*** Our US Road Trip 2009 ***

	Yes! We did it!!! Yes! We did it!!!	After 1200 km, first night camping in Iowa After 1200 km, first night camping in Iowa	Matthew's too tired to pitch the tent... Matthew's too tired to pitch the tent...	After 2 1/2 days we're crossing the border to Colorado After 2 1/2 days we're crossing the border to Colorado	Entering Garden of the Gods, west of Colorado Springs Entering Garden of the Gods, west of Colorado Springs	With these 'out of this world' rocks and lush vegetation I can't think of a better name for this place! With these 'out of this world' rocks and lush vegetation I can't think of a better name for this place!	We're truly in God's Country! We're truly in God's Country!
Garden of the Gods was once a private property! Garden of the Gods was once a private property!	Some of the red rock formations are unbelievable... Some of the red rock formations are unbelievable...	I wish I remembered the names of these rocks... I wish I remembered the names of these rocks...	Tight slot canyons between rocks were refreshingly cool on this hot day Tight slot canyons between rocks were refreshingly cool on this hot day	Mariola is taking it all in (while Obi just craves for some shade!) Mariola is taking it all in (while Obi just craves for some shade!)	Check out the cool kid! Check out the cool kid!	"... and why are we sitting in the sun???" "... and why are we sitting in the sun???"	"At least I can stick my ass in the shade..." "At least I can stick my ass in the shade..."
Is it an illussion or is she really lavitating? Is it an illussion or is she really lavitating?	Now, that's one handsome hunk! Now, that's one handsome hunk!	Before you ask: no, I'm not peeing! Before you ask: no, I'm not peeing!	Manitou Springs - very hip little town Manitou Springs - very hip little town	Our first accomodation - lovely log cabin near Divide, Colorado Our first accomodation - lovely log cabin near Divide, Colorado	"I will just sit here and scare the bears away, ok?" "I will just sit here and scare the bears away, ok?"	Getting the morning rays... Getting the morning rays...	Adapting to the nomadic lifestyle... Adapting to the nomadic lifestyle...
all this wood around - hey, and my guitar is made out of wood too!!! Coincidence? I think not! all this wood around - hey, and my guitar is made out of wood too!!! Coincidence? I think not!	The cabin at night time The cabin at night time	Beautiful 11 Mile Creek in south-central Colorado Beautiful 11 Mile Creek in south-central Colorado	Some rock tunnels on the way! Some rock tunnels on the way!	Seems like Mecca for fly fishermen Seems like Mecca for fly fishermen	Rockies in all their splendor Rockies in all their splendor	Mommy likes it here! Mommy likes it here!	"sure the sky is big here but ... where is TV???" "sure the sky is big here but ... where is TV???"
Buffalos!!! Buffalos!!!	"Yeah, I know, I'm missing some skin on my ass. Big deal..." "Yeah, I know, I'm missing some skin on my ass. Big deal..."	Albino? Or maybe just a grandchief of the herd? The most magnificent fella for sure... Albino? Or maybe just a grandchief of the herd? The most magnificent fella for sure...	"Ha! More mountains, more rivers, more pictures... still no TV!" "Ha! More mountains, more rivers, more pictures... still no TV!"	Old mining town of St. Elmo - "I think I fit right in!" Old mining town of St. Elmo - "I think I fit right in!"	Spectacular drive through Glenwood Canyon and a short rest by mighty Colorado river. Looks like these guys are having fun too! Spectacular drive through Glenwood Canyon and a short rest by mighty Colorado river. Looks like these guys are having fun too!	Who painted this? It's not real, is it? Who painted this? It's not real, is it?	Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The biggest hot spring pool in North America. Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The biggest hot spring pool in North America.
Overnight stay at Elk Creek campground. Obi is never bored. Yeah, and still no TV for Matty... Overnight stay at Elk Creek campground. Obi is never bored. Yeah, and still no TV for Matty...	Even shopping mall parking lots look spectacular! Even shopping mall parking lots look spectacular!	Taking a break after steep climb to Colorado National Monument (western Colorado) Taking a break after steep climb to Colorado National Monument (western Colorado)	Long time ago dinasaurs roamed this place. Now, look at this: young lovely couples do! Long time ago dinasaurs roamed this place. Now, look at this: young lovely couples do!	Monumental skies in this monumental place Monumental skies in this monumental place	And this is what needs to be done for us to be able to drive through this place And this is what needs to be done for us to be able to drive through this place	this little mousehole easily fits two passing Hummers this little mousehole easily fits two passing Hummers	The man in his element! The man in his element!
We're hitting a trail We're hitting a trail	Now we see the road from up above Now we see the road from up above	Don't step on a lizzard! Don't step on a lizzard!	The view at the end of the trail was breathtaking! The view at the end of the trail was breathtaking!	Can't get any higher than this! Can't get any higher than this!	All smiles... All smiles...	Panorama of the Wedding Canyon with Sentinel Spire in the middle (Colorado National Monument) Panorama of the Wedding Canyon with Sentinel Spire in the middle (Colorado National Monument)	Window Rock Window Rock
Still on the trail Still on the trail	Balanced Rock Balanced Rock	Moving on to Utah: highway 128 along Colorado river - our best discovery! Moving on to Utah: highway 128 along Colorado river - our best discovery!	The further we go, the better it gets... The further we go, the better it gets...	Just before Moab, Utah - our best find of the trip: Red Cliffs Lodge Just before Moab, Utah - our best find of the trip: Red Cliffs Lodge	We're staying for two nights and this is our room's backyard! We're staying for two nights and this is our room's backyard!	Red Cliffs Lodge rocks! And they are dog friendly too!!! Red Cliffs Lodge rocks! And they are dog friendly too!!!	Yeah, I know - even our truck feels at home here Yeah, I know - even our truck feels at home here
"How do they keep grass this green in the desert? Doesn't matter - we're going horseback riding tomorrow!!!" "How do they keep grass this green in the desert? Doesn't matter - we're going horseback riding tomorrow!!!"	This empty desert road is so inviting... This empty desert road is so inviting...	... let's go for a ride! ... let's go for a ride!	Evening in Moab - hippest town in Utah! Evening in Moab - hippest town in Utah!	Of course there are Kokopellis here! Of course there are Kokopellis here!	Matt feels tribal and hip. Even he is in his element - there is a TV in our room! Matt feels tribal and hip. Even he is in his element - there is a TV in our room!	In Arabian deserts they have Alladine's lamp. In Utah - Kokopelli lamp! In Arabian deserts they have Alladine's lamp. In Utah - Kokopelli lamp!	"Howdy cowboys!" "Howdy cowboys!"
Ok, this is a wrong hat Matty! Wrong scarf too... Ok, this is a wrong hat Matty! Wrong scarf too...	Wrong outfit or not - Matthew is ridding like a pro! Wrong outfit or not - Matthew is ridding like a pro!	Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid! "Cash" and "Drifter" (horses names are correct, riders NOT!) Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid! "Cash" and "Drifter" (horses names are correct, riders NOT!)	While boys are on the trail, mommy is checking out the corrals While boys are on the trail, mommy is checking out the corrals	nice saddle! nice saddle!	Boys had their fun - now mom! Boys had their fun - now mom!	This place has everything! Let's come here again... This place has everything! Let's come here again...	Fitting right in with the scenery Fitting right in with the scenery
"Now, that's what I call camping!" "Now, that's what I call camping!"	"Not a bad set of wheels either!" "Not a bad set of wheels either!"	"Umm, let me see - did I get some sun today?" "Umm, let me see - did I get some sun today?"	One mighty looking Schnauzer! One mighty looking Schnauzer!	Another day at the Red Cliff Lodge, yeah! Another day at the Red Cliff Lodge, yeah!	Many classic westerns were shot in this area as one can find out in the Lodge's movie museum Many classic westerns were shot in this area as one can find out in the Lodge's movie museum	Arches National Park, Utah. "Courthouse Towers" rock formation. Arches National Park, Utah. "Courthouse Towers" rock formation.	"Tower of Babel" (I think) "Tower of Babel" (I think)
"Three Gossips" (I'm sure!) "Three Gossips" (I'm sure!)	"Balanced Rock" "Balanced Rock"	This one's called "Parade of elephants" Could've been "Three Gossips II" This one's called "Parade of elephants" Could've been "Three Gossips II"	Partial view of "Garden of Eden" rock formation Partial view of "Garden of Eden" rock formation	Evenings are best at Arches - it's cooler and the rock silhouettes are phenomenal! Evenings are best at Arches - it's cooler and the rock silhouettes are phenomenal!	"Delicate Arch" viewpoint "Delicate Arch" viewpoint	"Delicate Arch" up close "Delicate Arch" up close	"Sand Dune Arch" "Sand Dune Arch"
a scene from "Raiders of the lost arch" a scene from "Raiders of the lost arch"	Let's get closer to it... Let's get closer to it...	Yeah, this is what I like - close and personal with "Sand Dune Arch" Yeah, this is what I like - close and personal with "Sand Dune Arch"	"Again -don't step on a lizzy!" "Again -don't step on a lizzy!"	3rd day in Utah - tonight we camp! 3rd day in Utah - tonight we camp!	Bono-look alike Bono-look alike	I'm not a desert dog! This heat is too much for my fur... I'm not a desert dog! This heat is too much for my fur...	That should keep him cool That should keep him cool
When the moon comes out, red cliffs turn into golden nuggets! When the moon comes out, red cliffs turn into golden nuggets!	Unexpected night time show... Unexpected night time show...	... a boat lights up the cliffs from the river... ... a boat lights up the cliffs from the river...	... and a truck from the road! ... and a truck from the road!	Today - a serious hike: down Nergo Bill Canyon to "Morning Glory Arch" Today - a serious hike: down Nergo Bill Canyon to "Morning Glory Arch"	We got lost, we got tired but at the end we found it - ta daaa! We got lost, we got tired but at the end we found it - ta daaa!	Overhanging arch humbles anyone standing below Overhanging arch humbles anyone standing below	view from below... view from below...
... and from the side ... and from the side	"Morning Glory" - indeed "Morning Glory" - indeed	Licence plate: Utah-style Licence plate: Utah-style	"North Window Arch" "North Window Arch"	Yes, this is like a window into the sky... Yes, this is like a window into the sky...	"South Window Arch" "South Window Arch"	Full view of "South Window Arch" Full view of "South Window Arch"	North and South Window arches together North and South Window arches together
The most amazing one of them all - "Double Arch" The most amazing one of them all - "Double Arch"	Going inside the "Double Arch" Going inside the "Double Arch"	Underneath "Double Arch" Underneath "Double Arch"	no comment here... no comment here...	or here or here	standing speechless standing speechless	more golden nuggets more golden nuggets	leaving Arches National Park at sundown leaving Arches National Park at sundown
shadow play shadow play	Erosion and weathering works slowly but relentlessly, creating these ghostly cliff formations. Trees are young and silent spectators to this 100 million years process. Erosion and weathering works slowly but relentlessly, creating these ghostly cliff formations. Trees are young and silent spectators to this 100 million years process.	Good night! It's hard to leave a place of such spectacular beauty... Good night! It's hard to leave a place of such spectacular beauty...	Last day in Moab, Utah. Refreshing dip in a pool before leaving desert heat for Colorado's cool mountains Last day in Moab, Utah. Refreshing dip in a pool before leaving desert heat for Colorado's cool mountains	Driving through top of the Rockies. Within 3 hours we changed Utah's 40C dry desert heat for 11C temperatures on these high alpine meadows near Telluride, Colorado. Driving through top of the Rockies. Within 3 hours we changed Utah's 40C dry desert heat for 11C temperatures on these high alpine meadows near Telluride, Colorado.	We drove through all kinds of weird named towns - this one tops them all! We drove through all kinds of weird named towns - this one tops them all!	Arriving at a campground at Mesa Verde National Park (southern Colorado) Arriving at a campground at Mesa Verde National Park (southern Colorado)	"Who's gonna start the fire?" "Who's gonna start the fire?"
Anasazi Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde Anasazi Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde	1400 years ago this was a home of Ancestral Pueblos 1400 years ago this was a home of Ancestral Pueblos	Part of the Spruce Tree House - the third largest dwelling among several hundred within park boundaries Part of the Spruce Tree House - the third largest dwelling among several hundred within park boundaries	Spruce Tree House - view from above Spruce Tree House - view from above	museum and Pueblo artifacts museum and Pueblo artifacts	ancestral zen moment... ancestral zen moment...	Obi's nose - not a Pueblo artifact Obi's nose - not a Pueblo artifact	Crossing over to New Mexico Crossing over to New Mexico
Arriving at our 2nd (prebooked) accomodation... Arriving at our 2nd (prebooked) accomodation...	... spectacular Red Cliffs Casita (no, we didn't intentionally stay only in places that start with "Red Cliffs - it just happened that way) ... spectacular Red Cliffs Casita (no, we didn't intentionally stay only in places that start with "Red Cliffs - it just happened that way)	Beatiful from the outside Beatiful from the outside	Nice and cozy inside Nice and cozy inside	24 windows - and that's just the living room! 24 windows - and that's just the living room!	Lake Abiquiu below Lake Abiquiu below	This wrap-around 180 degrees porch offered welcomed escape from the mid day sun This wrap-around 180 degrees porch offered welcomed escape from the mid day sun	not that there is anything wrong with the midday sun not that there is anything wrong with the midday sun
Ah, living a 'dog's live' here Ah, living a 'dog's live' here	This calls for nice cold Corona! This calls for nice cold Corona!	Red Cliffs Casita from below Red Cliffs Casita from below	Juniper trees were the only vegitation on these sun drenched slopes Juniper trees were the only vegitation on these sun drenched slopes	Perfect firewood for the night campfire! Perfect firewood for the night campfire!	sunsets are big in the desert! sunsets are big in the desert!	do we have an unannounced visitor? do we have an unannounced visitor?	Yeah, he really wants to get inside. No way Jose! Yeah, he really wants to get inside. No way Jose!
Local wine tastes fantastic by the fire Local wine tastes fantastic by the fire	And the moon is out too And the moon is out too	Let's eat that snake! ... no, we really didn't (yuck!) Let's eat that snake! ... no, we really didn't (yuck!)	another visitor? another visitor?	reflective moment in the morning reflective moment in the morning	ah, the heck with reflective moments - just tickle me Elmo! ah, the heck with reflective moments - just tickle me Elmo!	I think I may talk to these horses that walk our property I think I may talk to these horses that walk our property	"You're not Drifter, are you? I didn't think so..." "You're not Drifter, are you? I didn't think so..."
Last picture before we leave for Santa Fe Last picture before we leave for Santa Fe	Stopping at Taos (main plaza) Stopping at Taos (main plaza)	Somebody seems to be happy: "Now, finally we can go shopping!!!" Somebody seems to be happy: "Now, finally we can go shopping!!!"	Santa Fe - old town is full of festivities (and people!) Santa Fe - old town is full of festivities (and people!)	Beautiful cathedral Beautiful cathedral	Pocahontas? Pocahontas?	The place is truly colourful The place is truly colourful	Art galleries are plantiful in Santa Fe Art galleries are plantiful in Santa Fe
"I wanna picture next to this guy too!" "I wanna picture next to this guy too!"	Arriving at our final accomodation, just outside of Santa Fe Arriving at our final accomodation, just outside of Santa Fe	This is simple yet beautiful adobe casita This is simple yet beautiful adobe casita	Overlooking Santa Fe Overlooking Santa Fe	kiva fireplace inside kiva fireplace inside	Yeah, that calls for nice cold Corona (good thing we have ample supply of cold Coronas since there are many occasions for celebration!) Yeah, that calls for nice cold Corona (good thing we have ample supply of cold Coronas since there are many occasions for celebration!)	"Welcome to Mariola's adobe cafe!" "Welcome to Mariola's adobe cafe!"	"I could stay here for more than 3 days" "I could stay here for more than 3 days"
"Me too" "Me too"	"Me too! There is plenty of shade (no grass to pee on however...)" "Me too! There is plenty of shade (no grass to pee on however...)"	Visitors! Visitors!	In the southwest as we found out, hummingbirds are a bit like mosqitos (small and annoying...) In the southwest as we found out, hummingbirds are a bit like mosqitos (small and annoying...)	"Oh, I want to get one..." "Oh, I want to get one..."	"Is this red hot chili pepper edible?" "Is this red hot chili pepper edible?"	Go for it! Go for it!	My old guitar looks so at home here! My old guitar looks so at home here!
Nice headphones... Nice headphones...	And the last day is finally here... And the last day is finally here...	Last drink before the nightfall Last drink before the nightfall	Spectacular sunsets from our casita is what we'll remember Santa Fe for Spectacular sunsets from our casita is what we'll remember Santa Fe for	I said spectacular! This is Georgia O'Keefe country ... I said spectacular! This is Georgia O'Keefe country ...
And the moon is out again And the moon is out again	"Do you hear the coyotes?" "Do you hear the coyotes?"	bye bye big western sky - we'll see you again bye bye big western sky - we'll see you again