The Expedition

I have made the decision to go on an expedition this summer to see as much of Europe as possible. I know that sounds a little absurd or bombastic, but I have a unique opportunity before me. My eldest daughter will be between abodes and she and family will be able to move into my house and I'll be able to leave for parts East.
Not wanting to be caught in the throes of vacation/holiday madness during the summers months I have followed a suggestion and looked for a cruise. I hear the scoffs already, but this is not an ordinary cruise. I'm going back to college - in a way. It's call "Semester at Sea"  http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/summer-2014/calendar/
I'll start and stop in Southampton, Golly 'ld, in June and return in late August. (That should occupy most of those pesky tourist.) It has several stops during that period of time to allow me to visit and photograph many places.
This also allows me to 'audit' a course and partake of some higher learning. I have looked at the syllabus of a few courses and all I can say is that I'm glad I won't be depending on a grade.
Anyway - more on this later.

Dodgers VS Texas

I never realized that everyone uses the DH in Spring Training Camp, but it makes sense. Pitchers aren't ready to hit even in September, so why waste the up?
Camelback Park is certainly not Vero Beach, and that's just great. Vero Beach was a lovely little field, not much bigger than a College field, very homey and very close for the fans, but not many of them. Camelback is a HUGH complex for the Dodgers and the White Sox, a side for each on either side of the main field, which they share. For the large size of the field, it still seems close and 'homey' for the fans.
It was a beautiful day at the Park today with the Dodgers playing the Texans with what they announced as the Season's Dodgers. Time will tell. Hanley popped a 2 run homer in the first and it just sort of stayed that way for the rest of the game. Checking out pitchers and bringing in the 'higher numbered uniforms' in the sixth.
Puig got swarmed for autographs on the way to the stadium, causing pandemonium by tossing his cap in the air to beat a hasty retreat that almost caused three people to be trampled. He didn't play!
I'll go see the Sox play the Diamondbacks and then the Dodgers again tomorrow evening.

Phoenix

I found out that the cat I saw last night was a bobcat - they have several in the park according to the Ranger. I drove through and down to the I-10 on my way to Phoenix.
Can anyone tell me why Auto Club of California still lists an office in Blythe, CA? I wanted to stop and get an updated map of Arizona and a search on the web and Yelp! all list an office there, but when I arrived the man at the address said there had not been an office there in 15 YEARS. Well before the search engines were even started. No Maps. He did had a charity rodeo tickets for sale.
I know that many people enjoy the desert and spend many enjoyable days there, but I'm sorry, I'm not one. Maybe during the Spring if there has been rain - rare this year - and the flowers bloom. The little rain that passed thru here last week did bring all the tumbleweeds and small plants into bloom. Pretty oranges, yellows and purples. Hard to stop and look closer as a semi comes hurdling down on you at 80 MPH.
Some catchup tonight on the computer and tomorrow off to see the first of three Dodgers games. That should get the fever started.

New Adventure Begins

Well it's not the adventures I've had with my kids when I call it exploring and and they say, "So, we're lost, right Dad?" No, Not this one!!
I headed East today and arrived in Joshua Trees Park. As I drove up to the entrance I saw that it was $15/ vehicle. BUT further done was a Senior ALL parks pass for $10. It's a Life time pass for citizens over 62 for all most every Park in the US. Not a bad deal. Got me one!
I arrived here about 2pm and my goal was to find some good shots of the trees and try some night shots, maybe the light pollution wouldn't be so bad that I might see a lot of the Milky Way. Yeah!!
Got some interesting shots (can't upload them here - Damned G+) but later as soon as I can. Went to the Keys Outlook and looked over the Valley towards Palm Springs, Indio, etc. down to the Sulton Sea. Great view. Good sunset, but I could see the the sunset at the beach would be spectacular! (Timing is everything).
No star shots tonight - too many clouds - but I got something even better for tonight. Big Horn Sheep!! There were about 12 of them just off the parking lot at the lookout and they were just checking the place out - eating - and moving on. Snap!!
Heading into 29 Palms to get a room and food - a young bobcat? cougar? crossed the road. About 2 foot long and just loping along.
Great start to the trip.
29 Palms is another topic all together but best just "move along - nothing to see here!!"