5 - 21 March 1999

 
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Breckenridge Mountain (90K)7 March 1999
When you first arrive it's hard not to be impressed with the number of runs littered over the mountain here at Breckenridge. This shot was taken as we eagerly left for the first day on the slopes.
From Breckenridge Mountain (85K)7 March 1999
The view back down from one of the lower runs here at Breckenridge, around 3,400m altitude. You might be able to spot one of the resorts stumbling points here - see how far the village is away, even though it's only 400m lower. Yep, there are a lot of very flat runs down there!
Snowblade Rob (73K)9 March 1999
Rob trying to look cool on his Snowblades - not that you can tell I'm on them from this shot. Check out the next one then :-)
Blade Fall (53K)9 March 1999
If you can see this view on your ski trip... you're doing something right! Yes - if you don't end up in the snow once in a while you're not trying hard enough (or messing around as much as you could in my case).
From Vail Peak (72K)10 March 1999
The magnificent view from the top of Vail mountain on a very clear and sunny day.
Vail Rob (125K)10 March 1999
Messing around on Vail mountain on a perfect day to ski. Who could ask for more?
Fire Dept. Tour (83K)13 March 1999
Here's an alterative to the ubiquitous London Routemaster as a tour vehicle (and yes, I did see a Routemaster here too!) - a modified San Francisco fire department vehicle. Very nice, especially the shiny brass bits - but I bet you it's still very chilly.
Peir 39 Seals (94K)15 March 1999
The famous seal colony here at pier 39. Tourists are encouraged not to feed them, so you wonder why they like it here so much?
Golden Gate Rob (71K)15 March 1999
Of course, no trip to San Francisco would be complete without the required picture of yourself by the Golden Gate bridge. Or about to travel under it in this case.
Golden Gate (61K)15 March 1999
And here's my version of the Golden Gate. How many times have you seen this shot before?
Church of St. Peter & St. Paul (91K)15 March 1999
The church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Washington Square. It's claim to fame? Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe here - or so the narrator on our cruise wrongly claimed!

Actually, it was here that DiMaggio married his first wife, actress Dorothy Arnold, Nov. 19, 1939 where police had to be called to control 10,000 fans! He married Marilyn Monroe in San Francisco city hall Jan. 14, 1954 and was this time was mobbed by only 500 fans.

Coit Tower (85K)15 March 1999
The Coit Tower was errected by Lillie Hitchcock, many think as a tribute to San Francisco's fire fighters, as the design is reminiscent of a fire hose nozzle.

Built on Telegraph Hill, the view of the bay and city from the top is pretty impressive.

Downtown San Francisco (128K)15 March 1999
Downtown San Francisco from the top of the Coit Tower. In the centre there, the Transamerica Pyramid is the cities tallest building.
Yosemite Valley Rob (71K)16 March 1999
Rob looking pretty happy with himself, with Yosemite valley in the background.
El Capitan (108K)16 March 1999
El Capitan (I think that's what they named this rock) towering up from Yosemite Valley floor. I love how that cloud is just hanging there below the peak, very photogenic don't you think?
Bridalveil Fall (125K)16 March 1999
Bridalviel fall in the Yosemite Valley.
Upper Yosemite Fall (120K)16 March 1999
Upper Yosemite falls cascading into what looked like a snowfield. Well, it didn't look much like a pool or lake anyhow, and there was a bit of snow around so I'm sticking with that guess.
Mt Watkins (128K)16 March 1999
Mount Watkins reflected in the mirror lake here in Yosemite Valley.
Half Dome (88K)16 March 1999
Half Dome, seen here to the left has the most sheer cliff face in North America at just seven degrees of vertical. The altitude at the peak is 2693m, and we're on the valley floor around 1200m below that, you see why this place is a rock climber's paradise.
General Sherman Rob (140K)17 March 1999
Rob trying to get the immense size of the General Sherman Sequoia into perspective.
General Sherman (165K)17 March 1999
The General Sherman tree is the world's largest by volume. Although you can't really appreciate this from the photo, so here are a few fascinating facts to help out:

Estimated age: 2100 years
Estimated weight of trunk: 1256 tonnes
Height: 83.8m (275 feet)
Circumference at ground: 31.3m
Max diameter at base: 11.1m

The Pinnicals (64K)18 March 1999
The Pinnicals Natural National Park. Well yes, I guess it does look sort of like an alien landscape might.
Death Valley (94K)18 March 1999
View from just off the road as we drive down into Death Valley.
Death Valley Dunes (92K)18 March 1999
Although Death Valley is in the middle of a desert, there's only this small stretch of sand dunes. Here we see the remains of some vegetation, bleached white by the sun.
Death Valley Dunes (100K)18 March 1999
In contrast to the last shot, here is a plant flourishing in the sane dunes here in Death Valley. This one actually had some small flowers blooming (yellow dots near the centre of the bush).
Golden Canyon Rob (131K)18 March 1999
Some pretty interesting formations can be seen in one of the many rainwater gullies leading off from the main path of Golden Canyon.

Badwater Rob (88K)18 March 1999
Rob gets the standard tourist shot - and poses by the sign in Badwater, the lowest place in North America (the sign says minus 282 feet).
Grand Canyon (106K)19 March 1999
The Grand Canyon - awesome!

Grand Canyon (182K)19 March 1999
Another shot of this amazing natural formation on one of the many points that jut out from the rim. This point is along the rim west of the start of Bright Angel Trail.
Grand Canyon Rob (130K)19 March 1999
Rob sitting on the north rim of the Grand Canyon on a beautiful sunny day.
 
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