Mynas and the ibis are very common here in town. Saw a huge flock of cockatoos. The rainbow parrot is very pretty. I plan on seeing a lot more here.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Australia Day 6 to 10
Day 6 August 2 Saturday
After breakfast went to the botanical gardens to look at birds and flowers and have a cup of coffee. Lost my little notebook somewhere there. Rats. Saw my first parrots. Two green ones flew overhead. Then went to the NSW state library to use the internet. Checked my email and wrote a few. After lunch I went to the car market to see what had come in. A Jeep Cherokee like mine with all the camping gear and a Toyota Land Cruiser with all the stuff. I stopped by the library again and checked email. A spam entry told me my credit union has some problem with the wire transfer of money. I just about erased it. Now I will have to call Tuesday 2 to 3 am my time to reach the credit union in the morning on Monday. Sydney is 17 hours ahead of the West coast. I am not a happy camper (no pun intended) I will probably have to stay here at least through Thursday before the money comes.
Day 7 August 3 Sunday
Had normal breakfast of oatmeal. Went to the Botanical Gardens to try and take pictures of “parrots“. Saw at least two different kinds, rainbow lorikeet and yellow crested cockatoo and got
a few nice pictures. There was a huge flock of yellow crested 
cockatoos and they all took off at once. Neat sight. Stopped by the library and checked email. Interesting that Hyde Park is a formal garden put in in 1810 and on the north end of the park, in a row are the old insane asylum, the mint, the hospital, the parliament building. After lunch went to the Australian Museum. I saw an aboriginal performer. Also, they had a wonderful mineral collection and I am ready to go looking myself.
Day 8 August 4 Monday
Got up late, 6:50. Had breakfast with the lady from Canada who gave me more traveling tips. Went to the library and found out they have WiFi internet which is free. I checked on ferry to Manly beach so plan on going if not raining. I took a free ferry to Cockatoo Island which used to
be a ship building yard for WWII and now is turning into an arts center. The exhibits there now were audio/visual things and lets say art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. It was a nice boat ride in the harbor. After dinner went to The Side Bar for free wine sponsored by the hostel. I had a nice conversation with a young man from Germany. He is here on a vacation/work visa issued to just about anyone around the world age under thirty. They need lots of workers here. Went to bed late and have to get up at 2 am to call the credit union to find out why they have not transferred money to the bank here.
Day 9 August 5Tuesday.
Called credit union and they were worried about sending money but sent it on Friday anyway. Called the local bank and the money was deposited. Yea!!! After breakfast decided to go to Manly beach. Took the half hour ferry ride to the beach. The van guy called and asked some questions about what I wanted in the van. I will go talk with him tomorrow about getting the van if there are no complications. I had lunch and a free beer in Manly. The beach was very nice and the water according to my feet was cold. No swimmers only a few surfers with wet suits. I did not get sick on the ferry.
Day 10 August 6 Wednesday
I went to the library to try the wireless internet and it was not working properly. Then I went to check out my campervan. They were essentially done. I asked for a bunch of stuff to be included and he obliged. I will pick it up at 10 in the morning on Thursday and head for the Blue Mountains which probably will not have snow. It rained off and on today.
After breakfast went to the botanical gardens to look at birds and flowers and have a cup of coffee. Lost my little notebook somewhere there. Rats. Saw my first parrots. Two green ones flew overhead. Then went to the NSW state library to use the internet. Checked my email and wrote a few. After lunch I went to the car market to see what had come in. A Jeep Cherokee like mine with all the camping gear and a Toyota Land Cruiser with all the stuff. I stopped by the library again and checked email. A spam entry told me my credit union has some problem with the wire transfer of money. I just about erased it. Now I will have to call Tuesday 2 to 3 am my time to reach the credit union in the morning on Monday. Sydney is 17 hours ahead of the West coast. I am not a happy camper (no pun intended) I will probably have to stay here at least through Thursday before the money comes.
Day 7 August 3 Sunday
Had normal breakfast of oatmeal. Went to the Botanical Gardens to try and take pictures of “parrots“. Saw at least two different kinds, rainbow lorikeet and yellow crested cockatoo and got
a few nice pictures. There was a huge flock of yellow crested 
cockatoos and they all took off at once. Neat sight. Stopped by the library and checked email. Interesting that Hyde Park is a formal garden put in in 1810 and on the north end of the park, in a row are the old insane asylum, the mint, the hospital, the parliament building. After lunch went to the Australian Museum. I saw an aboriginal performer. Also, they had a wonderful mineral collection and I am ready to go looking myself.Day 8 August 4 Monday
Got up late, 6:50. Had breakfast with the lady from Canada who gave me more traveling tips. Went to the library and found out they have WiFi internet which is free. I checked on ferry to Manly beach so plan on going if not raining. I took a free ferry to Cockatoo Island which used to
be a ship building yard for WWII and now is turning into an arts center. The exhibits there now were audio/visual things and lets say art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. It was a nice boat ride in the harbor. After dinner went to The Side Bar for free wine sponsored by the hostel. I had a nice conversation with a young man from Germany. He is here on a vacation/work visa issued to just about anyone around the world age under thirty. They need lots of workers here. Went to bed late and have to get up at 2 am to call the credit union to find out why they have not transferred money to the bank here.Day 9 August 5Tuesday.
Called credit union and they were worried about sending money but sent it on Friday anyway. Called the local bank and the money was deposited. Yea!!! After breakfast decided to go to Manly beach. Took the half hour ferry ride to the beach. The van guy called and asked some questions about what I wanted in the van. I will go talk with him tomorrow about getting the van if there are no complications. I had lunch and a free beer in Manly. The beach was very nice and the water according to my feet was cold. No swimmers only a few surfers with wet suits. I did not get sick on the ferry.
Day 10 August 6 Wednesday
I went to the library to try the wireless internet and it was not working properly. Then I went to check out my campervan. They were essentially done. I asked for a bunch of stuff to be included and he obliged. I will pick it up at 10 in the morning on Thursday and head for the Blue Mountains which probably will not have snow. It rained off and on today.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Australia Day 1 to 5
Day 1 July 28 Monday
My friend Lenny took me to the airport. Guess what? My flight to San Francisco was going to be two hours late so I would miss my flight to OZ. I heard over the loud speaker to go to the station and they put me on United flight 705 to Los Angeles. I sat in between two nice young ladies. One from Melbourne and one from Olympia. I got lots of good tips from Australian woman in her mid thirties. The Olympia woman ran a Christian bookstore on corner of Cooper Point road and Mud Bay Road. Then I took United 839 to Sydney
Day 2 (?) July 29
Lost at the International date line.
Day 3 July 30 Wednesday
I arrived and had no trouble at customs and took the train to Central Station. Three blocks north was the Nomads Maze hostel. The room has a bed and a table.. I took a half hour nap then headed off to look at cars, etc. I opened a bank account, and bought a phone, I saw several campervans at the car market and also at Traveler Auto barn which has a nice guarantee and reasonable buy back. I tentative can get a van on Monday since it will take several days to transfer money. I cooked a nice dinner of fried pots with onions, steak and tomatoes. Groceries are more expensive than a t home,. Gas I am told is about A$1.7 a liter which works out to $6.50 a gallon US. Whee, guess I will have to transfer more money.
Day 4 July 31 Thursday
Got up about 5:30, my normal time and went and made some coffee and oatmeal with apples. Yumm. Went to Vodaphone because I could not add minutes for some reason and had them help. Went to Commonwealth bank and had them fax the Credit Union to send money. They said it could take three business days and the bank will be closed on Monday. No car probably until Tues. More to see in Sydney. I spent about 4 hours touring the water front. Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, Macquaries Point and botanical garden. Saw the famous Wollemi pine which they found north of Sydney and it dates back to the dinosaurs.
Day 5 August 1 Friday
I had a very good nights sleep. After breakfast went to local travel association (like AAA) and got free maps for all over Australia. After an early lunch went to China town and Darling Harbor which is a very touristy area with lots of restraints. It was very windy and cloudy today. Lots of people walking around and eating out. Stopped at one of the harbor eateries and bought a six dollar beer. It has been in the low 40’s (10C) in the morning and in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 C) during the day. Bought a Australian bird book since I already have seen an Australian white ibis. And lots of seagulls too. Went to a wine and cheese party here at the hostel which started at 8 which is close to me bed time. Met an older lady who gave me lots of hints about places to see. She is from Quebec, Canada and has been here six times for at least two months each.
Darling Harbor Woolemi Pine
My friend Lenny took me to the airport. Guess what? My flight to San Francisco was going to be two hours late so I would miss my flight to OZ. I heard over the loud speaker to go to the station and they put me on United flight 705 to Los Angeles. I sat in between two nice young ladies. One from Melbourne and one from Olympia. I got lots of good tips from Australian woman in her mid thirties. The Olympia woman ran a Christian bookstore on corner of Cooper Point road and Mud Bay Road. Then I took United 839 to Sydney
Day 2 (?) July 29
Lost at the International date line.
Day 3 July 30 Wednesday
I arrived and had no trouble at customs and took the train to Central Station. Three blocks north was the Nomads Maze hostel. The room has a bed and a table.. I took a half hour nap then headed off to look at cars, etc. I opened a bank account, and bought a phone, I saw several campervans at the car market and also at Traveler Auto barn which has a nice guarantee and reasonable buy back. I tentative can get a van on Monday since it will take several days to transfer money. I cooked a nice dinner of fried pots with onions, steak and tomatoes. Groceries are more expensive than a t home,. Gas I am told is about A$1.7 a liter which works out to $6.50 a gallon US. Whee, guess I will have to transfer more money.
Day 4 July 31 Thursday
Got up about 5:30, my normal time and went and made some coffee and oatmeal with apples. Yumm. Went to Vodaphone because I could not add minutes for some reason and had them help. Went to Commonwealth bank and had them fax the Credit Union to send money. They said it could take three business days and the bank will be closed on Monday. No car probably until Tues. More to see in Sydney. I spent about 4 hours touring the water front. Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, Macquaries Point and botanical garden. Saw the famous Wollemi pine which they found north of Sydney and it dates back to the dinosaurs.
Day 5 August 1 Friday
I had a very good nights sleep. After breakfast went to local travel association (like AAA) and got free maps for all over Australia. After an early lunch went to China town and Darling Harbor which is a very touristy area with lots of restraints. It was very windy and cloudy today. Lots of people walking around and eating out. Stopped at one of the harbor eateries and bought a six dollar beer. It has been in the low 40’s (10C) in the morning and in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 C) during the day. Bought a Australian bird book since I already have seen an Australian white ibis. And lots of seagulls too. Went to a wine and cheese party here at the hostel which started at 8 which is close to me bed time. Met an older lady who gave me lots of hints about places to see. She is from Quebec, Canada and has been here six times for at least two months each.
Flying Foxes
Darling Harbor Woolemi Pine
Friday, July 25, 2008
Mason County Fair Exhibits
Well at the last minute I decided to add two exhibits to the Shelton's rock club's display at the fair. The one showed a few different samples of petrified wood from my property in St. Johns, Arizona and it won first premium (blue ribbon). I made a second case of quartz I collected mainly from my property but some from Luna, New Mexico and one from Montana. I got second premium (red ribbon) on that one. The judge thought I should have been more discriptive of what I wanted to show. I think I did well on my first try.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rock hounding Eastern Washington
I picked up my friend Laura on Saturday 20 and we headed out to Eastern Washington for a little fun and hopefully some rockhounding. The weather was nice as we made our way over highway 20, the North Cascades highway. We hooked the trailer up in Margies RV park in Riverside which is just north of Omak.
The weather was nice, that is, it was not really hot. From the RV park there were three places I was interested in seeing. One near Lake Conconnully is now private property. So much for finding nice quartz crystals. Another one was East of Oroville, just South of Nighthawk. It too is not closed to the public. So much for copper ores. Maybe we were lucky it was closed because the area was just loaded with mosquitoes. The third one was East of Tonasket in the Aeneas valley up Frosty Creek Road. Looking for agates some of which were supposed to be blue. We found some but nothing special as far as I was concerned.
On the way up the narrow side road off of Frosty Creek road, a truck pulling a trailer was coming down. Whew. Had to back up a ways to find a spot so he could get buy.
We left Tuesday for Sedro Wooley taking highway 2 over Stevens Pass. Stayed at Riverside RV park. On Wednesday we went to Walker Valley to find some geodes. It is suppose to be a good spot. Well, I did not find any trace of previous diggings. No broken geodes, zippo. Found out later we were in the right spot. Fun looking.
Thursday I took Laura home again to Bellingham and Friday headed home to Shelton. I had a fun time even though I did not find and rocks. Laura said she had a good time too.
The weather was nice, that is, it was not really hot. From the RV park there were three places I was interested in seeing. One near Lake Conconnully is now private property. So much for finding nice quartz crystals. Another one was East of Oroville, just South of Nighthawk. It too is not closed to the public. So much for copper ores. Maybe we were lucky it was closed because the area was just loaded with mosquitoes. The third one was East of Tonasket in the Aeneas valley up Frosty Creek Road. Looking for agates some of which were supposed to be blue. We found some but nothing special as far as I was concerned.
On the way up the narrow side road off of Frosty Creek road, a truck pulling a trailer was coming down. Whew. Had to back up a ways to find a spot so he could get buy.
We left Tuesday for Sedro Wooley taking highway 2 over Stevens Pass. Stayed at Riverside RV park. On Wednesday we went to Walker Valley to find some geodes. It is suppose to be a good spot. Well, I did not find any trace of previous diggings. No broken geodes, zippo. Found out later we were in the right spot. Fun looking.
Thursday I took Laura home again to Bellingham and Friday headed home to Shelton. I had a fun time even though I did not find and rocks. Laura said she had a good time too.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Fort Ancient
Friday, Daniel, Than Tu and I went to visit Fort Ancient. It is a Hopewell indian settlement built about 2000 year ago and was lived in forabout 400 years. This area is a hill top above the Miami river and the mounds surrounding it are 18,000 feet long. Some of the mounds these natives built in the mid-west were for burial, some cerimonial and some unknown. In this case the mounds do not seem to be for defense since there are about 67 gaps in them. The mounds were about 20 feet tall. Three of the gaps line up with movements of the moon and sun which they probably used to determine when to plant, etc.
Here are some pictures of the mound and Thanh Tu having fun on one of the trails.
Here are some pictures of the mound and Thanh Tu having fun on one of the trails.
There was a nice museum there with artifacts showing the inhabitants traded with others thousands of miles away. They alsonhad a kids area and Thanh Tu had a fun time there too. Here is with his dad playing on a drum.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Fossils in Cincinnati
Well I returned some movies to the library which is close to my son's house. On the way home I noticed some rocks that looked like they had fossils in them. They did.
Today I went and found some specimens. There is coral and clams and crinnoids which look like little tires. Apparantely the whole area around southern Ohio and northern Kentucky is loaded with them.
Here are a few representative pictures with a penny for reference.
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