New Mexico is an amazingly rich world of geology. Mountains, crystals, landforms and fossils are everywhere and there for the exploring. Our adventure involved a hunt for staurolite crystals… stauros, meaning “cross,” and lithos, meaning “stone”… “cross stone.” The unique shape of these crystals, often “twins” at 60 degree angles, makes them truly unique. There […]
Hunting Staurolite Read More »
This was our second trip to our beloved Bisti Badlands in a couple of weeks. But this one was our first adventure with a mix of kiddos from our two families. Tori (Riki’s daughter) and Josey (Kelly’s son) are our youngest kids, and it was wonderful to finally get them together in the Wild. Although it
Bisti badlands, Dreams and Wings Read More »
Riki’s Random Ramblings I am making a list of things to do. This is normal for me. Getting them all done is not normal for me. Sometimes, when I look at the list at the end of the day, I have to write down some of the things I did that weren’t originally on my
A remote wonderland of geology, the Bisti De-Na-Zin Wilderness is one of our favorite places in the world. With vast collections of hoodoos and amazing rocks and fossils, there are endless opportunities for the imagination. The weathering of the interbedded slate, sandstone, mudstone, and soils has resulted in a fantasy land of scenery. Kelly’s thoughts…
Bisti, De-Na-Zin Wilderness Read More »
We love the southwest… its hoodoos and arches and canyons, its vistas and solitude. The Chiracahua Mountains have been on our list for a while, and they didn’t disappoint in the least. Kelly’s thoughts… We don’t often visit national parks or monuments, not because they don’t have cool nature or culture, but because they have
Chiracahua National Monument Read More »
How does one go from writing a blog about an international mega-trip to writing about a Sunday afternoon outing? Maybe in a similar way as one would go from taking her first international mega-trip to settling into regular adulting. . . just simply by doing it and not over-thinking. It has been a bit of
Galisteo Basin Preserve, New Mexico. Read More »
We arrived in Vienna very early on Christmas Eve day. It was strange to be back in such a modern place with its luxuries, including an ultra modern train that took us into the city. We walked from the station into the old part of the city where we found our hotel. We dropped our
Vienna, Austria. Post-Script to Chad Adventure Read More »
We spent fifteen amazing, grueling, mind-blowing, exhausting days in Chad. Of those days, the better part of eight of them were spent sitting in the back seat of a Toyota, pounding our way around the country. We saw a LOT of the country out those dusty back seat windows! Riki’s thoughts… Our perceptions of Chad
Chad Adventure IX. Out of Africa Read More »
Chad’s Zakouma National Park is an unexpected gem in this part of the world. Established in 1963, it has seen its share of turmoil. During various conflicts, including the Chadian civil war, the park’s terrain and wildlife suffered badly. Many park guards and large numbers of wildlife were killed in conflict with militia and poachers.
Chad adventure VIII. Zakouma National Park Read More »
As we left Ennedi we felt a deep sense of disquietude. Getting there was so difficult, and we had fallen in love with the place. It’s best to leave wanting more, and we definitely wanted, and want, more Ennedi. I hope we will return one day. Kelly’s thoughts… I have been to a few of
Chad Adventure VII. South Through Chad Read More »
