Craters of the Moon

Posted on July 25, 2020 by imhphotos | Leave a comment

So happy to get to this beautiful, unique part of the country this year! Truly one of the most divergent areas to visit in Idaho, if not in the United States.

“Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve encompasses the entire Great Rift volcanic rift zone.” “It contains a huge concentration of volcanic land forms and structures along the more than 50-mile zone of fractures and eruptions.”

View north over the North Crater and Serrate Flows — *View north over the Serrate and North Crater Flows*

“The protected area’s features are volcanic and represent one of the best-preserved flood basalt areas in the continental United States.” wiki

Aa lava ['A'ā (pronounced "ah-ah")] — *Aa lava*
*[‘A’ā (pronounced “ah-ah”)]*

Block Lava — *Aa lava*
*[‘A’ā (pronounced “ah-ah”)]*

Most of the trees that grow in the area are either Juniper or limber pine which, “…is named for the flexibility of its branches that can literally be tied in a knot.” NPS

Because of many issues currently threatening these pines, the ecological health of the limber pines are monitored for mountain pine beetles, mistletoe, and white pine blister rust.

Nearby to the west is a protected area between Craters of the Moon National Monument and the Pioneer Mountains. We unfortunately didn’t see them, but this is one of the longest migration routes for pronghorn, wolverine and sage-grouse. Nature Conservancy

Pioneer Mountain and Blue Dragon Flow — *Pioneer Mountain and Limber Pine*

We were very lucky to visit during wild flower season and were able to see some very unique flowers in bloom. “The ability to grow in this harsh environment means overcoming a lack of moisture, meager soil, and surface temperatures that exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit” NPS

Sitting in the The Great Rift and the Snake River Plain (which “…stretches about 400 miles (640 km) westward from northwest of the state of Wyoming to the Idaho-Oregon border.”), this area’s environment is so unique and is surrounded by a gorgeous an amazing backdrop. wiki

*North Crater Trail and Pioneer Mountains*

Broken Top, Alpine Bitterbrush, and Juniper trunk — *Broken Top, Alpine Bitter, and Juniper trunk*

Visit the the park website to learn more.

If you have any questions about our experiences, don’t hesitate to ask 🌎

Beautiful Bergamo, Citta Alta (part 2)

Posted on March 15, 2020 by imhphotos | 2 Comments

Cappella Colleoni |Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani

Tomb of Mayr in Santa Maria Maggiore Bergamo

Bandelier National Monument

Posted on July 22, 2019 by imhphotos | 1 Comment

If you’re ever near Los Alamos, New Mexico, stop in and visit Bandelier National Monument in the beautiful Frijoles Canyon.

“The monument preserves the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans of a later era in the Southwest. Most of the pueblo structures date to two eras, dating between 1150 and 1600 AD.” #wiki

Though there are over 70 miles of hiking trails, when we visited some years back, we visited only the Main Loop trail to see and tour the interesting cliff dwellings and the ruins of Tyuonyi (chew-OHN-yee) pueblo.

More info on the monument and park here:
History & Culture – Bandelier National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

View of Tyuonyi pueblo ruins

Pictograh and viga holes used to hold the dwellings’ supports

Frijoles Canyon view from inside a cavate

Inside the Came room (a.k.a. cavate)

Volcanic Tuff cliff formed from the Jemez Volcano over one million years ago

Inside the cacate – plastered walls and smoked ceilings.

Volcanic Tuff cliffs

Cylindropuntia imbricata (Tree Cholla) cactus in front of Alcove House

More info on the monument and park here:
History & Culture – Bandelier National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Huaca Pucllana

Posted on May 6, 2019 by imhphotos | Leave a comment

This was such a neat place to see right in the center of Lima, Miraflores. “possibly from Quechua wak’a a local shrine to a protector deity, a sacred place, sacred, pukllana game” #wiki. It’s very well preserved but there is also work being done to restore parts of the pyramid that do need repaired. Pre-Inca temple approx 400 AD, made of millions of clay/adobe bricks. There is a small portion of the grounds dedicated to a garden and pens for a few resident chickens, guinea pigs and of course llamas and alpacas.

Street in Cuzco

I will forever remember how beautiful this street in Cuzco was, at this moment, just before dusk. Nightfall at 11,152′ is cold. Sitting and soaking up these last moments of sunshine is a wonderful place to be. ☀️ 🇵🇪

Ocean Memories

“My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea. And the heart of the great ocean. Sends a thrilling pulse through me.” — #HenryWadsworthLongfellow #longfellow #oceanview #sunrise #oceanside #soul

Cloud Gate

Posted on December 21, 2017 by imhphotos | Leave a comment

Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons). Source: wiki

Tulum (Tulúm…Zama)

Posted on September 9, 2016 by imhphotos | 2 Comments

Looking back on an amazing day spent exploring these ancient Mayan ruins dating as far back as A.D. 564 with some inscriptions, it’s heyday being around 1200-1521 A.D.