【阿姗影记】 Photologue

Kauai Helicopter Tour

2010-06-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

Maui Whale Watching

2010-06-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

Hermosa Beach 海滩上的巨浪

2008-02-27T21:46:00.001-08:00

前几天我们这里大浪，很多人都去看海。

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录像

圣璜教会 Mission San Juan Capistrano

2007-12-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

周末带宝宝去看望他爷爷。爷爷住在南加州橙县的圣璜卡皮斯川诺（San Juan Capistrano）。那里有一个著名的传教会，我一直没有去过。星期天下午，天高气爽，我们顺路去转了一圈。门票9元。没想到里面还很大，教堂啦，花园啦，博物馆啦，遗址啦，半个小时转不完。匆匆拍了几张照片留念。等夏天再去。

教会是1776年建的，至今已经有231年的历史。

一进门，就见到一个大教堂的遗迹。这是大石教堂（Great Stone Church），1797年起建，花了九年时间，用印第安人的民工，于1806年建成，是当年加州最壮观的教堂。可惜六年之后，1812年12月8日，一场大地震把教堂震倒，压死42个正在做礼拜的印第安人。这个教堂再也没有重建。

大石教堂的残垣断壁，让我想到以前去过的那些罗马遗址、埃及古迹。

大石教堂的一面墙。

大石教堂遗址的钟。

Serra 神父和印第安男孩的雕像，建于 1914。雕像象征新旧文化的交流。

教会里的走廊。我看到明信片上的走廊都围满了鲜花，料想夏天这里一定漂亮。

教会一景。

Serra Chapel 礼拜堂，建于 1782 年。台前的金壁辉煌的巴洛克装饰（retablo）是从西班牙运来的，至少有400年历史。虽然正在维修，仍能看出当年的光彩。

长廊。

幽静的长廊。

教会中心是一个漂亮的花园。

花园的中心是一个摩尔风格的喷泉，冬天里也这样漂亮。

花园里的喷水池。

喷水池中的金鱼。

看金鱼的宝宝。

水池中的莲花。这是入门处的水池。

夕阳下的教会内景。

这一排房子是士兵的宿舍。

夕阳中的几棵棕榈树。

Hermosa Beach

2007-12-07T19:52:00.001-08:00

Hermosa Beach Sunset during California Fire

2007-11-22T13:31:00.000-08:00

10/22/07

10/24/07

11/4/07

Hermosa Beach

2007-08-05T23:30:00.000-07:00

Surf Festival 2007

2007-08-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

Belize: Boa Constrictor

2007-07-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Our guide caught a boa constrictor at someone's house in the town St. Ignacio. The next day we took the boa with us to the forest and set it free.

The Getty Museum

2007-06-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

科罗拉多的关尼拉山口 Guanella Pass, Colorado

2007-06-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2006

朋友的婚礼，在科罗拉多山区的小镇上。曾经冬天和初秋来访过两次。四年多来，朋友一个人隐居在山里，他的房子就在国家森林里，真可谓是深山老林了。海拔七千余尺，风景美不胜收。想不到这次也要结婚了。我们住在附近较大的小镇 Bailey (7750 ft) 的一个 Lodge。一觉醒来，只有两三个小时的自由活动时间，门房介绍我们开车去附近的 Guanella Pass 看风景。

从 US HWY 285 往西到 Grant (8591 ft)，转到 381 公路往北 Georgetown 方向。本来以为 Grant 是个小镇，可以找点吃的，结果发现山里有地名的地方不见得就有镇子。路旁有三四个小木屋，虽是星期六中午，标着酒吧餐厅的全关着门，只有一个小杂货店开着。在微波炉里热了两个 burritos，就往更高的山上开了。

路名是 Guanella Pass Road，22 哩，以前是运矿（金银）的马车路，最高处是 11,669 尺 (3557 m)，有一些维护的很好的土路。我们租的是 Jeep Liberty 的四轮驱动吉普车，爬山却还是不太够力，尤其在之字形的那段。不过那段极陡的路上，有人停了车，搭个椅子坐在路边看风景。

到了山关，有一大片草原。停车极目了望，风景绝佳。很多车子停在这里，以为有什么好看的，原来都是到附近山峰上爬山的人。这里有两个 14er 的山峰，其中 Mt Evans 是 14,258 尺。一个带着两个小孩的人过来帮我们拍照，说他们全家已经从山上下来了。唉，真是自愧不如。天上大朵大朵的白云，随风变幻，山峰草原也明一片暗一片的。

磨蹭了一下，就没时间继续开下去了。回程到岔路上转了转，见到一些人搭了帐篷，在小溪旁钓鱼。山里的水活泼跳跃着，清清爽爽。我笑说不如我们也搬到山里来住吧。麦克就开始打主意，夏末开开自己的越野车来这里与朋友汇合，到山里去玩。

开阔的一段

Guanella Pass 的草原和 14er 的山峰 Mount Bierstadt (14,060 ft)

极目远眺，美丽的 Colorado

镜头拉近一些

高山湖 Alpine Lake

快乐的溪水

回到开阔的一段

Palos Verdes Point Vicente Lighthouse

2007-04-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

宝宝五周了。我们带他去附近 Palos Verdes 的 Point Vicente 灯塔玩。其实是我们自己想去，宝宝那么小，什么也不懂。灯塔每个月只有第二个星期六的中午开放几小时，正巧给我们赶上了。爬到灯塔上。第一次这么近的看灯塔上的灯，拍了好几张，做成 slide show 看着玩。

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Get your own

Tucson, Arizona

2007-01-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

Old Tucson Studio

Cactus and the Moon

Gate Pass

Palm Springs

2006-11-20T00:23:00.000-08:00

Windmill Farm in Palm Springs

Joshua Tree National Park

2006-11-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

Star-gazing and camping in Joshua Tree National Park.

Yosemite Revisited

2006-10-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

Yosemite revisited.

El Capitan seen from Setinel Dome, Yosemite.

Half Dome from Sentinel Dome, Yosemite.

Half Dome sunset from Glacier Point, Yosemite.

Yosemite, by Tioga Pass Road.

Siesta Lake, Yosemite.

Olmsted Point, Yosemite. Valley, half dome, and rocks left by glacier.

Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite.

Meadow next to Tioga Pass Road. Yosemite.

Ellery Lake, east of Tioga Pass.

Fall colors in the valley, Tioga Pass.

Mono Lake, California.

2006-10-13T00:15:00.003-07:00

Many more starfish.

2006-10-13T00:15:00.002-07:00

Many starfish.

2006-10-13T00:15:00.001-07:00

Three starfish.

2006-10-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

Two starfish.

2006-10-13T00:14:00.001-07:00

One starfish.

2006-10-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Two starfish.

2006-10-13T00:13:00.001-07:00

One starfish.

2006-10-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

One starfish.

夏威夷可爱岛 Kauai Vacation

2006-09-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

Sunset, Ke'e Beach, Kauai North Shore

Wailua River, Kauai

Wailua Falls, Kauai

Makaleha mountain and falls, Kauai.

Sunset, Mahaulepu Coast, Kauai South Shore

Mahaulepu Coast, Kauai

Na Pali Coast, from Kalalau Trail, Kauai.

Blue, blue ocean off the Na Pali Coast, Kauai.

Hanakapi'ai Beach, Kalalau Beach, Na Pali Coast, Kauai.

Sunset, Na Pali Coast, Kauai West Shore

Sunset, Polihale Beach, Kauai West Shore

Sunset, Kilauea, Kauai North Shore

Wailua Bay, Kauai

Sunset, Mokolea Point, Kauai North Shore

Waimea Canyon from helicopter, Kauai

Tunnels Beach from air, Kauai.

Hanalei Bay from air, Kauai.

Imu Ceremony, Lu'au at Smith's Tropical Paradise, Kauai East Shore

加州车展 Monterey Bay Car Shows

2006-08-20T18:51:00.000-07:00

1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Barker Tourer, Rolls-Royce Prewar, Class H, 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Beautiful car at Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach, California.

1948 Cadillac Series 62 Saoutchik Cabriolet, Postwar Custom Coachwork Touring, Class O-2, 2006 Pebble Beach Concurs d'Elegance

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Parade of Mini Coopers, Monterey Historic Automobile Race, Laguna Seca

加州海岸 California Coast

2006-08-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Big Sur, California.

Monterey Bay, 17-mile drive, sunset and birds.

南加州海滩 South Bay, Los Angeles

2006-08-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

Manhatta Beach, California.

Hermosa Beach.

Birds over Hermosa Beach

2006-08-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Birds on beach.

Flying birds on beach.

Flying birds.

Sitting birds.

Flying birds.

Playing boys and flying birds.

Flying birds.

Birds that about to sit.

Birds.

Flying birds and waves.

Flying birds.

Flying birds and waves.

Flying birds, Hermosa Pier, and Palos Verdes.

The black bird sits there alone.

Flying birds over Hermosa Beach.

Flying birds in sky.

越野车公园 San Gabriel Canyon HOV

2006-07-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

Home | Blogs | 【阿姗影记】

2006.07.30

1 半个月前在洛杉矶的 San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area 去试新买的越野车 Toyota FJ Cruiser。从山上望下去，这个 Off-Highway Vehicle Park 就是这样一处泥土流失严重的河沟。

2 门票是每车8元，排了很长的车队，都是各种各样的卡车和SUV。

3 公园里一片狼藉，泥土流失的结果。也许只有这样的地方给越野车糟踏才不觉得浪费。

4 见到一辆卡车陷在河里。在“公园”里，过河的时候一定要横跨，不能沿着河走，因为据说河里还有稀有鱼和蛙。想不到这些生物在这种环境中还能生存。

5 一大堆车停着看热闹。我们也上前去。

6 原来是车子排队过河。这里比较深，不少车都爬不上坡，陷在泥里。我们怕我们的车过不去，也停在一旁观察一阵。前面高的那辆白车就是排队进门时排在我们前面的(图2)。

7 两辆小吉普车在视察。小吉普车能过的我们也应该能过。远处那辆白车陷在水里很久了。

8 一大堆人在围观。水里左侧的卡车是刚才才下河的（图6），已经爬不上那个泥坡了，陷在那里。右边一辆小吉普走平缓的路线上右岸。

9 这辆吉普车走右岸。我们也决定到右边去。

10 又有两辆吉普车下水了。远处棕色的车是我们眼见着下水，爬不上岸，陷在泥里不能动的。左边的岸真的很难爬，我们看了很久，只有两辆车爬上坡去。

11 右岸的一辆卡车勇敢的下水了。

12 岸上围观的人和车。

13 这辆卡车专门在河里负责拖车，营救那些陷在泥里出不来的车。左边那辆棕色车（图10)的人都爬到车顶坐着等了。

14 拖车服务。

15 大卡车在营救陷在泥岸上的卡车(图6,8)。这个拖车的卡车真的很牛，什么也不能阻挡它。我们猜那司机是自愿在这里为大家服务的，可以趁机显摆自己的车。

16 有些人干脆搬了椅子，拿出冷饮，坐在一旁看热闹。

17 一辆 dirt bike 下水了。对面的泥岸就是大家都爬不上去的。

18 岸上看热闹的人。

19 拖车成功的把图6,8,15的卡车从泥坡上拖下水来。

20 我们开到对岸，往回看。这辆白车已经停在水中很久了（图7可见），里面没有人。远处尘土飞扬。每次经过一辆车就翻起一阵尘土。

21 这辆 dirt bike 在水里，泥水溅了满身都是。

22 黄色的 bike 怎么竖起来了？是不是在凉干？

23 这辆卡车后面还坐了两个人，也不怕飞扬的尘土，也不怕溅起的泥水。

24 离开“是非之地”，来到另一处。见到一辆吉普车陷在泥里出不来了。

25 又一辆陷在泥里了。司机爬出来，站在泥里。

26 尘土太大了，我不能忍受，就决定往回走。前面的车激起的尘土，什么也看不清，好象中东那边的沙尘暴。

27 我开车过河了。这边河水很清，不少人在水里玩。整个公园几乎全是男人，只有这里见到一些妇女和小孩。猜想是那些男人把家属带来，让他们在这里玩水，自己跟哥们儿去吃土陷泥。

28 我们的车还不算太脏。因为我们不熟悉车的性能，开的时候比较小心，不会故意往泥深的地方去。

29 已经两个多小时过去了，其间我们到山里 hiking 了一会。回到盘山公路上，往下望去，这里就是刚才很多人围观很多车陷落的那段。

30 是不是退潮了？水位低了，那辆白色的车(图7,20)已经可以把前盖打开。也许有人来修吧。那辆挂有墨西哥旗的车(图14)还在这里。

美国人真是没事找事，闲着无聊。好好的路不走，偏偏要找没路的地方，到泥巴里去陷，越出不来就越兴奋。这些人也不是说要去什么深山老林找不到路，弄个大开车开过去。这里完全就是个大破施工工地嘛。让人以为美国没有足够的娱乐设施.... 在很多穷国家，这种没路的地方到处都是。记得刚来美国的时候，最佩服的就是美国的公路系统，没想到还有人找专找有脏又破的地方来寻刺激，真真的是吃饱了撑的没事干。唉。

虽然我个人比较倾向于环保，不赞同污染环境的大卡车，但我看这些人还算是乖的，没有见到故意违规的，也没有人大声喧哗无理取闹的，而且有了故障大家都能互相帮助，惺惺相惜，很有种男人间的 comradeship。

San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area 大概就是 Google 卫星图的这个地方。

我是小司机。:)

2006-06-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Lizard and shadows.

AVP Toyota Hermosa Beach Open 2006

2006-06-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

AVP at Hermosa Beach.

Kiraly and Witt vs. Medel and Torsone in AVP 2006 Hermosa Beach Open.

AVP Hermosa Beach Open, Kevin Wong and Scott Wong.

Hermosa Beach at AVP.

AVP at Hermosa Beach.

AVP at Hermosa Beach.

大熊湖和山中温泉 Deep Creek Hot Spring

2006-06-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

【阿姗周末游】大熊湖和山中温泉 Deep Creek Hot Spring

周末租了一辆只跑过一百多哩的新出的越野车，Toyota FJ Cruiser，来到洛杉矶附近的 San Bernardino 山里来压石头。麦克想买这个车想了一年。今年出厂，赶快订货，可是车子还没有运到美国。他等不急了，碰巧见到可以租，就租来试开。租的车是虽然只是二轮驱动的，越野性能应该还是不错。拿到车，装上户外露营器材，就奔往大熊湖一带的山区。原计划是去一个叫 Deep Creek 的温泉，可是来到已经下午了，就决定先在附近压压石头，晚上住在大熊湖，第二天再去温泉。

从车窗望出，山间的黄花盛开，灿烂耀眼。

焦黑的树枝，是前两年的山林大火留下的痕迹。初夏的新绿，生机勃勃。

美丽的大熊湖，海拔七千尺，湖水蔚蓝，绿树环绕，空气清爽。

早上来到大熊湖市区(Village)。我几次来大熊湖，都不知道有这个地方。山间的空气清新，绿树葱郁，房屋半隐半现。

市区一景。

大熊湖市区见到的摩托车队。

因为开了越野车，见到别人的卡车也更加留意。在大熊湖市中心的一辆挺有个性的福特卡车。

从大熊湖出来，往北往西，在山里开了好一段时间，终于来到柏文农场(Bowen Ranch)。停了车。右边的黄色越野车就是我们租的。

从柏文农场到深涧温泉 (Deep Creek Hot Spring) 还要走四五十分钟的山路。天气酷热，山上光秃秃的，看不到深涧。好在一路下山，山风习习。

荒山野岭中，一片绿洲。这就是深涧 Deep Creek 了。图中横贯的是深涧，左侧的白石后面是温泉 Deep Creek Hot Spring。因为这是裸体温泉，很多人都没穿衣服在水里泡着，在岸边坐着聊天，在沙滩上躺着晒太阳，我不好意思拍照。中段的白石滩上，隐约可以见到两个裸浴的人。后面山上的小径，是 Pacific Crest Trail 的一段。

深涧 Deep Creek。温泉在上游。

这个温泉深涧里真是个乐园。温泉泡一阵，跳到清凉的小溪里游泳，还可以一边坐在河水里，一边靠在温泉瀑布下，凉凉爽爽的冲个热水浴。

温泉一带零落着有大概二十来人，男人较多，一般都裸体，四五十岁。女人都是男人带来的女伴。有几个男人是常客，每星期甚至每天都来的，晒的很匀，不象我们黑一截白一截的。我坐在一旁，听着他们的对话。一个常客说，他去年年底曾经因大雪封山，困在温泉。只好在温泉里泡着保温，两天后获救。他们都是山里人，说着山外人的无知。一个人说，他在温泉碰到过一个山外人，冬天在温泉旁住了几天，后来冻死了。另一个人说，一个山外的女朋友在洛杉矶，从不知道洛杉矶有墨西哥人，只会逛商店买衣服。又一个人，右臂伤残，也说，山外人娇生惯养，温室长大的，完全没有生存能力。几个人嘲笑了一通，很有优越感。后来一个人说要去巴西参加婚礼，另外几个人说，山外人可能从来没听说过巴西。然后他们搞不清巴西人是不是说西班牙语，就干笑了几句，改了话题。原来他们也都没怎么出过山的。他们讲讲山外人的故事，自我感觉良好一番。我讲讲他们的故事，也是一样。

柏文农场的主人也是看门人，叫麦克，一个人住在山里的小屋。我们看到他的越野车很漂亮，是他自己修复的。

柏文农场主人麦克的越野车。这是 Willys，我的一个朋友也有一辆，当年我们两人一起把车从芝加哥开回洛杉矶。那个朋友也是一个人住在山上，过着隐居生活。跟我们租的新车相比，这辆车压的石头多多了。

柏文农场。这是主人麦克的小屋。他很高兴的给我们介绍他修复的汽车，还带我们到他的小屋里看他修复的其它车的照片。小屋里十分简陋，一台电视，一个旧式炉子，一些旧家具。虽然他和每个来客要打招呼，也许很久没有跟人聊天了，他一个劲跟我们讲。他看起来不比我们大很多，可我总觉着他是一个很久远的时代的人。

Off-road trip to San Bernardino Mountains

2006-06-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

We rented a brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser (only 150 miles on it) and drove to San Bernardino Mountains. Here we started our off-road adventure.

Burnt woods and spring woods in the mountains. San Bernardino National Forest, California.

We stayed in the Fireside Lodge at Big Bear Lake.

We saw this old truck in the village of Big Bear Lake.

And this giant truck in Big Bear Lake.

Downtown of Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Lake Village.

A storefront in Big Bear Lake village.

Big Bear Lake.

We took a hike down to Deep Creek hot springs from Bowen Ranch. This is the parking lot of Bowen Ranch. The hike starts here. On the right is our brand new yellow rental FJ Cruiser.

The hike down to Deep Creek. This area of San Bernardino Mountains is desert-like.

In the middle of the desert mountain, there is a square of greens and rapids and laughters. Here is the Deep Creek hot springs near Bowen Ranch. I didn't take more pictures because it was a nude hot springs. There were about two dozen people, many were nude and enjoying the cold river and the hot springs. It was like a paradise.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Google Map

The house of Bowen Ranch. The owner Mike lives here alone "in a simple existence". He showed us his 4x4 Willy's jeep and photos of a Ford truck he restored.

Here is Mike's old Willy's and our brand new FJ cruiser (only 150 miles on it when we rented it).

西南加州平原的野花 Wildflowers on Carrizo Plain, California

2006-04-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain National Monument, California. Google Map

Carrizo Plain National Monument.

San Andreas Fault goes through Carrizo Plain National Monument. This sag pond along the San Andreas Fault is located along the south boundary of Carrizo Plain National Monument (along the Soda Lake Road). The fault runs north along the east flank (left) of the distant Elkhorn Hills (a pressure ridge) in the vicinity of MU Ranch.

San Andreas Fault? Carrizo Plain.

Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain. The Temblor Range is in the distance.

Carrizo Plain spring.

Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Wildflowers, Carrizo Plain.

Wild animal and wildflowers on Carrizo Plain.

Carrizo Plain National Monument, California.

Carrizo Plain.

Soda Lake in Carrizo Plain. Soda Dry Lake is a playa (an ephemeral lake) at about 1,908 feet in elevation. The lakebed receives water during wet winters and rare late summer monsoon storms. The modern saltpan covers about 3,000 acres and is one of the largest undisturbed alkali wetlands in California.

View of Carrizo Plain, Soda Lake, and Temblor Range in the distance.

Soda Lake and Temblor Range in Carrizo Plain National Monument.

"Easter bunny" by Soda Lake in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California.

【阿姗周末游】西南加州平原的野花 Carrizo Plain NM

长滩赛车 Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix

2006-04-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix.

Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix

Palos Verdes

2006-04-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

Palos Verdes. Southern California.

Whale Watching around Catalina Island

2006-03-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

Catalina Island, west end.

Birds at Long Beach, California.

加州圣塔巴巴拉传教会 Old Mission Santa Barbara

2006-03-08T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mission Santa Barabra, California. Google Satellite Map

Mission Santa Barbara was the 10th of the California missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. It was established on the Feast of S. Barbara, Dec. 4, 1786. The original buildings were of adobe and unpretentious. As the years passed, there was progress and development. There were three adobe churches here, each larger than the other, before the present church. The third was destroyed by earthquake in 1812. The present church was finished and dedicated in 1820. The beautiful fountain in front of the mission was built in 1808. The original purpose of the mission was the Christianization of the Chumash Indians. This was considered accomplished by the 1830's.

Santa Babara Mission, California.

Santa Babara Mission, California.

Santa Babara Mission, statue inside the church.

Mission Santa Babara, California.

Santa Babara Mission, the grassland in front of the church. Google Satellite Map

Sabta Babara Mission. California.

Santa Barbara Courthouse at night. Google Satellite Map

洛杉矶盖蒂博物馆 Getty's Museum, Los Angeles

2006-03-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Getty's Museum, Los Angeles.

Entrance to Getty's Museum.

Getty's garden and museum buildings.

Getty's Museum. Garden view.

Getty's Museum. Birds of Paradise.

View of Los Angeles and Freeway 405 from Getty's Museum.

Daily congestion of Freeway 405 traffic through Sepulveda Pass.

Birds of Paradise of Getty's Museum.

Cactus Garden, Getty's Museum.

A view through one of Getty's stairs.

Getty's Garden.

Getty's architecture.

Giant pillars of Getty's Museum.

Getty's museum, another naturally framed view.

Getty's garden from above.

Getty's Museum, a garden view.

2006-01-27T13:32:00.000-08:00

Nephi, Utah.

迷失在开罗 Lost in Cairo

2005-12-31T18:05:00.000-08:00

Traffic in Cairo, in front of the Egyptian Museum.

Barrell Lounge and Bar, Windsor Hotel, Cairo.

Crowded minibus in Cairo, only LE0.75 a ride. Taxi costs LE20.

Cairo traffic.

Coptic Cairo, below ground level.

Cairo rooftop dishes.

Bayt al-Suhaymi, Cairo's finest example of the traditional family mension built throughout the city from Mamluk times to the 19th century. Islamic Cairo, Egypt.

Islamic Cairo. Nobel Prize Literature Winner Naguib Mahfouz was born in this alley.

Modern central Cairo.

Cairo traffic. Egypt.

Shadow of a mosque in Cairo.

Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt, one of the best museums in the world. In 1835, the Egyptian government established the "Service des Antiques de l'Egypte" in an attempt to halt the plundering of archeological sites and to arrange the exhibition of collected artifacts. In 1900, the Egyptian Museum as we know it today was built and now houses over 120,000 objects from the pre-historic era to the Greco-Roman period, including ancient sculptures of the Sphinx. Main attraction: Artifacts from the tombs of kings and royal families, particularly those belonging to King Tutankhamun.

The Mohammad Ali (Alabaster) Mosque, Citadel, Cairo, Egypt.

Military Museum, Cairo.

The statue of Ibrahim Pasha (in front of the Military Museum) and the Mohammad Ali Mosque in the Citadel, Cairo.

埃及风俗人情 Egypt: People and Culture

2005-12-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Camel truck, Upper Egypt.

Aswan Souk (market), Upper Egypt.

Egyptian bus. Aswan, Egypt.

Edfu market, Egypt.

Market in Luxor, Egypt.

Two Egyptian boys in Luxor.

Egyptian school girls at Queen Hetshepsut's Temple of Deir el Bahari, Egypt.

Egyptian school boys running up the steps of Queen Hetshepsut's Temple of Deir el Bahari, Egypt.

A large bowl of koshary, LE2.0, a famous Egyptian dish. Very delicious!!!

A woman in the Mohammad Ali Mosque, Citadel, Cairo.

埃及的亚历山大 Alexandria, Egypt

2005-12-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

Alexandria! Alexandria! Egypt.

The new Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina). It is said to have the largest reading area in the world.

Dog and Sphinx in Alexandria, Egypt.

埃及西奈半岛 Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

2005-12-28T16:29:00.000-08:00

Ras Mohamed National Park--beautiful Red Sea in southern Sinai.

Ras Mohammed, the most beautiful diving and snorkeling place in the world, is a national park at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sham-el-Sheihk, Egypt.

Sunrise on top of Mount Sinai, Egypt.

Sunrise on top of Mount Sinai. Hundreds of people climbed the mountain overnight to watch the sunrise.

埃及金字塔 The Pyramids

2005-12-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

The Great Pyramid, Giza.

Giza Pyramid.

埃及卢克索 Luxor and Karnak, Egypt

2005-12-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

Avenue of Sphinx, Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt.

Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt.

Columns at Karnak Temple, Luxor, Egypt.

Karnak Temple, Egypt.

Luxor Temple, Egypt.

Avenue of Sphinx, Luxor Temple, Egypt.

Obelisks in Karnak Temple, Luxor, during the light and sound show.

埃及尼罗河风光 Nile River and Cruise, Egypt

2005-12-16T05:32:00.000-08:00

Sunset on the river Nile.

Nile cruise ship. Aswan.

Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan. This is where Agatha Christie wrote her famous Death on the Nile.

Felucca (sail boat) on the Nile in Aswan, from the famous Old Cataract Hotel.

The "first cataract" of Aswan. This is the natural boundary of ancient Egypt in the south, because it was difficult to sail pass the cataract (Egypt depends on the river Nile). North from here, Nile is one smooth river. South of Aswan was Nubian.

Nile Cruise.

River Nile, Egypt.

Nile Cruise at sunset, Egypt.

Room service on the Nile Cruise.

Nile River, Egypt.

Fertile land of the Nile Valley.

River Nile.

Nile Cruise, room service #2. Egypt.

Minaret in Esna, Egypt.

Sunset on the River Nile.

Falucca captain, near Luxor on river Nile.

尼罗河畔的古殿 Egyptian Temples by the Nile

2005-12-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Kom Ombo temple at night.

Kom Ombo Temple, Egypt.

Kom Ombo, a temple. Nile Valley.

Kom Ombo Temple at night, Egypt.

Edfu Temple, Egypt.

Temple column at Edfu.

Edfu Temple, Egypt.

Edfu Temple, Egypt.

埃及南部风情 Upper Egypt

2005-12-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

Philae Temple, Aswan, Egypt. Once a great religoius center, was dedicated to the cult of the goddess Isis, and it's sanctuaries belong mainly to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, roughly between the 4th century B.C. and the beginning of the 4th century A.D.

It was the completion of the first Aswan Dam in 1902 that created a lake and flooded the island and its monuments for part of the year. But the building of the High Dam in 1960 created more serious problems. Finally, it was decided to build a cofferdam around the island and to pump out the water so that nearly all the monuments could be dismanteled and transferred to nearby Agilkia. This work began in 1972 and finished in 1980 through the cooperation of UNESCO and the Egyptian Antiquities Organization.

Relief carvning in Philae Temple, Aswan, Egypt.

Relief carvings of hieroglyphic inscription on the wall of Philae Temple, Aswan, Egypt.

Philae Temple.

Philae Temple, Aswan.

Aswan Souk (market): spices and music. Egypt.

Sunrise over the western desert. We left Aswan at 3:30 AM to go to Abul Simbel that morning.

Abu Simbel, Temples of Rameses the Great (c.1279-1213 BCE). Egypt.

Rameses the Great, Abu Simbel, Egypt.

Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan. This is where Agatha Christie wrote her famous Death on the Nile.

Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. This obelish was never finished because there is a crack in the stone.

The "first cataract" of Aswan. This is the natural boundary of ancient Egypt in the south, because it was difficult to sail pass the cataract (Egypt depends on the river Nile). North from here, Nile is one smooth river. South of Aswan was Nubian.

埃及最早的金字塔 Saqqara Pyramids, Egypt

2005-12-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

On the dusty Saqqara plateau, ten miles [16 km] south of the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, the Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser rises likes a grand mirage, shimmering more than 200 feet [61 m] above the stark Egyptian sands.

This colossal monument, begun around 2630 B.C., was Egypt's--and the world's--first pyramid.

With 32 chambers, Mereruka's flat-roofed mastaba tomb is the largest at Saqqara. He was vizier, or chief executive, to Pharaoh Teti, who died around 2291 B.C.

Inside of a Saqqara tomb.

南加州的意大利别墅 Villa Rosa Rugosa, California

2005-11-24T15:47:00.000-08:00

Villa Rosa Rugosa in San Juan Capistrano, fabulous 18,000 sq. ft. home, is owned and designed by Shelly Brose. We were invited to have Thanksgiving dinner party there this year.

Villa Tuscany in Orange County, California.

Ceiling of ballroom/parking garage.

Ballroom used as a parking place for Ferrari and Mercedes.

The pool.

Pool side bar.

The semi-outdoor fireplace area.

The outdoor fireplace area.

The upstairs bar.

Upstairs area by the bar (Bellagio).

The ceiling of main entrance.

A doorway from the library.

The upstairs corridor.

Walls of a stairway.

Door to master bedroom (I didn't feel right to take a picture inside the bedroom).

Master bathroom.

View of the garden from the sitting room next to the master bedroom.

Formal dining area.

Sink of a small bathroom.

Large (F) bathroom next to the ballroom/garage.

Thanksgiving dinner served in the kitche. The woman facing the camera in red is the hostess.

11/24/2005 星期四，感恩节

感恩节又到了。来美国多年，我对这个节日一直都是很顾忌，不去庆祝。其实美国所有节日我都不去过。只有第一年我好奇，被一个美国人家庭邀请去参与感恩节晚餐，知道这个节在十一月尾的星期四，从下午开，全家团聚，吃烤火鸡、土豆泥、南瓜饼，看美式足球，抢购圣诞礼物。一个月的节日气氛由此开始。之后的那些年，每到这个假日，我就四处找地方去，说什么也不要无家可归的样子去人家里吃火鸡，而且因为我真也吃不出火鸡的味道来。我也不想呆在城里眼巴巴看别人聚餐；我记得每到感恩节礼拜四的下午，街上就完全空了，人都躲在温暖的家里。幸好我有不少非美国人朋友，能凑到一起，逃出城去旅游。

去年感恩节，我一逃逃到了西班牙。谁想在那里遇到了麦克。一结婚，多出了两个美国家庭来。今年的感恩节可真跑不掉了。

星期三晚我从密歇根飞到洛杉矶。先是跟公公那边庆祝。麦克的爸爸没有一个传统的家，他的太太是年轻美貌的俄国人，所以每次跟他们会面，都是到餐厅吃饭，或者在家里开烧烤会。这次他收到邀请，要带我们一起到住宅区的一对夫妇朋友家里聚会。这对夫妇我在麦克妹妹婚礼上见过的，是百万富翁，在他们的高尚住宅区里，盖了一栋豪华无比的别墅。房子建在绿色小山坡上，二月份我们开车经过时，还没有建好，但远远就可以看到门口的雕像与喷泉，看到别墅的气派。我问房主人的儿子尼克，这么大一栋房子要住多少人啊？他说，就他跟他爸爸妈妈三个人。

这次我们一伙去的还有麦克的妹妹和妹夫。我不知道我的公公和别墅主人有多熟，也不知道其他客人都是谁，不过我肯定是跟他们距离最远的一个了。这样说吧，别墅主人的儿子和我老公的爸爸的妻子的儿子是高中好朋友。一来不熟，二来头晕（头天晚上喝多了，平生第一次醉酒），本来不大想去的。可是全家人都劝要我去看看这个豪华无比的新居。“你知道吗？他们把高级轿车停在辉煌的舞厅里。”公公说。我觉得能够住在这区的公公就算有钱人，倒要看看这个令他赞不绝口的别墅是如何奢侈。

聚会邀请是下午三点。我们故意等到三点半才过去，仍是最早的客人。车子停在看起来象是后门、其实是正门的门口，门上一个小牌子，写着Villa Rosa Rugosa，大概是红玫瑰庄园。公公介绍说这座别墅是意大利托斯卡尼（Tuscany）风格。房主人丹尼在门口迎接。丹尼是地产发展商，赚了很多钱。太太丽莎是室内设计师。这栋别墅是他们亲手设计建造的，还获了设计奖。丹尼让我公公带我们随便参观。

“先别进门。这边来。你们看，这里是一座小教堂（Chapel），可以在这里举行婚礼等仪式。这边这栋两层的客房是完全独立的。好，进来看舞厅。”公公高兴的给我们做导游。

舞厅的门大开，四周墙壁上满满的是壁画，描绘着欧洲盛世时代的豪华舞会的情景。看样子象是威尼斯。画上的舞厅地面花纹和我们脚下大理石地面的花纹是一样的。屋顶是镀金的，正中的圆形天井也画了意大利文艺复兴时代的壁画，垂着水晶吊灯。舞厅一端是一个酒吧。最引人注目的是舞厅里停着的三辆车：一辆崭新的越野车，一辆漆黑发亮的奔驰轿车，还有一辆红得耀眼的法拉利敞篷跑车。我是无产阶级出身，小时候常到北京使馆区闲逛，见到路边停了颜色漂亮的小轿车，就站过去，倚车拍照留念。到现在我们家还有这样的传统。只是我对车子一直是外行，搞不清楚轿车的贵贱。法拉利的名字我是知道的。这次见到跟我同行的有钱人对着这辆法拉利看来看去，还督促我过去靠在车边上拍香车美女的照片，我就意识到车主人的地位了。这样一辆红色法拉利停在金壁辉煌的舞厅里，好汉般守着门，谁能误解呢？

趁下午的阳光，赶快看看室外的布局。别墅的背面向西，就是以前我从公路上遥望过的那面，是一座花园。花园里种着参差不齐的各种花草树木，阳伞下摆着雕花铁桌椅，还有立在水池中的著名雕像的复制品。这里的花园还要等一两年时间才能完全长成，尤其是那座需要爬满常青藤的亭子。亭子里有一个酒吧。我分不出花园的风格，猜想应该是托斯卡尼吧。托斯卡尼我去过，在佛罗伦萨一带，是意大利中部盛产葡萄酒的地方，到处是小山坡，葡萄园，和树荫下的别墅，生活方式最是诗情画意，令人向往。

花园外是一条真的马路，就是住宅区内骑马用的路，不时有人骑着马，缓缓经过，正好来欣赏别墅和花园。花园内外没有显著的栏杆，主人们花钱把“马路”对面也搞了相应的园林设计，还立了一座著名雕像的复制品，是一个在欧洲随处可见的天使姑娘。结果住宅区委员会的几位负责人认为半裸的天使雕像不雅，要他们把雕像迁走，大家搞得很不愉快。我看着那纯洁无暇的天使，心中纳闷，这都什么年代了。

花园的南端是游泳池。泳池高出地面，象一只高级大浴缸，四周有几柱水向中心喷来，又象一个喷水池。比泳池还高一层的是热水池。人泡在泳池里就能够舒服的看到别墅的全局。泳池后有一个小桥洞，有瀑布流水下来，从水帘洞下可以游到一处秘密的水域，大概是给情侣烂漫的地方。从桥上过去，见到秘密水域另一边居然还有一个酒吧。我觉得这一带的曲径通幽的设计太留痕迹、太做作，情侣们不适合，反倒是小孩子捉迷藏的好地方。

泳池东边是一个小厅，大概是比较随意的会客厅或休息室，摆了古香古色的沙发，墙上挂着巨幅壁毯，屋顶有扇子形的风扇，还有一个酒吧。这是今天见到的第四个酒吧了，不过这些酒吧都是无人的。我跟着别人后面，随着他们不时的惊叹和叫声，东看西看，眼睛早就看花了，肯定也疏忽了不少值得赞叹的布置和装饰。而且我一直有些心不在焉，因为肚子饿坏了，又不敢再动酒，只一心想着什么时候能到厨房找些吃的。就是硬硬的火鸡也行啊！

好了，走马观花，室外的景点快参观完了，只剩下一处我尚有印象的地方了。这是遥对泳池的小客厅，只有一面墙，其它几面都是柱子和门拱。拉起落地门帘，可以将客厅与花园隔开。客厅里有一座壁炉，镶着大理石雕塑。茶几上摆着水果和蜡烛。沙发很舒服。傍晚的风吹动着门帘，我很想点燃壁炉，喝一晚热汤，捧一本好书，卧在沙发上休息。

可惜现在这边人来人往，我们的别墅参观团又要走了。进门后，穿过一间装潢得大同小异、我瞥了一眼就懒得再看的小餐厅，穿过摆满酒水食物的厨房和一些来不及看的房间和空间，我们来到正门处。丹尼正从电梯里出来。他说，你们可以坐电梯上楼。

电梯的门是镀金的，门上也是尽量雕琢过的。电梯开门关门很慢很庄重的样子。电梯里有一只软软的红绸面的长凳。我坐了上去。电梯缓缓把我们送到二楼。

一出电梯，就是一个酒吧。坐在那里看电视的一个人告诉我们酒吧名叫 Bellagio，装潢设计都是仿 Bellagio 的。Bellagio 是意大利北部湖区的一座名城，我没去过。这个酒吧的富丽堂皇令我想起拉斯维加斯的Bellagio 赌场酒店，好象也是仿意大利的湖城而建的。酒吧边有一些看起来非常舒服的沙发，软软的枕头，软软的地毯。一个茶几上还整齐的摆了一副精美的象棋。

酒吧过去就是正门那边了。楼上和楼下相连的，是一大座楼梯，好象电影里经常看到的那种，会有身着晚装、胸佩钻石项链的女主公盈盈走下来、或穿燕尾服、戴了白手套的男主人公站在楼梯上发言的那种楼梯。屋顶和墙壁四周，满满的都壁画，全部是仿意大利文艺复兴时期的。要不是这里光线充足，壁画颜色崭新，我还以为到了梵蒂冈的西斯廷教堂，连拉斐尔的《雅典学院》也在呢。我公公说，别墅的主人特地从意大利请了五个画师，全职在这里作画，现在还没有完工。屋顶的水晶大吊灯已经有人在指指点点了，这里我就不说了。

楼上到底参观了几个房间我也搞不清楚了，到处都是雕、梁、画、柱。印象最深的是一间书房，一面墙，一面窗，两面是落地书架，书架上摆了一套套崭新的精装版的仿古书。这是唯一我能够辨别真伪的房间。书架上的书没有一本平装书，肯定全是用来作样子的，备不住还都是假书。我随便抽了两本出来，书倒是真的，只是太新了。书架上还有各种仿古的书挡。古式的书桌上放着家庭照片和日历等用品。书桌的抽屉也全是雕刻，我又自作聪明的以为抽屉是假的，过去一个个拉开。不好意思，原来抽屉也是真的。书房门口显著的地方摆了一座奖杯，是这个别墅的设计奖。书房外墙上的画是现代派的。

楼上还有一间是少爷尼克的房间，其实是一室一厅加浴室的套房。我们不便细看，只在门口瞄了瞄。厅里光线很暗，有一面墙的电视屏幕正播放着电子游戏。地毯上、沙发上扔了几只遥控器。

主人房在一些拱形门洞的尽头。金壁辉煌的浴室另我想起古罗马的奢侈。主人卧室也是饱满的色调，家具和摆设反倒不多，恐怕是整座别墅最空的一处了。高高架起的大床，顶上挂有华丽帘帐。卧室另有一个门，穿出去是一个小休息间，或是个实用的办公室吧，茶几上乱放了几本杂志和平装书。从这个房间的落地窗外可以望到楼下的花园和泳池。

楼上这一面的房间都可以通到面向西南的阳台。阳台的一角架了一大只望远镜。我不记得这些房间、走廊、酒吧、楼梯、阳台都是怎么连接的了。

从正中的楼梯郑重地下楼。楼下是正厅，中间的桌子上摆了一只大花瓶，插着大束的鲜花，象高级酒店大厅里一样。我仔细研究了桌面，上面的美丽花纹，是嵌了不同颜色的木头，做工精细，价格一定不低。正厅和厨房之间是正式的餐厅。长桌，鲜花，烛台，吊灯，都是高级奢侈的。不用多说了。

电梯旁的洗手间是内外套间的。抽水马桶后面墙上的画居然是中国油画，画了烛光下一个身穿红衣的北方女孩，望着手中举着的红双喜的剪纸。不知这幅画是不是仿制品。洗手的池子也不是平时见到的桌子上一个坑，而是象一只大贝壳一样的玻璃盛器。我去过不少高级酒店，这样讲究的洗手间装潢我还头一次见。后来我特地到停着法拉利的舞厅旁边的洗手间去看。这边的洗手间分男女。女间里有化妆台，有沙发，有鲜花，有香料，有好几阁马桶，马桶阁间的墙壁都是手工雕图的白玉石。

和厨房连接的是起居室，面积大得要称为起居大厅了。厅里有好几个区域，每区都有一组沙发和桌椅。电视前的沙发茶几是一区，壁炉前的沙发茶几是一区，三角琴周围的沙发茶几是一区，大圆餐桌又是一区，总之到处是很舒服的沙发凳子可以坐着躺着躲着休息。

厨房里人多起来了。今天的主食有三只火鸡，用了三种不同的烤法烤制的。我除了丹尼和莎丽外，分不清哪些是近亲、哪些是好友、哪些是嘉宾，也就没有自告奋勇去帮手，只是时不时的去视察火鸡的进展。两个男人在切火鸡。其中一人扶着烤好的火鸡，另一人手持电锯，象是切木头那样，把火鸡肉一片片削下来。这种厨房用具可真头一次见。

这时我发现厨房后面还有一个小厨房！为什么？有人告诉我，小厨房是佣人和厨师准备餐食的地方。这样说，大厨房是专门给主人做饭用的。天啊，真高级！不过我没想到这三四十人的聚餐，不是请人来做的，而是女主人和家人朋友自己烧的。不简单！

开饭了！是自助餐。我贪婪地拿了好些吃的，跟着我们家人，坐到起居厅里的一个圆桌四周，边吃边评论这个别墅的豪华。这时我看着盘里的火鸡，忽然没有胃口了，结果只吃了一碗南瓜汤，一些热蔬菜。太可惜了！还有那些酒我也没法喝。

饭后，我怕要跟其他客人寒暄（今天不舒服，不想理人），便到餐厅对面的小剧场看电视。本不该惊奇，别墅里有这样一个阶梯式的剧场，整面墙是投影屏幕。剧场里黑乎乎的，二三十只皮沙发上看不清坐了还是躺了哪些人。我们找到一只双人沙发，靠在那里看电影休息。可惜放映的一部九十年代的美国的战争片实在难看。

找到我们自己人的时候，他们正坐在泳池边的营火旁喝酒聊天。这处营火用的是假石头假木头，烧的是煤气，坐在四周暖洋洋的。天上可以看到一些星星。我指着明亮的金星和火星给大家看。

如果这个别墅再暗一些、清一些、素一些、空一些、淡一些、静一些，也许我会躺到草地上望星星。

密歇根秋色05 Southeast Michigan Foliage

2005-10-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

Huron Lake, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Bridges in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Michigan fall colors. Huron River, Ypsilanti.

Foot path in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Michigan foliage.

Michigan foliage by the railway.

Michigan foliage.

Dexter Cider Mill, Michigan.

University of Michigan

秋游俄勒冈 Portland, Oregon

2005-10-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

Columbia River Gorge in fall colors.

星期六上午的飞机，又坐的是头等舱。起飞了。望出窗外，秋色正浓。地面上整齐的街道房屋间，火红色橙黄色棕青色的树叶，象是大片大片的花毛毯。初升的阳光，清新的空气，一切都是那么美丽。可惜相机不在身边，只好使劲把一切看在眼里。

这是去波特兰市（Portland）见家人。波特兰在加州北面的俄勒冈州（Oregon）。快降落的时候，机长说可以看到两座火山（Hood 和 St. Helens）。连绵的山海上，尖尖挺拔而立着一座两座白雪覆盖的火山，阳光下耀眼光亮。飞机从一座火山边擦过，霎是壮观。

波特兰是出名的一年到头都是阴天下雨的城市。我六年前来过一次，一连三天，不是瓢泼大雨就是淫雨连绵，什么也没看到。今天天气却出奇的好。大家寒暄过后，就赶快出门去附近的哥伦比亚峡谷去看风景。哥伦比亚峡谷是哥伦比亚河冲出来的，上百公里长，一千多米深，在俄勒冈和华盛顿州交界处。河水向西，汇入大海。我们开车沿着峡谷向东去，两岸山岩高耸，阳光从秋天的树叶间射出，一晃一晃的，美极了。

在一个大坝前停车，来看鱼梯（fish ladder）。哥伦比亚河盛产三文鱼，可是水电站把鱼溯流到上游产卵的路线截住了，所以大坝旁建了有鱼梯，就是帮助鱼越过水坝的一种连续性阶梯式的水槽。我在网上查到鱼梯的介绍：它的设置考量溯流鱼跳跃的高度，鱼体长度及让鱼族每次跃上一阶后，有足够的休息空间；利用水位落差，让坝定的水经由每阶梯的缺口流下，而鱼族也利用缺口一级一级的往上跃，知道坝顶便可以游如上游产卵区。我以前从没见过。我以为鱼是会象照片里那样，一跳一跳上楼梯的，可在坝上看了一阵，也看不到鱼。这里好象有两种鱼梯，一种就是一级级的水槽，另一种是之字形的阶梯。也许季节不对。下楼去看水下情景。楼下开了五个窗口，象电视屏幕一样。在之字形的段落，水流看来也很急。隐隐约约见到几只鱼，大大小小，逆流向上游去。有的鱼不够力气，被水冲了下去。可怜的鱼儿！它们不知道到了坝顶，三十里路外，有渔夫在等着捕鱼呢。怪不得三文鱼那么好吃！都是这样锻炼的结果。

峡谷的穆尔诺马瀑布（Multnomah）是旅游胜地，高620 尺，190米，美国第二。一柱水从悬崖峭壁上直冲下来，非常猛烈。沿途还有几个瀑布。这次我对瀑布不感兴趣，只是往阳光灿烂的峡谷河面望去。在高处望下，河谷开阔，满眼秋色，尽收眼底。

晚上去一间波特兰著名的杰克海鲜馆（Jake’s Famous Crawfish）。我们五点钟打电话预约，最早的位子也要八点半以后，可见这里是非常拥挤的。1892年开创，每天的菜单都是新印的。我们饿了，就坐在酒吧台上吃饭。叫了一盘蛤贝，蛤杂海鲜汤，三文鱼，还有俄勒冈盛产的螃蟹（Dungeness Crab）。美味极了！

Mountains and volcanoes near Portland.

Columbia River Gorge.

Driving along the Columbia River Gorge.

Fish ladder.

Fish Ladder.

Crossing the bridge over Columbia River Gorge.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon.

Columbia River Gorge.

Columbia River Gorge.

Jakes Seafood.

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星期天下午出门，去俄勒冈海岸。下着朦朦小雨。车子在树林中穿过，两旁都是高耸的常青树，只见一线天。路上看了一棵美国最老的大柏树（ Sikta Cypress ），至少750年了。我也不懂树，只知道这里的树林和密歇根的不同，是温带雨林，到处都是青苔，树木高，种类多。走在深深密林中，好象童话故事里那样。

他们听说我喜欢收集国家公园游客中心的图章，就陪我到海岸附近的要塞（ Ft Clastop）。这是200年前著名的美国探险家路易斯和克拉克探险路线的终点。他们当年从美国中部出发，向西寻找太平洋岸的。我的同伴都不知道有这个要塞，出发前帮我打电话去问，才听说这个地方正巧两个星期前失火，全部烧尽。游客中心还开，我不管了，就去盖章。后来觉得还是应该至少看一看要塞的遗址。反正是50年前仿建的，真的烧平了，也不可惜。。问会不会重建，工作人员说先要考一下古。考古？我觉得好笑，因为这几天正在学埃及历史。

俄勒冈海岸是仙境一般的美。海滩平而广。雾气蒸腾。到处白茫茫一片。不远处一座悬崖山壁，象是从雾中升起的。夕阳穿过云层，照射在海面。海水随着波浪慢慢的爬上海滩，轻轻的，泛着鳞光。站在海水退去的沙滩上，好象站在水面上似的。一切都是朦朦胧胧的，如诗如梦。

海鸟在沙滩上守住一只螃蟹，不肯离开。螃蟹味道一定鲜美，可对海鸟们来说，也许还是太大了些。

Oregon Coast.

Lewis and Clark.

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星期一阴天。想去城里的鲍威尔书店（ Powell’s Books）逛逛。这里号称是世界最大的书店之一。爱书之人不可不去。可惜时间不多，匆匆挑了几本关于埃及的书就去机场了。

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喜欢俄勒冈的山峡、河谷、海岸、树林。火山和书没时间看。下次一定再来。

密歇根摘苹果 Apple Picking, Michigan

2005-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Apple pyramid.

Country Fair at Wiard's Orchard, Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Taking a break at the country fair of Michigan.

Labyrinth at the country fair, Michigan.

Apple farm of Wiard's Orchard, Michigan.

Pumpkin field, Michigan.

One pumpkin and 82 apples, 2005.

华盛顿 Washington DC

2005-10-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

Key Bridge from Marriott Hotel, Washington DC.

Potomac River, Washington DC.

Washington DC. Wshington Monument can be seen from afar.

这次机票订晚了，从底特律到华盛顿的机票都很贵，只好中途在克里夫兰转机。第一程只有五十分钟。我坐的头等舱。先叫了一杯百事可乐，空姐没听清，给我免糖的可乐。我因为觉得坐头等舱已经很荣幸了，不好意思向她提出换可乐。短程飞机坐后面的人都没有饮料喝。中途她又来送饮料，我叫了一杯 Gin and Tonic 的鸡尾酒，开始享乐。谁知刚喝了几口，飞机就开始降落，空姐过来要收杯子。我想赶快喝完手中的酒，她却盯着我说，不能喝了，收杯子准备降落！唉。

在克里夫兰转机，停一小时。这次是 Continental 的小飞机。我们坐好等了二十分钟，机长说让大家都下飞机，因为维修人员忽然决定要换一个可能有损的轮胎，而且为了平衡，其它轮胎都要换。我们只好下飞机等，奇怪为什么换轮胎这样的基本维修不早做。半小时后，才又上机起飞。到了华盛顿机场，已经晚了四十多分钟。本来计划跟老板会面，在他降落的闸口等他，没想到他的飞机停在另外一个楼，要绕很远才能走到。不知他是否已经走了。我鼓起勇气走到他那边，已经又过了二十分钟。还好，他的飞机也晚点了。我们汇合后就乘的士去旅馆了。

我们的会议在华盛顿的很高级的一个旅馆。我住在十四楼顶楼，可以望到窗外的公路和楼房。晚上我们跨过 Key Bridge 桥，来到河对面的乔治亚城，就是华盛顿的一个区，找餐馆吃饭。街上还很热闹。我见到一间意大利薄饼店，老板说这是华盛顿最著名的薄饼店的分店，一定要我去吃吃。我们点了两人份的套餐，包括一瓶葡萄酒，蔬菜撒拉，薄饼，甜点，整套才50元，盈利捐给台风遇难者。想不到每道菜都是很正宗的意大利餐，以前只在意大利才吃过的。真是好吃极了，又不太贵。餐馆名是Pizzeria Paradiso （天堂匹萨饼店）。

开会也在酒店里，近一百人，只见到几个女姓，而我又是唯一的亚洲人。我就习惯性地坐在后面呆呆的听别人发言。电梯里遇到了以前加州理工物理系的办公室的同学，特别高兴。告诉他我刚结婚，他说他也刚结婚三个月，又做了三个礼拜的爸爸。大家互相恭喜了一阵。

会议安排的午餐是在顶楼，落地玻璃，可以看到华盛顿地区，一目了然。远远的教堂，学校，华盛顿纪念碑，肯尼迪中心，水门大楼，河，桥，船与船坞，树木，公路，等等，十分壮观。下午来了几阵雨，雨后的太阳照在城中的建筑上，亮亮的一片，漂亮极了。我跑去楼顶拍了好几张照片。

晚上跟老板和另一个科学家去乔治亚城吃饭。我选了一个印度餐馆。因为我和另一个人不熟，找不到共同话题，饭菜做得一般，侍应生也心不在焉，老是听错话。吃完赶快回旅馆吧。坐过大桥，桥的一边灯火辉煌，另一边是漆黑的河水，泛着点点的光。

礼拜五见到了两个网友，吃了一顿东来顺，一顿北京烤鸭。下了一整天的雨。

圣地亚哥动物园 San Diego Zoo

2005-09-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

San Diego Zoo: Gao Gao the panda.

San Diego Zoo: Flamingo.

San Diego Zoo: Koala bear

San Diego Zoo: Hippopotamus.

San Diego Zoo: Ducks and fish in hippo tank.

San Diego Zoo: Polar bear.

San Diego Zoo: Parrots.

San Diego Zoo: Crocodile.

今天早上离开了豪华旅馆，来到世界闻名的圣地亚哥动物园。我们还都是头一次来。我小时候对动物园不大感兴趣，心想也许现在能看出些名堂了。而且这里有几只大熊猫。

先是乘坐双层巴士，在整个动物园里转了一圈，大致了解院内的布局，见到了各种动物。印象最深的是在水里玩耍的北极熊。我们这样一种动物一种动物的看过来，好象是在看幻灯片，一张图是一种动物。我看不出动物的喜怒哀乐。

下车后就在园里自己转。那些大猩猩的行为最令人不解。我觉得它们很可怜。河马最好看，它们住在玻璃水缸里，可以看到它们在水下的样子。楼上一层的水面上有个小孩在逗河马玩，河马就向上一跳一跳的，想抓东西来，一切都好象慢动作似的。水缸里还有很多小鸭子和鱼。据说这些鱼是可以帮河马清理水缸的。我们还看了海豹表演。一般。临走前仔细看了蛇的展览，有好几条中国的毒蛇。恐怖！另外还坐了高空缆车。

当然今天的宝贵节目是大熊猫。我自从小时候在北京看过大熊猫之后，就再也没看过了。小时候去北京动物园，大熊猫的地方总是挤满了人，我人小看不到，偶尔挤到前面，也看不到熊猫，只记得见过一只在睡觉的熊猫背影。所以我一直觉得熊猫没意思，不知道大家为什么都这么喜欢熊猫。前两年在网上，看到一些熊猫的照片和新闻，才忽然觉得熊猫是世界上最可爱的动物，于是经常收集熊猫的新闻和资料。这次我们来到大熊猫的展区，也是挤满了人。先看到熊猫高高，一个人在吃竹子。隔壁是两岁的美生，高高和白云的孩子，是第一次在美国出生的熊猫。前两个月白云又生了一个小熊猫崽，现在只能在摄像机上观看他们。起先美生还没有出来，动物园的人把树干上摆好一些竹竿、竹叶，和一些胡萝卜。门一开，一直活泼的小熊猫窜了出来，象是美国电视里的深夜秀（Late Show）主持人那样，在观众的掌声中，兴高采烈地爬到树上，拣了几个胡萝卜吃，然后舒舒服服坐到树杈上，抓起竹竿啃起来。真是可爱呀！麦克头一次见到熊猫，也说熊猫是世界上最可爱的动物。

这个动物园不算大，下午就逛得七七八八了，决定走人。晚上回到洛杉矶，在一间上海餐馆吃了顿饭。麦克送我去机场，结束了周末四天的节目。

加州科罗拉多酒店 Hotel del Coronado

2005-09-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Hotel del Coronado is a luxury hotel in the City of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California. It is located immediately behind the beach, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest beach resort on the North American Pacific Coast.

Construction of the hotel began in March 1887 and was finished just 11 months later in February 1888 at the cost of one million dollars. Labor was provided largely by Chinese immigrants from San Francisco and Oakland.

The hotel was built as a premiere resort for the wealthy. It is one of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

The hotel has hosted a variety of notable guests, including Thomas Edison, L Frank Baum, and Charles Lindbergh. There is some speculation that Wallis, Duchess of Windsor was introduced to Edward VIII at the hotel. The following presidents have stayed at the hotel: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Hotel del Coronado, the lobby.

A dining area in Hotel del Coronado.

A staircase of Hotel del Coronado.

Named the number one wedding destination in America by the Travel Channel, the Hotel del Coronado is a magical setting for the special day. Surrounded by sun-drenched beaches and moonlit ocean views, The Del is the perfect San Diego wedding site.

Breakfast on the balcony with oceanfront view.

Hotel del Coronado, from a balcony.

Nights at the Del.

9/23/2005 星期五

中午，麦克把我从洛杉矶机场接到，立刻上了五号高速公路向南走。我不知道去哪里，他不告诉我他的计划。我就迷迷糊糊坐在他的小跑车里，望着窗外的晴空，路上的汽车，两旁的房屋树木，不远处的太平洋，一切都是那么明亮欢悦。想到上一个星期还在阴郁的荷兰和英国，前两天还在盛夏的密西根，今天已经又回到了清爽的南加州，真有些觉得是在做梦。

过了圣地亚哥，车子开上一座高架桥，进入了科洛那多半岛（Coronado），穿过明亮的街道，来到一座壮观的旅馆前。“到了！”

这是著名的科洛那旅馆（Hotel del Coronado）。整座建筑是维多利亚式的，是加州最大的全木头建筑。最引人注目的是主建筑的圆锥形红色屋顶，稳稳当当坐在那里，尖尖的屋顶上还整整齐齐开着几排可爱的小天窗。白墙红顶，周围是高高低低的棕榈树，背后是蓝色太平洋，身穿度假夏装的人们出出进进，只觉得这里充满生机。

这旅馆肯定很贵吧？我问麦克。他笑笑说，偶尔奢侈一下也好。他很多年来一直想看这个旅馆，这个周末终于如愿以偿了。麦克说我们要在这里住三晚。

后来我在网上查到找个旅馆的资料。这座豪华旅馆昵称 Del，是北美西岸最大的沿海度假胜地（resort）。建于１８８７年，十一个月完工，耗资一百万元，用的是加州湾区的华人民工。很多名人富人都曾是这里的客人，如爱迪生，历届美国总统罗斯福，艾森豪威尔，肯尼迪，卡特，里根，大小布什，克林顿，等等。据说爱德华八世就是在这里遇到后来的温莎公爵夫人的。

旅馆大厅里布置得很华丽，所有天花板、墙壁、柱子、地板，阁楼，装饰，都是棕色木头的。屋顶不高，中央的大吊灯下，是大瓶的鲜花。

我们的房间在另外一座六层楼的五楼。室内装潢不算豪华。从房间和阳台上都可以看到太平洋。打开落地窗，听海浪拍岸的声音，任由海风扫进房间，感觉清爽开阔。向外望去，海滩上还正举行一个小型婚礼。我们心情都好极了。

下午在旅馆里到处逛逛。旅馆主楼有商店，泳池，疗养场，健身房，舞厅，还有几个档次不同的餐馆和酒吧。我们去了一个中档的餐厅，坐在落地玻璃前，看着海滩上的灯火人群。一餐下来，还没有点酒，帐单就近一百块钱了。我心想，那个高档餐厅还不知要多贵呢。海滩上还有一个大型的婚礼，到处都是音乐和兴高采烈的人群，熙熙攘攘的。我觉得这些人好象生活在与世隔绝的乐园，又象是在世界末日来临前的狂欢。

因为欧洲的时差还没倒过来，我回到房间倒头就睡了，睡在海浪声中，好舒服的床，好舒服的枕头，好舒服的被单。这里就是完全享受的地方，此时此地之外的事就先不去想了。

9/24/2005 星期六

一早就醒来，窗外阳光正好。懒洋洋靠在床上看书。麦克看电视里的足球赛。不想离开舒服的房间。于是打电话叫人送早餐。这还是头一次在旅馆房间里早餐呢。以前经常在电影里看到有钱人在房间早餐的情节。前几天正好看了的一本小说（A Handful of Dust），其中就特别有一段故事，讲一对夫妇要办离婚，英国法律当时需要有外遇的证明，所以虽然是妻子有了外遇，丈夫还是同意假装自己有外遇被抓。于是丈夫找了个舞女，订了旅馆房间，早上叫人送早餐，两人赶快坐在床上被单下，故意让人发现以作证据。好笑极了。虽然看到这个情节，我还是没料到送早餐的人会直接走进房间来。这时再起床已经太晚了。我只好躲在被子底下，闭着眼，不想看到那个送早餐人的表情。

早餐叫了一份鸡蛋面包加土豆丝，另一份法国面包加蜜糖，再有一壶咖啡，牛奶，橙汁等。所有的调料都是装在迷你小的瓶子里，很可爱。我们坐在阳台上，望着大海和沙滩，真觉得跟在电影里的人一样。

今天真懒，从房间到楼下，就坐到泳池旁边休息。露天泳池四周摆满了沙滩长凳，清一色的绿色垫子，坐满了晒太阳的男男女女。有的在看书，有的在晒太阳，有的在睡觉，有的在聊天。泳池里只有两个小孩在玩水。不知道周围这些人里有几个下过水的。我们也拣了两个凳子坐下，喝着冻柠茶，开始下棋玩。不远处传来一阵阵烧烤的香味。我下棋输了，就派我去买汉堡包来。在这里买东西吃饭都可以记帐，不用付现金。

太阳晒得厉害了，就去泳池里玩一玩，再去热水浴缸泡一泡。这里可以感觉到海风的凉爽。离海这么近，大家却挤在海边的泳池边晒太阳，真好笑。这里还有疗养院（spa），可以接受按摩服务。我们去问了价钱，一个小时一百块左右。在密西根的运动疗养按摩就是这个价钱，所以我想也不贵。不过麦克不愿意请男按摩师，而这里女按摩师都预约满了，这次就算了。

懒洋洋就过了一天。晚上我们打算去旅馆里的高档餐厅进餐。餐厅名叫威尔士亲王（Prince of Wales），肯定是跟着那个不爱江山爱美人的爱德华八世起名的。我们打扮得漂漂亮亮的下楼去。麦克穿了西装，我穿了一身黑色晚装，象是去参加电影里的晚会。从海边走过，见到很多人在海滩上聚会。这里真是一个接一个的晚会不止。有两三个乐队同时在不同的派对上奏乐，乐声在空旷的海面上一定可以传得很远。

餐厅很有气氛。屋顶上有一盏射灯温温柔柔的照在桌面，白色桌布上放着插了鲜花的小花瓶。侍应生都轻声漫步的。我们看了看菜单，上面只有几道菜，价钱并不可怕。听说这里的厨师都是得奖的，也许他们只能做几种拿手菜吧。我们叫了两份套餐，两杯葡萄酒，另加一份生牡蛎。我讲不出那些菜的中文名字，总之是非常精美，又好看又好吃，放到嘴里就融化的。回到旅馆房间，我还在回味每一道菜的感觉。

奢侈了两天，跟做梦一样。

墨西哥边境城 Tijuana, Mexico

2005-09-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

Tijuana, Revolution Avenue.

Tijuana Mexico-US border crossing.

在旅馆赖了两天，今天决定出门。开车往南，去墨西哥边境城提瓦那（Tijuana）看看。提瓦那是我了如指掌的地方了。我只去过两次。第一次跟妈妈去，因为忘记带护照，在海关和游客区之间来回奔走了几次，走熟了路。第二次跟朋友去下加利福尼亚半岛（Baja California）旅游，前后住了两晚，每次都找旅馆，又要去租车和还车，所以在城里又走路，又乘出租车，又搭公共汽车，又开车停车，对每条街上有什么都熟悉得不得了。麦克反而没有怎么来过。我高兴做他的导游。

车子在边境前的停车场停下。走上边境大楼，绕几个圈，过桥，就到了墨西哥。两边都没有人查证件。之后就往游客区走。经过一座行人桥，横跨跨提瓦那河。提瓦那河完全是水泥的河床，河里几乎就没有水。桥两边有很多小商贩在买纪念品，多是些村里来的女人，很多还带着孩子。每次经过她们的摊档，我都感到无比同情而无奈。

游客区在革命大道（Avenida Revolucion）上。路口有一个高大的金属拱作为标记。这条街完全是为美国游客服务的。满街都是药铺，工艺品店，酒吧咖啡厅，成人娱乐场所，还有一些餐馆。街口有给游客照相用的驴车，驴子被涂成斑马的样子。我第一次来的时候，只见过两辆驴车，还以为是新的驴子品种。现在已经每个街口都有了。这也算是提瓦那一景，明信片上都有的。另外，在街上每走几步路就会被拉客的叫住。这些人都会说英文，所有商品的标价也都是美元。我们到药店买了瓶四环素消炎药，十二块钱一百粒。消炎药在美国是要医生开放才能买的。药店里其它的花花绿绿的药可能都是美国很难买到的。我们还买了两张的墨西哥花毯子，共十美元。

经过一家商店，见到门口摆着一个纸盒子，里面放了一些豆子，标明是“跳跳豆”。果真，那些豆子一直在跳个不停。我们怀疑有古怪，把豆子抓在手里，过了一阵，豆子也开始跳。我们研究了很久也不知道原因，猜想可能是什么静电作用。（回家上网查了资料，原来这些“豆豆”里面有很小的虫子，虫子一动，豆豆就跳了。）

我们找了间餐馆坐下，叫了鸡尾酒慢慢喝，边喝边聊天。麦克心情很好，觉得终于出了国。他在美国国内尤其是南加州，总是情绪紧张，感到很大压力，出了国就很放松。他问我有没有这样的感觉。我说美国和墨西哥对我来说都是外国，反而我觉得提瓦那更加揪心，因为这里遇到的人完全没有归属感。“本地人”没有人想在这里长久，像在中国深圳那样，都只是为了赚钱或打工而来的。游客更是来寻求瞬间短暂的廉价欢愉，因为来这里消费的都是美国穷人。这个城市永远要对美国人察言观色，一般人是无法在这里生存的。上次开车来的，经过城外那些临时搭起的破旧的小屋棚，和海边的度假屋完全不能相比。我曾在革命大道上度过一个新年之夜。在金属拱下搭了个舞台，街上有一些卖食品的摊档。晚上这里就没有游客了，聚在一起的都是流浪在这里打工的人。我在墨西哥城也过过新年，那时街头人涌，非常喜庆，不是提瓦那这样的凄凉。我记得倒数的时候，金属拱上的时钟慢了好几分钟，也没人知道。

我每次来这里都非常迫切地感到人的悲哀。

麦克很气愤成人娱乐场所在拉他的客。他认为那些男人见到他身边有女伴，再向他拉客，就太不尊重了。麦克还奇怪为什么我不生气。我说这有什么好生气的，有些女人也喜欢看成人节目，而且这些人只是在工作而已，这里又不是什么道德城市。我说不如晚饭后我带你到红灯区的街上转转。

红灯区在革命大道北边的一带。这里的街道比革命大道更挤更乱，没有药铺和工艺品店，都是住家和为本地人服务的商店和饭馆，还有一些简陋的旅馆和闪着霓虹灯的娱乐场所。走过三条街，每个房门口都站着一两个打扮得很惹眼的年轻女子，也有几个上了年纪的。她们都面无表情地望着眼前的空气，街上的行人，脚下的尘土。我不忍心看她们，就低着头加快脚步。这些可怜的女孩子们，她们看着我的目光一定是非常羡慕的。我和麦克这样恩爱的走过她们面前，会不会给她们很大的打击？真希望她们早早赚够钱，找到自己的男人，离开这个无奈的地方。我知道，我以后再也不要到这里来了。

原路回去。边境那里非常非常的堵车，进入美国的车都要一辆辆检查。幸好我们走路过来。海关的Ｘ光透射仪查到我们的四环素。我们都很紧张，不知道买药是不是违法的。海关人员听说是四环素，想了一下就放我们过去了。早知道就揣兜里拿回来了。

明天就要离开旅馆了。

苏格兰城堡 Hermitage Castle, Scottish Borders

2005-09-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hermitage, "the chief strength of Liddesdale", must be one of the most sinister-looking castles ever built.

A vast eerie fortress at the heart of many of the bloodiest events in the history of the Borders and the scene of many a death by drowning, burning. starvation and, of course, by the sword. Many dreadful deeds were perpetrated here, and hanging over the site is a sense of hidden menace and oppressive evil. It was to this castle that Mary Queen of Scots made her famous ride to visit her future husband, the Earl of Bothwell who had been seriously injured in an encounter with Little Jock Elliot whom Bothwell was trying to apprehend.

On the way to Hermitage Castle.

From Hermitage south along the valley of Hermitage Water to Newcastleton and beyond can be seen remnants of many old peles and castles. This is largely Elliot country but the castle has been, at times, associated with the De Soulis family and with the Douglas, Dacre, Hepburn and Scott clans. The Armstrong occupied it from time to time when it was not in use by the others. In the vicinity of Hermitage have been found the remains of buildings indicating that once a sizeable township was located here.

For 400 years the awesome ruin served as the "guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain". It's history has sufficient intrigue, romance and violence to make the legend of the castle's builder fighting a giant wearing impregnable amour seem rather superfluous. The proximity of Hermitage Castle to the English border made it a particular prize for both countries. Even the building of it by the King's butler, Sir Nicholas de Soules in about 1240, almost brought the nations to the brink of war. It was disputed territory for much of its history. This can be seen in the great strength of the castle, which reflects both the wealth of its owners and its strategic position. It is the best of the medieval border castles to survive. Despite some re-building at the wall-heads in the 19th century, most of what we see is a caslte that has evolved and grown over half a millennium.

It stands actually in a smaller valley off the main dale, and even without its roof and with its interior in ruins, it retains a most grim and depressing atmosphere: visitors are not surprised to learn that one of its earliest owners, a lord named de Soulis, was reputedly a magician who had sold his soul to the Devil, and was punished for his crimes by being boiled alive in a great cauldron.

Hermitage Castle is a stone multi-towered castle, the bleak surroundings give it an extraordinary atmosphere. Fragments of the early castle lie at the centre of the building, round arched doorways, large ashlar blocks in the spiral stairs give its position away. Built up to become the main central keep, with towers added at each corner, it became the largest and strongest castle on the Border. The east and west sides of the towers are joined at the top, by an arched curtain, so that a wooden hoarding could encompass the castle.

This tower is rather mundanely referred to as the Kichen tower, in fact it was the main lordly residence of the 15th century castle. The central tower could not provide sufficient space for the earls of Douglas. A new tower was built at each of the angles of the castle to provide work rooms, storage space and domestic apartments. The south-east tower houses the well. The north-east tower is the castle's prison where many a border reiver will have suffered from his craft.

Little remains of this 13th C. chapel. Its foundations have been excavated, along with some window arches. This was most likely a private chapel associated with Hermitage Castle and an old wooden manor house which has subsequently been lost. The surrounding banks and ditches are part of the castle's defences.

Hermitage Castle and Chapel.

Scottish Borders.

Mid-autumn moon seen from our car on the highway of England.

Reference:
http://www.homeatfirst.com/a-may04-.htm
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/scotland/roxburghshire/hermatige.html
http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_scotland/79/hermitagecastle.htm
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/hawick/hermitagecastle/
http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/hermitage.html
http://www.aboutscotland.com/hermitage.html

爱丁堡 Edinburgh

2005-09-16T17:11:00.000-07:00

Scotland Travelogue, Photo Album

Edinburgh, Capital of Scotland.

Edinburgh on a sunny afternoon.

Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens.

A sunny afternoon in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh.

Edinburgh map.

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh.

Beautiful sunset in Edinburgh, Scotland.

One of the closes off the Royal Mile of Edinburgh. Here houses the Writer's Museum, "collections relating to the lives and works of Scotland's great writers, particularly Burns, Scott and Stevenson".

Statue of David Hume (1711-1776), a Scottish philosopher and historian, on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh.

One of many of Edinburgh's closes on a rainy afternoon.

The building on the left is said to be the ugliest building in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh building (a high school?) at night.

Rainbow over Edinburgh beach at sunest.

Edinburgh beach.

Edinburgh beach.

--
阿姗游记：Belize Canoe Trip, Scotland, 南美游记：第一部：亚马逊河畔 §第二部：安第斯山区 §第三部：印加遗迹

荷兰透视 Perspectives of the Netherlands

2005-09-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

IJsselstein, Netherlands.

IJsselstein, Netherlands.

Afsluitdijk (Closure-dike) is a major dam in the netherlands, constructed between 1927 and 1933, over a length of 32 km and a width of 90 m, at an initial height of 7.25 m above sea-level. Wadden Sea on the left, and IJsselmeer (lake) on the right.

Amsterdam.

荷兰乌得勒支市 Utrecht, the Netherlands

2005-09-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

View from the top of Domtoren bell tower, Utrecht. Utrecht is an ecclesiastical centre, as the seat of the Catholic primate of the Netherlands, a university town, a commercial centre well-known for its trade fair, and an important communication network junction.

Utrecht old town. Narrow, spanned by numerous bridges, this old canal which crosses the town from one end to the other, originally linked the Rhine to the Vecht. It is one of the city's animated centres, both on the upper quays and the lower quays, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

The most memorable things in Utrecht are bicycles, tree-lined canals and restaurants.

University of Utrecht (Universiteit Utrecht) building. Built at the end of the 19C in the neo-Renaissance style, it incorporates the cathedral's old chapterhouse (1409), the present great lecture hall or Aula. Lu says this is where all Ph.D. students defend their thesis work.

Utrecht Domtoren. This bell tower was formaly linked by an arch to the nave of the cathedral, which was destroyed in 1674, by a hurricane, which also devastated the town. Built in 1321-82 in the Gothic style, restored at the beginning of this century, it influenced many other bell towers in the country, of which it is the highest.

Kloostertuin, or cloister gardens, of Kloostergang, the 14C cloisters that link the cathedral to the chapter house.

A bell on top of the bell tower, Utrecht Domtoren.

From the topmost gallery (465 steps) of Domtoren, there is an immense and magnificent panorama over the town and the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Utrecht from Bell Tower. The Netherlands.

Utrecht from Bell Tower. Holland.

A window inside Domtoren, the bell tower of Utrecht.

Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Utrecht, the Netherlands.

苏格兰高地 Scottish Highlands

2005-09-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

Scotland Highland.

Scottish bagpiper at Scotland Highland.

The Three Sisters of Glencoe. Highland Scotland.

Scotland highland. A man and a dog in the grassy hills. This was my image of Scotland highland before my trip.

Glen Coe, Scottish Highland.

Fort Williams, Scotland.

High Street of Fort William, Scotland.

Loch Lochy, between Fort William and Fort Augustus, south of Loch Ness. Highland Scotland.

A bridge in the Scotland highland area.

Laggan Locks of For Augustus on the Caledonian Canal. The locks were built to overcome the 13ft/4m difference between Loch Oich and the shallow waters of Loch Lochy flanked by forests. Loch Ness is in the distance.

A swing bridge at Fort Augustus.

Loch Ness. The dark water of this loch (754ft/230 deep) are renowned the world over as the home of the elusive Nessie. First espied in the 8C by a local monk, Nessie has continued to captivate and mystify and, despite modern technology, preserve her true identity.

Nessie. The initial sighting of a large snake-like, hump-backed monster with a long thin neck in Loch Ness was made in the 8C by a monk. Despite various expeditions, some highly equipped with submarines, helicopters and sonar electronic cameras, the loch has failed to reveal its secret. The tradition is hardly surprising in a country where the kelpie or water-horse was common in the tales and legends of the past.

I had a chance to drive on the left in Scotland.

Inverness, standing at the northern end of the Great Glen, astride the River Ness flowing from Loch Ness, is the traditional capital of the Scottish Highlands.

Urquhart Castle. This lochside ruins are strategically set on a promontory jutting out into Loch Ness and the stronghold was one of a chain controlling this natural route.

Highway near Inverness, 57.29N, the northernmost place I have been to.

Forth Bridges (Road Bridge and Rail Bridge), at South Queensferry, Scotland.

Scotland highland landscape.

以前不知道英格兰和苏格兰有这么本质上的文化差异。英格兰就去了剑桥大学。苏格兰去了爱丁堡，北边的高地，以及南边的 Scottish Borders。非常喜欢爱丁堡。

Highlands 是从爱丁堡往北的大片地区。我们开车，从爱丁堡出发向西北，经过一些山区就是高地了（Rob Roy 打仗的地方），有山有丘陵，到达西岸的 Fort Williams，再向东北，沿着那些长条形的湖 (Loch 这个 Loch 那个的，Loch Ness 是尼斯湖），最后到达 Inverness，折回。那天天气不好，但风景的确壮观。有很多城堡。

西面有 Skye 岛 (Isle of Skye)，据说特别漂亮，可是我们一日来回不及。

Google map: Scotland Highlands 从右下角的 Stirling 开始（爱丁堡在更南一点）... Skye 岛在左上角，Inverness 在上面。

爱丁堡城堡 Edinburgh Castle

2005-09-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens.

Edinburgh Castle.

Castle wall and winter.

Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh castle

View from Edinburgh Castle.

A Scottish wedding in Edinburgh Castle.

View of Edinburgh from the Castle.

Edinburgh Castle at night.

苏格兰二日游：风雨中的爱丁堡

2005-09-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

苏格兰相册

这次去爱丁堡纯粹是偶然的机会。我本在剑桥开会，会后有两天的空闲。正不知去哪里呢，忽然想起一个久未通信的网友泰山在，一联络，发现他这几年就在爱丁堡。八年前我们在瑞士见过，他开车带我们把瑞士整个转了一圈，是一个又热心又能干的旅游爱好者。这次他听说我在英国，热情邀请我北上，还帮我安排好两天的行程，我只管买火车票就好了。旅行对我来说，还从来没有这么盲目的。手上没有书，包里没有地图，我就往火车站去了。

我对爱丁堡的认识几乎是负数。我既不知道爱丁堡是什么级别的行政单位，也不知道它的地理、历史、文化、风俗。我赶快上网补课，知道爱丁堡是苏格兰的首府，在英吉利岛的北部。后来一路上泰山从我们中国人的角度讲了很多苏格兰的历史和民族情结，我才逐渐明白很多以前道听途说的事件。

我是星期五早晨从剑桥上火车，在 Paddington 转车，下午到达爱丁堡的。老朋友相见，不亦乐乎。在火车站旁的一间中餐馆吃了自助餐，把行李暂存在泰山的车上，然后就步行在城里转。这时遇到一个国内来的小女生。她是从北京来探亲的，不会讲英文，碰着本中文的导游书，大胆一个人来到爱丁堡，打算找旅游团。我们就决定把她带上，第二天一起开车到苏格兰高地看风景。一个朋友说过，三个人出门最好，一来不会吵架，二来总是有话题说，累了还可以听人聊天。就这样我们三人有说有笑，把爱丁堡和苏格兰来了个“二日游”。第一天下午看爱丁堡市区，第二天开车去高地，第三天早上逛爱丁堡城堡，下午我坐飞机去荷兰的美国领事馆签证。签证拿到后，我怀念苏格兰，又飞回来玩了两天，才从伦敦离开。

第一节：风雨中的爱丁堡

首先来到泰山的办公室参观，是爱丁堡大学的计算机系大楼。能在这样一座上百年的建筑里工作，做学问也会是更严谨。广场的地都是小石子铺的，以前一定是马车停的。

典型的爱丁堡街道和建筑。

爱丁堡市中心的街容。这是一个风雨交加的下午。城里的房子都是这样深色大石建的，阴沉沉的，让人以为回到了中世纪。

泰山告诉我，这是爱丁堡最难看的建筑，正在市中心，是爱丁堡大学的什么楼。英国一个报纸正在组织投票选举最难看的建筑，投票最多的，讲获得免费炸楼的服务。爱丁堡大学的师生都在努力投票，争取把这个楼选上。果然，这个楼跟其它建筑完全格格不入，整个爱丁堡市区都见不到第二个水泥建筑。

阴天中的城堡，高踞在悬崖上。前面的架子是为前个星期的爱丁堡艺术节搭的。遗憾我没碰上。泰山说，艺术节整整两个礼拜，满街都是游人，都是艺人，热闹极了。他邀我下次一定要在艺术节时来。拍照片的地方有一个青年旅社，价格便宜，交通方便。

制作苏格兰花布的车间。这是在城堡附近一个专门给游客参观的旧工厂。在电影里看过的，苏格兰各个家族（clan）都有自己的花纹，叫做 tartan。麦克就是苏格兰裔的，他们家也有自己的花纹。我和泰山在这里遇到北京来的小朋友王丹。

爱丁堡建在旧火山上。市中心的主要大街皇家大道 Royal Mile 其实就是一段火山的沿。这条街一端高，尽头是爱丁堡城堡。一路斜坡下来，两旁是一座连一座的古老大石建筑。因为大街是在山脊上，街两侧有很多窄小的门洞，连通窄小的楼梯，通往外面的街。这些小巷叫做 close。

走进一个小巷，是斜斜的楼梯。

从一个小巷里往皇家大道上望去。

从皇家大道旁的小门穿出，有时走进小院子，小院子另一边又有楼梯通往山下。这个小院子里有苏格兰作家博物馆（小红牌子）。苏格兰的人才很多，我听说过的著名作家有：诗人彭斯 Robert Burns, 司各特 Walter Scott, 写 Peter Pan 的 JM Barrie,《福尔摩斯》的柯南道尔 Arthur Conan Doyle, 《金银岛》的史蒂文森 Robert LouisStevenson，还有《哈里波特》的罗林 J.K. Rowling。

苏格兰著名哲学家大卫•休谟 David Hume (1711-1776)。雕像在皇家大道上。出生于爱丁堡，与约翰•洛克（John Locke）及乔治•贝克莱（George Berkeley）并称三大英国经验主义者。

这个小门进去，是一个供游客参观的小博物馆，好象是介绍这些小巷和小院子的历史和结构的。门口有个穿古装的女孩在拉游客。苏格兰有很多古老的传说，可惜我们对他们的文化所知太少了，听到什么都是第一次，不象其他欧美的游客，可以举一反三，融会贯通。我们只在礼品店看了看，简单了解一下博物馆的特点就离开了。

皇家大道一景。地上的八角形图案的中心，泰山说是以前的断头台地址。爱丁堡的街道都是石砖铺的，坑坑洼洼的。

爱丁堡的街景。街上常见这种老爷车样子的出租车。

爱丁堡有很多酒吧。欧美游客都是要到酒吧狂欢的。皇家大道的下端有一个著名的酒吧，叫世界尽头 The World's End，因为是旧爱丁堡的尽头。

皇家大道的尽头是一座桥，桥这边是＂旧城＂，对面是＂新城＂。新城也有上百年的历史了，后来我们开车去转，街道房屋也是古香古色的。当然，新城之外还有第三期、第四期的新城，景色就每况愈下了。

从爱丁堡城里开车出来。这是不远处的苏格兰国会大楼。泰山告诉我，苏格兰几百年来一直在争取民族独立，最近一段尤其热烈。苏格兰的人才多，现在的英国首相布莱尔就是爱丁堡人，还有其他几个掌大权的政府要员也是苏格兰人。前几年苏格兰的独立斗争又进了一步，他们可以有自己的国会了。这就刚建起的国会。屋顶上的那些棍子可不是乱摆的，是经过精心设计的。

苏格兰独立斗争，这我还头一会听说。一路上泰山讲了很多苏格兰和英格兰不合的故事。对我来说，苏格兰英格兰都是英国，没有什么本质上的分别。这话可别跟苏格兰人说。他们坚持自己与英格兰的不同。比如，看足球赛。球赛里有苏格兰队，苏格兰人当然为自己队打气；如果英格兰队在踢，苏格兰人一定要为英格兰的对手打气，英格兰输球，苏格兰就开心。英格兰人可不分，他们觉得都是英国球队。泰山说，你就想西藏和中国的关系。中国人觉得西藏也是中国，西藏人则坚持自己的不同。我可想不到这么多年了，苏格兰还这么见外。不过，之前我在剑桥开会，遇到的法国人也说，最讨厌英格兰人，喜欢爱尔兰和苏格兰人，因为他们都是热爱自由的民族。英国人太古板。我觉得这些欧洲人都很可爱。

泰山又详细讲解了英国的政治系统。英国的系统是世界唯一的，四个部分可以算是四个小国（nation），比美国的州要大，比国家（country）要小。世界杯足球赛，英国每次都派四个队参赛的，一个＂国家＂一队。可是下下界的奥林匹克运动会在伦敦举行，主办国直接入选，但次奥林匹克要求英国只派一队。这下英国的球迷可不高兴了。还不知道最后如何解决。

好了，苏格兰的政治我就先转述到这里。

我们在阴雨中驾车到爱丁堡城外的山上看风景。半山腰上有一个＂天鹅湖＂,远处是个旧城堡。

山顶上有这么个不伦不类的建筑，是爱丁堡的笑柄。爱丁堡被称为北方的雅典，所以也要建一个希腊神庙。结果建了一半就停工了，好象有一百多年了吧。拆也不是，就这么晾在山顶了。

最后我们来到一个爱丁堡著名的贵族中学，是英国首相布莱尔读书的地方。这个学校好象童话故事里的神秘古堡。怪不得爱丁堡的女作家罗林能编出哈里波特这样的故事出来呢。

回家的路上还见到海港听着的一只军舰，是当年查尔斯亲王从把香港转交给中国后，回英国时坐的军舰。之后军舰就退役了。爱丁堡市把军舰要来作为文物展览。

到超市买了菜，到泰山家做饭吃。他家在第不知道多少期的新城了。聊起了这些年各自的奔波和见闻。泰山是大学时到德国上学的，毕业后在瑞士工作一段时间，现在爱丁堡定居。他的护照上满满全是图章，还加过两次页。羡慕死我了。我们是在网上打游戏认识的。他一直是武当派的大侠。

剑桥大学 Cambridge University

2005-09-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Trinity College, Cambridge.

Bicycles and alleyway by King's College, Cambridge

King's College, Cambridge, UK.

King's College, Cambridge.

Cambridge University: River Cam, punt, lawn, students, cows, trees, library

Cambridge, UK.

Punting afternoon on River Cam. Cambridge.

Wooden bridge of Queen's College. Cambridge.

Sun dial of Queen's College.

Queen's College

Queen's College.

Cambridge

Meal time in Robinson College

King's College Chapel, Cambridge University.

Stained glass window of King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

King's College, Cambridge.

The Eagle, since 1525.

The Eagle's Pub in Cambridge, where DNA was discovered.

St. John's College, Cambridge.

Bridge of Sign, St. John's College.

Flowers in front of the Bridge of Sign, St. John's College, Cambridge.

Dorms of St. John's College. It is said this building is award winning.

St. John's College

Cambridge University.

San John's College. Cambridge.

King's College.

2005-09-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Michigan.

2005-09-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Camp Valley, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Sunset in Michigan

2005-08-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

I am having trouble uploading photos using Hello from Picasa. Using the blogger image uploading tool, I can only get the three sets of image size: small, medium (320px thumbnail, 800px "original"), or large (400px thumbnail, 1024px "original"), see below. Right now I don't like any of these combinations. Also, once the images are uploaded, there is no way to remove them from the server. I will wait a few days and see if the BloggerBot from Picasa's Hello comes back online.

"Medium" Image: Sunset at Ann Arbor, Michigan.

"Large" Image: Sunset at Saugatuck, Michigan.

密歇根湖边小镇 Saugatuck, Michigan

2005-08-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

周末麦克来密歇根找我。我们在安娜堡呆了一天，觉得应该出去逛逛。摊开地图来找地方去。密歇根北边风景好，距离却有些远了。南边是俄亥俄州，又平又闷的什么也没有，被我的同学称为巨大的停车场。东北的加拿大一天来回也嫌短了些。我说，密州西岸很美，密歇根湖的湖滩跟海滩一样。麦克说，好，咱们去萨加塔（Saugatuck）。这是什么地方？我在密歇根三年半从没听说过。麦克说他小时候经常跟父亲从湖西的芝加哥乘帆船到湖东，就在萨加塔外抛锚住下。他想带我看看。

决定去时，已经下午了。开车，上高速，向西。地图上看萨加塔就在荷兰的南边。荷兰是密歇根著名的旅游城市，建筑文化都是荷兰国的风格，有风车，有运河，出产荷兰的瓷器和木鞋，春天还有郁金香展。我经常笑美国中西部的地名，什么巴黎啦，伦敦啦，罗马啦，米兰啦，威尼斯啦，雅典啦，爱丁堡啦，全欧洲大城市的名字都用上了，却也消除不了农村的味道。萨加塔倒是个很好听的名字。

萨加塔人口一千左右，在沿湖的公路边。一进城，就感到耳目一新，好象是盛夏中吹来的一阵凉风。小镇沿河而建，窄小的街道上，一座座白色的小木房，花花绿绿的小商店，隐藏在高大的绿荫下。街上的小店都是买手工品、艺术品的，很多画廊和精品店，每家门口还都挂着彩色的旗帜。路边、码头上，停着很多高级车，跑车、赛车、豪华轿车、老爷车，都是崭新锃亮的，一辆辆看过去，好象在看车展。我断定来这里的人一定都很有钱。码头上泊着各式的游艇，一些人在游艇上烛光晚餐。他们的天上是绚丽的彩霞，身下是随浪轻摇的船。看着夕阳下的人与城，我心里充满了浪漫的愉快。

找到一间很别致的Ｂ＆Ｂ式旅馆（Maplewood Hotel），有上百年的历史，古香古色的维多利亚的房间，布置得又舒适又华丽。原价１７５块钱的房间，主人给我们半价。来到这样烂漫的小城，看到这样浪漫的夕阳，租到这样浪漫的住处，我决定今天一定要浪漫下去。

却想不到城里的几间餐馆都早早关门了，十点还不到。真扫兴！归根结底还是农村啊！最后找到一间美国餐馆。我们是最后的客人，没好意思长坐，匆匆吃了就走。小镇都安静的在浪声与星光间睡去了。

萨加塔一带的名胜包括一艘退役的军舰，一只拉链式渡船，湖边的沙滩和沙丘。我们第二天都去了。密歇根湖象海一般宽大，长长的沙滩，软软的细沙，轻轻的波浪，几乎没有什么人，天堂一般安静。

这样精巧的小镇，却是呆不久的。出了城，我又回到了密歇根。

界限水域划船记 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

2005-08-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)
界限水域在明尼苏达州北部，与加拿大交界，是一片湖中岛，岛中湖的森林。
Ogishkemuncie Lake sunset (Day 2).

第一天下午，开车去出发地－－海鸥湖。
Day 1 PM: Gunflint Trail, from Grand Marias to Sea Gull Lake Entry Point (54). This area experienced the 1999 Blowdown when a windstorm of historic proportions tore through the BWCA, and winds of 150 miles per hour blew down millions of trees over a 350,000 acre area. Lightning strikes will be more successful at igniting wildfires in the blowdown (as we will see in just a few minutes), and fires wil be larger and spread more quickly.

人算不如天算，森林大火正好从出发地开始剧烈燃烧。
Day 1 PM: Sea Gull Lake, and wildfire. This is the largest fire in a decade in the area. Much of the burned area contained dead timber blown down in a 1999 windstorm that toppled millions of trees in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). This is the day and the lake the fire was discovered, and we started our 5-day-4-night journey here.

第一天的营地。这是我们的煮食用具。
Day 1 PM: Campsite on Sea Gull Lake. Because of the strong wind in the late afternoon and the large size of Sea Gull Lake, we had to paddle very hard against winds and waves. The fire situation was unknown as well, so we decided to find a campsite and pitch tent. This is all the cooking stuff we got from the outfitter. I think they gave us way too much stuff, but the first day we did not know how we would suffer from the weight yet.

第一天的营地，在大石头后面。
Day 2 AM: Leaving campsite 1 on Sea Gull Lake. All the campsites are not visibly marked but quite obvious to recognize. Each site is identified by a cast-iron fire grate and a pit latrine, and canoeists may only camp at designated sites. We thought our first campsite was very clean and private, but little did we know that this was only the beginning.

烟火迷蒙的海鸥湖。
Day 2 AM: Sea Gull Lake in the mist of forest fire.

救火的飞机。
Day 2 AM: Sea Gull Lake. One of the two fire fighting planes (CL 215) scooping water from the lake.

湖上见到的唯一机动船，荡起波纹。
Day 2 AM: Sea Gull Lake. This is the only lake in the area that allows slow motor boat. One fishing boat passed us and left a ray of ripple in the otherwise quiet lake.

救火的飞机。
Day 2 AM: Sea Gull Lake. Fire fighting plane overhead. Not everyone's wilderness experience includes airplanes. :)

救火的飞机从头上飞过。
Day 2 AM: Sea Gull Lake. Fire fighting plane. reflection, and our canoe.

水陆联运的入口，要把船和全部装备从一个湖搬到另一个湖。全程我们搬了19次。
Day 2 AM: Portage #1 (25 r) between Sea Gull Lake and Rog Lake. This is the beginning of the portage. We learn that portages are just trails that allows canoeists carry canoes and equipment between lakes, and portaging is what makes Boundary Waters experience special from most other canoe areas. We were happy to find this portage, because we did not know how portages would look like and were very afraid of missing them. I wanted to carry the 45 lbs. canoe, so Mike decided to carry all THREE packs. But this arrangement only lasted a couple of portages, because quickly Mike had to learn that getting from one lake to another quickly was not the goal, but rather, taking all our belongings through the forests was the real enjoyment.

水陆联运的入口。
Day 2 AM: Portage #1 (25 r) between Sea Gull Lake and Rog Lake. This is the view of the portage entrance to the Sea Gull Lake. We later found out that most portages were easily identified because of the easy access for approaching canoes. We were eager to leave the burning lake and the water scooping planes, to enter the real wilderness.

第三个湖。
Day 2 PM: Alpine Lake, after a long portage #2 (68 r) from Rog Lake. Alpine Lake was the one on fire, and we were at the south end of it. We had lunch snacks, and had a good swim in the lake.

惊鸟。
Day 2 PM: Jasper Lake. After portage #3 (43 r) from Apline Lake, we arrived at Jasper Lake. This big bird suddenly took flight when our canoe approached.

第二天的营地。
Day 2 PM: Campsite 2 on Ogishkemuncie Lake. I pushed on after Jasper Lake even though Mike was tired--anyone would if had to carry three packs every portage. We decided to do two trips for each portage. First trip we each would carry one pack, and to familiarize ourselves with the trail condition; then we came back and take the canoe and the other pack. I liked the idea of carrying the canoe although it was difficult to balance and greatly hurt my neck and my shoulders if I didn't maintain a good posture. From Jasper Lake to Kingfisher Lake was a 24 r portage, and then another 41 r portage to Ogishkemuncie Lake. At Kingfisher Lake we met a group of canoeists (4 canoes) and they told us that the campsites on Ogishkemuncie Lake were quite full. We were happy to find one unoccupied, and still feel the isolation.

每个营地都备有烧烤的铁栏杆。
Day 2 PM: Campsite 2 on Ogishkemuncie Lake. This is the iron grate for campfire. Someone had a nice set up here for cooking and for hanging out by the fire. We collected fire woods and made our dinner on the campfire.

日落。
Day 2 PM: Ogishkemuncie Lake, sunset, and a canoe.

日落。
Day 2 PM: Ogishkemuncie Lake. Sunset.

落日的余晖，弯月，星。
Day 2 PM: moon and sunset from campsite 2 on Ogishkemuncie Lake.

激流。
Day 3 AM: Ogishkemuncie Lake. A current (or a waterfall) we paddled up to, near the portage to the next lake (Mueller Lake).

水陆联运，背了个大包。
Day 3 AM: Portage #6 (80 r) between Ogishkemuncie Lake and Mueller Lake. This is the longest portage so far. This green pack contains all the camping gears--a giant heavy tent including the rain fly and the tarp from the outfitter, two sleeping bags, two therm-a-rest pads, and a pillow. We went up 52 feet in elevation for this portage.

扛独木舟的风景。
Day 3 AM: Portage #7 (100 r) from Mueller Lake (1534 ft) to Agamok Lake (1580 ft). This is the longest portage so far. This is the view from underneath the canoe while carrying it. I like the shadows of the trees on the canoe.

扛独木舟在水陆联运的小径上。
Day 3 AM: Portage #7 (100 r) from Mueller Lake to Agamok Lake. This is the view from outside the canoe while carrying it. This long portage gains 36 ft in elevation and very exhuasting.

扛独木舟。
Day 3 AM: Portage #7 from Mueller Lake to Agamok Lake. The last of my happy days in Boundary Waters.

湖。
Day 3 PM: Gabimichigami Lake. Leaving Agamok Lake where I fell off a dead tree and injured myself (butt area), coming out of portage #8 (15 r), we decided to shorten our trip and get to a hospital as soon as possible. This is the view of the last big lake.

夕阳。
Day 3 PM: Campsite 3 on Peter Lake. Sunset.

第三天的“厨房”。
Day 3 PM: Campsite 3 on Peter Lake. This campsite (east most one on Peter Lake) has the best view. We enjoyed cooking in the setting sun.

夕阳下的营地。
Day 3 PM: Campsite 3 on Peter Lake. What a beautiful sunset! This campsite has no mosquitoes and no flies, but many ants. Look at that heavy duty 4-person tent (I can easily fit 6 people) the outfitter packed for us when we forgot to bring our own tent. I love the sunlight on the canoe.

第三天的夕阳。
Day 3 PM: Peter Lake. Sunset.

从帐篷向外看的夕阳。
Day 3 PM: Campsite 3 on Peter Lake. View of the sunset from inside the tent. This is the one reason to have a huge tent. At night we watched the moon set and then millions of stars too. No aurora though. We heard some little animals when it was very dark.

沼泽湖。
Day 4 AM: Seahorse Lake. This lake comes after Peter Lake and French Lake, in a very shallow marsh area. The change in scenary is very relaxing to us. We saw water lillies, beaver dams, ducks and butterflies along the lake.

湖上的河狸坝。
Day 4 AM: Beaver dam on Seahorse Lake.

湖面的荷花。
Day 4 AM: Seahorse Lake lily.

沼泽湖。
Day 4 AM: Seahorse Lake. This area is very isolated. We did not see anyone almost the whole day. True solitude.

小鸭子的一家。
Day 4 AM: Seahorse Lake. This family of ducks were swimming along us, with great stress and alarm. As soon as the duck mother saw us, she urged the 7 duckings to swim further ahead while she herself crackled and danced wildly in front of us, trying to divert our attention from the ducklings. As soon as all of us reached the end of this long lake, suddenly the duck mother and the 7 ducklings exchanged position--the ducklings dove down and then re-emerged from behind our canoe, and the mother flew forward and thus blocking us from the ducklings again. We felt very bad to have caused their stress, but we only wanted to push on to the next portage and we meant no harm. After this lake, I dropped the camera (inside a leaking ziplock back) into the lake and afterward the camera stopped working properly.

第三天我在树丛中摔伤了，到第五天才出来，到医院去看。医生说皮肉之伤，很快能恢复。
Day 5 AM: We came out of the Boundary Waters from Round Lake, got picked up by the outfitter, and went directly to a hospital emergency room in Grand Marias. The doctor says I am lucky. :)

密歇根开车北上 Michigan Road Trip North

2005-08-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

(未完成 under construction)

Sunset at Black River Harbor, Michigan, Upper Peninsula.

Near Cadillac, the exact geographic center of Michigan and the top of the highest point in the Lower Peninsula.

Pleasant Lake, 44 degrees 22 minutes 30 seconds by 85 degrees 28 minutes 58 seconds, the "center" of Michigan's complicated shape, near Cadillac.

Bottle House in Kaleva, Michigan. In 1903, 32-year-old Makinen emigrated to Kaleva area from his native Finland. About 20 years later, he founded the Northwestern Bottling Works, a soft drink company that he and his sons operated for more than 20 years. A frugal man, Makinen constructed a new storehouse out of the damaged bottles. He made exterior walls by layering the bottles on their sides, bottoms out, in beds of mortar. Inside, he plastered over the tops. The dead air trapped inside the bottles proved to be excellent insulation. Over the ensuing winters, Northwestern soft drinks were kept in the unique building without freezing and bursting. When Makinen left the business in 1941 at the age of 70, he decided to build his retirement home in the same manner.

More than 60,000 surplus bottles were assembled into a nine-room dwelling. Most bottles came from Makinen's company. Interspersed are a few liquor, beer, and medicine bottles and even some glass insulators. Dark green and brown bottles form a base border plus triangle designs in the walls and half triangles under the windows.

And under the front porch windows, an assortment of colors and kinds of bottles spells out "Happy Home."

At the discovery of the 10th planet, I saw a poster of the planets at a gas station near Michigan's west coast. It turned out to be a lecture on the Master Designer.

密歇根德国村 Frankenmuth, Michigan

2005-07-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

密歇根的德国村，建于1845年。整个小镇建筑象个德国花园。
Frankenmuth, Est. 1845. A German town in Michigan.

Frankenmuth city center.

Frankenmuth Motel, Michigan.

Frankenmuth building, Michigan.

Frankenmuth Cheese Haus. It would have Europe like, but the big Chevy truck gave the way. Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Frankenmuth downtown area.

Unique Frankenmuth, a German town in Michigan. The German part shows in the building styles (and the horse carriage?). The Michigan part shows in the SUV.

Frankenmuth downtown buildling.

Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen and a horse carriage that goes up and down the three or four blocks of downtown Frankenmuth for tourists.

Frankenmuth downtown area.

Frankenmuth architecture. Michigan.

Frankenmuth Brewery. Michigan.

Frankenmuth building under the sun.

Light pole in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

School Haus Square Shopping Mall--what exactly is this? Only in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Cass River at Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Cass River at Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Frankenmuth city center.

密歇根圣诞乐园 Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

2005-07-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

密歇根的圣诞乐园是世界上最大的圣诞节商店，已有六十年的历史了。
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Michigan, over 60 years, since 1945. This is the largest Christmas shop in the world.

Bronner's Christmas Store opens all year round for 60 years. Frankenmuth, Michigan.

July in Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Entrance to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, where Christmas shopping happens all year round.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

圣诞节袜子。
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

诺亚方舟。
Noah's Ark only. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland.

The world from Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Deer Xing at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

Christmas in July, Michigan.

平安夜纪念小教堂。
Silent Night Memorial Chapel, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

平安夜纪念小教堂花玻璃。
Stained glasses and reflection, inside Silent Night Memorial Chapel, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

平安夜纪念小教堂外，经年累月播放着平安夜圣诞歌，用各种语言的歌词。
Silent Night in all languages outside Silent Nighth Memorial Chapel, Frankenmuth, Michigan.

写着各国文字的垃圾箱。
Even the trash can are printed in all languages.

密西根首府兰辛 Lansing, Michigan's Capital

2005-07-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

Michigan Capitol, Lansing.

State Capitol, Michigan.

State Capitol, Michigan.

Town of Michigan.

Lansing, Michigan.

Lansing, capital city of Michigan, on a Sunday afternoon.

Capitol Hummers, an army of hummers on the street of Lansing, the capital city of Michigan.

密西根西岸 Michigan's West Coast

2005-07-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon.

Pere Marquette Beach on Lake Michigan, Muskegon, Michigan.

Pere Marquette Beach on Lake Michigan, Muskegon, Michigan.

Big waves crashing onto breakwater of Muskegon.

Breakwater and lighthouse, Muskegon, Michigan.

Breakwater and lighthouse on Lake Michigan, Muskegon, Michigan.

Pere Marquette Beach breakwater lighthouse, Muskegon, Michigan.

Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, Michigan.

Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, Michigan.

Sunset on Lake Michigan, Grand Haven State Park, Michigan.

世界上最大的音乐喷泉。不过已经没有拉斯维加斯的那个大了，而且配乐配光也不好看。
World Largest Musical Fountain, Grand Haven (although not as large and good as the one of Bellagio, Las Vegas. :)

密西根的荷兰。Holland, Michigan. :)

密西根航展 Muskegon Air Fair 2005

2005-07-23T01:02:00.000-07:00

Muskegon Air Fair 2005, the largest in the Midwest. This is the feature demonstration by U.S. Navy Blue Angels. They fly 2 feet apart!

Muskegon Air Fair, July 23-24, 2005, the largest in Midwest!

Warbirds: A flying tribute to WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans. Retired Brigadier General Reg Urschler flies the P-51 Mustang, the legendary warbird of WWII, as part of the Heritage Flight.

Gene Soucy at Muskegon Air Fair 2005.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration. Experience the raw power of our nation's premier jet fighter.

Snowcat: You'll hold your breath as Gene Soucy and wingwalker Teresa Stokes bring barnstorming to West Michigan in their Grumman biplane. (Yes, there is a woman standing on top of the biplane, with no ropes, no straps, no parachutte, no helmet, no nothing!)

U.S. Navy Blue Angels..

Muskegon Air Fair, 2005.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team!

U.S. Navy Blue Angels!

密西根烤鸡大会 Manchester Chicken Broil

2005-07-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Manchester Chicken Broil, the largest chicken BBQ in Michigan.

People at Manchester Chicken Broil.

Chicken BBQ, preparation.

Waiting in line with a $8.00 ticket and entertainment.

My share of the chicken meal.

密西根生活碎片 Michigan Snapshots

2005-07-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

Baseline Lake, the lake of UMSC, University of Michigan Sailing Club (July 19, 2005).

University of Michigan Sailing Club at Baseline Lake (July 19, 2005).

Under the Oaks, the birth place of Republican Party, in Jackson, Michigan.

Under the Oaks of Jackson, Michigan, the Republican Party was born.

First time fisher on a small lake in Brighton, Michigan (July 13, 2005).

Fish soup (July 13, 2005).

Double rainbow, Ann Arbor (June 5, 2005).

洛杉矶海滩 Hermosa Beach, California

2005-07-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hermosa Beach Pier, California.

Hermosa beach, rooftop view.

Sunset at Hermosa Beach.

Clouds.

Hermosa Beach from rooftop.

Beach volleyball, Hermosa Beach, California.

Beach volleyball, Hermosa Beach, California.

Hermosa Beach volleyball gang.

洛杉矶市中心 Los Angeles Downtown

2005-07-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

Bank of America, downtown Los Angeles.

Downtown, Los Angeles.

Downtown, Los Angeles.

南加州西米谷石头峰 Rocky Peak, Simi Valley

2005-06-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

Encompassing 4,800 acres in the Santa Susana Mountains between Chatsworth and Simi Valley, this extraordinary Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor property includes the 4,400-acre Runkle Ranch formerly owned by entertainer Bob Hope. Rocky Peak Park stretches from the 118 freeway five miles northward to Las Llajas Canyon, and forms the most critical wildlife habitat linkage between the Simi Hills and the Santa Susana Mountains. Spectacular sandstone boulders, outcroppings, oak savannahs, and perennial water sources provide diverse habitat for birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Mountain biking downhill in Rocky Peak Park.

View from Rocky Peak.

Hiking in Rocky Peak Park.

比华利山汽车展 Concours on Rodeo

2005-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

A red car and some other cars at Concours on Rodeo, Beverly Hills auto show.

When you hear someone mention Beverly Hills, you may think of celebrities, fabulous boutiques and expensive cars. Combine all three and you have the 8th annual Concours on Rodeo, an annual free-to-the-public Father’s Day event. Rodeo Drive is closed and carpeted between Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards to feature nearly one hundred of the world’s most unique and valuable vehicles, many of which are being seen by the public for the very first time. From vintage sports cars to celebrity-owned vehicles and coach-built classics, these elegant autos enhance the ambiance of Rodeo Drive.

A blue car

Another blue car.

A black car and a red car.

A black car.

An old car with me and Dr. Elliott.

People with an old car.

A red car.

A brown old car.

A wooden car. Not all of the cars on display were drivable. In fact, a tow truck backed onto Rodeo and dropped off the full-scale design model of the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato coupe.

Reflection on a car.

密歇根的地狱 Hell, Michigan

2005-05-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hell, Michigan. This picture is taken two years ago (5/18/2003) when I first past Hell. This time I decided to take Mike here. It doesn't take long to go through Hell, about 20 seconds if one doesn't stop. There are 62 official residents (16 mailboxes) in town. If you send a postcard from Hell, they will burn the edges and stamp it with a Hell postmark. Give Hell a try. "It's a hell of a place, and you can find out what in hell is going on though you probably won't want to spend eternity there." (Barfknecht, in Ultimate Michigan Adventures)

Welcome to Hell, Michigan. We went to Hell just to say we've been there. We bought ice cream and a postcard.

Official Hell Weather. It is accurate for Michigan. :)

Hell made pizza and dam'd good BBQ pork sandwitches--a sign in Hell, Michigan.

Near Hell, the woods seems like paradise. We took a short hike in Pinckney State Recreation Area. This is Pickerel Lake.

Pickerel Bridge on the trail in Pinckney Park, Michigan.

A big bird near Pickerel Lake.

Michigan woods in the spring. Pinckney State Park.

A patch of new plants in the woods of Michigan. A hunter once told me they were from nuts buried by squirrels the previous winter. The squirrel fails to come back and retrieve the nuts and in the spring the plants grow. :) Tell me whether this is true.

汉庭顿图书馆 Huntington Botanic Gardens

2005-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

On the right hand side, it is an Echirum wildpretii, Tower of Jewels. Huntington Library, Pasadena, California.

The most spectacular cactus displays are the 500 bright yellow spined spring flowering Golden Barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii), the largest being more than 85 years old.

Cactus, Huntington Library, Pasadena.

Cactus in Huntington Library.

Cactus flowers and bee, desert garden, Huntington Library, Pasadena, California.

Lizard in the desert garden, Huntington Bontanic Gardens.

Oreocereus celsianus (Old Man of the Andes) S Bolivia, Peru, N Argentina. Huntington Library Desert Garden.

Huntington Library, Desert Garden.

Plants in the desert garden, Huntington Library.

Flowers in Desert Garden, Huntington Library, Pasadena, California.

Huntington Library, visitors.

Japanese Garden, Huntington Library.

Spring impression in Huntington Library, Pasadena, California.

The Huntington Desert Garden is one of the largest and oldest assemblages of cacti and other succulents in the world. Nearly 100 years old, it has grown from a small area on the Raymond fault scarp when in 1907-1908 William Hertrich brought in plants from local nurseries, private residences, public parks, and from collection trips to the Southwest and Mexican deserts. Today the two dozen families of succulents and other arid adapted plants have developed into a 10 acre garden display, the Huntington’s most important conservation collection.

洛杉矶 Chatsworth, Los Angeles

2005-04-28T16:02:00.000-07:00

Santa Susana Mountains near Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California.

Chatsworth from Santa Susana Mountains

安娜堡四月雪 April Snow in Ann Arbor

2005-04-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

Snow covered spring flowers in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Snow in April. Ann Arbor.

Snow covered spring in Ann Arbor.

Tulips in the snow; April in Ann Arbor.

Tulips, snow, April, Ann Arbor.

Sunday, April 24, 12:21 PM.

Earlier, Saturday, April 23, 6:47 PM.

Much earlier, on April 10, spring came to Ann Arbor.

底特律印象 Impression of Detroit

2005-04-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

This photo reminds me of Los Angeles.

Highway 96 west bound, leaving Detroit.

飞车死谷探花行 Death Valley Wildflowers

2005-04-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

这是第三次去死谷了。第一次是1994年3月底放春假，开着自己的破旧美国车，去露营看风景，跟人学把车子开到土路上，颠散了架。那时死谷还不是国家公园呢。第二次是2001年10月底论文答辩完，开了敞篷吉普车，去爬山越野露营，越是坎坷的路越要去压，整个死谷都几乎跑遍了。这次是因为要去拉斯维加斯办事，正好听说今年的雨水多，死谷野花繁茂，加上麦克的小赛车刚修好，就想去到平直的沙漠公路上驰骋！

Death Valley: mountains, wildflowers, a fast car, and me. April 2005.
这是第三次去死谷了。

Death Valley: mountains, desert, a tough car, and me. October 2001.
第二次是2001年，开了敞篷吉普车，越是坎坷的路越要去压，整个死谷都几乎跑遍了。

周五晚上十点才离开洛杉矶，走“捷径”，14号接58号，到 Barstow 再接15号，比常开的10号接15号要省力又少车。一路荒凉。到了 Baker 那个有世界上最高大的温度计的小城，才停下吃晚饭。那里有个 Mad Greek （疯狂希腊人）餐馆二十四小时开，他们做的 Gyros 很地道美味。虽然是半夜开快车，到了州界的旅馆也两三点了。这个周末不知为什么拉斯维加斯的旅馆爆满，平时50块钱的旅馆要收280块，还都满了。只有州界的 Primm 还有100元以内的房间。住下。

On the way to Las Vegas and Death Valley with this fastest car on the highway--a little Mazda, we stayed at the state line Primm the first night.
州界的旅馆

周六中午才出发，沙漠已经晒得很干热了。先到拉斯维加斯办了事，然后找到南加州著名的 In-N-Out Burger 汉堡包，还第一次叫了他们的秘密菜单 (secret menu) 上的 double-double animal style 。好吃！出城走95号公路，直奔死谷。

I had been wanting to see the new roller coaster "Insanity" on top of Stratosphere. Seen from a fast moving car, it is the extending green arms.
拉斯维加斯

在沙漠公路上开着350马力的跑车，全公路上最快，想超谁就超谁；前后无车的时候，试验车速，轻而易举就开到130多哩。真过瘾！我从来就是喜欢沙漠的。沙漠第一，山第二，海第三，拥挤的城市一点五。沙漠有海的广阔，有山的坚毅。想到孔子的话，智者乐水，仁者乐山，他肯定是没有去过沙漠的了。丝绸之路是汉朝时开拓的。扯远了。

Driving slowly into Death Valley through Beaty, a first sight of the national park. Mike insisted that I took a picture with the instrument panel of his beloved Mazda.
第一次由东入死谷。

死谷是西北和东南向的长条形谷地。这是第一次由东入死谷。由 Beaty 转 374 号路，翻过 Grapevine Mountains ，眼前就是大片的谷地和漫漫的远山。一路进谷，见到两旁的野花，小小的黄色的一棵棵，在风中挺立。虽然不是整片如南加州罂粟花谷那般浓艳，但我因为从来没有见过死谷的花，是从零到一的突破，异常激动。到了谷中，终于见到大片大片的黄花，远看过去，缓缓的山坡全是生机了，真是漂亮呢。

Wildflowers in Death Valley.
缓缓的山坡全是生机

Wildflowers of Death Valley, California.
零到一的突破

Wildflowers in Death Valley.
两旁的野花，小小的黄色的一棵棵，在风中挺立

时间却不早了，要找地方扎营。死谷那么大那么平，以前两次来都是夜晚随便找个平地扎营的。但这回我们的车底盘太低，不能上土路，最近游客多，检查可能严格，所以还是遵守规矩，开到北边公园外，Scotty's Castle （史考提城堡）附近的 267 号路两旁去扎营。（顺路还看了个火山口，就是一个巨大的坑。）沙漠里到处是平土地，二十多哩路上，点点星星有几个帐篷。可惜我们没带吃的，只得来回开了五六十多哩路，到 Beaty 的赌场旅馆，吃了极烂的自助餐，买了点儿早餐食物，回到公园门外搭帐篷。

Death Valley: skies, mountains, desert road, and spring flowers.
沙漠里到处是平土地

这里地势较高，气温降下来了，挺冷的。晚上安静极了，周围什么也没有，好象全世界就是我们两个人。半夜听到一些古怪的叫声，有些怕怕的。这沙漠里会有什么动物呢？

上午太阳晒到帐篷里如烤箱般热，才爬起来。帐篷外，好一派沙漠景象啊！淡蓝的远山，干涸的黄土，安静孤独永恒的自然，带给我又给我新鲜的力量和启发。

Camping outside Death Valley, the morning landscape of the high desert.
帐篷外，好一派沙漠景象啊！

Desert, tent, car. Death Valley, California.
淡蓝的远山，干涸的黄土，安静孤独永恒的自然

今晚要回去了，赶快进公园再看看吧。顺路在史考提城堡停下吃午饭。我还第一次进来呢。以前总觉得来看沙漠，这个破城堡有啥看头，又不是在欧洲。麦克到还挺有兴趣的。这点我真是佩服他，看什么都能看到新鲜的东西来，从来不觉得无聊。跟着他看，才看出这城和堡的风格还不一样。可是我急着进谷。

Scotty's Castle, what's so special? We didn't wait to hear the stories.
史考提城堡

Sundial of Scotty's Castle. It's noon time.
史考提城堡

从高地下来，远远看到谷中烟尘滚滚，以为是着火了。到了谷底，才知道是沙尘风暴。啊，火星上也有这个！时间关系，我们打算只看看热门的旅游景点，魔鬼的高尔夫球场(Devil's Golf Course)和坏水(Badwater)这两处死谷特有的地貌。公园里的游客是我见过最多的一次了，都是来看花的。其实如果以前没来过死谷，这回看到稀稀疏疏的野花，也许会觉得失望。我觉得自己还蛮多经验的，窃喜。

车子由海拔3000尺下降到2000尺，1000尺，0尺，海拔以下了！魔鬼的高尔夫球场是一望无际的大盐场(saltpan)。以前来没见过水，只知道水从周围的高山上流到死谷最低处，带来矿物质，水流不出去，蒸发后，留下的就是盐了。长年累月，盐越聚越多。新生的盐是白色的，成长后会爆裂开，形成高尔夫球大小的圆洞，坑坑洼洼的。今年因为春季雨水多，水还没有蒸发掉，这大片盐场就都浸泡在水中。可这些盐是不会溶化的，因为这水已经完全饱和了！

有的游客脱了鞋跑到盐水里去玩。这帮人疯了吧！不过这水看来非常清，一点杂质都没有。尝了尝盐水，喉咸喉咸的。我也干脆脱了凉鞋，跑进水里。水很清凉，浸泡了水的盐场不扎脚，软软的。不过一上岸，满腿满脚都是白花花的盐。

Welcome to Devil's Golf Course! And this year there's water!
欢迎来到魔鬼的高尔夫球场！

Crystallized salts compose the jagged formations of this forbidding landscape. Deposited by ancient salt lakes and shaped by winds and rain, the crystals are forever changing. The Death Valley saltpan is one of the largest protected saltpans in north America. Salt continues to be deposited by recurring floods that occasionally submerge the lowest parts of the valley floor.
魔鬼的高尔夫球场是一望无际的大盐场(saltpan)

I have never seen Devil's Golf Course like this.
今年因为春季雨水多，水还没有蒸发掉，这大片盐场就都浸泡在水中。

Delicate salt formations are hidden among the harsh and rigid spires. Close inspection may reveal the tiny salt structures. Details, Devil's Golf Course, Death Valley, California.
新生的盐是白色的

The water seemed so clean, I had to follow other's example to tread in. It was utterly salty, and when I got out, my legs and feet were covered with white salt crystals. Death Valley, Devil's Golf Course.
我也干脆脱了凉鞋，跑进水里。

One of the most amazing landscape on earth!
魔鬼的高尔夫球场是一望无际的大盐场(saltpan)。

Crystallized salts compose the jagged formations of this forbidding landscape. Deposited by ancient salt lakes and shaped by winds and rain, the crystals are forever changing.
长年累月，盐越聚越多。

Devil's Golf Course, October 2001.
新生的盐是白色的，成长后会爆裂开，形成高尔夫球大小的圆洞，坑坑洼洼的。

下一站坏水是西半球海拔最低的地方了，海拔零下282尺，85.5米。这里是一大片延伸无穷的盐土场，又白又平。我们去的时候没见有水，见到几个人在打棒球。就是这片炎热的谷地，记录了世界上最高温度，摄氏56.7（华氏134）。住在死谷的人告诉我，夏天在石头上就可以煎鸡蛋；晚上能降温降不下摄氏38 度（华氏100度）。据报道，鸟都飞不出死谷，飞到一半就要晒死，摔到地上。

"It was so hot that swallows in full flight fell to the earth dead and when I went out to read the thermometer with a wet towel on my head, it was dry before I returned." Oscar Denton, Furnace Creek Ranch on record hot day of 134° in July 1913

BADWATER BASIN, 282 feet / 855 meters below sea level, the lowest point in the western hemisphere. The snow-capped peak is Telescope Peak, the highest point in Death Valley National Park, and is over 11,000 feet.
一大片延伸无穷的盐土场，又白又平。

BADWATER BASIN, 282 feet / 855 meters below sea level. The snow-capped peak is Telescope Peak, the highest point in Death Valley National Park, and is over 11,000 feet.
坏水是西半球海拔最低的地方了，海拔零下282尺，85.5米。

Badwater Basin, Death Valley. A boy.
坏水是西半球海拔最低的地方了

Baseball game in Badwater Basin, Death Valley.
见到几个人在打棒球

The vast, surreal salt flats of Badwater Basin change constantly. Salt crystals expand, pushing the crust of salt into rough, chaotic forms. Newly formed crystals ooze between mudcracks, sketching strange patterns on the surface of the salt flat. Passing rainstorms wash off windblown dust and generate a fresh layer of blinding white salt. Floods create temporary lakes that dissolve salts back into solution, starting the process all over again.
我们去的时候没见有水

走回头路，到了十字路口，向西出谷。死谷的西面其实是最美的，山也峻峭。小车轻松翻山，不知不觉就到了海拔 5000尺，气温下降。山外是另一片美丽的山谷 Panamint Valley。山路狭窄，遇到一辆撞在山边的车，车上的人都撞傻了。手机没有信号，赶快下山到 Panamint Spring 打电话报警，顺便在那里的餐馆大吃一顿。餐馆外闲坐着三个西部片里样子的人，我跟他们聊天，他们告我说那里只有六个常住居民。我想，怕不是六个光棍。

Leaving Death Valley, at a restaurant in Panamint Springs, we had a last look of the sunset and the magnificent mountains.
死谷的西面其实是最美的，山也峻峭。傍晚的远山是粉红色的柔美的壮丽的。

傍晚的远山是粉红色的柔美的壮丽的。不久天黑了。黑暗的沙漠中，加入了回程的车潮。发现开跑车其实很累人的，车子反应快，需要时刻集中精神，加上老想着踩油门超车，腿也累。计划下次弄个越野车来好好玩个够。今年秋天吧。

更多照片：加州羚羊谷罂粟花 California Poppy Reserve
死谷国家公园 Death Valley National Park (2001 未完成)

加州羚羊谷罂粟花 California Poppy Reserve

2005-03-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

The California Poppy was named the State Flower in 1903. Prior to that time great fields of Poppies were found throughout the State. Today, while Poppies grow in many areas, the only large fields left are in the western Antelope Valley.

Antelope Valley, Southern California.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: annual poppy field. La Sabanilla de San Pasqual (The Altar-cloth of St. Pascal) is the name Spanish sailors gave the glorious fields of poppies which blanketed the California shores in the late 1700's. They were referring to the shepherd saint who tended his flock far from church and village and knelt in fields of wildflowers to commune with God. IT seems to be no conincidence that the area inwhich the most spectacular fields of poppies grew came to be know as Rancho San Pasqual which is now known as Pasadena, Altadina and Sierra Madre. Spanish sailors described these fields as rivers of gold which flowed some 25 miles toward the ocean.

California Poppy Reserve is nestled in the Antelope Buttes 15 miles west of Lancaster.

Poppies in the wind. Other names for the California Poppy have been Copa de Ora (Cup of Gold), Amapola and Dormidera (meaning the sleepy one, for the flowers close up at night and when it is cloudy or when the cold wind blows). The botanicall name Eschscholtzia was given to the plant by poet-naturalist Adelbert Von Chamisso of the Russian scientific expedition which visited California in 1816. The name honored his lifelong friend and surgeon to the ship, Dr. Johann Eschscholtz.

The California Poppy, Eschscholtzia californica, 4 to 6 petals, deep orange to yellow to white and variegated: 6" to 18" high. Annuals, perennial and biennial.

Blue Dicks, Dichelostemma capitatum, several tiny 6 petaled flowers grow in top of a one to two foot ready stem. Grows from a bulb.

Mountains of Antelope Valley colored with Poppies.

rain drops

2005-02-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

rain drops on sunroof

尼亚加拉瀑布风雪行 Niagara Falls in the winter

2005-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Canadian Falls, Goat Island, and Niagara River in the bitter cold winter.

American Falls, Goat Island, and Niagara River, in the winter sunlight.

2005.1.20. Thursday, Niagara Falls, Canada
星期四，尼亚加拉瀑布市，加拿大

一月下旬，正是冰天雪地的寒冬，最高气温不到摄氏零下十度。只有象我们这样疯狂的人才会开着一辆破旧的车，连暖气都没有的 1993 年 Saab，从安娜堡出发，向东北去，到尼亚加拉大瀑布“度假”。

经底特律的海底隧道，进入加拿大，上了平直的高速公路。两边是白雪覆盖的农场，稀疏的农舍。同样是冬天里的平原农庄，加拿大这边就觉得比密西根那边更和平。沿途只经过一个大城市 Hamilton，五个小时后就来到大瀑布区。

以前曾来过尼亚加拉大瀑布三次，都是夏天。1992 年和 2000 年只能从美国那边遥望过来，2002 年才来到加拿大这边。这次是冬天，小城里到处是冰雪，街上不见行人游客，但灯火辉煌的尽是娱乐场所，好莱坞似的，很滑稽。瀑布那边黑蒙蒙的，雾气蒸腾。晚饭后经过河边时，瀑布已经被射灯打照着，在寒冷的冬夜里，义无返顾地倒泻着千万吨水，令人感到异常冰冷无情。

这是为庆祝我生日而计划的旅程，我们住在瀑布边的一家浪漫别致的维多利亚式的 B&B -- Chestnut Inn。夜晚，窗外一片灰白寂静；屋内，我们坐在电子壁炉旁品茶取暖，谈天说地。

Friday morning, looking out of the B&B window in Niagara Falls. Our 1993 Saab has no working heater, and the driver side door has a big gap when closed. During the trip between Ann Arbor and Niagara Falls, we had to scrap the icy frost off the inside windshield, and use a running laptop to generate heat.

Chestnut Inn, a beautiful Victorian B&B in Niagara Falls.

Snow and structures, from Chestnut Inn B&B in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Reflection.

Niagara River and Niagara Gorge, seen from the Canadian side below the falls.

2005.1.21. Friday, Niagara Falls, Canada
星期五，尼亚加拉瀑布市，加拿大

下楼早餐时，仍睡眼惺忪的。餐厅布置得很华丽，水晶玻璃的大吊灯，桌上摆着整套的餐具。女主人 Gail 端来橙汁、牛奶、咖啡、茶，和一盘又松软又香甜的法国面包，好吃极了！

下午两点半才鼓起勇气冒着严寒出门。虽是蓝天白云，但气温极低。我们都没有足够的御寒衣服，从停车场到瀑布走了十来分钟，就冷得不行，手指脚趾耳朵嘴唇快要冻掉了似的。

冬天的瀑布有一股壮烈感。冰冻的水雾飞溅，打在脸上身上，颗颗粒粒的。河上满满地漂浮着冰块，随着水流千军万马般冲撞千尺之下，摔得粉身碎骨。水气腾腾升起，瀑布半遮半掩。两岸的树木冰雪晶莹；岩石上整整齐齐地挂着冰串子。阳光照在树上雪上石上雾上，灿烂着有如火焰般炙热。

但我们太冷了。一头钻回温暖的旅店房间，直到晚上饿得不行，才开车出门找吃的。沿河北下，黑夜中隐约看到路两旁一栋栋的漂亮小洋房，和 Niagara-at-the-Lake 小城别致的市中心。没有餐馆，只得回到好莱坞似的大街，找间中餐馆填饱肚子。寒夜中居然有人在街上派发停车罚单，真够冷的。

Niagara River and frost-covered islands, an upstream view above the Canadian Falls.

Ice on the railings next to the Canadian Falls.

Canadian Horseshoe Falls in the icy winter.

Canadian Horseshoe Falls with icy branches, with the mist and the water lit up by the beautiful sun.

Canadian Falls in the winter.

Niagara River and Niagara Gorge, below the Canadian Falls. American Falls is on the right in the distance, where the steam is rising.

Canadian Falls.

American Falls.

Canadian Horseshoe Falls in full view.

Canadian Falls in the afternoon sunlight.

Goat Island in the snow and sun. Niagara Falls.

Ice rushing down the Canadian Falls.

Ice survived the fall, on Niagara River.

2005.1.22. Saturday, Ancaster, Canada
星期六，安卡斯特，加拿大

早起窗外仍是一片平静。十一点钟等我们磨蹭过后出门了，漫天大雪也开始了。大雪飘啊飘啊再也止不住。车里没有暖气，车窗内结了冰霜，用铲子一刮，霜雪一片片地落下，好像车里车外都在下雪一般。一开车窗，大雪就飞涌进来，里外都是白。麦克一直在不停地用力刮窗，累得呼呼喘气，窗上又迅速结了新霜。我笑说是寒霜守恒定律，到他我没有意识说情况的危这急，不是玩笑的时候。大雪越下越密，能见度极低。公路上的车辆越开越慢，很多车都停下来。从前边一辆小车中跳下一个女子，跳上旁边一辆面包车，缓缓下了高速公路。到处是茫茫一片白，我们除了面包车的尾灯，什么也看不到，于是决定无论如何也跟着面包车走。不久连面包车也走丢了，不知道我们到了哪里。看来今天是走不下去了，找旅馆住吧。天地白茫茫中，车子掉到路旁的雪坑里，出不来了。

风雪交加，冷得要逃命了！跳下车，狼狈不堪间，被一辆小卡车解救了。车上不够位子，不管了，我勉强坐在麦克身上，把冻僵的手放在暖气上，已心满意足了。恩人把我们放到不远的一个加油站。下车时，才看到是一家五口，黑人丈夫，白人妻子，三个小孩。我逃到 Tim Hortons 咖啡店，再也不肯出来。

咖啡店里满满坐着的都是被雪暴封住的旅人，兴高采烈地交换遇难经历。我们喝了热咖啡热巧克力，揣上四个三明治，一口气冲进街对面的旅馆 Maple Farms Motel。休息了整一下午，才缓过劲来，打电话找汽车协会帮忙把车子拉出雪坑。

加拿大。冬天。暴风雪。如此经历。

Saturday morning we left Niagara Falls B&B at the beginning of the deadly winter blizzard, not aware of the difficulties we would encounter later on.

After our car fell into a ditch during the blizzard whiteout, we were rescued by a pickup truck and sought shelter in this Tim Hortons in Ancaster, near Hamilton.

The poor Saab in the snow ditch by Hwy 53.

The Saab in the ditch, waiting to be towed.

CAA towed the Saab out from the ditch in Ancaster (near Hamilton, Canada) later Saturday evening.

2005.1.23. Sunday, Ann Arbor, Michigan
星期日，安娜堡，密西根

醒来的时候，窗外阳光明媚，白雪耀眼，一片和平景象，好像昨天什么事也没发生一样。车里还有很多昨天灌的雪，不肯融化。橘子和香蕉跟石头一样硬。上了路才发现一个车门根本关不严。麦克的座位没有热流，他便拿出手提电脑，开始计算程序，用电脑产生的热量来取暖。

下午回到温暖的家。真高兴！

一日一苹果，医生远离我 An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away

2005-01-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

10/11/2004	10/12/2004
10/13/2004	10/14/2004
10/15/2004	10/16/2004
10/17/2004	10/18/2004
10/19/2004	10/20/2004
10/20/2004	10/21/2004
10/22/2004	10/23/2004
10/25/2004	11/5/2004
11/7/2004	11/18/2004
11/19/2004	11/19/2004
12/1/2004	12/2/2004
12/3/2004	12/4/2004
12/7/2004	12/8/2004
12/20/2004	12/21/2004
12/29/2004	12/29/2004
1/5/2005	1/5/2005

I googled:

Apples keep us healthy.

Apple FAQ

Landscaping

Sample An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Worksheet

An apple a day, the lyrics:
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Apple in the morning - Doctor's warning
Roast apple at night - starves the doctor outright
Eat an apple going to bed - knock the doctor on the head
Three each day, seven days a week - ruddy apple, ruddy cheek
This means that eating an apple each day can help to keep you healthy.

"AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY": TRADITIONAL AND MODERN ASPECTS OF ENGLISH MEDICAL PROVERBS*

Phrase Breakdown

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away - Photography
Not quite, but a fanciful idea. Apples are a good source of vital nourishment, probably worth keeping in mind when we’re stuffing our faces with chocolate and being generally glutonous!

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away Cartoons

密西根的冬天 Winter in Michigan

2005-01-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

12/31/2004, Ann Arbor - St. Ignace

Last sunset of 2004, on Interstate 75 north bound, Michigan.

Last sunset of 2004 through the woods of Michigan winter. I-75 north bound.

Last sunset of 2004, through the winter woods of Michigan. I-75 north bound.

1/1/2005, Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior (Whitefish Point - Tahquamenon - Munising)

Lake Superior at Whitefish Point, Upper Peninsula, Michigan.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan. Of the 152 waterfalls in Michigan, 150 are in the Upper Peninsula.

Winter woods in Tahquamenon State Park, Michigan Upper Peninsula.

1/2/2005, Upper Peninsula (Marquette - St. Ignace)

Lake Superior from Marquette, Upper Peninsula, Michigan.

Light house of Marquette on Lake Superior.

Lake Superior at Marquette.

Marquette and Lake Superior, winter in Michigan Upper Peninsula.

Marquette ship dock (I think).

Lake Superior from Presque Isle Park, Marquette, Michigan.

Lake Superior, rock, ice, and light house.

Marquette church in winter.

1/3/2005, St. Ignace - Mackinac Bridge - Lake Michigan - Manistee

One of the rooms in the Colonial House Inn. Located in the heart, and wrapped in the history, of downtown St. Ignace, the Colonial House Inn is a delightful Victorian-style home overlooking the Mackinac Straits. The Colonial House Inn has the distinction of being the first and only Bed and Breakfast in St. Ignace since 1940.

We stayed in this lovely Ivory Room in the Colonial House Inn, St. Ignace, on our way back from the Upper Peninsula.

Mackinac Bridge and the Strait of Mackinac. Five miles (26372 ft, 8038 m) long, the Mackinac Bridge is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world. The length of the suspension bridge (including anchorages) is 8,614 feet. In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet. The Great Belt Bridge in Halsskov-Sprogoe, Denmark, which also opened in 1998, is the second longest suspension bridge in the world with a total suspension of 8,921 feet.

Mackinac Bridge.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan.

1/4/2005, homeward bound via Interstate 96

The largest working weather vane in the world. Located next to White Lake (Lake Michigan) in Montague, Michigan, it was dedicated on September 15, 1984. It is 48 feet tall with a 26-foot wind arrow and adorned with a 14-foot replica of a 19th-century Great Lakes schooner.

福特博物馆 Henry Ford Museum

2004-12-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

底特律的福特博物馆
Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan.

Ford Mark IV. In the early 1960s Ford Motor Company set out to win Europes most famous auto race, the 24-Hours of Le Mans. The goal was achieved in 1966. One year later this car made it two-in-a-row. Powered by a 7 liter, 500 horsepower engine, it beat the second place Ferrari by 32 miles. Legendary drivers Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt shared the wheel to become the first, and to date only, American drivers to win the classic French race in an American car.

Henry Ford Museum. Lamy's Diner, opened in 1946 in Marlboro, Massachusetts, was a localized, family-owned business which specialized in feeding hungry travelers.

Henry Ford Museum. Lamy's Diner, opened in 1946 in Marlboro, Massachusetts, was a localized, family-owned business which specialized in feeding hungry travelers.

Allegheny Locomotive. Arguably the ultimate development of the steam locomotive - certainly one of the fullest expressions of steam power - this locomotive stands at the opposite end of reciprocating steam technology from the Newcomen and Watt engines in the museum's collections.

A guided tour to the Fuller's Dymaxion House in Henry Ford Museum. This aluminum house is horrible! Haha.

R. Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion House, the only surviving prototype. Henry Ford Museum, Detroit.

The Rosa Parks Bus. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded this Montgomery City bus to go home from work. On this bus on that day, she initiated a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality.

安娜堡植物园 Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor

2004-12-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

After a snow storm, we went to Nichols Arboretum, a hilly park in the city of Ann Arbor, and played in the fresh snow.

Nichols Arboretum.

Me trying to sled down a hill of Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor.

加州湾区冬景 Winter in the San Francisco Bay Area

2004-12-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

This is the 7th time I am in San Francisco Bay Area during the Christmas season since 1990. This winter is the warmest and most beautiful.

Santa Cruz, California, a sunny Sunday in the winter.

冲浪。Santa Cruz surfers. Watching the surfers and the waves is mesmerizing.

Alcatraz Island in the afternoon, San Francisco.

日落三藩市。Pier 39, San Francisco.

日落三藩市。San Francisco Bay Bridge at sunset.

三藩市酒店顶的酒吧。Top of Marriott hotel, San Francisco.