Storm brewing

Storm brewing, originally uploaded by THOS.

Up Express Creek Road from Ashcroft heading to Taylor Pass.

Aspen and red rocks

Aspen and red rocks, originally uploaded by THOS.

Montezuma Basin Falls Near Pearl Pass

Montezuma Basin Falls, originally uploaded by THOS.

Drive up Castle Creek Road past Ashcroft (ghost town), turn off on Pearl Pass (jeep) Road and climb almost to the tree line and turn off to the trail to Montezuma Basin Mine.

Pearl Pass Road

Pearl Pass Road, originally uploaded by THOS.

Turn left off Montezuma Basin Road to take the 'highway' up over Pearl Pass. We decided to take this route on a clear day.

Aspens and clouds

Aspens and clouds, originally uploaded by THOS.

Early afternoon scattered showers while we did some serious hammocking.

Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaf, originally uploaded by THOS.

The aspen leaves were showing off their colors in the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness.

Fall colors near Maroon Lake, CO

Fall colors, originally uploaded by THOS.

We hiked in the aspens above Maroon Lake on a beautiful September day.

Alaire above Maroon Lake

Alaire above Maroon Lake, originally uploaded by THOS.

After a hike up from the lake we found a private spot for lunch.

Maroon Bells near Aspen

Maroon Bells, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our favorite place: the Maroon Bells in the wilderness near Aspen, September 11, 2004. We hiked up to the golden trees in the distance for our lunch. It had snowed the previous night and was clear and cool.

Maroon Lake Friend

Mini bear, originally uploaded by THOS.

As we picnicked on a glacial moraine above Maroon Lake this brave little 'mini bear' enjoyed Tom's apple core.

Columbine in woods

Columbine in woods, originally uploaded by THOS.

Rare purple columbine on the trail up to the Maroon Bells

Alaire in our condo on the Roaring Fork

Alaire in our condo on the Roaring Fork, originally uploaded by THOS.

Morning coffee overlooking the river in our Aspen condo. Getting ready for a day up in the mountains.

Muledeer in Velvet On Haggerman Pass Road

Muledeer in Velvet, originally uploaded by THOS.

After crossing Haggerman Pass we passed Ivanhoe Lake and Skinner Alpine Corps hut. This is the smallest of three bucks we saw by the roadside.

Independence Ghost Town

Independence Ghost Town, originally uploaded by THOS.

West of Independence Pass on our drive to Leadville, CO

Tom demonstrates a perfect J-stroke

Cape Cod: Tom demonstrates a perfect J-stroke, originally uploaded by THOS.

The trip back from the shore was easy traveling with a 5 knot tide and 22 knot wind at our back. It took an hour to travel the 1.25 miles to Nantucket Sound and 30 minutes to return to the canoe rental landing on the Swan River.

Mouth of the Swan River on Cape Cod

Mouth of the Swan River on Cape Cod, originally uploaded by THOS.

A paraskiier skimmed across the waves at astonishing speed while two boys chased each other on the shore. We enjoyed crackers and wine while resting up for the return trip 'upstream,'

Cape Cod Store on 6A

Cape Cod Store on 6A, originally uploaded by THOS.

The summer flowers on the Cape are hard to believe.

Eating lobster on the Bass River

Eating lobster on the Bass River, originally uploaded by THOS.

Out first evening on Cape Cod for August 2004 at the Sundancer Restaurant overlooking the Bass River. This is one of our favorite places to eat lobster and watch the sunset over the marsh.

Mo Ranch rainbow

Mo Ranch rainbow, originally uploaded by THOS.

A hot July afternoon produced a Texas-sized thunderstorm roaring through the Hill Country. As it receded to the east we saw this beautiful sight.

A & E bike at Walnut Creek

A & E bike at Walnut Creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ethan shows us the best trails in north Austin.

Train room

Train room, originally uploaded by THOS.

The train room at the top of the stairs has been finished out, AC installed, lights in place, carpet laid, and the sky painted (the clouds are photographs I took this week). Now comes the process of planning the track design (with Ethan's help) and the scenery. Tiki loves to sleep curled up in a plastic tub on the shelf.

Tom at work on west 'water feature'

T working on waterfall, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our new west side beauty spot with a spring (near bag of mulch), stream (center). pond (center left) and waterfall-in-the-making (lower left corner). Note the boulders and honeycomb rocks rolled in from around the area. The canoe has been relocated and work has begun on a bridge across the new stream where T is standing.

Tom and Lorn talk on the new deck May 27

Lorn and Tom visit May 27, 04, originally uploaded by THOS.

Taking advantage of the new deck, Tom and Lorn discuss adding a codicil to a will and other arcane topics, while Angel (under Tom's chair) spies on a bird down below.

Angel on stair, guarding the train room.

Spanish Stair Coon Cat, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our fluffy Maine Coon cat

Jack laid out after a hot day stalking insects & lizards.

On the cool tile kitchen floor, originally uploaded by THOS.

Blackjack is a rescued animal who was born of feral parents in a Dairy Queen dumpster - originally named 'Blizzard.' He is still phobic around strangers, but is very sweet to us and the other cats. He is big (17 lbs.) and quite strong, but has an incredibly high-pitched meow like a little kitten.

Tiki the Burmese

Tiki sees something interesting, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our 1.5 year old Burmese is still kittenish, especially when he spots something interesting.

Alaire & Angel

Alaire & Angel, originally uploaded by THOS.

Happy girl and happy cat

Tiki on Tom's belly

Tiki on Tom's belly, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our new Burmese kitten Tiki finds the warmest softest place for his nap.

May trip to Peru

May 6th we flew from Dallas on the evening plane to Lima, arriving at midnight. We joined Gerry and Irv for a mad cab ride to our hotel in Mira Flores. Next day we toured the city with cousin Tuki, then flew on to Cuzco at 12,000 altitude, the ancient capital of the Inca. After three days around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley we took a train to Machu Picchu, staying at the Sanctuary Lodge there.

Four at Swiss restaurant in Lima

4 at Swiss restaurant in Lima, originally uploaded by THOS.

Our last night in Peru with Gerry and Irv before boarding our 1 AM flight to Dallas. We all had Pisco sours and a delicious meal, and then we walked the streets of Lima until time to leave.

Pisco sour

Pisco sour, originally uploaded by THOS.

This is the national drink of Peru made from local Pisco liqueur, lime juice and beaten egg white. It is served ice cold in a small tumbler and packs a wallop. Alaire had one before dinner our last night in Peru and was too mellow to finish her meal. Brave Tom finished her drink after his flounder, and then we walked (staggered) around downtown Lima until time for our midnight departure for the US.

Andes panorama

andes pan, originally uploaded by THOS.

Flying from Cusco to Lima we skirted the western side of the Andes, with the Amazon rainforest just beyond under the clouds.

T climbs to guard house

T climbs to guard house, originally uploaded by THOS.

The guard house overlooks the entrance from the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu. The walls are ancient and the thatched roof is new.

Aguas Calientes Market

Aguas Calientes Market, originally uploaded by THOS.

These open air stalls filled with rugs, woven goods and native crafts line the train station platform. I bought a beautiful wind chime made of a carved brass bell, semiprecious stones and old coins for $6.

Salcantay from train

salcant from train, originally uploaded by THOS.

On the trip back from M.P. we passed Salcantay, over 15,000 feet high in the Andes

Overlooking the ruins

Overlooking the ruins, originally uploaded by THOS.

After an early evening walking in near silence we stopped by the sentry house where the Inca Trail enters the citadel. A lone passerby took our picture and vice versa.

At the Sungate on the Inca Trail overlooking Machu Picchu

May 04 trip to Machu Picchu, originally uploaded by Tlowry.

The citadel at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu: the retreat of the Inca, originally uploaded by Tlowry.

The Inca (King) and his family and assistants and servants retreated from the royal city of Cuzco to Machu Picchu for relaxation and spiritual inspiration. The Spanish never found this citadel, a 5 day hike from Cuzco, so it remained intact and 'lost' for 500 years.

Llamas are resident - and pushy!

This is MY path! (Inca Trail), originally uploaded by Tlowry.

Central courtyard

Central courtyard, originally uploaded by THOS.

The expanse of grass divides the residential sector from the industrial area. This is where they had festivals and ceremonies, and where the sole piece of ancient jewely was unearthed (a silver and gold bracelet).

Entrance to Michu Picchu

Entrance to M. P., originally uploaded by THOS.

The entry gate through which the Inca and royal family entered. Wyna Picchu rises in the background where a number of small temples were built.

Aguas Calientes Train Station

Aguas Calientas station, originally uploaded by THOS.

Once the train pulls out the buses muscle in to pick up tourists for the hairpin road to Machu Picchu, 1000 feet above. The vendors rush onto the tracks to set up prime locations on the tourista path. Alaire likes her new straw Inca hat.

On the way to Machu Picchu

On the way to Machu Picchu, originally uploaded by THOS.

We took the Orient Express / Peru Rail train through lush steep canyons carved by the Urubamba River.

Cuzco atrium

Cuzco atrium, originally uploaded by THOS.

The entrance to a collection of private homes on a side street in Cuzco. The style is colonial Spanish, the fabrication crude and the exposed wiring (running through the upper left of arch) is clearly home made.

Cuzco Jesuit Church in the Main Square

Cuzco church, originally uploaded by THOS.

Not to be outdone by the builders of the cathedral to the left of this picture, the Jesuits erected this beautiful Baroque church on top of the foundations of the Inca royal palace.

Inca stonework

Inca stonework, originally uploaded by THOS.

The stones in this wall were carved to fit perfectly and were constructed without mortar. The random stone style was for commoners.

Cuzco - Sacsayhuaman Fortress

Cuzco - Sacsayhuaman Fortress, originally uploaded by THOS.

On a hill outside of Cuzco are the foundations for the Inca fortress. It was overrun by the Spanish and the smaller upper stones used as building material for construction of Catholic churches in town. One can see the scale of this construction from the woman in the lower center. Each stone was carved to perfectly fit the one below so no mortar was needed.

Inca foundations

Inca foundations, originally uploaded by THOS.

Off the cathedral square the remains of the Inca palace can be seen under the Spanish buildings. The horizontal stone style was reserved for royalty. With each earthquake at 300 year intervals the Spanish structures crack and fall while the Inca stones remain solid.

Pisac mothers

Pisac mothers, originally uploaded by THOS.

As we left our tour bus these mothers showed off their babies, asking one Sol (26 cents) for a picture.

Pisac market day

Pisac market day, originally uploaded by THOS.

Each Sunday people come on foot from miles around to the open air market. The one big tree in the center is the meeting place for lost souls.