without looking too hard.
So I look up Tunica, MS in my atlas, and it's right next door! I had assumed it would be on the Gulf Coast. I check Google maps, and they verify, it's about 20 minutes away. Sweet! A few more Google searches later, and I see that there's a $60 hold'em freezeout at the Gold Strike in a few hours. Woot!
Warning: This story isn't nearly as interesting as the Las Vegas poker story.
I get there and sign up. The tournament starts, there are 36 players, and I am CARD DEAD. Seriously, for an hour and thirty minutes, I haven't voluntarily played a single hand. Finally, with blinds at 50/100, I am first to act and look down at AK unsuited. I don't normally do this, but for some reason, I decided to limp in and then come over the top to a raise. So I limp in, next player goes all in for 850. Another player reraises all in for 1600, someone calls, and it's back to me, and I fold. First all-in shows 77, second all-in shows 88, and the caller shows another AK. Cards help nobody, and the 88 holds up to win.
I stay card dead for the next half hour, then with the blinds at 100/200, I limp in from the small blind against 5 limpers with J9 offsuit. Flop is QQ9, I check, 5 players check. Turn is a rag, I bet 500, folded to a player who raises to 1200. Great. Obviously he slowplayed a queen, but I'm wallowing in my own drool now from having only played one hand in two hours, and I move all-in. He calls, and I'm toast. The river is a 9, adding insult to injury by giving us both full houses.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Crater of Diamonds
Alice suggested I check out Crater of Diamonds State Park while I was in Arkansas. This is sort of like one of the places I went to earlier on this trip, the Herkimer Diamond Mine, except that there is a chance of finding REAL DIAMONDS here. And instead of mining via smashing rocks with a hammer, you mine by digging and then sifting dirt. Smashing > sifting, but diamond >> quartz, so I had to give this a try. Not quite sure why Alice suggested I look for diamonds, but that's another story.
So I dig. And I sift. And dig. And sift. And it's HOT, and I've found nothing. So I decide to try the wash and sift method. This is a little better, as it's under the shade, and you get to get very muddy. And it's more productive, as soon I've found a few small, quartz-like pieces. Maybe they're diamonds! I keep at it, and finally I hit the mother lode. A huge, clear piece of ice about a half inch in diameter, with a few nice sharp facets! It's the New Hope Diamond!
Some time later, I bring my haul up to the identifying ranger, and proudly drop the New Hope Diamond, along with the smaller gems I discovered, on the counter in front of him. And then I look on in horror as he takes his metal pick and etches a fat, white scratch across the largest facet of my New Hope Diamond. "That's calcite, calcium carbonate" he coldly says. He tests the others, and continues his cruel monologue, "these are quartz, and these are jasper."
So the New Hope Diamond was actually nothing more than the New Hope Tums Extra Strength Antacid. Oh well! No diamonds to bring home this time.
So I dig. And I sift. And dig. And sift. And it's HOT, and I've found nothing. So I decide to try the wash and sift method. This is a little better, as it's under the shade, and you get to get very muddy. And it's more productive, as soon I've found a few small, quartz-like pieces. Maybe they're diamonds! I keep at it, and finally I hit the mother lode. A huge, clear piece of ice about a half inch in diameter, with a few nice sharp facets! It's the New Hope Diamond!
Some time later, I bring my haul up to the identifying ranger, and proudly drop the New Hope Diamond, along with the smaller gems I discovered, on the counter in front of him. And then I look on in horror as he takes his metal pick and etches a fat, white scratch across the largest facet of my New Hope Diamond. "That's calcite, calcium carbonate" he coldly says. He tests the others, and continues his cruel monologue, "these are quartz, and these are jasper."
So the New Hope Diamond was actually nothing more than the New Hope Tums Extra Strength Antacid. Oh well! No diamonds to bring home this time.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Hot Springs
Do you remember when I said that Cuyahoga Valley was probably the only national park within a few blocks of a Wal-Mart? Turns out I was wrong! Hot Springs National Park is basically a small chunk of the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The visitor center is a converted bath house from the early 1900s, with much of the bath house left intact as a museum. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought I was in the Hot Springs Ministry of al Qaeda Detention based on the unusual and potentially cruel devices on display:
And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse:
They do have one hot spring that is out in the open. It looks like any old waterfall dripping into a concrete pool, but as you get close, you can swear you're getting warmer. Then you can stick your hand in the water and burn it.
The visitor center is a converted bath house from the early 1900s, with much of the bath house left intact as a museum. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought I was in the Hot Springs Ministry of al Qaeda Detention based on the unusual and potentially cruel devices on display:
And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse:
They do have one hot spring that is out in the open. It looks like any old waterfall dripping into a concrete pool, but as you get close, you can swear you're getting warmer. Then you can stick your hand in the water and burn it.
Guadalupe Mountains
I went to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, in West Texas, after Carlsbad Caverns. I hiked a four mile loop trail, in the middle of which it started to rain. I haven't really been rained on at all on this entire trip, and now I'm rained on in the middle of the desert. Very strange. I saw several fascinating bugs that were too quick to photograph: a big black fly with bright orange wings, and a brilliant metallic green beetle that flew by occasionally. Not much other wildlife, a rabbit, several lizards, no snakes. I thought I heard something whinny or neigh at one point, but I thought I was hearing a lot of things thanks to the noisy rain jacket I had on.
Oh, and I did something stupid. In the past several parks, I've seen lots of prickly pear cactus. And I've been so tempted to pull off a "pear" and try it. So here, with nobody around for what felt like miles, I decided to pluck one off and eat. The first thing that happens is pain, as several fine, barely visible, hairlike spines enter the thumb and forefinger of the plucking hand. More spines follow suit as I pull out my knife and start peeling. After making enough peeling progress to taste it, I am gravely disappointed. It's slimy, sticky, and tastes about what I'd expect aloe to taste like. And now my hand is full of spines. I manage to get most of them out, but for the rest of the day, I occasionally feel a sharp pain or itch in my hand thanks to the smallest spines that are still stuck there somewhere. At night, I end up buying a pair of tweezers to get the rest, a feat not fully accomplished until I wake up the next morning and try again.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Choose your own adventure
I need your help! I'm going to be in Arkansas tomorrow, to visit Hot Springs National Park. After that, I don't really know where I'm going. My next destination will be my brother's place in Augusta, Georgia, but how do I get there? Do I go straight there, or is there anything between Little Rock and Augusta worth seeing? Should I go further into the deep south? Do you know of any good poker games along the Mississippi River? Perhaps more importantly, is there anything y'all know of that I should steer clear of? I'd rather not stumble upon an Aryan rally or a secret Klan hideout while trekking these red states.Let me know!
Carlsbad Caverns
Despite it being a Friday, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southern New Mexico, was fairly empty when I got there! Sometimes it's good to be an early riser.If you've been keeping up, you know that Carlsbad is the third cave system I've visited on this trip, after Mammoth Cave and Wind Cave. I'd call Carlsbad is more of a traditional cave, with huge stalactites and stalagmites, draperies and columns, pits and pools. The formations are eerily beautiful, and I can't imagine what it must have been like for the original explorers to discover such a strange new world underground. (Actually, they likely didn't even see most of the formations with little but candles to light the way.)
As previously disclaimed, it's tough to take good pictures 750 feet underground, but I think I managed to get a few good ones.
This one, uh, huh huh huh, this one looks like, heh heh heh, uh huh huh huh, it looks, heh heh heh, it's ah, huh huh huh [incessant adolescent giggling continues]
Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Great Sand Dunes
Mesa Verde
When I got to Mesa Verde, in southwestern Colorado, it was getting dark, and it looked like it was going to rain. I looked for a campsite, but didn't find anything I wanted, so I decided to go to the museum and see if I could still see any of the Indian dwellings. I could always think about sleep later. There was one dwelling near the museum, so I hiked down for a closer look. When I got to the bottom, the ranger told me that the gate to the trail was closing in 15 minutes, so I only had a few minutes to look around and then go back up the hill before they closed the gate. Bummer. Sometimes this happens when you don't plan anything. I got a few pictures, it began to rain, and I left.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
I got to Black Canyon very early; I think I was the first person in the park that day! I hiked for several hours, during which I probably saw seven people total. The canyon is beautiful, and you can hear the roar of the rapids more than 2,000 feet below. I can only imagine how deafening the river must be down there. The only unfortunate thing was that since it was so early, and I was on the south side, I think most of my canyon pics came out washed out, with too much sun. Or it's my outdated camera's fault.
Great Sand Dunes
After the sad and emotional parting with Dan and Laurel, I drove down to southern Colorado for Great Sand Dunes National Park. Of the parks with an entry fee, this one would have been the cheapest, at $3, had I not had my annual pass. The park name pretty much says it all-- this is just a huge freaking pile of sand. The best thing about it is that even though it was crowded, the dunes are so huge, and you are not restricted to marked trails, so you can choose your own hiking path away from the crowds. The worst thing about it is, well, it's a huge freaking pile of sand. Climbing up and down the dunes is fun at first, but gets old quick, and the scenery never changes.
I'm actually catching up on these blogs! Score one for Texas and its free wi-fi at its rest stops.
When I got to Mesa Verde, in southwestern Colorado, it was getting dark, and it looked like it was going to rain. I looked for a campsite, but didn't find anything I wanted, so I decided to go to the museum and see if I could still see any of the Indian dwellings. I could always think about sleep later. There was one dwelling near the museum, so I hiked down for a closer look. When I got to the bottom, the ranger told me that the gate to the trail was closing in 15 minutes, so I only had a few minutes to look around and then go back up the hill before they closed the gate. Bummer. Sometimes this happens when you don't plan anything. I got a few pictures, it began to rain, and I left.Black Canyon of the Gunnison
I got to Black Canyon very early; I think I was the first person in the park that day! I hiked for several hours, during which I probably saw seven people total. The canyon is beautiful, and you can hear the roar of the rapids more than 2,000 feet below. I can only imagine how deafening the river must be down there. The only unfortunate thing was that since it was so early, and I was on the south side, I think most of my canyon pics came out washed out, with too much sun. Or it's my outdated camera's fault.Great Sand Dunes
After the sad and emotional parting with Dan and Laurel, I drove down to southern Colorado for Great Sand Dunes National Park. Of the parks with an entry fee, this one would have been the cheapest, at $3, had I not had my annual pass. The park name pretty much says it all-- this is just a huge freaking pile of sand. The best thing about it is that even though it was crowded, the dunes are so huge, and you are not restricted to marked trails, so you can choose your own hiking path away from the crowds. The worst thing about it is, well, it's a huge freaking pile of sand. Climbing up and down the dunes is fun at first, but gets old quick, and the scenery never changes.I'm actually catching up on these blogs! Score one for Texas and its free wi-fi at its rest stops.
Friday, July 27, 2007
East to West
Here is a rough map of my trip to the west coast. Google maps can only do this many destinations at once, so maps of the return trip will appear later.
The destinations are: Vernon CT, Acadia NP, White Mt Natl Forest, Herkimer Diamond Mine, Cuyahoga Valley NP, Creation Museum, Kaelin's, Whiskey Museum, Mammoth Cave NP, Corvette Museum, Mike's House, Largest Stack of Tin Cans, Buffalo Museum, Salem Sue, Theodore Roosevelt NP, Wind Cave NP, Badlands NP, Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, Mt Rainier NP, Mayor Mike's place, North Cascades NP, Olympic NP, and Crater Lake NP.
Q&A Friday, part 2!
Once upon a twilight dreary, back from hiking, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious canyon, mesa, butte, and more,
While I plodded, ankles snapping, suddenly there came a flapping,
And then someone rudely yapping, yapping at my Sub'ru door.
"'Tis some visitor." I muttered, "yapping at my Sub'ru door;
Only this, and nothing more."
It's time for another episode of Q&A Friday, where I answer actual questions submitted from readers like you.
Q: When are you coming back?
A: Probably soon! I have seen so much out here, and in such short time. It has been overwhelming at times.
Q: What has been your favorite destination so far? How about your least favorite?
A: Theodore Roosevelt was my favorite early on, but I think that was largely due to me never seeing scenery like that from my cube life in the northeast. Yellowstone was amazing, as was Death Valley, but I think my favorite so far has been Arches. The short blog post probably didn't do it justice, but my motel internet connection was horrible that night. Yosemite was my least favorite.
Q: Have you gotten an oil change?
A: Two so far, one in Wall, SD, and one in Boulder, CO.
Q: Who is taking my pictures when I am in them?
A: Usually random people, especially if they first ask me to take their picture. Some pics have been taken using the timer on the camera.
Q: How much did you win in Las Vegas?
A: It was less than $1,000, definitely an amount that should not have attracted any undue attention by Las Vegas standards. But the mountain of red chips in front of me looked wicked cool.
Q: How fast do you drive?
A: Not very, usually. Generally just a few mph over the speed limit. I did set a speed record in Wyoming, and then broke it in Utah, but those are just short bursts that probably use up way too much gas.
Q: Why are there no petroglyphs of dinosaurs, if dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time?
A: They were all erased by His Noodly Appendage.
Q: Can you post a map showing all the places you've been to?
A: You mean like Dan and Laurel did? Ok, next time I have a good connection and some time, I'll try it.
Q: Did you get the Johnny Cash / Reno reference?
A: No, I just assumed it was a standard question for a liberal to ask a conservative :)
Over many a quaint and curious canyon, mesa, butte, and more,
While I plodded, ankles snapping, suddenly there came a flapping,
And then someone rudely yapping, yapping at my Sub'ru door.
"'Tis some visitor." I muttered, "yapping at my Sub'ru door;
Only this, and nothing more."
It's time for another episode of Q&A Friday, where I answer actual questions submitted from readers like you.
Q: When are you coming back?
A: Probably soon! I have seen so much out here, and in such short time. It has been overwhelming at times.
Q: What has been your favorite destination so far? How about your least favorite?
A: Theodore Roosevelt was my favorite early on, but I think that was largely due to me never seeing scenery like that from my cube life in the northeast. Yellowstone was amazing, as was Death Valley, but I think my favorite so far has been Arches. The short blog post probably didn't do it justice, but my motel internet connection was horrible that night. Yosemite was my least favorite.
Q: Have you gotten an oil change?
A: Two so far, one in Wall, SD, and one in Boulder, CO.
Q: Who is taking my pictures when I am in them?
A: Usually random people, especially if they first ask me to take their picture. Some pics have been taken using the timer on the camera.
Q: How much did you win in Las Vegas?
A: It was less than $1,000, definitely an amount that should not have attracted any undue attention by Las Vegas standards. But the mountain of red chips in front of me looked wicked cool.
Q: How fast do you drive?
A: Not very, usually. Generally just a few mph over the speed limit. I did set a speed record in Wyoming, and then broke it in Utah, but those are just short bursts that probably use up way too much gas.
Q: Why are there no petroglyphs of dinosaurs, if dinosaurs and humans lived at the same time?
A: They were all erased by His Noodly Appendage.
Q: Can you post a map showing all the places you've been to?
A: You mean like Dan and Laurel did? Ok, next time I have a good connection and some time, I'll try it.
Q: Did you get the Johnny Cash / Reno reference?
A: No, I just assumed it was a standard question for a liberal to ask a conservative :)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Arches
Ever wonder where the illustrators for the old Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote cartoons got their inspiration? Clearly, they've been to Arches National Park in Utah. Arches has arches, of course, but also some of the coolest "how the heck did that happen" eroded stone formations imaginable.
I actually did some rock climbing here! It was only about 15 feet, but for a non-wall nut like me with no climbing gear, it was fun, and not that difficult until I started wondering how I'd get back down. Most of the people below looked at me like I was crazy, verifying that I was either very brave or very foolhardy.
I then hiked to Delicate Arch. The hike was tough; I don't remember the numbers, but it was all uphill and took about 3 hours round trip under the desert sun with no shade. But the destination was worth it; if you look closely, you can see me standing below the arch.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Capitol Reef and Canyonlands
I parted with Dan and Laurel today after having sashimi, getting an oil change, and sampling mead. Visiting with them was so much fun, but now I must get back to the toil and drudgery of touring the U.S. National Parks while traveling cross country in a yellow Subaru.
Take this pop quiz. Post answers on their blog, or on mine if you're really shy.
There's a definite upside to visiting some of the lesser known National Parks. Often you see almost as much, with less crowds. Capitol Reef and Canyonlands, both in Utah, are good examples of this.
I got to Capitol Reef toward the end of the day, and quickly drove down to the end of the Scenic Drive. From there I hiked down the Capitol Gorge trail, which features petroglyphs etched in the canyon walls by Indians circa 1300 AD. After spending a rather hot night in the park, I hiked up to Cassidy Arch the next morning. 
The arch is named for Butch Cassidy, who is thought to have had a secret hideout in this area.
Another feature of this trail is an abandoned uranium mine. It had opened in 1904 so that uranium could be mined and sold as a medicine to cure rheumatism. No word on whether the cure worked, but in my professional opinion, it didn't.
After my morning hike, I drove back towards the visitor centor, where at a nearby orchard I saw a sign saying "U-PICK FRUIT." I said to myself "I PICK FRUIT" and drove in, paid a dollar, and picked a bunch of fresh apricots for breakfast. What an improvement over trail mix and granola!
It was later in the day, and of course hotter, when I got to Canyonlands. Again, great scenery, no crowds.
Still way behind on the blog... should be catching up over the next few days!
Take this pop quiz. Post answers on their blog, or on mine if you're really shy.
There's a definite upside to visiting some of the lesser known National Parks. Often you see almost as much, with less crowds. Capitol Reef and Canyonlands, both in Utah, are good examples of this.
I got to Capitol Reef toward the end of the day, and quickly drove down to the end of the Scenic Drive. From there I hiked down the Capitol Gorge trail, which features petroglyphs etched in the canyon walls by Indians circa 1300 AD. After spending a rather hot night in the park, I hiked up to Cassidy Arch the next morning. 
The arch is named for Butch Cassidy, who is thought to have had a secret hideout in this area.Another feature of this trail is an abandoned uranium mine. It had opened in 1904 so that uranium could be mined and sold as a medicine to cure rheumatism. No word on whether the cure worked, but in my professional opinion, it didn't.
After my morning hike, I drove back towards the visitor centor, where at a nearby orchard I saw a sign saying "U-PICK FRUIT." I said to myself "I PICK FRUIT" and drove in, paid a dollar, and picked a bunch of fresh apricots for breakfast. What an improvement over trail mix and granola!
It was later in the day, and of course hotter, when I got to Canyonlands. Again, great scenery, no crowds.
Still way behind on the blog... should be catching up over the next few days!
Rocky Mountain
Dan and Laurel took me to Rocky Mountain National Park today. Dan's camera is way cooler than mine, so you will probably find better pics here. Be sure to answer the pop quiz!We took a morning hike up Twin Sisters Mountain. Dan and Laurel are in fantastic shape; I was barely keeping up with them on the way up! (I'll use the old altitude excuse... the trail starts at 9,000 ft and tops out at 11,480 ft.) The peak is above the treeline and the views were incredible, including tons of silly marmots and several bighorn sheep in the distance.
After stopping at the Visitor Center to ask a park ranger why some trees are twisted, we took a dirt road up to see dramatic valley, glacier, creek, and waterfall views. (The ranger looked pretty twisted himself, and disappointed us when he was not able to satisfactorily answer why some trees were twisted.) At one of our stops, Dan pointed out that some pine sap smells like caramel, so I vowed to have a caramel sundae for dessert later.On the way back, we got up close and personal with three elk bulls. We stopped for pictures, then drove on, only to find a herd of elk cows several miles later. Why the elk were segregated as such remains a mystery to me.
Laurel made awesome quesadillas when we got back! After a day of hiking and sightseeing, nothing could be better. And then we went out for ice cream, and we all got our pine sap, er, caramel fix.
P.S., I am way behind again. Blogs on Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon National Parks will be up shortly, I promise!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Two worlds collide
Oh my god, who's car is that?
It's mine, duh. No, I mean to the right of my car. It's the Big Wallnut Mobile! I found the Big Wall Nuts in Boulder, Colorado!
It's mine, duh. No, I mean to the right of my car. It's the Big Wallnut Mobile! I found the Big Wall Nuts in Boulder, Colorado!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Bryce Canyon
Alternative Title: Now That's What I'm Talkin' About Part 2
The first thing you notice about Bryce Canyon National Park is that it's very, very orange. Or red. Or pink, I'm not really sure. Whatever color it is, the scenery is beyond belief. I took so many pictures I was afraid my finger would be sore the next day. I know of no other way to embellish this with my ninth grade writing skills, so I'll shut up and here are some pics.
The first thing you notice about Bryce Canyon National Park is that it's very, very orange. Or red. Or pink, I'm not really sure. Whatever color it is, the scenery is beyond belief. I took so many pictures I was afraid my finger would be sore the next day. I know of no other way to embellish this with my ninth grade writing skills, so I'll shut up and here are some pics.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Zion and Grand Canyon
After Las Vegas, I headed toward Grand Canyon. At least that's what I thought, until I looked at my map and noticed that Zion National Park was actually on the way. (I also spaced out and accidentally skipped Great Basin NP, in Nevada.)
At Zion, they make you take a free shuttle to go up and down the canyon. I have mixed feelings about this; on one hand, it does solve the traffic and parking problems encountered at Yosemite. On the other, it forces you to sit on a bus crowded with sweaty, smelly tourists. I did take some consolation in the fact that I was probably sweatier and smellier than the rest of them.
Zion also has giant friendly squirrels. How do I know they're giant? Because they stand almost two feet tall. How do I know they're friendly? Because they let you pet them. "They" refers to the squirrels, not to Park Rangers, or good parents. But curious children walked right up to them and poked them and practically picked them up while their brain dead parents stood and watched.
Disclaimer: You might be saying to yourself, "Who is he to judge; he doesn't have kids." Fair enough. If it's considered good parenting these days to allow your children to play with wild animals while disobeying National Park regulations, then prove me wrong.
A nice hike at the last stop on the canyon leads to a river where you can go swimming. Note to self: If you come back to Zion, bring a bathing suit.
After Zion, I drove to Grand Canyon National Park and got there about an hour before sunset. Under suggestion from several of you, I drove to the North Rim in hopes of avoiding crowds. It was still pretty crowded, but reasonable, considering that this has to be one of the most famous destinations in the country.
The first, and really only correct reaction to seeing the Grand Canyon is "Holy crap." You can't really see across it, and you can't really see down it. It's that big. It takes your breath away at first.
I got up at dawn and took about four million pics of the sunrise while experimenting with my camera settings, hoping a few of them one come out good. Here are my favorites; I wish I could have the color depth of the first pic with the canyon detail of the second one, but what can you expect from a camera that's smaller than a deck of cards?
At Zion, they make you take a free shuttle to go up and down the canyon. I have mixed feelings about this; on one hand, it does solve the traffic and parking problems encountered at Yosemite. On the other, it forces you to sit on a bus crowded with sweaty, smelly tourists. I did take some consolation in the fact that I was probably sweatier and smellier than the rest of them.
Zion also has giant friendly squirrels. How do I know they're giant? Because they stand almost two feet tall. How do I know they're friendly? Because they let you pet them. "They" refers to the squirrels, not to Park Rangers, or good parents. But curious children walked right up to them and poked them and practically picked them up while their brain dead parents stood and watched.Disclaimer: You might be saying to yourself, "Who is he to judge; he doesn't have kids." Fair enough. If it's considered good parenting these days to allow your children to play with wild animals while disobeying National Park regulations, then prove me wrong.
A nice hike at the last stop on the canyon leads to a river where you can go swimming. Note to self: If you come back to Zion, bring a bathing suit.
After Zion, I drove to Grand Canyon National Park and got there about an hour before sunset. Under suggestion from several of you, I drove to the North Rim in hopes of avoiding crowds. It was still pretty crowded, but reasonable, considering that this has to be one of the most famous destinations in the country.The first, and really only correct reaction to seeing the Grand Canyon is "Holy crap." You can't really see across it, and you can't really see down it. It's that big. It takes your breath away at first.
I got up at dawn and took about four million pics of the sunrise while experimenting with my camera settings, hoping a few of them one come out good. Here are my favorites; I wish I could have the color depth of the first pic with the canyon detail of the second one, but what can you expect from a camera that's smaller than a deck of cards?
What happened in Vegas?
The beginning of this post might be a bit dry. If you're not into poker, skip ahead, it gets better :)
I got to Bellagio at about 7:30 PM and immediately went to work, sitting at a 2/5 no-limit table. The first hand I voluntarily played, I was in the big blind. An early position player raised to $25 and was called by a middle position player, the cutoff, and the button. Small blind folded, and I looked down at AKs and made it $125 to go. Everyone folded to the button, who hollywooded for a few minutes and then mucked. So far so good!
A few hands later, I was first to act with JJ. I raised it up to $20, a middle position player and the button called, everyone else folded. Flop was T, 7, 3 rainbow, and I led out $30. MP folds, then the button raises all in to $80. Easy call for me, and he flips over A7s. If my math is correct, I'm about a 4-1 favorite at this point. Turn card however is an ace, and he wins. Easy come, easy go.
Now the story gets good. After about a half hour of break even poker, this impossibly stunning Asian lady with a very skimpy black dress and the kind of curves you only see in Vegas arrives and sits next to me and orders a drink. I immediately proceed to win the next few pots, and then the flirting begins. But strangely enough, it's her flirting with me, not the other way around! As I keep winning, she keeps up the banter, calling me "Table Captain," congratulating me on my plays, offering to buy me drinks, etc. She asked me if I wanted to smoke weed with her at one point (I politely declined), and at another, she asked if I wanted to go to a party with her the following night (I told her I was leaving the next day). Very strange! Meanwhile, my confidence soaring, I'm taking down pot after pot. And she's getting drunker and drunker. By the time I left, she had had at least twelve drinks, and I was up a rather sizable amount!
What didn't occur to me until much later was that my winnings may have been a good deal in thanks to her. The thing is, I was in the 1-seat, and she in the 2-seat. For those who don't know, it means that I couldn't really see her unless I deliberately turned my whole body to look at her. However, the rest of the 21-60 year-old male clientele at the table had her in full view the whole time. So while I got to concentrate on poker, they all got to concentrate on this model or movie star with her overflowing boobies, and why oh why was she has hanging all over a skinny kid wearing dirty hiking clothes and a Duke hat with a huge stack of Bellagio chips in front of him.
So what else happened? Nothing! When I left at about 2:00 AM, she was so drunk I doubt she even noticed I was gone. I walked the strip a little while, ate a $3 hot dog, and went to my hotel room and immediately fell asleep. Nothing happened in Vegas, nothing stayed in Vegas.
I got to Bellagio at about 7:30 PM and immediately went to work, sitting at a 2/5 no-limit table. The first hand I voluntarily played, I was in the big blind. An early position player raised to $25 and was called by a middle position player, the cutoff, and the button. Small blind folded, and I looked down at AKs and made it $125 to go. Everyone folded to the button, who hollywooded for a few minutes and then mucked. So far so good!
A few hands later, I was first to act with JJ. I raised it up to $20, a middle position player and the button called, everyone else folded. Flop was T, 7, 3 rainbow, and I led out $30. MP folds, then the button raises all in to $80. Easy call for me, and he flips over A7s. If my math is correct, I'm about a 4-1 favorite at this point. Turn card however is an ace, and he wins. Easy come, easy go.
Now the story gets good. After about a half hour of break even poker, this impossibly stunning Asian lady with a very skimpy black dress and the kind of curves you only see in Vegas arrives and sits next to me and orders a drink. I immediately proceed to win the next few pots, and then the flirting begins. But strangely enough, it's her flirting with me, not the other way around! As I keep winning, she keeps up the banter, calling me "Table Captain," congratulating me on my plays, offering to buy me drinks, etc. She asked me if I wanted to smoke weed with her at one point (I politely declined), and at another, she asked if I wanted to go to a party with her the following night (I told her I was leaving the next day). Very strange! Meanwhile, my confidence soaring, I'm taking down pot after pot. And she's getting drunker and drunker. By the time I left, she had had at least twelve drinks, and I was up a rather sizable amount!
What didn't occur to me until much later was that my winnings may have been a good deal in thanks to her. The thing is, I was in the 1-seat, and she in the 2-seat. For those who don't know, it means that I couldn't really see her unless I deliberately turned my whole body to look at her. However, the rest of the 21-60 year-old male clientele at the table had her in full view the whole time. So while I got to concentrate on poker, they all got to concentrate on this model or movie star with her overflowing boobies, and why oh why was she has hanging all over a skinny kid wearing dirty hiking clothes and a Duke hat with a huge stack of Bellagio chips in front of him.
So what else happened? Nothing! When I left at about 2:00 AM, she was so drunk I doubt she even noticed I was gone. I walked the strip a little while, ate a $3 hot dog, and went to my hotel room and immediately fell asleep. Nothing happened in Vegas, nothing stayed in Vegas.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Q&A Friday!
Here are a few random things I've been asked before and during my trip. As always, thanks for reading, and thanks all your questions and comments so far!
Q: Where do you sleep?
A: As of today, I have spent eight nights in a motel, seven nights camping in a tent, seven nights sleeping in my car, and two nights at Mayor Mike's in Seattle. At the start of the trip, I was hoping for an even split of motel/tent/car nights, and so far so good.
Q: How much have you spent on gas?
A: Probably a bit more than I expected to. About 9,500 miles so far, about 25 MPG, average gas prices around $3.25. The rest of the math is left as an exercise for the reader.
Q: Have you done laundry yet?
A: I did laundry at Mayor Mike's, and other than that, I haven't needed to (though I probably will soon).
Q: Do you find anything cool in the geocaches?
A: Not usually. Most of the fun comes from the hunt, and discovering a well hidden cache. Also, I often see deer and other interesting animals and sights while geocaching, as it takes me places I would not normally go.
Q: What music are you listening to?
A: Before I started, I found that there were over 1,200 songs on my iPod that had either never been played, or only played once. I made a playlist of these, and I remove songs from it after they've been played more than once. I also play an occasional Pink Floyd album front to back.
Q: What do you think about while hiking?
A: Depends! On a strenuous, rocky hike, I'm usually just thinking about where to step next. On an easier hike, I'm taking in more of my surroundings, sometimes thinking of what to blog, sometimes thinking of stories to write (e.g., Salem Sue), and sometimes even thinking about spending time with friends back home (e.g., you).
In Death Valley, I was thinking about dying from heat stroke, while I was dying from heat stroke.
Q: What are you going to do when you get back?
A: Hopefully something that doesn't involve living in a cube. Spending time with friends, for one! Some other possibilities that come to mind: coaching volleyball, going to cooking school, going to grad school, teaching, getting back into music, playing poker professionally, going on another vacation. IT contracting for an insurance company if I get really desperate.
Q: Which state has the worst drivers?
A: I assume you mean other than Massachusetts? Ohio was pretty bad, but then I got to Washington. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but Seattle drivers are even dumber (though considerably less aggressive) than Boston drivers.
Q: Are you going to post any naked pics?
A: Huh?
Q: Have you ever shot someone just to watch him die?
A: Not on this trip. But I did give a trucker the finger once.
Q: Where do you sleep?
A: As of today, I have spent eight nights in a motel, seven nights camping in a tent, seven nights sleeping in my car, and two nights at Mayor Mike's in Seattle. At the start of the trip, I was hoping for an even split of motel/tent/car nights, and so far so good.
Q: How much have you spent on gas?
A: Probably a bit more than I expected to. About 9,500 miles so far, about 25 MPG, average gas prices around $3.25. The rest of the math is left as an exercise for the reader.
Q: Have you done laundry yet?
A: I did laundry at Mayor Mike's, and other than that, I haven't needed to (though I probably will soon).
Q: Do you find anything cool in the geocaches?
A: Not usually. Most of the fun comes from the hunt, and discovering a well hidden cache. Also, I often see deer and other interesting animals and sights while geocaching, as it takes me places I would not normally go.
Q: What music are you listening to?
A: Before I started, I found that there were over 1,200 songs on my iPod that had either never been played, or only played once. I made a playlist of these, and I remove songs from it after they've been played more than once. I also play an occasional Pink Floyd album front to back.
Q: What do you think about while hiking?
A: Depends! On a strenuous, rocky hike, I'm usually just thinking about where to step next. On an easier hike, I'm taking in more of my surroundings, sometimes thinking of what to blog, sometimes thinking of stories to write (e.g., Salem Sue), and sometimes even thinking about spending time with friends back home (e.g., you).
In Death Valley, I was thinking about dying from heat stroke, while I was dying from heat stroke.
Q: What are you going to do when you get back?
A: Hopefully something that doesn't involve living in a cube. Spending time with friends, for one! Some other possibilities that come to mind: coaching volleyball, going to cooking school, going to grad school, teaching, getting back into music, playing poker professionally, going on another vacation. IT contracting for an insurance company if I get really desperate.
Q: Which state has the worst drivers?
A: I assume you mean other than Massachusetts? Ohio was pretty bad, but then I got to Washington. I wouldn't have thought it possible, but Seattle drivers are even dumber (though considerably less aggressive) than Boston drivers.
Q: Are you going to post any naked pics?
A: Huh?
Q: Have you ever shot someone just to watch him die?
A: Not on this trip. But I did give a trucker the finger once.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Death Valley
Not only was I disappointed after Yosemite, I was worried that the National Park mystique had worn off. Maybe it was too many, too soon, and I was becoming jaded to the natural beauty and daily discoveries.In addition, the post-Yosemite route I had drawn turned out to be impossible, as there is no (good) way to see King's Canyon, Sequoia, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley National Parks in one road trip. So I decided I might as well start the trek back east, starting by going through Death Valley.
I thought Death Valley was stunning. And aptly named! It was 110 degrees when I arrived in late morning, and getting hotter. I hiked the sand dunes for about 35 minutes, getting a massive suntan and probably approaching heat stroke. I've never felt heat like this before. Oddly enough, it feels like you don't sweat-- I didn't realize right away that that's because the sweat instantly evaporates in the dry wind. And speaking of wind, don't expect it to cool you off! At 110 degrees, the wind cools you off as well as a convection oven cools off a turkey.
A few hours later, I hiked the guided trail at Golden Canyon. This was only a 2 mile hike round trip, and I honestly had fears of succumbing to the sun and heat toward the end. The camera in my pocket was hot to the touch, and I could have brewed coffee with the water remaining in my water bottle. I find it so amazing that the early pioneers made it through this place at all, in horse drawn wagons, with no potable water for 100 miles. Maybe they traveled at night, when the summer temperature often drops to a frigid 100 degrees.
Beach volleyball, anyone???
Looks like Grand Canyon is next!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Yosemite
Ok, this will be quick. Yosemite sucked.
Thanks John and Stephen for your hiking suggestions. Unfortunately, the park was so over crowded, I couldn't even park at the trail heads. I eventually set up camp and went to Yosemite Valley, which was worthless. People, cars, and RVs everywhere. The only wildlife to be seen was a small group of blacktail deer that everyone was gawking at from 100 yards away. I've been almost close enough to touch blacktails at North Cascades, bison at Teddy Roosevelt, mountain goats at Mount Rainier, whitetails at Mammoth Cave, a freaking grizzly bear at Yellowstone, and here the masses are going gaga over some deer that they couldn't see without binoculars.
And how was camping, you might ask? Let's just say I think I found out how the bear lockers (metal storage bins at campsites you put your food in) work: people make so much damn noise constantly opening and closing them that it scares the bears away.
Ok, rant over. There is a happy ending: Death Valley today was spectacular, and I'll write about that later. In the meantime, I am now in Las Vegas, and it's time to go to work.
Thanks John and Stephen for your hiking suggestions. Unfortunately, the park was so over crowded, I couldn't even park at the trail heads. I eventually set up camp and went to Yosemite Valley, which was worthless. People, cars, and RVs everywhere. The only wildlife to be seen was a small group of blacktail deer that everyone was gawking at from 100 yards away. I've been almost close enough to touch blacktails at North Cascades, bison at Teddy Roosevelt, mountain goats at Mount Rainier, whitetails at Mammoth Cave, a freaking grizzly bear at Yellowstone, and here the masses are going gaga over some deer that they couldn't see without binoculars.
And how was camping, you might ask? Let's just say I think I found out how the bear lockers (metal storage bins at campsites you put your food in) work: people make so much damn noise constantly opening and closing them that it scares the bears away.
Ok, rant over. There is a happy ending: Death Valley today was spectacular, and I'll write about that later. In the meantime, I am now in Las Vegas, and it's time to go to work.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Reno, Nevada
Reno was profitable! Of course, getting dealt quads twice never hurts, especially when they have a high hand bonus in play!
I played 1/2 NL here. I actually started out playing terribly. I wasn't observing players, I was missing reads, and I even made an extremely amateur mistake when I mucked my hand to two opponents playing the board. Boy, did I feel dumb. It was also a little intimidating because it was a very local scene, meaning everyone at the table knew one another except me. But after winning a few hands I settled in, and as is often the case, there's no substitute for good old fashioned luck.
Crashed at a Motel 6 at about 1:00 AM, still got up before 7:00 AM. As tempting as it is to stay and "work" a little while longer, it's back to retirement for me. Hopefully will find Yosemite later today after breakfast at Denny's and maybe some Nevada geocaching.
I played 1/2 NL here. I actually started out playing terribly. I wasn't observing players, I was missing reads, and I even made an extremely amateur mistake when I mucked my hand to two opponents playing the board. Boy, did I feel dumb. It was also a little intimidating because it was a very local scene, meaning everyone at the table knew one another except me. But after winning a few hands I settled in, and as is often the case, there's no substitute for good old fashioned luck.
Crashed at a Motel 6 at about 1:00 AM, still got up before 7:00 AM. As tempting as it is to stay and "work" a little while longer, it's back to retirement for me. Hopefully will find Yosemite later today after breakfast at Denny's and maybe some Nevada geocaching.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Crater Lake, Redwood, and Lassen Volcanic
Man, I'm so far behind. And I have three non-content blogs to write later as well.
Crater Lake National Park
I got to Crater Lake in southern Oregon a few hours before the sun went down. I drove around the rim, taking pictures in the twilight, and then drove to a campsite, which was full. Bummer. Drove down to the pinnacles, which are eerie volcanic spires protruding from cliff walls. Drove back to the rim and found a spot to watch the sunset. The horizon was cloudy, so the sunset was unspectacular.
In the morning, I hiked down the only trail that actually leads to the water. It's very steep-- according to the park map it is the equivalent of 65 flights of stairs. Those of you who used to climb up to T22 with me in the Tower Building can appreciate that this is like doing that three times! The water at the bottom is literally crystal clear, and even in the poor light I could see the bottom, about thirty feet deep. Normal visibility in the lake is over 150 feet!
Redwood National Park
Not much going on at Redwood, on the northern California coast. The main draw is obviously the redwood trees, which certainly are impressive, and for that matter, humbling. They are also a good deal smaller than the sequoias, which I expect to see later in this trip. Nevertheless, it is awe-inspiring to walk among them, and to touch something that is almost two thousand years old and still living.
I did get to see a herd of elk, but they were far away and my pics are not well focused, as I took them by holding my camera up to my binoculars.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Ever hear of Lassen Volcanic? Me neither, but it's the site of a 1915 volcanic eruption in northern California. I did a morning hike to a lake, and then drove down to where the geothermal activity was still taking place. It's like a baby Yellowstone, with bubbling mud, boiling springs, steaming fumaroles, , and that wonderful sulfur stench all on a smaller scale (except for the stench, which was full scale.) Then I sat for 30 minutes in construction traffic, which gave me time to type up most of today's blog entry.
Next stop would be Yosemite, but I found that I'm actually fairly close to Reno, Nevada, so I'm on my way there to check out the poker games.
Crater Lake National Park
I got to Crater Lake in southern Oregon a few hours before the sun went down. I drove around the rim, taking pictures in the twilight, and then drove to a campsite, which was full. Bummer. Drove down to the pinnacles, which are eerie volcanic spires protruding from cliff walls. Drove back to the rim and found a spot to watch the sunset. The horizon was cloudy, so the sunset was unspectacular.In the morning, I hiked down the only trail that actually leads to the water. It's very steep-- according to the park map it is the equivalent of 65 flights of stairs. Those of you who used to climb up to T22 with me in the Tower Building can appreciate that this is like doing that three times! The water at the bottom is literally crystal clear, and even in the poor light I could see the bottom, about thirty feet deep. Normal visibility in the lake is over 150 feet!
Redwood National Park
Not much going on at Redwood, on the northern California coast. The main draw is obviously the redwood trees, which certainly are impressive, and for that matter, humbling. They are also a good deal smaller than the sequoias, which I expect to see later in this trip. Nevertheless, it is awe-inspiring to walk among them, and to touch something that is almost two thousand years old and still living.I did get to see a herd of elk, but they were far away and my pics are not well focused, as I took them by holding my camera up to my binoculars.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Ever hear of Lassen Volcanic? Me neither, but it's the site of a 1915 volcanic eruption in northern California. I did a morning hike to a lake, and then drove down to where the geothermal activity was still taking place. It's like a baby Yellowstone, with bubbling mud, boiling springs, steaming fumaroles, , and that wonderful sulfur stench all on a smaller scale (except for the stench, which was full scale.) Then I sat for 30 minutes in construction traffic, which gave me time to type up most of today's blog entry.Next stop would be Yosemite, but I found that I'm actually fairly close to Reno, Nevada, so I'm on my way there to check out the poker games.
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