tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111258522024-03-07T17:45:34.222-06:00Rob and CarleyCarley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comBlogger200125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-1124576689865394462010-01-03T23:52:00.025-06:002010-04-15T17:19:06.094-06:00WHAT'S NEWAs of January, 2010, we are no longer updating this blog. The main purpose of this blog now is to serve as a permanent record of our travels in Mexico and Guatemala in 2005 and 2006. There are also a bunch of pages documenting our early years of parenthood in Mississippi, which you can find <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/01/whats-new.html#USA">here</a>. However, to keep up with our latest activities, you'll have to friend us on Facebook. <br /><br /><a name="abroad"></a><br /><strong>OUR ADVENTURES SOUTH OF THE BORDER <br />(Winter 2005 - Summer 2006)</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/IMG_01821.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/IMG_01821.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In the spring of 2005 we loaded up the car and the dog and left the USA for awhile. We spent 30 days driving through Mexico, checking out lots of cool sites along the way. <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/Xela%20market2.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/Xela%20market2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After crossing into Guatemala, we decided to settle in the city of Quetzaltenango (Xela), where we stayed for a little over a year. <br /><br />The following links will help you to navigate our travels and adventures. <br /><br /><u>Leaving the USA</u><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/02/truckin.html">Truckin' - Our First Blog Post! (Jan 2005)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/03/and-theyre-off-almost.html">And They're Off!! Almost... (Feb 2005)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/03/leaving-usa_28.html">Leaving the USA! (Mar 2005)</a></li></ul><br /><u>Roadtrip Down Through Mexico:</u> March 21 to April 20, 2005<br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/03/mexico-day-1-monterrey.html">Day 1: Monterrey</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/IMG_0116.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/IMG_0116.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/03/mexico-days-2-3-guanajuato.html">Days 2-3: Guanajuato</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/03/mexico-days-4-6-morelia-michoacan.html">Days 4-6: Morelia and the Michoacán Countryside</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-7-10-uruapan-volcanos-and.html">Days 7-10: Uruapan, Volcanos and Colima</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-11-14-michoacn-coast.html">Days 11-14: The Michoacán Coast</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-15-17-la-costa-grande.html">Days 15-17: La Costa Grande - Zihuatanejo and Acapulco</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-18-20-oaxaca-coast-puerto.html">Days 18-20: The Oaxaca Coast - Puerto Escondido and Mazunte</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-21-22-san-jos-del-pacifico.html">Days 21-22: The Oaxaca Mountains - San José Del Pacifico</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-23-25-oaxaca.html">Days 23-25: Oaxaca</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-day-26-tuxtla-guittirez-capital.html">Day 26: Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Capital of Chiapas </a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-day-27-san-cristbal-de-las.html">Day 27: San Cristóbal De Las Casas, the heart of Chiapas </a></li><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/IMG_0331.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/IMG_0331.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/04/mexico-days-28-29-ancient-mayan-ruins.html">Days 28-29: Ancient Mayan Ruins at Palenque</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/mexico-days-29-30-jungle-waterfalls-at.html">Days 29-30: Jungle Waterfalls in Chiapas</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/impressions-of-mexico.html">Impressions of Mexico</a></li></ul><br /><u>Living in Guatemala:</u> April 20, 2005 to June 30, 2006<br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/08/guatemala.html">Overview of Guatemala</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/640/IMG_1617.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/320/IMG_1617.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/quetzaltenango-xela-our-home.html">Living in Quetzaltenango (Xela)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/yoga-house-our-home.html">Our Home in Xela: The Yoga House</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/our-friends-in-guatemala.html">Our Friends in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/robs-work.html">Rob's Work in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/09/robs-volunteer-projects.html">Rob's Volunteer Projects</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/09/carleys-volunteer-project.html">Carley's Volunteer Project</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/say-what-strange-sights-in-guatemala.html">Say What? Strange Sights in Guatemala</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/IMG_0523.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/IMG_0523.jpg'></a><br/><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/realities-of-living-in-guatemala.html">The Harsh Realities of Living in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/06/guaranteed-weight-loss-with-guatemalan.html">The Guatemalan Weight Loss Diet!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/11/hurricane-stan.html">Hurricane Stan (Oct 2005)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/06/norcal-reunion-in-guate.html">Norcal Reunion in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/06/goodbye-to-guatemala.html">Goodbye to Guatemala</a></li></ul><br /><u>Places to See in Guatemala:</u><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/09/side-trips-around-xela.html">Side Trips Around Xela</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/fuentes-georginas.html">Fuentes Georginas: Hot Springs Near Xela</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/640/IMG_1196.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/320/IMG_1196.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/lake-atitln.html">Lake Atitlán: Our Favorite Weekend Getaway</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/san-marcos-new-years-eve-with-kannal.html">San Marcos: Bohemian Getaway at Lake Atitlán</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/antigua.html">Antigua: Central America's Most Beautiful City</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/IMG_0522.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/IMG_0522.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/jamtigua-2005.html">Jamtigua: Music Festival in Antigua</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/05/guatemala-city.html">Guatemala City: The Capital</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/07/volcn-santa-mara.html">Volcán Santa María</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/640/crater%20group.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/263/3824/320/crater%20group.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/07/volcn-pacaya.html">Volcán Pacaya</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/07/monterrico-pacific-beach.html">Pacific Beach at Monterrico</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/07/cobn.html">Cobán: Coffee Town in the Mountains</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/07/semuc-champey.html">Semuc Champey: Jungle Waterfalls</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/09/finca-nueva-alianza.html">Finca Neuava Alianza: A Worker-Owned Coffee Cooperative</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/copn-mayan-ruins-in-honduras.html">Copán: Mayan Ruins in Honduras</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/honduras-lake-yojoa-and-pulhapanzak.html">Lake Yojoa and Giant Waterfall in Honduras</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/christmas-in-peten-guatemalas-jungle.html">Petén: Guatemala's Jungle Frontier </a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/tikal-most-famous-of-ancient-mayan.html">Tikal: Majestic Mayan Ruins</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/640/IMG_1400.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/320/IMG_1400.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/ro-dulce-and-lago-izabal-guatemalas.html">Guatemala's "Riviera": Río Dulce and Lago Izabal</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/livingston-guatemalas-caribbean.html">Livingston: Guatemala's Caribbean Culture</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/todos-santos.html">Todos Santos: Indigenous Mountain Town</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/lagos-de-montebello.html">Lagos de Montebello: Beautiful Mexican Lakes</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/02/camping-january-2006.html">Random Camping Trip in Guatemala</a></li></ul><br /><u>Holidays in Guatemala:</u><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/semana-santa.html">Semana Santa: Holy Week and Easter in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/04/huelga-de-dolores.html">Huelga de Dolores: A Strange Guatemalan Pre-Easter Tradition</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/09/independence-day.html">Independence Day (Sep 15)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/12/christmas-in-guatemala.html">Christmas in Guatemala</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/01/san-marcos-new-years-eve-with-kannal.html">New Year's Eve in Guatemala</a></li></ul><br /><u>Roadtrip Back Up Through Mexico:</u> July 1 to July 21, 2006<br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/yucatn-caribbean-beaches.html">Yucatán: Caribbean Beaches</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/yucatn-chichn-itz.html">Yucatán: Mayan Ruins at Chichén Itzá </a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/yucatn-valladolid-and-mrida.html">Yucatán: Valladolid and Mérida</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/on-road.html">On the Road in Mexico</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexican-highlands-orizaba.html">Mexican Highlands: Orizaba</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexico-city.html">Mexico City</a></li><br /><IMG SRC='http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5155/889/400/zocalo.jpg' border=0 alt='' style='display:block;margin 0px auto 10px; text-align:center'><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexico-city-history.html">Mexico City: History</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexico-city-museums.html">Mexico City: Anthropology Museum</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexico-city-art-museums.html">Mexico City: Art Museums</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/mexico-city-political-protest.html">Mexico City: Political Protest</a></li></ul><br /><br /><br /><a name="USA"></a><br /><strong>MAJOR MILESTONES</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/11/wedding.html">Our Wedding (Oct 15, 2005)</a></li><br /><a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/640/wedding1.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #000000; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/263/3824/320/wedding1.jpg'></a><br /><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/10/wedding-trip-mississippi-and-tennessee.html">Our "Southern Honeymoon"</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.molecularmusic.org/gallery2/CarleyandRobWinklerParty102205">Our San Francisco Wedding Party (Oct 22, 2005)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2005/11/wedding-trip-mendocino.html">Our California Honeymoon</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/06/were-pregnant.html">Pregnant (Spring and Summer or 2006)</a></li></ul><br /><br /><strong>2006 - BACK IN THE USA</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/08/our-new-home-in-tupelo-mississippi.html">Our New Home: Tupelo, Mississippi</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/09/rowan-elliott-lovorn.html">Our New Baby Boy!! (Sep 9)</a></li><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5155/889/1024/IMG_0244.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #000000 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5155/889/400/IMG_0244.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/10/first-weeks-of-family-life.html">First Weeks of Family Life</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/10/garaj-mahal-in-memphis.html">Garaj Mahal in Memphis (Oct 17)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/11/halloween-2006.html">Happy Halloween</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/12/thanksgiving-road-trip.html">Trey Anastasio in Memphis (Nov 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/12/thanksgiving-road-trip.html">Thanksgiving Roadtrip to Pennsylvania (Nov 25 to Dec 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/12/barrett-and-molly-engaged.html">Carley's Brother Barrett Engaged! (Dec 22)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2006/12/merry-christmas.html">Merry Christmas!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-years-eve-2006.html">New Year's Eve with STS9 in Atlanta</a></li></ul><br /><br /><strong>2007 - OUR FIRST YEAR IN TUPELO</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/02/our-first-house.html">We Bought Our First House!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/05/rowan-growin.html">Rowan A-Growin'</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/04/spring-break-2007-destin-floriday.html">Spring Break at the Beach near Destin, Florida (Mar 10-17)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/04/041407-von-braun-civic-center.html">Widespread Panic in Huntsville (Apr 14)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/05/jazzfest-2007.html">New Orleans Jazzfest (Apr 26-29)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/05/gumtree-art-festival.html">Gumtree Art Festival (Mother's Day - May 13))</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/05/rowans-baptism.html">Rowan's Baptism (May 20)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/05/peter-rowan-in-oxford.html">Peter Rowan and Rowan Oak in Oxford (May 25)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/06/bonnaroo-music-festival.html">Bonnaroo Music Festival (June 14-17)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/07/summer-vacation-at-beach-july-4th-week.html">Summer Vacation at the Beach in Florida (July 4th week)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/07/summer-is-time-for-picnics-in-park.html">Summer is Time for Picnics in the Park</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/08/summer-is-time-for-back-yard-parties.html">Summer is Time for Backyard Parties</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/08/al-green-at-memphis-botanic-garden.html">Al Green at Memphis Botanical Gardens (July 21)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/09/back-to-school.html">Back to School (Aug 10)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/09/big-sams-funky-nation-in-oxford.html">Big Sam's Funky Nation in Oxford (Aug 31)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/09/one-year-old.html">Rowan One Year Old!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/09/hanna-cabana_30.html">Hangin' at the Hanna Cabana</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/09/fall-football-at-ole-miss.html">College Football at Ole Miss (Sep 22)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/11/celebration-of-cultures.html">Celebration of Cultures (Sep 29)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/11/willie-nelson-in-tupelo.html">Willie Nelson in Tupelo (Nov 4)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/11/thanksgiving-at-beach.html">Thanksgiving at the Beach in Florida (Nov 17 to 24)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/11/bear-creek-music-festival.html">Bear Creek Music Festival in Live Oak, Florida (Nov 18)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/visit-with-robs-family.html">Holiday Roadtrip to Pennsylvania (Dec 22 to Jan 5)</a></li><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-2007.html">Merry Christmas!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/robs-hometown-bangor-pennsylvania.html">Rob's Hometown: Bangor, PA</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/day-trips-around-bangor.html">Day Trips: Philadelphia and New York City</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/on-road.html">The Five-Day Roadtrip Back Home</a></li></ul></ul><br /><br /><strong>2008 - ANOTHER YEAR IN TUPELO</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/02/greyboy-allstars-in-oxford.html">Greyboy Allstars in Oxford (Feb 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/03/snowy-spring-break.html">Snowy Spring Break (Mar 8)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/03/bill-clinton-in-tupelo.html">Bill Clinton in Tupelo (Mar 7)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/04/carleys-brother-barrett-got-married.html">Carley's Brother Got Married! (Apr 5)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/04/galactic-in-oxford.html">Galactic in Oxford (Apr 18)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/05/beale-street-festival.html">Beale Street Festival in Memphis (May 4)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/05/yikes-tornado.html">Yikes! A Tornado! (May 8)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/06/summertime-in-backyard.html">Summertime in the Backyard</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/06/city-stages-festival-birmingham.html">City Stages Festival in Birmingham (June 13)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/06/staying-busy-in-summer.html">Staying Busy in June</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-road.html">The Big Roadtrip Out West (June 29 to July 18)</a></li><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-orleans.html">New Orleans</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/houston.html">Houston</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/austin.html">Austin</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/tucson.html">Tucson</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/los-angeles.html">Los Angeles</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/santa-barbara-and-pismo-beach.html">Santa Barbara</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/santa-barbara-and-pismo-beach.html">Pismo Beach</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/san-jose-and-santa-cruz-mountains.html">San Jose</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/san-jose-and-santa-cruz-mountains.html">Bonny Doon</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/san-jose-and-santa-cruz-mountains.html#Pacifica">Pacifica</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/oakland.html">Oakland</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/pacifica-and-san-francisco.html">San Francisco</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/07/oakland-again-and-walnut-creek.html">Walnut Creek</a></li><br /></ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/08/atlanta-debacle.html">STS9 and Umphrey's McGee in Atlanta (The Debacle - Aug 1 and 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/08/almost-two.html">Rowan Almost 2 Years Old</a> </li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/09/summertime-fun-in-park.html">Summertime Fun in the Park</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/09/stanton-moore-trio.html">Stanton Moore Trio in Oxford (Sep 4)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/09/two-years-old.html">Rowan 2 Years Old! (Sep 9)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/09/college-football-at-ole-miss.html">College Football at Ole Miss (Sep 20)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/09/celebration-of-cultures.html">Celebration of Cultures (Sep 27)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/10/saturday-in-starkville.html">College Football in Starkville (Oct 11)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/11/halloween-2008.html">Halloween 2008</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/11/nfl-football-in-nashville.html">Titans vs Packers in Nashville (Nov 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/11/saint-louis.html">Election Day in St. Louis? (Nov 4)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/12/thanksgiving-at-beach.html">Thanksgiving at the beach in Florida</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-2008.html">Christmas 2008</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-years-eve-2008.html">New Year's Eve in Atlanta with STS9</a></li></ul><br /><br /><strong>2009 - THE YEAR OF BIG CHANGE!</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/02/almost-two-and-half.html">Almost Two-And-A-Half</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/02/forty_01.html">Forty! (Jan 8)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.903chester.blogspot.com"><strong>HOUSE FOR SALE</strong></a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-valentine-2009.html">Happy Valentine 2009</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/fun-in-snow.html">Fun in the Snow</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/winter-visitors.html">Winter Visitors</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/trip-to-childrens-museum-of-memphis.html">The Children's Museum of Memphis</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/tupelo-buffalo-park.html">The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/teaching-esl-in-south-pontotoc-county.html">Rob's Job Teaching ESL in Pontotoc County</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/carleys-new-job-at-university-of.html"><strong>CARLEY'S NEW JOB</strong> at University of Mississippi</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/umphreys-mcgee-in-memphis.html">Umphrey's McGee in Memphis (March 28)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/ncaa-tournament-basketball-in-memphis.html">March Madness in Memphis (March 29)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/johnny-travers-hanna.html">Introducing Johnny Travers Hanna (April 10)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-easter.html">Happy Easter</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/galactic-and-friends-in-oxford.html">Galactic in Oxford (April 15)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/wilco-in-oxford.html">Wilco in Oxford (April 23)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/04/double-decker-festival.html">Double Decker Festival (April 25)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/05/rowans-first-school-musical.html">Rowan's First School Musical (April 28)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/05/umphreys-mcgee-in-new-orleans.html">Umphrey's McGee in New Orleans (May 1)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/05/umphreys-mcgee-in-oxford.html">Umphrey's McGee in Oxford (May 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/05/fiesta-on-chesta.html">Fiesta on Chesta (May 30)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/06/our-new-house.html"><strong>OUR NEW HOUSE</strong></a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/06/bonnaroo-2009.html">Bonnaroo Music Festival (June 11-14)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/07/fourth-of-july-weekend-at-beach.html">Weekend at the Beach (July 3-4)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/07/visit-with-gigi-and-brandi-in.html">Visit With Rob's Family in Pennsylvania (July 7-14)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/07/land-of-make-believe_22.html">The Land of Make Believe (July 13)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/08/don-myers-memorial-in-missouri.html">The Don Myers Memorial in Missouri (July 29-30)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/08/swimming-at-sardis-lake.html">Swimming at Sardis Lake (August 8)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/09/labor-day-getaway-to-florence-alabama.html">Labor Day Getaway to Florence, AL (September 4-6)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/09/derek-trucks-band-in-oxford.html">Derek Trucks Band in Oxford (September 15)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-third-birthday-rowan.html">Rowan's 3rd Birthday Party (September 19)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/national-geographic-conference-in.html">Carley's National Geographic Conference in Puerto Rico (September 22-26)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/allans-wedding.html">Allan's Wedding in Sonoma (October 2)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/visit-to-san-francisco.html">Rob's Visit to San Francisco (October 2-3)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/sunday-night-nfl-in-music-city.html">NFL in Nashville - Titans vs Colts (October 11)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/lazy-sunday-afternoon-in-oxford.html">A lazy Sunday afternoon in Oxford</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/11/football-saturday-in-oxford.html">Football Saturday in Oxford (October 24)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/11/ween-in-oxford.html">Ween in Oxford (October 29)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/11/sts9-in-birmingham.html">STS9 in Birmingham (October 30)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/11/halloween-2009.html">Halloween</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-mastersounds-at-proud-larrys.html">New Mastersounds at Proud Larry's (November 11)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/12/thanksgiving-at-beach.html">Thanksgiving at the beach</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-parade.html">Tupelo Christmas Parade (December 5)</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-2009.html">Merry Christmas!</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-eve-in-new-orleans.html">Galactic in New Orleans for New Year's Eve</a></li></ul>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-25711590259830176032010-01-03T13:09:00.002-06:002010-01-03T13:42:56.606-06:00NEW YEAR'S EVE IN NEW ORLEANSWe have a long-running tradition of seeing live music on New Year's Eve. It's a perfect holiday for leaving Rowan with his MeMe and Papa and getting out of town for a couple of days. We had planned on making the trip to Miami to meet up with a bunch of friends to see Phish, but unfortunately that fell through when we found out we could only leave Rowan for 2 nights, which wouldn't be enough time to make the 15-hour drive and back. (No way were we ready to pay $900 for plane tickets.) <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CxC1kTx7_vHgD-dlnaVrP_MmqsfNIQKXgjeUbwFU4OeWRqBc9e_UIKe4fn5pCu-7JH-JfO-Lt5RNSWGVo9-NnPwfmghqoYlWaWxf1RKsD5ULD3rM7dshH7RlyF3WZqA6M6F8jQ/s1600-h/tipitinas_giclee-307x427.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CxC1kTx7_vHgD-dlnaVrP_MmqsfNIQKXgjeUbwFU4OeWRqBc9e_UIKe4fn5pCu-7JH-JfO-Lt5RNSWGVo9-NnPwfmghqoYlWaWxf1RKsD5ULD3rM7dshH7RlyF3WZqA6M6F8jQ/s400/tipitinas_giclee-307x427.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />So, we settled on Plan B: Galactic at Tipitina's. Galactic is a long-time favorite of ours, and Rob had seen some excellent Galactic New Year's shows in San Francisco back in 2000, 2001 and 2002. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzlkjp-jV_T9Ff3TIPT-8x-jpQUW9Abm-QsHg1ytxHCWvidKWbzUZcp0jRNR3m7ZWByoAoCCa5tTXT6JO8O4xOMc-XRmxieaOJEkUjXUmoWwZQbbW6GcCllrsMrw4xneIcPAA8A/s1600-h/IMG_6558.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzlkjp-jV_T9Ff3TIPT-8x-jpQUW9Abm-QsHg1ytxHCWvidKWbzUZcp0jRNR3m7ZWByoAoCCa5tTXT6JO8O4xOMc-XRmxieaOJEkUjXUmoWwZQbbW6GcCllrsMrw4xneIcPAA8A/s400/IMG_6558.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After an opening set by John Mooney and Bluesiana, Galactic took the stage around 11:45 and played 3 sets, finishing their encore around 3:30am. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUgbgCqcaHVm0wuSmQifYr5QR0yycWBUUFBSOw77NiULwtgZ7Bsmzxe6bdZlu8sMNGpeK7HOLiVKbPSqr1aTWnKMnVGHPh5-z2F3IiGAM1xtiBfiU77k8rRiN4bKaoOFUg86-cQ/s1600-h/IMG_6590.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUgbgCqcaHVm0wuSmQifYr5QR0yycWBUUFBSOw77NiULwtgZ7Bsmzxe6bdZlu8sMNGpeK7HOLiVKbPSqr1aTWnKMnVGHPh5-z2F3IiGAM1xtiBfiU77k8rRiN4bKaoOFUg86-cQ/s400/IMG_6590.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Corey Henry sat in all night on the bone.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuxOz9zpJcsF3ySE82NtzAEdycrER75x-HfOidhjpbCBBJ0cIf07uEJy8XnxT9LrjTCLTHLSG3eyRP8egvQihuvB_ZjNyoEVFSmV6ReAJMMB0Ad1kJzsDNBzs01LlDX7N7Zt6pg/s1600-h/IMG_6597.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuxOz9zpJcsF3ySE82NtzAEdycrER75x-HfOidhjpbCBBJ0cIf07uEJy8XnxT9LrjTCLTHLSG3eyRP8egvQihuvB_ZjNyoEVFSmV6ReAJMMB0Ad1kJzsDNBzs01LlDX7N7Zt6pg/s400/IMG_6597.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Mo' Money!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCYJvLxRPGkjLyYPayWkMOsIPdtmFuTfQRtIp5CGEPNTMRvsgsz5qRFS4Q72cjBnkP-GIL7WvMGwC4E6Dq0lR1h099NOChigygENyahy_FSXVKXmDOq7zOs1pDWNYw3RospFbWA/s1600-h/IMG_6576.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCYJvLxRPGkjLyYPayWkMOsIPdtmFuTfQRtIp5CGEPNTMRvsgsz5qRFS4Q72cjBnkP-GIL7WvMGwC4E6Dq0lR1h099NOChigygENyahy_FSXVKXmDOq7zOs1pDWNYw3RospFbWA/s400/IMG_6576.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Big Freedia (a local sissy-rap artist) joined Galactic for one of several new tunes from their upcoming album.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HB7eHQzqbsrCcsZyUeW8FDWv0FJSoUPPFJb_o39tsR0lHcWhUOpg7LnxtH-5rUWxlr9yNqqm3uTCGd3un3-cBDZhv1RQqfDoM7_6LeVBVCmm_mpUh6uimv8Rzbj6hP8UAPP6-A/s1600-h/IMG_6562.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HB7eHQzqbsrCcsZyUeW8FDWv0FJSoUPPFJb_o39tsR0lHcWhUOpg7LnxtH-5rUWxlr9yNqqm3uTCGd3un3-cBDZhv1RQqfDoM7_6LeVBVCmm_mpUh6uimv8Rzbj6hP8UAPP6-A/s400/IMG_6562.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was good to see our friend Cathy, a local New Orleans music fanatic.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscQI9LiFIzFQQAHi4kLMlnb5H_GJakmTNqmsXUUOojXuP-X_KnhnXxLUm7gT4uFI4nEfYxSw6srS8pLlD7gt8eeIpxb6Eam0_ZvXfQbRHueCh54kWcQ0oiELSacloSF-ubAFHvg/s1600-h/IMG_6582.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscQI9LiFIzFQQAHi4kLMlnb5H_GJakmTNqmsXUUOojXuP-X_KnhnXxLUm7gT4uFI4nEfYxSw6srS8pLlD7gt8eeIpxb6Eam0_ZvXfQbRHueCh54kWcQ0oiELSacloSF-ubAFHvg/s400/IMG_6582.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Despite our reverence for Tipitina's, it seems that local Galactic fans consider New Year's at Tip's to be "amateur night". And sure enough, the guy with the huge fuzzy hat proceeded to spill Carley's beer all over her moments after this photo was taken.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjyzvbmVnWdpaKjfSRzOPd3tdamaeybNjqIrxCinkOSsaYJo-13eEcsroZ2oSPFY2ZK6i0CgiEFW4pEt6_vl1qmBIpNFJ1El8M1vWcaVfUFMLmtdQK93OXc18O7yVoeFt4e3QLQ/s1600-h/IMG_6608.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjyzvbmVnWdpaKjfSRzOPd3tdamaeybNjqIrxCinkOSsaYJo-13eEcsroZ2oSPFY2ZK6i0CgiEFW4pEt6_vl1qmBIpNFJ1El8M1vWcaVfUFMLmtdQK93OXc18O7yVoeFt4e3QLQ/s400/IMG_6608.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Settle down there Fess! You dropped your cigarette.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF5H8i38i4sVUOrmdSpih7R0Drltx8Lh6dXhjlwaDlc1Ta1ZRUjDiliwrTIWGMiOpihTJC8JEGwVc1kuiJJBUUoxcVPpdpw7kV61lWNUjw24KzvYIl7bimRJ4tlXfJwUbMyQdiA/s1600-h/IMG_6607.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPF5H8i38i4sVUOrmdSpih7R0Drltx8Lh6dXhjlwaDlc1Ta1ZRUjDiliwrTIWGMiOpihTJC8JEGwVc1kuiJJBUUoxcVPpdpw7kV61lWNUjw24KzvYIl7bimRJ4tlXfJwUbMyQdiA/s400/IMG_6607.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Happy New Year! (These weren't the bubbles we were hoping for.)<br /><br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-30481137396355794942009-12-28T11:48:00.000-06:002010-01-03T13:12:30.297-06:00CHRISTMAS 2009<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Uq7Vnj1KxvdOBNc1xokVTupy3Oi6tLru0_k68FoCiAnscsWTBZG1hypKnHcjZLdZNMyJL0-3vHE2lOdawHYHDdp31opdM3-SJOWDhYilE2hY-FEBoR2V0SXPLVI8CCPKNxoTw/s1600-h/IMG_6414.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Uq7Vnj1KxvdOBNc1xokVTupy3Oi6tLru0_k68FoCiAnscsWTBZG1hypKnHcjZLdZNMyJL0-3vHE2lOdawHYHDdp31opdM3-SJOWDhYilE2hY-FEBoR2V0SXPLVI8CCPKNxoTw/s400/IMG_6414.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jDgRyxAhsQtXw7rJ7XujW9bP5CyV_lhr1HuicFAIT0f8VHak7vcCTLau3FUmzOV2mT4hyphenhyphenBLEzD6sM73qNfg058C503O0GF77-Kxxc_bcYU8dkEeeayntVs20uXXYJK7y69Cxgw/s1600-h/card1.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jDgRyxAhsQtXw7rJ7XujW9bP5CyV_lhr1HuicFAIT0f8VHak7vcCTLau3FUmzOV2mT4hyphenhyphenBLEzD6sM73qNfg058C503O0GF77-Kxxc_bcYU8dkEeeayntVs20uXXYJK7y69Cxgw/s400/card1.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Joy to the world!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm_h1DQmr5XRw49K94Fay-65ISSWbOCD2MSc5Yh9_EG2UA3etwUPJm2OOG_gL9J8AOgBPbrD4Iap2RJEB4YpQCwfYiJ14AS29auqimfDu1yulfV-W9OR8luJ0dQ8Kp3P4snANoQ/s1600-h/IMG_6423.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm_h1DQmr5XRw49K94Fay-65ISSWbOCD2MSc5Yh9_EG2UA3etwUPJm2OOG_gL9J8AOgBPbrD4Iap2RJEB4YpQCwfYiJ14AS29auqimfDu1yulfV-W9OR8luJ0dQ8Kp3P4snANoQ/s400/IMG_6423.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We actually put up Christmas lights this year.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv8uy_hJPnUUlTLbG9eWgQDBOwfiCtqKEsSlXfJVHC2RHlDyt0iBEMr_YP6jrt9NHensZRX10OORCvfuau9lRJKZ3q-aYBOwRqhc-3HYQIOGhiPpYuiZ0pqrz-ySteAqeikEJCA/s1600-h/IMG_6481.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv8uy_hJPnUUlTLbG9eWgQDBOwfiCtqKEsSlXfJVHC2RHlDyt0iBEMr_YP6jrt9NHensZRX10OORCvfuau9lRJKZ3q-aYBOwRqhc-3HYQIOGhiPpYuiZ0pqrz-ySteAqeikEJCA/s400/IMG_6481.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our next-door neighbors' lights blew ours away. Our neighborhood had more lights than any other we saw anywhere this year, and they even had a judging. (The neighbors in the photo above won 3rd place.)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII4yt2KIIBe5P_CXx68XyDiStwv8RT2bm-E4vrcmkk2eRzCtl8gLZducnzGjT6dcyqrElnVrSXsG8YF_O-TPmX2h-Iiax41v6-KI8arcpzHjLoXWNBnT2XfmETnIk6S95dGPhFg/s1600-h/IMG_6484.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiII4yt2KIIBe5P_CXx68XyDiStwv8RT2bm-E4vrcmkk2eRzCtl8gLZducnzGjT6dcyqrElnVrSXsG8YF_O-TPmX2h-Iiax41v6-KI8arcpzHjLoXWNBnT2XfmETnIk6S95dGPhFg/s400/IMG_6484.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Santa's secret hiding spot<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeMzIr-kr_HTpL52h_7u89_nJjNnf5hOKWiddC5geBowXHBftjc4JK652RUEHx2aaqtJ8fWpRk5g93wyJbLaosFl7Z-7MxDQ7fG1w-nFwX0FmVplk2o2wKwZOvEiVUcU-uHsn5w/s1600-h/IMG_6487.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeMzIr-kr_HTpL52h_7u89_nJjNnf5hOKWiddC5geBowXHBftjc4JK652RUEHx2aaqtJ8fWpRk5g93wyJbLaosFl7Z-7MxDQ7fG1w-nFwX0FmVplk2o2wKwZOvEiVUcU-uHsn5w/s400/IMG_6487.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Mommy and Daddy got their biggest presents a few days early. Thanks Papa!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Htvcq-JhEdKY9hrpiH9bjOZrrut4eqKsjyFR49bBAkcGB-c3jEr0xp7i5pDhpOD0UP2ppkken5M1i_xv-iwltPqpR7mLRYqZsH0QSeVW2-FDStpwlr50cjfALuWfdP1RJK1p2g/s1600-h/IMG_6476.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Htvcq-JhEdKY9hrpiH9bjOZrrut4eqKsjyFR49bBAkcGB-c3jEr0xp7i5pDhpOD0UP2ppkken5M1i_xv-iwltPqpR7mLRYqZsH0QSeVW2-FDStpwlr50cjfALuWfdP1RJK1p2g/s400/IMG_6476.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We had lots of Christmas parties to attend. Our favorite was the Autism Benefit that our friend Emily put on. It was good to hang out with our Tupelo crew!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ncfSRmPgAwp_LoChr1e7UG2S7zId5pLfGBV5qSi0z1ZBKN7akEs4HH3IEdlv9GSX-xlAh2vs8aasIBtMma0jwb59niFnaIiGuuIlrFJGhcS3L56Xbgy4K6Lw3bkltNwvZSJwHA/s1600-h/IMG_6492.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ncfSRmPgAwp_LoChr1e7UG2S7zId5pLfGBV5qSi0z1ZBKN7akEs4HH3IEdlv9GSX-xlAh2vs8aasIBtMma0jwb59niFnaIiGuuIlrFJGhcS3L56Xbgy4K6Lw3bkltNwvZSJwHA/s400/IMG_6492.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another favorite was the annual "How Come Christmas?" party, where every year we eat venison gumbo and hear Dr. Warriner's rendition of the obscure classic Christmas tale. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOIU8rk3XMXo6hNtgYlSNWAc-QIu_ZaG4-WUkPskyWT-XQfrbCztCLZYmdjVafibowhzWWUt8qHAD06M4ZsSGYmhtgREa1SSeefQrtlCyZ-EtcRHywNi8G8nMQdvVtBig5gntOA/s1600-h/IMG_6489.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOIU8rk3XMXo6hNtgYlSNWAc-QIu_ZaG4-WUkPskyWT-XQfrbCztCLZYmdjVafibowhzWWUt8qHAD06M4ZsSGYmhtgREa1SSeefQrtlCyZ-EtcRHywNi8G8nMQdvVtBig5gntOA/s400/IMG_6489.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan got his first stab at billiards.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNvKqFUlbD4v33B4Ojv0cPbTioZLIrL60CVEukZnVbAIfOyndzgpVJWy4903-3cM7vFIr1ygYwS8SEyKYeLrb8PqmgsGSL-kgAS_hBfEu3EQyQAF9HEsRVA_hVor2jD2iKimS1A/s1600-h/IMG_6497.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNvKqFUlbD4v33B4Ojv0cPbTioZLIrL60CVEukZnVbAIfOyndzgpVJWy4903-3cM7vFIr1ygYwS8SEyKYeLrb8PqmgsGSL-kgAS_hBfEu3EQyQAF9HEsRVA_hVor2jD2iKimS1A/s400/IMG_6497.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />"Can we go home now, MeMe?"<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQomTyNij7DHcErFksdDx9BFO1CUwMxXrgs7fK6jc4c_sx6ebTi3fYVTnVO9LFrQDGGIVeVOfVTrECFHvmfr7eeZGV1EIQLzgS6u0vpbo3Njz2rP4BLuILXqL2p_lZbi8QZoI_OQ/s1600-h/IMG_6502.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQomTyNij7DHcErFksdDx9BFO1CUwMxXrgs7fK6jc4c_sx6ebTi3fYVTnVO9LFrQDGGIVeVOfVTrECFHvmfr7eeZGV1EIQLzgS6u0vpbo3Njz2rP4BLuILXqL2p_lZbi8QZoI_OQ/s400/IMG_6502.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Christmas Eve turkey dinner at MeMe and Papa's house (with Emily and Lucas!)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-8V7eXw5j9T5B-u_dt4RcAdFw1YKgQxDde475zj_ut6EDoAiPXclFggtYVmfBM3TtG0LXOXYcjwHUPR_7tvvWrJAyTfEpy1u7_X7ZWT4hGhDa772IYXhM97Pnd7tKmo7xeEnFQ/s1600-h/IMG_6505.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-8V7eXw5j9T5B-u_dt4RcAdFw1YKgQxDde475zj_ut6EDoAiPXclFggtYVmfBM3TtG0LXOXYcjwHUPR_7tvvWrJAyTfEpy1u7_X7ZWT4hGhDa772IYXhM97Pnd7tKmo7xeEnFQ/s400/IMG_6505.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Carley's special Christmas Eve nog.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsbGnbeEAffIrH2ccfVkzNGgQMyHI9xhKHFQPjmavsv_qpwy11Dq-JRn29JxqOOosGDNvKBqHThCZMCysBcnkiz_fbwPdZNEFDIgkgO07QbV3JgQvnZ8cLeBmFx2Uwl1v1REpwQ/s1600-h/IMG_6513.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsbGnbeEAffIrH2ccfVkzNGgQMyHI9xhKHFQPjmavsv_qpwy11Dq-JRn29JxqOOosGDNvKBqHThCZMCysBcnkiz_fbwPdZNEFDIgkgO07QbV3JgQvnZ8cLeBmFx2Uwl1v1REpwQ/s400/IMG_6513.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We opened some presents on Christmas Eve so there would be room for Santa to leave all his presents.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-X668iL2XmH2ct2G_6yToidQkk9eMOXssYwVcI-O_lvhnCdnUYRV2aB_laNkskSs-DSWBULw3lJU7SnpqZfjZ8JxEbMf-iywBxwu8Huu9t2Q-I4TmdF7Z2KPC3C99ov5n4fBog/s1600-h/IMG_6516.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-X668iL2XmH2ct2G_6yToidQkk9eMOXssYwVcI-O_lvhnCdnUYRV2aB_laNkskSs-DSWBULw3lJU7SnpqZfjZ8JxEbMf-iywBxwu8Huu9t2Q-I4TmdF7Z2KPC3C99ov5n4fBog/s400/IMG_6516.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif60Q2IR6nw_DZ9K8ch_ZYRhuDPB-Kd3xQBjpiFmM8xkESHhIcmKCxhiFgGCOrlXndKvce0qaBCRAQK83r-tdv7P6WV2uB7rOGd4kPsjaV6ovdYRws3GxypfGmb-M7EAw5D3oUbw/s1600-h/IMG_6515.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif60Q2IR6nw_DZ9K8ch_ZYRhuDPB-Kd3xQBjpiFmM8xkESHhIcmKCxhiFgGCOrlXndKvce0qaBCRAQK83r-tdv7P6WV2uB7rOGd4kPsjaV6ovdYRws3GxypfGmb-M7EAw5D3oUbw/s400/IMG_6515.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Thanks Santa!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML2ybVeQBgPwgeUyZ1uPkgLIN6lG9ifM_flbnR-iV2KwFbtIIFG72VMBL4qkoND__7GRsRswcy84ehaa8FmZtwwxHkHyu4ngvOX2A5Vha2y-Cf31Zf7dLkc87urI_DByXyqWyug/s1600-h/IMG_6518.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML2ybVeQBgPwgeUyZ1uPkgLIN6lG9ifM_flbnR-iV2KwFbtIIFG72VMBL4qkoND__7GRsRswcy84ehaa8FmZtwwxHkHyu4ngvOX2A5Vha2y-Cf31Zf7dLkc87urI_DByXyqWyug/s400/IMG_6518.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ8kk0wf1tUaavb52d56_NG8e3fR_cVjs6iUNOtqVdAeSfpJv-2MsNwvQmTx7O2MgMVllXod9ULvFbG2bOyc5qufr7Sa3U4ah9VgApD-yexEoMODif0AS_Q1DFrPhT-DEVat54g/s1600-h/IMG_6522.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ8kk0wf1tUaavb52d56_NG8e3fR_cVjs6iUNOtqVdAeSfpJv-2MsNwvQmTx7O2MgMVllXod9ULvFbG2bOyc5qufr7Sa3U4ah9VgApD-yexEoMODif0AS_Q1DFrPhT-DEVat54g/s400/IMG_6522.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY-mumLVnRKAovVTEwry1bRsSmEzbMsGknqIq_LXlLQfcsS3G3P82Si21-EFgTq-b48393hR3qyoGGA0CaK9iGG5GtGMqdVo3fOt80YINpLdukEYh7w5MNLPBdA58NeiSRH-ifw/s1600-h/IMG_6528.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY-mumLVnRKAovVTEwry1bRsSmEzbMsGknqIq_LXlLQfcsS3G3P82Si21-EFgTq-b48393hR3qyoGGA0CaK9iGG5GtGMqdVo3fOt80YINpLdukEYh7w5MNLPBdA58NeiSRH-ifw/s400/IMG_6528.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The best gift of all<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk_9fIGHuU-ttfm_cCFa1KpjC3ScxKhqGPnjsdXGS_KwlkYFlT60q2a9U3tZd30jzFnp3QMBiHqJrVQQnbq8UHYhxbEgoZzcBnlD-I-uQ4_1CAa773mD71q0sEvr995Eb0_-J7g/s1600-h/IMG_6529.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk_9fIGHuU-ttfm_cCFa1KpjC3ScxKhqGPnjsdXGS_KwlkYFlT60q2a9U3tZd30jzFnp3QMBiHqJrVQQnbq8UHYhxbEgoZzcBnlD-I-uQ4_1CAa773mD71q0sEvr995Eb0_-J7g/s400/IMG_6529.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWPtntYwvoMOHi4pY6YhhcLzvDlp0bDphy1D8fV41e_WMs15JM5878MxJXahx66ZDoCHVMG63nw_hQlrXKGKFaMq9mgCeI4i8zaQfg0Vpbbf51koDKnut1AqTuBF-rMa6YMgPxw/s1600-h/IMG_6530.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWPtntYwvoMOHi4pY6YhhcLzvDlp0bDphy1D8fV41e_WMs15JM5878MxJXahx66ZDoCHVMG63nw_hQlrXKGKFaMq9mgCeI4i8zaQfg0Vpbbf51koDKnut1AqTuBF-rMa6YMgPxw/s400/IMG_6530.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXSWOZ3IM_1bP7Kh-o03eya1sKN3o1v_sjpNhKx1gAP-zuRKORhEY7MZvOFndDJ6vgnhzkIArG1p1Dqw-XLjk0iJt6O6kee8ugyIna6a0WGSH8n_Y-8MzlELlr3gpqy3YkY3MkA/s1600-h/IMG_6531.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXSWOZ3IM_1bP7Kh-o03eya1sKN3o1v_sjpNhKx1gAP-zuRKORhEY7MZvOFndDJ6vgnhzkIArG1p1Dqw-XLjk0iJt6O6kee8ugyIna6a0WGSH8n_Y-8MzlELlr3gpqy3YkY3MkA/s400/IMG_6531.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaszju_CwMtOVlXr8y3-pWzHYwKOELFW6JzQ3IFa-xa_-7NNVzsfbn9ovvcwV5_G3L6UBgP72MwF7CcAtfL-8BhyiT0-bD4n-dwmxBMoVebwjIRSU-26cbu9IhiLNTAMz1jz3Mw/s1600-h/IMG_6538.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaszju_CwMtOVlXr8y3-pWzHYwKOELFW6JzQ3IFa-xa_-7NNVzsfbn9ovvcwV5_G3L6UBgP72MwF7CcAtfL-8BhyiT0-bD4n-dwmxBMoVebwjIRSU-26cbu9IhiLNTAMz1jz3Mw/s400/IMG_6538.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fOvG-9xO3MkmlrpGbF0ydDhWvhGfv3cwTmYvOTnAiyGGxmMhJk8Rh2pvLV1HARXTJuzbzCTh1xLqWj0eNl2HOVrMGLLvuYF0z1z5L-bJz2ColrLSI3QfkpCDXje7eu2TrJQZjg/s1600-h/IMG_6541.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fOvG-9xO3MkmlrpGbF0ydDhWvhGfv3cwTmYvOTnAiyGGxmMhJk8Rh2pvLV1HARXTJuzbzCTh1xLqWj0eNl2HOVrMGLLvuYF0z1z5L-bJz2ColrLSI3QfkpCDXje7eu2TrJQZjg/s400/IMG_6541.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The last ornament on the Advent Calendar<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP91OFHhNvcvyQnp3LGDa42-lvuk-jAGMBh6iJLrFutzl3b00ZZeaWPcWLsyXnsssiau-a0jW_OdDxFrQNk6zLgX8Es20E_jhFPIcFUBaN1RD9YCRrHr8Kh_FDdAcZSn7chhYLw/s1600-h/IMG_6542.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP91OFHhNvcvyQnp3LGDa42-lvuk-jAGMBh6iJLrFutzl3b00ZZeaWPcWLsyXnsssiau-a0jW_OdDxFrQNk6zLgX8Es20E_jhFPIcFUBaN1RD9YCRrHr8Kh_FDdAcZSn7chhYLw/s400/IMG_6542.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAihkPNZI1lNe9LNHE7IJQOl7voOnBLCtXmP0PoNPEdHH2O_HInzWyvHiaTINxVVcjWcHokwriOipU5XnyjAMDcN-kPGZcdn3Fl6xAOX8xSPkGB8wKgMSx6x-4v6oMZm3wZ5db4A/s1600-h/IMG_6540.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAihkPNZI1lNe9LNHE7IJQOl7voOnBLCtXmP0PoNPEdHH2O_HInzWyvHiaTINxVVcjWcHokwriOipU5XnyjAMDcN-kPGZcdn3Fl6xAOX8xSPkGB8wKgMSx6x-4v6oMZm3wZ5db4A/s400/IMG_6540.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Bloody Mary Christmas morning, plus breakfast casserole<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dqnlZlmuVk-8PnP42AfubxdPPDlDuSnRxp18OJaDyBQlho3EQiBOhoPScHpoW25jshyHSCNr3bueqWXvf6YZP_-wdKk25Eo4vVtw4uJuVgeR9zdCc0VV-dwjdBOWOcqnmV9uAQ/s1600-h/IMG_6545.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dqnlZlmuVk-8PnP42AfubxdPPDlDuSnRxp18OJaDyBQlho3EQiBOhoPScHpoW25jshyHSCNr3bueqWXvf6YZP_-wdKk25Eo4vVtw4uJuVgeR9zdCc0VV-dwjdBOWOcqnmV9uAQ/s400/IMG_6545.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />So many toys, and all day to play with them!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOxAnk2kyj75lfibqffg5xbo2169OHqMVC8eLTTzjnhtc-QypA1UAE-riAvIexVYW2cCRVJgol4-_l-IIyBS7UbkITsXHr_EuVM94msbH6OJbOUtnKqV_BzLPaM1fGWm7K-hSRw/s1600-h/IMG_6553.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOxAnk2kyj75lfibqffg5xbo2169OHqMVC8eLTTzjnhtc-QypA1UAE-riAvIexVYW2cCRVJgol4-_l-IIyBS7UbkITsXHr_EuVM94msbH6OJbOUtnKqV_BzLPaM1fGWm7K-hSRw/s400/IMG_6553.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan's friend Taylor came over for a late afternoon visit.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx8ShXG-6BN_hrLDKMMoNpYpPvGFvoujb3BWYx1kHZ9F00zyG8E43xKW8c0dB6n15MK2XcJ67zp1Ye1IYowQ7FURMnonX20FRpXHzT2HMP8H_aLLWLJGN2GVAEgHFaOJp4uxHOw/s1600-h/IMG_6480.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx8ShXG-6BN_hrLDKMMoNpYpPvGFvoujb3BWYx1kHZ9F00zyG8E43xKW8c0dB6n15MK2XcJ67zp1Ye1IYowQ7FURMnonX20FRpXHzT2HMP8H_aLLWLJGN2GVAEgHFaOJp4uxHOw/s400/IMG_6480.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu5qPvEN0DeJ-d4TFMtAeMTM_sdmN1eoXTPK9baRvOqxwlismeDOTjdZHZElzoXZ4ZESwUF2l8IdhYQvaBI8F6FSi7m2GYphOZUroth6a4co_gKguFXhDxrY8D7zNSM8Mz_Delg/s1600-h/IMG_6554.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu5qPvEN0DeJ-d4TFMtAeMTM_sdmN1eoXTPK9baRvOqxwlismeDOTjdZHZElzoXZ4ZESwUF2l8IdhYQvaBI8F6FSi7m2GYphOZUroth6a4co_gKguFXhDxrY8D7zNSM8Mz_Delg/s400/IMG_6554.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Bye bye Christmas! See you next year...<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogpspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-63905101542112697362009-12-06T14:36:00.000-06:002009-12-27T17:28:28.378-06:00CHRISTMAS PARADE<strong>Saturday, December 5, 2009</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRXq_G1x46nD2Fl4VdyiNbLmWKhDAsEYLD-3VlYA7tmi6cT6VCMzZ9SzM61eyTQeBDicoOhQGnlySLHzu5f5dKHBTphkR9ES_JN9aaypv5WMeSDQH5Fyw1-vEye_DkJvu-jA8_w/s1600-h/IMG_6359.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRXq_G1x46nD2Fl4VdyiNbLmWKhDAsEYLD-3VlYA7tmi6cT6VCMzZ9SzM61eyTQeBDicoOhQGnlySLHzu5f5dKHBTphkR9ES_JN9aaypv5WMeSDQH5Fyw1-vEye_DkJvu-jA8_w/s400/IMG_6359.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Tupelo has the biggest Christmas parade around, so we made the 45-minute drive to our old neighborhood and met up with Rowan's MeMe and his buddy Lucas.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-jFAHEpIxGoMLlgvNcA9zs5AB5aQ661tef689Fs5WlRRmLLawMVDoBT2eX0eS5si2CORYXvFl0rPvgUmWKpptkzZVXFckKdgb2w5UBFlMcLrXMiSnBJPqhk2SX88bqMDzOhTQQ/s1600-h/IMG_6378.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-jFAHEpIxGoMLlgvNcA9zs5AB5aQ661tef689Fs5WlRRmLLawMVDoBT2eX0eS5si2CORYXvFl0rPvgUmWKpptkzZVXFckKdgb2w5UBFlMcLrXMiSnBJPqhk2SX88bqMDzOhTQQ/s400/IMG_6378.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We also met up with Henry, one of his new pals from the day-care in Oxford, and Henry's mom Elisabeth.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0ejMUzmVQYZxESwBXN4k6CkTq3JlIrpiD5NTsuXbpJ_QH63yMbcUOe39p2yeKIIpKA-3Hwj9hkSJWUR-3Br2E1a1eQZL_7DBzDanDNvzBgKv6SsAA4cFBr8PcKEjLhukfOElw/s1600-h/IMG_6372.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0ejMUzmVQYZxESwBXN4k6CkTq3JlIrpiD5NTsuXbpJ_QH63yMbcUOe39p2yeKIIpKA-3Hwj9hkSJWUR-3Br2E1a1eQZL_7DBzDanDNvzBgKv6SsAA4cFBr8PcKEjLhukfOElw/s400/IMG_6372.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We had a great spot...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_QsaSk6jhEUQXuZha6dnr_4eY-e8z6uVrtvtdF725ldGaXiR1CJv6scFXR2IXtyfelr4NkUBBGzmfhUsU5vVsut12ABWcszkUyj68c_61j53muy88Bf1EQvOjZ_RpzEwmTWCFQ/s1600-h/IMG_6367.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_QsaSk6jhEUQXuZha6dnr_4eY-e8z6uVrtvtdF725ldGaXiR1CJv6scFXR2IXtyfelr4NkUBBGzmfhUsU5vVsut12ABWcszkUyj68c_61j53muy88Bf1EQvOjZ_RpzEwmTWCFQ/s400/IMG_6367.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and Rowan really got into it...for awhile.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIjMaiM3EJbFumh6XQS2_bnuyvgbbcVRdI3lDS0pFmzFWsg8hLLLRCXCuCrz7v1Y_mqScTTtlhqAOx8wOUs_8YSbFlyTpQk0CboJLxSd029pQ84t6UJxyKrPMBvGARr99IbJJkg/s1600-h/IMG_6352.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIjMaiM3EJbFumh6XQS2_bnuyvgbbcVRdI3lDS0pFmzFWsg8hLLLRCXCuCrz7v1Y_mqScTTtlhqAOx8wOUs_8YSbFlyTpQk0CboJLxSd029pQ84t6UJxyKrPMBvGARr99IbJJkg/s400/IMG_6352.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Here they come!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6UwNZ3Qgr0LDLz4t741BZ6a7kckMZroETfgF2YntoBIHn7zfo472BtTfpeON3CARocyKMrdGHnUwT1EerehK4WFNDeWi6m_fJXF6LghnfhzLpL-YVdmZZKsHR6WCY_GhootMzw/s1600-h/IMG_6365.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6UwNZ3Qgr0LDLz4t741BZ6a7kckMZroETfgF2YntoBIHn7zfo472BtTfpeON3CARocyKMrdGHnUwT1EerehK4WFNDeWi6m_fJXF6LghnfhzLpL-YVdmZZKsHR6WCY_GhootMzw/s400/IMG_6365.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />There were big horses...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafLw_wSfb0ueDB5ivAAaoPjABSZrQlrngjwptPbHKHsuMAZc7SZYS-gBdP6kbuEvBr_7IvspX4m82Aksl0o0ooMnH0eerXRqUDXqZpIN-ukyoyeu27Iy4JLWgqjuJtZTRYlKiuw/s1600-h/IMG_6384.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafLw_wSfb0ueDB5ivAAaoPjABSZrQlrngjwptPbHKHsuMAZc7SZYS-gBdP6kbuEvBr_7IvspX4m82Aksl0o0ooMnH0eerXRqUDXqZpIN-ukyoyeu27Iy4JLWgqjuJtZTRYlKiuw/s400/IMG_6384.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and little horses,<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28HCa36a-H9BHQ8bmkpDUBJ4Rly9Yjo-1ugjcCUMgcCpocIDUb0VmLHOpnT5sx4f37CMoDapEqrXzU0f2uPoz_89JDjOdl-5kRqzqb5GNzgHJQNTMJHXsvB7JBYuWclmI7rJcaQ/s1600-h/IMG_6380.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28HCa36a-H9BHQ8bmkpDUBJ4Rly9Yjo-1ugjcCUMgcCpocIDUb0VmLHOpnT5sx4f37CMoDapEqrXzU0f2uPoz_89JDjOdl-5kRqzqb5GNzgHJQNTMJHXsvB7JBYuWclmI7rJcaQ/s400/IMG_6380.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />and all kinds of floats sponsored by local businesses...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtJGy-2WG4WN8boXc3zCeWLLB8SQMpTyBQ-Ta0jnq7RP3vB_1bnMZRWzu42wZYMKGBG9HnwsF9MeNrS-Va59n_dLdmORN79gcv2ysE7ugpbGUGp42nElPTXvKi1qGn0SUGdldWw/s1600-h/IMG_6391.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtJGy-2WG4WN8boXc3zCeWLLB8SQMpTyBQ-Ta0jnq7RP3vB_1bnMZRWzu42wZYMKGBG9HnwsF9MeNrS-Va59n_dLdmORN79gcv2ysE7ugpbGUGp42nElPTXvKi1qGn0SUGdldWw/s400/IMG_6391.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...including some tacky ones.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk6fcjSjUesDy5o5Q8eXqAXCo9F3AdlcDR54aMVBs92kZxIIQgL3G-fSBpVnNQPl5ysrpbxqOufW4sF5vVvxuQsh7mZmStPtQO4a0t8PTaBwpc_EhMae8WBMNVs3jgCbEwdn9CA/s1600-h/IMG_6393.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk6fcjSjUesDy5o5Q8eXqAXCo9F3AdlcDR54aMVBs92kZxIIQgL3G-fSBpVnNQPl5ysrpbxqOufW4sF5vVvxuQsh7mZmStPtQO4a0t8PTaBwpc_EhMae8WBMNVs3jgCbEwdn9CA/s400/IMG_6393.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />There were kids marching in pajamas...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuauhQzbkbuehhhTvl-VwTwWr88yVItjlJG6pBX9GI1miRN-pVk0Ogx2P4Z5DJQGN_5wimA8VJFiBiM3HIjnto-T-S2Jcc48uW-RTQA-mwykh2HB4O_DqmsjN1krRjTskJ9ocRzQ/s1600-h/IMG_6403.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuauhQzbkbuehhhTvl-VwTwWr88yVItjlJG6pBX9GI1miRN-pVk0Ogx2P4Z5DJQGN_5wimA8VJFiBiM3HIjnto-T-S2Jcc48uW-RTQA-mwykh2HB4O_DqmsjN1krRjTskJ9ocRzQ/s400/IMG_6403.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and kids riding in a tent.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Uao8V_zw_6LInPLviQkCW1Zx02cWT9CE-HEagq_LIheNUzbsykF4jyyVUQUHr442g2CR0uEs6QnvZzRz0OcD9s7Px6Xd2R7wrNc2St_-2JQG27lUPSgVap-3cmt_aiSmjjZIA/s1600-h/IMG_6400.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Uao8V_zw_6LInPLviQkCW1Zx02cWT9CE-HEagq_LIheNUzbsykF4jyyVUQUHr442g2CR0uEs6QnvZzRz0OcD9s7Px6Xd2R7wrNc2St_-2JQG27lUPSgVap-3cmt_aiSmjjZIA/s400/IMG_6400.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Of course there were plenty of high school marching bands...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FhHD6fH2MdMar_Y4bEdbu3iPzZsMCsYrit50wmpEPC_0jaULItmrIRoTcxR3hfhPNXgIzD2GgXAaeUGRJumji2oF75l9k95_0U3vbyg-6wf4HapHTOZlgxPa-sN0mPMDiCuriw/s1600-h/IMG_0139.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FhHD6fH2MdMar_Y4bEdbu3iPzZsMCsYrit50wmpEPC_0jaULItmrIRoTcxR3hfhPNXgIzD2GgXAaeUGRJumji2oF75l9k95_0U3vbyg-6wf4HapHTOZlgxPa-sN0mPMDiCuriw/s400/IMG_0139.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...including the Cougars of South Pontotoc, the rural school where Rob teaches about 35 minutes away.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BPBziU7wbPB0hFizQ3oeUcVCVeMlwXu94OCVReoHzVu0KDKJPeCY5RBBE0FtbsTIhMdrOipJ81PKMKEYV39htZOZOcP6882vYiP5axqCw73PsSFWa5b6jWxkIFe7b98M4tnM9A/s1600-h/IMG_6395.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BPBziU7wbPB0hFizQ3oeUcVCVeMlwXu94OCVReoHzVu0KDKJPeCY5RBBE0FtbsTIhMdrOipJ81PKMKEYV39htZOZOcP6882vYiP5axqCw73PsSFWa5b6jWxkIFe7b98M4tnM9A/s400/IMG_6395.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />There were solar-powered race-cars,<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorx_dHN0IXj9TLQ8MjihXy56WdoEwXMahcsKL3xMHYyoBzlSNg4AFYhz3DZ3cZmNlFGWGI2EazHPbMTiO0b2hvX5B1g3t_661tT0kyIv4sne7iTuoJwYen7XsNGxaqHCbnFbEQ/s1600-h/IMG_6404.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorx_dHN0IXj9TLQ8MjihXy56WdoEwXMahcsKL3xMHYyoBzlSNg4AFYhz3DZ3cZmNlFGWGI2EazHPbMTiO0b2hvX5B1g3t_661tT0kyIv4sne7iTuoJwYen7XsNGxaqHCbnFbEQ/s400/IMG_6404.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />hoopers (Carley's favorite), <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhkEFNtkMVndpMioMuSxFIHqGQ2yzL_WcOHxWNHyxlKUSrhuTxB1Uy9l-EszSOQNwqQfBRvlhqAx1suwaOvwm-bWtZWl_Yu8tAbzeSBH5s_T9d26D4KuFX_k_4mgbS-06f6t3gg/s1600-h/IMG_6398.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhkEFNtkMVndpMioMuSxFIHqGQ2yzL_WcOHxWNHyxlKUSrhuTxB1Uy9l-EszSOQNwqQfBRvlhqAx1suwaOvwm-bWtZWl_Yu8tAbzeSBH5s_T9d26D4KuFX_k_4mgbS-06f6t3gg/s400/IMG_6398.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />and even a cross-dresser!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cRoT6Ux8CjixFw-Ep2_5YfKm38__UtLhpNvKn4c9GTLQTL3pubq90N1Y-siYBB9E0iH7TCz7PAQDBBaisymM3HO68gqrMntfGGoaRULNmx3k-QN_4TDJYQC7ofBv09zkeefR5A/s1600-h/IMG_6411.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cRoT6Ux8CjixFw-Ep2_5YfKm38__UtLhpNvKn4c9GTLQTL3pubq90N1Y-siYBB9E0iH7TCz7PAQDBBaisymM3HO68gqrMntfGGoaRULNmx3k-QN_4TDJYQC7ofBv09zkeefR5A/s400/IMG_6411.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Merry Christmas!<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-20204045297201069422009-11-27T10:59:00.000-06:002009-12-26T11:13:05.876-06:00THANKSGIVING AT THE BEACH<strong>Tuesday, November 24, 2009 to<br />Friday, November 27, 2009</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt65fC2Wq1hUdge8Nu7TWce3LWKTcvG38-nw8p1wushAf4EyfPhu4CsSPq1Q8YKT7L5niZ7fwnHASnUXOlDY0DhBtEcTuBRWQikAMge9BwH9PnPwvcMdyPr4sbluo0wnPNM7sI6w/s1600-h/IMG_6298.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt65fC2Wq1hUdge8Nu7TWce3LWKTcvG38-nw8p1wushAf4EyfPhu4CsSPq1Q8YKT7L5niZ7fwnHASnUXOlDY0DhBtEcTuBRWQikAMge9BwH9PnPwvcMdyPr4sbluo0wnPNM7sI6w/s400/IMG_6298.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />For Thanksgiving week we loaded up the car for another 7-hour drive to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. We stayed at the same condo as <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/12/thanksgiving-at-beach.html">last Thanksgiving</a>...and <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/11/thanksgiving-at-beach.html">the one before that</a>.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjzdYuNqj_MuigeNDiMfYSIIooIsu4jYmx-MMIK4m_0dP1hrxhGI0Vv7th2fUI85_actGajODiN8qMctt6mGIal4n62o3A2c5Xkm8tFf_rbvNRxy4wDr_EUG1dfY9xPw4c7zUjQ/s1600-h/IMG_6315.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjzdYuNqj_MuigeNDiMfYSIIooIsu4jYmx-MMIK4m_0dP1hrxhGI0Vv7th2fUI85_actGajODiN8qMctt6mGIal4n62o3A2c5Xkm8tFf_rbvNRxy4wDr_EUG1dfY9xPw4c7zUjQ/s400/IMG_6315.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />"I'm ready to go swimming!"<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_Gz1NwMB2HNYfS96QCeTqbTLlT9hip-pPfImXIhLwkd_53W4xsgPaX-RjOT_vpxJ6W_LxHHTjPRXzhyphenhyphenCBjbfgERshHT3f3KV1IpPSFgwIa_rmaSqkLWleUyRbcB_4iuw8QWGdQ/s1600-h/IMG_1445.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_Gz1NwMB2HNYfS96QCeTqbTLlT9hip-pPfImXIhLwkd_53W4xsgPaX-RjOT_vpxJ6W_LxHHTjPRXzhyphenhyphenCBjbfgERshHT3f3KV1IpPSFgwIa_rmaSqkLWleUyRbcB_4iuw8QWGdQ/s400/IMG_1445.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The bike rental place across the street was convenient.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGnskvG_AsPog28D9vNWDfZwF6bQAqjllJxjYx0ZHkLUICfVb3lz1JBKie4bJ0SkNRFXcIdWL_Ofv2vxEHPaiiUKz4tEEA9KFcYkLGGSBURR7kaj5RxIYlJ7nh6E4SU2X6ge74w/s1600-h/IMG_6308.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGnskvG_AsPog28D9vNWDfZwF6bQAqjllJxjYx0ZHkLUICfVb3lz1JBKie4bJ0SkNRFXcIdWL_Ofv2vxEHPaiiUKz4tEEA9KFcYkLGGSBURR7kaj5RxIYlJ7nh6E4SU2X6ge74w/s400/IMG_6308.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUQwgVbzL5QpTKyw20C_N1RUUZdW6rp9D4aWLsNlnwY10SsWOKR9V5cN-O423xhvKy8xhPN7N1yz0CFf7HUSlKahTk8QIfMGictCj4fos_38UfKAO5k5HVDoHHABc6gp3CKVlcA/s1600-h/IMG_1452.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUQwgVbzL5QpTKyw20C_N1RUUZdW6rp9D4aWLsNlnwY10SsWOKR9V5cN-O423xhvKy8xhPN7N1yz0CFf7HUSlKahTk8QIfMGictCj4fos_38UfKAO5k5HVDoHHABc6gp3CKVlcA/s400/IMG_1452.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Thanksgiving "dinner" was at our usual spot, the excellent <a href="http://www.cafethirtya.com" target="new">Cafe Thirty-A</a>.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaHf_x7hWCIdZuIpyWIQ4vWlOn1oQFz8EQCV5-q-A2YesZ6GYWeYL11OPmZ43oP0dKbFMPp-IQPZiOrufu8f41XkhMaXTkYm2e2VwVnLZg-2Bw7KbwJzxD42vNHk2I07WgMkZkQ/s1600-h/IMG_6314.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaHf_x7hWCIdZuIpyWIQ4vWlOn1oQFz8EQCV5-q-A2YesZ6GYWeYL11OPmZ43oP0dKbFMPp-IQPZiOrufu8f41XkhMaXTkYm2e2VwVnLZg-2Bw7KbwJzxD42vNHk2I07WgMkZkQ/s400/IMG_6314.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />"Mmmmmm, turkey." <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYUa9TyamzYC1-8WboaBKBPPL-Rozr0-Sp9Dj4gPn4H6L-WpWdxlxgvf7EholxfoUcAYipAERhblz7LmrmppJ2HddmBll0uhS-slQci2k2rTyV6pd_kORshG5eAA9r6yJe_QIhQ/s1600-h/IMG_1434.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYUa9TyamzYC1-8WboaBKBPPL-Rozr0-Sp9Dj4gPn4H6L-WpWdxlxgvf7EholxfoUcAYipAERhblz7LmrmppJ2HddmBll0uhS-slQci2k2rTyV6pd_kORshG5eAA9r6yJe_QIhQ/s400/IMG_1434.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The weather was a bit chilly, but not too cold for a sunset walk on the beach with MeMe.<br /><br />Back to <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-27768865733721176942009-11-12T04:47:00.002-06:002009-12-25T05:08:23.942-06:00NEW MASTERSOUNDS AT PROUD LARRY'S<strong>Wednesday, November 11</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn-YeCMpxsl5kbZ-GkaEZ9SPDpJXxFF1W3cu0VCIX8feAZmDJEkxyWuERXfEAzU6812HIx2xBiTLv5vCsDME1HO1z_Col4PaA_oo0a0MDpAfIcwqYcFs1dcyjdoYKDdxbvuOEEg/s1600-h/IMG_0078.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn-YeCMpxsl5kbZ-GkaEZ9SPDpJXxFF1W3cu0VCIX8feAZmDJEkxyWuERXfEAzU6812HIx2xBiTLv5vCsDME1HO1z_Col4PaA_oo0a0MDpAfIcwqYcFs1dcyjdoYKDdxbvuOEEg/s400/IMG_0078.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was another musical treat in Oxford when the British funk-instrumental band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/newmastersounds" target="new">New Mastersounds</a> came to our favorite little live music venue, <a href="http://www.proudlarrys.com" target="new">Proud Larry's</a>. These guys a retro mix of old-school funk and soul jazz - all original music, but with a heaping scoop of James Brown sounds tossed into a Grant Green stew. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4g_wcY5qUgrzP0eYpx4rPcjXExfOMG-1TFqC7aczkvzEuRnu5-sElbYna-Yju-CSC3XsCaIvVHISlxOPnMtV0fhOAWfvryASlSbPBL2DS7mymB3etfZthprWYU9OxjMlERGkqQ/s1600-h/IMG_0103.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4g_wcY5qUgrzP0eYpx4rPcjXExfOMG-1TFqC7aczkvzEuRnu5-sElbYna-Yju-CSC3XsCaIvVHISlxOPnMtV0fhOAWfvryASlSbPBL2DS7mymB3etfZthprWYU9OxjMlERGkqQ/s400/IMG_0103.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Guitarist Eddie Roberts is the star, fueling the dance party with lightning leads so buttery smooth and tasty.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KjXyCsTh5f4h9AzzFRQ9wqPQD4Cy7gUduq5sRgeGz0PQV84FOP-HuUNA0oj-U3HRtunc9rVkMu6gEGlIEFNYRdfkjcIxhcqqVpkDfNdr3ZQLIWw3C3MA6IPb_lmTDEd_4tIm-A/s1600-h/IMG_0101.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KjXyCsTh5f4h9AzzFRQ9wqPQD4Cy7gUduq5sRgeGz0PQV84FOP-HuUNA0oj-U3HRtunc9rVkMu6gEGlIEFNYRdfkjcIxhcqqVpkDfNdr3ZQLIWw3C3MA6IPb_lmTDEd_4tIm-A/s400/IMG_0101.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Pete Shand on the funky bass!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo-xLqo6akw2KuBMR_rDucXShFAbMElsSgXmQzRT1yQCLI9RCDzPGxG9P-TnksqLdErCMiqjDxQxzPzmR420pYu1PcKmnljLvefTKLmNk_557S1zlDYCh42QiXa6DH3BNaJSZjw/s1600-h/IMG_0089.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo-xLqo6akw2KuBMR_rDucXShFAbMElsSgXmQzRT1yQCLI9RCDzPGxG9P-TnksqLdErCMiqjDxQxzPzmR420pYu1PcKmnljLvefTKLmNk_557S1zlDYCh42QiXa6DH3BNaJSZjw/s400/IMG_0089.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Joe Tatton on the keys...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVyKm6FWm3ZoA5oDtGYZgJczGZX3hI7H99MMw6qK4dXCnUMDWZXzSJvIFtaBfkJPNhD4TfNggmGkX3KOqlGpsetfXjU515CGFubDRwGasQObtgIxIY0NVtLZp9y1ViNzScLk8lA/s1600-h/IMG_0087.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVyKm6FWm3ZoA5oDtGYZgJczGZX3hI7H99MMw6qK4dXCnUMDWZXzSJvIFtaBfkJPNhD4TfNggmGkX3KOqlGpsetfXjU515CGFubDRwGasQObtgIxIY0NVtLZp9y1ViNzScLk8lA/s400/IMG_0087.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and Simon Allen on the drums. Hey, it might not be the most original-sounding band on the planet, but you can't help but shake your hips when these guys are playing!<br /><br />Back to main pageCarley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-14599336979857565392009-11-03T20:55:00.004-06:002009-11-03T21:16:23.275-06:00HALLOWEEN 2009<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-gg7HAtxUz5JxzRVRJIj01-qnCHIrtplHn6x5j8Xv_Zck4v4CtGq2ctvcvtpj8LBBtYorYr1Dr4XKeapIQ62P0h1bqHidZroQH5aNtji2-kxyOpDi2Gc1CjUFBeSFosxvGz3Yw/s1600-h/IMG_6074.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-gg7HAtxUz5JxzRVRJIj01-qnCHIrtplHn6x5j8Xv_Zck4v4CtGq2ctvcvtpj8LBBtYorYr1Dr4XKeapIQ62P0h1bqHidZroQH5aNtji2-kxyOpDi2Gc1CjUFBeSFosxvGz3Yw/s400/IMG_6074.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A few days before Halloween we made the jack-o-lantern. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRx-SMh17hdBZM4Es2fC3_Ccm2UAH6KCb2qFSPVGwhXYKpO3IyaSVadWJlqx9uUhPpV1zaSfq_a1VBGtb7j0ESLVg0Qovac4JmbLxY9ieolm87oZuYQhgx0YpWvhY16lfSxPlWw/s1600-h/IMG_6077.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRx-SMh17hdBZM4Es2fC3_Ccm2UAH6KCb2qFSPVGwhXYKpO3IyaSVadWJlqx9uUhPpV1zaSfq_a1VBGtb7j0ESLVg0Qovac4JmbLxY9ieolm87oZuYQhgx0YpWvhY16lfSxPlWw/s400/IMG_6077.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Of course, most of this process involved sharp instruments and thus very little for Rowan to do, except occasionally come over and push out an eye or something.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87E_k0FwLhvO6-SS-OZP3yS7rtv6-h0bzUwGfA2dbRz1tWAb5oPGQIdYxR5lPjhW2N9B6gJ07PJhC7eRCE7peJgOUcdKOyF4RFOZr6pOtdG5SlXBL29U3fiuzleQaul7pRiKaWg/s1600-h/IMG_6081.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87E_k0FwLhvO6-SS-OZP3yS7rtv6-h0bzUwGfA2dbRz1tWAb5oPGQIdYxR5lPjhW2N9B6gJ07PJhC7eRCE7peJgOUcdKOyF4RFOZr6pOtdG5SlXBL29U3fiuzleQaul7pRiKaWg/s400/IMG_6081.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Afterward we washed the seeds, and then roasted them with olive oil. Mmmmm! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIAaJnkrgSJRjI6VnVezjGc9D-i2I4xr_ZW5WZ9z5wiZavG_iBmy_KvoGSdrVda7RNpG4NWyV35DNQybO75TlGqN2KBNgXY9vOteBkvE_xumdZIuDXlm8O-Ify3EON5hoX9NTVw/s1600-h/IMG_6086.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIAaJnkrgSJRjI6VnVezjGc9D-i2I4xr_ZW5WZ9z5wiZavG_iBmy_KvoGSdrVda7RNpG4NWyV35DNQybO75TlGqN2KBNgXY9vOteBkvE_xumdZIuDXlm8O-Ify3EON5hoX9NTVw/s400/IMG_6086.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Spoooooookeeeee! (Well, sorta)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT9r0osf30NuM08rjVkEWj1jMfMYaAKNLNexF4B0cCXczlpIDpSyWR5GoplYGFoa7zaZm0YnLuTEA0eOrLBkqtf4MsFPJiJx6eGuZSesJxCAbyyjjy84C7y_qtSl0I1hG-NB7-g/s1600-h/IMG_6189.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT9r0osf30NuM08rjVkEWj1jMfMYaAKNLNexF4B0cCXczlpIDpSyWR5GoplYGFoa7zaZm0YnLuTEA0eOrLBkqtf4MsFPJiJx6eGuZSesJxCAbyyjjy84C7y_qtSl0I1hG-NB7-g/s400/IMG_6189.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />On Halloween night, Rowan's day-care buddy Henry came over to trick-or-treat with us. We had met Henry and his parents at a day-care open house, and they were the only ones we really felt we'd really click with. Ah, the life of parents. Anyways it turned out to be a great night!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMhvbrMayS1GSxPXAgQR0uZZrm34YUv75XVQRqHZPBhyg_-C5evnZBaNKjX17Wx2HbTyhRVgHjD9J05NtxSfDTZbLTnjqQ1MNkx7WAeKY2MVSenTgjoUvHc7M_mY7jRwLIe1QQg/s1600-h/IMG_6193.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMhvbrMayS1GSxPXAgQR0uZZrm34YUv75XVQRqHZPBhyg_-C5evnZBaNKjX17Wx2HbTyhRVgHjD9J05NtxSfDTZbLTnjqQ1MNkx7WAeKY2MVSenTgjoUvHc7M_mY7jRwLIe1QQg/s400/IMG_6193.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Out the door and off to see the neighbors!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMCdlTKEKLxQc0aF6U8VP2KrhTI6eeoacWfF4Le9Un970twx20SkmkE1wNeSmvBQTHvMY8q07LO4lnk1XpMQqSiW9wPFzhZW3_ptvIjnsNieeOao1YtSYOBccWk0urtrxlP8f2g/s1600-h/IMG_6194.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMCdlTKEKLxQc0aF6U8VP2KrhTI6eeoacWfF4Le9Un970twx20SkmkE1wNeSmvBQTHvMY8q07LO4lnk1XpMQqSiW9wPFzhZW3_ptvIjnsNieeOao1YtSYOBccWk0urtrxlP8f2g/s400/IMG_6194.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan only made it to one house before he ran back home to get his Hot Wheels. Needless to say, he was the only kid trick-or-treating on a Hot Wheels.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBOdA95XtjshuYAHizs0dwK9RR0aCKtUHULE4VFDmzQJiI-ub69ZqmgxYIVGNfpUDg-I1hj9BW4PzE74s7DOFmBjSIG_V-Qm_NAJo_a99uI7jvJOVbb2BWOze6Mhk1DQ2KfkEGA/s1600-h/IMG_6197.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBOdA95XtjshuYAHizs0dwK9RR0aCKtUHULE4VFDmzQJiI-ub69ZqmgxYIVGNfpUDg-I1hj9BW4PzE74s7DOFmBjSIG_V-Qm_NAJo_a99uI7jvJOVbb2BWOze6Mhk1DQ2KfkEGA/s400/IMG_6197.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />His favorite part was running into Taylor, the cute neighbor girl that he has a little crush on.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgmcA4HKBPrXFurFkVSaa1u16mBoFac7OobMxHsaRojtmWCTudlbPoB5MSqJwMjrxk3OaraReOhPr7u04aWLbxauqYu13SyQu831zqItpmRK06KbctJ0QkcrvfDGLyZClsIWWAg/s1600-h/IMG_6203.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgmcA4HKBPrXFurFkVSaa1u16mBoFac7OobMxHsaRojtmWCTudlbPoB5MSqJwMjrxk3OaraReOhPr7u04aWLbxauqYu13SyQu831zqItpmRK06KbctJ0QkcrvfDGLyZClsIWWAg/s400/IMG_6203.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Trick-or-treating seems to be a big deal in our new neighborhood. What fun!<br /><br />Back to <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-54680539140552754812009-10-31T20:19:00.001-06:002009-11-14T07:29:49.019-06:00STS9 IN BIRMINGHAM<strong>Friday, October 30, 2009</strong><br /><br />We really wanted to catch this show together, since it would probably be our only chance to see STS9 in 2009. Unfortunately, Carley had work obligations and couldn't make it, so Rob went solo and met up with our friend Clay outside the show.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgILaDAvGipwzjQWiXD5u6fUBZGl3delh6lNiXVaI4BPucikwhKXAmU0_kKmPYXjhQYrCxkwjIiPbp_kU6eF059jl74NcWWQLoD2RfxTkCtazv0_efW8Jx4fvWclt0u3goShgYrA/s1600-h/IMG_6188.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgILaDAvGipwzjQWiXD5u6fUBZGl3delh6lNiXVaI4BPucikwhKXAmU0_kKmPYXjhQYrCxkwjIiPbp_kU6eF059jl74NcWWQLoD2RfxTkCtazv0_efW8Jx4fvWclt0u3goShgYrA/s400/IMG_6188.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was my first time at the Alabama Theatre.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTmMsh4K7ZEqICjYnZKOomUYWU9fAuDufZ6X_csNNwBHakkPMdimS-egKGfh-M6FlRNMaC1oEE1ouUQnRyMlCSzBnr7r3ut0bG1xu5v45VuQOlVHDx9lXMWynccLXBwIUNa4Wgg/s1600-h/alabama+theatre.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTmMsh4K7ZEqICjYnZKOomUYWU9fAuDufZ6X_csNNwBHakkPMdimS-egKGfh-M6FlRNMaC1oEE1ouUQnRyMlCSzBnr7r3ut0bG1xu5v45VuQOlVHDx9lXMWynccLXBwIUNa4Wgg/s400/alabama+theatre.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Really nice place! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sKNhN9Xu8wa_TEWb01bIk0_jSSUncVIFv0MEc1RkjMrgXIDHxo2gSvYCPh9TodMuGNZF57W5mr4kDmkmBZvdZ4IQFXhpWnsoobI5a3qMIn6VF1M-7yz7mW8pC7Y2dNdoUHdywQ/s1600-h/IMG_6156.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sKNhN9Xu8wa_TEWb01bIk0_jSSUncVIFv0MEc1RkjMrgXIDHxo2gSvYCPh9TodMuGNZF57W5mr4kDmkmBZvdZ4IQFXhpWnsoobI5a3qMIn6VF1M-7yz7mW8pC7Y2dNdoUHdywQ/s400/IMG_6156.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /> <br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn3ZuCEDneLMezh2mTg4EFKlWNCxb8IBVEREOiyrZHqbppnwmYrxLrDSxut2YYXyjyT8ktiANEXYb5QRV0XZoeL1I0RkZpAgVk2zGz9Pn0yDuCu3LEUS1L5VP2tcFhrZx9XfrBQ/s1600-h/IMG_6160.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn3ZuCEDneLMezh2mTg4EFKlWNCxb8IBVEREOiyrZHqbppnwmYrxLrDSxut2YYXyjyT8ktiANEXYb5QRV0XZoeL1I0RkZpAgVk2zGz9Pn0yDuCu3LEUS1L5VP2tcFhrZx9XfrBQ/s400/IMG_6160.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It reminded me a lot of the Tabernacle in Atlanta, with its balconies and anterooms, but smaller, and with seats on the floor. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wu_30dm3t89PxOkgAhyNYqZDedo3V8WBZeDQgI0zqJPkTnFq23nmeMEu7T5k5VNdVMVxetel0B8OLR8z3DZK6ozajLRBsJDzgzNS_jUpsIwDGQ-doybpARd_yFw9Mm_5pnks_g/s1600-h/IMG_0025.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Wu_30dm3t89PxOkgAhyNYqZDedo3V8WBZeDQgI0zqJPkTnFq23nmeMEu7T5k5VNdVMVxetel0B8OLR8z3DZK6ozajLRBsJDzgzNS_jUpsIwDGQ-doybpARd_yFw9Mm_5pnks_g/s400/IMG_0025.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Nice bar! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHm_vuEr7ggrmcYixtvSfT7Dvi8gqJRhvDyz-JoxXR4A5d75pHGHKHYyV2Ax2HWmeTEX9tD_r_scIXHXZBUe03NC9WTvP3O6fMe0Toa_97dYjWgTl00BGZuJyX2zR1gxvJj_lcw/s1600-h/IMG_6161.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHm_vuEr7ggrmcYixtvSfT7Dvi8gqJRhvDyz-JoxXR4A5d75pHGHKHYyV2Ax2HWmeTEX9tD_r_scIXHXZBUe03NC9WTvP3O6fMe0Toa_97dYjWgTl00BGZuJyX2zR1gxvJj_lcw/s400/IMG_6161.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The band had a totally new stage arrangement since I last saw them on New Years Eve 2008. Each band member was in a different position than before.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97dGYw0mjdb3p-tt8chcJm0QeCxWkYQ8AKB40mteArBur2xMcBiEh1BrXBvsIAXBAgCLMUnceDH3DW3uiNiSFpQ06p1jJgK9r3A-gPO0ewH0MSKnanLz1oXX5wDUIVjZiMEN3FA/s1600-h/IMG_6167.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97dGYw0mjdb3p-tt8chcJm0QeCxWkYQ8AKB40mteArBur2xMcBiEh1BrXBvsIAXBAgCLMUnceDH3DW3uiNiSFpQ06p1jJgK9r3A-gPO0ewH0MSKnanLz1oXX5wDUIVjZiMEN3FA/s400/IMG_6167.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />As you can tell from the photos, we had excellent seats - in the 2nd row!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWauVgZYJ3I0GfVdFryrIw2FJMDhd_gVsrr3hjuDo-yBRI1vDuqg6C_SB4baDH4UwRZ6f6NvOfhhBuMDy-yAMnms24tL_kp4hXsCD4107glOdXGcGc0vS9_dyRpYLW5H21QXOPg/s1600-h/IMG_6166.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWauVgZYJ3I0GfVdFryrIw2FJMDhd_gVsrr3hjuDo-yBRI1vDuqg6C_SB4baDH4UwRZ6f6NvOfhhBuMDy-yAMnms24tL_kp4hXsCD4107glOdXGcGc0vS9_dyRpYLW5H21QXOPg/s400/IMG_6166.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Hunter crankin' out the Dirty Nine on Somesing.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY84_CpES1hU9gtIEotN054jPaMdxDo5L_kpY6Dp37F6GnlAYnPtf5dkAFWZbrn_Tzfq9iEXGVArMTfvT-kTGkuf_IrJu16T5WLPe5x8KzcU9CqosF1hrnwiQY771rXCTuKgRwWw/s1600-h/IMG_6170.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY84_CpES1hU9gtIEotN054jPaMdxDo5L_kpY6Dp37F6GnlAYnPtf5dkAFWZbrn_Tzfq9iEXGVArMTfvT-kTGkuf_IrJu16T5WLPe5x8KzcU9CqosF1hrnwiQY771rXCTuKgRwWw/s400/IMG_6170.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Jeffrey in charge on Satori.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUddPLm2cjzCFXrsUoL_N1yZNQ2yccNAdZbPrc_WVBb4L_jCrN8-T12P_RPgOkFTVtEiuVeW-g8W5YCxj75JMhvSccs8drxeOQtDJPb1PLeUl2AeQOTG5fXu-OtXb4Oajf7rF69Q/s1600-h/IMG_6175.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUddPLm2cjzCFXrsUoL_N1yZNQ2yccNAdZbPrc_WVBb4L_jCrN8-T12P_RPgOkFTVtEiuVeW-g8W5YCxj75JMhvSccs8drxeOQtDJPb1PLeUl2AeQOTG5fXu-OtXb4Oajf7rF69Q/s400/IMG_6175.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Murphy, Zach and Phipps find a nasty groove in Wika Chikana.<br /><br />Overall they avoided their most recent material from the new album. The set did feature a few old-school nuggets that really hit the spot. The setlist was:<br /><br />Beyond Right Now<br />New New 4 U U<br />F Word<br />Somesing<br />Satori<br />Wika Chikana<br />GLOgli<br />Empires<br />New SOMA<br />Tooth<br />Peaceblaster<br />Aimlessly <br /><br />Encore: <br />Bigs > <br />Metameme<br />Circus<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnzuYiA5ICliYludFu3gpl1C8OqCTkm8sa7br8YSKIwsyCkx5SMqnUQnmgY6Uha3w_QHxN5iqizrbRw_gq7ZfIBZmT3TeBj9dR2szEqKZ5VirjAyt18JmL_lc4rHVdYDPnkkxDg/s1600-h/IMG_0030.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnzuYiA5ICliYludFu3gpl1C8OqCTkm8sa7br8YSKIwsyCkx5SMqnUQnmgY6Uha3w_QHxN5iqizrbRw_gq7ZfIBZmT3TeBj9dR2szEqKZ5VirjAyt18JmL_lc4rHVdYDPnkkxDg/s400/IMG_0030.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This is how close to the stage our seats were!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-4c6LEx79mrdgCdMADcsThC31UFQo8aPPWEVjI1OzbtlvEiqw82ly7f6mdlc-etOQM1PsNpTDoyVGfJJNyZba-IZysvW5ELeNMGZ26x3c1GhSsOgOFwSaWPIk2zRtcVRTs3bSw/s1600-h/IMG_6162.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-4c6LEx79mrdgCdMADcsThC31UFQo8aPPWEVjI1OzbtlvEiqw82ly7f6mdlc-etOQM1PsNpTDoyVGfJJNyZba-IZysvW5ELeNMGZ26x3c1GhSsOgOFwSaWPIk2zRtcVRTs3bSw/s400/IMG_6162.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Clay getting down.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegIgTzllE76MVHqd7epCS-aZDvc_l3rTvR9KCU9m3CubuLM5801ZsCwTdpH-kIeY6gZvYjeRNqzqIX8DxFyHgRrGSyAboVQWecD3oMIU5sIzC2AVG_6_gJGJlhb-qd2PanK4tMg/s1600-h/IMG_6181.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegIgTzllE76MVHqd7epCS-aZDvc_l3rTvR9KCU9m3CubuLM5801ZsCwTdpH-kIeY6gZvYjeRNqzqIX8DxFyHgRrGSyAboVQWecD3oMIU5sIzC2AVG_6_gJGJlhb-qd2PanK4tMg/s400/IMG_6181.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The lobby after the show.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEo0qfqz3wBkuN0MnEwnjBmP3D0C8jxVJ2CljfID7ehV22K63UHH5cKRX5DiLFqX4ynr0rsYQVQSIihHZGUVC3OEnjuzOhdpF6kfcicAHz0tGX7U0U9AnrLB9Wf0wfwodfPEEDw/s1600-h/IMG_6141.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEo0qfqz3wBkuN0MnEwnjBmP3D0C8jxVJ2CljfID7ehV22K63UHH5cKRX5DiLFqX4ynr0rsYQVQSIihHZGUVC3OEnjuzOhdpF6kfcicAHz0tGX7U0U9AnrLB9Wf0wfwodfPEEDw/s400/IMG_6141.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The lobby from upstairs.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsniaHMBQbh7CnJDHBSAkjyiFLuYirFvvcr4C2LkmlDp-mB5Hy5sth_Agcowe2HNcJeWpSEQYHVdaGQiFyA0-6IPYimuLvZ5Ccu2oovTBZ4PyRMzT_uXKW3F9mj7Y6SA4qbnMA/s1600-h/IMG_6185.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsniaHMBQbh7CnJDHBSAkjyiFLuYirFvvcr4C2LkmlDp-mB5Hy5sth_Agcowe2HNcJeWpSEQYHVdaGQiFyA0-6IPYimuLvZ5Ccu2oovTBZ4PyRMzT_uXKW3F9mj7Y6SA4qbnMA/s400/IMG_6185.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Mirrors on the ceiling!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdNp80mFngJrCbbn-Q3zEWENRFVUiy3bknMhqbC_evy0GPyFYR9zfQ-3yxBLVs46rfrKsLGmwrlMC8NPP5Wfge9vfXWNcPTCq-NWghP5X5tdoRqnNIzTDxsMrD8g09O4W3mTV7g/s1600-h/IMG_6179.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdNp80mFngJrCbbn-Q3zEWENRFVUiy3bknMhqbC_evy0GPyFYR9zfQ-3yxBLVs46rfrKsLGmwrlMC8NPP5Wfge9vfXWNcPTCq-NWghP5X5tdoRqnNIzTDxsMrD8g09O4W3mTV7g/s400/IMG_6179.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Until next time...<br /><br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-9020499115102215682009-10-30T16:43:00.000-06:002009-11-03T05:36:54.397-06:00WEEN IN OXFORD<strong>Thursday, October 29, 2009</strong><br /><br />Yes, it was almost Halloween when Ween came to town! However it was just a regular old Ween show, which is to say, wildly eclectic and totally rocking. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8N5WsJg6v9it-AMFegQgoxoblq6LBpruRA9BIO682WaGBZU89QtOlJ75z3gDTISOzIdxVseC0y86LGZtiC_o9wDeDcimxeO8PxIU-9CMgxFZXjxbI7tK9ahIrYRZMSdv0_fsXw/s1600-h/IMG_6107.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8N5WsJg6v9it-AMFegQgoxoblq6LBpruRA9BIO682WaGBZU89QtOlJ75z3gDTISOzIdxVseC0y86LGZtiC_o9wDeDcimxeO8PxIU-9CMgxFZXjxbI7tK9ahIrYRZMSdv0_fsXw/s400/IMG_6107.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Gene and Dean Ween (really Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo; their stage names were reportedly inspired by The Ramones) formed the band when they were in 8th grade in New Hope, PA, almost 25 years ago! Needless to say, they've aged quite a bit, especially Gener with his potbelly and grey hair. They've put out around a dozen albums, but never made any attempt at commercial success, relying on word-of-mouth to build a following.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiiMeuQ9sHcaO5LXEmReA4ryw_JHGVi7DlGgvQ4y2iEkIG-UrDOVoCTynZ1Yvuj2mMPqtakMDYvA3koS15s44SGyTm-ZfCPQFwTZ9_Zgg89TAtsaR8cwTh7v6t3TY-qoEOezPAA/s1600-h/IMG_6118.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiiMeuQ9sHcaO5LXEmReA4ryw_JHGVi7DlGgvQ4y2iEkIG-UrDOVoCTynZ1Yvuj2mMPqtakMDYvA3koS15s44SGyTm-ZfCPQFwTZ9_Zgg89TAtsaR8cwTh7v6t3TY-qoEOezPAA/s400/IMG_6118.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The band is actually a 5-piece, with Glenn McClelland on keys, Dave Dreiwitz on bass, and Claude Coleman on drums, and their music combines eclectic pop and hard rock with irreverent lyrics about anything they can get a laugh out of.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr8UUMqZZQ5IXkGxrvBaNpKObMDeUODFDPHiV2flCYZeqGmEP-4Cqtch7EhE_qtr3-8_Hdj_Lls4e3z5E0-FlWhB-N7iOkXDwiQbQkm1DUQnupaw-ee7LzvHiPQ_32JnDf2ExsA/s1600-h/IMG_6104.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr8UUMqZZQ5IXkGxrvBaNpKObMDeUODFDPHiV2flCYZeqGmEP-4Cqtch7EhE_qtr3-8_Hdj_Lls4e3z5E0-FlWhB-N7iOkXDwiQbQkm1DUQnupaw-ee7LzvHiPQ_32JnDf2ExsA/s400/IMG_6104.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We had a good spot in front of Deaner, where we could get the full effect of his distortion-laden, "face-melting" guitar solos.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vDEkIOQK7EY560J7O73i80Tl54PA5rRNDyZ4NW5FsHD0qBOdzkuSbCelW-X2l3jjrkE0P2yxrCzdjfQmV-R-10MW7zIfOsT5vEGI-fJKbNWHcvf1mW6YPbxbL_qcqb0JVkMzAw/s1600-h/IMG_6128.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vDEkIOQK7EY560J7O73i80Tl54PA5rRNDyZ4NW5FsHD0qBOdzkuSbCelW-X2l3jjrkE0P2yxrCzdjfQmV-R-10MW7zIfOsT5vEGI-fJKbNWHcvf1mW6YPbxbL_qcqb0JVkMzAw/s400/IMG_6128.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The show was at the Lyric Theatre, which holds around a thousand people at full capacity. It was probably only half-full for Ween, but the crowd was totally fired up.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T4bVNWdYZ_uLvU90d_aORSwY0wK91Bo4EyTgxBEtS4LmCHqucfjQKALdriZhn1Od7ExsZsPzyZUY1P7LGOvSKHwiChScrDKgylWo30g_ect53Rs_ePvV3gH7kljX4ydMAacmqw/s1600-h/IMG_6131.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T4bVNWdYZ_uLvU90d_aORSwY0wK91Bo4EyTgxBEtS4LmCHqucfjQKALdriZhn1Od7ExsZsPzyZUY1P7LGOvSKHwiChScrDKgylWo30g_ect53Rs_ePvV3gH7kljX4ydMAacmqw/s400/IMG_6131.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our friend Jack joined us for the show. Jack and Rob have both been fans of Ween for a long time, but Carley's been slow to warm up to them. However, she really enjoyed them this time, despite the fact that they played her least favorite song ever, Spinal Meningitis. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn3eNcNo77xNyjDDbmR-Hwbs06w1qgEBsM2cHSjhUZ8EpIl6KkDcnb2mE3hPwDHxhweCDTAH5zDHqzEr-7YrYfU9UsSmVhz2SUN6ehciqdi-jlXIlACmx2zcjwg3rippEBkJtiQ/s1600-h/IMG_6123.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXn3eNcNo77xNyjDDbmR-Hwbs06w1qgEBsM2cHSjhUZ8EpIl6KkDcnb2mE3hPwDHxhweCDTAH5zDHqzEr-7YrYfU9UsSmVhz2SUN6ehciqdi-jlXIlACmx2zcjwg3rippEBkJtiQ/s400/IMG_6123.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Ween rarely plays covers, but we got one this time. The first song of the encore was the protest-era classic "Ohio" from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. In a way it was appropriate for them to cover Neil Young, since Deaner's lead guitar style is often reminiscent of Young's Crazy Horse sound. However the political nature of the lyrics seemed really out of place at a Ween show. Nevertheless it seemed to go over quite well with the unsuspecting audience.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOITit6-oVWapR46LfScc_hItGpb3ZqnGATbqW5ab_e2HKIY-K7pRxXrJw-qmUoG_Dkd3OiSNAvLfgi2LRgt7VcM_Y4mOgM2f3lfM9puX63xas-h2zxb-CQRIeDXEeBoOAViYxQQ/s1600-h/IMG_6126.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOITit6-oVWapR46LfScc_hItGpb3ZqnGATbqW5ab_e2HKIY-K7pRxXrJw-qmUoG_Dkd3OiSNAvLfgi2LRgt7VcM_Y4mOgM2f3lfM9puX63xas-h2zxb-CQRIeDXEeBoOAViYxQQ/s400/IMG_6126.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />They finished the encore with a jammed-out 15-minute version of "Fluffy".<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lQdnbCTNZkZD5qgrdVOBmkBxvBN7mq_tB8uGiiKhfGF2ukmB1bIq3geaLO0Ccmxo5LniFcigVaoMN3PMGJqxvd9JO9-6GFGfuIMhluCQt-fy68w1tVfUOca4bHav8dnUC0gYwQ/s1600-h/IMG_6133.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lQdnbCTNZkZD5qgrdVOBmkBxvBN7mq_tB8uGiiKhfGF2ukmB1bIq3geaLO0Ccmxo5LniFcigVaoMN3PMGJqxvd9JO9-6GFGfuIMhluCQt-fy68w1tVfUOca4bHav8dnUC0gYwQ/s400/IMG_6133.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After the final encore, Claude came out and paid respect to the enthusiastic crowd.<br /><br />As with many of the bands we like to see, the band changes up the setlist from one night to the next. Here's what they played in Oxford:<br /><br />Fiesta<br />Nan<br />Transdermal Celebration<br />Take Me Away<br />Marble Tulip Juicy Tree<br />Happy Colored Marbles<br />My Own Bare Hands<br />Baby Bitch<br />Learnin' to Love<br />Gabrielle<br />Woman and Man<br />Your Party<br />Bananas and Blow<br />HIV Song<br />Spinal Meningitis <br />I Don't Want It<br />Buckingham Green<br />Zoloft<br />Ice Castles><br />Final Alarm<br />Roses are Free<br />Booze Me Up and Get Me High<br />The Mollusk<br />Ocean Man<br />Stroker Ace<br />You Fucked Up<br /><br />Encore:<br />Ohio (the CSNY song)<br />Fluffy<br /><br />A free recording of the show is currently available online at the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/ween2009-10-29.mk41" target="new">Internet Archive</a>.<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-2393755114231318832009-10-25T20:29:00.000-06:002009-11-03T05:36:35.838-06:00FOOTBALL SATURDAY IN OXFORD<strong>October 24, 2009</strong><br /><br />Oxford turns into Party Central on home-game Saturdays, when thousands of fans set up tailgate parties in The Grove, in the middle of the Ole Miss campus.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneHqezg90gDQWWkuoTT_IkJImy1EixazC4_5-Se5WdpFuy3X9XXzJ8ViSBiSyzLBEGZyMzcgeQVmS3c3HPJ8CdZNGsPy247PaJMxmRB8JbQkxFAhGNJCZJMQCSmSpJdyRobzOCw/s1600-h/IMG_6068.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneHqezg90gDQWWkuoTT_IkJImy1EixazC4_5-Se5WdpFuy3X9XXzJ8ViSBiSyzLBEGZyMzcgeQVmS3c3HPJ8CdZNGsPy247PaJMxmRB8JbQkxFAhGNJCZJMQCSmSpJdyRobzOCw/s400/IMG_6068.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We were stoked to get a visit from Carley's brother Barrett and his wife Molly! We spent the morning tailgating with Molly's family, including Molly's sister-in-law Brandi, above right.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqIiDiMH8diuXw1SmjOlCFCzGoAPaITi7Uv5-25caKbDRrF51qSrc94wQChVW9_udk_qKg-FHowqY-9q1F8oQnacI52H8uMZ3_DOIu0vUG9zAwWqYsGfp8FUg7VHyRvFqDRtSMg/s1600-h/IMG_6065.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqIiDiMH8diuXw1SmjOlCFCzGoAPaITi7Uv5-25caKbDRrF51qSrc94wQChVW9_udk_qKg-FHowqY-9q1F8oQnacI52H8uMZ3_DOIu0vUG9zAwWqYsGfp8FUg7VHyRvFqDRtSMg/s400/IMG_6065.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Uncle B taught Rowan how to kick field goals!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmCXN2FkhXbLA2tZMv3-Y1TyjuZhKWrdZstDAHfAovpiUuRgLjGIMivBtSW91CZhCK-FjH5VfDXJKvBqwibx0mgypDQFlF8yqD7_29hYQH0OpTIGw4T_v74pCo-ZERoxPfGRD5A/s1600-h/IMG_6066.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmCXN2FkhXbLA2tZMv3-Y1TyjuZhKWrdZstDAHfAovpiUuRgLjGIMivBtSW91CZhCK-FjH5VfDXJKvBqwibx0mgypDQFlF8yqD7_29hYQH0OpTIGw4T_v74pCo-ZERoxPfGRD5A/s400/IMG_6066.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />He also liked being the holder. Overall he had a great time at his first tailgate, especially yelling "oink!" at the Arkansas Razorback fans that were in town for the game. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEb58D6t-_GowawGJsTIRicrykhX8rozEurdiqIKHrpHbKozJJbPY26Pu4orp6CC8cjCAz1u3FSDQMJbbd7WdAM_9rPzOh4WKB6cuffScIek4ZXpFO1kks8xrOszVaeUsLDusmQ/s1600-h/IMG_6069.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEb58D6t-_GowawGJsTIRicrykhX8rozEurdiqIKHrpHbKozJJbPY26Pu4orp6CC8cjCAz1u3FSDQMJbbd7WdAM_9rPzOh4WKB6cuffScIek4ZXpFO1kks8xrOszVaeUsLDusmQ/s400/IMG_6069.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After the game started, we stayed out in The Grove and met up with our friend Erik from Tupelo. His tailgate had a TV with satellite, so we got to watch the game with the comfort of food and ice chests at arm's reach. Ole Miss ended up hammering the Hogs, with a final score of 30-17. <br /><br />Back to <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-84691236559862823372009-10-19T05:03:00.003-06:002009-10-19T05:24:41.073-06:00A LAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN OXFORD<strong>October 18, 2009</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmE1BJcfIDZ0qd55plEU4KCk3fPkfAEeRDNecQuiTjsxmhjCzgBhJK-cfhvsqzRzKqBJfqSQg9vW4KYCGvwcCWJhG9wOTNrh1ARBVgHlxlcjJ4hIlVmL3KlHC6HepoIMtLVul1w/s1600-h/avent+park.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmE1BJcfIDZ0qd55plEU4KCk3fPkfAEeRDNecQuiTjsxmhjCzgBhJK-cfhvsqzRzKqBJfqSQg9vW4KYCGvwcCWJhG9wOTNrh1ARBVgHlxlcjJ4hIlVmL3KlHC6HepoIMtLVul1w/s400/avent+park.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />One thing that can really make a town a nice place to live is the local city parks. Fortunately for us, we've found one really good one here in Oxford.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_dv2iZ2Bdh8y8Q0uf_f_ekly91yQxurCfcLQRQs57BAGUZDegWhyphenhyphen_Mh-VMixFVogH9fYQQSbcTcXiauYK3zEU2MeqK8uWgLwTJYUlpCzyFCxqk60XPMUQdIt4IdjXESzY4obrA/s1600-h/IMG_6033.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_dv2iZ2Bdh8y8Q0uf_f_ekly91yQxurCfcLQRQs57BAGUZDegWhyphenhyphen_Mh-VMixFVogH9fYQQSbcTcXiauYK3zEU2MeqK8uWgLwTJYUlpCzyFCxqk60XPMUQdIt4IdjXESzY4obrA/s400/IMG_6033.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />For starters, it's a great place for some tricycling.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf68-_6Ri_1onUqRbVGei9DWhbj0lVkO6v-ncmcm3K1PmJytQeXBG1ffSlzUfXEgD6pI-fsi3pVBT-CdsX1YovCVz7WAvC5vt8qeKDFSOXV7rsuI36NYbDMuHE-K3jIMVjgcoFQ/s1600-h/IMG_6035.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf68-_6Ri_1onUqRbVGei9DWhbj0lVkO6v-ncmcm3K1PmJytQeXBG1ffSlzUfXEgD6pI-fsi3pVBT-CdsX1YovCVz7WAvC5vt8qeKDFSOXV7rsuI36NYbDMuHE-K3jIMVjgcoFQ/s400/IMG_6035.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />And it's dog-friendly! Now if they just had a leash-free area so Kina could run...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Cpv-QlTlv8tkfRsKqisFgbnxqOEC5lMFzHX7nVuu9NNSwDLAk2AtWrSyRsY0h9nwkdVGmNMnbCbdeBYLBalZrmBLYNRklmOowT9iGrCx6BV6kLDv_QkKgkcOcsBYUs17DVGDfw/s1600-h/IMG_6040.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Cpv-QlTlv8tkfRsKqisFgbnxqOEC5lMFzHX7nVuu9NNSwDLAk2AtWrSyRsY0h9nwkdVGmNMnbCbdeBYLBalZrmBLYNRklmOowT9iGrCx6BV6kLDv_QkKgkcOcsBYUs17DVGDfw/s400/IMG_6040.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A music break so Rowan could play some xylophone on the playground.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfP3hpixpnHeojTPyZb5ILiSVxcHBHmYAqtjlnsbM_Ar41URp1uvWu-nYtJQdQ8psiQQlJQABSQekZhAai675mGmCWgjsucxovstoGOpCKX5xIxOFZJYRE3Q76eVLB_-nr81JfQ/s1600-h/IMG_6043.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfP3hpixpnHeojTPyZb5ILiSVxcHBHmYAqtjlnsbM_Ar41URp1uvWu-nYtJQdQ8psiQQlJQABSQekZhAai675mGmCWgjsucxovstoGOpCKX5xIxOFZJYRE3Q76eVLB_-nr81JfQ/s400/IMG_6043.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Mommy too!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a8o6eUOa-gLwLO7YHH_x_mXaSxWlzLgvcV8gmbdEFetK9nYaWop7iFunbdaGsNpcwMl5TwDKYXRh8HmSEoymlOJJpytDCcwc5Sxnmd_O3JKV6g8R9zWfj9ZL9wO48Ni2SV0m1A/s1600-h/IMG_1368.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8a8o6eUOa-gLwLO7YHH_x_mXaSxWlzLgvcV8gmbdEFetK9nYaWop7iFunbdaGsNpcwMl5TwDKYXRh8HmSEoymlOJJpytDCcwc5Sxnmd_O3JKV6g8R9zWfj9ZL9wO48Ni2SV0m1A/s400/IMG_1368.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A walk up the steep hill.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7np6c2b52NcMYtgnU5Gun064o1IF3pT0TyIBW6pgQEwbjprkJRo6R8FdY8eem-z0OBUlDpoNA7eLX7xcSvTz5oBxh-hnQaa502YYr-AKHoTwNc4AJTxdU-xVc62JAU-IXMdBJ4w/s1600-h/IMG_6048.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7np6c2b52NcMYtgnU5Gun064o1IF3pT0TyIBW6pgQEwbjprkJRo6R8FdY8eem-z0OBUlDpoNA7eLX7xcSvTz5oBxh-hnQaa502YYr-AKHoTwNc4AJTxdU-xVc62JAU-IXMdBJ4w/s400/IMG_6048.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A ride up the long hill.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoHlW6Oo4ZG4s6qU2J25F_sLtkvkuvYPDzfLYw4U9w-n8-V7rw1mUoQa31C2SHdOtra_u-Ii2CDezt6of-UgSXM735cIK-xYhI7xVOrrYFNLChx3EaCYUMHL6OEtsdG2ZmkLDIA/s1600-h/IMG_6049.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoHlW6Oo4ZG4s6qU2J25F_sLtkvkuvYPDzfLYw4U9w-n8-V7rw1mUoQa31C2SHdOtra_u-Ii2CDezt6of-UgSXM735cIK-xYhI7xVOrrYFNLChx3EaCYUMHL6OEtsdG2ZmkLDIA/s400/IMG_6049.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A short breather at the top...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFPbkLgMICTSVLcbvQr-MCZ_YWGJPC9PxU9EtF6OZnegBfdTEFfYxsX9lF-wnGT1Y3jB4WRs_1iIk-77HHHS6bJyQaJ8gCleLbJKx5KsHBJcbXvlyJLapar7ed2DS7_eQDMYKBQ/s1600-h/IMG_6050.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFPbkLgMICTSVLcbvQr-MCZ_YWGJPC9PxU9EtF6OZnegBfdTEFfYxsX9lF-wnGT1Y3jB4WRs_1iIk-77HHHS6bJyQaJ8gCleLbJKx5KsHBJcbXvlyJLapar7ed2DS7_eQDMYKBQ/s400/IMG_6050.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and Whee!! Down the other side of the hill. This path makes a nice loop around the park.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_MfMc9m1pSecQGGFDn7nq6FWhcYt3ch7Aj7fQtybsQQfSawoCmdvE7TyjgEckltV4tNClKonMi5Vg9dtAPGQ3j6jp-qEGtEtxbTvT5HDAbFWeB_1yrxbXurcO6lmF-EcUR3PUg/s1600-h/IMG_6055.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_MfMc9m1pSecQGGFDn7nq6FWhcYt3ch7Aj7fQtybsQQfSawoCmdvE7TyjgEckltV4tNClKonMi5Vg9dtAPGQ3j6jp-qEGtEtxbTvT5HDAbFWeB_1yrxbXurcO6lmF-EcUR3PUg/s400/IMG_6055.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After all that tricycling, it was time for some refreshments. <a href="http://www.mainsqueezeoxford.com" target="new">Main Squeeze</a> is a favorite destination of ours, with the best smoothies and wraps that we know of anywhere in Mississippi. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlgPtt8NB920ZbE_6O26yqEN1fkhogsDpsJ_jMW5ek656YrKBADOqDLQLHhApeWeN-BcbHHn0w9miAz-wOkwbSM7oQ56pSWfL-1Goas4nesxpCQr3CU5VrxVNqtcN4zwVEC8nJQ/s1600-h/IMG_6054.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlgPtt8NB920ZbE_6O26yqEN1fkhogsDpsJ_jMW5ek656YrKBADOqDLQLHhApeWeN-BcbHHn0w9miAz-wOkwbSM7oQ56pSWfL-1Goas4nesxpCQr3CU5VrxVNqtcN4zwVEC8nJQ/s400/IMG_6054.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Outdoor seating is nice.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMHpGXEH4YATW19oQS-bLs9LHlE-qkQi-Er_4xDSyaQM1N4fOZllLa0pF7owMuINLEG12He189szV8Bl0FnwHli9OGsNK2M3WYLeVsS_uQju1ss-BVOD_aI8CKC4DlCkOV0k_4g/s1600-h/IMG_6052.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMHpGXEH4YATW19oQS-bLs9LHlE-qkQi-Er_4xDSyaQM1N4fOZllLa0pF7owMuINLEG12He189szV8Bl0FnwHli9OGsNK2M3WYLeVsS_uQju1ss-BVOD_aI8CKC4DlCkOV0k_4g/s400/IMG_6052.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan enjoys his carrot, orange and apple juice smoothie, and his complementary dinosaur!<br /><br />Go back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-81861317634031556112009-10-12T20:26:00.005-06:002009-10-18T05:31:22.338-06:00DRIVING HOME ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE<strong>Monday, October 12, 2009</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSQl9EjVPRKtahhXgPCgmoF3bsW3Tu7YRkR2nnayrNbpdzRZSSVRNJnmHDBr9PG5I1L8EhQUHiGJzLqDOVRG1ibmOgx5SAx7vXgDECYGru17sFUuej7LYbUj-5iUR53Fr9HBxPw/s1600-h/IMG_6006.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSQl9EjVPRKtahhXgPCgmoF3bsW3Tu7YRkR2nnayrNbpdzRZSSVRNJnmHDBr9PG5I1L8EhQUHiGJzLqDOVRG1ibmOgx5SAx7vXgDECYGru17sFUuej7LYbUj-5iUR53Fr9HBxPw/s400/IMG_6006.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The 4-hour drive home from Nashville is just a little bit special when you take the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm">Natchez Trace</a>...nothing but 2 lanes and trees for hundreds and hundreds of miles. No traffic lights, no billboards, no houses, no stores...just the tranquility of nature. Some people don't like driving on the Trace due to the 50 MPH speed limit, but if you just set the cruise control and turn up the tunes, you've got the most stress-free driving you'll find anywhere. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlSJ1I2LJK2kqTwLYU4wVx1VLEOo7gNJ3VLu708ApDHATZTO53-SQGvTV8rtmo4eNaOWEkmwDG-FrbQHPELHlWqt_cNA0dao2qA4n38zTJfgID388kCzbwzsRMzjS3ovypsVXMg/s1600-h/IMG_6018.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlSJ1I2LJK2kqTwLYU4wVx1VLEOo7gNJ3VLu708ApDHATZTO53-SQGvTV8rtmo4eNaOWEkmwDG-FrbQHPELHlWqt_cNA0dao2qA4n38zTJfgID388kCzbwzsRMzjS3ovypsVXMg/s400/IMG_6018.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl2ucMi1ccH-UOmdrEKnXEDiDXwRBdzf6FyCYC6fD9MY17pqYJiMnroxjDVNkCiGnlE3XV3ydkhJUqmTYX1BNMw7tgF_sRpc0R9Vu4sOLkFCd-y3DbXfRQ4k7w4fYfmZxDblSpQ/s1600-h/IMG_6007.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl2ucMi1ccH-UOmdrEKnXEDiDXwRBdzf6FyCYC6fD9MY17pqYJiMnroxjDVNkCiGnlE3XV3ydkhJUqmTYX1BNMw7tgF_sRpc0R9Vu4sOLkFCd-y3DbXfRQ4k7w4fYfmZxDblSpQ/s400/IMG_6007.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another nice thing about the Trace is the variety of low key roadside stops, from historical markers to short nature trails and waterfalls. They're all pretty well developed, with "trails" looking more like really steep sidewalks with rails. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4R5dUoilPadfxbcGb0LyPnauXSrdRUWW7Pi9Tgs7-W9AOlS8AImLTZZqlqKR-Y7NZxqERkTydGNPncYnV_IwnIwC4SClRHt9niZ8qQRjdga09DJ583l9p5cOZpnUGfu-_1aCw/s1600-h/IMG_6009.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut4R5dUoilPadfxbcGb0LyPnauXSrdRUWW7Pi9Tgs7-W9AOlS8AImLTZZqlqKR-Y7NZxqERkTydGNPncYnV_IwnIwC4SClRHt9niZ8qQRjdga09DJ583l9p5cOZpnUGfu-_1aCw/s400/IMG_6009.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />On this trip we decided to stop for Jackson Falls, in the hills of south-central Tennessee.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rIEevKqCdFBgQbVaYIH7ODkP4uqlJyMVT97AuD3WmBsbrx4BCACSlwUQVSGacESHSPYKMUF65eskKmTCJFyTJZVsmlANO04jZdYfPKag4IZny2itHOSyhMD_ZkBwfnKZTmYRDw/s1600-h/IMG_6014.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rIEevKqCdFBgQbVaYIH7ODkP4uqlJyMVT97AuD3WmBsbrx4BCACSlwUQVSGacESHSPYKMUF65eskKmTCJFyTJZVsmlANO04jZdYfPKag4IZny2itHOSyhMD_ZkBwfnKZTmYRDw/s400/IMG_6014.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSU06pmvf_tlUl4dls16NDxLeXWoDDYKeKV9cAvs4MJ4zy05QUrxPjqh7q11CgBe35ht8QQCvpA0EiZXhJP2Aizxn4msQOpQSyqlR2XnMarfT0VnUjJ5kY1vavJw2Rr-B5sUFog/s1600-h/IMG_6010.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSU06pmvf_tlUl4dls16NDxLeXWoDDYKeKV9cAvs4MJ4zy05QUrxPjqh7q11CgBe35ht8QQCvpA0EiZXhJP2Aizxn4msQOpQSyqlR2XnMarfT0VnUjJ5kY1vavJw2Rr-B5sUFog/s400/IMG_6010.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Yeah, it's no Yosemite, but we don't even have waterfalls in Mississippi, so we'll take it!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbLKYUtQzCwO0aWJkwS0K7B_s1BxWYM8jJi0otnexaX8jThRj1PS7lwm4ug3VtNc0WV28DgoNTvnjWW_MkETpdPAifPeIqCdmyiWqgxvl0oAqB0qKZWxRo2noIlhLCwvtZqNUdw/s1600-h/IMG_6019.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbLKYUtQzCwO0aWJkwS0K7B_s1BxWYM8jJi0otnexaX8jThRj1PS7lwm4ug3VtNc0WV28DgoNTvnjWW_MkETpdPAifPeIqCdmyiWqgxvl0oAqB0qKZWxRo2noIlhLCwvtZqNUdw/s400/IMG_6019.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another road-side stop, this one in northeast Mississippi. We really only stopped here to use the bathroom.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQdWmR04rLx5fnwqoIWkPw80OvrNCAQMV1Q1rdFXuP0DGYyjFLuAazHh6ECNHLu9-bSgO9M9izoEkSRr1kU5U87arKrpmkcJZZIhcHRD_pQjdRSQ9bszHdiZNc0mSJmv6JQhOXA/s1600-h/IMG_6021.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQdWmR04rLx5fnwqoIWkPw80OvrNCAQMV1Q1rdFXuP0DGYyjFLuAazHh6ECNHLu9-bSgO9M9izoEkSRr1kU5U87arKrpmkcJZZIhcHRD_pQjdRSQ9bszHdiZNc0mSJmv6JQhOXA/s400/IMG_6021.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />At least he's not writing a ticket!<br /><br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-80146966088072815752009-10-12T07:17:00.006-06:002009-10-17T15:42:57.367-06:00SUNDAY NIGHT NFL IN MUSIC CITY<strong>October 11, 2009</strong><br /><br />Big thanks to Carley's dad for hooking us up with tickets in Nashville to see the Tennessee Titans play the Indianapolis Colts. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHY4NQmNX07z_4n5PR81Nl_nR3rRvReIw0365tV67tQOGrU2fT5DRMTserOxKbFNZo7Q7hlgM51ERQij1zglaOEwCpa10_LdO1mhj_fz1rgsJmpy8fLuQPbKw1frDsHEjbtDWw/s1600-h/IMG_5999.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHY4NQmNX07z_4n5PR81Nl_nR3rRvReIw0365tV67tQOGrU2fT5DRMTserOxKbFNZo7Q7hlgM51ERQij1zglaOEwCpa10_LdO1mhj_fz1rgsJmpy8fLuQPbKw1frDsHEjbtDWw/s400/IMG_5999.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Not only that, but Carley's brother Barrett and his wife Molly flew up from Gainesville for the game! It was really great hanging out with them.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76wJnn-RM0aenphyV99maqrcMsVUU3O5EL-U-ZG0bt_cJBUYAMoUPKmGaldOetdGX-pZCqLm8J-2c8KGihbSGfGB1x5CIJ1FqLAXOxbozDaO8Oc-B5oBOkiw-tibC7KyB83BaXw/s1600-h/IMG_5994.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76wJnn-RM0aenphyV99maqrcMsVUU3O5EL-U-ZG0bt_cJBUYAMoUPKmGaldOetdGX-pZCqLm8J-2c8KGihbSGfGB1x5CIJ1FqLAXOxbozDaO8Oc-B5oBOkiw-tibC7KyB83BaXw/s400/IMG_5994.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Tail-gating was in full swing as we approached the stadium.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuKoOZUKTk9MMCzRZ_0Ro86EUM-EBtsktC-SufjP2ofRQOn0MLCsvNrFqL02-4OFUd0dOJcGihq5MZFcdroVXZ3U1c5GXBvBfzedwNHJQTHQOKaeBIN33cQzaIbhXzN41hnqEsQ/s1600-h/IMG_5992.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuKoOZUKTk9MMCzRZ_0Ro86EUM-EBtsktC-SufjP2ofRQOn0MLCsvNrFqL02-4OFUd0dOJcGihq5MZFcdroVXZ3U1c5GXBvBfzedwNHJQTHQOKaeBIN33cQzaIbhXzN41hnqEsQ/s400/IMG_5992.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vaqr1YxrS9Jq8fhqYf6ZRQgJlP52qF742vidBvz0xAKG7rccF4sWR2E_0v3RRIH_xLW3z0x1_Xt-i6F_Ep6k1M8DeSKPJuWyLoOWah2tW_jcnnd8wf5UavbBSy7Dhy3GTlmUxw/s1600-h/IMG_5990.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vaqr1YxrS9Jq8fhqYf6ZRQgJlP52qF742vidBvz0xAKG7rccF4sWR2E_0v3RRIH_xLW3z0x1_Xt-i6F_Ep6k1M8DeSKPJuWyLoOWah2tW_jcnnd8wf5UavbBSy7Dhy3GTlmUxw/s400/IMG_5990.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This game is called "corn-hole". Seriously! Ya gotta love The South.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfVAULIGbX00LC_eWzDkw9lfvFaplhuKKsbKYaoNQayCFkR1csenmC8AkhO-xcYvvy26juz1dZQ2jDdqAkSAvQoYzf4B4rFAfchUO5SqkiG0kj9iMWnq95nlQvAjm7DaNz8X91g/s1600-h/IMG_5996.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfVAULIGbX00LC_eWzDkw9lfvFaplhuKKsbKYaoNQayCFkR1csenmC8AkhO-xcYvvy26juz1dZQ2jDdqAkSAvQoYzf4B4rFAfchUO5SqkiG0kj9iMWnq95nlQvAjm7DaNz8X91g/s400/IMG_5996.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV18ssoWmi0Wf28ZK9bNas0LdQchj8Yqa4DRZTqiXm7j7HHglxZUlUiZminGNoJJe6PpFTBK3pnLWv18-0RADQSQrkke7L562pfZnnX3ze8ZAWTrxZSZIkYN98RbNxyQYbgq6Jw/s1600-h/IMG_5988.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV18ssoWmi0Wf28ZK9bNas0LdQchj8Yqa4DRZTqiXm7j7HHglxZUlUiZminGNoJJe6PpFTBK3pnLWv18-0RADQSQrkke7L562pfZnnX3ze8ZAWTrxZSZIkYN98RbNxyQYbgq6Jw/s400/IMG_5988.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvD3BIGVZpzND_bCsTZb57dT3gSjAo3r6_vaw2EsDn3-qRhZoGjZgYhq3ckgyxxs6sOS902ney-BxBGDziBLYJir2Sv9_eagWJjgM1IlYYjP_wFcm1GAqAx-AWFRBRyhQWHyFXw/s1600-h/NBC,+Chris+and+Bob.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvD3BIGVZpzND_bCsTZb57dT3gSjAo3r6_vaw2EsDn3-qRhZoGjZgYhq3ckgyxxs6sOS902ney-BxBGDziBLYJir2Sv9_eagWJjgM1IlYYjP_wFcm1GAqAx-AWFRBRyhQWHyFXw/s400/NBC,+Chris+and+Bob.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Since it was a Sunday night game, the NBC crew of Cris Collinsworth and Bob Costas was in town for a nationally-televised broadcast. Carley's dad got this photo, but we're still not quite sure of the whole story.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg4V_mHOaXnuKaqduy5KpSR3cKROcV2kyRVYo8toizyaLA_tVYMIPOdiFHHyxE3rHJ-4pEnZ2BV-VtYc7nicY6zjL97nj_8F-v3rDleUdAJKFoMsI2q-69Us5LEsl2QKu9izY2g/s1600-h/IMG_6001.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg4V_mHOaXnuKaqduy5KpSR3cKROcV2kyRVYo8toizyaLA_tVYMIPOdiFHHyxE3rHJ-4pEnZ2BV-VtYc7nicY6zjL97nj_8F-v3rDleUdAJKFoMsI2q-69Us5LEsl2QKu9izY2g/s400/IMG_6001.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKRqOzk1RgdIk2J4DIfHVkteWRSo7qTVcwiyXTe9s18SEcUyUPb3FcROpT8gC5EBXtJuSu-yjWNkrLBETj28Yu6mCSdeMDbftpND1C45bcnjxYKSu7bevRIPdnfDDBJt5nKYKow/s1600-h/IMG_6003.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKRqOzk1RgdIk2J4DIfHVkteWRSo7qTVcwiyXTe9s18SEcUyUPb3FcROpT8gC5EBXtJuSu-yjWNkrLBETj28Yu6mCSdeMDbftpND1C45bcnjxYKSu7bevRIPdnfDDBJt5nKYKow/s400/IMG_6003.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Unfortunately for the locals, there were no fireworks for the Titans, as they continued their losing streak against the Colts, losing 31-9 for an 0-5 record on the season. And this from a team that started off last year with a 13-0 record and nearly went to the Super Bowl! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0q3lyeuBIGVKxUwdwUR-LmMl4HngMocUN9GwTs2zzOXsNXuzYtiLcPkJ1IAdsWU2hlEQNeE1Jy9hA33n865h5oazs1knhjJQ2-iu1yz9DN4m-p84W4rQwtYkExC2rnCcNZzkZQ/s1600-h/IMG_6005.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0q3lyeuBIGVKxUwdwUR-LmMl4HngMocUN9GwTs2zzOXsNXuzYtiLcPkJ1IAdsWU2hlEQNeE1Jy9hA33n865h5oazs1knhjJQ2-iu1yz9DN4m-p84W4rQwtYkExC2rnCcNZzkZQ/s400/IMG_6005.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Good thing for us that we're also Colts fans, and it was a treat watching Peyton Manning, one of the all-time great quarterbacks. (not shown in photo)<br /><br />The next day morning we took a leisurely 4-hour <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/driving-home-on-natchez-trace.html">drive home down the Natchez Trace</a>.<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-64758542781256704532009-10-10T04:12:00.007-06:002009-10-13T23:51:03.645-06:00A VISIT TO SAN FRANCISCO<strong>October 2-3, 2009</strong><br /><br />Rob writes:<br /><br />After <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/allans-wedding.html">Allan and Bernadette's wedding reception</a> started to wind down a little, I caught a ride back to San Francisco for a Friday night in the city. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3-aSKwe6QD5XXLZya1ORgKPehlYPhnfPsX4_u0xcq3UVuJo9eh1VsSbPPWwqEdhdD7ydkxZZk6QuHUsg5i_KoPvZ9NmesrSjKlYbYfFgilcwqvMAn1A-gsBZNwwNA4CA_V4IWg/s1600-h/IMG_5981.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3-aSKwe6QD5XXLZya1ORgKPehlYPhnfPsX4_u0xcq3UVuJo9eh1VsSbPPWwqEdhdD7ydkxZZk6QuHUsg5i_KoPvZ9NmesrSjKlYbYfFgilcwqvMAn1A-gsBZNwwNA4CA_V4IWg/s400/IMG_5981.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />My first stop was Brian and Theresa's house, where I'd be sleeping the next couple of nights. The hospitality is second to none at Hotel Hayle. Brian even gave me a ride to the airport Sunday morning!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z4Zjm5p8fL-qqKOoda5tAHp0dTJXzlh_cCsRYup1Jnk5nBfW0QLB-13FZajosVelr66P_WMWnGpd-gLjh-LG_DoXOFW9WNTTjkhAb90Tr5fsW2dLA1eFZHyMZhVaDt0bc5sZRg/s1600-h/IMG_5924.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9z4Zjm5p8fL-qqKOoda5tAHp0dTJXzlh_cCsRYup1Jnk5nBfW0QLB-13FZajosVelr66P_WMWnGpd-gLjh-LG_DoXOFW9WNTTjkhAb90Tr5fsW2dLA1eFZHyMZhVaDt0bc5sZRg/s400/IMG_5924.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After dropping off my stuff, I headed over to the SOMA district to meet some friends and catch a late-night funk extravaganza at DNA Lounge. It was an all-star line-up of Eric Krasno (guitar - Soulive), Zigaboo Modeliste (drums - Meters), George Porter Jr. (bass - Meters) and Ivan Neville (keys). <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX22xzErOgbsVA4koAUyrfYHChhibXeO7oidxsgCLz2KUv4LWhjH8i8ygq5e05OpliwjYUraJnLybYDufY5ytKWvs9lbMnUayM4orLYza2200RLgQtBQBD_LUZsXiBNtvFRezfA/s1600-h/IMG_5929.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX22xzErOgbsVA4koAUyrfYHChhibXeO7oidxsgCLz2KUv4LWhjH8i8ygq5e05OpliwjYUraJnLybYDufY5ytKWvs9lbMnUayM4orLYza2200RLgQtBQBD_LUZsXiBNtvFRezfA/s400/IMG_5929.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The 3 New Orleans guys were the real heavyweights of the show, whereas Krasno's laid-back, jazzy guitar style didn't completely fit in. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl2ko79OPTePe4kDsXNYF6-cAgMJJ1gDNND-Nj7yAfaU2mr55rrGiL460g3ONYHNgI3g8M0_bpnpqc_LQsJkq6QPfXHODXS5mwZ5_pXRepO0KFgmGkb4i0bO6yfZVAZoaSDg4aw/s1600-h/IMG_5932.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl2ko79OPTePe4kDsXNYF6-cAgMJJ1gDNND-Nj7yAfaU2mr55rrGiL460g3ONYHNgI3g8M0_bpnpqc_LQsJkq6QPfXHODXS5mwZ5_pXRepO0KFgmGkb4i0bO6yfZVAZoaSDg4aw/s400/IMG_5932.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Turns out this all-star show was really a 10th wedding anniversary for Erik and Nicole Keller.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4HbWWzoTrhiCm8X3KyumbncUJmoIkga1EMYpmXeqeV256sr0aDdG_4UMtgeFP0j28PvWDdmPaAkvXvuomJuRZ1vPRVKU3yDZsnFL3LC8zL1pDVMVQppPf6W3Y188X2_aphM7YQ/s1600-h/IMG_5936.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4HbWWzoTrhiCm8X3KyumbncUJmoIkga1EMYpmXeqeV256sr0aDdG_4UMtgeFP0j28PvWDdmPaAkvXvuomJuRZ1vPRVKU3yDZsnFL3LC8zL1pDVMVQppPf6W3Y188X2_aphM7YQ/s400/IMG_5936.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Somewhere around 2:30am, Eric McFadden came out to jam on a few tunes. The man is an absolute beast on the guitar!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24NGRyzl_jTKG0xZdhE8W-FdoS_nnn18Rget_4fkNBi-1cgj9RHRmE9jfBw1RaZDKY2d34hUrthuIBuptYyW4A787LgQmvd2ouN-htSVabvY1cdr49gAtHCivobDk-JQA2HSo5w/s1600-h/IMG_5933.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24NGRyzl_jTKG0xZdhE8W-FdoS_nnn18Rget_4fkNBi-1cgj9RHRmE9jfBw1RaZDKY2d34hUrthuIBuptYyW4A787LgQmvd2ouN-htSVabvY1cdr49gAtHCivobDk-JQA2HSo5w/s400/IMG_5933.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Still going strong, despite having been awake for over 24 hours (thanks to my early morning flight 2 time zones away). The show finally ended at exactly 3am. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-BcyC98h-DF30g_7tJqzU0Pmk_3Y0UlrGrV2IuMraojhWJyRV-3iej2eigYrDhKEhXD74SyR-Eqc_AAqAbII5t666RAf_Xyu4orILay8S8uHdNYmCyqsnH6mnt167BgJbpaJSA/s1600-h/IMG_5951.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-BcyC98h-DF30g_7tJqzU0Pmk_3Y0UlrGrV2IuMraojhWJyRV-3iej2eigYrDhKEhXD74SyR-Eqc_AAqAbII5t666RAf_Xyu4orILay8S8uHdNYmCyqsnH6mnt167BgJbpaJSA/s400/IMG_5951.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Saturday was a very full day as well, thanks to the 9th annual <a href="http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com" target="new">Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival</a> - a weekend of free music in Golden Gate Park!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lhOSNJvDAYtsWGDbTVeqUwLh5dun_Dp0f8ccshPKjKKAauvTCafpyB3Gpk2iRoObNfXeVB4KT-c2subfQxVja73eSKprUQQ-J7Dnwiw-TnvhuD8v87zoTHjHfBdEO0IY7PV03w/s1600-h/IMG_5952.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lhOSNJvDAYtsWGDbTVeqUwLh5dun_Dp0f8ccshPKjKKAauvTCafpyB3Gpk2iRoObNfXeVB4KT-c2subfQxVja73eSKprUQQ-J7Dnwiw-TnvhuD8v87zoTHjHfBdEO0IY7PV03w/s400/IMG_5952.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />I had hardly walked in the gate when I ran into this crew! Definitely a treat.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqdV1RRKzzNYRItxqRiVxkjZQH9amBTgdIhVqHXrAzBWCNCu0fYC8YxgtOW_sZUFkghkEh69PiYWamZ93q658sRMMjG4cQYyMiKDzI27oHvyaEdZK984qnZwtt60qWgcOdEF_wg/s1600-h/IMG_5963.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqdV1RRKzzNYRItxqRiVxkjZQH9amBTgdIhVqHXrAzBWCNCu0fYC8YxgtOW_sZUFkghkEh69PiYWamZ93q658sRMMjG4cQYyMiKDzI27oHvyaEdZK984qnZwtt60qWgcOdEF_wg/s400/IMG_5963.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />My buddy John and I tried to find our way toward the Rooster Stage to find my friend Holly, but the crowd was huge. And this was just one of six stages!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV89zjOMfiDtchBo38mxh64140HK6fzH7dJXFn6iWXyeQzCxRHf80qhxtiDK_9sPGCTdZrhalKU4_v5i30aOMf7lO6OjWbd-4IGy8TNh8fSMIDqJV9vCjAVzn1y8pK7po-j3Ubcg/s1600-h/IMG_5959.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV89zjOMfiDtchBo38mxh64140HK6fzH7dJXFn6iWXyeQzCxRHf80qhxtiDK_9sPGCTdZrhalKU4_v5i30aOMf7lO6OjWbd-4IGy8TNh8fSMIDqJV9vCjAVzn1y8pK7po-j3Ubcg/s400/IMG_5959.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Eventually we found Holly, a buddy of mine from my year in Guatemala. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxop-lpDU3XtD2AYUkLjsGVVw-veS14-4DOFGxgenYhn9uW-6NuTy9CHJlUt6ujVWg60UgxaPWgWn1gyxwLhx1yoTJZ3p8g1IqpRRXRsceTJvHzyTtH9ecbAJse9VJiP4NPuzaQ/s1600-h/IMG_5957.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxop-lpDU3XtD2AYUkLjsGVVw-veS14-4DOFGxgenYhn9uW-6NuTy9CHJlUt6ujVWg60UgxaPWgWn1gyxwLhx1yoTJZ3p8g1IqpRRXRsceTJvHzyTtH9ecbAJse9VJiP4NPuzaQ/s400/IMG_5957.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Holly had a great picnic setup with wine and snacks, on a nice perch on the hill overlooking the stage.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjMwIBj2dziJsEjDD9w__Pi79dy_MePrZsl7gEsrLXZa7OW7GqinkQgMveQF4qRUMuugMcGfPkngvjOxtxqceDk0BO7PqqRjEQdP_ZBwq96c1qHSDOYnIJCjElil24bsiD61KcA/s1600-h/IMG_5956.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjMwIBj2dziJsEjDD9w__Pi79dy_MePrZsl7gEsrLXZa7OW7GqinkQgMveQF4qRUMuugMcGfPkngvjOxtxqceDk0BO7PqqRjEQdP_ZBwq96c1qHSDOYnIJCjElil24bsiD61KcA/s400/IMG_5956.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The crowd just kept going up and over the hill.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DTuquHcrp21F4ieVFXEEvCU1dLCFkE5arnfbS6ARYdcZZWJ1AoW8eUVIFhQqx-X3X4AHyb7dcEaYVeI47nSEEgnyIGYYK9ldNliGfNq1L2567a6REyfyio5cHp7adsK6yc7NOw/s1600-h/IMG_5958.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DTuquHcrp21F4ieVFXEEvCU1dLCFkE5arnfbS6ARYdcZZWJ1AoW8eUVIFhQqx-X3X4AHyb7dcEaYVeI47nSEEgnyIGYYK9ldNliGfNq1L2567a6REyfyio5cHp7adsK6yc7NOw/s400/IMG_5958.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />I hung with Holly for awhile and saw an excellent set by Jorma Kaukonen, as well as an upbeat bluesy set by Boz Skaggs with his all-star band (pictured above).<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WS0nm6s9hfkLxtGopnSV21RXpQkFhakJ2YeaHRFhhauut8TnTn0IIktvxE32mxkAtB1k-90ZS9pQZUBmebvoethDu6CBUrYozb6435Nta5VYsJjZGHV4V9hRez3R760vlM0Bnw/s1600-h/IMG_5961.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WS0nm6s9hfkLxtGopnSV21RXpQkFhakJ2YeaHRFhhauut8TnTn0IIktvxE32mxkAtB1k-90ZS9pQZUBmebvoethDu6CBUrYozb6435Nta5VYsJjZGHV4V9hRez3R760vlM0Bnw/s400/IMG_5961.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Also caught part of a singer-songwriter circle with Allison Moorer, Dar Williams, Steve Earle, and Tom Morello. (Yes, THAT Tom Morello!)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWGMJdx0IbStdnzX0rI0LMcrhO5MU_uaR6kjjnuRaVlxA2Y4_9adha3Q500ULD6zVeGfp0j6IFDmCVvIr8CEV5JISw-rksIx4-I5p8mU8clzT17GxdVybcBxLVznvze5BTnZ-1A/s1600-h/IMG_5964.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWGMJdx0IbStdnzX0rI0LMcrhO5MU_uaR6kjjnuRaVlxA2Y4_9adha3Q500ULD6zVeGfp0j6IFDmCVvIr8CEV5JISw-rksIx4-I5p8mU8clzT17GxdVybcBxLVznvze5BTnZ-1A/s400/IMG_5964.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Eventually I made it down from the hill to check out more of the festival.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GrujGnsuZLgqBO0MqADAObbItpH1z_JiuICx7RWgkW1pUMD_auzD9KrCOl4cq0M2G-vgaFfXS1Q9FM_0sLWEKG7VaTRuECGUmnCd3P1sSq089SYMGE7zAIUHfouNPc51Gn49Dw/s1600-h/IMG_5966.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GrujGnsuZLgqBO0MqADAObbItpH1z_JiuICx7RWgkW1pUMD_auzD9KrCOl4cq0M2G-vgaFfXS1Q9FM_0sLWEKG7VaTRuECGUmnCd3P1sSq089SYMGE7zAIUHfouNPc51Gn49Dw/s400/IMG_5966.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />At the Banjo Stage, the crowd was even bigger.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgoMJoplUZZqVYP-4rfIzPr8aLS3qdHJlj4J2u-i7aFp9c9XbLYbMY3X60oE3k8rBl22gCIXuNGNCeLfOsyhVpbm8ES8kWJkiq3gt92iBHMwB3SNvC8PTbOKUgMUtdzWpEjFqg/s1600-h/IMG_5968.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LgoMJoplUZZqVYP-4rfIzPr8aLS3qdHJlj4J2u-i7aFp9c9XbLYbMY3X60oE3k8rBl22gCIXuNGNCeLfOsyhVpbm8ES8kWJkiq3gt92iBHMwB3SNvC8PTbOKUgMUtdzWpEjFqg/s400/IMG_5968.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Fortunately, Steve and Beth had been out there since morning saving a spot. It was great to run into folks here, especially Lisa! (not pictured, unfortunately)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrU8zULDVjHDyGuAcrwZuE1VDL0mGCvjE1Yv6FqEEaVYmJKWDEc6bRlO1IJJeewBT_a5VEXCLS91Dqv74h4cMTUxS97bkVRkgiMDqjmm0g34K5eMtuduRjEm6BQU0Q40EFj248w/s1600-h/IMG_5969.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrU8zULDVjHDyGuAcrwZuE1VDL0mGCvjE1Yv6FqEEaVYmJKWDEc6bRlO1IJJeewBT_a5VEXCLS91Dqv74h4cMTUxS97bkVRkgiMDqjmm0g34K5eMtuduRjEm6BQU0Q40EFj248w/s400/IMG_5969.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Molly!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenBmVBeie8nH9S1KOz3JqhyphenhyphenrMxafwG1YXhi-B57n1VeRG4LxdJKoc1qu73cLl2eMK2X_xgqGXX9py5wFpw5xNTC9ae5o6B3EuzsfTfnHDxQPzOdDfJl1Cw_CNNYn9ZJMcZ47lYw/s1600-h/IMG_5972.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenBmVBeie8nH9S1KOz3JqhyphenhyphenrMxafwG1YXhi-B57n1VeRG4LxdJKoc1qu73cLl2eMK2X_xgqGXX9py5wFpw5xNTC9ae5o6B3EuzsfTfnHDxQPzOdDfJl1Cw_CNNYn9ZJMcZ47lYw/s400/IMG_5972.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Finally it was time to go, the sun setting behind me, the full moon rising in front, and a fierce Pacific wind at my back as I made my way down Fulton Street. <br /><br />After an evening of superb wine and Thai food, Brian and I made our way over to one of the best little music "clubhouses" in the Bay Area, the <a href="http://www.theyankee.com" target="new">Connecticut Yankee</a> to meet up with some friends and check out the latest Garaj Mahal side-project, Levy's Love Lounge.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3QWKjMK4NCeiYOyFl2F3m7CHX3Kh5uQNLtvjfLAb_SCpzRP5dwQA9P8yFUoTOzsEp36tA5qcuaL_KFxC2bbzm4g4HwZiemvJCHxdzd9frKdyqSBT4rsjyXDXUwOngBoglaPxXg/s1600-h/IMG_5975.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3QWKjMK4NCeiYOyFl2F3m7CHX3Kh5uQNLtvjfLAb_SCpzRP5dwQA9P8yFUoTOzsEp36tA5qcuaL_KFxC2bbzm4g4HwZiemvJCHxdzd9frKdyqSBT4rsjyXDXUwOngBoglaPxXg/s400/IMG_5975.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was definitely one of the smaller audiences I've seen for live music at this place, but the good thing is that I knew almost half the people there! It was great seeing Ellen, Greg, Lexy, Jimmy, Bridget, Dave, and of course, Fritz!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65sDwHUoKDMsq3mTPlvmnhNxhKODCyglN8N6A-j89aZ0OeVBBaPJln_dQYs097ExmIgAPeiFkwT_q7AHeMmmAeaGYlmhFodpdOGe6VDm8PWkXkbY_hcY4PbWtHH2FrEPxWH3NRQ/s1600-h/IMG_5978.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65sDwHUoKDMsq3mTPlvmnhNxhKODCyglN8N6A-j89aZ0OeVBBaPJln_dQYs097ExmIgAPeiFkwT_q7AHeMmmAeaGYlmhFodpdOGe6VDm8PWkXkbY_hcY4PbWtHH2FrEPxWH3NRQ/s400/IMG_5978.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />And it was great listening to Alan Hertz (drums) and Eric Levy (keys) play together in that intense, mesmerizing jazz-fusion way that it seems only they can do.<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-56506553966406612352009-10-09T20:49:00.004-06:002009-10-13T23:08:10.353-06:00ALLAN'S WEDDING<strong>Friday, October 2, 2009</strong><br /><br />Rob flew out to San Francisco recently to for his buddy Allan's wedding to his sweetie Bernadette.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgeQMk__6DvZ6MlAWLjhWav7ZyiHTFYjKDDiieJe-aGDbJ9rDwuECfIalnL16ePydXUTzAqtYcZ8jIzrm2jU0G65SxwR9Gek-7B1ExJkvftMD_snhhEFvAxdmi2SCraoA7sEug/s1600-h/IMG_5887_crop.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTgeQMk__6DvZ6MlAWLjhWav7ZyiHTFYjKDDiieJe-aGDbJ9rDwuECfIalnL16ePydXUTzAqtYcZ8jIzrm2jU0G65SxwR9Gek-7B1ExJkvftMD_snhhEFvAxdmi2SCraoA7sEug/s400/IMG_5887_crop.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The wedding was actually in the beautiful wine country of Sonoma, at a sort of wine country galleria called <a href="http://www.cornerstonegardens.com">Cornerstone Gardens</a>. Allan's sister and brother had great things to say.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBehG7iJcLtLbYlm8Jmo5JMxvMriWKBdYWv5QUsju8XYVVmkxDeEFR-NF1zoFABYHsu6z7JeUHCK4DGiCA07iKDkbShenN9bPpzVx47U86swWFoAJoTqIa9dnyR78d5yvFchlOw/s1600-h/IMG_5881.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBehG7iJcLtLbYlm8Jmo5JMxvMriWKBdYWv5QUsju8XYVVmkxDeEFR-NF1zoFABYHsu6z7JeUHCK4DGiCA07iKDkbShenN9bPpzVx47U86swWFoAJoTqIa9dnyR78d5yvFchlOw/s400/IMG_5881.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Jubilee, Eric and Lisa in the back row.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P6qQZZnpYUwCdba5gSHD5T1UTftiDPhmTJUQah8dlK5Pqd5IuvpLjF1eBJQA-8LrkSaMtEwBav9iSk-FN8THleWKMLib7-w6b3ixhx9wQm5dtf1sx7bjIP1P626sSoJ5qrUe8Q/s1600-h/IMG_5888.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P6qQZZnpYUwCdba5gSHD5T1UTftiDPhmTJUQah8dlK5Pqd5IuvpLjF1eBJQA-8LrkSaMtEwBav9iSk-FN8THleWKMLib7-w6b3ixhx9wQm5dtf1sx7bjIP1P626sSoJ5qrUe8Q/s400/IMG_5888.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The reception was a great time to catch up with old friends - Lenny, Eric, Lisa, Rickie, and Taro.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5uGRwtDp4N0b-oxaVH30SmRNCIKRp4sIu4rr_m_kVAfhfgufe5NMHOYC6DKxfsZ_p4w5QddTB-m1WlQoS9xq9BNrPCUualjvokZUZ_Zd8J3hwwEzzgf0ND8zOg3fHqQAHfujzQ/s1600-h/IMG_5890.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5uGRwtDp4N0b-oxaVH30SmRNCIKRp4sIu4rr_m_kVAfhfgufe5NMHOYC6DKxfsZ_p4w5QddTB-m1WlQoS9xq9BNrPCUualjvokZUZ_Zd8J3hwwEzzgf0ND8zOg3fHqQAHfujzQ/s400/IMG_5890.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Allan's brother Aaron (who flew in from Malaysia) with Jubilee and Tyler.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPQ6sifoKXp5eHEhTaubPD7nhlT3xA2Gu4BSL8sZMQWRlhDP0RoROB1Cx7UmiCh21Gz8EUp4b5ivGDyO1oGV2PaC9sT4VfcIsjZAFwyhy1Vvchwc4Slqun-txaGOyJWwhwonQ8A/s1600-h/IMG_5891.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPQ6sifoKXp5eHEhTaubPD7nhlT3xA2Gu4BSL8sZMQWRlhDP0RoROB1Cx7UmiCh21Gz8EUp4b5ivGDyO1oGV2PaC9sT4VfcIsjZAFwyhy1Vvchwc4Slqun-txaGOyJWwhwonQ8A/s400/IMG_5891.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Tracy and Chappy!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJghY9E54BHgLfA4FN0_Ibmd30It_u9M1veIZIZUH2mqE4AlEh0jk0G7fwk4Z8q6xB_qdxAFvZib2Z0KlIf8f5s3mt__HFjkT9SuQ6xrQi6vTFm6UqyQvMbfZQs8CoPOTQogSBQ/s1600-h/IMG_5895.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJghY9E54BHgLfA4FN0_Ibmd30It_u9M1veIZIZUH2mqE4AlEh0jk0G7fwk4Z8q6xB_qdxAFvZib2Z0KlIf8f5s3mt__HFjkT9SuQ6xrQi6vTFm6UqyQvMbfZQs8CoPOTQogSBQ/s400/IMG_5895.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />At the dinner table with the ladies. Our table was named Rocktail Bay, after an incredible beach destination in South Africa where the newlyweds would be honeymooning.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsBW-3XClvEUGAfCBefWdgAeplA4c4sOh_IyeL-JLbNfpPbq9HKbyNaXRjnru5hMK9Q6guVlz5h4TVGB3mH6ea5Je4vPn3wPgI7qWvvVLPO1qREE6jb3kgp9IezqZp0DqyDDOvQ/s1600-h/IMG_5900.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsBW-3XClvEUGAfCBefWdgAeplA4c4sOh_IyeL-JLbNfpPbq9HKbyNaXRjnru5hMK9Q6guVlz5h4TVGB3mH6ea5Je4vPn3wPgI7qWvvVLPO1qREE6jb3kgp9IezqZp0DqyDDOvQ/s400/IMG_5900.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The dance party got off to a quick start.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qlPIijM89iZMjjkdgfRfgR-SqxLcvjmcJ8krokwKwRW4qR-UzmahSNM99lZWd1rr758CWytP50oUQ-PsoJpFeOKXixIFOlZ7grEpyauu4xBLQUS67MrYKnYlEOTYw62Gkr5lgg/s1600-h/IMG_5902.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qlPIijM89iZMjjkdgfRfgR-SqxLcvjmcJ8krokwKwRW4qR-UzmahSNM99lZWd1rr758CWytP50oUQ-PsoJpFeOKXixIFOlZ7grEpyauu4xBLQUS67MrYKnYlEOTYw62Gkr5lgg/s400/IMG_5902.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdnFsrt4tsZSJzpPHgckhbyqMkpJNqjcjHK4YLd1WdilWKp_K2afe7J5nb8-G_ItCM0c1JBuS7MTrk3xDyVgyWjBjeYKlOQYyNYj5atDl6k37JjrAtMdOgzszlTcjbMFCvvrH4w/s1600-h/IMG_5903.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdnFsrt4tsZSJzpPHgckhbyqMkpJNqjcjHK4YLd1WdilWKp_K2afe7J5nb8-G_ItCM0c1JBuS7MTrk3xDyVgyWjBjeYKlOQYyNYj5atDl6k37JjrAtMdOgzszlTcjbMFCvvrH4w/s400/IMG_5903.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0aTh3yubuwVevaIHFeKvDRNwwCCqAWkfk51l38A01XwHAY2XgqyHPpPKNdNM3Y_hAB10ld3QCi9lRhXUauptdfSYn4OjlGtFFqNjGzSUzMy7MBAqOe24dbqiIpEpkuuM-VseiA/s1600-h/IMG_5899.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0aTh3yubuwVevaIHFeKvDRNwwCCqAWkfk51l38A01XwHAY2XgqyHPpPKNdNM3Y_hAB10ld3QCi9lRhXUauptdfSYn4OjlGtFFqNjGzSUzMy7MBAqOe24dbqiIpEpkuuM-VseiA/s400/IMG_5899.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ARc-Z8eXA2bDeaCKjadi4UAocNsXO6Zu8wFiTmQV1MkdlWXDWBXd4Nhr5BjXwAOZGWnd_ozEkkYO3BvyvHbT6GNZPaFzDHpR8BsvQLik-oZapotFQ7LD8NHK5okN8yT5PXhhpw/s1600-h/IMG_5904.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ARc-Z8eXA2bDeaCKjadi4UAocNsXO6Zu8wFiTmQV1MkdlWXDWBXd4Nhr5BjXwAOZGWnd_ozEkkYO3BvyvHbT6GNZPaFzDHpR8BsvQLik-oZapotFQ7LD8NHK5okN8yT5PXhhpw/s400/IMG_5904.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The hora!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX0uK6Qnoxrd_1etfArY8X_VUuFY1XTRYHSkAoPS8jl8OlGuyHaY4H9UawugWLBhWiEzbCRwYLE81qSQq8yd5qCas47AP34I60XYxULoeTAQE-6mN-xjdWKZsXCJbAZyzBcDJVg/s1600-h/IMG_5905.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX0uK6Qnoxrd_1etfArY8X_VUuFY1XTRYHSkAoPS8jl8OlGuyHaY4H9UawugWLBhWiEzbCRwYLE81qSQq8yd5qCas47AP34I60XYxULoeTAQE-6mN-xjdWKZsXCJbAZyzBcDJVg/s400/IMG_5905.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaKwlJzGLumznc2_e1VO9hfZRQ3IJmkM-YWEYjETNbVmQo65VYOVKMMFOAfuvRw527RT7hFM_QS9PAFZfjWDRNO5GusetJcQg45rJopsdWQspLlELVbD31Rr5fvq1wTXEROR1fA/s1600-h/IMG_5906.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaKwlJzGLumznc2_e1VO9hfZRQ3IJmkM-YWEYjETNbVmQo65VYOVKMMFOAfuvRw527RT7hFM_QS9PAFZfjWDRNO5GusetJcQg45rJopsdWQspLlELVbD31Rr5fvq1wTXEROR1fA/s400/IMG_5906.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-rp2jrjL3Ob1moJH-1oHy1bZ_iM4KX6832LqoK_00BnZ2jupDr1rft6SfVWLAJQSgzrLQs9wWGwQGRAZOmQVYLsSQEK-QDG6GzfV367bhuMUwtuURy0AS-grmU3OBh-gf5bL3w/s1600-h/IMG_5912.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-rp2jrjL3Ob1moJH-1oHy1bZ_iM4KX6832LqoK_00BnZ2jupDr1rft6SfVWLAJQSgzrLQs9wWGwQGRAZOmQVYLsSQEK-QDG6GzfV367bhuMUwtuURy0AS-grmU3OBh-gf5bL3w/s400/IMG_5912.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Not sure what this dance is called.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NBUHK-SB8eoqtSHG_XRcw5hyphenhyphenKhyb_SkbVLMgix-saf9QOFua4Pq2tPp0RsSC24G5cmC5nFBGMGxe7jfICwRPTSqpYrxrYkgjo7XZG5Y2U5NqXi1b6WLf8yagOcLrM8JZyhtgeQ/s1600-h/IMG_5920.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NBUHK-SB8eoqtSHG_XRcw5hyphenhyphenKhyb_SkbVLMgix-saf9QOFua4Pq2tPp0RsSC24G5cmC5nFBGMGxe7jfICwRPTSqpYrxrYkgjo7XZG5Y2U5NqXi1b6WLf8yagOcLrM8JZyhtgeQ/s400/IMG_5920.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br />Check out the rest of Rob's <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/10/visit-to-san-francisco.html">visit to San Francisco</a><br /><br />or go back to the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-86573720069516498962009-10-09T18:37:00.024-06:002009-10-17T06:23:09.705-06:00NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CONFERENCE IN PUERTO RICO<strong>September 22-26, 2009</strong><br /><br />An all-expenses-paid business trip to Puerto Rico? Sure, why not? Thanks to Carley's job at <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/carleys-new-job-at-university-of.html">Mississippi Geographic Alliance</a>, she had the opportunity to attend the <a href="http://www.ncge.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3320" target="new">National Conference on Geography Education</a>. It would have been great if Rob and Rowan could have gone too! Oh well, hopefully next time.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9TbiarPTjDUVCUsYa0XZS_p2N9wFcUxDA8ZONWynOs1FPlXAF26A0hF-wAMZG02j_Us-Dk-jVAe4N5FI5t_zso4PUw87Rm2bT8UdQwyS5G3ezbEMLUF1LJR2_YDRsgCLga7xeQ/s1600-h/IMG_5791.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9TbiarPTjDUVCUsYa0XZS_p2N9wFcUxDA8ZONWynOs1FPlXAF26A0hF-wAMZG02j_Us-Dk-jVAe4N5FI5t_zso4PUw87Rm2bT8UdQwyS5G3ezbEMLUF1LJR2_YDRsgCLga7xeQ/s400/IMG_5791.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The conference was held in the hotel zone right on the beach in a touristy part of the capital, San Juan. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP-ZDqXH9PSmXLUf_98HMJEPe0VXm7Xz_sPHU9Pr48is99GbK_MFOQvRIKIGqKvXVvfgFQkBjVWWTAfxOhvDdqgP5IpitVrXHeqijLmKjN6doGlOKbeIm0lYEjQlz1q8ozWf26Q/s1600-h/IMG_5790.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP-ZDqXH9PSmXLUf_98HMJEPe0VXm7Xz_sPHU9Pr48is99GbK_MFOQvRIKIGqKvXVvfgFQkBjVWWTAfxOhvDdqgP5IpitVrXHeqijLmKjN6doGlOKbeIm0lYEjQlz1q8ozWf26Q/s400/IMG_5790.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Carley's swanky hotel pool even had a swim-up bar. Too bad there was hardly ever a bartender here!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqZW1TUUybVHhLxCQH8QuleoHJXSFffvXNOIXzlRtqrewW-sKxhS-5i9-6Ewo80C3hhe-iOp7FdlGtX063x1gYgJwFjoXA2w2ZvAuUFt53PwbpZApnxQU8gJjc2wFWjltx6hyphenhyphenHQ/s1600-h/IMG_5860.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqZW1TUUybVHhLxCQH8QuleoHJXSFffvXNOIXzlRtqrewW-sKxhS-5i9-6Ewo80C3hhe-iOp7FdlGtX063x1gYgJwFjoXA2w2ZvAuUFt53PwbpZApnxQU8gJjc2wFWjltx6hyphenhyphenHQ/s400/IMG_5860.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Carley's roommate for the week, Rebecca, who was here from Colorado to attend the conference.<br /><br />Most of the week was spent in conferences all day long, but there was time to get out for a couple of excursions.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1gG3WP74wzJPXr23ipgPpmlP4HozvM376M4eEGqYaV5vuv8jbhWU5mo9u0XtdKg9Deoqz3GDCdQTsS7SHq7SRMn-Y6ZQV9UwJQfi08tE_LGi9PpNxv8Fo1pLPN-Z5s3UtqLHQA/s1600-h/IMG_5840.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1gG3WP74wzJPXr23ipgPpmlP4HozvM376M4eEGqYaV5vuv8jbhWU5mo9u0XtdKg9Deoqz3GDCdQTsS7SHq7SRMn-Y6ZQV9UwJQfi08tE_LGi9PpNxv8Fo1pLPN-Z5s3UtqLHQA/s400/IMG_5840.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />One excursion was a tour of Old San Juan.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR-M7keZKoE9SCooLe29uETRaT6CTRAJB8KSuYZxl5IU2RYEmZf9x1WpSFkqmQdRhp7BtIcfL06bFecMOzG6Uf7YbvwOeX0r7miv4q1TyWlJkGN4cEXWIsxE4GEk58Z0WsdaBRQ/s1600-h/IMG_5850.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCR-M7keZKoE9SCooLe29uETRaT6CTRAJB8KSuYZxl5IU2RYEmZf9x1WpSFkqmQdRhp7BtIcfL06bFecMOzG6Uf7YbvwOeX0r7miv4q1TyWlJkGN4cEXWIsxE4GEk58Z0WsdaBRQ/s400/IMG_5850.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This shot reminds me of San Francisco.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEAtMm-FyoBEC2677XVm5x7P2ap1YC2FLMcEkLWWuOJM2R2O0qB_8zuXDGT9x2csgW_NWqvsWk3dah3vkw2B8wqu7JLl9eIXpZ7YZaEwn1U00iWp2FK96UhB03_a5TRKJ2oXWew/s1600-h/IMG_5854.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEAtMm-FyoBEC2677XVm5x7P2ap1YC2FLMcEkLWWuOJM2R2O0qB_8zuXDGT9x2csgW_NWqvsWk3dah3vkw2B8wqu7JLl9eIXpZ7YZaEwn1U00iWp2FK96UhB03_a5TRKJ2oXWew/s400/IMG_5854.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />El Morro Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort has been used since the 1500s to guard Puerto Rico, and it was pretty cool to see the layers of construction from then, all the way up until WWII.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqje_JhqCpZ1oKp30Pmmjs2kls40r-4_y2Ie-1oa97OBGga4D-0qjZ5kCodjzPLrvome-ZU_mTKJs2YO_8tP6tIa2yk4FMz3Kpsv-mq_RLqd0tiOG-Dwd6_KQIrou35WFC4U_nhA/s1600-h/IMG_5866.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqje_JhqCpZ1oKp30Pmmjs2kls40r-4_y2Ie-1oa97OBGga4D-0qjZ5kCodjzPLrvome-ZU_mTKJs2YO_8tP6tIa2yk4FMz3Kpsv-mq_RLqd0tiOG-Dwd6_KQIrou35WFC4U_nhA/s400/IMG_5866.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The structure at the top was an observation tower during WWII.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVkdAMqHj_FGd_bADbgSWnPV7AiYdgIa3ZcpJkQETMtT9rm9lAP5kM5egiI4zZnaG0lG8M8irlEKS3ceXbOIILVUbJrUQdHcKQ-dPYRt7miGzu5SDd6dg5Ywtb_KhHH9KDpsIzA/s1600-h/IMG_5862.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVkdAMqHj_FGd_bADbgSWnPV7AiYdgIa3ZcpJkQETMtT9rm9lAP5kM5egiI4zZnaG0lG8M8irlEKS3ceXbOIILVUbJrUQdHcKQ-dPYRt7miGzu5SDd6dg5Ywtb_KhHH9KDpsIzA/s400/IMG_5862.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg7WU4DgYEmzwruEU-vYq6B90YVlEzX2KwWJebM6vXxdc0TNR0C1mMmCt0GAoRArCJnjJDAuLxVTigpEZ_XAE3EKiGMXuEYSQa3kDoaGZaaju6cMjJEzoQnEvHZYq6UCrrYwwxA/s1600-h/IMG_5861.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisg7WU4DgYEmzwruEU-vYq6B90YVlEzX2KwWJebM6vXxdc0TNR0C1mMmCt0GAoRArCJnjJDAuLxVTigpEZ_XAE3EKiGMXuEYSQa3kDoaGZaaju6cMjJEzoQnEvHZYq6UCrrYwwxA/s400/IMG_5861.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnoEnx7zPeO9JIqRjNic7Gwae1yemIRygNgN05XtzDceqUOueWFjDI2X7tAMsv5C_x-B-XqP8NgugohcEHSpxytNkdBAoTK_Me4WJaSHL8RGxHMgEV8rRKo5Z6Vm3hdpm-5bpCA/s1600-h/IMG_5853.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnoEnx7zPeO9JIqRjNic7Gwae1yemIRygNgN05XtzDceqUOueWFjDI2X7tAMsv5C_x-B-XqP8NgugohcEHSpxytNkdBAoTK_Me4WJaSHL8RGxHMgEV8rRKo5Z6Vm3hdpm-5bpCA/s400/IMG_5853.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A sentry tower.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ALyplqpnf7wvuYzAeneeuFmuH6OIWPlpToXbF-ApNJ8Sj6pkaCi_ta1jYBGNOc5Dt42TAaPRowb4FI2Y5bSaK01TbXnoGjVUlVV2dfPoIMCoUnuUu8n2ehVRN9-aJFs8HTBwzQ/s1600-h/IMG_5872.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ALyplqpnf7wvuYzAeneeuFmuH6OIWPlpToXbF-ApNJ8Sj6pkaCi_ta1jYBGNOc5Dt42TAaPRowb4FI2Y5bSaK01TbXnoGjVUlVV2dfPoIMCoUnuUu8n2ehVRN9-aJFs8HTBwzQ/s400/IMG_5872.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Carley's on the lookout!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRHYSEfN27H8Sc1FKS0iMjArUNPZVDSYIEti3cEd8egVUd_2NtIVsJ1aTeVYqYH_9ryknedD6np7b-vKCk3uU-_V2AQlGJ4BmdxtNyzYWwiOJq5-n8OSx-xVJggqo3aN3T8pJgA/s1600-h/IMG_5875.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRHYSEfN27H8Sc1FKS0iMjArUNPZVDSYIEti3cEd8egVUd_2NtIVsJ1aTeVYqYH_9ryknedD6np7b-vKCk3uU-_V2AQlGJ4BmdxtNyzYWwiOJq5-n8OSx-xVJggqo3aN3T8pJgA/s400/IMG_5875.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rebecca's on the lookout!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUN6476VvnLMPr732yh8Kn0U8y9cAicsoa4vkK2BiVu7SVc8VwyAF1B2wXyumFfe6VlobLkiJ0dbSK0e3eXVFOpDgvBKfc2WL44tlO8aId8BMT-Df7BvRJE3Bz0CTuR6tLdajrw/s1600-h/Old+San+Juan+003.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUN6476VvnLMPr732yh8Kn0U8y9cAicsoa4vkK2BiVu7SVc8VwyAF1B2wXyumFfe6VlobLkiJ0dbSK0e3eXVFOpDgvBKfc2WL44tlO8aId8BMT-Df7BvRJE3Bz0CTuR6tLdajrw/s400/Old+San+Juan+003.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIb2EhZXL6AZNxcCqNXfOdh6TC1dbE_HbJ-P_dSbK0bjOEXdTGzfFFV7r3ZulDECOun9ZzQ5TBPtvlq6w4Ev9hoqlz-OosQxdjKXk0PmaRG5B8heFGpzVoMP9k3BoS52no_ejUA/s1600-h/IMG_5879.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIb2EhZXL6AZNxcCqNXfOdh6TC1dbE_HbJ-P_dSbK0bjOEXdTGzfFFV7r3ZulDECOun9ZzQ5TBPtvlq6w4Ev9hoqlz-OosQxdjKXk0PmaRG5B8heFGpzVoMP9k3BoS52no_ejUA/s400/IMG_5879.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A view of the city from the fort.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYkDgvuuE8QTreC1m_Rh9EdLmDaMEPei3GEKUmQbWEIhP9hmplxg_UcQvNombLbpjQeaf-XAZ9TKqrZ2b4oBe8jifj2NK_hHLALxIuuFKcFeoeabrZNnH7fpABuxNM6-6ypMgXw/s1600-h/IMG_5878.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYkDgvuuE8QTreC1m_Rh9EdLmDaMEPei3GEKUmQbWEIhP9hmplxg_UcQvNombLbpjQeaf-XAZ9TKqrZ2b4oBe8jifj2NK_hHLALxIuuFKcFeoeabrZNnH7fpABuxNM6-6ypMgXw/s400/IMG_5878.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQxgq7QPzzwDiZW-SbOLX0TrnyMl6P42p0H_C5AkFwZmmC-8Sehgc7wDJTPTqLH0PThPCkmf1Yc5liemsc5Oudz8HsdgaE-BBhY4hnCivyN2hR9zIgQl5RyDD8iNz5DQZJdtCkw/s1600-h/El+Yunque+002.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQxgq7QPzzwDiZW-SbOLX0TrnyMl6P42p0H_C5AkFwZmmC-8Sehgc7wDJTPTqLH0PThPCkmf1Yc5liemsc5Oudz8HsdgaE-BBhY4hnCivyN2hR9zIgQl5RyDD8iNz5DQZJdtCkw/s400/El+Yunque+002.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another excursion was a day trip to El Yunque rainforest.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyPUuSugsj_vRaer-7ByA7mo58MXH7O-Qae62tDNHtLg0wym5eKaXgeEI2U503VyBCgwXP0rYjXdeR_BihyYbhP5j8G0zh0_6ZIo7H668E_XUlmIpb2evuWHHEC7eVJvtsBR7Hg/s1600-h/El+Yunque+006.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyPUuSugsj_vRaer-7ByA7mo58MXH7O-Qae62tDNHtLg0wym5eKaXgeEI2U503VyBCgwXP0rYjXdeR_BihyYbhP5j8G0zh0_6ZIo7H668E_XUlmIpb2evuWHHEC7eVJvtsBR7Hg/s400/El+Yunque+006.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDSPgNZRYYa2vFExn4NQhlvBbUVPWg5nGMxt5pCJ2-xK5XTE4TWnbQ_DYqlGCzhtj2u0Z8B5X6Z2bd6W7eKr7uU1AClFd68jSWUESQBVOvEPoOCCpEDKoQ2Jj9kYr3F7yZSX_VA/s1600-h/IMG_5825.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDSPgNZRYYa2vFExn4NQhlvBbUVPWg5nGMxt5pCJ2-xK5XTE4TWnbQ_DYqlGCzhtj2u0Z8B5X6Z2bd6W7eKr7uU1AClFd68jSWUESQBVOvEPoOCCpEDKoQ2Jj9kYr3F7yZSX_VA/s400/IMG_5825.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRanuL4G4d9J76YGsHRVLQBTDQex8T4mrKCWsSQcxJICbKlkIMJ7iDXd2lY_HuJrgMBNTdatuNyNwnxUzUM7FshKdr9E9UFJiW21V5YHqg67MpEK-lsB2GWDrBynddynre9wJtg/s1600-h/IMG_5824.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRanuL4G4d9J76YGsHRVLQBTDQex8T4mrKCWsSQcxJICbKlkIMJ7iDXd2lY_HuJrgMBNTdatuNyNwnxUzUM7FshKdr9E9UFJiW21V5YHqg67MpEK-lsB2GWDrBynddynre9wJtg/s400/IMG_5824.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a>p<br />The piping is part of an effort to preserve the Puerto Rican Parrot (how's that for alliteration!), considered a critically endangered species.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu56h1YL6j-mXndvl-gNArXxYYTJyThdXAx7_-CEqiAnB6nlY-ZHwRxTiEXdaTKWQKyohirgpKskPbTX_enFlmDyhBQmnGS5IMTV_Bj7mgm4Ei7rhr3LnA8iAgzfnqpKmZdUZxw/s1600-h/El+Yunque+008.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu56h1YL6j-mXndvl-gNArXxYYTJyThdXAx7_-CEqiAnB6nlY-ZHwRxTiEXdaTKWQKyohirgpKskPbTX_enFlmDyhBQmnGS5IMTV_Bj7mgm4Ei7rhr3LnA8iAgzfnqpKmZdUZxw/s400/El+Yunque+008.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Do you see him?<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLPQbZCr4F5mLfRr6USTm2kDRvvwS1T0RDWSgKyib4byrFWyAI-TUj1FkJETMKNFPLn87RnVW4wtbVsCcxw50cW23ert4WEspyUOY0TqKjtjLokLjipzK9hMr1nhudyOmDEOi6A/s1600-h/IMG_5826.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLPQbZCr4F5mLfRr6USTm2kDRvvwS1T0RDWSgKyib4byrFWyAI-TUj1FkJETMKNFPLn87RnVW4wtbVsCcxw50cW23ert4WEspyUOY0TqKjtjLokLjipzK9hMr1nhudyOmDEOi6A/s400/IMG_5826.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Giant snail poo!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDF-2fG-UyEJZdu_XYbbYsgkX91nBOVqqdBSGOi6PtQ0FUcRtA0FatRxbEbJL5dEVRnX3cU-3hFIZv5PaBfR9B5zlEmJxi42Bn0aYEB1v9pSj5gZNBJoYGssXZD8ro0tmLxcwsA/s1600-h/El+Yunque+003.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDF-2fG-UyEJZdu_XYbbYsgkX91nBOVqqdBSGOi6PtQ0FUcRtA0FatRxbEbJL5dEVRnX3cU-3hFIZv5PaBfR9B5zlEmJxi42Bn0aYEB1v9pSj5gZNBJoYGssXZD8ro0tmLxcwsA/s400/El+Yunque+003.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />La Coca Waterfall.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CrIgRljq2bsKyCySmP9v8R56ZSjPx6augR9q5cSz_-8xTejeZXjGlBjDnRnZKVFruoGwfGAs1POrhVrOp9zMo0DoKN0LtqtYiYgNhjcGMca5b0hs6mWvO_cOWhr8z5DehYSPw/s1600-h/El+Yunque+004.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9CrIgRljq2bsKyCySmP9v8R56ZSjPx6augR9q5cSz_-8xTejeZXjGlBjDnRnZKVFruoGwfGAs1POrhVrOp9zMo0DoKN0LtqtYiYgNhjcGMca5b0hs6mWvO_cOWhr8z5DehYSPw/s400/El+Yunque+004.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxocKkj4mtYG_rfueLJqIKv1x4wRG8xpWDtg8eEi6FJ2yp4yxvntmssje0i-fzr0FYYogI-Kq3IHQS8izQGcmhBel1CDU_nfdv3wgS3qrFNMnKtiDhM2YLmcX_L9Sln6lzIf9g/s1600-h/IMG_5809.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxocKkj4mtYG_rfueLJqIKv1x4wRG8xpWDtg8eEi6FJ2yp4yxvntmssje0i-fzr0FYYogI-Kq3IHQS8izQGcmhBel1CDU_nfdv3wgS3qrFNMnKtiDhM2YLmcX_L9Sln6lzIf9g/s400/IMG_5809.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The Spanish used to imprison virgin princesses here.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXM92wcHKc1Dx4_Y09MjVEus4zu1lXWSnQDwR8gunzt-5_bW9OCC-jtB8afb02wy0r0uXkFEHHOfYF74R7858dyn46VcWiU0p2Vr6PSev2dqIS-ZnowtswsAK6EFLOhFWcUnePg/s1600-h/IMG_5810.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXM92wcHKc1Dx4_Y09MjVEus4zu1lXWSnQDwR8gunzt-5_bW9OCC-jtB8afb02wy0r0uXkFEHHOfYF74R7858dyn46VcWiU0p2Vr6PSev2dqIS-ZnowtswsAK6EFLOhFWcUnePg/s400/IMG_5810.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Never mind. It's an observation tower built by the Forest Service.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWV8mFhi5Qi1DrGNU7Tuhspw9D7BlfXax0bdU9AnyNO4_sGKNO8JECA2LTiWZVNT3RZMpuH68tODDJWGMs6jPfPUm00qAVPzK9HAhor1rX7ytlU5vrsh-Wkr_uC1a0Q-resPkzg/s1600-h/IMG_5815.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWV8mFhi5Qi1DrGNU7Tuhspw9D7BlfXax0bdU9AnyNO4_sGKNO8JECA2LTiWZVNT3RZMpuH68tODDJWGMs6jPfPUm00qAVPzK9HAhor1rX7ytlU5vrsh-Wkr_uC1a0Q-resPkzg/s400/IMG_5815.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1W3o70o9N_XC3GT428_eiTzrTS-oLTKxMvlydfEENz0kTspWYo2lu-F_mko9nwkZs4U7dP40fNu-AJxV-m4aFwTpsY_ntl0cP4MtOFI_cfzgbrVZSX7Z4afXtPbKiiOsbgJhpA/s1600-h/IMG_5814.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1W3o70o9N_XC3GT428_eiTzrTS-oLTKxMvlydfEENz0kTspWYo2lu-F_mko9nwkZs4U7dP40fNu-AJxV-m4aFwTpsY_ntl0cP4MtOFI_cfzgbrVZSX7Z4afXtPbKiiOsbgJhpA/s400/IMG_5814.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The view from the tower.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZXrraHlC9jmLYtzuuoAvu7cunOi-SQyJBKxJugxUjPiuPwDvBycZKCaXinnRblyNH0p4h4ni29KeWzhT9FiFDCmJhWUOyRUUqUnB52W2MbAwS4CGExfUARVuCKizFFrLZopavw/s1600-h/IMG_5831.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZXrraHlC9jmLYtzuuoAvu7cunOi-SQyJBKxJugxUjPiuPwDvBycZKCaXinnRblyNH0p4h4ni29KeWzhT9FiFDCmJhWUOyRUUqUnB52W2MbAwS4CGExfUARVuCKizFFrLZopavw/s400/IMG_5831.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Later we stopped at a local bar before kayaking a bio-luminescent bay (of which I don't have pics but was absolutely incredible!)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2AyGaFbaDrwwIm2AomVJvin7VgaRgiZHhBn-gyN-8er4filSVdDJvY60iIcmqOgxS18fEdP7TKj8wE5nOPKHy-GPcmCBopznKLILGLCmXRCbm3hKvMyB62YSomu6SiKCAj1Hng/s1600-h/IMG_5834.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2AyGaFbaDrwwIm2AomVJvin7VgaRgiZHhBn-gyN-8er4filSVdDJvY60iIcmqOgxS18fEdP7TKj8wE5nOPKHy-GPcmCBopznKLILGLCmXRCbm3hKvMyB62YSomu6SiKCAj1Hng/s400/IMG_5834.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our cute geography student tour guide, Francisco, asked me for a salsa dance. Claro que si!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXpYBmZEBKXlzd_gk03ghO9AH26NCntVokN0UbifG6yFAW6e7ZB93-i_zc_aG0taoDmpL1WnI3sUAwzLvfqVhMQ43bSKnZYuYsrsJR73PYNHYSmDtakk7Ct4q4msqBxP9kkNb3A/s1600-h/Old+San+Juan+004.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXpYBmZEBKXlzd_gk03ghO9AH26NCntVokN0UbifG6yFAW6e7ZB93-i_zc_aG0taoDmpL1WnI3sUAwzLvfqVhMQ43bSKnZYuYsrsJR73PYNHYSmDtakk7Ct4q4msqBxP9kkNb3A/s400/Old+San+Juan+004.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Typical Puerto Rican food included lots of seafood.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTsYREMgfItOisReofEPBLJxdANYCdZPRiCIn1bzQ8Y1w2kJvgrWZt9iZ3PjnF2C6jxIMsUJcH5sA-Eboj5q7Jo83SRPw0UaxxvJY9TFYju3ScFEy5sVh1EFLVyCj_vL1T4D6Jg/s1600-h/IMG_5880.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTsYREMgfItOisReofEPBLJxdANYCdZPRiCIn1bzQ8Y1w2kJvgrWZt9iZ3PjnF2C6jxIMsUJcH5sA-Eboj5q7Jo83SRPw0UaxxvJY9TFYju3ScFEy5sVh1EFLVyCj_vL1T4D6Jg/s400/IMG_5880.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />And fried plantains!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpTMToSiyUviWz8_eV8lEXS06wVmHTOYovnLt_otORcpOR11EusSHqXKYm963OI2ovMR46YdQUyoo0gyRP9iZbWqNq_GB9uOfoSsmUGvDt1VEFYN60x8jxect7_-8kxQOmznFuw/s1600-h/Old+San+Juan+001.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpTMToSiyUviWz8_eV8lEXS06wVmHTOYovnLt_otORcpOR11EusSHqXKYm963OI2ovMR46YdQUyoo0gyRP9iZbWqNq_GB9uOfoSsmUGvDt1VEFYN60x8jxect7_-8kxQOmznFuw/s400/Old+San+Juan+001.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0NjOvRS8MgyfbZOlvW11O-DgSTbOtgwZ0YZJagzBKks0ivZfATGbuuYroN_IPqZPysbwXcWOuxU3da_ckd2CioK6ny8Fa6A2D3slPSeyAZIFmYV1oVxBGRBXUm-PN8pV0747tA/s1600-h/PR+020.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0NjOvRS8MgyfbZOlvW11O-DgSTbOtgwZ0YZJagzBKks0ivZfATGbuuYroN_IPqZPysbwXcWOuxU3da_ckd2CioK6ny8Fa6A2D3slPSeyAZIFmYV1oVxBGRBXUm-PN8pV0747tA/s400/PR+020.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />For dessert you could always buy ice cream on the beach!<br /><br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-46618613959609955342009-09-20T11:49:00.003-06:002009-09-20T13:01:07.797-06:00HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY ROWAN!<strong>Saturday, September 19, 2009</strong><br /><br />Rowan turned 3 years old on September 9th, but since that was in the middle of an extremely busy work-week, we waited until the weekend of the 19th to have his friends over for a blowout party.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LuhWv_dOpq-zvFQ1TScXnYtQQzvFUAiTAenTvugr9UrVQxOkxQBAiuVzEIK_Uug0vzP0oeIYVN1FJ4K1Wkh76P0F832Fgsx6NWxHhHXCecbEhBbWAXJBHO17Z0SrAJ-V5kC3jw/s1600-h/IMG_5755.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LuhWv_dOpq-zvFQ1TScXnYtQQzvFUAiTAenTvugr9UrVQxOkxQBAiuVzEIK_Uug0vzP0oeIYVN1FJ4K1Wkh76P0F832Fgsx6NWxHhHXCecbEhBbWAXJBHO17Z0SrAJ-V5kC3jw/s400/IMG_5755.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan helped get things ready as we prepared for guests to arrive.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hZCK7f-CnLOuJsMUt3DxpNLfYy64PEGr4SP6lqOPn6iMijUrw146mktNpXiYAytuEMB20qHWdCkugBI3ySgut3FTeWSCCxQq0w-MDvkyAPiQgLBbYRSjacMspBVKYQldF_zq8A/s1600-h/IMG_5758.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hZCK7f-CnLOuJsMUt3DxpNLfYy64PEGr4SP6lqOPn6iMijUrw146mktNpXiYAytuEMB20qHWdCkugBI3ySgut3FTeWSCCxQq0w-MDvkyAPiQgLBbYRSjacMspBVKYQldF_zq8A/s400/IMG_5758.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We've had non-stop rain the past week, but thankfully, the let up for a day, and our backyard was filled with the sounds of laughter and play.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk9yHudOzZcAx_8o9siI0mjgb42Q-slvuKOT-D7lck3aI2-r3kQNaxi2hpgNI-QQLr1Zqlwqt9JmuUORvFypD7TNOvnP8tJfot5oCLXqIyiEcQXrVb4KB6oyIku5ODyQVfKpCYA/s1600-h/IMG_5757.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGk9yHudOzZcAx_8o9siI0mjgb42Q-slvuKOT-D7lck3aI2-r3kQNaxi2hpgNI-QQLr1Zqlwqt9JmuUORvFypD7TNOvnP8tJfot5oCLXqIyiEcQXrVb4KB6oyIku5ODyQVfKpCYA/s400/IMG_5757.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />One of Rowan's birthday presents was a pirate-ship sandbox, and since the party coincidentally fell on <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html" target="new">International Talk Like A Pirate Day</a>, we went for a full-on pirate theme. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaH9gBV2k4UIRak1TX9pfXOyqMArhp2YMGMumMgfIK_XP1R4M-4SqIW2rcAnpxMhGt0LBp03I8uD0r2s_GMgTe3Z5M8GLumyNBHX8yi7zrd8kWnLUigXJnpHetCnV1bKTZ72kWPw/s1600-h/IMG_5759_crop.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaH9gBV2k4UIRak1TX9pfXOyqMArhp2YMGMumMgfIK_XP1R4M-4SqIW2rcAnpxMhGt0LBp03I8uD0r2s_GMgTe3Z5M8GLumyNBHX8yi7zrd8kWnLUigXJnpHetCnV1bKTZ72kWPw/s400/IMG_5759_crop.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxbmO-hZLIuw63VRFWAkwGEkJqMp2a8enda18YfHTuU9G9jPukVsgAU7xqHr8QY3-ru28d_b8CnCK7AlHWGdG8BHJOLTFNFTlTvLzoV5XlCUzyKVkMofhyphenhyphenjrdLD4JM_K82gILPA/s1600-h/IMG_5763.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxbmO-hZLIuw63VRFWAkwGEkJqMp2a8enda18YfHTuU9G9jPukVsgAU7xqHr8QY3-ru28d_b8CnCK7AlHWGdG8BHJOLTFNFTlTvLzoV5XlCUzyKVkMofhyphenhyphenjrdLD4JM_K82gILPA/s400/IMG_5763.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Even the birthday cake was a pirate ship!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ihcGnf97KJA_QEIxThw6kN84v1ZjyQvadaurQjxAGIqBYv79q9T8NgchAbWzVwJnxExtnmykWewYHQa63yUbEkod3uLRLrDm_D2rsu0LJQvm1vJFPy_WVvzbCxdtM1REXPreSQ/s1600-h/IMG_5766.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ihcGnf97KJA_QEIxThw6kN84v1ZjyQvadaurQjxAGIqBYv79q9T8NgchAbWzVwJnxExtnmykWewYHQa63yUbEkod3uLRLrDm_D2rsu0LJQvm1vJFPy_WVvzbCxdtM1REXPreSQ/s400/IMG_5766.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was a sweet treat seeing Harper and Anna Wyatt.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngDjjIouywwchi5TD0vheLl8vYNPqiSHG-3O4h1l9Y1lAYTK-11Z2-z0P2HqfadJW4fR7TK1rZ1Xr13jHhUWfviQV9yF1TtaZ77hthRaaa3vUWihm1nJUvl380UYG6mTxRyVtCw/s1600-h/IMG_5767.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngDjjIouywwchi5TD0vheLl8vYNPqiSHG-3O4h1l9Y1lAYTK-11Z2-z0P2HqfadJW4fR7TK1rZ1Xr13jHhUWfviQV9yF1TtaZ77hthRaaa3vUWihm1nJUvl380UYG6mTxRyVtCw/s400/IMG_5767.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The ladies chilled out on the patio while the guys gathered in the living room for some SEC football...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNo7cfV358IipmfqxuJE8o2bysG1-x-L2Gb1RGAOawArxcqAeTQfwVLJWzVM7jT4_jmbRQQ1VrWTJAnwt4gzcQ3SPjqlHUtbvqun8anThTXPGo05Us_egyBHod6Q05bHso3V2Iw/s1600-h/IMG_5773.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNo7cfV358IipmfqxuJE8o2bysG1-x-L2Gb1RGAOawArxcqAeTQfwVLJWzVM7jT4_jmbRQQ1VrWTJAnwt4gzcQ3SPjqlHUtbvqun8anThTXPGo05Us_egyBHod6Q05bHso3V2Iw/s400/IMG_5773.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and the kids eventually got into just about everything in Rowan's room...including the crib. First it was Lucas...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAVgPZtx5sFs5VcmdEDiiAcB45i1Jb_jCJ9k8mrP1odI2UMFdSkGmoTASXMkQ50ZO9awM3tsoJWmoF4MTIlRTTsoIkNvc7A8Q5BxUqBmX87pn6fHglQgrDHgMjUQqbl-zA5HgPA/s1600-h/IMG_5774.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAVgPZtx5sFs5VcmdEDiiAcB45i1Jb_jCJ9k8mrP1odI2UMFdSkGmoTASXMkQ50ZO9awM3tsoJWmoF4MTIlRTTsoIkNvc7A8Q5BxUqBmX87pn6fHglQgrDHgMjUQqbl-zA5HgPA/s400/IMG_5774.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and then Rowan...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9R_zM1h_FBKHdUtUqoGcI9M6KIxSdaSeq1TRyQXn3KRd0rfV4zomTI3VKelQxdAoVWw4AmMaB1inuIwswbrNm4R0NeYcOqO_bgZYoLGQR22vTzCO6AOeNv0WWp38-bG1yvWoUA/s1600-h/IMG_5776.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9R_zM1h_FBKHdUtUqoGcI9M6KIxSdaSeq1TRyQXn3KRd0rfV4zomTI3VKelQxdAoVWw4AmMaB1inuIwswbrNm4R0NeYcOqO_bgZYoLGQR22vTzCO6AOeNv0WWp38-bG1yvWoUA/s400/IMG_5776.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and finally Harper.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2CQktFD5i0Sh9642cA25cY5HuUznITbLVERIVcmfweoEt17RAm5iEW_2Yo6jMni6CAoSyESU0N1XUF-JAfLjluEtoCdesSXJoaZD3ZytZRfrFRsSfzzPAYwu_LZL9RUk8MHHKg/s1600-h/IMG_5780.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2CQktFD5i0Sh9642cA25cY5HuUznITbLVERIVcmfweoEt17RAm5iEW_2Yo6jMni6CAoSyESU0N1XUF-JAfLjluEtoCdesSXJoaZD3ZytZRfrFRsSfzzPAYwu_LZL9RUk8MHHKg/s400/IMG_5780.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Looks like it's time to retire the crib. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQRRM8pX9OgNG5M6bPC8p9CIlClCC7fQfgwZwV1zGijextjo0fQMhNNizoqF-ha-wRIONa_xDgPJhOZHtUVUpToRWyl9suhlxLjFOc8CnfPMHjc6DZ7v4UgqGrh2ylY9zbCAzJA/s1600-h/IMG_5786.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQRRM8pX9OgNG5M6bPC8p9CIlClCC7fQfgwZwV1zGijextjo0fQMhNNizoqF-ha-wRIONa_xDgPJhOZHtUVUpToRWyl9suhlxLjFOc8CnfPMHjc6DZ7v4UgqGrh2ylY9zbCAzJA/s400/IMG_5786.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />We haven't made many connections here in Oxford yet, so it was great to have our good friends make the trip from Starkville (Bill, Susan, Harper and Anna Wyatt) and Tupelo (Emily, Todd and Lucas; Tracye, Bart and Daniel; Jonathan, Niki and Ansley). Arrrrrr, mateys!<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-5436047492315628032009-09-20T09:30:00.006-06:002009-09-20T10:55:40.364-06:00DEREK TRUCKS BAND IN OXFORD<strong>Tuesday, September 15, 2009</strong><br /><br />Now that we live in Oxford, it'll be much easier for us to pursue our passion for good live music. Being a college town, Oxford has quite a respectable music scene considering its size, especially in the fall and the spring. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4jJ9u34ZBDk4s5GDfkSjQWSk08NOLrDhWhghX5g1PTtTUcjdeB8U6Z8DjqiSuNnb7XOCZLroeL9N7j-oimtgQk3pea-0LWSUwAjd6iLBgocdRDO5kF25Owl02YpQSpav2I6Grw/s1600-h/IMG_5744.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4jJ9u34ZBDk4s5GDfkSjQWSk08NOLrDhWhghX5g1PTtTUcjdeB8U6Z8DjqiSuNnb7XOCZLroeL9N7j-oimtgQk3pea-0LWSUwAjd6iLBgocdRDO5kF25Owl02YpQSpav2I6Grw/s400/IMG_5744.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our first big show of the fall was guitar virtuoso <a href="http://www.derektrucks.com" target="new">Derek Trucks</a> and his band at the <a href="http://www.thelyricoxford.com" target="new">Lyric Theatre</a>. It was a huge treat getting to watch Derek up close as he demonstrated his incredible tone control, coaxing the smoothest, sweetest, purest sounds out of his guitar. Playing entirely without a pick and mostly with a slide, he thorougly captivated even the most casual listener with his soulful, melodic leads that alternately sang, roared, swooped and soared, plucked with such dexterity and precision that would-be guitarists in the audience could only shake their heads in disbelief.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-plTd8W4QRJxXsXCMuvPVrGhyDrqhEDNDKb-X4rGumEcOu-9YUJ_NfsB17M0lqWdqwMHZt_HkscSc5c_smD3SibK9-R9o-osWo-ZbyZtJtiBNAb8IiJvC1bwZvj-S5uVWxSO-A/s1600-h/Young_Derek_Trucks.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-plTd8W4QRJxXsXCMuvPVrGhyDrqhEDNDKb-X4rGumEcOu-9YUJ_NfsB17M0lqWdqwMHZt_HkscSc5c_smD3SibK9-R9o-osWo-ZbyZtJtiBNAb8IiJvC1bwZvj-S5uVWxSO-A/s400/Young_Derek_Trucks.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />(Note: the photo above was swiped off the Internet without permission.) The nephew of legendary Allman Brothers founding drummer Butch Trucks, Derek was a child prodigy, gaining notoriety and sitting in with big names like Buddy Guy and Bob Dylan while he was still a teenager. These days he plays lead in the current incarnation of the Allman Brothers, in addition to his critically acclaimed solo career. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM84TFX3Z0zaZJ9t4bV-PddMxiUj0jbQeGtGyuIJ5rVUP6MhcvkSJJEf0-y7Cy71CT9QWJCnN02DxcZjCc5G8JuRBwXNOetOvAn-C4JuYpq70WFKN7xBce-A1t3-OKM1Ao_KMfQ/s1600-h/IMG_5735.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM84TFX3Z0zaZJ9t4bV-PddMxiUj0jbQeGtGyuIJ5rVUP6MhcvkSJJEf0-y7Cy71CT9QWJCnN02DxcZjCc5G8JuRBwXNOetOvAn-C4JuYpq70WFKN7xBce-A1t3-OKM1Ao_KMfQ/s400/IMG_5735.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Singer Mike Mattison is a great complement to Derek. His rich, soulful voice ranges from raspy baritone to smooth falsetto, and he delivers Derek's contemporary take on blues rock and R&B with class and style. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEnMY4zonErgqSSL_hIiakYqe_WWZyZgHQtwgaBuamW9x2KS9vzDvnoAoy2kjrNHuqE7QZFQLV01dLgb3TnoKHM0D_0NRjBO-8u6kgyrjZso1cI0HXaR20b5TtWFb8QnGB1s6qQ/s1600-h/IMG_5751.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEnMY4zonErgqSSL_hIiakYqe_WWZyZgHQtwgaBuamW9x2KS9vzDvnoAoy2kjrNHuqE7QZFQLV01dLgb3TnoKHM0D_0NRjBO-8u6kgyrjZso1cI0HXaR20b5TtWFb8QnGB1s6qQ/s400/IMG_5751.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a>Rounding out the band was keyboardist and flutist Kofi Burbridge, as well as bassist Todd Smallie, drummer Yonrico Scott, and percussionist Count M'Butu. Their 2-hour show consisted entirely of original music, with Derek often delving deep into traditional blues stylings, yet always staying true to his distinctive musical vision. While we were mostly unfamiliar with his songs, we were thoroughly enthralled. <br /><br />Our only complaint of the night was the totally wasted guy who was almost comical in his infringement of the personal space of everybody within a 10 foot radius of where he was whirling, jumping, swaying and hollering. Too many drugs, dude!<br /><br />Back to <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-85629885226468336212009-09-07T20:10:00.007-06:002009-09-07T22:34:47.648-06:00LABOR DAY GETAWAYLabor Day for a lot of people brings to mind a trip to the beach, or maybe the lake. For others, Labor Day means it's time to head to The Playa to <a href="http://www.burningman.com" target="new">burn the man</a>. <br /><br />But for us, Labor Day makes us think of something like this:<br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIlsFlA2zJxZvrvc3LCexAZXn7RmmbxsPT-HVxKvbxt9IftqCHrs-hzzt6bZ3PtTKJc8AHBmkF4MavOkytMXe0RCyDjB8FUShlwj0A1VU0fW8tX6SOfeHGWCg2q7jlC06zlAX2g/s1600-h/traffic2.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIlsFlA2zJxZvrvc3LCexAZXn7RmmbxsPT-HVxKvbxt9IftqCHrs-hzzt6bZ3PtTKJc8AHBmkF4MavOkytMXe0RCyDjB8FUShlwj0A1VU0fW8tX6SOfeHGWCg2q7jlC06zlAX2g/s400/traffic2.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Too many people and cops out on the road! So we usually stay home and take advantage of the local peace and solitude, watch some college football, and grill out on the patio. (And we certainly didn't take the photo above) <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpmixOTEeRtSEAxWi6w-gisWXEe5FafFQ1IofQJGTIysl0bKF0ToikGp09EIFE-TYnavCYdf0jxTZ7iN-9l1_9KlF9nzE3WWZIa-TudAtsKX6AOFzgxHEwwPPGYGf5QKGSmff2g/s1600-h/map.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpmixOTEeRtSEAxWi6w-gisWXEe5FafFQ1IofQJGTIysl0bKF0ToikGp09EIFE-TYnavCYdf0jxTZ7iN-9l1_9KlF9nzE3WWZIa-TudAtsKX6AOFzgxHEwwPPGYGf5QKGSmff2g/s400/map.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This year, however, a new plan emerged. A 2-hour drive through the countryside and up the Natchez Trace took us to your not-so-typical Labor Day desitination: Florence, Alabama. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L5pEkNT3P60Q-oHv3Sseiite-PS9oDsWscgRxdSawgHKMjwT0DQqJ8GI9clGxgarrrZgMd26xQ5tJW4bXUFgO2tCWLpEvC0ombUDBlvg2mZpSTpvn7KGGIB7pHSUZXX4iXIsmg/s1600-h/IMG_5702.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L5pEkNT3P60Q-oHv3Sseiite-PS9oDsWscgRxdSawgHKMjwT0DQqJ8GI9clGxgarrrZgMd26xQ5tJW4bXUFgO2tCWLpEvC0ombUDBlvg2mZpSTpvn7KGGIB7pHSUZXX4iXIsmg/s400/IMG_5702.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />More specifically, our destination was the <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/mslmc-marriott-shoals-hotel-and-spa" target="new">Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa</a>, where we spent a 2-night getaway with Carley's parents. And yes, we did get to eat dinner one night in the restaurant on top of that tower. (Alabama's only revolving restaurant!)<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7-_0KgFnu3vBlOXM4QXyPNytuqXl6xrm_Z9DgkDzEtAwDa6IRLfAOLA6lbNgFfEOjGDxlPPnqcqOBPOZCiJjvmxJJsNVIcP9bVD1XneKD8w4Cp4cGLVENxYNzspyMbbyJ8Yivw/s1600-h/IMG_5715.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7-_0KgFnu3vBlOXM4QXyPNytuqXl6xrm_Z9DgkDzEtAwDa6IRLfAOLA6lbNgFfEOjGDxlPPnqcqOBPOZCiJjvmxJJsNVIcP9bVD1XneKD8w4Cp4cGLVENxYNzspyMbbyJ8Yivw/s400/IMG_5715.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />From our room we had a great view of the Wilson Dam spanning the Tennessee River.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQMxj20fwYCcBEmE97o2oFbK3GGYjirDbi-xTcf4vgkW3-wXkgsjmGa4kvT0mlLC3xp63bhpsbGTpQhGtrDTncn-sL3Aenlku8nY0FvgTdjYq1MAemCKKvL3CDNExI6W25WpNWg/s1600-h/IMG_5672.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQMxj20fwYCcBEmE97o2oFbK3GGYjirDbi-xTcf4vgkW3-wXkgsjmGa4kvT0mlLC3xp63bhpsbGTpQhGtrDTncn-sL3Aenlku8nY0FvgTdjYq1MAemCKKvL3CDNExI6W25WpNWg/s400/IMG_5672.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />However, this place was all about the pool, which was a kid's paradise!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1_RhSY7YOTYtW3c7mNtgpLuYk9nnXHPehmCmqQJvWMk7c8i7HS7SHsRka-bcyngNdZe26fER7FKC7ekcZYFsOOhcavE-8NiOxmFTDjvE5FLbG8VUYGEUMm4srZUw450mFmssGg/s1600-h/IMG_5675.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1_RhSY7YOTYtW3c7mNtgpLuYk9nnXHPehmCmqQJvWMk7c8i7HS7SHsRka-bcyngNdZe26fER7FKC7ekcZYFsOOhcavE-8NiOxmFTDjvE5FLbG8VUYGEUMm4srZUw450mFmssGg/s400/IMG_5675.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan was totally fired up about the water slide, even though he's not big enough to ride alone.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAeuQ3zYLevsgoBpQX0BFh6vc1CoIEIZ3K1YzkvEsxHgArQa5GYdbxgEuTkd-my6OUX3yFqeEsaG91OvXWpmWLJrmsl_llhwILL9U10g3WaeqIAV2y71LlOp5qvjEtxZPxPD3QQ/s1600-h/IMG_5684.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAeuQ3zYLevsgoBpQX0BFh6vc1CoIEIZ3K1YzkvEsxHgArQa5GYdbxgEuTkd-my6OUX3yFqeEsaG91OvXWpmWLJrmsl_llhwILL9U10g3WaeqIAV2y71LlOp5qvjEtxZPxPD3QQ/s400/IMG_5684.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Again...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze7u0qq_Xl04eqOgomAym-K4y8PEmGUVL6I9xRo8iXe6yI3lm0z-60I2jSWQvrkFrz1hcfcp8S-p8E1JHDq1zvmnOg2Fp_ZH2yAJnsDtddPUQiysY5ybQsnDbNCTxHln2l-MApg/s1600-h/IMG_5678.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgze7u0qq_Xl04eqOgomAym-K4y8PEmGUVL6I9xRo8iXe6yI3lm0z-60I2jSWQvrkFrz1hcfcp8S-p8E1JHDq1zvmnOg2Fp_ZH2yAJnsDtddPUQiysY5ybQsnDbNCTxHln2l-MApg/s400/IMG_5678.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and again...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwBNBgDJD51ha1IAkugfEq3yaRuCjLKAYcebM5pDvVgsc0DR_J-tOChYv40UUhTDr7MRipbQNLYvG1YApezc60gEHEn6Qv0Rc6pFLrrt10T5go_KSNZVtNiTZjfW4fYDu1I42bA/s1600-h/IMG_5679.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwBNBgDJD51ha1IAkugfEq3yaRuCjLKAYcebM5pDvVgsc0DR_J-tOChYv40UUhTDr7MRipbQNLYvG1YApezc60gEHEn6Qv0Rc6pFLrrt10T5go_KSNZVtNiTZjfW4fYDu1I42bA/s400/IMG_5679.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and again!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeNmKzd7hTRQHk49GPdy9t98FbfYUF9IPTrQrr8GauxKyskuYsyON-CQ0-BAWGwOU1DlMwOkpaJQueNwojZt4ow8CxPMZ3QgE0mgxZOeGId0fd3IIJwiLQc-zIpFfLRvcLDmMpQ/s1600-h/IMG_5681.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeNmKzd7hTRQHk49GPdy9t98FbfYUF9IPTrQrr8GauxKyskuYsyON-CQ0-BAWGwOU1DlMwOkpaJQueNwojZt4ow8CxPMZ3QgE0mgxZOeGId0fd3IIJwiLQc-zIpFfLRvcLDmMpQ/s400/IMG_5681.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Every once in a while he'd insist on taking a dip in "Papa's bath". <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnmfsLDKKTRWHRyxVXkEavcPgouWZiDxOeGoTbUGemXwksQnZgSAoOU7_FZpbjCO2PIgLg3QjdQ1Qjv0p5Q6epM97TzLEW9LZ5fCXRnIBg8Vv04iZ17BZSLs7dkhLGcLCoG_LUA/s1600-h/IMG_5689.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnmfsLDKKTRWHRyxVXkEavcPgouWZiDxOeGoTbUGemXwksQnZgSAoOU7_FZpbjCO2PIgLg3QjdQ1Qjv0p5Q6epM97TzLEW9LZ5fCXRnIBg8Vv04iZ17BZSLs7dkhLGcLCoG_LUA/s400/IMG_5689.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />When the pool got old, there was always the playground at nearby River Heritage Park. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97OGK51rNfjPVr8iiD7H27FSFAVWAT-Y9nne-6wLjZ_xT9oS6EVdLdTB_be2nFRV3qYh4bO6v6LchP4f2NXsTqHvGtTDDOwYmbbMPXMx4tG0FwNzTZyPKJMccGHi47ORoG5k7ZQ/s1600-h/IMG_5690.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97OGK51rNfjPVr8iiD7H27FSFAVWAT-Y9nne-6wLjZ_xT9oS6EVdLdTB_be2nFRV3qYh4bO6v6LchP4f2NXsTqHvGtTDDOwYmbbMPXMx4tG0FwNzTZyPKJMccGHi47ORoG5k7ZQ/s400/IMG_5690.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />But even the playground couldn't hold Rowan's attention for long, with the huge choreographed interactive music-fountain blasting out some classic rock-and-roll and Motown. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW3J2-7fGc7_IMVInwDxTnJsl6CAO7b9QxOagzLXNXzBsIioYVdwPVr0IM1aHliF8QtfmLcpWCjUV_xcYZvQ6sEyP5pKDwsqMExT-U7t_euj9MWqs4MXkZLWqaseTOlsg2tfCIw/s1600-h/IMG_5696.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW3J2-7fGc7_IMVInwDxTnJsl6CAO7b9QxOagzLXNXzBsIioYVdwPVr0IM1aHliF8QtfmLcpWCjUV_xcYZvQ6sEyP5pKDwsqMExT-U7t_euj9MWqs4MXkZLWqaseTOlsg2tfCIw/s400/IMG_5696.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Twist and shout!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWAXhsEtT-udU5XUpKJ-xlJPY4tiSkFC6GjCFVWj7pb5u6Evxpe1Y8igEmQpL-6C2oRtoODoT12gr3o8WpUhGhHmxvOFfUJdq0MUYhg1iMqPkv_tTQNoW2yM6VNcDrC4CnCPnjQ/s1600-h/IMG_5711.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWAXhsEtT-udU5XUpKJ-xlJPY4tiSkFC6GjCFVWj7pb5u6Evxpe1Y8igEmQpL-6C2oRtoODoT12gr3o8WpUhGhHmxvOFfUJdq0MUYhg1iMqPkv_tTQNoW2yM6VNcDrC4CnCPnjQ/s400/IMG_5711.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This turned out to be fun for all of us!<br /><br />With this kind of entertainment for Rowan, plus the fact that it was the opening weekend of college football, there wasn't much motivation on our part to get out and see Florence. Rob never even left sight of the hotel, while Carley went out once for some shopping with her mom.<br /><br />'Cause that's what Labor Day is all about! Ahhhhh.<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-25514757286524826492009-08-09T20:18:00.010-06:002021-09-01T22:14:09.858-06:00SWIMMING AT SARDIS LAKE<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYqQ48aptmdkqVV3h4uTVU2kPbT3p8VUKQtVgTJXLWJfpagHG0ReJuv0YtGX2ebhVziVu35UFx-exIEShO_dXm8JMxC9LTQ3EnFqtwNTucpaunYHMCw6TsbFGepP5gWFQjzaxtg/s1600-h/IMG_5587.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYqQ48aptmdkqVV3h4uTVU2kPbT3p8VUKQtVgTJXLWJfpagHG0ReJuv0YtGX2ebhVziVu35UFx-exIEShO_dXm8JMxC9LTQ3EnFqtwNTucpaunYHMCw6TsbFGepP5gWFQjzaxtg/s400/IMG_5587.JPG" /></a>Half an hour west of town is Sardis lake, a popular weekend recreation spot for Oxonians. (And yes, that is really what they call residents of Oxford!)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztu90WIhy16KVrzQYxL0vpRVEb9D4do5gRqdsXVymSgqoJFS96rv6Xhz9j2I8658MJrZYtZqur6AgrXGuaB5isii5vONvZPB4swok86pBnMd___l9u_8TGkheQqctX9vaDx-xaA/s1600-h/dam2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztu90WIhy16KVrzQYxL0vpRVEb9D4do5gRqdsXVymSgqoJFS96rv6Xhz9j2I8658MJrZYtZqur6AgrXGuaB5isii5vONvZPB4swok86pBnMd___l9u_8TGkheQqctX9vaDx-xaA/s400/dam2.jpg" /></a>
Sardis is a large man-made lake that was created by damming the Tallahatchie River during the Great Depression, as part of a flood control project.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsERvPz5lBl0gX8k2ukizJtyHg5Ee6awFnQDKiFBn-NFFq9Hrn_lfOxk1V8ncwl5BrN4TZO207gw8WZhCWkuS6PODKsajMf5jHeoRLh9UaJZzScZrCZ7_TXv8Eakc6gX-YmaJAQ/s1600-h/dam.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsERvPz5lBl0gX8k2ukizJtyHg5Ee6awFnQDKiFBn-NFFq9Hrn_lfOxk1V8ncwl5BrN4TZO207gw8WZhCWkuS6PODKsajMf5jHeoRLh9UaJZzScZrCZ7_TXv8Eakc6gX-YmaJAQ/s400/dam.jpg" /></a>
We swam at a beach on the Lower Lake, which was created by dredging the river just below the large earthen Sardis Dam.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTos3e4bZirL27YrT3StnjFKW194qp3sG06wgIhmdlux7I-Kwwf0pST3n-okhtUZuIgBNf0A989OD3MG0tKbPFbSogVp0XQHD97rOV2JTDOIAzgWfuYnd6sLIzItvRHlwyjHOdYg/s1600-h/IMG_5588.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTos3e4bZirL27YrT3StnjFKW194qp3sG06wgIhmdlux7I-Kwwf0pST3n-okhtUZuIgBNf0A989OD3MG0tKbPFbSogVp0XQHD97rOV2JTDOIAzgWfuYnd6sLIzItvRHlwyjHOdYg/s400/IMG_5588.JPG" /></a>
This was Rowan's first time in a lake, since swimming is prohibited in many of Mississippi's lakes. (water moccasins?)
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN3-SfUpjMu71B-VN-wCaMZNjeTK_KTeTVlkeHlJ-KwXTLtjWf2yzAjJuIlxK5jPxK5HKWA_HSM8e_VEQnE68hi1WAIEnlPIoBORd-dPQvNCe4jAsbTg59TLr93RBVQ52yMk3Jg/s1600-h/IMG_5597.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN3-SfUpjMu71B-VN-wCaMZNjeTK_KTeTVlkeHlJ-KwXTLtjWf2yzAjJuIlxK5jPxK5HKWA_HSM8e_VEQnE68hi1WAIEnlPIoBORd-dPQvNCe4jAsbTg59TLr93RBVQ52yMk3Jg/s400/IMG_5597.JPG" /></a>
It was so nice to have so much shallow water to explore, without all those big waves pummeling Rowan like at the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/07/fourth-of-july-weekend-at-beach.html">beach in Florida</a>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TkErQAzNXjI8sDgBs7ZH6-P9QrPINbU3JVoMDdpYHNVKwegUy5_QUmnaEWOcjuAk1xNTE2hq3wpxX9BcxrP8YJmUFDSfGMHATid3cuuIG72BLOFmCkiwSOojWCP0zp8wYsGGdw/s1600-h/IMG_5598.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TkErQAzNXjI8sDgBs7ZH6-P9QrPINbU3JVoMDdpYHNVKwegUy5_QUmnaEWOcjuAk1xNTE2hq3wpxX9BcxrP8YJmUFDSfGMHATid3cuuIG72BLOFmCkiwSOojWCP0zp8wYsGGdw/s400/IMG_5598.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUd9rh5g9EwXhq_FHh0C-hN3vbrwtg9i3-SQi2bFkxd51dfS6MayP95kgKkOAJ6Qqm5MFU41jBwJHCGXaTrNupPkKi0zgMZKIeGgcYnER1TnskL2v2LfGIoHkGT95xXe-vOhAWw/s1600-h/IMG_5600.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUd9rh5g9EwXhq_FHh0C-hN3vbrwtg9i3-SQi2bFkxd51dfS6MayP95kgKkOAJ6Qqm5MFU41jBwJHCGXaTrNupPkKi0zgMZKIeGgcYnER1TnskL2v2LfGIoHkGT95xXe-vOhAWw/s400/IMG_5600.JPG" /></a>
Our friends Todd, Emily and Lucas came over from Tupelo to join us for the day.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNVOWgF7wMpp-RA5Y2OLwdPthdouKDFm6xSJKyDBT6yt3zgHrDLNGC8txFhYVc7_mno9MnFqdBZD8NYNvTOxH7GfvfSid9VohcMhwiY857bRUOYacpEmNs0cUXdzcXFQ14Qr4iQ/s1600-h/IMG_5593.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNVOWgF7wMpp-RA5Y2OLwdPthdouKDFm6xSJKyDBT6yt3zgHrDLNGC8txFhYVc7_mno9MnFqdBZD8NYNvTOxH7GfvfSid9VohcMhwiY857bRUOYacpEmNs0cUXdzcXFQ14Qr4iQ/s400/IMG_5593.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6j5wfEufpsybvyxJy-hk0eCteR0i-Lw80JIg465mlXZi7shD9EsmIQm7aq8R9jIcg-6cR-NQoyxQyewXg-E58aWRKbggrjSi4cVmuRe8r2IO_eRON62r3zx5HHcW_4R3H6v8tQ/s1600-h/IMG_5603.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6j5wfEufpsybvyxJy-hk0eCteR0i-Lw80JIg465mlXZi7shD9EsmIQm7aq8R9jIcg-6cR-NQoyxQyewXg-E58aWRKbggrjSi4cVmuRe8r2IO_eRON62r3zx5HHcW_4R3H6v8tQ/s400/IMG_5603.JPG" /></a>
Rowan and Lucas are best buddies, and as usual they were delighted to have so much time to play together. "<div>Back to the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>.</div>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-60122417290775385132009-08-01T12:53:00.009-06:002009-08-01T17:31:22.452-06:00THE DON MYERS MEMORIAL IN MISSOURI<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjdUxD09zRYfUcus4fjuFeVt6I3_ljTBZKn1jGs_yez2gFUP-wr4pAsEMg_f4vIGv_TM7tzuvOcGcwdKkG08n0_yzzX_AgJwSfaJMlcNF5YWcwnjnA1kkrs1R0_1-xdygsFuupQ/s1600-h/IMG_5583_crop.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjdUxD09zRYfUcus4fjuFeVt6I3_ljTBZKn1jGs_yez2gFUP-wr4pAsEMg_f4vIGv_TM7tzuvOcGcwdKkG08n0_yzzX_AgJwSfaJMlcNF5YWcwnjnA1kkrs1R0_1-xdygsFuupQ/s400/IMG_5583_crop.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />On Saturday the 25th of July, Carley got the call that her best friend Peachy's dad had been critically injured in a bicycle accident. A few days later, we found ourselves dropping everything, loading up the car, and making the 6-hour roadtrip to Rolla, Missouri. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOBE9RTmW9MzoHDU8ayqFhcTCOZE4AaXRCzYkZc1ELCD37rNdPDU6Um8HMP4LCCom7jKEJ0emaT6AGQF_qDxpXbsJcipPnwZr9BnrhpoHkgc3f7ZML51izQc_oiwHZj0XYqbntA/s1600-h/Donald-D-Myers.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOBE9RTmW9MzoHDU8ayqFhcTCOZE4AaXRCzYkZc1ELCD37rNdPDU6Um8HMP4LCCom7jKEJ0emaT6AGQF_qDxpXbsJcipPnwZr9BnrhpoHkgc3f7ZML51izQc_oiwHZj0XYqbntA/s400/Donald-D-Myers.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Dr. Don Myers was a professor of engineering management at the local Missouri University of Science and Technology, and he was obviously well-loved and respected by a whole lot of people. Around 700 attended his visitation on Thursday the 30th, with hundreds lined up out the door of the church over the course of several hours. The eulogies at the memorial service Friday morning were tremendously stirring and inspiring, with story after story of Don's unequivocal generosity toward everyone he met and his relentless pursuit of a broad range of causes, from supporting young entrepeneurs to chairing various committees promoting social justice. <a href="http://www.therolladailynews.com/news/education/x1641098313/S-T-Professor-Donald-D-Myers-dies-from-bicycling-accident-injuries" target="new">Click here for a newspaper article</a> with more info about Don Myers and a scholarship in his name.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFstyKgDO_pO2rGzubvfkdmiz9krtYkxGS-LZqh7QMJiNX5aStSIRGvbU0y8xMJAbIoHo8PT-QIXh_Q2VDEXZ2xC9OLwrFSwURJBAw7XeXQo2TPihEbe5z_bfqdNb0e89ETCMNzw/s1600-h/IMG_5575.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFstyKgDO_pO2rGzubvfkdmiz9krtYkxGS-LZqh7QMJiNX5aStSIRGvbU0y8xMJAbIoHo8PT-QIXh_Q2VDEXZ2xC9OLwrFSwURJBAw7XeXQo2TPihEbe5z_bfqdNb0e89ETCMNzw/s400/IMG_5575.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Despite the circumstances, it was rewarding for Carley to be able to spend some time with Peachy. It was also good to catch up with some of Carley and Peachy's mutual friends from their days together at Vanderbilt and in San Francisco who had made the trip to be with Peachy during her mourning. Peachy herself drove in from Washington D.C., where she's been serving as the White House liaison to the <a href="http://www.nationalservice.gov" target="new">Corporation for National and Community Service</a>.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4BjXAvtDe2hlgM6GNG3k3jgotRF4ikq-f53OYmkKAJ_sGvxo2yYQEOHOMtmFt5H4Lhx9jmvWeG_rjAywlnvLQQg1-_eIG28qJkxt3QZINhOSuqbN2XIbJOIT7MwGbyMRFM4ECw/s1600-h/IMG_5580.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4BjXAvtDe2hlgM6GNG3k3jgotRF4ikq-f53OYmkKAJ_sGvxo2yYQEOHOMtmFt5H4Lhx9jmvWeG_rjAywlnvLQQg1-_eIG28qJkxt3QZINhOSuqbN2XIbJOIT7MwGbyMRFM4ECw/s400/IMG_5580.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was also good to meet little Cooper (15 months), here with his mom Brandi (Peachy's sister-in-law). <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3v1N3CX-UMbe9OLC0OKlH7NUBnjZoBhDom9mLjOkNvRjpdkdOYkZkdSeSf4w-qOs0UC93N8ZcpTaBhCVrf3R2eAr5XGDiB2NGmaJcKq0259vjPjxoqZvRL8eXWHkudpNT_34Yg/s1600-h/IMG_5577.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3v1N3CX-UMbe9OLC0OKlH7NUBnjZoBhDom9mLjOkNvRjpdkdOYkZkdSeSf4w-qOs0UC93N8ZcpTaBhCVrf3R2eAr5XGDiB2NGmaJcKq0259vjPjxoqZvRL8eXWHkudpNT_34Yg/s400/IMG_5577.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan and Cooper loved playing together, despite the 18-month difference in age. Rowan was eager to teach Cooper about sharing the ball and tenacious in keeping him involved in a game of "catch". This photo is striking in the tangible way that it really captures how much Rowan has grown over the past year-and-a-half. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9h8LVTzIw7Uv-T0slzNWJMqYWOqPFnBU6XHVW6YKcmvXp3R3v1qSbPKtYhXD4RKOsVzChzb92zq0dkJPWDaTYTmu61RJyKARvCXltGRdZIUwhd2jbQvaN6gvzeRcSBoxgHb7iw/s1600-h/IMG_5582.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9h8LVTzIw7Uv-T0slzNWJMqYWOqPFnBU6XHVW6YKcmvXp3R3v1qSbPKtYhXD4RKOsVzChzb92zq0dkJPWDaTYTmu61RJyKARvCXltGRdZIUwhd2jbQvaN6gvzeRcSBoxgHb7iw/s400/IMG_5582.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our accommodations for the short two-night stay in Rolla couldn't have been better. We stayed in a guest bedroom at the Sowers, family friends who live in a beautiful house across the street from Peachy's mom. Big thanks to the Sowers for their generosity and hospitality!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EAcyPXk_R2Qd8eRE2CXK_QmGAZGwHTlC9o2tkKJBtyyUJs3kasSWuMnp88gKCcQJ_mZWvrWMWGx_DAj-ZM9J926Nu9XOyeOSfJ-r5RCH7xES9-y9Xu6_hOQ-4z7t_GK87BHi_Q/s1600-h/IMG_5572.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EAcyPXk_R2Qd8eRE2CXK_QmGAZGwHTlC9o2tkKJBtyyUJs3kasSWuMnp88gKCcQJ_mZWvrWMWGx_DAj-ZM9J926Nu9XOyeOSfJ-r5RCH7xES9-y9Xu6_hOQ-4z7t_GK87BHi_Q/s400/IMG_5572.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />As for Rolla itself, it was like a little slice of "Middle America". Despite the university and the location alongside I-44, Rolla really has a quaint small town feel, with its population about 16,000 and less than 3% black. There weren't even any Mexicans working at the local Mexican restaurant! Wierd. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Leonna's Kitchen (above left), which retained an odor of cigarrette smoke despite the no-smoking signs posted all over the walls.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qqvlKDN1Ad6h8hWOq42GRi9GWez5BoLztVHHRr9RjdkWQbEO9ymmWwmsh0jH6m0MWY4r1vSz0Urwz1sYkMAhR-wJMhrwI8T0mL2OL9OO8Up806Ah9kHUlhN-PuBRucoJRdj9nQ/s1600-h/IMG_5571.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qqvlKDN1Ad6h8hWOq42GRi9GWez5BoLztVHHRr9RjdkWQbEO9ymmWwmsh0jH6m0MWY4r1vSz0Urwz1sYkMAhR-wJMhrwI8T0mL2OL9OO8Up806Ah9kHUlhN-PuBRucoJRdj9nQ/s400/IMG_5571.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />This place has it all! Carley would probably have checked out a class here if we'd had more time.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhI9H3n0MR1whEV5PCm5KlrwCNuSYskrKDxvIRt4dTFHgSdicS_nZrk_THq4coKLjfI35at6_OhLTeO2-U9tJk8xcUK0IEroojHZ_mcqjQOXslbP49OiAJWsMM_ZvexHtujVw6Q/s1600-h/IMG_5584.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhI9H3n0MR1whEV5PCm5KlrwCNuSYskrKDxvIRt4dTFHgSdicS_nZrk_THq4coKLjfI35at6_OhLTeO2-U9tJk8xcUK0IEroojHZ_mcqjQOXslbP49OiAJWsMM_ZvexHtujVw6Q/s400/IMG_5584.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our favorite find in Rolla was the tiny <a href="http://www.tggch.com" target="new">Giddy Goat Coffee House</a>. Their excellent selection of fair-trade organic coffees and teas and their unique delicious lunch plates, a cross between Midwest and Middle East, make Giddy Goat worth stopping if you're anywhere in the area!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiO9KS7_vLm2nhU-F3kQFgctVixac9i8bsUaB2jbD7bkbHiO0MsAd3DWgUC_1OX-R4R51mxKwdUzlLae6pndySp2hHxTRuaoG4vzH0zTzMl7_fM6dEBz-SihCaxDeCLkCNXLklA/s1600-h/map.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiO9KS7_vLm2nhU-F3kQFgctVixac9i8bsUaB2jbD7bkbHiO0MsAd3DWgUC_1OX-R4R51mxKwdUzlLae6pndySp2hHxTRuaoG4vzH0zTzMl7_fM6dEBz-SihCaxDeCLkCNXLklA/s400/map.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The drive to Rolla was a solid 6 hours each way, taking us through the eastern Ozarks, the Arkansas delta, and the city of Memphis with its pile-ups of construction-induced traffic jams funded by Obama stimulus funds. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnAfDTgqhsLpYq2LrZqH-Cf0vDDtRQKNmO6xRFQJRL3gAwFFbr4xK_vYRf4ho8kIsYtu14NpG5SrB3Cpc5eZBPpTmrtyWNZ53gt8MahDa6yqpfODc2BEn12Y-f0zVk6CRG414OQ/s1600-h/IMG_5586.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnAfDTgqhsLpYq2LrZqH-Cf0vDDtRQKNmO6xRFQJRL3gAwFFbr4xK_vYRf4ho8kIsYtu14NpG5SrB3Cpc5eZBPpTmrtyWNZ53gt8MahDa6yqpfODc2BEn12Y-f0zVk6CRG414OQ/s400/IMG_5586.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Along the way, we had to pass through some locales that come across as not-so-friendly, especially some of those dry hillbilly counties in northern Arkansas. The sign above was just outside Ravenden, Arkansas, across the road from a large confederate flag. <br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-84771718840536635252009-07-13T15:00:00.003-06:002009-07-22T19:40:04.339-06:00THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVEAfter almost a week at my Mom's house in East Bangor, it was time for Brandi, Rowan and me to get out for a little excitement. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPrFrBTCKklvhL4Q_vI_e3JZPs2YV76gKVKe-MwH5SRbQ-30PJz1vkFcaZlnmF1uWrRyfFHbMWs5NsksuC5W6FLGIfGL71WnZ2Xwe4E8CxZrUbGv-2e_HXMamprpafVwddtfQ1A/s1600-h/lomb1.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPrFrBTCKklvhL4Q_vI_e3JZPs2YV76gKVKe-MwH5SRbQ-30PJz1vkFcaZlnmF1uWrRyfFHbMWs5NsksuC5W6FLGIfGL71WnZ2Xwe4E8CxZrUbGv-2e_HXMamprpafVwddtfQ1A/s400/lomb1.jpg" /></a><br />Just about 10 miles over the state line into New Jersey is <a href="http://www.lomb.com" target="new">Land of Make Believe</a>, a little amusement and water park designed especially for younger kids. Mom claims that both Brandi and I were here years ago when we were little kids, but neither of us remembers it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdfgbO9C3yt9c2ouI4q807a2jCGYvJ0XLqaX2J2uaX5iiGFVYfl5TwAX3Jq79sHSC5Mrm4bzp3ionKzaRUBSkfuyd2P0h1j_FwVqiXlYU_tKceVVfe1DadJzZVjAbLP-DW8es2g/s1600-h/lomb2.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdfgbO9C3yt9c2ouI4q807a2jCGYvJ0XLqaX2J2uaX5iiGFVYfl5TwAX3Jq79sHSC5Mrm4bzp3ionKzaRUBSkfuyd2P0h1j_FwVqiXlYU_tKceVVfe1DadJzZVjAbLP-DW8es2g/s400/lomb2.jpg" /></a><br />Almost all the rides and slides are for kids 36 inches or taller, and Rowan is exactly 36 inches...just in time! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXln4gKBFW26xqrTnfvoLKoOVoluRrDFK92q7TdSuC8Bx4oUAn0KhNdTz2dVIk7l9C-0fQLuS-UKwJW_m39jCsd-LVhLZOQpDB1NkZ1fR0KLzkqiohpJISyeK3OvmXod-oAHdTg/s1600-h/IMG_5456.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXln4gKBFW26xqrTnfvoLKoOVoluRrDFK92q7TdSuC8Bx4oUAn0KhNdTz2dVIk7l9C-0fQLuS-UKwJW_m39jCsd-LVhLZOQpDB1NkZ1fR0KLzkqiohpJISyeK3OvmXod-oAHdTg/s400/IMG_5456.JPG" /></a><br />Rowan had never really been to an amusement park before, so all these rides were new to him. Needless to say, he was pretty stoked. New thrills around every corner!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6V5v24ZP-67uDolwezjhbtGk75IosZaGlDfHVivTmBocj9Uh4blS4XwqSqlNBt8UJ3FKqj5sDCXJw2fU3DhLRJfPv9BZ3u5XfKLRnjHBs1ZYrwjHhfvaBdMGXBn-k_c0Iurg0w/s1600-h/IMG_5458.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6V5v24ZP-67uDolwezjhbtGk75IosZaGlDfHVivTmBocj9Uh4blS4XwqSqlNBt8UJ3FKqj5sDCXJw2fU3DhLRJfPv9BZ3u5XfKLRnjHBs1ZYrwjHhfvaBdMGXBn-k_c0Iurg0w/s400/IMG_5458.JPG" /></a><br />For some rides he wanted Aunt Brandi to accompany him. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ35ghHobxVdnxEQLrxIaZ4AaRRsLFbp6dFg7pUCXZsNcOlDevlv8G9J7UVYBM4ZrO4oYR3LktO2Q1UJzAEecpLnIdGv4LrcQ_YCffDLpUrP0klXulmIKiTiHrT1PKlLr1SteUw/s1600-h/P1030465.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ35ghHobxVdnxEQLrxIaZ4AaRRsLFbp6dFg7pUCXZsNcOlDevlv8G9J7UVYBM4ZrO4oYR3LktO2Q1UJzAEecpLnIdGv4LrcQ_YCffDLpUrP0klXulmIKiTiHrT1PKlLr1SteUw/s400/P1030465.JPG" /></a><br />For other rides, it just had to be Daddy...even though Daddy could barely fit into this mini roller coaster!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0hR_XC41HOYeKv8osBjosPCMxgAqpdFExpNdq5N_blAH8hevMYMndWaYzxccu_VMEDkV6r3ziL8AGniZjRXCecboJwrHgOX8kCpNAxw0fCcXeKK_EYo1a-Q9z-cqIWMaDDKygg/s1600-h/IMG_5460.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0hR_XC41HOYeKv8osBjosPCMxgAqpdFExpNdq5N_blAH8hevMYMndWaYzxccu_VMEDkV6r3ziL8AGniZjRXCecboJwrHgOX8kCpNAxw0fCcXeKK_EYo1a-Q9z-cqIWMaDDKygg/s400/IMG_5460.JPG" /></a><br />Sometimes we had to wait in line for our turn...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCdS65yJc1ISZzi5QUBkCm3XiFCZeYDxg6oJo-ZODZyPMbUZ3wLEQnSK2b17DpAqF6AqTzkgWyEw0K4BtMjJrTkTDODT19omJ8uqO9Dc_mdHB2X4dM9UmM-DyK-6NwwA0TLh0w/s1600-h/IMG_5462.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXCdS65yJc1ISZzi5QUBkCm3XiFCZeYDxg6oJo-ZODZyPMbUZ3wLEQnSK2b17DpAqF6AqTzkgWyEw0K4BtMjJrTkTDODT19omJ8uqO9Dc_mdHB2X4dM9UmM-DyK-6NwwA0TLh0w/s400/IMG_5462.JPG" /></a><br />...but it was always worth it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichl4IkuzRrVsQuGXdAz6dU8TLPPnEkLhawHLHToa1KifVN9r6fi3IY9l5sPvohO9g4vjcF1yAhhz5K9_qTngUGbRk5Rywa2F5p0wiPUG9FwnwcpHgqB6PKso5UbvKw7yDAi90HQ/s1600-h/P1030454.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichl4IkuzRrVsQuGXdAz6dU8TLPPnEkLhawHLHToa1KifVN9r6fi3IY9l5sPvohO9g4vjcF1yAhhz5K9_qTngUGbRk5Rywa2F5p0wiPUG9FwnwcpHgqB6PKso5UbvKw7yDAi90HQ/s400/P1030454.JPG" /></a><br />There was also a little petting zoo with goats and sheep...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLdnhOreZXtQmPKC5dPmCMxOinvxq0ndEGAzLIeR4NEQmlwqLE-CAObSE4Nd5HZOt7z8PWLTuB12c68dcwF3uoV1BNpnTlZjPYcF4hr121hS2yel-AnNcVShXZuii55T-ZHxOSg/s1600-h/P1030458.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLdnhOreZXtQmPKC5dPmCMxOinvxq0ndEGAzLIeR4NEQmlwqLE-CAObSE4Nd5HZOt7z8PWLTuB12c68dcwF3uoV1BNpnTlZjPYcF4hr121hS2yel-AnNcVShXZuii55T-ZHxOSg/s400/P1030458.JPG" /></a><br />...and even a cow!<br /><br />After an hour or so, it was time to change into our swimsuits for the main event:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7InY-4cZtZJ1sGSJ0Z0uCsc4nzwAbcNyHHH-3qJj2Ia0wfDJBxebIZxHiVc2NjiiFaPgzFn349gdd192XBHKyfLwjrQY8u5GuSpv9wvyt3LNOoA0MJdazQyQCc_pS4G2ecryIzw/s1600-h/P1030468.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7InY-4cZtZJ1sGSJ0Z0uCsc4nzwAbcNyHHH-3qJj2Ia0wfDJBxebIZxHiVc2NjiiFaPgzFn349gdd192XBHKyfLwjrQY8u5GuSpv9wvyt3LNOoA0MJdazQyQCc_pS4G2ecryIzw/s400/P1030468.JPG" /></a><br />The Pirate's Cove water park was dominated by this giant wading pool full of sights and slides, an aquatic paradise for toddlers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggToDb9PyzsF8IL4UPCtj_eHRTHRFgu27v5NUX8pr5QgfokXgY-xZYIsZvfrbbRDdt5cHadlKiLXxJhm92hUv4WqcZaQl0sJp3KlMeJi0AHOdKCOeqL4XkocbFIIP04XNQM4e4RQ/s1600-h/IMG_5465.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggToDb9PyzsF8IL4UPCtj_eHRTHRFgu27v5NUX8pr5QgfokXgY-xZYIsZvfrbbRDdt5cHadlKiLXxJhm92hUv4WqcZaQl0sJp3KlMeJi0AHOdKCOeqL4XkocbFIIP04XNQM4e4RQ/s400/IMG_5465.JPG" /></a><br />Up on the pirate ship, there was just one place to go:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEnBWCjJvEo0D6pbds1oatZEva88Vf3MEvZNw4D7enADA6uUMb_Ta0kNTHNpyTMGaYXEd7zPK_ZvtSxzAsD5cOu2bwIvCZIzpGFqPTM_h36VqTq2WL2pCZHQE_1vReECGB-R1YQ/s1600-h/IMG_5466.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEnBWCjJvEo0D6pbds1oatZEva88Vf3MEvZNw4D7enADA6uUMb_Ta0kNTHNpyTMGaYXEd7zPK_ZvtSxzAsD5cOu2bwIvCZIzpGFqPTM_h36VqTq2WL2pCZHQE_1vReECGB-R1YQ/s400/IMG_5466.JPG" /></a><br />Back into the pool!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWZwla8KK21f8sYmvnWNkCNWZRFpmeYpB5pdwVPuhu_UzCB6ASfpnmIcDvq-0eGBqFta0urHpJ12etdrD2DKSwMacFgNSQr3B76xviObw7ZKVdVPSNEHsLgUfriZTEA1BqC35IA/s1600-h/IMG_5471.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWZwla8KK21f8sYmvnWNkCNWZRFpmeYpB5pdwVPuhu_UzCB6ASfpnmIcDvq-0eGBqFta0urHpJ12etdrD2DKSwMacFgNSQr3B76xviObw7ZKVdVPSNEHsLgUfriZTEA1BqC35IA/s400/IMG_5471.JPG" /></a><br />There were lots of other little water slides and fun stuff around the wading pool, including the Frog's Mouth (which Rowan went down several dozen times in a row!)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz3ktaV7jlWILAhvKSP3AbO4HJY1SdUc8hW3vwEQqlQSoXliZ1M7OGi62o_UqgxXlqRRmpN6lCGphjP3QfvTnWgpjlISrVSfHwojTi08OsKxWuHOnog31-08kqpyhLADP8JUFUg/s1600-h/IMG_5469.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz3ktaV7jlWILAhvKSP3AbO4HJY1SdUc8hW3vwEQqlQSoXliZ1M7OGi62o_UqgxXlqRRmpN6lCGphjP3QfvTnWgpjlISrVSfHwojTi08OsKxWuHOnog31-08kqpyhLADP8JUFUg/s400/IMG_5469.JPG" /></a><br />...and the Turtle Fountain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-2CZ8SFCfdtfp6v9ZXYFLea6HBI4sMKI95Jx0nTZRRGb9xj89FxXVuyAI62a7eS379FaSNCQOjxeR8doMYQj0jeHK2RHVwNQL4LdIr5ZZf8w80qrr2oxntvH_7Bjs9hGFmme-g/s1600-h/P1030508.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-2CZ8SFCfdtfp6v9ZXYFLea6HBI4sMKI95Jx0nTZRRGb9xj89FxXVuyAI62a7eS379FaSNCQOjxeR8doMYQj0jeHK2RHVwNQL4LdIr5ZZf8w80qrr2oxntvH_7Bjs9hGFmme-g/s400/P1030508.JPG" /></a><br />After thoroughly exploring the wading pool, we took a relaxing "river tube ride" around the park. We also checked out the "splash dungeon", which is chock-full of ways to get splashed, sprayed and soaked from every direction, including from the giant wooden bucket that you can see on top in the above photo.<br /><br />Eventually it was time for the grand finale:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F4XhmUAGwx56o-QippxUlpr5MHkPbiMFa41xz_WkuYh7nzQENe7dKcbQlVrZDaIsrJ3epVqtviEroeJRlZev5E8QEbH6LvT4bfnI_HIvQ__NfnyIb9WHerfep2nFFVJY7tMKqQ/s1600-h/P1030480.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F4XhmUAGwx56o-QippxUlpr5MHkPbiMFa41xz_WkuYh7nzQENe7dKcbQlVrZDaIsrJ3epVqtviEroeJRlZev5E8QEbH6LvT4bfnI_HIvQ__NfnyIb9WHerfep2nFFVJY7tMKqQ/s400/P1030480.JPG" /></a><br />A couple of trips with Daddy down the big slides!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaoxeo_cmN3PQnbbIdg6YGEyy7fgePvQA8HQKCepx3owVy9oJxSEWeuFeyWsglj5CrcRHFw78q_JM2TKMev1zpVKVnlvUSq8YgU-ZtOu-36AsmtYxSShVALyvM9IxJT9f8tvHXA/s1600-h/P1030476.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaoxeo_cmN3PQnbbIdg6YGEyy7fgePvQA8HQKCepx3owVy9oJxSEWeuFeyWsglj5CrcRHFw78q_JM2TKMev1zpVKVnlvUSq8YgU-ZtOu-36AsmtYxSShVALyvM9IxJT9f8tvHXA/s400/P1030476.JPG" /></a><br />First we had to get our tube - a double-rider special with plenty of handles. Then it was time to wait in line on the stairs. And then...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLKOW4U9BzPFT5cu9wHZhCxSG9FMchhL4lJTtgAqH0yCgnf8byo6UTNmPlkxjY5-IFwSWPqzk7otf_WdVa7UNcdgtJrL3GE-q-UTeZbHhFlUPAAM4HJMA57DIrn76krdiGL4z9g/s1600-h/P1030481.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLKOW4U9BzPFT5cu9wHZhCxSG9FMchhL4lJTtgAqH0yCgnf8byo6UTNmPlkxjY5-IFwSWPqzk7otf_WdVa7UNcdgtJrL3GE-q-UTeZbHhFlUPAAM4HJMA57DIrn76krdiGL4z9g/s400/P1030481.JPG" /></a><br />Woohooooo!! (Notice that at least Rowan had his hands on the handles)<br /><br />After a couple of trips down the slides, it was well into Rowan's usual nap time, so we changed back into dry clothes and headed back toward the exit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsQaMvQAMSdqJpy892voSdAC-mZLCQJu44E5kNM991Pt5gnNQ-ZLYQtAe4cslecJrfyVZTeCHtBAFLm3gTtOznmi8rT0FH0hXOz3Maj04drEMCoAKPHVlGLM8kuRIJAC7USwwxA/s1600-h/P1030500.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsQaMvQAMSdqJpy892voSdAC-mZLCQJu44E5kNM991Pt5gnNQ-ZLYQtAe4cslecJrfyVZTeCHtBAFLm3gTtOznmi8rT0FH0hXOz3Maj04drEMCoAKPHVlGLM8kuRIJAC7USwwxA/s400/P1030500.JPG" /></a><br />Along the way we stopped at the "Dukes of Hazzard" ride for one more trip in the "General Lee". <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihGBN9Ympa3ke0hyphenhyphenIVm8ldwzpJCAFXTtI4fWC6uHy6x8Cprk_RdrN8fGWi_bHTxNDOWMXc6UhiHkTgbGm_QrsmDnAL1PHxNp98IoXsvo2ucT9wCdAksveMpFL30iFUIhhzan-0w/s1600-h/P1030506.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihGBN9Ympa3ke0hyphenhyphenIVm8ldwzpJCAFXTtI4fWC6uHy6x8Cprk_RdrN8fGWi_bHTxNDOWMXc6UhiHkTgbGm_QrsmDnAL1PHxNp98IoXsvo2ucT9wCdAksveMpFL30iFUIhhzan-0w/s400/P1030506.JPG" /></a><br />And then another ride around the park on the choo-choo train, just to take it all in one more time. Rowan was fast asleep in the car seat less than 10 minutes later. Can you tell he had a good time?<br /><br />For anyone with kids 3-10 years old, Land of Make Believe is a real good time, and at $20-23 per person, it's a pretty good value compared to most other amusement parks. Maybe in a few years we'll be ready for Disney World?<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>.Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-43754729388944101512009-07-13T14:19:00.018-06:002009-07-24T15:55:15.169-06:00A VISIT WITH GIGI AND BRANDI IN PENNSYLVANIA<strong>Tuesday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 14</strong><br /><br />One of the highlights of the summer for Rob was a trip with Rowan to Pennsylvania to see his mom and sister Brandi. Carley couldn't make it due to an overflowing plateful of responsibilities with her new job at Mississippi Geographic Alliance. Nevertheless, we made quite a time of it!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGCOeBCD2LqvN5PfZGQfKh_AnkJS1r5mWc0nrWeOEY0h5xHWqRVKSdYIPQejHYs_GTDlftGLS_Iqte6RCtsaTA6uQva79dEgBIMGcFSZZ2Hm21pYnp8iybWnCv1jxeb_J2S7_w/s1600-h/P1030528.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYGCOeBCD2LqvN5PfZGQfKh_AnkJS1r5mWc0nrWeOEY0h5xHWqRVKSdYIPQejHYs_GTDlftGLS_Iqte6RCtsaTA6uQva79dEgBIMGcFSZZ2Hm21pYnp8iybWnCv1jxeb_J2S7_w/s400/P1030528.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />It was Rowan's first plane trip, and he had been talking nonstop about flying in a plane for at least a week now. In anticipation we got a toy plane and even watched plane videos on Youtube! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr0AUrGZY_wXdFxOVlZjjqJbmbmvVVMhLeKrP1fLWvsghClMzsMtcfid3WTUpiwKZM6fxdzGw_6Y659Cqzx7T1mcY-E99XnxPUeQw2fzZ7iENOt3qVV0kEcW089P2LxfPNJ9ygg/s1600-h/IMG_5397.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr0AUrGZY_wXdFxOVlZjjqJbmbmvVVMhLeKrP1fLWvsghClMzsMtcfid3WTUpiwKZM6fxdzGw_6Y659Cqzx7T1mcY-E99XnxPUeQw2fzZ7iENOt3qVV0kEcW089P2LxfPNJ9ygg/s400/IMG_5397.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan had no fear of take-off, landing or looking out the window during flight. After awhile, when there was nothing to look at but the tops of the clouds, he kept himself quietly entertained.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o9akooNpwWqcT1bpxE8PmEsUCBEQycOtyEEmM9VItKsk4qHm02hA-1IrAbF7jItFPXZ9FkWbD0M1KFz_Shu4TugFgXQr9vZ_krpNpIkuO6BJN-YZIW5GG_y6tfVasKL0CN4N2Q/s1600-h/P1030518.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o9akooNpwWqcT1bpxE8PmEsUCBEQycOtyEEmM9VItKsk4qHm02hA-1IrAbF7jItFPXZ9FkWbD0M1KFz_Shu4TugFgXQr9vZ_krpNpIkuO6BJN-YZIW5GG_y6tfVasKL0CN4N2Q/s400/P1030518.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />After a long day of travel, it was nice to finally arrive at GiGi's house! GiGi is Rowan's name for Rob's mom, and we hadn't seen her since <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2008/01/visit-with-robs-family.html">Christmas 2007</a>, over a year-and-a-half ago. She's been laid up the past 6 months with a torn-up ankle, and had yet another surgery the morning after we arrived...hopefully the last one!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pKVY1R85QSDCB0xSfitpPin5JCd8Qds4maTSLGGNwaYuLU6juP-R5MIFbAc8NoVbzzRvu1drHsGS3m0jmEJSe5hMFq5KCGbKEGyOUif2U36IWNyWxkMd0GF-A2m0k22DM9iulw/s1600-h/IMG_5406.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pKVY1R85QSDCB0xSfitpPin5JCd8Qds4maTSLGGNwaYuLU6juP-R5MIFbAc8NoVbzzRvu1drHsGS3m0jmEJSe5hMFq5KCGbKEGyOUif2U36IWNyWxkMd0GF-A2m0k22DM9iulw/s400/IMG_5406.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan quickly bonded with Brandi, who kept him entertained with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, balls and various other little amusements.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeQVOHamXPcoa1CybgVKbpDtVEH-IqzSA1S2bkFgfx4FuY4zmRdf5jE1OsluEOnPod2rkSyxy35pZs7Kkwm9AeFywCrIn3sE_yD3wce7qMWQw5aZ6ChojqEcJ3UCbu9jo29xVyg/s1600-h/P1030259.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeQVOHamXPcoa1CybgVKbpDtVEH-IqzSA1S2bkFgfx4FuY4zmRdf5jE1OsluEOnPod2rkSyxy35pZs7Kkwm9AeFywCrIn3sE_yD3wce7qMWQw5aZ6ChojqEcJ3UCbu9jo29xVyg/s400/P1030259.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another of Aunt Brandi's creative amusements. How fitting that Brandi's enrolled in a program for prospective elementary art teachers...she'll be a natural!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklxWe3Y6Vng_sg1yHipR2HWNBEb7QYx_tpK0MrP1oKrCmf-WPVvT12vPzgn6lyyYzCzESgBKmcSHqc7PFpkuuuHUMxNcQimg1m-7mWR3XkUEzR83393qXSKwTsdieunWllUMvRg/s1600-h/IMG_5455.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklxWe3Y6Vng_sg1yHipR2HWNBEb7QYx_tpK0MrP1oKrCmf-WPVvT12vPzgn6lyyYzCzESgBKmcSHqc7PFpkuuuHUMxNcQimg1m-7mWR3XkUEzR83393qXSKwTsdieunWllUMvRg/s400/IMG_5455.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Best of all, GiGi has a pool in her backyard! Too bad she couldn't get in with us, thanks to her messed-up ankle.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV6NLUZNyc7Nwr1a1ivVbADQt4UDCRMtfY-4MTrqPvXIFwLrAsAWPH9qR5u-ol6ZNvAz_OFmpwF8eOgRSqEsmje09VWjUj7k5_eZ0ej-MDlwWWoDxCK-gx8h560rbmwGeEQHVUg/s1600-h/P1030298.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV6NLUZNyc7Nwr1a1ivVbADQt4UDCRMtfY-4MTrqPvXIFwLrAsAWPH9qR5u-ol6ZNvAz_OFmpwF8eOgRSqEsmje09VWjUj7k5_eZ0ej-MDlwWWoDxCK-gx8h560rbmwGeEQHVUg/s400/P1030298.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The water temperature was a little cooler than comfortable (78 degrees F, but that's Pennsylvania for ya), so Rowan mostly stayed on the raft and ordered me and Brandi to play various games with him. Nevertheless, the pool was quite often the highlight of the day.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6JZqI_zfejC4d8j6634NrbS1fOPdWbVAdbvlhkuD717PvVaFUFfWilfxCe2vkyqsnVqa764O3cZMWbVrafoY7Ny5Ci1jXs49IPjJ1B9X3l8bG8UppGF3STSb6cDMtcgARBZ-Zg/s1600-h/P1030305.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6JZqI_zfejC4d8j6634NrbS1fOPdWbVAdbvlhkuD717PvVaFUFfWilfxCe2vkyqsnVqa764O3cZMWbVrafoY7Ny5Ci1jXs49IPjJ1B9X3l8bG8UppGF3STSb6cDMtcgARBZ-Zg/s400/P1030305.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Sometimes we headed out for one of the local playgrounds.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx2_OMQWWLKy3xVYIcb-DoGsbZzxhD2iWWIAYDv9lmQhLcRRK0SC1pu2kJslkg7TFv6qzQHA5NYpJshmMPWTWTqYnUskW6Hm1lu19DCKZY0MIko33zEuKbYOCfD1Y5o6qlsCeoQ/s1600-h/IMG_5443.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx2_OMQWWLKy3xVYIcb-DoGsbZzxhD2iWWIAYDv9lmQhLcRRK0SC1pu2kJslkg7TFv6qzQHA5NYpJshmMPWTWTqYnUskW6Hm1lu19DCKZY0MIko33zEuKbYOCfD1Y5o6qlsCeoQ/s400/IMG_5443.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Once we even did a little hike through the woods...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yoWpYLUb2tA_TtOW6b7UkfeCbl8Zdgw38rmE52DKx75UHMHkf2ygQCYS6iid1Ke1etXhpNBRUuqazFGP-obJ6TEeINzlhkwBWwL3pc0F80yFHy1C7gFMqR43LVrb-mItXfNFIQ/s1600-h/IMG_5444.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yoWpYLUb2tA_TtOW6b7UkfeCbl8Zdgw38rmE52DKx75UHMHkf2ygQCYS6iid1Ke1etXhpNBRUuqazFGP-obJ6TEeINzlhkwBWwL3pc0F80yFHy1C7gFMqR43LVrb-mItXfNFIQ/s400/IMG_5444.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...to a pretty little waterfall.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tmil33dwwx5XKZ-EY_fzuNzDSYzPP9ZW0QnHlGBiRc_TWaF0li_5JxM_iO8ac3wquWpFmTT_MxCwvN2uNAdzY2zymHl9_yOTe-jewI3Va8We3ztmHu3hXTPNckITGHaiFoFxEA/s1600-h/IMG_5447.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tmil33dwwx5XKZ-EY_fzuNzDSYzPP9ZW0QnHlGBiRc_TWaF0li_5JxM_iO8ac3wquWpFmTT_MxCwvN2uNAdzY2zymHl9_yOTe-jewI3Va8We3ztmHu3hXTPNckITGHaiFoFxEA/s400/IMG_5447.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The shallow pool was nice for hunting crawfish and salamanders, and for floating leaves like little boats downstream.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcP_GkHyWu6okmijHrCfOW_vTMHgieDUhIcawF-53vFVXeu-ZsoQcAYtF1le4yBSWfEHw3zBCggfKfNy2FFMl-qNSbtqwjvngUAtsFgxXKvmLuGRouzKZmhk4_lopQMjv801biQ/s1600-h/IMG_5437_crop.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcP_GkHyWu6okmijHrCfOW_vTMHgieDUhIcawF-53vFVXeu-ZsoQcAYtF1le4yBSWfEHw3zBCggfKfNy2FFMl-qNSbtqwjvngUAtsFgxXKvmLuGRouzKZmhk4_lopQMjv801biQ/s400/IMG_5437_crop.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Overall, though, East Bangor doesn't have a lot going on. With a population of under 1000, it doesn't even have a store, let alone a traffic light. The photo above is East Bangor's main intersection around lunchtime.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV41BeTelA7HVKdxqHkr9rUeU-1NG5UFoCB4N0oX0NLnNcv6amhAUP7yu9p3HaxRTYpdl-SogmhGVY5m6f4PEHa5WvfaAGT6FJwHHA1HCRxLcqn1ItkEvsjuIWOXAPtm-GaOFl2w/s1600-h/IMG_5420.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV41BeTelA7HVKdxqHkr9rUeU-1NG5UFoCB4N0oX0NLnNcv6amhAUP7yu9p3HaxRTYpdl-SogmhGVY5m6f4PEHa5WvfaAGT6FJwHHA1HCRxLcqn1ItkEvsjuIWOXAPtm-GaOFl2w/s400/IMG_5420.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />A walk around East Bangor can take you past some seriously neglected properties! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZYUdrgnGPEySheL2Xo5tnQOtvhiG6iKjNqvjzzqMJWdW2dr5rx8Gg6H9I1E78sVfoaZfczR8FaUTPFNzJn5R9kneh1BY7Ix2ZeSyCkzHHAvccB2KjMfvdcympWMyEjIisiH2Gw/s1600-h/IMG_5419.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZYUdrgnGPEySheL2Xo5tnQOtvhiG6iKjNqvjzzqMJWdW2dr5rx8Gg6H9I1E78sVfoaZfczR8FaUTPFNzJn5R9kneh1BY7Ix2ZeSyCkzHHAvccB2KjMfvdcympWMyEjIisiH2Gw/s400/IMG_5419.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />And even remnants from the demolition derby?!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1owjgYvIB2lo_VA5DKsP-A5_5SPeYqxK3LOMifShSSVWlhCiIcihD2YstbONsaW8j78pU8EMzHyLNCBLkpiAaGROVnj7jRE8kW6plmc6qx-9L-aSBeqTMYPqRkg2TZOr2DjLeiQ/s1600-h/IMG_5431.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1owjgYvIB2lo_VA5DKsP-A5_5SPeYqxK3LOMifShSSVWlhCiIcihD2YstbONsaW8j78pU8EMzHyLNCBLkpiAaGROVnj7jRE8kW6plmc6qx-9L-aSBeqTMYPqRkg2TZOr2DjLeiQ/s400/IMG_5431.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />They sure don't seem to have any building codes around here! <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkoYzcj1qhVjMtEnunSZ82YxFTnSFJbrGYqbgwstdQOQO_PUySVdEFoDIqeXNNIZR5D3yIsb52lUQDP2Jn9GqV2bGh43VQZLfw2L-vxZfEi3Q4psdDKfvQOQM_paRlU5tWTMfdA/s1600-h/IMG_5422.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkoYzcj1qhVjMtEnunSZ82YxFTnSFJbrGYqbgwstdQOQO_PUySVdEFoDIqeXNNIZR5D3yIsb52lUQDP2Jn9GqV2bGh43VQZLfw2L-vxZfEi3Q4psdDKfvQOQM_paRlU5tWTMfdA/s400/IMG_5422.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />East Bangor's got some nice little streets too, like the one that Rob's mom lives on. Just a short walk up the hill from the center of town, up to that tall house on the left...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQT7c7JbZuow-vJvYpyMNjviLn4XdnzkyEP3DGrmKESsvcnpw21YWQseX80GdSO_Ey7nwglRk6sId169fSCMFiWm6uEeidriQK2ppZWgJxdAsWuWeT-fKKwVGrG_Y7VUUfPJ2lw/s1600-h/IMG_5423.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQT7c7JbZuow-vJvYpyMNjviLn4XdnzkyEP3DGrmKESsvcnpw21YWQseX80GdSO_Ey7nwglRk6sId169fSCMFiWm6uEeidriQK2ppZWgJxdAsWuWeT-fKKwVGrG_Y7VUUfPJ2lw/s400/IMG_5423.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...and voila! Once a serious fixer-upper, GiGi's house is beautiful these days, thanks to some major investments and extensive landscaping. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5bLZUFTaXe4FLoM0Kmm_qkLYA9VjRpaej4VgAJFsJcXqfeJbPtokUMJQL0YavywoBRAQ-YPwDPRDt_cXfE4WMWjX5oQ70CxcpQSljy9OFmZWRTtyWoeUrw8KBlt0um7rxnogmQ/s1600-h/P1030403.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5bLZUFTaXe4FLoM0Kmm_qkLYA9VjRpaej4VgAJFsJcXqfeJbPtokUMJQL0YavywoBRAQ-YPwDPRDt_cXfE4WMWjX5oQ70CxcpQSljy9OFmZWRTtyWoeUrw8KBlt0um7rxnogmQ/s400/P1030403.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Here at the house, there was always fun to be had in the pool. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexr2ohYWxDf_acSjVjhTWfgPz_90_vW6qHDi3DPx7JD6gE7IE2OmKfbJy9dasGoq9ElqFNn-zOerGA-ClitP9Nhyphenhyphen2Z3KpD_e2L5s037d9BPpRIbMoHIYafQ4aDcq4X3neZFlASA/s1600-h/P1030286.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexr2ohYWxDf_acSjVjhTWfgPz_90_vW6qHDi3DPx7JD6gE7IE2OmKfbJy9dasGoq9ElqFNn-zOerGA-ClitP9Nhyphenhyphen2Z3KpD_e2L5s037d9BPpRIbMoHIYafQ4aDcq4X3neZFlASA/s400/P1030286.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />"Catch it with your HANDS, Rowan!"<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5gh2fJQxP7y4ybcAhH7-D_IrO6teswCRo8tyK2npMn1YDcZ9hpi3smsb50Hnoc80s24QiisnB-ITdzn5p9rLberE20gaaRRMj6QeMzow69HQDojbkUz70HFgZcXy3PJhyyFApA/s1600-h/P1030273.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5gh2fJQxP7y4ybcAhH7-D_IrO6teswCRo8tyK2npMn1YDcZ9hpi3smsb50Hnoc80s24QiisnB-ITdzn5p9rLberE20gaaRRMj6QeMzow69HQDojbkUz70HFgZcXy3PJhyyFApA/s400/P1030273.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />There were always new discoveries to be made. And catching up. And reminiscing.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkDtZgMq0Gx17Ti2qXlZgN07wDYXco72iQppFSkdPBHI9W59GDrXVn6mHvScwdw0x5g0hIiTIurK30DZ8IVxyhk52MGRGafVi3akWUOnJWc1fuR5lM8cD3Z6KcJUXlTPY3xTxNg/s1600-h/P1030271.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkDtZgMq0Gx17Ti2qXlZgN07wDYXco72iQppFSkdPBHI9W59GDrXVn6mHvScwdw0x5g0hIiTIurK30DZ8IVxyhk52MGRGafVi3akWUOnJWc1fuR5lM8cD3Z6KcJUXlTPY3xTxNg/s400/P1030271.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />And there was plenty of good food to be grilled. (Daddy says corn-on-the-cob grills up really nice in the husk...just peel em off when they're done. Let em cool a few minutes before peeling!)<br /><br />For the last full day of our visit, Rob and Brandi took Rowan to The Land Of Make Believe, a great little amusement and water park about 20 minutes away in New Jersey. Click here to check out <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/07/land-of-make-believe_22.html">The Land of Make Believe</a>.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjYNBSPheaCcu1HHllcMtY2C_L29V0JcETH77_ZRuT04RCTmW6X_3uFVoR1aImrUH0SfTSzQNRgEj4tRTv83PR1ipE-S1zmnETS9PUnZ4Y8SDsoEIKAoMnEL85_3UhKJEsBL4tQ/s1600-h/P1030517.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjYNBSPheaCcu1HHllcMtY2C_L29V0JcETH77_ZRuT04RCTmW6X_3uFVoR1aImrUH0SfTSzQNRgEj4tRTv83PR1ipE-S1zmnETS9PUnZ4Y8SDsoEIKAoMnEL85_3UhKJEsBL4tQ/s400/P1030517.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Finally it was time to head to the airport for the flight home, but not before one last attempt at a photo shoot. As it turned out, Rowan wasn't used to having his photo taken by an automated timer! Oh well.<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-92166570263145095002009-07-05T19:18:00.004-06:002009-07-22T19:49:28.470-06:00FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND AT THE BEACH<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk7Fd5KrzP4YV5OUinIixOCEZwR_9_50tIqs5oNM6khiUv4hy5A63j6xqrmhuprC64q7rYj6zNkjLrfjVIvn_qQZ8jTSgMDLaJxlo1NSh-Z-7E01pgMrkXDtzcZwqaVtTIaFdMw/s1600-h/IMG_5377.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk7Fd5KrzP4YV5OUinIixOCEZwR_9_50tIqs5oNM6khiUv4hy5A63j6xqrmhuprC64q7rYj6zNkjLrfjVIvn_qQZ8jTSgMDLaJxlo1NSh-Z-7E01pgMrkXDtzcZwqaVtTIaFdMw/s400/IMG_5377.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Another holiday weekend, another trip to the Lovorns' favorite family seaside condo in Santa Rosa Beach.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E5Zok5cCIew1S-1LYOBNXQgQUfbhyK2a8fcuQzN-rWpHvYm9aI3ZHM06zLjmx_cBsbjUSE6kiXAl4_DkjWF2kLLFrahHA1I7GavxM0I13Px4hEpGQPzj_mho7ynirIYFucM66g/s1600-h/IMG_5374.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3E5Zok5cCIew1S-1LYOBNXQgQUfbhyK2a8fcuQzN-rWpHvYm9aI3ZHM06zLjmx_cBsbjUSE6kiXAl4_DkjWF2kLLFrahHA1I7GavxM0I13Px4hEpGQPzj_mho7ynirIYFucM66g/s400/IMG_5374.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Located on the Florida Panhandle just east of Destin, Santa Rosa Beach is upscale yet laid back, loaded with good restaurants and relatively free from the over-crowding in nearby Destin and Panama City.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlpzoZFaop3b76yG8tF5pE_1zO2F56-fYuS45Z3IS3p5icEpEl86KvZSmbpq_5Olczu7gKEyvKwusKLbU5JsQ2ANskCGZhINOCleYk7hLMYKctVauIwh2otSqTNh43OJwIJf3tg/s1600-h/IMG_1292.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlpzoZFaop3b76yG8tF5pE_1zO2F56-fYuS45Z3IS3p5icEpEl86KvZSmbpq_5Olczu7gKEyvKwusKLbU5JsQ2ANskCGZhINOCleYk7hLMYKctVauIwh2otSqTNh43OJwIJf3tg/s400/IMG_1292.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The best part of the trip was seeing Carley's brother Barrett and his wife Molly!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAif2zWhaIbuoD6MuuLlAHDNRf2O-AV6DRLGbd3PZ-GLM98UEyUY3uyfjanxyTUZSqglv84jgAKXEZExrKTKcUAVdbLFeh3pfP-0HFqHOwiD4P9v9_oyLy0OtrWcgsuNeVzQIsA/s1600-h/IMG_1294.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAif2zWhaIbuoD6MuuLlAHDNRf2O-AV6DRLGbd3PZ-GLM98UEyUY3uyfjanxyTUZSqglv84jgAKXEZExrKTKcUAVdbLFeh3pfP-0HFqHOwiD4P9v9_oyLy0OtrWcgsuNeVzQIsA/s400/IMG_1294.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan was thrilled to see his Auntie Em.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGty4jN8dPzTTEeABDpj5Ym-Yjc2nkRK1gt_E3WGm5bXvq9QKv9n5Xazub5pgYRCXbepd9KhLYnCHm6hs7Vp6avcciI0SksLZhXAhPNG9dZCcJ5S-WDCg9_WRDePUuX0c8LOzJQ/s1600-h/IMG_1299.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGty4jN8dPzTTEeABDpj5Ym-Yjc2nkRK1gt_E3WGm5bXvq9QKv9n5Xazub5pgYRCXbepd9KhLYnCHm6hs7Vp6avcciI0SksLZhXAhPNG9dZCcJ5S-WDCg9_WRDePUuX0c8LOzJQ/s400/IMG_1299.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Uncle B was lots of fun, too.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYyAiSEbjMr6z4cgPRJWorc7O8w6uVM0WjgGR6pWd9zqVoy6hqLR6uSdhpMyiUUgt0bGmGeBMbH2K8HBl6Y7aUCB4Nz9Qx6aC32IkkIr1uHTfn1GcJGterIvWdLUKlSEDvPOwFA/s1600-h/IMG_1300.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYyAiSEbjMr6z4cgPRJWorc7O8w6uVM0WjgGR6pWd9zqVoy6hqLR6uSdhpMyiUUgt0bGmGeBMbH2K8HBl6Y7aUCB4Nz9Qx6aC32IkkIr1uHTfn1GcJGterIvWdLUKlSEDvPOwFA/s400/IMG_1300.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Who's excited to head down to the beach?<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJNkT-Y4uYMKt8rx_P1KL111N7fiqRVfIAkCizmQMkIwRqbwMiwYbX9yPkXqH9qa8mP25YMcjc4k2zccFa7HgRk2tA8d_sPMO4u9-2giZ32ddw55uEre6jlmV_ztDW9g2COkUqQ/s1600-h/IMG_1310.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJNkT-Y4uYMKt8rx_P1KL111N7fiqRVfIAkCizmQMkIwRqbwMiwYbX9yPkXqH9qa8mP25YMcjc4k2zccFa7HgRk2tA8d_sPMO4u9-2giZ32ddw55uEre6jlmV_ztDW9g2COkUqQ/s400/IMG_1310.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Playing in the waves with Papa was a special treat.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uOv3vLSTX53gRnlYqQKn_-OVwlD5qvx2r48tUpKlhK1WTnIsScTSw6Lnio41RDSY_ZIp4d6G-adjV6RITKE6T-lWAr594KAIfs0l3kI09Mips7HddZy1B-QaPS_2CEDcHFvFFg/s1600-h/IMG_1315.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uOv3vLSTX53gRnlYqQKn_-OVwlD5qvx2r48tUpKlhK1WTnIsScTSw6Lnio41RDSY_ZIp4d6G-adjV6RITKE6T-lWAr594KAIfs0l3kI09Mips7HddZy1B-QaPS_2CEDcHFvFFg/s400/IMG_1315.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />When we got tired of the waves and the sand, Papa was always down for some swim-time in the pool.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0gm09Rqexm-h4Vm8Ts0SfANU031Q8HDT2D4kIM7bp_s0ywHlqgpel-s8aI4178NqnEU6ZSbkHLGLFaJUwNs-pG1SOtBzT9pMCf_pocH2URj__2iX86s0pLeiBof3NFCIJWKE5Q/s1600-h/IMG_5380.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0gm09Rqexm-h4Vm8Ts0SfANU031Q8HDT2D4kIM7bp_s0ywHlqgpel-s8aI4178NqnEU6ZSbkHLGLFaJUwNs-pG1SOtBzT9pMCf_pocH2URj__2iX86s0pLeiBof3NFCIJWKE5Q/s400/IMG_5380.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />When it was time to eat, there were dozens of good restaurants to choose from. For lunch, some tasty fried crab-claws at <a href="http://www.theback-porch.com" target="new">the Back Porch</a> hit the spot.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnagx1QT4DCgoweu8fbwhkDEn4CUHe2O9bSpHmCAeQTt0pYxp54NKD0iv00v9Q8CLk52BMaLm-V0fRg2qZgj92EfDp_ylH1kv42zyVNQFdmviegyyw0K6YVKVn_YXLbfT_juJ8A/s1600-h/IMG_9801_0001.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnagx1QT4DCgoweu8fbwhkDEn4CUHe2O9bSpHmCAeQTt0pYxp54NKD0iv00v9Q8CLk52BMaLm-V0fRg2qZgj92EfDp_ylH1kv42zyVNQFdmviegyyw0K6YVKVn_YXLbfT_juJ8A/s400/IMG_9801_0001.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Rowan was having such a good time, he didn't even mind that MeMe (Carley's mom) hired a photographer to take at least a hundred photos of us all dressed in white and frolicking in the sunset.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMvFhJJbBgpfkabAVl5NXcvjXCHL46FR1QXMeTSJq6vg6dJ6N_4ILrMMZ0erdIY1QmSWNMQ8g9dUgPoMeChfn1yAEXhoukC5ByxFNSFgRcfYjLlAMAfCbJfrzV-GdS4Ap_Rea_w/s1600-h/IMG_9707_0051.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMvFhJJbBgpfkabAVl5NXcvjXCHL46FR1QXMeTSJq6vg6dJ6N_4ILrMMZ0erdIY1QmSWNMQ8g9dUgPoMeChfn1yAEXhoukC5ByxFNSFgRcfYjLlAMAfCbJfrzV-GdS4Ap_Rea_w/s400/IMG_9707_0051.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Will this photo be on the Christmas card we send you? You just never know. Meanwhile, until next time...¡VIVA LA PLAYA!<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125852.post-30030914865961534722009-06-26T17:31:00.010-06:002009-07-22T19:40:58.748-06:00OUR NEW HOUSE!<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMTqFEngQY4nd0pWorBxwhsp2h3I2W9iTZXocNRdvbNIPrTnv37rpFuLXvjjjig8Xk6GQLPDagbsM_JkVrRIvTD68Bqn4O90JPOp8K3nvmDNLTO7qPYimxmbH-IhyXMf4aZ2_FA/s1600-h/IMG_5354.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMTqFEngQY4nd0pWorBxwhsp2h3I2W9iTZXocNRdvbNIPrTnv37rpFuLXvjjjig8Xk6GQLPDagbsM_JkVrRIvTD68Bqn4O90JPOp8K3nvmDNLTO7qPYimxmbH-IhyXMf4aZ2_FA/s400/IMG_5354.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />That's right, another brand new house! Why would we move again so soon, only two years after buying <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2007/02/our-first-house.html">our first new house in Tupelo</a>?<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL5YFOCK2xS2nC7UrM6Jc4RBzDtHtGG8053-yfrzwKUjGHlBiDqcUHnxBOitzu31fg0P7vx3c2vzxEtdnZipGKH8iah0bscLGGv7F29bQxVwM_IG8c5n1IMxRd0eA8Q_F5lYplw/s1600-h/IMG_4630.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL5YFOCK2xS2nC7UrM6Jc4RBzDtHtGG8053-yfrzwKUjGHlBiDqcUHnxBOitzu31fg0P7vx3c2vzxEtdnZipGKH8iah0bscLGGv7F29bQxVwM_IG8c5n1IMxRd0eA8Q_F5lYplw/s400/IMG_4630.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />The main reason was that Carley started a <a href="http://robcarley.blogspot.com/2009/03/carleys-new-job-at-university-of.html">new job</a> at University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) earlier this year, and the commute to and from Tupelo was nearly 2 hours round-trip. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhURHKoTgdnFUcizgAHET4AKGeSl5iy9sPKDGmss8NixDJR-ZRH6VroYPy1Buk9zUumaqRh1Oy4IuapvJ74BDfrVtn1x4mPWhMdx3VsgCJCAONkMCCccrMHg_Tn9AmQHxH8bA5g/s1600-h/IMG_5369.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhURHKoTgdnFUcizgAHET4AKGeSl5iy9sPKDGmss8NixDJR-ZRH6VroYPy1Buk9zUumaqRh1Oy4IuapvJ74BDfrVtn1x4mPWhMdx3VsgCJCAONkMCCccrMHg_Tn9AmQHxH8bA5g/s400/IMG_5369.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />So, we moved to Oxford, which is right next to Ole Miss! Oxford is a small city (more like a big town) of about 19,000 people - half the size of Tupelo. It's been named by USA Today as one of the top six college towns in the nation, and it's included in "The Best 100 Small Towns in America". <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSCtUneQOkSATKZE5X14YAr3_WwtgZ4dXDM9H_OySxz2zM04v7RBPacj_2ZJliLA5NJ8DeO8AkS2Hz_Dc6W1gNEnZYRkaoSpuIg1VIAx1PI2EpZi8D6aRXvvc3QFwrcDtYwIZKw/s1600-h/IMG_4628.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSCtUneQOkSATKZE5X14YAr3_WwtgZ4dXDM9H_OySxz2zM04v7RBPacj_2ZJliLA5NJ8DeO8AkS2Hz_Dc6W1gNEnZYRkaoSpuIg1VIAx1PI2EpZi8D6aRXvvc3QFwrcDtYwIZKw/s400/IMG_4628.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Cultural life in Oxford centers around "The Square", Oxford's historic downtown where the landmark Lafayette County Courthouse sits in the middle of a large traffic circle, surrounded by boutique stores and locally-owned restaurants. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYJiZ8C5-Eis3PnUEummxmhKzRJ3nhDGFza2fvnQXQQZMQqK_ZrSHhpgXPptVjVvpPzS7WVeX6g9DYBcDT52I78o4fO5V4RjawrQvKAtLVznMQSNSnbtxcpefD_GhAhFrFEQpvw/s1600-h/IMG_5368.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYJiZ8C5-Eis3PnUEummxmhKzRJ3nhDGFza2fvnQXQQZMQqK_ZrSHhpgXPptVjVvpPzS7WVeX6g9DYBcDT52I78o4fO5V4RjawrQvKAtLVznMQSNSnbtxcpefD_GhAhFrFEQpvw/s400/IMG_5368.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbyhIfDkNxg6lX0Nhc2QeGvdoqeVRKzYz0wTmN4JEbPS8csVbu_719zKBlFJFG7GxCw7mb_Ec0yvOARLWyt5qqHC99RQXDjhlB6v1hCkG27Ww-uZe37kIy-97BnhOvOJzJgx5eg/s1600-h/IMG_5371.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbyhIfDkNxg6lX0Nhc2QeGvdoqeVRKzYz0wTmN4JEbPS8csVbu_719zKBlFJFG7GxCw7mb_Ec0yvOARLWyt5qqHC99RQXDjhlB6v1hCkG27Ww-uZe37kIy-97BnhOvOJzJgx5eg/s400/IMG_5371.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb4T1Fw25KR0ieCUahVNK7p6iDQ_9Fvc2x3lOOSIbu8rulUkh5ap1E8eBqB8a4gGoVVnvojp2jKCBarvmMxZiVmUGOGo9Ps3GUBZ0XGBX6We96ABGkrbJTvtbTeNDdOyJZ_Qn3w/s1600-h/IMG_4623.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb4T1Fw25KR0ieCUahVNK7p6iDQ_9Fvc2x3lOOSIbu8rulUkh5ap1E8eBqB8a4gGoVVnvojp2jKCBarvmMxZiVmUGOGo9Ps3GUBZ0XGBX6We96ABGkrbJTvtbTeNDdOyJZ_Qn3w/s400/IMG_4623.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Being a college town, Oxford features a decent live music scene with half a dozen small and mid-size venues for nationally touring artists to play...<br /><br /><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy8bR2sXnTbF7HiEyUD90SXabFk3lR0ycscnuIIiXisk2kvYNuhJD5YrA8kGEcw8iME_o7z27iY5jpTyq1T7tejgx7OeeRUVZJ2Ls-QUYY249QVXrVdhGziJkgDxLqVzj4gBkVQ/s1600-h/IMG_1124.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy8bR2sXnTbF7HiEyUD90SXabFk3lR0ycscnuIIiXisk2kvYNuhJD5YrA8kGEcw8iME_o7z27iY5jpTyq1T7tejgx7OeeRUVZJ2Ls-QUYY249QVXrVdhGziJkgDxLqVzj4gBkVQ/s400/IMG_1124.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A><br />...including Proud Larry's, a very small and intimate room where we've seen some excellent concerts over the past few years. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lvu2mudG_gJVkd6s3CAZTtB2P73XxddYhn73i4drRUOet_Q-k42ZgYcLY2vbghi_Dfc1pVfVfiiPB2MKtdWYkMDcV5Cl9MLszmq1k937M9jq19_us7fOQsbLXn15I1e_kcGxdQ/s1600-h/IMG_4890.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lvu2mudG_gJVkd6s3CAZTtB2P73XxddYhn73i4drRUOet_Q-k42ZgYcLY2vbghi_Dfc1pVfVfiiPB2MKtdWYkMDcV5Cl9MLszmq1k937M9jq19_us7fOQsbLXn15I1e_kcGxdQ/s400/IMG_4890.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Every year on the last Saturday of April, the downtown streets are closed, and stages and booths are set up for the annual Double Decker Music and Arts Festival. <br /><br /><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyrAkGwhp5THX9bqsMBi-LISUMhNkkDojM44ZTVLoI8pKDNJW_KEXsftfRdFh5pyrV710WDTUaHpXZh7JFJ3WxihK2W9BwxVox9pSLH6UuXd2fKz3tjZSvpPV4PGamZItT2imGw/s1600-h/IMG_1231.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyrAkGwhp5THX9bqsMBi-LISUMhNkkDojM44ZTVLoI8pKDNJW_KEXsftfRdFh5pyrV710WDTUaHpXZh7JFJ3WxihK2W9BwxVox9pSLH6UuXd2fKz3tjZSvpPV4PGamZItT2imGw/s400/IMG_1231.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A><br />Also here in Oxford is the former home of legendary southern literature great William Faulkner. The estate is named Rowan Oak, after a type of tree. <br /><br /><A HREF='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwdN4GXYXJDhdx-rKYD64kJCx4MBFBLmAjf3jiO5eXkuLTHji53nxE7OWYTDvPTdDApJWu9PBtpxicaMXIAtZAtb2lEx1PCEWvH105w7syhDkinzIXLhzCh4YI6F_2gaDR26Ewg/s1600-h/IMG_1229.JPG'><IMG SRC='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwdN4GXYXJDhdx-rKYD64kJCx4MBFBLmAjf3jiO5eXkuLTHji53nxE7OWYTDvPTdDApJWu9PBtpxicaMXIAtZAtb2lEx1PCEWvH105w7syhDkinzIXLhzCh4YI6F_2gaDR26Ewg/s400/IMG_1229.JPG' border=0 alt='' id='BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_' ></A><br />These days, Rowan Oak is a tourist site and national historic landmark, just about a mile from downtown Oxford. In addition to the legendary Faulkner, best-selling author John Grisham also owns a home here in Oxford.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWagsbuMEYMFOCGgAzmB-DAx3XqTTrKovTUMd0sdsmLPusd4RtpTl964CumrBBVXkVm95hTijfYS75mJGYlVbie98TNCDbzshcaG7f49sOS6BOkqca7fY8gFgRCmu08_ihvNr6DA/s1600-h/IMG_5364.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWagsbuMEYMFOCGgAzmB-DAx3XqTTrKovTUMd0sdsmLPusd4RtpTl964CumrBBVXkVm95hTijfYS75mJGYlVbie98TNCDbzshcaG7f49sOS6BOkqca7fY8gFgRCmu08_ihvNr6DA/s400/IMG_5364.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Home prices are very high in downtown Oxford, so our house is in a newer subdivision out on the edge of town. We have practically no traffic at all passing in front of our house, thanks to our location at the end of a small cul-de-sac. <br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BjznghA1oBa6d_vSlp4HgCLp4GLncaQQDKfPbpb3HSIwQK14eZEMgiqX_5789Ar2eeqXHQdimFu2FhK6GpwKF92Hem9TCiOeZ86G_wD8nMkFWwVOqPwacFO-EQXm9MNdkqT7dw/s1600-h/IMG_5357.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BjznghA1oBa6d_vSlp4HgCLp4GLncaQQDKfPbpb3HSIwQK14eZEMgiqX_5789Ar2eeqXHQdimFu2FhK6GpwKF92Hem9TCiOeZ86G_wD8nMkFWwVOqPwacFO-EQXm9MNdkqT7dw/s400/IMG_5357.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Much of our house is still full of boxes that need to be unpacked, but at least the kitchen is done! Our cute little breakfast nook works as a great dining room...<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTZQh6Xt69pHurHGw5jm8B2ISqOXqEO0TqJHc4lBOhtE7j_lkB0XWVGqdoXxj07f3gp3qeoAkpgDCqdh5vS387Jk1onSwxnxlk4R7VZM_-tgQzPgwQJv0saUIYXAL_ctT0YsmRw/s1600-h/IMG_5373.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTZQh6Xt69pHurHGw5jm8B2ISqOXqEO0TqJHc4lBOhtE7j_lkB0XWVGqdoXxj07f3gp3qeoAkpgDCqdh5vS387Jk1onSwxnxlk4R7VZM_-tgQzPgwQJv0saUIYXAL_ctT0YsmRw/s400/IMG_5373.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />...which allowed us to convert the actual dining room into a very practical office.<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B99kjkCXmTJ7zENJZNi8cruIgcAkXPw3ClEXbzC-1vdA8Oc7dbvOTPP9XD8-qf8Ux6rxyAblu_WgeDBPJNC6f_7gFIsel0-8IiHQMEpu_DnDtPJhpKuBmzhK1g8HNleFWDh9yw/s1600-h/IMG_5359.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3B99kjkCXmTJ7zENJZNi8cruIgcAkXPw3ClEXbzC-1vdA8Oc7dbvOTPP9XD8-qf8Ux6rxyAblu_WgeDBPJNC6f_7gFIsel0-8IiHQMEpu_DnDtPJhpKuBmzhK1g8HNleFWDh9yw/s400/IMG_5359.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />Our back yard is bordered by lots of trees and a tiny creek runs behind it. We're planning to have a fence built to keep Kina in and any water snakes out. Meanwhile, Rowan's already feeling right at home with his swingset!<br /><br /><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WnL6aaJfyhCabxmjPL0wiBSkeEc4pLn4J6uZO6p3UVxDIkrMvOcxKmpELTcRzNh8KyZ6PNxC-s1KQeSs36TEF1kvKeCmSSIiUWg8Lh_txRfc-vRc7O5apZvqKUwd_PA-AAMJEg/s1600-h/IMG_5363.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WnL6aaJfyhCabxmjPL0wiBSkeEc4pLn4J6uZO6p3UVxDIkrMvOcxKmpELTcRzNh8KyZ6PNxC-s1KQeSs36TEF1kvKeCmSSIiUWg8Lh_txRfc-vRc7O5apZvqKUwd_PA-AAMJEg/s400/IMG_5363.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a><br />While our shady back patio is considerably smaller than the big wooden deck we had at the other house, it will still be quite comfortable for hosting friends for back yard parties. The housewarming party is tentatively scheduled for the end of July!<br /><br />Back to the <a href="http://www.robcarley.blogspot.com">main page</a>Carley and Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15000047550667686348noreply@blogger.com