Post-Badlands Post

Descending Big Plateau

HAVE been home since Tuesday. Duluth seemed greener and warmer. I immediately called C. when the Outdoor Program van rolled into UMD campus. After helping the students return camping gear, I walked home with C., my large pack on my back. I didn't mind. It was light. I only had my clothes and personal gear in it. No more carrying six liters of water and 3 lbs of food and a 3-lb tent with my gear! It was great seeing the cats again, Meowsie looked like he'd been missing me. Poor baby!

I have twice as many pictures of the Badlands than I have of New York. So many stories too. But these may have to wait. I'm still catching up on chores and work that have piled up while I was away. Also, I've started my full time summer student job, which pays me peanuts. But hey, I gotta pay for summer class.

So for the meantime, here are some more photos I took in the Badlands. I had a lot of fun with sepia photos. Found the color mediocre most of the time. But the land was just so commanding that breaking the image down to monotone brought out the dramatic lines and sweeps:

South Unit Overlook

Getting to Know the Prairie

Self-Portrait Near Cache 2

Photo by Tyler

Sunday Evening Before the Badlands

I'M really not looking forward to leaving home again so soon. I've missed my boyfriend and I've missed the cats. New York was wonderful! But now I will have to make like a pack mule and scoot to the North Dakota Badlands. I really should have a more positive attitude about this. But I'm not much of a carry-all-your-things on your back and walk up and down rocky terrain kind of gal. I just need to do this for my thesis...Sigh...

I've successfully tested my audioblogger. Nice. I probably should have used it in New York but...Anyhow, I'll only be able to use this in the beginning and end of my trip. I don't think there will be much in the way of celphone coverage in the Badlands.

Wish me luck!

Audioblog Test

New York in Five Pictures

Path to "Strawberry Fields, Central Park, NY

Me & Elena














Me & The Starry Night











Me & Lara in China Town











Central Park after my nap

That was fast

I AM back in Duluth, and I love New York. I have lots of photos and lots of stories (including standing right beside Ashton Kucher in an organic foods check out line, and not seeing "Alias'" Ron Rifkin (he was six feet near me) on the subway. But I have an exam and lots of chores to catch up with so this is going to take a while.

One thing's for sure. It was worth touching my "do not touch" savings account.

Library Lust

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, NY -- Whoohoo! I'm in New York! Sinundo ako ni Lara yesterday from La Guardia. Kuwentuhan kami all day. Had dinner at a Filipino carenderia near St. Mark's Place. Explored Greenwich Village, Lara's neighborhood. Had some Baileys sa kanyang dorm, sssshhhhh!

Detail on Ceiling of the Rose Reading Room

Rose Reading Room

Right now, I am in the Rose Reading Room of the New York Public Library. I was walking along 5th St. (medyo naligaw ako sa Broadway) on my way to the Moma, when I saw the large stone lions. People were sitting on cafe chairs right in front of the library steps, sunning themselves. When I saw the library, I almost fell on my knees in worship! :D
View from Library Steps

Ok tama na ang internet. Gotta go to the MoMA now. I have a date with Vicent Van Gogh and his Starry Night!