Hangin' With a Friend

Jeremy Wade Shockley, staff photographer for the Southern Ute Drum takes a day off. He says I have to see Mesa Verde National Park. Who am I to argue?

Grab a strong cup of coffee for the road.

Good to the last drop.

Climbing out of Balcony House cliff dwelling.

Workin' it!

In the zone.

Inside a kiva at Spruce Tree House dwelling. 

End of the day, enjoying a cold one.
(OK, yeah, different shirt, different day. Big deal. You get the idea! ;^})

Beautiful place, great day. Thanks, Jer!

Back To The River

C & O Canal NHP... A slightly different look.

Happy MLK Day.

"Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

This is John McCaskill, National Park Service historian at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. He's been with the NPS since 2008. I introduced myself and we got to chatting. Well, mostly I listened, he educated. Hearing about his experience of witnessing former Civil Rights leaders approaching the King sculpture was quite moving. Watching as they took in the Memorial for themselves. Sharing their emotions, their lives. Pretty heavy. I highly recommend introducing yourself to the man if you happen to catch him there. He has much to share.

Working The Canal

The Charles F. Mercer is the most recent packet boat to make its way up and down the canal. Built with funds raised by private organizations and actually started by a group of third graders, it has been plying these waters now for 5 years.

Watching the volunteers and Park Service employees work this boat through the locks and up the canal gives one a strong appreciation for how the folks 150 years ago used to survive.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

Found myself at the Lincoln Memorial recently. Found a few others there as well.