A Halloween Haiku

We fear nothing so

much as fear to which we have

not yet put a name...

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I have dreams in which I frantically check every locked door and window, only to discover that one has been silently breached. I don't know what I fear will get in if I'm not vigilant, but the worry continues to plague me!

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The photo above was taken at the prison in Lincoln Castle, England

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I am linking this to Poetry United's, Thursday Think Tank Prompt. For more works about the things we fear, do click on the link below:

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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2010/10/thursday-think-tank-21-fear.html

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Colorado Skies

On a recent trip to the U.S., we drove to Colorado to visit Mesa Verde National Park.

The park was wonderful...we had a grand day exploring the cliff dwellings and soaking up the history of this ancient site.

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As it came time to leave the park, storms clouds formed and rain began to fall on the plain below us. I could not tear myself away from the beautiful skies that resulted.

These are a few of my favourites from that evening...

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I’m linking this post to ‘Looking At The Sky Friday’, graciously hosted by CrAzY Working Mom at the link below. Do stop by for skies that will inspire!

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http://www.crazyworkingmom.com/

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Haiku in Red

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One crimson leaf...like

a splatter of blood on the

newly fallen snow...

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I am linking this to Poets United Thursday Think Tank. This week's prompt is 'the ugly that is beautiful'...blood is surely both!

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http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2010/10/thursday-think-tank-20-ugly-that-is.html

We're Home!

The open road ahead with time to explore and my best friend beside me...it doesn't get much better than that. We have returned from a trip to the U.S. that was nothing short of spectacular. I am simply dazzled by the beauty that we've seen...uplifted by the wonderfully warm people we met along the way...and am exhausted and exhilarated at the same time!
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I’m including some stats to show what we were able to fit into eleven days. Of course, numbers only say so much…in the days to come I will post the pictures that will clarify why our hearts and spirits were so gloriously elevated by the wonders we came across every day .

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Air Miles Flown.... 3910 km. (2430 mi.)

Road Miles Driven.... 2000 km (1245 mi )
States Visited..Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, California

Airports Waited In....Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City

Photos Taken.....2000 ( Perhaps a little excessive!)

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Here are a few of my favourite moments, with many more to follow:

Ticking Monument Valley off my bucket list:
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I pride myself on being able to string words together effectively, yet I can find none that adequately describe the awe I felt gazing across the expanse of this red valley. It simply took my breath away…

Being followed by storms for a week:
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Storms are not everyone’s idea of fun but I’ve always loved thunder and lightning. Crackling, charged skies have a majesty all their own.
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Ticking Antelope Canyon off my bucket list:
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The slot canyons of Utah have a singular beauty. Even on a cloudy day as it was when we visited, the rock glows with undulating light, and every twist leads you into more beauty.

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Getting into trouble even on holidays:

.You may have read of our penchant for ignoring ‘No Trespassing’ signs and will understand that on coming across an abandoned ranch in Wyoming, we did not hesitate to hop over the fence for a quick look around. We were busted by a local rancher, but he graciously accepted our apologies when he saw we were just taking pictures.
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Seeing wildlife:
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We often had mule dear walk across the road in front of us…the ravens sang a constant song to accompany us as we explored Mesa Verde…and chipmunks and squirrels greeted us frequently.
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I fell in love with Utah and its many National Parks, and will have lots of photos to share once I'm rested and organized.

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It's good to be back in Canada and in Blogland!
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Road Trip!

Route 66, Arizona
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I will be incommunicado for the first part of the month. My husband and I are taking another trip down to the Southwest area that we so enjoy, both for the incredible scenery and the mystical history behind its scattered ruins. This will be the first time we hit Four Corners, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado meet, so there will be much to discover. We fly into Las Vegas, then immediately set off on a week-long road trip, mostly spent exploring the National Parks in Utah, to finally end up in Salt Lake City for a few days before heading home.

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I am including a tentative itinerary here for any armchair travelers among you who might be interested. Of course, plans are always subject to change! Leaving the house and furry companions in the capable hands of our big sons, we will be free souls wandering wherever whim takes us…our favourite thing in the world to do!
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Grand Canyon, Arizona

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My much-loved regular readers do not

need me to say that I am rendered breathless at the thought of photographing Antelope Canyon, (high on my bucket list), and Bryce Canyon, not to mention Monument Valley! Think of every John Ford western flick you’ve ever seen with the red spires and buttes…are they not beyond magnificent? I am literally aquiver with anticipation!

Grand Canyon, Arizona This is the plan:

2nd: Vancouver to Las Vegas
3rd: Las Vegas to Zion Nat. Park
4th: Bryce Canyon, UT,
5th: Antelope Canyon, AZ
6th: Monument Valley, AZ
7th: Mesa Verde, CO
8th: Arches Nat. Park, UT
9th: Canyonlands, UT
10th: Salt Lake City and environs
11th: Salt Lake City to Vancouver

Chapel On The Hill, Sedona

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My camera awaits...batteries charged and memory cards lined up. When I get back online, I hope to have many wonders to share with you. I’ll try not to bore you with an excess of photos, but like an overexcited child, I don’t always know when to stop…and moderation never was my strong suit!
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I may check in whilst away, but striving to take in as much as we can, we spend very little time in hotel rooms. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back. In the meantime…happy blogging!!
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The photos above are from a trip to the Arizona in 2007

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