"Every time we go off into the wilderness, we are looking for that perfect primitive Eden. This time, we have found it. Nothing superlative or enchanting should be easily accessible. We walked no sword edge to get here, but we worked, and we had blisters to prove it"

- Wallace Stegner

The story was written after I'd attended a party for a legendary Canyon explorer, George Steck.  He'd take it upon himself to rediscover and actually HIKE old trails that had been forgotten for 500 years.  The man was weathered and awesome and as I sat in that room full of Canyon old timers, I remember feeling like I'd just been initiated into some sort of secret club.  But as I talked about my experience on the River, everyone else chimed in with stories of their own and with all that passion, it felt like we were sharing the same lover.  :-)

I lived in the desert for four years.  I saw how much waste was being done with water useage.  (Palm Springs has a huge issue with that.)  There is hardly any rain.  When it does rain ~ it is only for a brief moment. 

So..to continue and get to the point ~ Again ~ in the news ~ an in depth article is being put out there by the BBC ~ about the Colorado River.  About how the life surrounding the river is dying and shrinking. Reports about this have been in the news and out there for years ~ yes years people.  Now ~ only when Lake Meade ~ a man-made lake is dissolving before everyone's eyes (noticeably) ~ is everyone starting to pay attention again.  Everyone is looking at the dam(s) that have choked this river.  (Oh and might I add this: the Indians out there have been filing lawsuits for years to get the rights back to their land.  They know. Yet again ~ no one listens.)

Now, again, all of the sudden it is a huge issue that there won't be any water out West.  The River gives life. It always has.  It is a wonder of nature.  Much like any waterfall.  It has cut through time and experienced more than any human being. 

Think about this issue ~ of water ~ like this: What happens when you cut something?  Depending on what that "it" is ~ normally "it" does not grow back.  When it is cutoff, there is death. Is there or is there not?  Diveriting water where it normally doesn't go ~ is really not such a hot idea.  Hell for that matter most of the decisions made to make a buck or two ~ have been rather stupid.  (I say this because as things are set up the way they are now, into "classes" again, oh boy, there is going to be no where for anyone to go. No matter what money you think you have or what you think you control.) 

Nature has for years been bleeding. 

Why are there so many tornadoes now, in areas that didn't use to get them?? Umm.. you took down the trees to make that buck.   Why is there a shortage of water??? Because you divert a river, to make that town for a buck. (Among other things that have destroyed water.) 

Why is no one pushing the issue more?? Make your self known ~ noooo ~ that would mean you don't fit in.  Gosh golly ~ can't have that. 

Freakn' scientists have had there reports re-written by Presidents to make it look like we all live in this perfect bubble.  Wake up ya'll ~ you don't and neither do I.  One man.  One voice. One area.  Think of what would happen if differences were put aside and a greater good ~ that was actually a greater good ~ achieved.  (Not war you moron.  Wars since WWII have been nothing but hostile take overs for a buck. )

Think. Wake up. Since it is happening out there ~ why couldn't happen where you live?? Why couldn't it happen to you or me?? Umm..think about it like this.. where will all of those people go? 

Someone in the life style section of CNN wrote a few months back, "everyone has a story but do you really want to hear it?"  When the water ~ not oil ~ over powers the news at night ~ are you going to want to hear the stories? Are you going to want to know that is coming to your doorstep next?

Actions speak louder than words, and what reflects on one stone, reflects on them all.

We're not entirely sure what these folks are all about. They have this myspace page with some pictures, and some words, buuuuuuuuuuuut frankly, it's all a little vague, if you ask us. They seem to be some sort of art collective, and there's also some land preservation going on along the Colorado River, some music, and even some gardening?

Well, anyway, they're having a fundraising concert (what are they raising funds for? no idea). It's going down today, it's $3, and there's going to be a bonfire after midnight, and you can camp out on the river!   That's pretty cool. You can even BYOB if you so choose, or purchase your beer and snacks from the organization.  If you go, report back, solider! Tell us what these folks are all about.

Here is one more from the Grand Canyon.  This is Lava Falls, a long rapid, but still not the largest one we went through.

Since we've been back we've been doing some fun, local wandering as well.  We took my dad kayaking for Father's Day.  It was a beautiful day on the Colorado River.  We were outfitted by Rising Phoenix who I sourced in a story I wrote back at the ABJ on tourism in Bastrop.  Bastrop has really grown and changed in the years since I've ventured east of Austin.

Yesterday we went ziplining out in Wimberly and had an awesome time.  Bear in mind that I am afraid of heights but it's my policy to confront such irrational behavior as often as is possible.  Soaring 100 feet high acorss hill country canyons with 15 mile views was the best way I can think of do so.  An amazing adventure everyone should try at least once.

I've got pictures from both trips to post soon as well as additional commentary. 

That's all for now, folks.

From time to time we humans spend hours that in the earthly scheme of things can only be rated perfect. Such were our days--Jerry's and mine--this past Friday and Saturday on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

The signal for the trip was rare, and its lofty nature of such significance that within our minds spun an expectation of pleasure and harmony beginning with the earliest moment of  planning. On Friday Jerry and I stepped over another milestone in our lives as we embarked on our 53rd year of marriage.

The Grand Canyon is surely one of the most spectacular places on earth. In 1893 it was established as a forest reserve by President Benjamin Harrison, and in 1919, by President Theodore Roosevelt, was designated a national monument. The park is 277 river-miles long, an average of ten miles wide, and to reach the canyon floor requires a plunge one mile deep. Snaking a thin line at the base of the cliffs is the thundering Colorado River, without which there would be no Grand Canyon. It's cool waters lunge and roar exploding in spume and foam...and then, again, lie placid and in a soft meander.

We always have this conversation, Jerry and I: What do you suspose was the reaction of the first person or group who viewed such a stunning place?  How in the world did they feel as they stood before this gaping chasm?  We never have an answer, of course, and as overwhelming as it is to view after hearing of it and even at prior times seeing it, we shake our heads as we think of the staggering awe that must have settled on those early explorers as they stood before that bucolic shrine. 

We had visited both the south and north rim of the Grand Canyon many years ago when our children were young, and we viewed it as not only beautiful and awe inspiring, but as educational both for them and for us. As was true then, so now remains my frustration when I reach to describe that world-wondering scene. I grapple with words--is it that I need new langugage?--to write the land lay, the pitch of bird caw and the beating of wings. The rustle in the wind-brushed pinions meld with squirrel scramper and the faint sizzle of green lizard on white boulder.

Ultimately, such grandeur could only be carved by Almighty. Doubtless, He used geological forces and wind-swept eons, but the sight and sound of such magnificence demands a Creator, One whose thought and ways are impossible to comprehend. Words to tell are shy and impaired.

Laid atop such undergirding were two days of sublime rest and celebration. We checked in and found perfection.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

My devotional blog is here.

The photo above shows a dory cutting through the rapids at the base of the Grand Canyon. There's a terrific, offbeat article in Outside magazine (the story's not yet online) about Colorado River expeditions that spend 2 or 3 weeks on the water. There might be 4 dories full of paying customers followed by 2 support rafts for guides, food, gear, clothes, and other things, like poop. Yes, in order to keep the shining national monument from becoming a giant fly-infested, gag-inducing outhouse, on each expedition you will find a Groover Boy, whose job it is to set up portable toilets in the wild, collect the waste containers and transport them to the next stop before disposing of the whole mess at the end of the trip. The groovers, by the way, are retrofitted ammo cases. They got their nickname from the "grooves" the sides of the can left on your behind.

UPDATE: The story is now online with a photo gallery to boot..

Robert Graves once wrote:  love is a universal migraine.

It's interesting to me how frustrating love can be.  Especially dating, for that matter.  I have pretty much settled on the fact that I prefer to stay home and make myself a fabulous dinner and treat myself to an at-home spa treatment than go on some random date.  I'm not into online dating - in fact, I had a match.com profile, off and on, for a few years now, though it's currently expired, and I have yet to meet anyone in person because of it.  And the men of Portland, and perhaps the west coast, for that matter, don't really ask women out on dates.  It's very bizarre.  But I've gotten used to it, I think.

About a month ago, when I was still watching the Redwings in the Stanley Cup playoffs and finals, I met a nice guy who recently moved to Portland.  In any case, he asked me out.  He seemed like a nice guy, so I accepted.  He texted me to chose a movie - anything but Sex & the City.  Easy.  So I came up with this interesting list - including Bra Boys, a film about the cultural evolution of the Sydney beach suburb of Maroubra, and the struggle of its notorious surf gang, a tatoo-clad group of surfer rebel rousers known as the Bra Boys, narrated by Russel Crowe.  My other choice was Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk, about the declining Colorado River filmed and experienced by writer-antropologist Wade Davis and world-renowned river advocate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., accompanied by their daughters Kick Kennedy and Tara Davis, with the score by the Dave Matthews Band and narration by Robert Redford.  It was playing at the IMAX Theater at OMSI.  Grand Canyon Adventure won!

I met this guy at OMSI at 7:30 and we picked up our tickets for the 9:00 p.m. show.  We walked around the Water Street industrial neighborhood and settled on Clark Lewis's tiki-like bar for a place to sit and imbibe on something before the show.  I had a Maker's Manhattan.  Disappointingly, there was a maraschino cherry, which I think is gross.  I was hoping for an amaretto cherry.  The cocktail was very average, but the bartender, Jordan, was very charming and engaging.  After a nice conversation with my date, we walked back to OMSI and headed in to the movie.

I have to say, I loved the film.  When we first entered the IMAX theater I felt a little dizzy.  It was kind of weird, a little like Vertigo (ooh - that Hitchcock classic is actually playing at a cool art house movie theater downtown, which I'd like to go see).  I digress.  Anyway.  Once the film started, I was mesmerized.  The Grand Canyon is just amazing.  I can't get over the way ancient river flow sculpted and carved out that incredible landscape.  Watching this group make their way down guided down the Colorado made me want to go rafting!  What a wild life experience!  They say a river like that challenges you, changes you and makes you a little tougher, makes you appreciate life a little more, makes you connect with the river in a very spiritual way.

It's shocking how much water loss this river has endured.  It was interesting to see old photos, the first taken of the Colorado River's run and current views of those same frames, now depleted and eerily changed.  I loved the native American thread.  And I was just moved to want to do my part to conserve water, to think about my impact on the environment and to develop my love of natural waters in our world.  Further, I am eager to go white water rafting.  I would love to experience the magic and thrill of the Colorado as it runs through the Grand Canyon, but I think I'll start somewhere up here first  - perhaps the Deschutes near Bend or the Rogue near Grant's Pass.

Summer's here.  Perhaps a trip is in order. 

It was a nice date, which appropriately ended with a hug.  It's too early for me to feel a connection yet.  I don't date, after all.  And I am much obliged for developing friendships with good guys at this point.  I am in no rush to fall for someone without thoughtful consideration and really getting to know him.  It's so important to take things slow.  I'm not interested in diving into anything right now, except for maybe a big, ole river!  Anyway, I'd definitely go out with him again, but I am also interested in getting to know other potential migraine enducers out there.

Meantime, the movie was over under an hour and I got home at a nice and reasonable hour, which was pretty cool.  I had minimal sleep each night this week and I was exhausted.  I was glad to make myself a cup of Yogi chamomile tea.  The back of the box suggests "Let the worries of the day float away as you sit with a cup of our organic Chamomile tea."  In addition to enducing relaxation, allowing you to unwind after a stressful day, drift into a restful sleep, east minor menstrual cramps or occasional stomach discomfort.  I was hoping it would help me drift into a restful sleep tonight.

The fortune on the tea bag read:  there is nothing more precious than the self.

As I began to let the worries of my day float away and relaxed with the happiness I usually feel when it's warm and sunny out or when it's the start of a weekend, I contemplated love once more.  Especially self love, which, as Yogi Tea man Yogi Bhajan suggests is the most precious thing.  I contemplated my ongoing thoughts about dating, or really, about love - about finding love in all of its manifestations!  About finding true love.  And Graves' poem, Symptoms of Love, concludes: 

Take courage, lover!
Could you endure such grief
At any hand but hers?

I suppose when you find the right love - whatever that symbolically means in your life, or if it's literally about finding love, I suppose when it's under the right terms or when you've found the right person, then it really is worth the migraines, the grief and any other symptom that requires you to courageously carry on.

Meantime, I curled up with my cat India on the sofa, while Capri napped solo on her favorite fleece blanket of mine, folded on the leather love seat, and watched an old episode of Sex & the City.

My favorite from Outside is Living in Dog Years by Bill Vaughn.

With all due respect to the late Lady Bird Johnson and her family, I prefer to call it the Colorado River.  Just like I prefer to call it First Street instead of Cesar Chavez.  I don't understand why people feel the need to change the name of something.  Why not just do something new?

A great season for playing on the rivers. Because there is a really high snow-pack in the mountains we already have more water in the rivers than during any peak of the last 10 years. And the snow is just beginning to melt. Most likely this will be a wonderful, long rafting season.

Cynthia took photos on this trip. In this photo, the paddle boat ("The Carcass") with Levi, Mike, Jackson, Lukas, and the 18-foor oar boat with Kima, Marty and me (behind the oars).   (click to enlarge)

Our crew got together for a quick, day trip through Westwater Canyon. Few people in our group have never been through Westwater Canyon and it's always fun to share this place with others. In high water the trip takes about 4 hours, including a very long lunch. Thank you Kima for great sandwiches!

"Team Redneck" riding the rapids in "The Carcass."

Marty shot some video during this trip. He moved the camera so violently that you'd need a paper bag to watch just a few minutes of it. I chopped it down to just few clips that can be watched after a small dose of Dramamine.

On the road to Westwater Ranger Station.   (watch video - Windows Media)

The first rapid, The Little Dolores Rapid.   (watch video - Windows Media)

Ok, these videos required a large dose of Dramamine...

On the boat: Kima, Marty - our videographer, and moi.   (click to enlarge)

Somebody came up with the names for each boat. We had "Team Redneck" (I never heard the "why" part), "Team Sunflower" (for their matching yellow life jackets -- Adrienne renamed them to "Team Buttercup"), and "Team Swim" for the most swimmers (in MY boat!).

Next time we'll get more action shots. The other night Adrienne I decided on the lens I should get: Canon 100-400. I will never be happy until I get this lens! Perhaps next year...

Team Redneck   (click to enlarge)

The streamflow was about 20,000 cfs and while most rapids are completely washed out at this water level, it's still a great place to visit. And if you are a passenger on my boat you'll get an adrenaline rush anyway because I am just that good at providing excitement. I came to the Surprise Rapid lazily, sideways, and almost flipped a boat. When the downstream tube of our raft hit the hole and went almost completely under, Marty was catapulted off the boat. It was a beautiful back flip into the rapids worthy of pro gymnast. Then I managed to be just as careless when setting up for the Skull Rapid, where you have to start your run river right and then break over a lateral wave to get to the river left. If you don't make it across in time you'll either visit a Room-a-Doom or hit a Rock-of-Shock, where neither is a good option. My passengers got a really close look at both.

Relaxing after the Big Hole (past all rapids). On our way to the take out in Cisco.   (watch video - Windows Media)

And now the beer commercials...

Cynthia promoting Tecate.   (click to enlarge)

Mike is promoting some other beer.   (click to enlarge)

Dee Dee promoting Corona.   (click to enlarge)

Marc is not promoting anything - he just got out of water..   (click to enlarge)

Levi's brother, Jackson, was back in town and joined us on the trip. The winning photo.

Jackson and Levi  (click to enlarge)

The river has been in drought for eight years and, as mentioned in the report I posted yesterday, is hopelessly overallocated. It is only because the states are not using their full allocations that the river is still running to Mexico, just.

Nevada's attempts to save water are admirable - the Southern Nevada Water Authority seems to realise that people living in a desert just cannot enjoy a lush green lawn etc. They even pass on the message with a bit of humour. It begs the question - why hasn't the South Australian Government imposed stricter domestic watering restrictions?

The Nile, the Colorado River, the Ganges and the Yellow River – some of the largest rivers in the world are also the most susceptible to mismanagement and over allocation.

Irrigation is a historical practice - the Chinese have been irrigating since the third century BC and ancient Roman aqueducts that dot the European landscape are still used today.

However, rapid population growth and the need for greater food stocks at a global level has seen some of the world’s largest and most important river systems depleted to shadows of their former selves.

Ann Ramsey took this photo of the young one on Saturday.

As you can imagine, we’re all very excited about the arrival of the owls, because we’re all a bunch of wacky wildlife watchers and animal lovers. We hope they stay. River Park needs the owls as much as they need River Park. It’s perfect habitat with an abundance of frogs, chipmunks, and voles. Currently we have almost too many lizards and snakes.

We all want to do everything we can to make the owls feel welcome. But I just want to caution my Dogland friends that the young owl (in the photo) is very curious. Tod and I were less than five feet away from him when we saw him on Saturday. He was perched on the tall stump (about 5 feet off the ground) on the interior lowland trail, watching us. We didn’t approach him – and we didn’t have the camera. We did stop long enough to say hello, then walked on. Tod said he made a clacking noise just before we stopped. I didn’t hear that. He is a stunning creature.

Luckily Ann went home to get her camera. But he flew up in a tree by the time she got back. She still got a great shot of him. Our dogs didn’t see him and we didn’t draw their attention to him.

Because the young one is so curious and fearless, please be cautious when you see him. Please leave him be and steer your dogs away from him. Like I said, we need those owls to control the reptile and rodent population, and promote our park as a bird sanctuary. Protect the owls. Take only photos.

Although I have to say I know almost everyone who visits Dogland and I know we’re all very smart and very sensitive to our wildlife. So I’m not all that concerned for their safety. We think the owls have chosen the perfect home.

I believe we have Nanci Limbach from to the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation to thank for this gift of owls.

As quoted from The Paper:

Randy Hampton, a spokesman for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, said the work Limbach does to assist wildlife in the area is critical and "that having people support her financially needs to happen" or wildlife doesn't get the benefits she provides.

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Pauline S. Schneegas Wildlife Foundation.

Click here to add From the Styx to your RSS reader.

Vitória 2 X 1 Internacional

Equipe gaúcha continua sem marcar pontos longe do Beira-Rio

lance de jogo entre Vitória x Internacional

Com dois gols bem semelhantes, o Vitória derrotou o Internacional por 2 a 1, na tarde deste domingo, no Barradão, pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão, conseguindo a sua terceira vitória, todas em casa, e subindo para 11 pontos na tabela. O time gaúcho, que segue sem conseguir pontuar longe de casa, permanece com sete pontos, perto da temida zona de rebaixamento. Marquinhos e Williams marcaram os gols rubro-negros, ambos no primeiro tempo e com belos passes de cabeça do atacante Dinei. Nilmar descontou na etapa final.

O próximo compromisso do Vitória é no sábado, dia 28, contra o Goiás, mais uma vez em Salvador. No dia seguinte, o Inter enfrenta o arqui-rival Grêmio, no Olímpico, no primeiro dos dois clássicos gaúchos de 2008.

Gols gêmeos

Por muito pouco, o Vitória não abriu o placar graças a um erro da defesa do Inter. Em lançamento na área, Orozco, Marcão e Clemer se confundiram, e o atacante rubro-negro Dinei meteu o pé, mas mandou a bola para fora. Recuperado, o Colorado chegou perto em seguida, com Alex cruzando pela esquerda para Nilmar, mas a zaga afastou. O jogo começou equlibrado, com tentativas de chutes de fora da área dos dois lados. Até que aos 17, após lançamento do campo de defesa, Dinei deu um toque de cabeça e deixou Marquinhos na cara de Clemer. O atacante apenas tocou na saída do goleiro para abrir o placar.

No lance seguinte, Magrão quase empatou, obrigando o goleiro Ney a fazer boa defesa. O time rubro-negro dificultava as ações de ataque gaúchas e ainda aprontava com bons lançamentos. Aos 31, após nova bola alçada na entrada da área, Marquinhos só desviou de cabeça para Williams aumentar o placar, em lance bem parecido com o primeiro gol.

Nilmar teve duas boas oportunidades de diminuir o placar na etapa inicial. Aos 42, invadiu a área com velocidade, mas a zaga baiana afastou quase em cima da linha. E dois minutos depois, driblou um zagueiro na área e acertou a rede pelo lado de fora.

Reação tardia

O Inter voltou do intervalo com duas mudanças, justamente as dúvidas de antes do jogo: Maycon e Adriano nas vagas de Bustos e Gil. Logo no primeiro lance, o goleiro Ney teve que se esticar para defender um cruzamento errado de Alex. Aos dois minutos, Ramon lançou Marcelo Cordeiro na esquerda, que cruzou rasteiro na área para Williams, mas Marcão salvou a bola.

Aos 17, em cruzamento pela ponta direita, Clemer se adiantou e quase passou da bola. Mesmo assim , um leve toque salvou a bola de cair nos pés de Marquinhos. Apesar da mudança, o time gaúcho continuou apresentando os mesmos erros. Mesmo assim, em um contra-ataque fulminante, Taison, que acabara de entrar na vaga de Edinho, armou jogada com Marcão na esquerda. O lateral cruzou na área para Nilmar cabecear para as redes: 2 a 1.

O gol animou um pouco o time gaúcho, e os baianos começaram a sentir o cansaço. Dois minutos depois, Adriano recebeu livre, mas matou mal a bola. Aos 27, Taison deu bom passe para o camisa 9 colorado, que perdeu para a zaga. Passada a pressão, os anfitriões quase ampliaram nos acréscimos, com duas bolas seguidas na trave direita de Clemer nos acréscimos, uma com Marquinhos e outra com Ricardinho.

Vitória X Internacional

Campeões baiano e gaúcho se enfrentam procurando equilíbrio

Com altos e baixos, Leão e Inter medem forças em Salvador

Nilmar treino Internacional

Neste domingo, às 16h (de Brasília), no Barradão, Vitória e Internacional fazem um curioso duelo de campeões estaduais pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro: ambos começaram tropeçando e fazem campanhas apenas razoáveis na competição nacional. O Colorado faz a sua quarta partida fora de casa e tenta marcar o seu primeiro ponto longe do Beira-Rio.

Trasmissão ao Vivo por TV Web Aqui - Clique e Assista

O time baiano, depois da derrota por 2 a 0 para o Cruzeiro na estréia, emplacou duas vitórias seguidas em Salvador, mas perdeu para o Ipatinga fora de casa. Por outro lado, o técnico Tite faz sua segunda partida no comando do time gaúcho, o que pode dar gás à equipe, que perdeu o líder Fernandão na rodada passada. Na estréia, o Inter derrotou o Botafogo por 2 a 1, em casa.

O canal Premiere transmite o jogo ao vivo para todo o Brasil em sistema de pay-per-view, e o GLOBOESPORTE.COM acompanha lance a lance, em Tempo Real, com vídeos.

Em busca de estabilidade
Na décima posição, o Vitória tenta dar fim às oscilações do time na competição. Nos últimos dois jogos, o Leão conseguiu bons resultados, vencendo o Santos por 1 a 0, no Barradão, e empatando sem gols com o Coritiba, no Couto Pereira. Porém, para manter essa crescente, Vágner Mancini tem alguns desafios. O principal deles é escalar o time titular. As dúvidas e os desfalques são tantos que o Internacional, adversário da partida, ficou em segundo plano.

Trasmissão ao Vivo por TV Web Aqui - Clique e Assista

Os problemas do treinador do Rubro-Negro começam debaixo das traves. Viafara está suspenso com três cartões amarelos e está fora do jogo contra o Colorado. O reserva Ney, titular durante o Campeonato Baiano sob o comando de Vadão, ganha nova chance. Marcelo Batatais, Bida e Jackson se recuperam de contusão e ainda não estão nas melhores condições físicas.

Ao longo da semana, Mancini fez diversas modificações em sua equipe. Ramon e Rodrigão chegaram a treinar nas vagas de Ricardinho e Dinei, mas não têm escalação garantida. Outra dificuldade do treinador é lidar com o descontentamento de ambos, acostumados a serem titulares por onde passaram. Boa notícia apenas o retorno do lateral-esquerdo Marcelo Cordeiro, que pode ganhar o lugar de Daniel. Mesmo depois de tantos testes, Mancini manteve o mistério e não divulgou os 11 titulares que enfrentam o Colorado.

Trasmissão ao Vivo por TV Web Aqui - Clique e Assista

Sem querer, o time campeão
O técnico Tite chegou à escalação desta partida meio que por acaso. Mas a curiosidade é que, com a exceção de Fernandão, vendido para o Al Gharafa, do Qatar, o Colorado mandará a campo o mesmo time da final do Campeonato Gaúcho. Adriano será o substituto do velho capitão.

O goleiro Clemer assume a camisa 1 porque Renan foi convocado para jogo da seleção brasileira olímpica. E Orozco está volta à zaga, já que Sidnei cumpre suspensão automática. É o mesmo caso do lateral-direto Bustos, que ocupa a vaga do suspenso Ricardo Lopes.

Com a volta de Nilmar, ausente na partida passada por causa de dores musculares, Tite teve de escolher entre Adriano e Gil para completar o ataque. Ficou com o primeiro, para ter uma dupla de atacantes velozes e explorar os contra-ataques com mais intensidade.

Trasmissão ao Vivo por TV Web Aqui - Clique e Assista

O meia Alex também não enfrentou o Botafogo. Cumpria suspensão automática. Artilheiro do Gauchão e jogador mais técnico da equipe, será um acréscimo de qualidade.

- Com a volta dele, teremos acima de tudo um meio-campo entrosado – diz Tite depois do treino da sexta-feira.

O lateral-direito Bustos foi escalado sem que o técnico o conhecesse pessoalmente. Quando Tite chegou, na quinta-feira passada, o colombiano já tinha se apresentado a sua seleção. O técnico conversou com ele por telefone e se decidiu que Bustos iria direto para Salvador.

The City of Kingman offers many activities and attractions to enjoy year-round.  Haulapai Mountain Park offers camping, hiking, picnicking and much more.  The Colorado River provides an array of activities which include a swimming, boating, fishing, and many other water sports.  There is also many historical attractions and ghost towns in the area.

Kingman has a great historic district complete with a walking tour and map to help guide you.  You can also find the longest preserved part of U.S. Route 66 still remaining in Kingman.  Other interesting places to visit include White Cliffs Wagon Road, Beale Springs, and Beale Wagon Road . 

Residents of Kingman enjoy the community facilities such as museums, public swimming pools, a bowling alley, two golf courses, racquetball, aerobic centers, horseshoe and shuffleboard, several tennis courts, ten public parks, a resource center and a senior center.  A championship golf course is located in the beautiful golf community of Valle Vista located just 17 miles out of town.

When you’re looking to relocate, check out the great City of Kingman , Arizona and contact me for help with the home buying process.

I didn't sleep well last night.

Sushi didn't sleep at all last night.

So, Gray is the only one that slept really well last night. He settled down on a towel that Mom laid on her bed for him and stayed there all night. After the incident with the bed, Sushi was too high strung to settle down at all. She would lay down for about ten minutes and then she would jump up and roam the room. Mom and I think that she was skitterish because she was in a strange place with no where to hide.

And, of course, since Sushi was running around everywhere, Mom was awake every time she moved.

Me? I didn't sleep well because we didn't plug in my fan. I sleep better with the sound. (At least, that's what I think/hope it was...)

We crossed the rest of Utah today. It remained beautiful until about halfway. At that point, it turned dry and brown. There were some awesome rock structures, but it wasn't the same feeling as "Oh my goodness, I could live here" that I felt yesterday.

Mom and I were almost all the way through Utah when we saw something we hadn't seen since we left California. A highway patrol car.

No joke. This was the first highway patrol we've seen since leaving Southern California. (Of course, after we saw this one, we saw three more. Go figure.)

The cats were quite happy in their kennel in the car. Both of them curled up and went right to sleep.

Of course, with the way Sushi had been behaving the night before, this was unacceptable. We took it upon ourselves to call Sushi's name every half hour. We wanted her awake during the drive so she will (hopefully) sleep tonight.

In Salina, Utah, we stopped to get gas and found the prices at:

Soon, we found ourselves crossing the border into Tolorado. (For those of you that don't speak MeMe, that would be Colorado.)

Colorado is quite beautiful as well. We crossed the Colorado River several times...

And we even made it across the Rockies in one piece! There was still snow in some places, but not enough to go skiing. =D

Today's high temperature was:

Overall, Colorado is wonderful. There was so much to look at, our 8 hour drive went by relatively quickly.

Until tomorrow,

-Jamill

]]> http://travelevents.wordpress.com/?p=70 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:47:05 +0000 seo2wins http://travelevents.wordpress.com/?p=70 Laughlin, Nevada
June 7-8, 2008

Laughlin River Days is a two-day event that offers exciting professional boat racing action along the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada.