FROM PETROGLYPHS TO A VALLEY OF FIRES

WE HAVE GREAT PANORAMIC VIEWS ALL THE WAY AROUND US AT VALLEY OF FIRES AND PHEEBS (at left) HAS ADAPTED SUPER WELL TO HER NEW ENVIRONMENT
A warming sun blended harmoniously with a cooling breeze to create what I would call another beautiful southwest morning.  Not long into our walk we both commented on the peaceful quietness enveloping us.  No human sounds anywhere, not even a train whistle in the distance.  Just a slight breeze whispering through prickly Mesquite shrubs for as far as one can see.  This is one of the all time favorite things that attracts both Kelly and I to the Southwest.  We enjoy the peace and tranquility of the natural settings we find.  It is as if the surrounding mountains wrap us in their welcoming arms and shelter us from the daily noise and hub-bub of the modern world.  Yes, Marshal South, I understand your ways:))

And a final few words about the THREE RIVERS PETROGLYPH SITE.  Both Kelly and I highly recommend this small campground with it’s two pull through sites, 6 shelters, one family unit, one handicapped unit, tables, barbecue's and trash cans.  You can also dry camp here as well and there is lots of room to turn any big rig around.  There is a small dog walking area and ‘lots of room to walk your dog out through the endless miles of mesquite shrubs.  The camp hosts, who have just signed on for a two year stint have not seen any wild animals around.  A few miles further down the road past Petroglyph there is a larger primitive area for camping and RVing as well.  Road is a bit rougher so we stayed put where we were.  Deer, Mountain Lions and Bears can be found closer in to the White Mountains.  And, Jerry had a comment question wondering if someone actually counted all those 21,000 Petroglyphs.  Well Jerry, don’t know the answer to that one but the little brochure we have here tells us that “Three Rivers Valley contains over 21,000 Petroglyphs including masks, sunbursts, wild life, hand prints, and geometric designs.  The number and concentration of petroglyphs here makes this one of the largest and interesting rock art sites in the Southwest.”

ADIOS THREE RIVERS PETROGLYPH SITE 
A little info on the new header photo.  Our rig is facing east/southeast and about a quarter mile north of us is a rock strewn tall round top hill.  Pheebs and I hiked up to the top of that hill and I took the header photo facing south west late Sunday afternoon.  The flat spot on the horizon at left is where Tularosa, Alamogordo and White Sands National Monument are located.  About a third of the way across the distant San Augustine and San Andres Mountain Range from the left is highway 70 cutting up and over between the mountain ranges to Las Cruces New Mexico on the other side. (hope I got that right:))  Photo was taken with my Nikon D90.
 
THAT IS THE HILL WHERE I TOOK THE HEADER PHOTO FROM
We had a leisurely morning packing up the rig and enjoying the abundant sunshine.  Soaked up a few rays and I couldn’t help but marvel at how truly lucky we are to be where we are.

Had the big wheels rolling by 10:30 a.m. and headed back to highway 54.  A right turn at the little Trading Post, which also has RV accommodations set us on a northerly course for the town of Carrizozo and Valley Of Fires.  And yes it is plural with an S.  The beautiful sunny morning had us in shirt sleeves as we followed the excellent road in an arrow straight line across the valley floor.  Construction zones along the way showed where this two lane highway is currently being upgraded to a 4 lane highway.

KELLY USING SKYPE TO TALK TO DAUGHTER SABRA TODAY
Another thing that has always attracted me to the Southwest is the numerous dusty little western towns.  They begin in Texas and can be found all the way into California.  They are full of character and characters.  Some of them are pretty well tumbled down and boarded up but that’s what gives them there own uniqueness and style.  We rolled into the small historic New Mexican town of Carrizozo about 11:15.  It was Sunday morning and the tiny streets were quiet.  Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Two main highways intersect at Carrizozo’s north end with highway 54 crossing highway 380 here.  Remember 380, that’s my favorite stretch of road between Jacksboro and Ruidoso.  We fueled up the rig at one of 3 gas stations and picked up some lettuce and apples at the local grocery store.  While fueling the rig a car came around the corner with the thumping boom box sounds of a favorite 60’s group of mine pouring out of the windows.  Santana’s ‘Black Magic Woman’ reached my ears instantly transporting me back in time.  It was kind of a special moment for me:))  Following that we took ourselves into Willies (formally Elsie’s) char broiled hamburger place for some grub.  Ate enough in there to last us 6 weeks.

LOOKING ACROSS THE BLACKENED LAVA FIELDS TO THE DISTANT MOUNTAIN RANGE WHERE THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB WAS EXPLODED 
Four miles west of Carrizozo on highway 380 we we made a left hand turn into the Valley Of Fires Recreation Area.  Right away we could see it was going to be another great scenic spot and we were relieved to see there were spots available.  We generally like to move to the back or fringe section of a Park and we soon found us a fine quiet spot next to a tall craggy and rock clustered hill.  Site number 17 is a dry camping site and that suited us just fine.  It was more private than the serviced sites.   All roads and sites are paved.  Some have electricity and water but we preferred the more private dry camping site that we have.  There are hot showers here as well as a dump station and visitor’s center.  Also an area for tenters and a couple group areas.

THE LITTLE ‘BEANS’ IS JUST WAKING UP
Our site has a slight slant to the east so with great apprehension I decided to try leveling up the coach using our problematic hydraulic jacks.  I was surprised to see the jack’s control panel light’s come on when I hit the ‘on’ switch.  Buoyed by that bit of positivity I slipped outside and positioned my homemade wooden blocks under the two driver’s side levelers and headed back inside.  Put out my two dump levers and moved the joystick to the left and holy smokes the jacks deployed and 10 seconds later the rig was totally level.  Will wonders ever cease eh.
 
THE ROCKY HILL IN THE BACKGROUND IS WHERE I TOOK SOME OF TODAYS VALLEY OF FIRES PHOTOS FROM TODAY
Now, here’s the big surprise.  We had been told by a couple people and also read that this area was a black hole for communications and there would be no Verizon signal, cell phone or television.  Guess what, we have a strong Verizon signal and Kelly’s Deer Park Lodge phone works fine as does Skype.  We can get 4 TV channels with our rig’s antennae too.  (2 clear and 2 fuzzy) What a bonus eh:))  Maybe tomorrow we’ll try our luck at setting up our new ‘Shaw Direct’ satellite dish for the first time.

AN OVERVIEW OF VALLEY OF FIRES PARK LOOKING NORTH SHOWING THE ENTRY ROAD TOP LEFT WITH VISITOR’S CENTER AND WASHROOM SHOWER BUILDING TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD.
First thing Pheebs and I did once we had the rig set up was clamber up the rocky hill beside us to see what we could see.  Beautiful sweeping vistas for miles upon miles in all directions.  It is plain to see how the huge lava flows years ago flowed south down this valley sweeping around the high area that makes up this Park.  I can see why the word Fire has an S on the end because at the time there would have been multiple fires going on in the flowing lava fields.  Here are the rates for one night to stay here….Developed Sites with electric and water – $18.00.  Developed Sites with tap water nearby- $12.  We are in the latter and with Kelly’s Golden Age pass our site is half price at $6 a night.  Tenting sites with water available are $7 a night.  No dump fee if you are camped here but $15 if you come in to dump.  The Park is clean and well maintained and again we would definitely recommend it.

LOOKING SOUTHWARD OUT OF THE PARK AND DOWN THE TULAROSA VALLEY TOWARDS ALAMOGORDO…JUST ABOVE CENTER IS WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE BEST SITE IN THE PARK, #19.  NO ELECTRICITY OR WATER THERE THOUGH
Had ourselves kind of a lazy afternoon just enjoying the sunshine and sweeping scenery.  Soft ambient music on our Sirius Satellite Radio. (channel 68 the Spa) Doors and windows open as Kelly worked on some Deer Park Lodge stuff and made a few Skype calls to her daughters.  I worked away on the blog in my comfy red Ikea POANG CHAIR.  Kelly phoned neighbor Ingrid back in Bayfield and it’s a cold gray damp day there.  Soooooooo glad we are where we are………10-4:))

SSHHHHHH, DON’T TELL THE PHEEBS SHE IS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO A BIG PRICKLY BEAVER TAIL CACTUS
GROANER’S CORNER:((  

---------------------------------------------------------------
Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

TOUGH DRIVING DAY WITH HEAVY WIND GUSTS EVERY MILE OF THE WAY

PHEEBS KEEPS AN EYE ON AN RV MOVING IN A BIT CLOSE TO US AT FERNE CLYFFE STATE PARK, GOREVILLE ILLINOIS
The winds gusted all night and Kelly had to finally pull in the bedroom slide.  Not the best night’s sleep and yes, we had the proverbial train whistles in the background. But, that’s OK because there is something very hauntingly reassuring about train whistles in the night.

PIT STOP AT AN ILLINOIS REST AREA
Sunday night’s weather channel issued a wind advisory for Sunday saying the winds would pick up as the day went on so we figured we had better get an early start and make some fast tracks out of the area.  Our tracks weren’t fast enough…….Rolled out of the Cracker Barrel parking lot at 6:35 a.m. and as soon as we climbed aboard I-94 and pointed our nose to the southwest we were buffeted by heavy wind gusts.  Not good!!  Fortunately, because it was Sunday we did not have a lot of traffic to deal with and making our way through the maze of concrete and pavement in Gary Indiana went well.  I prefer to do heavy traffic areas on week-ends if at all possible.
  
KELLY, ALWAYS ON THE JOB, FIELDS A DEER PARK LODGE CALL
Picking up I-57 put us head to head with the hard charging southwest winds and for the next seven and a half hours we went toe to toe with the heavy wind gusts.  At one point about 60 miles north of Effingham we rounded a long curve in the road and the winds began hitting us broadside with enough force to move us into the accompanying lane several times.  Only thing we could do was cut our speed and hang on tight.  This is all very flat farm land between Chicago and Effingham with few trees or wood lots to break the wind whipping across the flat landscape.   I knew if we could get ourselves south of Effingham we would be in better shape because of all the forests along that stretch.  I would have to say we experienced some of the strongest wind bursts today that we have ever been in.

FUEL STOPS ARE ALWAYS A TWO PERSON OPERATION FOR US…KELLY DEALS WITH THE GAS PUMP COMPUTER AGGRAVATIONS AND I AM THE GAS JOCKEY WHO ‘FILLS ER UP"’
The destination I had in mind since leaving the Indiana State Line was a quiet place in a forest that we had been to several times before.  FERNE CLYFFE STATE PARK is about 2 miles east of I-57 near a little place called Goreville Illinois which in turn is about 200 miles north of Memphis Tennessee.  I knew if we could make Ferne Clyffe we would have a sheltered place from the wind for the night.  Kelly and I, on our way back from Big Bend in Texas back in 04 actually pulled in here on New Year’s Eve of 04/05.  Not a soul around and we spent a quiet restful night totally alone in winter’s big silent forest.  I like memories like that:))

  
WALKING A FERNE CLYFFE TRAIL THIS AFTERNOON 
Because of being beat up by the high winds today our gas mileage took quite a hit.  Filled up in Gary Indiana this morning and filled up again this afternoon in Mt. Vernon Illinois.  Wanted to keep the tank on the full side to give us extra weight.  We do have an onboard computer that will give us our miles per gallon but those are numbers I really did not need to see today!!  On the positive side, we have had many great tailwinds over the years that have whisked us up and down the highways and byways with barely a foot on the gas, so today was just a little payback time for us:))

NOT OFTEN YOU SEE THE BAYFIELD BUNCH PARKED ON A SOLID FLAT PAVED SURFACE (FERNE CLYFFE STATE PARK)
Both Kelly and I both got a hankering for peanut butter and toast this morning while southbound on I-57.  With a simple push of a switch on the dash I had the generator running.  The cook was in the Galley, the toast was in the toaster and minutes later I had a big Cheshire grin on my face and a big slice of toast and peanut butter tucked nicely away in my tummy.  Yep, I sure like this rolling Motor Home concept alright:))

NICE TO BE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC AND BACK INTO A PEACEFUL FOREST SETTING
I think one of the greatest feelings while traveling is that point of destination, wherever it is at the end of the day.  After shutting down the rig, putting out the slides and taking care of any other set up procedures there comes a very precious moment of the trip.   You walk over to your favorite spot whether it’s a recliner, couch, bench seat at the breakfast nook table or just a good old comfy favorite chair and you just kind of collapse yourself in a very relaxing and comfortable heap.  A big sigh of relief, an immediate release of stress, and a warm sense of accomplishment knowing that you didn’t screw anything up too badly since getting up that morning.  I think that is always my favorite part of any traveling day. 

KELLY FINDS A VERY LARGE SYCAMORE LEAF >>>
I think our highs today reached the mid 70’s and and just now at 6 p.m. I see it is 71F.  I was just outside with the Pheebs and I could hear crickets and frogs in the darkening woods beside us.  The wind was roaring in the treetops and we were as snug as a bunch of bugs on the forest floor below.  Now, how nice is that.
 
COMFORTABLY IN…..’MY SPOT'
GROANER’S CORNER:((  A college boy takes his girlfriend to a football game. It’s the first football game she’s ever seen, and afterwards he asks her how she liked it.
"Oh, I really liked it," she says, "but I just couldn't understand though why they were killing each other for 25 cents."
"What do you mean?"
"All they kept screaming was: Get the quarter back. Get the quarter back."
-------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

SNOW SHOWERS, SOME HAIL AND A FINAL DEPARTURE DATE OF SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12TH

Had ourselves a lite dusting of snow showers early this afternoon. Sky's later cleared with Pheebs and I hitting the forest trail for a leisurely afternoon photo walk.  Air was cold, but how nice to feel the warming rays of a late day sun.   Many trees still holding on to their colourful Autumn leaves made for a pleasant scenic walk along the forest trail.     

I had really been hoping we would be out of here on Saturday November 5th but I was told today it will be November 12th now:((  I ask you, how many repeated departure delays can an overly impatient travel oriented fella take!!

Beginning to suspect the internet provider company COMCAST may be responsible for some folks not being able to access our Bayfield Bunch blog site.  Two of the folks we have heard from have Comcast and one of those people, Lakeport Al, said when he switched over to his Verizon card he was able to access our site with no problem.  Our neighbour Monica who traveled to Florida last week said she called Comcast and they told her it wasn't their problem.  So, I don't know:((  Does anyone have any ideas for these folks who can't access our site?

I like toast.  I think I could live on toast alone.  I had to basically stop buying bread many years ago because I would bring a loaf home, toast it all up and eat in a matter of days.  I probably have not personally bought a loaf of bread in maybe 10 years.  But, Kelly buys bread and I have been known to sneak a slice or ten and toast them up when she’s not looking.   That wonderful aroma of toasting bread always gives me away though despite putting the stove exhaust fan on and holding the toaster under it.  Kelly has been known to hide her bread.  When I stopped buying bread years ago I switched over to something called Tortilla flat bread.  Flat bread doesn’t toast well, in fact it doesn’t toast well at all.  Too floppy to stand up straight in the toaster.  For a week now I have been eating toast again.  Kelly brought home bread from the health food store which she assured me is made differently than the high preservative wheat based breads.   I took her word for that and nearly toasted myself to death in one short week.  Next week, I have to work on not eating toast again.  May even have to sign myself up for TA.  Been many years since I have been to a 12 step program but I understand ‘Toasters Anonymous’ has a high rate of success:))

Big week-end coming up for Kelly in Cambridge.  Not only does she have two daughters and a set of twins flying in from Vancouver but her Son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby on Halloween.  She will be staying with yet another daughter and son-in-law who themselves have two young boys aged around 4 and 5.  The Vancouver twins by the way are just turning 2.  The twins father will be flying in from Vancouver shortly as well.  Add to that mix yet another son and fiancé babysitting a friend’s energetic dog for the week-end.  It’s been quite awhile since Kelly has been together with her whole family all at once so the agenda is going to be hectic especially with one daughter already having to fly right back to Vancouver on Monday.  Kelly certainly has her week-end excitement cut out for her.  She heads out Saturday morning.

Myself and the two furry kids will be holding the Fort here at home.  Doesn’t make a lot of sense adding another person plus two dogs into an already crowded situation in Cambridge.  With Pheebe’s boundless happy energy and love of people and kids it would just be chaos in the house to say the least.  And, all that commotion would really upset our quiet little Motormouse for sure.  The original plans called for Kelly’s daughter Sarah to bring the twins up to Bayfield for a couple days and stay at one of the Deer Park Lodge’s cozy cabins but all the cabins are booked right up.  Plus, Sarah has a lot of visiting to do with friends in the Cambridge area for the short two weeks she will be here.  Kelly figured it would just be much easier for her to slip over to Cambridge for a few days.  I agreed. 

GROANER’S CORNER:((  I went to the psychiatrist, and he says "You're crazy." I tell him I want a second opinion. He says, "Okay, you're ugly too!" (Rodney Dangerfield)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL.

A PRODUCTIVE DAY WITH A FEW THOUGHTS ON DEPRESSION

DESPITE A LOT OF AUTUMN LEAVES BEING DOWN I DID MANAGE TO SCRAPE TOGETHER A FEW SHOTS FOR TONIGHT’S BLOG THIS MORNING   NIKON D40 AT 300mm LEAVES ARE BACKLIT AND THE SHADOWED AREA OF A DARK FOREST ABOUT 200 YARDS IN THE BACKGROUND GIVE THE PHOTO IT’S NATURAL BLACK BACKGROUND
Had a few errands to run in Goderich this morning so figured I would include those few stops with a back road Autumn leaves photo tour along the way.  Nice sunny morning so figured I could find myself some nice solid blocks of color along the bush lines.  But, it was not to be.  High gusting winds this past Saturday had stripped many trees of their beautiful Fall colors.   Still some nice photo ops in some areas though but the cold gray days of November are fast approaching.  Soon our once majestic palette of colors will be no more.
 
Spent a fair part of my day on the end of a lawn rake and wheelbarrow.  It is much easier to rake up pine needles now rather than Spring after they have been compacted into the ground by winter's snow.  Also cut down all our towering 12 foot high bamboo grass.  Normally do that in the Spring but figured it might be less messy if I take care of all that long grass now.   Also caught a few more front yard frog pond frogs and carefully transported them to the Park’s bigger pond across the road where they can now burrow in the mud bottom and survive the winter.  When the day comes we have to give up going south I am going to do the same:))
 
OUR WOODEN STORAGE SHED IS SLOWLY FILLING UP WITH SUMMER’S OUTSIDE ORNAMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
I have suspected for quite some time now I may have some kind of wheat allergy.  Kelly got on the computer last week and checked out the symptoms and I have every one of them on the checklist.  With that knowledge in hand Kelly headed off to the health food store and returned with a car load of wheat free products.  So, changes are underway once again here on the old food front. 

Some of the wheat free products are kind of yummy and some taste totally awful.  Some just taste like cardboard but I am finding my way through the tasting process and must say I am already feeling better.  But, here's the downside for the furry guys and the immediate ramifications of Dad's new 'no wheat' diet.  No more sharing Burritos at McDonalds.  In fact, if I have to stick to this 'no wheat' thing, it means no more Subs and no McDonalds Egg McMuffins or Burgs.   And, donuts are out as are probably Pizzas.  I see all this as a good thing in the long run but this morning as I drove by a McDonald's, an A&W, a Harvey’s, a Tim Horton’s and 2 Subways, I knew this is not going to be an easy row for me to hoe.

RETIRED ROD had a few questions regarding the town of Goderich and how they are doing two months after a tornado struck their in August.  The Provincial Government of Ontario is helping residents in several ways, one of which is to match all donations being received.  An all day musical benefit concert was held in the damaged towns center a week ago as well.  Some heritage buildings were damaged beyond repair and have been torn down but the town is rebuilding and people are coping, adjusting and getting on with their lives.  I'm sure the town will emerge strong in the end looking and living even better than before.
As for the damages to the town's large waterfront salt mine, it is going to be a long haul.  The mine is back in production but the repairs and changes there are predicted to take up to a couple years. DEER PARK LODGE where Kelly works has actually benefitted from the mine damages because many of the engineers and personnel brought in to rebuild the mines facilities have found lodging for the winter at Deer Park.  Many of the engineering families are also finding accommodation in the village of Bayfield with some folks renting houses long term until the all the work at the mine is finished.  Goderich is about a 15 to 20 minute drive north of Bayfield.

<<< NIKON D40 AT 300mm…..NARROW DEPTH OF FIELD IS FOCUSED ON THE LEAVES AND HAVE BLURRED THE SPARKLING WATERS OF A POND ABOUT 50 YARDS IN THE BACKGROUND…LEAVES ARE BACKLIT BY A LATE MORNING SUN
And, a personal thank you to readers and friends for your comments and concerns regarding my 4 day blogging absence.  A special thanks for the emails from folks who understand the ways of depression and shared their own personal experiences with me.  The subject of depression is one of those closet topics which is too often hastily swept under the nearest carpet.  In my opinion, no one is immune from depression in one form or another.  It’s human nature, and the many faces of depression are gathered together in varying degrees by each and every one of us.  The key is in recognizing it and knowing how to deal with it.  Talking about depression is a definite step forward for anyone, and catching the early symptoms of an oncoming depression can save one a lot of ‘down time’.    
GROANER’S CORNER:((  Did you know it gets so hot in Arizona that Roadrunners have to use pot holders to pull Lizards out of the ground & ranchers have to feed their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard boiled eggs.  Yep, it’s true alright:))
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
-Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
BAYFIELD BUNCH PHOTO ALBUMS https://picasaweb.google.com/117858411710794543295
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of
right  now...AL

PHEEBS IS LEARNING FASTER THAN I AM:((

Well, it was Saturday morning and that meant doggy training at 'On Golden Paws in Varna.  Only about a 5 minute nice country drive from where we live.  From where we live, anywhere we go begins with a nice country drive:))  Our class was up to a full compliment of 4 with the addition of a large black 7 month old Newfoundland bear of a dog who's name escapes me at the moment.  Good class with lots to learn and remember.  Pheebs is doing better than I am in the old memory department.  Maybe I am the one who should be on the other end of the leash getting the treats.

Found out today our southwest departure date of October 15th may be in jeopardy.  One of Kelly's daughters is flying from Vancouver with her twins at the end of the month for a 10 day or two week visit.  Daughter and twins will be staying in Cambridge but plan on visiting Bayfield and staying at Deer Park Lodge for a few days.  Kelly hasn't seen her daughter Sarah for 2 years and has never seen the twins.  We'll just have to play it by ear and see how it goes………………….  

Tonight we welcome Ester as our latest Bayfield Bunch blog follower.  Nice to have you aboard Ester and hope you stick around for our upcoming travels.

JOHN & BRENDA along with JANNA & MIKE are having a great time hanging out together and seeing some of Alberta Canada's finest scenery this past week.   I think IVAN is nearby wandering around somewhere as well.  Ivan in fact is a retired Park ranger who spent many years in the forests and mountains of that area. They all have some great scenic photos of Canada's mountain wonderland.  I have been to Lake Louise and can vouch for the fact that yes, that is the true color of the water in the lakes around there.  I especially remember the color of Emerald Lake.

Shout Out to Richard in Tecumseh, Ontario.  Wondering if you got the last two emails I sent in the past couple weeks. 

GROANER'S CORNER:))  Unless you got one of them there University edumacations this one might just slip right over your head………………………..
An Indian chief had three wives, each of whom was pregnant. The first gave birth to a boy. The chief was so elated he built her a teepee made of deer hide. A few days later, the second gave birth, also to a boy. The chief was very happy. He built her a teepee made of antelope hide. The third wife gave birth a few days later, but the chief kept the details a secret. He built this one a two story teepee, made out of a hippopotamus hide. The chief then challenged the tribe to guess what had occurred.
Many tried, unsuccessfully. Finally, one young brave declared that the third wife had given birth to twin boys.
"Correct," said the chief. "How did you figure it out?"
The warrior answered, "It's elementary. The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides."


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.

Until one has loved an Animal, their  soul remains un-awakened.
PICASA PHOTO ALBUMS   http://picasaweb.google.com/stargeezerguy
The only thing better than right now  will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.