Mexico - Teotihuacan 12.08

The first thing that struck us was the huge scale of this place. Just like at the museum, we couldn't stop telling each other how incredible this place was. This is the citadel, at the southern end of the complex.


Almost all of the sculptural ornamentation that originally decorated the temples and pyramids is gone. The only exception is this area, which was buried behind the adjacent building and therefore protected.


At the other end of the complex is the Pyramid of the Moon. This picture was taken from there, looking back toward the Citadel. On the left is the Pyramid of the Sun, the largest structure on the site.


Another view from the Pyramid of the Moon. As soon as we arrived, we realized that not bringing our sun hats was a big mistake. We bought new ones to get through the day.


A young couple taking a break.


The grand Pyramid of the Sun. It seemed that we spent all morning walking toward it. Although it loomed large over the entire site, it didn't take as long to climb as we had expected. By noon, the line to climb to the top was long. Glad we got there early!


The reward at the top: a cool, breezy place to rest and take in a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.

Mexico - Museo Nacional de Antropologia 12.08

Before the trip, every person who mentioned the museum said it was one of the best they had ever visited. They were right.


Every case in every room seemed filled with amazing objects made by the Mayans, Aztecs, and other pre-Hispanic cultures. What a rich history.


The depictions of dogs, birds, and other animals were charming.


A beautifully ornate object. I'm not sure of the meaning, but this is a man's head peaking from the mouth of a coyote/dog. About 8-10" high and covered with shell.


Big head.


Little head.


Great masks.

In the Air, Thanksgiving Morning, 11.08

This is me getting off the hill.


In the air.


Chris making it look easy.


The mountains were beautiful from the air.


Packing up.

Lemhi Valley, Thanksgiving 11.08

Beautiful Stehekin 09.08

We started out at Highbridge.


Walked through an amazing aspen grove--the biggest aspens Mom's ever seen.


This one had old and new bear claw marks. He tried but didn't quite best the one who was there before him.


Still water on a beautiful evening.

Pictographs on Lake Chelan, Stehekin 9.08

From directly across the lake, at Stehekin Landing, you could see the rock face made white by mineral runoff.


When we got close, these drawings by some ancient inhabitants of this place were visible, as were the remains of more recent graffiti (1946).


I couldn't find any information online about possible dates for these drawings, but it is amazing to sit and look at handprints made by some hand from another time.


Stehekin means "the way through," as this was the opening to a crossing that took Central Washington tribes to the Puget Sound. Not the kind of path we'd think of as a way through. Still lots of mountains to cross from there.


Tally marks?

Carl the Gardener's Dahlias, Stehekin 9.08