Amor and Amoret

Rosebelt Memorial

2010-09-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

The New Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

2010-09-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Sabbath at the Spencerville Church

2010-09-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

Our friend inviting us to their church so we attended the Spencerville Church

During Sabbath School I went out to take a little walk and enjoy the surroundings of the church.
Homes with horses.

Closer shot of this horses

On the back of the church parking lot, there were some people takein horseback riding lessons.
It was fun to watch them.

Inside the church sanctuary

New G.C President Paul Wilson

2010-09-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Worship at the General Conference the morning that the new president Ted Wilson spoke to the G.C. employees for the first time.

Ted Wilson's Great Controversy project

Mark Fiendly speaking

President Ted Wilson speaking. His message, about stewardship and evangelist. Also promoting his first project, the mailed delivery of the book The Great Controversy to every house is the surrounding area of the General Conference building.

Concert at the Kennedy Center

2010-09-06T02:31:00.001-07:00

Went to a concert at the Kennedy Center

In our way to the Kennedy Center, we drove in front the historical Watergate buildings

Nice walkways by the river in this area

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the Memorial for President Kennedy.
There are a few theaters here. Important plays and concerts that are very costly are performed here all year long. The center also is open for cultural community concerts and performance that are free.

Ceiling of one of the entrances.
The Kennedy Center was built in the 60s so it has a modern 60s style of architecture and decor.

Gordon, Nancy and David by the Kennedy head sculpture. Gordon walking one of the foyers.

Nancy and Gordon busy with the Kennedy exhibits. At the push of a bottom they show videos of different Kennedy speeches, events...etc.

Notice the lamp style through-out the building

Entering the concert performance hall.
No picture taken is permitted inside the concert halls. I took this picture just before they told me to put my camera away.

Walking the Roof of the kennedy Center

2010-09-06T00:25:00.001-07:00

After the concert we went up to the roof of the kennedy Center.
It was a surprised of how much of a view there is from up there. We were able to see a very far distance. It was a gorgeous view!
We stayed here until dark.

View of the Arlington Commentary across the river at the distance

Nancy, David and Gordon and the Lincoln Memorial to the left.
They were so busy walking and talking that they were missing theview of the Lincoln Memorial

Gordon and the Lincoln Memorial to the right

A zoom shot of the Lincoln Memorial

The Jefferson memorial to the left and at the Lincoln Memorial to the right

A Zoom shot of the Jefferson Memorial

Gordon and the Washington Memorial to the left

A zoom shot of the Washington Memorial

Walking and then coming to a view of the Airforce Memorial

Airforce memorial and a corner of the Pentagon to the right

Gordon, David and Nancy and a the view of the Watergate buildings that are very close to the Kennedy Center

Zulita and the Takoma River and Georgetown. The two tall picks at the top of the hill at the distance are in the campus of the prestigious Georgetown University. John Kennedy Jr. graduated from this university.

A view of Georgetown water front
Notice the tall pick to the left, a landmark of the Georgetown University campus

Enjoy watching the tourist boats navigate the river the Takoma River

The famous cathedral

It's nice up here. It does not seemed like a tall building, but being up here it sure seeded tall enough to have a great view of many landmarks of the D.C. area.

A goverment helicopter few by us

Zulita and Nancy talking and contemplating things out in the distance

We watched the most amazing sunset!

Since there was a lot of moisture in the atmosphere...

It lasted about 45 minutes because it had a long twilight

We watch it for a long time. Beautiful!

Driving Through Georgetown

2010-09-05T23:55:00.001-07:00

David took us in a quick drive through Georgetown. George town is a very historical touristic town. It has a combination of narrow streets, lots of historical sites, industrial area, lots of restaurants ans shops, cultural events and art exhibits all over the place, very trendy, and a university town.
Here is where the famous Georgetown University is located. Did not posted the picture of the university because it was very blurry.

Driving some of the narrow streets

Driving the trendy parts of town

Beautiful flowers everywhere

Driving the industrial part of town.
This is the historical Ohio canal as it goes through town parallel to the Takoma River

Visiting Mount Vernon

2010-09-05T17:08:00.001-07:00

We visited George Washington's Mount Vernon, Estate, Museum and Garden
We enjoyed visiting historical places.

Entrance to the Mount Vernon Estate.
Here is where you pay your fee and is an orientation center with information people have to see before entering the estate.

Zulita in the Orientation Center posing with George Washington, Martha and his grandchildren just before we enter the theater to view the introductory film before entering the Mount Vernon Estate.

After the film, we entered the beautiful Mount Vernon Estate grounds but we walked some before see anything.
Here is as Nancy, David and Gordon walk anciently with anticipation to see something soon, especially the mansion.

First look at the mansion.
This is the back side of the mansion. This is the way that George Washington and his family also came into the mansion. The front of the mansion faces the Takoma River.

Gordon and Zulita and the mansion

David and Nancy and the mansion

Visited the Upper Garden
The Upper Garden has a wide variety of trees, plants and flowers. Charming and beautiful!

The Lower Garden was on the other side of the estate. Unfortunatly the day was not long enough for us to visit that side of the estate. But we learned that the Lower Garden, know as one of the most notewrthy Colonial Revival gardens in America, supplied fresh produce for the busy Mount Vernon kitchen. The fruit garden and nursery was used to grow cherry, apple, pear and other trees, as well as to esperiment eith new seeds and plants before using them elsewhre on the estate.

The middle taller part of the brick building was some kind of nursery and the lower extensions of the building to both left and right were slave quarters. More slaves quarters continue on behind here. I'll like to think the slaves enjoyed having their quarters next to this beautiful gardens.

Lots of beautiful butterflies fling all over among the flowers

Nancy and Zulita enjoying looking at the different flowers and butterflies that were everywhere

Zulita loved it here among all this flowers and plants. She wanted to stay longer but we had to go to see the rest of the estate.

View of the mansion from the gardens

Mansion tour entrance

In line waiting for our turn of the Mansion Tour

Here is Gordon at the front door of the mansion. Look at the view behind him of the Takoma River and it's surroundings,.....beautiful! Washington know where to build his house.
The front of the house is facing the river.
No picture taking is aloud inside the mansion. But I managed to take this picture of Gordon exiting while I was still inside the house.

First look ate the front porch

Back side of the mansion. This is the entrance that George Washington, his family and guess usually come in the house.

Roof of the mansion

Gordon standing next to this tall tree that is next to the mansion in admiration of the great view of the vast Takoma River. That tree was planted there by George Washington himself when he first built he house. It has grown very tall.

The front of the mansion and the great view of the Takoma River

View of the house from the river

View of the river from the front of the house

See a touring boat going down the river at the distance.
Some people going down to the river. The river looks close from the house, but it is a walk down to the river. Mount Vernon was built up high on a hill.

Sitting at the mansion front porch enjoying the view of the Takoma River

This Estate was a big operation.
Washington landscape designed combines beauty and functionality

Lots of buildings
As we walked around and go inside the buildings the exhibits, it tells the story of a plantation life. From dawn until dusk, six days a week, slaves worked spinning wool and linen, laundering the cloths of Washington and the hundreds of guess and slaves, growing a vegetable and fruit garden, preparing food, taking care of barn animals, shoeing horses and many other jobs that supplied the services and goods necessary to keep a large plantation running.

So much to see here

Resting in the shade for a little bit

David and Gordon walking one of the many beautiful paths of this estate
Nancy and I were right behind them.

Here is where Washington was berried when he first died.

George Washington died in his bed of his bedroom bedroom in the mansion December 14, 1799.
In his will, he indicated that he be buried here at Mount Vernon.

visitor tourist in different areas of this Estate

This is where him and his wife are beried now.
He had also selected this site for his new brick tomb to replace the original one which had been build for some time by then and was deteriorating.

Gordon and David at the grave site

This new tomb was completed inn 1831, and Washington's and his wife remains Martha and other family members were moved here.

Closer look of Washington and Martha's tombs

Benches to sit down and rest

There were beautiful forest hiking paths for visitors to visit the most remote areas of the Estate.
Nearly half of the estate was native woodland.

This George Washington's head is the first exhit at the entrance of the museum. It is a fun exhibit because it is a concave structure that is made so that every angle you stand the eyes are looking at you. Very fun!

There is a great museun on the gounds of the estate that tells the story of Washington's life.
The museum is a state-of-the-arts facility with 23 galeries with comprehensive great exhibits, and theather spaces that show films that tells the story of George Washington and the acompleshmets that made him first in war, first in peace and the first president ot the US.

The exhibits to tell his live, history and the events during his time are just fantastic! Picture taking is prohibit, but I could not help and was able to be sneeky enough to take this two pictues.

The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant serves lunch and delicious candlelit dinners by reservation, Monday through Saturday. The Inn offers six intimate dinning rooms, three with fireplaces, all with colonial charm, costumed servers and delicious early-America cuisine.
Once in, it was bigger that it looked. It extended in with different rooms and lower levels since the terrain to the back went down hill. One of the back main areas that overlooked a beautiful garden was set up for a wedding reception. The table settings and decorations where so perfect and beautiful. Full of simplicity colonial charm and elegance. Just gorgeous! It looked like the ceremony was going to take place on the back gardens. I love historical places like this one. If I lived in this area I would probably choose to get married here. LOVED it!

Dinner at Lissy's House

2010-09-05T17:00:00.001-07:00

Gordon and I with Lissy, here daughter and friends.

Lissy invited us for dinner one Friday evening.
It was fun visiting with her and her daughter and her friends.

We did some singing. Lissy's friend was very animated and had a great voice.

Washington Adventist University

2010-09-05T16:19:00.001-07:00

Sabbath afternoon, driving and doing some sight-seeing of some of the Adventist landmarks we had heard about growing up. It was so hot that the friends we ate lunch with did not wanted to come with us. They said that only the tourist are out with the heat of over 100F with humidity in the 90s. The locals stay indoors in the air-conditioning.
We did not expect them to come with us, so off we went to see the sights!

Typical freeway, full or trees and dense greenery

Typical street of this area. Very dense greenery and trees all around

We visited the Washington Adventist University.
My uncle Jose Chavanz came here for Graduate School when I was a small child. He sent pictures of him and his family in this very campus to us in Central America. He was the first from our family to ever come to the US. After he finished his studies he went back to Central America and I remember him talking about this place. Back then it was called Columbia Union college.

Sligo SDA Church. Always hear about the Sligo church and had never been there. Had friends at Andrews that talked about this church as one of the churches with the most members.
This church is on the campus of the Washington Adventist University.

Photo Shoot at the Takoma Park SDA Church

2010-09-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Sabbath afternoon drive to the Takoma Park SDA Church. It was closed.
We always heard about this church growing up. The original General Conference buildings and publishing house were are all around this church. There were like 4 or 5 streets surrounding this church with 8-12 big buildings. We were told that the original General Conference was in different buildings of this streets. We did not take pictures of any of the buildings because we did not know which ones were the ones.

We walked around and did a photo shoot at the doors of the Takoma Park church.

D.C. Sabbath With Friends

2010-09-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

There are so many SDA churches in this area. We did not know which one of the 30+ churches to attend. Some friends invited us to their church and we ended up at the Tridelphia SDA Church. Ended up this the church that the new G.C. president attends.

The church is in a beautiful suburbian area. Here is a typical street of the area.
We had fun driving the streets full of trees and very green scenery in every direction.

At church with our an old friend Lissy and her family

Enjoyed a delicious meal at our friend David's home.
His wife cooked the most delicious vegan meal we had ever had.

D.C. At Night

2010-08-15T04:00:00.001-07:00

Just some shots of D.C. at night.
Zulita has never seen D. C. at night.
Is is worth seeing.
Did not take many pictures because by this time we were very tires and our feet hut. It was also still very hot and humid.

At the Metro Station waiting for our train. We were sock and wet or our sweet. Here is Zulita as we wait for our train. Feeling very sticky, not wanting to sit very close to anyone, not even Gordon because she was so hot.
It was still very hot. It still 95F with 90% of humidity at 1030 P.M.
Here is Zulita as we are waiting for our train feeling

D.C. American History Museum

2010-08-13T22:21:00.001-07:00

Had a great time visiting The National American History Museum.
We loved the exhibits!!!!
Were not able to see the whole museum. Will go back to see more of if someday.

Inside this room is a great exhibit of the history of the "The Star-Spangle Banner" The original very large flag that was in Fort McHenry in Baltimore that inspired the national anthem is there. The flag is huge. The flag originally measured 30 feet by 42 feet (9.1 m × 12.8 m). Each of the fifteen stripes are 2 feet (0.61 m) wide, and each of the stars measure about 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter. After the battle, the Armistead family occasionally gave away pieces of the flag as souvenirs and gifts; this cutting, along with deterioration from continued use, removed several feet of fabric from the flag's fly end, and it now measures 30 feet by 34 feet (9.1 m × 10.4 m). The flag currently has only fourteen stars—the fifteenth star was similarly given as a gift, but its recipient and current whereabouts are unknown.

Battle

The Flag was flown over the fort when 5,000 British soldiers and a fleet of 19 ships attacked Baltimore on September 12, 1814. The bombardment turned to Fort McHenry on the evening of September 13, and continuous shelling occurred for 25 hours under heavy rain. When the British ships were unable to pass the fort and penetrate the harbor, the attack was ended, and on the morning of September 14, when the battered flag still flew above the ramparts, it was clear that Fort McHenry remained in American hands. This revelation was famously captured in poetry by Key, an American Lawmaker and then-amateur poet. Being held by the British on a truce ship in the Patapsco River, Key observed the battle from afar. When he saw the Garrison Flag still flying at dawn of the morning of the 14th, he composed a poem he originally titled Defiance of Ft. McHenry (though some accounts hold Defence of Fort McHenry). The poem would be put to the music of a common tune, retitled The Star-Spangled Banner, and a portion of it would later be adopted as the United States National Anthem. Since its arrival at the Smithsonian, the flag has undergone multiple restoration efforts.

This is the first monument to Geaorge Washington. I am glad they decided not to use this one. He looked like a Greek God.
Following are just some of the many pictures we took. There was so much to see. They have exhibits so many different things of the America History. We loved the exhibit presentations. They were very interesting, very visual(live size and real objects), informative and fun.

History of the evolution of American's homes

Zulita in front of the Julia child kitchen

The history of the food industry and the electrical appliances was great.
There was one section on Julia Child and how she revolutionized the T.V. and cooking chows.
Julia Child T.V. show kitchen is there.
An exhibit with her life history
They have complete episodes of her T.V. shows and interviews for people to enjoy. We watch a couple episodes with a crowd of people there and she had us laughing so much. Id did not realized she was so funny

Eshibits on the history of ships, train, and car transportation with real objects. It was amazing!

Us having fun with the real size status they had to help come alive the exhibits on the transportation history.

Zulita enjoying herself waiting at a train stop

There were revolutionary history, exhibits, industrial history exhibits,.... and so many, many others.

There were war history exhibits

Visiting D.C. Mall

2010-08-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

We visited the Washington D.C. Museum Mall one Friday afternoon.
This is the Smithsonian museum that started the the whole museum chain mall here.

It was 100F with 90% humidity
We have never been so hot before

Lot's of walking here
See the Washington Memorial above the trees

The Washington Memorial

We did a lot of walking

The Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

Korean War Memorial

At The General Conference

2010-08-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

Main entrance of the General Conference building

Gordon traveled a few weeks this summer to the General Conference for his work. Since it was summer I was able to go with him. We had such a great experience. Everyone was so friendly and happy to have us there. They took great care of us, even on the weekends.

It is a big building full of hundreds of cubicles
There are main areas on each of the three floors and then cubicles in every direction. There is a baseman in the same way too.

Sculptures that represent different christian through the history of our church

Sailing at Mission Bay, San Diego

2010-08-08T19:57:00.001-07:00

Gordon and his nephews waiting and ready to go sailing

kerie and Gordaon and the rest of the family, Richard, Stew, Erick and Andrew walking in front of them.

Our sail boat. It was bigger than what I imagine.

Only five of us went sailing. Richard, Gordon, Erik, Andrew and I in the sailboat ready to go. Richard invited us and is the expert in sailing. He enjoys sailing and was ready to teach us.

Erika and Andrew inside the sailboat

Inside the sailboat was a table a little kitchen a bathroom and a bed for about two to three people to sleep

I think Andre likes it in here:-)

Me inside the sailboat

Richard, Gordon, Erik and Andrew

Andrew

Richard, Gordon and Erik

Erik and Andrew enjoying the ride

Andrew at the tip of the sailboat

Getting back and getting closer to the deck. Had a great time sailing!

Mammoth Lakes

2010-07-11T11:51:00.001-07:00

The Mammoth Lakes area is known to be great for skiing, but it has things to do for every season. Can's you believe is open for skiing and snow playing activities. There were people skiing. But we were there to do some of the hiking trails and enjoy the great majestic mountains, lakes, waterfalls and rivers.
It was our first time here and we found it to be amazingly beautiful!!!

A view point that the top of a waterfall that dropped into a lake below

Vista of some lakes down below. Beautiful!!!

There are lost of beautiful lakes everywhere in this area, which we had taken pictures of more.

The mountains above is Mammoth Mountains, were people were still skying

See the waterfall coming down!

Zoom shot of the waterfalls

Rainbow Falls

2010-07-11T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hiking to Rainbow Falls

This trail is a typical Sierra forest until it make a corner and dumps you into a surreal scene.
A forest fire swept through this area. What is left is scattered surviving trees, a lot of burnt empty shells, and the beginning of new life--little trees no more than 4 or 5 feet tall. But it was surprisingly beautiful! It felt like if we were hiking in a museum.

New redwood trees are starting to come up in some areas

A tall dead tree next to a green tree

Some trees were half way burned

A strong tall dead tree. It was scary to walk right under it, it was making noises like if it was goring to crack and fall

View from directly under the tree

A group of four horses came down the trail.

Zulita on the trail

When we got to the falls discovered why it is call Rainbow Falls,... there is a rainbow at the falls!

us and the Rainbow Falls

Devils Postpile National Monument

2010-07-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Devil Postpile National Monument is a unique geologic feature formed by an eruption of basalt lava. The lava cooled uniformly, leaving surface cracks and resulting in vertical columns.
The National Park Service provides interpretive tours, restrooms, ranger station, picnic area and campground. Trails give access to the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness areas.

Beautiful place to hike and see great nature!

Gordon hiking to the postpiles

Gordon just finished reading information about the postpiles

First look at the postpiles.
It's a phenomenon, very unique, the mountains of this area are form by postpile rock formations like this. Here is a viewing place where there is a natural cut of one that show the interior of one of the mountains.

We hiked the trail up this postpiles mountain to hear the ranger's talk that was there.
Zulita loved the view of the valley below from up there.

Closer look of the valley below

We hiked up to the top of the postpiples. The trail there is steep but relatively short. Still had Zulita huffing and puffung by the time we reached the top.

See Gordon on the postpiles. They are perfectly geometrically form!
They look like man-made hexagonal patio stone floor. It is truly a geological phenomenon!

Closer look at the postpiles

After marveling the top of the postpiles for a while we had to decide weather to keep on trails that kept going up from here or go down and do the trails below.

We desided to hiked down to see the postpiles from below again.

The post are not small, they are big. See Zulita sitting on one of them.

Postpile rocks

Zulita thinks that the best thing about coming here is the beautiful trails among the pine trees.
Zulita loved the trails!

Gordon thinking if we continue our hike down this way rouftly following the San Joaquin River.

As much as we like this river, we decided to go back to the trails

The water current is strong and water is cold, no swimming here.

The river again

Another Day at Tufa Mono Lake Shores

2010-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

We decided to come to the Mono Lake Tufa shores for the second time of our stay here. We wanted to be here for the sunset. This time we did not do a tour, we just walk freely on our own. If you want to know what Tufa is, I have already explain it on a previews blog. So go the my Mono Lake Tufa Tour entry an you will learn what Tufa is.

Sierra Nevada mountains to the west

Three volcanic craters to the south

View of the lake to the east

Road to the lake

Walking to the Tufa formations

Tufa formation rocks

A lonely bird on a Tufa

Beautiful Tufa formations

This Tufa formation to the left looks like a hand. See the five fingers.

Tufa formations on the lake shores

Tufa formations in the water

Sunset time!

Sunset time

Tufa and us

Sunset time

Glad to be here to see the sunset

Zulita pointing to a path with more Tufa

Sunset at the lake. The sunset is high on the mountains. This area gets a twilight for an hour and them becomes dark. It started to get chilly so we decided to go.Twilight time

Twilight time

Twilight time
On the road, on the way to our hotel

Tioga Pass

2010-07-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

Tioga Pass
The Tioga Pass is up Hwy 120 from Mono Lake into the Sierra Nevada towards Yosemite National Park. We came upon breathtaking mountains, waterfalls, lakes, lush meadows, and snow covered peak.It is a completely different kind of beauty from the Mono Lake basin. The weather was perfect, it the mid 70s. It got a little cool in some places where the wind was blowing other wise was just great. Zulita loves trees and mountains so she was in heaven here.

Gordon resting at one of our stops enjoying his drink. Good stop, they was a restaurant and a general store here.

The following are pictures of lakes look may look like they are the same lake, but they are different lakes we came to.

See the mountains and the lake below! somehow it was chilly here so I wore my sweater for a while.

Gordon reading and learning about this area,...and making sure were we are so we don't get lost.

We came to an area were there was some snow and a lot of rocks.

Gordon choosing some rocks for Zulita's classroom's Rock Collection.

We decided on this two rocks and a pine cone.

We came to this beautiful meadow with running streams every where.

Gordon likes meadows:-) So we spend some time here.
We had the meadow all to ourselves:-)!!!!!

The pictures does not show clearly, but those white streams at the far distance behind Gordon are waterfalls.

This waterfall was our favorite because we were able to get close to it, so close that we can feel the little drops mist of the water on us. We rested and tool a nap here.

Zulita just after she woke up from her nap.

Beautiful!

Hike form Mono Basin to Sierra Nevada Mountains

2010-07-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

One of the day at Mono Lake area we got up in the morning ready to do a hike. There were lots of hike trails in this area. We chose to do one from the Mono basin up to a Sierra mountain canyon with destination to Parker Lake.

Here we go! Up the trail!At first the terrine was very dry and spear.

The Sierra Mountains where we were going looked far for a while.

The hike got kind of too steep for Zulita for a while. She was huffing and puffing in some areas since the hike was up hill all the way.

Gordon was doing just fine. No huffing and puffing for him. He was very patience in waiting for Zulita to catch up to him in numerous orations.

Following are just a few of the many wild flowers we saw on this hike up the mountain.

After hiking for a while Mono Lake looked far below.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains started to look closer but still too high. I wondered how much of it be will have to hike before we come to our lake destination.

Waterfall

Came to an area full of redwood trees.
Love the redwood trees!
Hiked by a floating river for a while

Came to a dense forest area

Finally came to the Parker Lake, or destination. Wow!!!!

Being here was worth the hike.

Another angle view of the lake

Mono Lake Tufa Tour

2010-07-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

On the road from Sacramento to Mono Lake, we traveled the back of the Sierra Nevada. Lots of tall mountains and pine trees.

It was very windy sometimes.
Here at one of our stops is Zulita back in the car trying to stay away from the wind, but the wind still has her hair:-)

We were glad to finally take our first glance at Mono Lake at a view point on the road.

Mono Lake is located to the immediate east of Yosemite National Park. Mono is the western most basin of the Basin and Range province, which stretches across western North America Between the Rocky Mountains and The Sierra Nevada, In the heart of the basin lies Mono Lake.
It is surrounded by different kind of terrains. The 13,000 ft. peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the west, the ancient volcanic Bodie Hills to the north, a vast of rolling stagebrush to the east and young Mono Craters to the south.

Very peaceful lake

Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America, it has fluctuated in size over the years. Mono Lake has no outlet. For thousands of years streams have carried minerals into the lake and evaporation has removed water from it. As a result of this process, the mineral content has risen and the lake has high salt concentration, the lake offers a delightfully buoyant swimming experience.

Gordon and the lake

Gordon on a path walking to the lake.

We did a Mono Lake Tufa tour. Highly recommended to anyone that visits the this lake. It helps to understand and appreciate how unique, interesting and special this Lake really is. Also learn about the history of this lake, how it came to be and what California is doing to preserve it.

What is Tufa?
Tufa tower formations show what nature can do with a few basic elements. The strange spires and knobs are formed when fresh water springs containing calcium bubble up through the carbonate-rich lake water. The combination of these waters forms calcium carbonate, a whitish limestone deposits that forms the basis of the tufa formations. Tufa is found in many alkaline lakes throughout the world.

Beautiful Tufa rocks!!!!!

Tufa rocks by the Mono Lake,.... Just beautiful!

Our guide demonstrated how Tufa rock formations are formed.
Our guide made some Tufa for us by taking water form the lake and mixing it with mineral found in the soil of this area.

The water in the glass turned white intermediately and a small Tufa rock started to form at the bottom of the glass.

Walking among the Tufa on land

This is a picture of Gordon with a few leaves from the bush next to him in his hands. Here he is just before he tasted the leaves and found they were terribly salty. Should have take a picture of his face as he ate his leaves.

Our tour guide told us all about the plants adaptation of this area. The plants and bushes around the lake are salty because water on the ground of this area has a lot of salt. Our tour guide had us all take a small peace from the plants there and eat it, it was amazingly very salty to the taste.

Fun picking up pumice rocks because they are light in weight

Zulita having fun picking up this pumice rock over her head. Not heavy at all.

Tufa formations on the shores and water

Tufa rocks on dry land.

Walking to our next stop of the tour.

Gordon, touching the water. It is very salty when you taste it.

Our tour guide told us all about the small shrimp and the water flies that live on this lake and also let us go in the water to find them. People that had water shoes were able to go in the water and find them. Pretty fun!
This is a dead lake, but small shrimp and water flies live in the water. The shrimp eats the algae in the lake to live. The water flies come up to land to find food. Then the migrating birds stop here every year and eat the shrimp and flies and double their wait before they migrate back all the way to Chile to mate. Very interesting!
People in our tour looking in the water and taking out specimens they found and then sharing them with the rest of the group.

This looks like dirt floating on the water, it is not they are clusters of water flies, alkali flies that live on the lake and lake shores.

The Native Americans that lived here were called Kutzadika's Monache, meaning "fly-eaters". These natives collected the abundant alkaly fly pupae and used them as one of their main food sources. Monoche was shorten to "Mono" and applied to the region and people living here by early explorers in the 1850s. This is how this lake got his name of Mono Lake.

Came to an area where there were springs of water on the edge of the lake.
Zulita looking closely at one of the springs that feeds the lake. We got to waked among the water springs there. It was fun!

close look at a water spring

Fun walking the flat paths/trails on the shores of Mono Lake!

This trail lead to were there was a beach area where they let you swim on the lake, but we did not come prepared with bathing suits. It would have been fun to swim in such salty water and float since the salt level of this lake is very high. Swimming in Mono Lake has to wait until next time we come:-(

We were very hungry so we left the lake and went to eat at a place near the lake.
Fish-mango tacos for dinner!

Gordon was hungry. He sure was happy with his fish mango tacos.
Even that it was getting cold, we decided to eat at the outside tables because the restaurant had a view of the lake. We wanted to see the sunset at the lake, but we soon found out that the sunset had already happened and we missed it.

View of the lake as we ate. We wanted to see the sunset but the sunset sets over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west (the opposite direction from this picture) an hour earlier and then there is like an hour of twilight on this area before it gets dark. This picture is facing east with Mono Lake and the eastern mountains during the twilight time.

The World Cup

2010-07-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

My parents are into the World Cup games. It's a family tradition to get together to see the games. Had a great time watching some of the games with them. This particular day Brazil was playing against Chile. My dad was going for Brazil and my mom for Chile.

My mother has a collection of flags of the different countries of the world.

My brother was going for Brazil as well. Here he is waving the Brazilian flag in front of the TV.

We are a unique family. We are not all from one country. parents met at the Adventist College that serves Central America. My mother was born in Costa Rica and my father is from Honduras. My father is a Pastor and my parents worked as missionaries in different counties and moved in an average of every 3-4 years. Us children were born in different places. My sister Ana was born in Colon Panama, my sister Adita was born in David Panama, and I was born in at the canal zone in Panama City and brother was born in Guatemala City. Growing up when people asked us where were we from (which it was asked often when you are traveling as a family in the spanish speaking countries), we will say,..... "We are from Central America".

My father holding the flag from Honduras, his country.

Mount Tamalpais

2010-07-05T14:43:00.001-07:00

Traveled the very curvy road up to Mount Tamalpais. Mount Tamalpais is just north of San Francisco Golden Gate. It has redwood groves and oak woodlands with a spectacular view from 2,571 foot peak.
Gordon and I met when we were both living in the San Francisco Bay Area. We came here when we were dating. This place has special memories for us.

Top of Mount Tamalpais. We did not do the hike to the very top because we had to pay.

Ana, Zulita and Ada and the view of the San Francisco Bay Area below.
It was very windy up there.

View of the mountains on one side

View of the San Francisco Bay Area on the other side.
Half of the view of the city was cover with fog and the other was clear.

Could see the towns of Sautalito and Tiburon down below

Sausalito

Could not see the city of San Francisco, it was covered by fog.

Ana, Carlos and Zulita enjoying the view

Muir Woods

2010-07-05T13:55:00.001-07:00

Went to Muir Woods. Muir Woods is a national forest north of San Francisco and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Gordon and I came for hikes here when we were dating. This place has special memories for us.

Ana and I

Hiking the forest paths

Carlos

Ada, Ana, and Zulita

Zulita, Gordon, Ada, Carlos and Ana

San Francisco Light House

2010-07-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

Went to a San Francisco light house. It was foggy and cold. Started our hike hopping that the fog would clear out by the time we get to the light house so we could enjoy the great view of the city of San Francisco, ocean, the cost, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was foggy and cold

walking/hiking to the light house

Ada, Ana and Carlos

Flowers and plants on the rock of the cliff before seeing the ocean waters

a tunnel we walked thorugh

Bridges that takes to the light house

Crossing the bridge to the light house.
Only two people at the time are aloud on the bridge at the time.

The Light House

Could not see the Golden Gate Bridge or the city of San Francisco because of the fog.

A Tour of a Private Winery of the Napa Valley

2010-07-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

We visited this winery. Don't know the name of this winery because they don't even have a sign because they want the tourist to stay away. People that come here is only by personal invitation.

We were welcome by very friendly people. They were waiting for us. When we got there people were sitting in the portals of the winery.

We could have sat here all day and it would have been enough. But then the tour guide came and we had to go with her.

It's mandatory to be drinking wine as you walk around the grounds, So they gave us each a cup and a group basket with four different bottles of wine to drink during the tour.

The tour guide serving Carlos some wine.
They do a very personal and friendly tour at this winery.

There were cozy areas with umbrellas and tables to sit down and enjoy drink the wine and just enjoy the surroundings. Very relaxing and peaceful!

Flowers, fruit trees, bushes, vegetables all growing together.
Beautiful!

Edibel, our tour guide was very good in explaining things to us

Walking among the paths that had a mix of flowers bushes and vegetables.
They grow it naturally like wild plants but they also have gardeners that attend to them.
Love this style of gardening!

There were lots of fruit trees

Walking around the vegetable gardens.
This winery grows all of fruits and vegetables.
They practice the dry farming method. This method forces the plants to have deeper roots to get to the water deep in the ground. This makes the plants grow stronger. They have an irrigation system but they don't water the plants every day. The irrigation system is only use as a back up if the plants get too dry.

Gordon loved the vegetable gardens

Zulita preferred the flowers

Saying good-bye

Visiting Castello di Amorosa

2010-07-03T03:54:00.000-07:00

We visited Castello di Amorosa, a castle winery of the Napa valley California.
It is located between St. Helana and Calistoga.

Beautiful wild flowers growing among the vineyard

Walking the vineyard

We enter the castle for a little while

Photos by trees

Pathways and gardens

Fun viewing the vineyards and mountains from this arch:-)

Photos by arches

Photos at doors

Went up the hill to the castle pond

The pond

Up there was a greater view of the valley and mountains

Up here there was more grape wine vineyard with a better view of the valley

At a bridge and the castle behind us.

Enjoyed the garden of the castle

Sisters

sisters at magic mirror?

Group photo

For lunch we went to a Mexican restaurant in Calistoga so Zulita can have her flan for desert.

Concert at a St. Helena Park

2010-07-03T03:27:00.000-07:00

We went to a concert at a St. Helena park one evening.

Gordon and Ada got the picnic food ready for our picnic. Gordon made his classic potato salad.

The band did not look so good but it sounded good, maybe because of the saxophones:-)

Ada and I
Love the small town life style. Ada is so lucky to live here.

One of many Ada's friends

Enjoying Visiting Ada

2010-07-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

I took a class at PUC for credentials update. Gordon came with me. He was a great support with my homework and transportation to class. He also took cake of lunch every day.
Ada would go to work and I would go to class all day. Here I am coming back from class one evening.

Gordon took me to class and picked me up and he then be all day enjoying my sister's place.
He would read in the morning at his favorite spot, the living room deck.

He would work and made phone calls from the deck.
He works hard, so I was glad he had a relaxing time while I was in class.

Ada, getting some herbs from her garden to use for our dinner.
She was so good in getting dinner, BBQ, picnic concert at the park, walk around her neighborhood after she came from work.

Love the forest surroundings that continues to open sky to the Napa Valley.

Ada, with her hands full of herbs we would us for our dinner.

Me next to this plant among her garden that has beautiful huge flowers.
After that were the lemon trees which I did not go. We had to wear boots to go to the lemon trees because that is where the snakes are.

Feels like if I am in Tuscany Italy

Ada's Place

2010-07-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

My sister Adita lives in a peaceful and beautiful place!
Her place is surrounded by plants, flowers and nestle of tall trees beautiful.

We visited my sister Ada for a week. She lives in Angwin California. She works for the Pacific Union College (PUC). She has the most cozy peaceful place. Lots of trees and great plants and flowers. Staying here Gordon and I thought we died and went to heaven:-) So beautiful!!!!

View out the kitchen window

Enjoying the outdoors of Ada's place Gordon also encounter two snakes in two different days.
This snake gave him time to go in the house and get the camera to take a few pictures of it.
The last day we were there Ada and Gordon encounter a rattle snake while picking tomatoes. It was hissing and rattling at them. Sorry, no picture of the rattle snake.

Breath taking from the upper deck of the Napa Valley (wine country), mountains and a lake.

Father's Day

2010-07-02T03:44:00.000-07:00

My father very satisfy after a great Father's Day meal at Ana's house.
The meal included one of his favorite dish from Honduras, Pupusas.

It was in the late 70 outside so after we ate we enjoyed Carlos and Ana's yard.

At Ana's vegetable garden

Relaxing and talking with my dad

Dad even got a hair cut

Ada and Tico

Carlos and Tico

Ana and Tico

San Francisco

2010-06-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

San Francisco

Presidio

Carlos

My father and I keeping each other warm while we waited for our warm tea

My father

Sisters

Picnic At Golden Gate Park

2010-06-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

After enjoying the science museum, picnic by a pond of the Golden Gate Park was in order.

Eating our picnic

Adita

My parents were setting at at bench facing the pond.

San Francisco California Academy of Science Museum

2010-06-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

We visited the San Francisco Academy of Science Museum at Golden Gate Park

There was an albino alligator. This alligator was huge!

Did not get any good pictures of the penguins exhibit, but they were so active and cute!

My parents really like the Safari exhibit

In the tropical forest exhibit with my parents

Enjoyed the museum living roof.
Went to the open air observation terrace to enjoy the amazing Living Roof.
The museum roof is cover with dense concentration of wildflower plants of the San Francisco area. The expansive vista is also is also an ideal location for watching Northern California birds, butterflies and insects.

Closed up of the Living Roof plants

Ana educating herself about all the plants on this Living Roof

Enjoying the aquarium

My parents and Gordon

Carlos almost touching exotic ocean fish

Enjoying the exhibits

walking the museum

My cute parents resting. They were tired after walking the museum with us.

My parents, my sisters and I

My parents and I

My sisters and a gigantic riho

At the Zoo With Jerry and Lynelle

2010-06-24T22:46:00.000-07:00

Jerry and Lynelle came to visit from Michigan. They've never been to the San Diego Zoo so we took them there.

Gordon Jerry and Lynelle

Following only some of the many animals we saw

Sleeping baby bear

Fun Watching the Seals

2010-06-14T00:47:00.000-07:00

After church we took Jerry and Lynelle to La Jolla, San Diego to watch the seals.
It was fun watching the seals. They all seemed so relax enjoying the sun and water.

Some seals would go swimming

Some seals were sleeping. This seals look so relax.

This seal was so sweet and cute:-)

Stretching

Lynelle and Zulita watching the seals

Leaving the seals behind to go for a hike at Torrey Pines.

At San Diego Torrey Pines With Jerry and Lynelle

2010-06-13T02:46:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Torrey Pines hike with ocean view

Jerry climbed a Torrey Pine tree

Us

Jerry and Lynelle

Slopes that went down to the beach

Some of the flowers we saw as we walked

One of the benches there that faces the ocean.

Jerry and Lynelle

Flowers from Shashi's Garden

2010-05-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Came home from church with beautiful flowers from our friend Shashi's Garden.
They have been decorating our dinning room table all week. It is Friday evening and they still look fresh and colorful.

Thank you Shashi.........you grow beautiful flowers in your garden!

Mother's Day at the San Diego Zoo

2010-05-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

We took Mom Harty to the San Diego Zoo Mother's Day.
We thought it would be a good place for grandsons and her to be entertain.
After going to a bird show that was a lot of fun we went to the Orchid exhibit that is not usually open but was open because of Mother's Day.

Walking among the different types of orchids.There were hundreds of them!

Then we went off to see the animals the rest of the day.
We saw a lot and took hundreds of pictures. But here we are only posting the not so common animals and the animals and the ones that were showing some action.

Enjoying our lunches by in front of the elephant exhibit.

This bird was huge!

This is a giant rodent. He was as big as a large dog.

There was some action at the lions cage.

Eating time! Look closely at his mouth, he has a big peace of flesh on his mouth.

Liking himself after eating

Grandmother and grandchildren with the bears.
This bear exhibit is showing the size or a baby bear when it is born, a young bear and the size of a full grown polar bear. He is huge!

The Polar Bears were very active.... so fun to watch!

Andrew sitting in a helicopter use to observe polar bear in Alaska

We did a lot of walking all around the zoo.

The tiger coming,

Tiger closer,

and closer until we see his whole body

What a beautiful cat!

Grooming each other

Look at the long arms this monkey has

Red Gorillas

Gorilla eating

After eating he was walking around

At the La Jolla Cove With Andrew, Erick and Mom Harty

2010-05-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

Andrew wanted to go to the beach so we went to La Jolla Cove. It was full of people but we were able to find a space to set our chairs and also be able to see the boys as they intermediately went to the water.

Mom Harty, Gordon and I watch the boys from our chairs.

The boys went right to the water

Playing in the sand

Sand, waves and water

Andrew is the only one that came prepared. He brought a bag with him and in the back he had his bathing suit and a change of clothes. Andrew could get wet and enjoy the beach. The rest of us could only wet our feet.

Gordon rolled up his pants and decided to join the boys at the water.

Andrew made a whole so deep that when the stand the sand will be almost to his knees.

Andrew and His Friend Working Hard at the Beach

2010-05-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

A girl come and asked Andrew if she could play with him. Andrew said yes.
Andrew and his new friend got themselves very busy at the beach.

They were energetically working

But it was hard because the water kept coming in their area.

So Andrews friend found a seaweed in the shallow water and decided to use it. But they pulled and pulled and it wasn't moving much.

They were working hard moving this seaweed. It was very hard to pull.
It was so entertaining watching them. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves watching them.

Gordon thought to help them, but......bad idea. They wanted to move it themselves.

After they cut it with the edge of a shovel into two peaces, then it was easier to move.

They worked hard moving the seaweed inch by inch they dragged it to where they wanted.

They finally put the seaweed around the area they were working. The idea was for the seaweed to be a barrier and keep the water from washing away what they were trying to build with the sand.

But as they finished, a big wave came and inundated their area anyways and started even taking the seaweed away. They worked and the ocean was not cooperating with them. But they were having fun!

Watching Paragliding With Erik, Andrew and Mom Harty

2010-05-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday after church we took Mon, Erik and Andrew to the Torrey Pines Gliderport to watch paragliding. We sat on the benches to watch.

Mom Harty and her gradchildren Erick and Andrew watching everything people had to do before they take off and fly.

Gordon, Andrew, Mom and Erick watching

Taking Mom Harty to the Mission Inn

2010-05-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

Took Mom Harty to the Mission Inn.
Gordon and his mother at the entrance of the Main Mission Inn.
It is a luxury hotel.

They had cages with big beautiful birds

One of the court yards

Zulita at one of the many balconies

Beautiful interior

A church in one of the wings of the second level. A wedding had just happened and the area was off limits. The reception was going on in the main ballroom so we could not go in to see it.

We were able to walk around the Inn

Gorgeous flowers everywhere!

A herbal and spice garden at one of the terraces. They grow them for their restaurants they have in the main floor.

Hall/walk way for their sweet rooms. The doors on the sides are sweet rooms. One of the doors was open because housekeeping was cleaning it so we took a quick peek, GORGEOUS sweets!

One of their stairways

Fountains in many areas

Lovely arches in some of the Walkways.
One could really get lost here since there are so many different walkways

Gordon and his mother

Beautiful Place!
We like visiting historical places.

Our Backyard Spring Flowers

2010-05-14T22:28:00.001-07:00

Sabbath Lunch Pot Luck at the Flores

2010-05-14T22:11:00.001-07:00

The Flores have a Lovely home

Kitchen dining room area, very open area.

The whole group