Congratulations Gardening Gone Wild Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Flowering Tree Photo contest! I enjoyed clicking around the complete list at Gardening Gone Wild seeing flowering trees from other places. Who knew so many of us love redbuds?
For everyone who entered there was something special - renowned photographer-judge Rob Cardillo was kind enough to comment on every entry. The March .. photo that I entered wasn't taken for a contest or for the blog but to help me remember what the front yard looked like in spring. Rob's comment about the composition made me resolve to pay attention even for these kinds of "mapping shots", but some of his words made me laugh:
“I like the off centered redbud and how the house line works but this choice view might look even better on an overcast day.”
Frankly Rob, not only the photos but all life in Central Texas might look better if we had more overcast days!

2356 miles so far

Rose Crème Brûlée

Rose Crème Brûlée, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

After seeing a recipe for rose-flavored crème brûlée on Dessert First's blog, I decided to try the recipe with my French friend.
It ended up turning out wonderful. The vanilla cream was marked by the floral, spicy flavor of roses. Delicious.

Gatlinburg

Nice relaxing day today. Has vacation finally kicked in? Slept until 9:30 am. Beautiful day again, about 59 degrees, cloudy. No rain.

Bob got up and ran nine miles through Gatlinburg and part way on the Sugarlands Visitors Center Trail. I went online, read magazines, ate breakfast.

After Bob got back and got ready to go out, he told me he had planned the day. We drove through Gatlinburg on a side street next to a creek, then parked at the Gatlinburg end of the Gatlinburg to Sugarlands Trail. We walked 2 miles on the riverside trail to the Visitors Center.

Idyllic trail along the river.

I got to go through the museum at my leisure. So interesting to learn all about the local flora and fauna.

Salamanders win for being the most diverse fauna species in the park. The hellbender salamander can grow to 2 feet long! Wow. There are also pygmy salamanders which are about 1" to 1-1/2" long. Tree-climbing foxes, mink, elk, bobcatsand flying squirrels also live in the park, but are not frequently seen.

In the flora department, I was surprisedto learn thata few types of orchids grow in the park. Another surprising fact is that deer, birds andsome other animals eat the berries off poison oak. I then overheard a mother telling her family it's okto eat poison oak berries because the animals eat them. I don't think I'd be eating poison oakberries.

For a long time I've been wanting to buy a National Park (NP) Passport, a book in which you get stamps and stickers from each National Park, National Recreation Area, NationalBattlefield, etc. Today I bought a NP Passport in the gift store. Then I went to theranger and got my first stamp in the bookat Great Smoky Mountains National Park Sugarlands Visitor Center.The beginning of a new hobby starts now--visiting all the national parks, monuments,etc.,to collect stamps and see all that our country has to offer.

From the Visitor Center, we walked back to Gatlinburg on the trail, then had supper at Bennett's BBQ restaurant. I had BBQ beef brisket, corn muffin, coleslaw (outstanding) and green beans (way overcooked). Bob ate hickory-smoked BBQ chicken, BBQ beans (yummy), and potato salad.

After dinner we walked downtown Gatlinburg to look at all the tourist attractions. Notice I said "look," not "do." The crowds had left after the weekend, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. We bought some postcards, a souvenir, and then went back to the timeshare.

Gatlinburg, TN at dusk.

Touristy Gatlinburg--evening lights coming on.

We are now eating Great Smoky Mountains National Park Extra Rich Milk Chocolate and drinking Biltmore Limited Release Chenin Blanc...a great combination. We both highly recommend it. LOL.

Tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be VERY rainy. Time to do museums and car tours.

Tomorrow, our plan is set. Up at 6:00 am, eat oranges, buckwheat pancakes and fried eggs, then drive to Oak Ridge, TN, the home of the "World War II Manhattan Project." First will be a tour of the museum to learn about the production of the first atomic bomb and invention of the nuclear reactor. We will go the Convention and Visitor Center to pick up a copy of a 38-mile Oak Ridge Self-Guided Motor Tour, then drive the tour.

After we finish at Oak Ridge, we plan a drive to Cumberland Gap National Historic Park to see the visitor center and learn some more history. Then we will drive back to Gatlinburg.A long day of history is the plan!

Travel Bug out.

West Yellowstone to Jackson

On the move again. Up early this morning for breakfast (was at the Outpost Restaurant when they opened). Back to the motel to finish packing the car and get the bicycles on the rack. Wanted an early start to be at Old Faithful before it got crowded.

Just past Madison Junction, I took the one-way road up Firehole Canyon. Had noticed this driving yesterday. Good scenery on the drive - including Firehole Falls.

Could have stopped at some of the thermal features alone the way to Old Faithful, but did not to walk too much before getting to the geyser. Parked at the General Store, Found out the next expected eruption is in just of 30 minutes. Did some shopping before walking to the viewing area. Was a little frustrated with the service at the General Store - lines for cashiers and/or cashiers heading off suddenly to do what-ever.

Old Faithful did not disappoint. Got several good photos during the eruption. Back on the road heading toward Grand Teton. Before I exited Yellowstone, we were treated to another falls -- Lewis Falls. (lower photos)

When I got into the Grand Teton NP, I stopped at Colter Bay Visitors Center. Short chat with the ranger and got a park map. Stopped many times at turn-outs to take photos of the mountains. Gave me a good "lay ot the land".

Lots of bicycle riding options put here. Most of the valley ("hole") is mostly flat. Bicycle lanes in town. There's a bicycle trail that follows the highway to Moose Junction. From there, a park bicycle trail continues to Jenny Lake Visitors Center. I am thinking I may check out the trail from Taggert Lake trailhead and north.



Processed most of my photos. Will have to use a different process for those at Old Faithful. All of the spraying water makes the photos look unrealistic. Got some awesome ones of the Grand Tetons.

Sent an message to the photographer living here - we were supposed to meet. Alas, He is in Yellowstone at old Faithful (did not tell me). I figured it was too good to be true - having a local to showing me the hidden places to photograph.

Stretched out on the bed and started looking for a place for food. Ended up selecting The Lift - neat the town ski lift area. Almost passed on eating there because the parking lot was full. I drove down a couple blocks and came back to the restaurant. Was a couple leaving and I took their spot.

Good burger, cross-cut fries and a pint. Selected the Grand Teton Amber Ale brewed in Idaho. Glad I was able to find the place and get a parking space. The food and beer were great.

Solstice sunrise

A lurid, gale-driven sunrise for the shortest day. I hurried into warm anorak and hat to go out and take some pictures, and stepped out into spring-like temperatures. Weird. The tall building in the centre, which looks as if it could be a castle, is just an ordinary block of tenement flats.

This is Calton Hill from the opposite side to the photo here.

Meeting Elvis

Cute little stuffed dog?

No, he's real!

My sister's family got a Bichon Frise puppy for Christmas. A white powder puff of a dog.

Vicious puppy attacks shoelaces.

My sister and her new baby.
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For you garden enthusiasts, that's my Mom's really nice St. Augustine grass in the background of the outdoor pics.