September 30, 2010

No. 1: Omg! Coolest thing ever, hanging out at Pixar Studios, maker of the best animated feature films in the world. Think Up, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, etc. Oooo, it brings out the kid in me! Emeryville, California 9.30.10

No.2: I've never seen a real live Oscar before! Pixar's 5 Oscar's (one is out of view in this photo)...sort of like the Steelers before the 2009 Super Bowl. Star quality, baby! Pixar Studios, Emeryville, California 9.30.10

No. 3: Took a tour of the USS Hornet, an Essex class aircraft carrier that served in signifant battles in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Apollo space missions. Extending immense gratitute to all men and women who have and are serving in our armed forces. Thank you! Alameda, California 9.30.10

September 29, 2010

No.1: So this is quite bizarre. Dr. Kenneth Fox, an Auburn, CA dentist, is also a cement sculptor of some note. These gargantuan statues, positioned outside his office, seem to be an homage to the Maidu Indians who inhabited this region. Woohoo, talk about big mamas! Auburn, California 9.29.10

September 28, 2010

No. 1: A California original, In-N-Out burgers are stellar! Only 5 items on the menu, and everything is fresh and prepared daily. Quality ingredients and excellent service - tops in their field, just like our Steelers! Auburn, California. 9.28.10

No. 2: Met two super Steeler fans at the Auburn, California In-N-Out. Say hey to Sean-N-Nicole from Nevada City, CA! A Californian, Sean has a Steelers license frame and 3 Steelers ballcaps on his dash. Nana-nana-na-na Raiders and 49ers! 9.29.10

September 24, 2010

 No. 1: Awestruck by Lassen Peak, the southern terminus of the active volcanic Cascade range. Lassen National Park, California. 9.24.10

No. 2: This is what the Stillers will do to the Buccaneers on Sunday...bumpass! Heading out on the Bumpass Hell trail. Google "Kendall Bumpass" for some sobering history about Lassen. Lassen National Park, California. 9.24.10

No.3: Three miles into the hike and reached "Bumpass Hell", part of one of the largest hydrothermal regions in the world. Lassen National Park, California. 9.24.10

No. 4: The view from Donner Pass looking over Donner Lake; named after the ill-fated Donner Party, nearly half of whom survived the winter of 1846 on their journey west from Illinois. Donner Lake, California. 9.24.10

September 23, 2010

No. 1: Looking out over the Pacific Ocean at Trinidad State Beach, Trinidad, California. Seals are barking all along the rocky shore...I think I hear them calling out "Go Stillers!" 9.23.10

September 22, 2010

No. 1: Among the giants here at Redwood National Park. Like our Steelers who hold fast and true. Redwood National Park near Crescent City, California. 9.22.10

No. 2: Smith, Kiesel, Hampton, Hoke...defensive giants just like the redwoods here on Walker Road, Redwood National Park, California. 9.22.10

No. 3: Pouncy, Essex, Adams, Kemoeatu, Starks... our collossal offensive giants. Stout Grove, Redwood National Park, California. 9.22.10

September 21, 2010

No. 1: Looking at the center of what remains of volcano Mount Mazama, Crater Lake. At almost 2,000 deep, it's the deepest lake in the U.S. and one of the deepest in the world. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. 9.21.10

No. 2: California watch out, here comes the Terrible Towel! 49ers, Raiders, and Chargers don't stand a chance against the Steel Curtain. 9.21.10

September 20, 2010

No. 1: Homage to Hall of Famer, Dick LeBeau. He supplies the Steelers Blitz on tap! Camp Sherman General Store, Camp Sherman, Oregon just outside Sisters, Oregon. 9.20.10

September 19, 2010

No. 1: Here we are in Bend, Oregon getting ready to watch the Steelers vs Titans. What's with watching football at 10AM? The iconic sports bar in Bend, Sidelines Bar, opens at 8am! Woohoo! Mimosas anyone? 9.19.10

No. 2: My first Eggs Benedict, at the Sideline Sports Bar in Bend, Oregon. Yummm! Nothing like watching football over breakfast! 9.19.10

No. 3: The last time I checked, Marion Barry was the disgraced former mayor of Washington, DC. Marionberry jelly, who knew? Only in Oregon. 9.19.10

No. 4: Half time and we're ahead of the Titans! Hangin out with the Steelers Nation here at the Sidelines Sports Bar in Bend, Oregon. Local brew on tap: Duschutes pale ale. Go Stillers!! 9.19.10

No. 5: Say hey to sisters Kristy & Kelly, proprietors of Racsacks.com (maker of recycled bags from Vietnam). They're at Bend's October Street Festival. Kelly & Kristy are traveling to Pennsylvania this week to visit their Mom. Who recently moved from Shiremanstown, PA to Boiling Springs, PA. Holy Cow, it's a small world! Bend, Oregon. 9.19.10

September 10, 2010

No. 1: Sunrise with the chickens (and rooster) in Sisters, Oregon. Go Steelers against the Falcon's today! What's with this Pacific time zone NFL football at 10AM?! 9.12.10

No. 2: Rockin' the Sisters Folk Festival in Sisters, Oregon. Wonderful people and beautiful music! 9.12.10

No. 3: Met another Steeler's fan, Pittsburgh native, Dawn Mead, proprietor of La Petite Savonnerie, The Little Soap Factory. The most lovely soap on earth! lapetitesavonnerie.com 9.12.10

September 8, 2010

No. 1: Whitney, Oregon. A railroad, lumber, and mining ghost town in the Blue Mountains, Whitman National Forest, Oregon. Complete with an outhouse! 9.8.10

No. 2: Met another member of the Steeler Nation,  Park Ranger, Trevor Bilbeisi, originally from Denver, Colorado.  He's posing with a fossilized mammal skull at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center near Dayville, Oregon. 9.8.10

No. 3: Looks like a piece of artwork, the Painted Hills, near Mitchell, Oregon, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. One of the most expansive fossil beds on earth. Utterly amazing! 9.8.10

No. 4: Say hello to the Cascades! Setting sun over the Sisters Mountains, Sisters, Oregon. 9.8.10

September 7, 2010

No. 1: Sunrise on Red Fish Lake. Brrr, 21 degrees but the Lodge was cozy. And the Idaho trout was tasty! Sawtooth National Recreation Area, near Stanley, Idaho. 9.7.10

No. 2: Hi from Brittany and Amanda, personal trainers for the Boise State Broncos, a day after their win against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Yeehaw! Boise, Idaho. 9.7.10

No. 3: Quack, Quack!! It's Oregon Duck territory! (or Beavers if you're an OSU fan). Ontario,  Oregon. 9.7.10

No. 4: A moving sight...a 'prairie schooner' on the Oregon Trail at Flagstaff Point, National Oregon Trail Visitor Center, Baker City, Oregon. 9.7.10

September 6, 2010

No. 1: I thought 'Kum and Go' convenience mart took the cake but this beats all!! Black and orange all over the city rooting on the Idaho State University Bengals here in Pocatello, Idaho. 9.6.10

No. 2: I suppose they believe it's like walking on the moon...eerie! Craters of the Moon National Monument (volcanic region), on the Snake River Plains, Idaho. 9.6.10

No. 3: Hiked 6 miles to Fishhook Creek in the Sawtooth Wilderness area. What a view, beaver dam included! Sawtooth National Forest near Stanley, Idaho. 9.6.10

No. 4: Temperature predicted to be 22 degrees tonight - too cold for tenting! Found the Red Fish Lake Lodge in Sawtooth National Forest. Staying in this 1929 lodge and having trout for dinner.Yuummm! Near Stanley, Idaho. 9.6.10

September 5, 2010

No. 1: White caps on Jackson Lake. Brrr...cold and windy! Glad I kayaked yesterday. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. 9.5.10

 No. 2: Yellowstone National Park! Land of geysers, mud pots, elk, moose and grizzlies. Booyah! 9.5.10

No. 3: Just caught the tail-end of Old Faithful's eruption. Oh well, can't stick around for 90 minutes to see the next gusher. Seeing Old Faithful reminds me of the Rooneys, a constant force for the Steelers! Yellowstone National Park. 9.5.10

 No. 4: Buffalo! The real ones are more of a threat than them there Bills. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 9.5.10

No. 5: It's a proverbial walkin' zoo out here...with traffic jams to rival the parkway! Leaving Old Faithful parking lot was like post game traffic. Geeezusss! Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. 9.5.10

 No. 6: It's snowing here in Montana! Only in Big Sky Country for 10 miles but no big sky to see. Droves are leaving Yellowstone because of snow. I'm sure glad I kayaked YESTERDAY. West Yellowstone, Montana. 9.5.10

No. 7: Snow capped mountains, looks like ski season will start early here in Idaho. Targhee Pass, Route 20 on Montana/Idaho border. 9.5.10

September 4, 2010

No. 1: Making breakfast on the trusty 31 year old Coleman stove. Station Creek, Bridger-Teton National Forest, south of Jackson, Wyoming. 9.4.10

No. 2: The Tetons! Defies words. 9.4.10

 No. 3: Kayaking on Leigh Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, Wyoming. Met a fellow Steelers fan while picnicing there! And to think he is originally from Colorado. Go Steeler's Nation! 9.4.10

No. 4: The Tetons at sunset. Heaven on earth. 9.4.10

September 3, 2010

No. 1: Early morning view of Castle Rock in Green River, Wyoming. Yinz think it beats the view from Mt. Washington? 9.3.10

No. 2: Woohoo! 75 mph on route 30. Eat your heat out, commuters on the parkway! 9.3.10

No. 3: The Old South Bend Stage Station on the The Pony Express & Oregon Trail, Granger, Wyoming. Active just 150 yrs ago. Amazing! 9.3.10

No. 4:  Too bad it's 9AM...would love to throw down a few brews with my fellow antelopes at the pub! Wonder if they have any Iron City on tap? Granger, Wyoming. 9.3.10

No. 5: 50 million yr old crocodile fossil. Imagine a croc here in Wyoming. Must have been some lake! Fossil Butte National Monument, Kemmerer, Wyoming. 9.3.10

No. 6: Just skipping through the NW corner of Utah, around Bear Lake. Hope we don't see any! 9.3.10

No. 7: Have you ever seen a milkshake like this? Bear Lake is known for their amazing fresh raspberry shakes. Yum! Move over Page's. Garden City, Utah on Bear Lake. 9.3.10

No. 8: Hey state of the spud, you have some great college football! 9.3.10

No. 9: Watching the sun go down in the Tetons. It's breathtaking! Jackson, Wyoming. 9.3.10