tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21362590288066763402024-03-13T12:23:06.027-05:00Marc Volkman PhotographyOur World through my eyes...Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-73792218956041847622015-06-18T10:15:00.002-05:002015-06-18T10:15:39.932-05:00Dallas Home Interiors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are some interior photos I took of a one of our design projects</div>
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at Allen Kirsch & Assoc. that I also worked on ...</div>
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Family room. AKA design sofa table in foreground.</div>
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Sectional also AKA design</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBkRfUZF14E/VYLfJONyr5I/AAAAAAAACf4/tI09d4sCudk/s1600/0820-GameRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBkRfUZF14E/VYLfJONyr5I/AAAAAAAACf4/tI09d4sCudk/s320/0820-GameRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Game Room. AKA design sofa, ottoman (coffee table) and rug</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPIibScu0Ko/VYLfJY8P7II/AAAAAAAACf8/v4AAu0gzQZQ/s1600/9825-Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPIibScu0Ko/VYLfJY8P7II/AAAAAAAACf8/v4AAu0gzQZQ/s320/9825-Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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view from Family room into Kitchen and Breakfast area</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYJBdaNF2fs/VYLfJyO4rRI/AAAAAAAACgA/Kmc1RHWRJfg/s1600/9862-GameRm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYJBdaNF2fs/VYLfJyO4rRI/AAAAAAAACgA/Kmc1RHWRJfg/s320/9862-GameRm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Game Room. AKA design sofas, ottoman and end tables</div>
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Living room. AKA design sofas, coffee table and rug</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkYJdvfrOyg/VYLfKRF_uQI/AAAAAAAACgM/kyIFk_9odIc/s1600/9880-LivingRm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkYJdvfrOyg/VYLfKRF_uQI/AAAAAAAACgM/kyIFk_9odIc/s320/9880-LivingRm.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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Living room, (other end). AKA design sofa, chairs, coffee table, end tables and rug</div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-78378499399336790592014-10-21T16:34:00.001-05:002014-10-21T16:46:02.230-05:00Collective Soul - October 18th at the State Fair of Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ed Roland and Collective Soul rolled into Dallas on Saturday to play</div>
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the Great State Fair of Texas ...</div>
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Ed & brother Dean ...</div>
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Johnny Rabb, drums; Jesse Triplett, lead guitar; Will Turpin, Bass...</div>
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Dean catches some sunshine...</div>
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Jesse does some great "guitar god" posing ...</div>
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It's sing along time!</div>
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Hey Ed! Over here!</div>
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"...still got a long way... to run."</div>
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Thanks boys! Come back soon!</div>
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<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-87457975942968304842014-09-29T16:20:00.002-05:002014-09-29T16:20:50.261-05:00Opening day The Great State Fair of Texas 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6STGw25kPC8/VCnIpDvPNDI/AAAAAAAACUA/Rsj9QKBMTIo/s1600/0820-BigTex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6STGw25kPC8/VCnIpDvPNDI/AAAAAAAACUA/Rsj9QKBMTIo/s1600/0820-BigTex.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Howdy Folks"</div>
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Big Tex welcomes all visitors to the 2014 State Fair of Texas!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNXbqKwrYFE/VCnJGl8dkAI/AAAAAAAACUI/okwfqr_MFY8/s1600/0808-greyhounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNXbqKwrYFE/VCnJGl8dkAI/AAAAAAAACUI/okwfqr_MFY8/s1600/0808-greyhounds.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's Greyhound Bus' 100th anniversary this year,</div>
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they have a big tent with several of the different model busses through the years</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yaDDOk8rtmI/VCnJGtxb9QI/AAAAAAAACUQ/2mPBiH0n-NQ/s1600/0809-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yaDDOk8rtmI/VCnJGtxb9QI/AAAAAAAACUQ/2mPBiH0n-NQ/s1600/0809-car.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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The original Greyhound was a car!</div>
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This is one of 16 left in the World!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ub0N2viYA/VCnJGn54GaI/AAAAAAAACUM/AlJkHhd8sUk/s1600/0812-singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7ub0N2viYA/VCnJGn54GaI/AAAAAAAACUM/AlJkHhd8sUk/s1600/0812-singer.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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This guy entertaining folks in the Coliseum</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Qofw631Do/VCnJOmPBObI/AAAAAAAACWg/umOQAmcP7X0/s1600/0815-Vendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8Qofw631Do/VCnJOmPBObI/AAAAAAAACWg/umOQAmcP7X0/s1600/0815-Vendors.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fried Peaches-n-Cream at The Doc!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9WZolqSjd4/VCnJHb3eI5I/AAAAAAAACUY/n890QGFFrVg/s1600/0816-CottonBowl-n-TexasHall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9WZolqSjd4/VCnJHb3eI5I/AAAAAAAACUY/n890QGFFrVg/s1600/0816-CottonBowl-n-TexasHall.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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the contrast of modern architectural features on the Cotton Bowl</div>
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& the beautiful Art Deco details of Texas Hall</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYV0wmesjss/VCnJHg3RWVI/AAAAAAAACUc/xTocvuZga0o/s1600/0818-BigTex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYV0wmesjss/VCnJHg3RWVI/AAAAAAAACUc/xTocvuZga0o/s1600/0818-BigTex.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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the tower building & Big Tex in Big Tex Square</div>
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Children's Aquarium Ed Center</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bNCdKviqow/VCnJIHacS-I/AAAAAAAACUo/0SDynad-2tM/s1600/0824-horsesculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bNCdKviqow/VCnJIHacS-I/AAAAAAAACUo/0SDynad-2tM/s1600/0824-horsesculpture.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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a bucking horse sculpture out of tools!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGqaA4AJgZA/VCnJIvAihQI/AAAAAAAACUs/98W6WMKsips/s1600/0826-Lore-n-clown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGqaA4AJgZA/VCnJIvAihQI/AAAAAAAACUs/98W6WMKsips/s1600/0826-Lore-n-clown.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore clowning around...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3KLk4KXKqc/VCnJI4iBVCI/AAAAAAAACU4/d5Wb4kpb9wk/s1600/0827-TexasStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3KLk4KXKqc/VCnJI4iBVCI/AAAAAAAACU4/d5Wb4kpb9wk/s1600/0827-TexasStar.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Texas Star</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtQtTYqt_BQ/VCnJJOavxDI/AAAAAAAACU8/T-njmlvc4qU/s1600/0828-flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LtQtTYqt_BQ/VCnJJOavxDI/AAAAAAAACU8/T-njmlvc4qU/s1600/0828-flowers.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't forget to check out all the beautiful landscape at Fair Park</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec6YxwxqgRI/VCnJJwxyv9I/AAAAAAAACVE/N20B98hLMus/s1600/0832-carousel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ec6YxwxqgRI/VCnJJwxyv9I/AAAAAAAACVE/N20B98hLMus/s1600/0832-carousel.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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how 'bout a carousel ride?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdavnM4a1q0/VCnJKImuHfI/AAAAAAAACVY/dLyJyiLit2o/s1600/0834-Katies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdavnM4a1q0/VCnJKImuHfI/AAAAAAAACVY/dLyJyiLit2o/s1600/0834-Katies.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's not the state fair until you've had a patty melt at Katies!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40omFADKUXE/VCnJKcOlpfI/AAAAAAAACVU/83u3aM_4GBE/s1600/0836-midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40omFADKUXE/VCnJKcOlpfI/AAAAAAAACVU/83u3aM_4GBE/s1600/0836-midway.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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Midway color</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqB4v5byQ0o/VCnJLFV480I/AAAAAAAACVk/_W4Nj5dS_N4/s1600/0837-sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqB4v5byQ0o/VCnJLFV480I/AAAAAAAACVk/_W4Nj5dS_N4/s1600/0837-sunset.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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sunset over Texas</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQo1Re35jS4/VCnJLLDg6XI/AAAAAAAACVo/MWZOvGnAuoI/s1600/0840-winegarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQo1Re35jS4/VCnJLLDg6XI/AAAAAAAACVo/MWZOvGnAuoI/s1600/0840-winegarden.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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The beer & wine garden has tastes from all over Texas</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxq6ztUtO50/VCnJLgNPAxI/AAAAAAAACVw/Fk-_hoJ3KcA/s1600/0844-MarineBand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zxq6ztUtO50/VCnJLgNPAxI/AAAAAAAACVw/Fk-_hoJ3KcA/s1600/0844-MarineBand.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Marine Band is back this year!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z28pqHsQXAk/VCnJL5F_IMI/AAAAAAAACV0/IDMH1fUrb3Y/s1600/0848-beautyqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z28pqHsQXAk/VCnJL5F_IMI/AAAAAAAACV0/IDMH1fUrb3Y/s1600/0848-beautyqueen.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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and beauty queens!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK0btRseTB4/VCnJMTtR_iI/AAAAAAAACV4/dy4wOFhUbas/s1600/0849-corndog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK0btRseTB4/VCnJMTtR_iI/AAAAAAAACV4/dy4wOFhUbas/s1600/0849-corndog.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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...corn dogs ...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndU3Vmkm6RQ/VCnJM8Apa6I/AAAAAAAACWA/8a6oUYO6gZg/s1600/0850-RM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndU3Vmkm6RQ/VCnJM8Apa6I/AAAAAAAACWA/8a6oUYO6gZg/s1600/0850-RM.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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... Ronald ...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11LZCp6-8R4/VCnJM6nnxOI/AAAAAAAACWE/oO4UZTGDgxQ/s1600/0851-suitecaseGuy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11LZCp6-8R4/VCnJM6nnxOI/AAAAAAAACWE/oO4UZTGDgxQ/s1600/0851-suitecaseGuy.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
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...hey buddy! how 'bout a hand!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVs7TNPjzpg/VCnJNbj8C4I/AAAAAAAACWM/0Didv7B3cjU/s1600/0853-Clown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVs7TNPjzpg/VCnJNbj8C4I/AAAAAAAACWM/0Didv7B3cjU/s1600/0853-Clown.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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guess what the shovel is for ...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtEKlsSUfQ/VCnJNlg3dVI/AAAAAAAACWQ/y7GUmRTO7Tc/s1600/0854-MissFairview2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WdtEKlsSUfQ/VCnJNlg3dVI/AAAAAAAACWQ/y7GUmRTO7Tc/s1600/0854-MissFairview2014.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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... more beauty queens!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBW8VUZE4zY/VCnJOGBIlPI/AAAAAAAACWk/NrsJRMIM90o/s1600/0856-drumguy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBW8VUZE4zY/VCnJOGBIlPI/AAAAAAAACWk/NrsJRMIM90o/s1600/0856-drumguy.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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this guy!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XVPo_9tqdI/VCnJOVCJjCI/AAAAAAAACWc/TDj7U1x4OKA/s1600/0857-pizzaguy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5XVPo_9tqdI/VCnJOVCJjCI/AAAAAAAACWc/TDj7U1x4OKA/s1600/0857-pizzaguy.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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pizza anyone?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQaLeW9ZYQ4/VCnJO21PMAI/AAAAAAAACWo/3iN42YraAas/s1600/0858-cancangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQaLeW9ZYQ4/VCnJO21PMAI/AAAAAAAACWo/3iN42YraAas/s1600/0858-cancangirl.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can Can Girls!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiHlEB_lepo/VCnJPIARYXI/AAAAAAAACYc/qyH74X1IifY/s1600/0860-stiltpeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GiHlEB_lepo/VCnJPIARYXI/AAAAAAAACYc/qyH74X1IifY/s1600/0860-stiltpeople.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RVQJiaSo_0/VCnLsfDAy4I/AAAAAAAACY0/edR9wPoNw0o/s1600/0859-stiltpeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RVQJiaSo_0/VCnLsfDAy4I/AAAAAAAACY0/edR9wPoNw0o/s1600/0859-stiltpeople.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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Stilt people....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axp-xj4KzXc/VCnJPcZunQI/AAAAAAAACWs/NOAKwc8YqNk/s1600/0862-Shriners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axp-xj4KzXc/VCnJPcZunQI/AAAAAAAACWs/NOAKwc8YqNk/s1600/0862-Shriners.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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You know the parade is over when the Shriner Band goes by...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w49TFatwk84/VCnJPnYzNBI/AAAAAAAACWw/4AHDpPAlZwE/s1600/0865-dpd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w49TFatwk84/VCnJPnYzNBI/AAAAAAAACWw/4AHDpPAlZwE/s1600/0865-dpd.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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...backed by DPD!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQqSuu2p4ss/VCnJQF-JyGI/AAAAAAAACW8/Bra1CaJ6xlw/s1600/0867-buttersculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IQqSuu2p4ss/VCnJQF-JyGI/AAAAAAAACW8/Bra1CaJ6xlw/s1600/0867-buttersculpture.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year's 'butter sculpture' are horses!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNw6FoMg4Ts/VCnJQb4Rv1I/AAAAAAAACXA/LUVWgvfEG5k/s1600/0868-arts-n-crafts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNw6FoMg4Ts/VCnJQb4Rv1I/AAAAAAAACXA/LUVWgvfEG5k/s1600/0868-arts-n-crafts.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Come see all the winners in the Arts & Crafts building...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmtI84EfukY/VCnJQ0_2UmI/AAAAAAAACXU/umJSPFVjY2g/s1600/0870-skyride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmtI84EfukY/VCnJQ0_2UmI/AAAAAAAACXU/umJSPFVjY2g/s1600/0870-skyride.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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ride the sky ride...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XGDB8xeUEs/VCnJRWx3I7I/AAAAAAAACXQ/SUOHE1Lz7us/s1600/0872_c-TexasStar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XGDB8xeUEs/VCnJRWx3I7I/AAAAAAAACXQ/SUOHE1Lz7us/s1600/0872_c-TexasStar.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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sometimes when you don't have your settings right,</div>
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it still turns out cool ...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMTs2BoqwGI/VCnJR32zswI/AAAAAAAACXc/L1rMpZ5PlZs/s1600/0873-midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMTs2BoqwGI/VCnJR32zswI/AAAAAAAACXc/L1rMpZ5PlZs/s1600/0873-midway.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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gateway to fun!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xbjPegCl8s/VCnJSF8LNzI/AAAAAAAACXg/x7KYxvZKDe8/s1600/0874-chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xbjPegCl8s/VCnJSF8LNzI/AAAAAAAACXg/x7KYxvZKDe8/s1600/0874-chickens.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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chicken anyone? </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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yep.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcZuyIMn3v8/VCnJSsRiVDI/AAAAAAAACXs/Cu6VNMmfWPU/s1600/0878-ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcZuyIMn3v8/VCnJSsRiVDI/AAAAAAAACXs/Cu6VNMmfWPU/s1600/0878-ride.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><br />
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SOMEBODY SCREAM!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqkCd-LPG0w/VCnJTDUmbWI/AAAAAAAACX4/e-evz69b2xY/s1600/0879-midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqkCd-LPG0w/VCnJTDUmbWI/AAAAAAAACX4/e-evz69b2xY/s1600/0879-midway.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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1-2-3 GO!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkpE10aXgOo/VCnJTY0eOOI/AAAAAAAACX8/r953MDSCexY/s1600/0883-hauntedhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkpE10aXgOo/VCnJTY0eOOI/AAAAAAAACX8/r953MDSCexY/s1600/0883-hauntedhouse.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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Midway fun...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qr3vLePCrZo/VCnJT4-ktUI/AAAAAAAACYI/cUK8cgmL9Yo/s1600/0885-prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qr3vLePCrZo/VCnJT4-ktUI/AAAAAAAACYI/cUK8cgmL9Yo/s1600/0885-prize.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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the stuffed animals get bigger every year!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9F-EZ5BRaGg/VCnM8fjr8XI/AAAAAAAACY8/6SgtvYNGy64/s1600/0814-Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9F-EZ5BRaGg/VCnM8fjr8XI/AAAAAAAACY8/6SgtvYNGy64/s1600/0814-Banner.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
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animal fun in the barn areas!</div>
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The Great State Fair of Texas runs through October 19th!</div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0VKP6hNynI8%2FVCnJSukEx1I%2FAAAAAAAACXo%2Fw6fkbzDI1iw%2Fs1600%2F0877-pirate.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VKP6hNynI8/VCnJSukEx1I/AAAAAAAACXo/w6fkbzDI1iw/s1600/0877-pirate.jpg" -->Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-38771334380255055132014-03-24T20:24:00.001-05:002014-03-24T20:24:10.582-05:00Interiors from up high......here are some interior shots of an Interior Design client of Allen Kirsch & Assoc.,<br />
most shots showcasing Allen's paintings purchased by the client...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyL35v457rc/UzDYcKWGEZI/AAAAAAAACSQ/zlz-_0nhJwU/s1600/Entry_Untitled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TyL35v457rc/UzDYcKWGEZI/AAAAAAAACSQ/zlz-_0nhJwU/s1600/Entry_Untitled2.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entry, Allen Kirsch painting...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlnl3iKiLCk/UzDYe8ckAhI/AAAAAAAACSs/KIDwUDAgtAE/s1600/Living-all3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlnl3iKiLCk/UzDYe8ckAhI/AAAAAAAACSs/KIDwUDAgtAE/s1600/Living-all3.jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></div>
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3 of Allen's paintings, Living room, Dining area &</div>
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one at the end of the hallway..</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CTkwSGadZM/UzDYesZDxhI/AAAAAAAACSo/5utAwwkxQYc/s1600/Living-Dining_Untit51-48_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CTkwSGadZM/UzDYesZDxhI/AAAAAAAACSo/5utAwwkxQYc/s1600/Living-Dining_Untit51-48_c.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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Living room and dining, with Kitchen sitting area beyond...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5RdjTKSZ2w/UzDYgnKmj0I/AAAAAAAACTI/k_PxSzRW34E/s1600/MasterBedroom_Untitled13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5RdjTKSZ2w/UzDYgnKmj0I/AAAAAAAACTI/k_PxSzRW34E/s1600/MasterBedroom_Untitled13.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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Master bedroom, Kirsch 2 panel painting...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg6woJ74QRA/UzDYiBbntAI/AAAAAAAACTM/XmD1-UVg8vM/s1600/TVRoom-Untitled64_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg6woJ74QRA/UzDYiBbntAI/AAAAAAAACTM/XmD1-UVg8vM/s1600/TVRoom-Untitled64_c.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
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Small Kirsch painting in TV room...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9V_Y9zra-I/UzDYctKJWpI/AAAAAAAACSU/_v9K50FA5b4/s1600/Bedroom1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9V_Y9zra-I/UzDYctKJWpI/AAAAAAAACSU/_v9K50FA5b4/s1600/Bedroom1a.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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daughter's bedroom, not Kirsch art works,</div>
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but Allen Kirsch interior design...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMfBxHheQcg/UzDYb-6pHOI/AAAAAAAACSY/QWH8P_jxNDo/s1600/Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SMfBxHheQcg/UzDYb-6pHOI/AAAAAAAACSY/QWH8P_jxNDo/s1600/Breakfast.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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Off-Kitchen sitting area, great view of</div>
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downtown Dallas</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyL35v457rc/UzDYcKWGEZI/AAAAAAAACSI/8_ynUFxGCT8/s1600/Entry_Untitled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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</div>
Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-29378227463590979692013-10-01T16:14:00.002-05:002013-10-01T16:14:05.265-05:00Chicago Architectural boat tour...<div align="center">
</div>
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...the Saturday before Labor Day (2013) we made an evening Architectural boat tour</div>
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that made its way up all three branches of the Chicago river</div>
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and ended with a fireworks display over lake Michigan...</div>
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</div>
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...the amazing low-light capability of the Nikon D7000 made these images possible...</div>
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...all shots are hand held shots, even the fireworks!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRRRP6SjCuY/Uks1mm3Bt6I/AAAAAAAACJY/jbqO5KXG_LY/s1600/Juan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRRRP6SjCuY/Uks1mm3Bt6I/AAAAAAAACJY/jbqO5KXG_LY/s320/Juan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Juan, our tour guide did a great job telling us the history of Chicago</div>
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and the origins of these amazing buildings...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxhxCC9Jd9c/Uks2p0eeFPI/AAAAAAAACJk/aYnqrwnjyyI/s1600/0003-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KxhxCC9Jd9c/Uks2p0eeFPI/AAAAAAAACJk/aYnqrwnjyyI/s320/0003-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvtpL0VKCT4/Uks2p6L_iBI/AAAAAAAACJg/8Q5GR1OAfWM/s1600/0004-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvtpL0VKCT4/Uks2p6L_iBI/AAAAAAAACJg/8Q5GR1OAfWM/s320/0004-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Om5eyoJ4tmM/Uks2qPDwR6I/AAAAAAAACJo/vl5lG_grKQY/s1600/0005-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Om5eyoJ4tmM/Uks2qPDwR6I/AAAAAAAACJo/vl5lG_grKQY/s320/0005-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnN2Hn_FoH0/Uks2qs9PURI/AAAAAAAACJ0/RTaXglVn8bw/s1600/0007-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rniy1VZ8FPc/Uks2rGJQKrI/AAAAAAAACJ8/J3bZPJf8GAg/s1600/0008-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rniy1VZ8FPc/Uks2rGJQKrI/AAAAAAAACJ8/J3bZPJf8GAg/s320/0008-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_glEmRHad4/Uks2rEk0FXI/AAAAAAAACKI/BlQELw458dM/s1600/0009-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_glEmRHad4/Uks2rEk0FXI/AAAAAAAACKI/BlQELw458dM/s320/0009-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you see a clock tower in Chicago, chances are</div>
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that building is one of the older buildings in town.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vhlhVwmL-o/Uks2rWn9gpI/AAAAAAAACKE/fdIO7HOO-hk/s1600/0010-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--vhlhVwmL-o/Uks2rWn9gpI/AAAAAAAACKE/fdIO7HOO-hk/s320/0010-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mG0wHHa97fw/Uks2rnG5SrI/AAAAAAAACKg/lVzX26VtOX8/s1600/0011-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-406qUwyz0kE/Uks2r7r5IhI/AAAAAAAACKY/1x1o5DP-kfw/s1600/0012-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-406qUwyz0kE/Uks2r7r5IhI/AAAAAAAACKY/1x1o5DP-kfw/s320/0012-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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paper anyone?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lChPld7IewQ/Uks2sc8ZMhI/AAAAAAAACKk/PMAu2z__eJ8/s1600/0013-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lChPld7IewQ/Uks2sc8ZMhI/AAAAAAAACKk/PMAu2z__eJ8/s320/0013-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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open bridge over the river</div>
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looks cool going under it too!</div>
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'Sears' tower, now called something else,</div>
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but no self-respecting Chicagoite would call it anything else...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSNJPjmsqoU/Uks2teeIzqI/AAAAAAAACKw/hA8RcMDP67c/s1600/0017_bw-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSNJPjmsqoU/Uks2teeIzqI/AAAAAAAACKw/hA8RcMDP67c/s320/0017_bw-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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..sometimes it just calls for B&W...</div>
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this power plant just looked cool in silhouette</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwxEwcRSag0/Uks2wKB7OOI/AAAAAAAACLs/KaviBpHJs5Y/s1600/0037-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BwxEwcRSag0/Uks2wKB7OOI/AAAAAAAACLs/KaviBpHJs5Y/s320/0037-Chicago.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6oGTvicOM/Uks2xQpE2pI/AAAAAAAACMA/z4UP5NzZx4s/s1600/0038-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc6oGTvicOM/Uks2xQpE2pI/AAAAAAAACMA/z4UP5NzZx4s/s320/0038-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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a very prominent architect lift 'circles' all over town...</div>
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I like how folks have put colored lights on their balconies...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6D-ZJTnMtU/Uks2w2M0lYI/AAAAAAAACL4/YLKpwTrSGY0/s1600/0039-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6D-ZJTnMtU/Uks2w2M0lYI/AAAAAAAACL4/YLKpwTrSGY0/s320/0039-Chicago.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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...a lot of Chicago's founders and big wigs built monuments to themselves</div>
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and put "crowns" on the top of their buildings...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_Kk1iQR29o/Uks2yF2RUBI/AAAAAAAACMQ/Vu0W1Ykm2ug/s1600/0042-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_Kk1iQR29o/Uks2yF2RUBI/AAAAAAAACMQ/Vu0W1Ykm2ug/s320/0042-Chicago.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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another crown!</div>
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NBC</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4BX1TQBTUw/Uks2zvgs8YI/AAAAAAAACMw/fcSjbhesx0I/s1600/0046-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4BX1TQBTUw/Uks2zvgs8YI/AAAAAAAACMw/fcSjbhesx0I/s320/0046-Chicago.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_JYCwDNfhc/Uks2zgwrR5I/AAAAAAAACM4/h3MpPZfs9PY/s1600/0050-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_JYCwDNfhc/Uks2zgwrR5I/AAAAAAAACM4/h3MpPZfs9PY/s320/0050-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They shoot this water fountain over the river for 10 minutes every hour.</div>
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You may want to wait until it's over until you pass...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyFz1sZEb70/Uks2z82mAaI/AAAAAAAACM0/Q0BMQ3RyseA/s1600/0052-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyFz1sZEb70/Uks2z82mAaI/AAAAAAAACM0/Q0BMQ3RyseA/s320/0052-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the last fireworks display of the Summer over the lake...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBdT_E8H-U/Uks23XBdYTI/AAAAAAAACOY/Qrzm6IdwClA/s1600/0083-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kTBdT_E8H-U/Uks23XBdYTI/AAAAAAAACOY/Qrzm6IdwClA/s320/0083-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEgvPrp91pk/Uks24Ci6TNI/AAAAAAAACOw/a5Xk5Wta2Qs/s1600/0094-Chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEgvPrp91pk/Uks24Ci6TNI/AAAAAAAACOw/a5Xk5Wta2Qs/s320/0094-Chicago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Navy Pier</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-18659248560928490032013-10-01T15:32:00.001-05:002013-10-01T15:32:59.693-05:00Opening Day the Great State Fair of Texas 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the country</div>
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and the second largest fair in the world!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-639lRe4JO1I/UkssZCkVsII/AAAAAAAACCs/zeOku9qQWzM/s1600/0251-Lore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-639lRe4JO1I/UkssZCkVsII/AAAAAAAACCs/zeOku9qQWzM/s320/0251-Lore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore's all smiles at the surfing thingy...</div>
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<img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-fKj_8Vukk/UkssZDHw4XI/AAAAAAAACCo/-Nqklf3QZX4/s320/0252-SkyRide.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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...the new sky ride, still working myself up to it...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSWMPIAs7zI/Ukssl92JGXI/AAAAAAAACG0/7upulIUICh4/s1600/0295-Towed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwPDq4dhf18/UkssaJ1IQSI/AAAAAAAACDE/FhLxS5Ez3Cw/s1600/0255-DogTrainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwPDq4dhf18/UkssaJ1IQSI/AAAAAAAACDE/FhLxS5Ez3Cw/s320/0255-DogTrainer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...watch out for the dog catcher!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTA0rQxkPRE/UkssaqNrs1I/AAAAAAAACDM/Js2TB77YJsE/s1600/0256-DogTrainer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTA0rQxkPRE/UkssaqNrs1I/AAAAAAAACDM/Js2TB77YJsE/s320/0256-DogTrainer.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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..little side shows like this are easy to miss,</div>
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so keep your eyes open!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rPLnR5Y98c/Ukssa6IlHxI/AAAAAAAACDU/d0xoqiPQ4EE/s1600/0258-BigTex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rPLnR5Y98c/Ukssa6IlHxI/AAAAAAAACDU/d0xoqiPQ4EE/s320/0258-BigTex.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First glimpse of the new Tex...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3KCvAakSmg/UkssbUL-0uI/AAAAAAAACDk/8N5_cq23Hvg/s1600/0259-ChinesePagoda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I3KCvAakSmg/UkssbUL-0uI/AAAAAAAACDk/8N5_cq23Hvg/s320/0259-ChinesePagoda.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...the Chinese lantern thing is back...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D1vFubXgBc/Ukssc3i0_CI/AAAAAAAACEA/nY4n0pRfzoI/s1600/0260-OldMill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2D1vFubXgBc/Ukssc3i0_CI/AAAAAAAACEA/nY4n0pRfzoI/s320/0260-OldMill.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...check out the giant ice cream cone by the Old Mill...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWoU7eqoff0/UksscFEKkDI/AAAAAAAACDs/Ty5T_vv6jKQ/s1600/0261-BigTex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWoU7eqoff0/UksscFEKkDI/AAAAAAAACDs/Ty5T_vv6jKQ/s320/0261-BigTex.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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There's the new and "improved" Bix Tex!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4HEOLIW0XE/Ukssc4YjwHI/AAAAAAAACD8/erdZxTlq68w/s1600/0262-TexsBoots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4HEOLIW0XE/Ukssc4YjwHI/AAAAAAAACD8/erdZxTlq68w/s320/0262-TexsBoots.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Tex's new custom made boots!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JukoPrCbysA/UkssdEUsACI/AAAAAAAACEE/oGvxo2VAmFs/s1600/0263-BigTex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JukoPrCbysA/UkssdEUsACI/AAAAAAAACEE/oGvxo2VAmFs/s320/0263-BigTex.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Tex's hat looks more like a farmer's hat than a cowboy hat.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RxJCG0bDPU/UkssZIHC8iI/AAAAAAAACC8/Ci4vmBZQoX0/s1600/0253-CarouselHorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RxJCG0bDPU/UkssZIHC8iI/AAAAAAAACC8/Ci4vmBZQoX0/s320/0253-CarouselHorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carousel horses...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5MeS5Fw-mg/UkssZqlCCmI/AAAAAAAACDI/mC1bEaXLqRU/s1600/0254-CarouselHorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5MeS5Fw-mg/UkssZqlCCmI/AAAAAAAACDI/mC1bEaXLqRU/s320/0254-CarouselHorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8PtmdqoIxY/UksshAwPMyI/AAAAAAAACFY/u6Y58MhsCGs/s1600/0276-SkyRide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8PtmdqoIxY/UksshAwPMyI/AAAAAAAACFY/u6Y58MhsCGs/s320/0276-SkyRide.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...this thing is TALL!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xe-HmGIEcIU/UkssfaZiDvI/AAAAAAAACE0/6PvsLKG038M/s1600/0273-Midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xe-HmGIEcIU/UkssfaZiDvI/AAAAAAAACE0/6PvsLKG038M/s320/0273-Midway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A trip down the midway...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRIm4_Tr1hg/UkssgHNqxDI/AAAAAAAACE8/rMEyIsWKHAY/s1600/0274-Midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRIm4_Tr1hg/UkssgHNqxDI/AAAAAAAACE8/rMEyIsWKHAY/s320/0274-Midway.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...first one to the top wins!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxxT4YfV9Ww/Ukssgz3xT6I/AAAAAAAACFM/FNmg_X_K7kM/s1600/0275-Midway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kxxT4YfV9Ww/Ukssgz3xT6I/AAAAAAAACFM/FNmg_X_K7kM/s320/0275-Midway.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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below the Texas Star...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWgwpIdczP0/Uksseg3MJ9I/AAAAAAAACEs/m0Pb44ZEfaw/s1600/0271BigPrize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWgwpIdczP0/Uksseg3MJ9I/AAAAAAAACEs/m0Pb44ZEfaw/s320/0271BigPrize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...another big winner!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixHSdDlJkJU/UkssdgF0Q4I/AAAAAAAACEQ/ah9UqnzB9AU/s1600/0264-SupermanSuits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ixHSdDlJkJU/UkssdgF0Q4I/AAAAAAAACEQ/ah9UqnzB9AU/s320/0264-SupermanSuits.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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75 years of Superman exhibit in the foreign car building...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8IaLvN6Suk/UksseukO7II/AAAAAAAACEk/Lfmi4EpnzxU/s1600/0268-Sailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v8IaLvN6Suk/UksseukO7II/AAAAAAAACEk/Lfmi4EpnzxU/s320/0268-Sailboat.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...a plastic boat!</div>
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no kidding! this thing has sailed from the U.S. to Australia & back!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8GcIp-YF0Y/UksseGqEekI/AAAAAAAACEU/QvalVaHXRgg/s1600/0269-InsideSailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J8GcIp-YF0Y/UksseGqEekI/AAAAAAAACEU/QvalVaHXRgg/s320/0269-InsideSailboat.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...with these living quarters!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3rlaVoWf8M/UkswZmBu3VI/AAAAAAAACJI/EQF4A0B61wo/s1600/0344-LogHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3rlaVoWf8M/UkswZmBu3VI/AAAAAAAACJI/EQF4A0B61wo/s320/0344-LogHouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've heard of a log cabin, but a cabin that's a log?!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kuselQHj2Y/Uksse1wvY1I/AAAAAAAACEo/g1sWxRn0C0M/s1600/0272_bw-CottonBowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kuselQHj2Y/Uksse1wvY1I/AAAAAAAACEo/g1sWxRn0C0M/s320/0272_bw-CottonBowl.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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The Cotton Bowl has some new façade detailing. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRqRVSlDlrA/UksshENr1wI/AAAAAAAACFU/7_8hzFntjZI/s1600/0278-Pupppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRqRVSlDlrA/UksshENr1wI/AAAAAAAACFU/7_8hzFntjZI/s320/0278-Pupppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Puppies!</div>
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How 'bout a parade?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-MA-wd77hI/Uksshfy_yUI/AAAAAAAACFc/t_Tri63NalY/s1600/0281-MissFtWorth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l-MA-wd77hI/Uksshfy_yUI/AAAAAAAACFc/t_Tri63NalY/s320/0281-MissFtWorth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With beauty queens!...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT1yDwH-1ug/UkssiqhDAjI/AAAAAAAACF0/E1OuzQKFuHA/s1600/0284-MissTxTeen13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT1yDwH-1ug/UkssiqhDAjI/AAAAAAAACF0/E1OuzQKFuHA/s320/0284-MissTxTeen13.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm5TsxF1HfA/Ukssj9GHXjI/AAAAAAAACGI/cniHL0Ivsvw/s1600/0287-BevoFloat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm5TsxF1HfA/Ukssj9GHXjI/AAAAAAAACGI/cniHL0Ivsvw/s320/0287-BevoFloat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...floats!...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pm1iafxKpI/UksskObo9QI/AAAAAAAACGQ/ogIm9IGIRHs/s1600/0288-ChineseDragonDetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pm1iafxKpI/UksskObo9QI/AAAAAAAACGQ/ogIm9IGIRHs/s320/0288-ChineseDragonDetail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cVS2Yu5Yhg/Ukssk4FQ2rI/AAAAAAAACGo/AAv_4psl5Do/s1600/0289-Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cVS2Yu5Yhg/Ukssk4FQ2rI/AAAAAAAACGo/AAv_4psl5Do/s320/0289-Parade.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...people on stilts!...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSwgWHmIMFk/Ukssj4mHuAI/AAAAAAAACGU/BaOhTjDt5lk/s1600/0285-Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mSwgWHmIMFk/Ukssj4mHuAI/AAAAAAAACGU/BaOhTjDt5lk/s320/0285-Parade.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxecpFccHr8/UkssjaSaicI/AAAAAAAACGM/CIIS628dI7E/s1600/0286-Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hxecpFccHr8/UkssjaSaicI/AAAAAAAACGM/CIIS628dI7E/s320/0286-Parade.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWccSav_8g/Ukssh3-iLaI/AAAAAAAACFo/cs5dROfJYcE/s1600/0282-Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zWccSav_8g/Ukssh3-iLaI/AAAAAAAACFo/cs5dROfJYcE/s320/0282-Parade.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...clowns!...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Y4VSuaMWDA/UkssiICedeI/AAAAAAAACFw/_aQOOTHmig8/s1600/0283-Clowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Y4VSuaMWDA/UkssiICedeI/AAAAAAAACFw/_aQOOTHmig8/s320/0283-Clowns.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2-OjjSOyDo/Uksslafm9TI/AAAAAAAACHE/_29Xfyl13_A/s1600/0293-Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2-OjjSOyDo/Uksslafm9TI/AAAAAAAACHE/_29Xfyl13_A/s320/0293-Parade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7lH2IZHeWo/UksslKAGw8I/AAAAAAAACGs/LTv8_bru_2s/s1600/0291-ShrinerBand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7lH2IZHeWo/UksslKAGw8I/AAAAAAAACGs/LTv8_bru_2s/s320/0291-ShrinerBand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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..and Shriners!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-we0YmT84jy4/UksslPKulmI/AAAAAAAACGk/Ykv_uWkIW28/s1600/0292-ShrinerBand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-we0YmT84jy4/UksslPKulmI/AAAAAAAACGk/Ykv_uWkIW28/s320/0292-ShrinerBand.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2vKD-H0W20/Uksslt6YR6I/AAAAAAAACG8/FhY-t8tHZnM/s1600/0294-FoodStand_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2vKD-H0W20/Uksslt6YR6I/AAAAAAAACG8/FhY-t8tHZnM/s320/0294-FoodStand_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...Don't forget to get something fried!</div>
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An of course cap off the day with a concert.</div>
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This year the fabulous Asleep at the Wheel paid us the honor of opening up the Fair...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygtChdHacUw/UksxABMHhqI/AAAAAAAACJM/UPAV2PgjimM/s1600/0313-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygtChdHacUw/UksxABMHhqI/AAAAAAAACJM/UPAV2PgjimM/s320/0313-AatW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ray Benson and crew always put on a great Western Swing show!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMp6JDDjF6g/UkswQXCt_gI/AAAAAAAACHU/6GjC0wEDNrM/s1600/0303-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMp6JDDjF6g/UkswQXCt_gI/AAAAAAAACHU/6GjC0wEDNrM/s320/0303-AatW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKkEv2wchUY/UkswQg6MvcI/AAAAAAAACHc/1qfxXAxBmTw/s1600/0304-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKkEv2wchUY/UkswQg6MvcI/AAAAAAAACHc/1qfxXAxBmTw/s320/0304-AatW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVxiGxGO86w/UkswQw6AIuI/AAAAAAAACHo/TVvnjOkDmcc/s1600/0306-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVxiGxGO86w/UkswQw6AIuI/AAAAAAAACHo/TVvnjOkDmcc/s320/0306-AatW.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KbHDjdrFZo/UkswQ2SaphI/AAAAAAAACHs/-RLcHawyK4Q/s1600/0309-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KbHDjdrFZo/UkswQ2SaphI/AAAAAAAACHs/-RLcHawyK4Q/s320/0309-AatW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuX40FFsVYk/UkswRHXIBQI/AAAAAAAACHw/jmU-ki5XmZQ/s1600/0312-AatW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuX40FFsVYk/UkswRHXIBQI/AAAAAAAACHw/jmU-ki5XmZQ/s320/0312-AatW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Fair is open through October 20th!</div>
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Come on by and get a corny dog!</div>
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<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-58374900223157999452013-09-26T16:40:00.001-05:002013-09-26T16:40:58.502-05:00"Foodies" tour, Chicago style...<div align="center">
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So the first stop on the Labor Day weekend extravaganza was to do a walking food/architectural tour of the Bucktown & Wicker Park neighborhoods of Chicago...</div>
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...it was a rainy day, so I broke one of my own photography rules and left the DSLR in the car and used my phone to take pictures...thus the quality of some pics are suspect at best....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv5NCv5-174/UkSiDLwRwEI/AAAAAAAACAg/imdGQy_duXc/s1600/T49-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lXDmwpP_KfM/UkSiFGZ22FI/AAAAAAAACBQ/-EqTAYgIa0w/s1600/T59-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc2Te1Wq0h4/UkSiFbyYMxI/AAAAAAAACBM/am9jxg-mffE/s1600/T60-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc2Te1Wq0h4/UkSiFbyYMxI/AAAAAAAACBM/am9jxg-mffE/s320/T60-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sidewalk stamp...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FurGMSRCKoE/UkSitINtJcI/AAAAAAAACCU/U__PYOP3sRs/s1600/T7-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FurGMSRCKoE/UkSitINtJcI/AAAAAAAACCU/U__PYOP3sRs/s320/T7-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First up. A Chicago style hotdog from George's Hot Dogs.</div>
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Family owned since 1948. The original owner (George handed over the reins to his</div>
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son-in-law, George a few years ago, so it's still George's)</div>
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A Chicago dog is First and foremost a Vienna all beef dog, only,</div>
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on a poppy seed bun, with mustard, pickled peppers, onion, relish, tomato & a dill pickle spear...</div>
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..don't even TRY to put ketchup on it!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvewNH3zsJw/UkSiG8CSpmI/AAAAAAAACB0/4-ZQxhnVpi8/s1600/T63-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RvewNH3zsJw/UkSiG8CSpmI/AAAAAAAACB0/4-ZQxhnVpi8/s320/T63-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...then off to Beard Award winner & Chicago's top-ranked pastry & dessert restaurant</div>
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"Hot Chocolate" for some cold chocolate...</div>
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iced hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCxhDiexGEo/UkSeXyhsIjI/AAAAAAAAB8c/dN3Clh2WzK0/s1600/T10-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCxhDiexGEo/UkSeXyhsIjI/AAAAAAAAB8c/dN3Clh2WzK0/s320/T10-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Where Bucktown and Wicker Park meet..</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e4wuEBgfUE/UkSeyjNzAjI/AAAAAAAAB9k/1Z6ql_uuHfA/s1600/T33-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e4wuEBgfUE/UkSeyjNzAjI/AAAAAAAAB9k/1Z6ql_uuHfA/s320/T33-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the Flat Iron Arts Building. Home to a wide array of art studios</div>
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open to the public...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOmN3D5ikwA/UkSh7tnkM9I/AAAAAAAAB-M/wszOK_9E2v0/s1600/T12-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOmN3D5ikwA/UkSh7tnkM9I/AAAAAAAAB-M/wszOK_9E2v0/s320/T12-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...love these old corner buildings...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWEzVB3bms4/UkSiINuPpBI/AAAAAAAACCM/IPh0y_pZunk/s1600/T9-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWEzVB3bms4/UkSiINuPpBI/AAAAAAAACCM/IPh0y_pZunk/s320/T9-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Goddess & Grocer.</div>
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Gourmet foods & delicatessen & purveyor of local, organic and artisan groceries...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCQcd0r3LYo/UkSiHqo289I/AAAAAAAACCE/rv0NBk5z5sY/s1600/T8-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCQcd0r3LYo/UkSiHqo289I/AAAAAAAACCE/rv0NBk5z5sY/s320/T8-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...we sampled the Kale salad.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVJ-AnmDheQ/UkSeqg6EhrI/AAAAAAAAB9I/IQ7lhvSVGNs/s1600/T29-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BVJ-AnmDheQ/UkSeqg6EhrI/AAAAAAAAB9I/IQ7lhvSVGNs/s320/T29-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then it was off the the Sultan's Market a Middle-Eastern café.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWa54AtcVSk/UkSetwwH2SI/AAAAAAAAB9U/7eATlW11WME/s1600/T30-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWa54AtcVSk/UkSetwwH2SI/AAAAAAAAB9U/7eATlW11WME/s320/T30-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...we had the Falafel...</div>
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...it was fal-awful! Although other liked it, it just wasn't for me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weoGfxlG7b0/UkSeh89qWsI/AAAAAAAAB80/eBqkuTORW3g/s1600/T27-Bucktowon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weoGfxlG7b0/UkSeh89qWsI/AAAAAAAAB80/eBqkuTORW3g/s320/T27-Bucktowon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carrie, in the light top, was our tour guide for the rainy afternoon,</div>
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she did a great job, we highly recommend this tour!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8zCSz-JPN8/UkSelQfQGyI/AAAAAAAAB88/Pf-iQl8uMSI/s1600/T28-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8zCSz-JPN8/UkSelQfQGyI/AAAAAAAAB88/Pf-iQl8uMSI/s320/T28-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to a brew house pizza place for some of their beer and...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41R1_S_0ecI/UkSe3M8c2KI/AAAAAAAAB90/4Cp761YiO3E/s1600/T35-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41R1_S_0ecI/UkSe3M8c2KI/AAAAAAAAB90/4Cp761YiO3E/s320/T35-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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New Haven style pizza? Didn't get that, we should have had</div>
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Chicago deep dish...like it was intended to be made in Chicago...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7XI1CRW8XMo/UkSe1zBibeI/AAAAAAAAB9s/gZPoPFyFoO8/s1600/T34-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7XI1CRW8XMo/UkSe1zBibeI/AAAAAAAAB9s/gZPoPFyFoO8/s320/T34-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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..I think it was really about the beer. Craft beers aren't my deal either,</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDWSOk03DrQ/UkSiE5U20XI/AAAAAAAACBk/5kWIY2rO2OU/s1600/T56-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDWSOk03DrQ/UkSiE5U20XI/AAAAAAAACBk/5kWIY2rO2OU/s320/T56-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore in her rain poncho toasts the day! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTgNEQp3aFc/UkSiEFs2KiI/AAAAAAAACBI/pu7R2N8hwrs/s1600/T54-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rTgNEQp3aFc/UkSiEFs2KiI/AAAAAAAACBI/pu7R2N8hwrs/s320/T54-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...the name of the pizza place was "Piece",</div>
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this is their take-out window...'piece out'</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQynl3F7h7s/UkSh7SJ3m8I/AAAAAAAAB-I/iurGcWtwXxs/s1600/T11-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQynl3F7h7s/UkSh7SJ3m8I/AAAAAAAAB-I/iurGcWtwXxs/s320/T11-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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They have 2 corner buildings in the area.</div>
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this one is supposed to look like a dog looking up...still haven't seen that one...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TtI3zVIxfg/UkSiAg5FLsI/AAAAAAAAB_0/8uLNrh5ZoC8/s1600/T37-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TtI3zVIxfg/UkSiAg5FLsI/AAAAAAAAB_0/8uLNrh5ZoC8/s320/T37-WickerPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the beautiful Victorian brownstones in Wicker Park.</div>
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In the '70's you could pick one up for around $75,000 in much dis-repair...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-Pu_M40OOI/UkSiBGiK9kI/AAAAAAAACAE/06FlUpRB47s/s1600/T43-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-Pu_M40OOI/UkSiBGiK9kI/AAAAAAAACAE/06FlUpRB47s/s320/T43-WickerPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...most have been fully restored and you can't touch one now for </div>
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less than $1,000,000...yes, 6 zeros!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSbaxW_9orc/UkSiAecGnlI/AAAAAAAACAM/Z7eEJTtQDJk/s1600/T36-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSbaxW_9orc/UkSiAecGnlI/AAAAAAAACAM/Z7eEJTtQDJk/s320/T36-WickerPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Funny story around this canon in someone's yard involving the American Legion the current owners and the U.S. Navy.</div>
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The Legion used to own and operate out of this house. When the new owner bought it, the Legion showed up one day to retrieve "their" canon and wanted to know how to go about tearing down the wrought iron fence.</div>
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Obviously distressed the owner contacted the Navy who said the canon is U.S. government property and that the Legion had no claim to it and she could keep it on her property as long as she wanted it...it's still there...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjlLKPrYUM/UkSiDPQLjsI/AAAAAAAACAs/GWE0AVqs-64/s1600/T47-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNjlLKPrYUM/UkSiDPQLjsI/AAAAAAAACAs/GWE0AVqs-64/s320/T47-WickerPark.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Some very nice work done an all these renovations...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv5NCv5-174/UkSiDLwRwEI/AAAAAAAACAo/rkdCR4nxEz0/s1600/T49-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv5NCv5-174/UkSiDLwRwEI/AAAAAAAACAo/rkdCR4nxEz0/s320/T49-WickerPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...it's all in the details.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMWrQbm1pXc/UkSiDnpoR-I/AAAAAAAACA0/PX2SL3iyFgM/s1600/T52-WickerPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HMWrQbm1pXc/UkSiDnpoR-I/AAAAAAAACA0/PX2SL3iyFgM/s320/T52-WickerPark.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This one will set you back about 3Mil...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjCdAaFNXkQ/UkSeeCHELII/AAAAAAAAB8o/Th1Z6hi4T9w/s1600/T13-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YjCdAaFNXkQ/UkSeeCHELII/AAAAAAAAB8o/Th1Z6hi4T9w/s320/T13-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ice cream, we want ice cream...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hF1AYu0Ifaw/UkSeyuXTOII/AAAAAAAAB9g/OAJ0i-iDMy4/s1600/T32-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hF1AYu0Ifaw/UkSeyuXTOII/AAAAAAAAB9g/OAJ0i-iDMy4/s320/T32-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"icream" makes their ice cream using liquid nitrogen...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5hA9ABjxFb8/UkSermDBwpI/AAAAAAAAB9M/iWOLQi5KOrA/s1600/T31-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5hA9ABjxFb8/UkSermDBwpI/AAAAAAAAB9M/iWOLQi5KOrA/s320/T31-Bucktown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...yummy.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3eUVh1nctw/UkSiD_2H7rI/AAAAAAAACBE/b13JkXtpfiU/s1600/T53-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3eUVh1nctw/UkSiD_2H7rI/AAAAAAAACBE/b13JkXtpfiU/s320/T53-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVxwFycPJ-c/UkSiGfcxQnI/AAAAAAAACBs/fdlo--r5xD8/s1600/T62-Bucktown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVxwFycPJ-c/UkSiGfcxQnI/AAAAAAAACBs/fdlo--r5xD8/s320/T62-Bucktown.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...dog friendly neighborhood...</div>
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...more of the big Chicago adventure to come...</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-59005891205427884382013-09-26T15:32:00.002-05:002013-09-26T15:32:58.240-05:00A Trip Back Home...<div align="center">
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We recently made a trip back to my hometown area of the Quad Cites, (Rock Island & Moline, Illinois and Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa, & surrounding towns) to lay my father's ashes to rest at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal.</div>
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Here are some shots of where I grew up...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpm3yvv8mqE/UkSSUpvAmlI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/GtOQb9sqrMU/s1600/9928-OldStore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wI9illB-NP4/UkSSRfQLGsI/AAAAAAAAB5w/HO3arrpwKKg/s1600/9897-Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wI9illB-NP4/UkSSRfQLGsI/AAAAAAAAB5w/HO3arrpwKKg/s320/9897-Home.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the house I grew up in. It has changed quite a bit.</div>
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it used to have a 2 car carport to the left, 1/2 brick under the picture window, with a full length planter from the porch to the end of the house.</div>
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There used to be wrought iron railing all along the porch and stairs leading up to it</div>
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& the sliding doors in front of the car used to be the original one car garage.</div>
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Our pool was in the back where you couldn't see it, not on the side of the house.</div>
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And most of all, it used to have a flat roof, not a hipped roof...</div>
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...just my opinion, but it doesn't have the curb appeal it used to have.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V-fzDRD5DM/UkSTjwgIikI/AAAAAAAAB7o/Naw--1kYgkU/s1600/9922-ImmanualLutheran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8V-fzDRD5DM/UkSTjwgIikI/AAAAAAAAB7o/Naw--1kYgkU/s320/9922-ImmanualLutheran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My grade school, Immanuel Lutheran, in Rock Island.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiR8Xd6GYA/UkSTkNaJkvI/AAAAAAAAB7s/VD5zun_avSM/s1600/9924-ImmanualLutheran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiR8Xd6GYA/UkSTkNaJkvI/AAAAAAAAB7s/VD5zun_avSM/s320/9924-ImmanualLutheran.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the hills out in front of Immanuel Lutheran.</div>
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Good sledding back in the day!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPjZVlshhjA/UkSSU34RgPI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/fy6WE1EFKIA/s1600/9931-AnnGrahms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPjZVlshhjA/UkSSU34RgPI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/fy6WE1EFKIA/s320/9931-AnnGrahms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The "other" house I grew up in. This is Ann & Bill Graham's house.</div>
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Ann used to watch me after grade school & in the summers while my parents were at work.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpm3yvv8mqE/UkSSUpvAmlI/AAAAAAAAB7g/jQfX2HFcv3Y/s1600/9928-OldStore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpm3yvv8mqE/UkSSUpvAmlI/AAAAAAAAB7g/jQfX2HFcv3Y/s320/9928-OldStore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This used to be a small grocery store just up the street from Ann's house.</div>
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they used to have a big stand of 1 cent candy...for a quarter you could get full day's sugar buzz!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HctxGstX5WI/UkSSR58LdmI/AAAAAAAAB6I/-IMcU_sdujA/s1600/9898-SherrardHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HctxGstX5WI/UkSSR58LdmI/AAAAAAAAB6I/-IMcU_sdujA/s320/9898-SherrardHS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What's left of the original Sherrard High School.</div>
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Only 1/2 the building remains and is now partially the city library in Sherrard.</div>
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I haven't been able to find out what happened to the other 1/2 of the school,</div>
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but it looks a lot like a fire.</div>
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It also used to be covered with English Ivy, it's nickname was the Ivy Tower.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6whIJmuMqY/UkSSSCzPq9I/AAAAAAAAB6U/cwDYTv63iOM/s1600/9899_bw-SherrardHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6whIJmuMqY/UkSSSCzPq9I/AAAAAAAAB6U/cwDYTv63iOM/s320/9899_bw-SherrardHS.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGszjtDcY_s/UkSSSb4-v7I/AAAAAAAAB7A/8cbZqptahMg/s1600/9901-SherrardHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGszjtDcY_s/UkSSSb4-v7I/AAAAAAAAB7A/8cbZqptahMg/s320/9901-SherrardHS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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pretty funny, you can see where the hallways used to be.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RD4is1X6zSs/UkSSSki7tpI/AAAAAAAAB6c/k0cZgULp1Wk/s1600/9905-WaterTower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RD4is1X6zSs/UkSSSki7tpI/AAAAAAAAB6c/k0cZgULp1Wk/s320/9905-WaterTower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Home of the Tigers!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyB3Gg4XzXI/UkSSSy3FYkI/AAAAAAAAB6k/b3B6e9OmCBc/s1600/9907-SherrardHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyB3Gg4XzXI/UkSSSy3FYkI/AAAAAAAAB6k/b3B6e9OmCBc/s320/9907-SherrardHS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The new Sherrard High, not as much personality as the old "Ivy Tower".</div>
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My class was the first class to graduate from the new H.S. in 1978</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnZXwrmjx-A/UkSSTYoUKKI/AAAAAAAAB6s/fG4eOfCPLUA/s1600/9910-DadsShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SnZXwrmjx-A/UkSSTYoUKKI/AAAAAAAAB6s/fG4eOfCPLUA/s320/9910-DadsShop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My dad's shop in Milan. It still bears his name nearly 30 years</div>
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after he sold it: Merl's Business Machines</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2X7yLebPpg/UkSSTr1Sk6I/AAAAAAAAB60/oUFvdXyikKg/s1600/9911-DadsShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2X7yLebPpg/UkSSTr1Sk6I/AAAAAAAAB60/oUFvdXyikKg/s320/9911-DadsShop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The old building could use a coat of paint!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEvFx2Aj0cY/UkSST351i0I/AAAAAAAAB7U/KypAoL8o6GQ/s1600/9916-Milan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEvFx2Aj0cY/UkSST351i0I/AAAAAAAAB7U/KypAoL8o6GQ/s320/9916-Milan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Downtown Milan.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnVtxZNj3M/UkSSUfz5B-I/AAAAAAAAB7I/Cr0DBG1mSRs/s1600/9917-MilanMasons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAnVtxZNj3M/UkSSUfz5B-I/AAAAAAAAB7I/Cr0DBG1mSRs/s320/9917-MilanMasons.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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My dad's masonic lodge was just above his business.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_y9Sj4muT8/UkSSOwpUv3I/AAAAAAAAB5M/F0SOZ1ZM9jI/s1600/9886-RIArsnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_y9Sj4muT8/UkSSOwpUv3I/AAAAAAAAB5M/F0SOZ1ZM9jI/s320/9886-RIArsnel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Clock tower building at the Rock Island Arsenal.</div>
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A beautiful military installment on an island in the Mississippi river</div>
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between Rock Island & Davenport.</div>
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There is a very nice military museum and over 160 Confederate solders are buried here</div>
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as the base was a P.O.W. camp during the civil war.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fFp1-wnc0G4/UkSSOzKa-rI/AAAAAAAAB5U/1EXLi4JryWM/s1600/9887-Lock-n-Dam15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fFp1-wnc0G4/UkSSOzKa-rI/AAAAAAAAB5U/1EXLi4JryWM/s320/9887-Lock-n-Dam15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Army Corps of Engineers have harnessed the mighty Mississippi</div>
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in this Northern region. By building a 16 lock and dam system to make the river deep enough</div>
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for large barges to travel up and down the river.</div>
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This is Locks & Dam #15 at the Arsenal.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuE2FKzDRi4/UkSSRGN56FI/AAAAAAAAB58/J8xoHcU4BJM/s1600/9893-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuE2FKzDRi4/UkSSRGN56FI/AAAAAAAAB58/J8xoHcU4BJM/s320/9893-FoxTheater.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse.</div>
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One of my favorite buildings in Rock Island is the old "Fox Theater",</div>
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now a dinner theater.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NZh5IBrIpQ/UkSSOSDRfcI/AAAAAAAAB5E/t75p0on4DCc/s1600/9888-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NZh5IBrIpQ/UkSSOSDRfcI/AAAAAAAAB5E/t75p0on4DCc/s320/9888-FoxTheater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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LOVE this building...</div>
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I spent many a Saturday afternoon watching movies here growing up.</div>
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One of my most vivid childhood memories is leaving this place with my dad & little brother after seeing John Wayne in the War Wagon.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLUd5aJwhD0/UkSSPMEB4LI/AAAAAAAAB5c/o0tDPiPrNFo/s1600/9889-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLUd5aJwhD0/UkSSPMEB4LI/AAAAAAAAB5c/o0tDPiPrNFo/s320/9889-FoxTheater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of the beautiful details of the building.</div>
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Wish I could have gone inside, it has some great Indian motif carvings as well.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEffT0cvoIA/UkSSQAnVtfI/AAAAAAAAB5o/dSvq9_LlE-0/s1600/9891-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEffT0cvoIA/UkSSQAnVtfI/AAAAAAAAB5o/dSvq9_LlE-0/s320/9891-FoxTheater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chief Blackhawk and the Sac/Fox Indians are big all over the Quad Cities.</div>
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Many things are named for the great Chief, who was actually a Sioux that had been captured as a young child by the Sac and raised as one of their own and become one of their greatest warriors and eventually chief. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vlvJYx1o1U/UkSSPlwxxeI/AAAAAAAAB5k/T_IGCPE7VFE/s1600/9890-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vlvJYx1o1U/UkSSPlwxxeI/AAAAAAAAB5k/T_IGCPE7VFE/s320/9890-FoxTheater.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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possibly masonic symbols?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHafq2-p8-k/UkSSRlF171I/AAAAAAAAB6M/b4QPe-dSh2c/s1600/9894-FoxTheater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHafq2-p8-k/UkSSRlF171I/AAAAAAAAB6M/b4QPe-dSh2c/s320/9894-FoxTheater.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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a tribute to the American Buffalo</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6MVwgzWP3A/UkSSVFqhi9I/AAAAAAAAB7c/-KoU52WI5T0/s1600/9933-CentenialBridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6MVwgzWP3A/UkSSVFqhi9I/AAAAAAAAB7c/-KoU52WI5T0/s320/9933-CentenialBridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Centennial Bridge at night.</div>
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The link from Rock Island to Davenport used to be a toll bridge...</div>
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guess they finally paid it off.</div>
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...from the Quad Cities, we ventured up to the Windy City...</div>
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..more shots from that part of the adventure coming soon!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2X7yLebPpg/UkSSTr1Sk6I/AAAAAAAAB60/oUFvdXyikKg/s1600/9911-DadsShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-50538481539423754702013-08-20T15:52:00.002-05:002013-08-20T15:52:46.160-05:00More fun with Photoshop!<div align="center">
Ok, this assignment brings us to an office building in North Dallas.</div>
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</div>
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The building ownership wants to renovate the lobbies and change the look of the exterior.</div>
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</div>
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To change the exterior of a glass building isn't exactly easy.</div>
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We lightened up all the hard surfaces and the owners want to move the storefront out</div>
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so the lobby is larger...</div>
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So. Here's the original building photo...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRib2v7q3NQ/UhPWy-t5kXI/AAAAAAAAB4s/APUxRfO72_A/s1600/DSC_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRib2v7q3NQ/UhPWy-t5kXI/AAAAAAAAB4s/APUxRfO72_A/s320/DSC_0858.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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...and here's the new version...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEIr5ettn_s/UhPWlNzsrJI/AAAAAAAAB4o/EZSbTrEV2k8/s1600/0858-Entry2-fx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IEIr5ettn_s/UhPWlNzsrJI/AAAAAAAAB4o/EZSbTrEV2k8/s320/0858-Entry2-fx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...landscaping to come...</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-14121183241607356942013-08-09T11:19:00.001-05:002013-08-09T11:21:11.569-05:00Yesterday's assignment...<div align="center">
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....take these...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT44m8rmE8k/UgUVl3HED6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/G-bK_hzLaHc/s1600/FabricSw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wT44m8rmE8k/UgUVl3HED6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/G-bK_hzLaHc/s320/FabricSw.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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</div>
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...and incorporate them into these ....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0ylwW6xZY/UgUV9BoXURI/AAAAAAAAB3s/JaIztDgFgNk/s1600/rawsofas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0ylwW6xZY/UgUV9BoXURI/AAAAAAAAB3s/JaIztDgFgNk/s320/rawsofas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A little jumping back and forth between AutoCAD & Photoshop and...</div>
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...Ta' Daaaa! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1w4E7RxTpc/UgUWK4cer0I/AAAAAAAAB4A/gFOTNZr1to0/s1600/InteriorElevations2-BBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H1w4E7RxTpc/UgUWK4cer0I/AAAAAAAAB4A/gFOTNZr1to0/s320/InteriorElevations2-BBD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Three different pillow & bolster options for the Day Bed...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIbQdP9O1FQ/UgUWK8bwFFI/AAAAAAAAB34/XwcLoF0ZlPU/s1600/InteriorElevations3-BBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIbQdP9O1FQ/UgUWK8bwFFI/AAAAAAAAB34/XwcLoF0ZlPU/s320/InteriorElevations3-BBD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAbg2_-p2Q/UgUWKvULkXI/AAAAAAAAB30/ZInVEzFsf0k/s1600/InteriorElevations4-BBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYAbg2_-p2Q/UgUWKvULkXI/AAAAAAAAB30/ZInVEzFsf0k/s320/InteriorElevations4-BBD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and a recovered small sofa with throw pillows.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWJEoEgtbm0/UgUWRDv3gSI/AAAAAAAAB4M/rMN7wwBOI5E/s1600/GuestBedroom1-BBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWJEoEgtbm0/UgUWRDv3gSI/AAAAAAAAB4M/rMN7wwBOI5E/s320/GuestBedroom1-BBD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-54456938596300515752013-07-16T15:39:00.003-05:002013-08-03T11:54:09.430-05:00Cozumel, Mexico May 17-30, 2013 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Cozumel, Mexico<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May 17-30, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">…”a pirate flag and an island girl”…<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">H</span></b>ola Cozumelinos and
Cozumelinettes!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srTGh7e2XoQ/UeheYk5eKeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/ahJADeeyhfs/s1600/18906-SantaRosa-Sharky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srTGh7e2XoQ/UeheYk5eKeI/AAAAAAAAB0I/ahJADeeyhfs/s320/18906-SantaRosa-Sharky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yer ol' pal Sharky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong><span style="font-size: large;">L</span></strong></span>ast September 12<sup>th</sup>,
my alter ego got totally out of hand, when The Shark Tank radio show premiered
on CozumelRadio.net.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hiM77uL3Qw/UegawJJXvWI/AAAAAAAABiY/uBzSMm_sMpI/s1600/SharkTank+Header-New04-08-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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Annie Cheatham, the
owner and operator, and now my partner in crime, agreed, in a weak moment, to
allow me to do my own weekly radio show for the online radio station.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time of this
writing, the show is currently on hiatus, in preparation for the new and
exciting Cozumel Radio website, which is feverishly under construction and will
have all kinds of very cool SCUBA related time wasters for you to dig into.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, not one to let a
good opportunity pass me by, I designed and had a pirate flag made for ‘The
Shark Tank radio show”, fulfilling every boy’s life-long dream of having their very
own pirate flag.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNZmHfL4dyY/UehfGrzLZyI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/iY2oo5nw7RQ/s1600/ST_PirateFlagDesign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNZmHfL4dyY/UehfGrzLZyI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/iY2oo5nw7RQ/s320/ST_PirateFlagDesign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with Kenny
Chesney’s latest single, “Pirate Flag” playing right into my hands (and in my
head), a custom made pirate flag in my baggage and my best island girl at my
side, we headed south to our favorite place to put the rest of the World
behind…<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p>…It’s Sharky’s Big Cozumel Adventure 2013!!</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u></u></b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Day 1 – May 17,
2013 – Friday –<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“…you can drop all
your worries in the blue ocean, but you gotta<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>get away to where the boat leaves from…” zbb<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A</span></b>merican Airlines flight 367,
the daily commute to Cozumel, Mexico from Dallas/Ft. Worth International took
off after a slight delay to wait for a few late passengers, most likely trying
to make the connection from another flight.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, the
Captain kicked ‘er in the pants and we arrived at CZM right on scheduled time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it through
customs, “Hola, Welcome to Mexico”, picked up our baggage, 2 bags were literally
the last 2 bags off the tug cart, so we were at the back of the line to have
your bags x-rayed one last needless time, and for the first time in three
years, DID NOT get the red light at the “stoplight” to be searched…whoo hoo!
We’re in!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the Time-share
sales people were busy by the time we go through, so making my way to the taxi
ticket stand was a breeze. I purchased 2 shuttle tickets to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blue Angel</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Resort</b>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4F1eVv8umf8/UeWxVRwI8eI/AAAAAAAABX4/hLdw2gWj7jU/s1600/17095-BADiveShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNPJ7dU0NBI/UeWxh1hr6II/AAAAAAAABYA/v_I-q_JMzdE/s1600/16064-BlueAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNPJ7dU0NBI/UeWxh1hr6II/AAAAAAAABYA/v_I-q_JMzdE/s320/16064-BlueAngel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blue Angel Resort</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked in to our
favorite little spot, to “welcome homes” and big hugs and quickly settled in to
room 302. The king bed room on the third floor with the trigger fish mosaic in
floor.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was also a
little care package left to us by part of our Cozumel Family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“The Gunns”, my buddy Gordon (ggunn on the ScubaBoard) and
his family left us their “leaveovers”, as my wife’s grandmother would say.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little over a case
of cerveza, some Gin, Tonic Water, Bailey’s, peanut butter & cheese whiz!!!
All much appreciated and consumed with much gusto!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially the peanut
butter!! One of my favorite snacks at home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First order of duty
was to make the place officially “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Casa
Sharky</b>”.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDA6YLI-mjY/UeWvcQupeyI/AAAAAAAABXs/hcRDJt-8QSs/s1600/PirateFlags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mDA6YLI-mjY/UeWvcQupeyI/AAAAAAAABXs/hcRDJt-8QSs/s320/PirateFlags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pirate flag at Blue Angel</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had purchased some
nylon line before leaving home, and used it to post the pirate flag from the
balcony of the room. I don’t know if anyone else really paid much attention to
it, but I thought it was pretty cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was just
what the doctor ordered. Sunny, with big fluffy clouds, not too hot, mid-80’s, with
a nice tropical breeze knocking down what humidity was in the air…very
pleasant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we
checked in and got somewhat settled, relaxed a little and enjoyed our
complementary “welcome” Strawberry margaritas, it was close to 4:00pm and we made
the mile walk downtown to pick up our rental from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Less-Pay</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I know he
doesn’t necessarily have the best reputation,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and his cars definitely aren’t the prettiest girls at the prom, but I’ve
been renting from John for many years and have never been broke down on the
side of the road, or had any issues with the vehicles what so ever.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, he has Chevy
Trackers, the perfect size vehicle or Cozumel, (for us anyway), for a mere
$36/day including insurance…they want $700/week plus insurance here in the States
to rent a similar car. I got 2 weeks for $474!! We drove around the island at
least once a day and only had to fill it up once the entire time I was
there!...cheap driving!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First order of
business, check the joint out of course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pointed the little
jeep South on the Melgar and on down past the International and Mayan Piers,
taking note of the 2 cruise ships in town (the annual survey continues).<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned off at the
Caleta and proceeded down the old beach road past El Presedente and Chankanaab
Park to the open beach line and the early makings of our first Caribbean
sunset.<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old road has been
repaved all the way around the island and I believe is to be mostly intended to
be used by scooters and bicycles, especially once the old road meets back up
with and runs along the new highway C-1 at the old Reef Club area, currently
called the Sabor.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove on the
old road most of the time, being that I am usually doing my nearly scientific
analysis of the condition of the island and drive even slower than most
scooters, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">stopping frequently to check out a plants or the occasional
critter along the road that catches my interest.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police drove by
several times throughout the trip as we were on the old road and didn’t pull us
over once for being on it, although we did see them pull over others that we’re
either speeding or hanging out of their jeeps…please don’t stand up in a
vehicle while it is moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we
stopped and paid tribute to “Tree”, the giant Ceiba tree near Punta Sur and
made our way down to the “South Point”, hunger was setting in and we had
already made plans for this evening, so we headed back to town.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPKfDUMmIDo/UeWyC1QB2kI/AAAAAAAABYI/oScbEdLXztw/s1600/18448-Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPKfDUMmIDo/UeWyC1QB2kI/AAAAAAAABYI/oScbEdLXztw/s320/18448-Tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">"Tree", the massive La Ceiba near Punta Sur</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been diving
with Matt (Mateo) Moran at Blue Angel since our first stay there in 2006.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of us, Matt and
I, being native to Illinois, him from Chicago and me from right across the
state along the Mighty Mississip. in the Quad Cities. We naturally got along from
the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time flies, so I’ve
lost track of the exact date, but a couple of years ago, Matt and his wife
Angela, who is the daughter of my buddy William, the owner of Rasta’s Freedom
Bar at Punta Sur, started their own venture and named it the Hawaiian name for
Family, ‘Ohana.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">‘Ohana Café and Bar</b> sits just a couple
blocks North of the Square on 5<sup>th</sup> Ave. North and is truly a place to
become part of the Cozumel Family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctCAQjKoiX8/UeWykKTtJbI/AAAAAAAABYU/BGYhJR8W3B4/s320/17515-Ohana.jpg" width="320" /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">'Ohana</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JAd85xT-I0/UehZy1XwdUI/AAAAAAAABzA/RJAlWqNBlPs/s1600/19464-OhanaSticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_JAd85xT-I0/UehZy1XwdUI/AAAAAAAABzA/RJAlWqNBlPs/s320/19464-OhanaSticker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shark tank bumper sticker at 'Ohana</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Go to 7-11 at the back of Benito Juarez Plaza (City Square),
make a left and go approx. 3 blocks, its on the right hand side of the road,
you can’t miss it.<o:p></o:p>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The latest offering
from this Cozumel gem is a gift from home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicago style deep
dish pizza! Complete with homemade Chicago style sausage. REAL deep dish pizza,
made in a deep dish pie pan, stuffed with fillings and scrumptious gooey cheese
and just the right amount of sauce, spiced to perfection. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we opted to
split an awesome garlic fish dinner; they make some of the best garlic fish at
‘Ohana as well, and bean and cheese nachos with the Mrs. on this evening; I did
get to have the deep dish pie on 3 occasions throughout our trip, and would
highly recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the food at
‘Ohana is simply wonderful, the backyard setting is a great place to relax and
even enjoy live music several nights a week.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner, we
retired to the bar. Matt had the night off, so our hostess Angie had bar
tending duties.<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sipping a nice Reposado
tequila really settles a meal down. We’ve taken to drinking aged “sipping
tequila” rather than the sweet drinks and it really helps the head feel better
in the morning. No hangover at all if you cut out the sugared mixers. Something
I learned, oddly enough, from Sammy Hagar, yes, that Sammy Hagar.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Ohana has quite a
selection of all three grades of tequila, Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and we made
quite a tasting throughout the next 2 weeks.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we stayed
away from the sweet stuff as much as possible, we did try and new concoction
Angie came up with, Peanut Butter Tequila…you have to stop in and ask for some.
It’s a creamy shot of peanut butter with a gentle kick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our friends Chris and
Sharon at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Andele</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beach Bar </b>over on the “wild side”
usually have some on hand as well. I’ll tell more of our new friends later in
the trip. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Day 2 – May 18 ,
2013 – Saturday –<o:p></o:p></u></b><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N</span></b>o
ships on Saturday? …that’s new. In fact the lack of cruise ships throughout the
entire stay was evident. It was kind of nice for us “having the island to
ourselves”, but hard on the local shops and bars that depend on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">T</span></b>he first day on the island
is always dedicated to sleeping in a little, going out for breakfast and doing
an equipment check-out dive to prepare for the beautiful reefs of Palancar.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOJ3uyTNz9w/UeWzIWBggvI/AAAAAAAABYg/eUV3TPag-x0/s1600/18196-BuccanosSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oOJ3uyTNz9w/UeWzIWBggvI/AAAAAAAABYg/eUV3TPag-x0/s320/18196-BuccanosSign.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ve been doing
commercials for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buccano’s</b> for nearly
a year now. I’ve driven past the place many times on previous trips, before
realizing it was actually open and then, left the island before finding out the
details about the place.<o:p></o:p>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, the grounds
are on what appears from the road to be an abandoned hotel tower and you can’t
see the absolutely gorgeous beach and day beach facilities and restaurant form
the road at all.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
So, it was time to
check this place out. We jumped in the jeep, (the Tracker will now be referred
to as ‘the jeep’), and headed to the Northern Hotel Zone.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buccano’s is located
on the beach side of the road, just a little past the big harbor on the North
side of town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You drive into the
property and it feels like you are on a road to nowhere …just make a right at
the guard shack and keep going, there is gold at the end of the rainbow.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cobble stone road
gives way to a large turnabout and parking lot. You will most likely be greeted
by a lovely young lady who will escort you through an open-aired lobby out to
the, pool side restaurant and grounds of the Club Caribe Cozumel, now the
lovely Day Beach and weekend dining experience known as Buccano’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on the amazing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buccano’s at Night</b> later, but first
let’s make it through breakfast!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With such delights as
Coconut French Toast, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, several omelets and egg dishes
and Mexican traditional breakfast dishes, it was hard to choose.
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FuNuQpM25SM/UeWzjLraR0I/AAAAAAAABZA/CMXpK-QsCko/s1600/18183-BuccanosBreakfastMenu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FuNuQpM25SM/UeWzjLraR0I/AAAAAAAABZA/CMXpK-QsCko/s320/18183-BuccanosBreakfastMenu.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Buccanos Breakfast Menu</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely Mrs. chose
the veggie omelet, stuffed with all kinds of veggies, and I opted for the
“house” omelet; bacon, avocado & cheese. All breakfasts come with coffee
(or tea) and juice and a fruit plate. The omelet was delicious and stuffed to
the gills, much more than I could possibly put down, all for a set price of
US$10.50.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8n57QTA_2Q/UeWzQPyN6dI/AAAAAAAABY4/sCfuN4Q6Pb4/s1600/18185-BuccanosBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8n57QTA_2Q/UeWzQPyN6dI/AAAAAAAABY4/sCfuN4Q6Pb4/s320/18185-BuccanosBeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buccanos day beach</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bellies full, we
headed back to the Casa and ran into a couple of friends we met from last year’s
adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wayne and Anna are
dive buddies from Canada and were waiting to head out to the airport when we
arrived back at Blue Angel.<br />
<o:p></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAbMVypc2rY/UeWzPlDIBfI/AAAAAAAABYs/m46gRB-QuDc/s320/18200-AnnaWayne.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wayne & Anna</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
We spent some time talking with them in the lobby as it began
to rain around noon for about a half of an hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain subsided and
we put our friends in a cab and sent them off to the airport as we head
upstairs to collect our SCUBA gear for the first dive of the trip.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> N</span></b>ow,
there are people who will tell you that there is no “good” shore diving in
Cozumel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all define,
good. I have a buddy who’s been diving almost longer than I’ve been alive. He
says there’s no such thing as a bad dive. “If you’re underwater, it’s a good
dive, Mate.” …he British by the way.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, you’re not
going to get large coral formations, out in the shallows and most of the
animals you see are more than likely going to be juveniles, but there are some
very nice shore dives on Coz. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come along on a dive
to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Villablanca Shallows </b>with me, or
dive with one of my favorite Cozumel underwater photographer colleges, ‘jlyle’
from the ScubaBoard at Scuba Club, or just look up his photos on the SB to see
what you can find in the shallows.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YwqGPNTmhg/UeW0bN875wI/AAAAAAAABZQ/pANDcGPu1kM/s1600/18212-VillaBlSh-CoralBandedShrimp-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YwqGPNTmhg/UeW0bN875wI/AAAAAAAABZQ/pANDcGPu1kM/s320/18212-VillaBlSh-CoralBandedShrimp-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Coral Banded Shrimp</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or jump in any one of
many entries from Playa Corona all the way to the Cozumel Palace, and others
I’m not aware of I’m sure and you might change your mind about Cozumel shore
diving.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive out on the
Stingray enclosure next to Blue Angel alone is worth a plane trip, for either a
day or night dive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area I call <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Villablanca Shallows</b> stretches south to
north, from Villa Blanca Hotel/Papa Hogs to Blue Angel Resort. The fabulous <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Villablanca Wall</b> runs parallel to it
(going both further South and North than the ‘shallows’ limits. More on VB Wall
later.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVGLo_7nbs4/UeW1BoSjVdI/AAAAAAAABZY/-Ef8suPwOGE/s1600/18210-VillaBlSh-Urchin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVGLo_7nbs4/UeW1BoSjVdI/AAAAAAAABZY/-Ef8suPwOGE/s320/18210-VillaBlSh-Urchin2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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White Pincushion Urchin</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SEE…”<u>The Dives”</u>
below for all the dives on this trip…<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As evening rolled
around, it began to lightly rain again, which continued on and off throughout
most of the evening and on into the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain was so light
that you could walk around in it and not really get wet at all, so we drove
downtown and parked at the little public parking lot on 3<sup>rd</sup> Ave. S.,
next to Lore’s new favorite place…the chocolate shop. Again more details to
come.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, a Cozumel
tradition…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Casa Denis</b>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxcT5osbMgI/UeW1oAM88SI/AAAAAAAABZg/o7_OrZjMQAo/s320/18888-CasaDenisFullMoon.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Casa Denis under a full moon</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located just off the
Square, on the walking path that leads to Calle 1A Sur. Casa Denis is one of
the oldest restaurants on the island, established in 1945, and is still putting
out good meals after all these years.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the sons of
the owner of Casa Denis also have long time favorite restaurants on the island,
Los Tortugas located to the back of the Corpus Christi neighborhood and the
fabulous Especias on Calle 3 south.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casa Denis also just happens
to have one of the best Mango margaritas around, so we ordered 2 of them a
Spinach Mayan Soup and Shrimp Kabob for her and Mayan Chicken for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Px_yJsQRt9o/UeW2Ovhk71I/AAAAAAAABZo/A2CRZ5j4VYI/s1600/18890-Lore-n-Fillipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Px_yJsQRt9o/UeW2Ovhk71I/AAAAAAAABZo/A2CRZ5j4VYI/s320/18890-Lore-n-Fillipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore and Wildman 'mariachi' Philipe</div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On dive days, we eat
yogurt and granola for breakfast, so after dinner we made our way to the Mega
superstore to stock up on those items and some crackers to go with our cheese
whiz and peanut butter and headed back to the room for a good night’s rest for
our first day of boat diving. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Day 3 – May 19 –
Sunday –<o:p></o:p></u></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> N</span></b>o cruise ships on Sunday…it’s a tradition.
This is “family day” on the island and with no cruise ships around, it allows
folks to have a traditional day off and spend it with the family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jt1j4vglJeY/UeW342PVvhI/AAAAAAAABZ4/ubzLbRURy8E/s1600/18201-OtillioChangingBulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys8yC4aQCnY/UeW47SieWzI/AAAAAAAABag/KKHpQN_Nh4E/s1600/18244-BlueAngelSunrise-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys8yC4aQCnY/UeW47SieWzI/AAAAAAAABag/KKHpQN_Nh4E/s320/18244-BlueAngelSunrise-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
'No Problem' dive boat at Sunrise</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><div align="center">
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the late
morning dive, (hey! see “The Dives”!) I was battling my old foe seasickness and
slept a good portion of the late afternoon.<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad too, Rasta’s had live reggae bands
playing all afternoon, and by the time we showed up, about sunset, they had
pretty much wrapped everything up.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, we sat
with Mateo and had a couple of cervezas and just spent a little quality time
with our friend and his family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys8yC4aQCnY/UeW47SieWzI/AAAAAAAABaU/KOA34EaNunk/s1600/18244-BlueAngelSunrise-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nn2RAC2ndY/UeW47b7-LFI/AAAAAAAABac/d1P9PGpRNXc/s1600/19437-RastaSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Nn2RAC2ndY/UeW47b7-LFI/AAAAAAAABac/d1P9PGpRNXc/s320/19437-RastaSign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
Driving back to the hotel along the old road for a sort
while before jumping over to the highway, we saw several pairs of close-set
reflective eyes alone the roadside. I had an idea of what it might be, but
wasn’t quite sure,<o:p></o:p>
</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I slowed the jeep down
to a near stop, and sure enough there they were. Cozumel’s very own little
bandit, the Mexican Raccoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
Not the little long
nosed cousin, the Coati, but real raccoons, like Davie Crocket and Daniel Boone
had hats made out of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I have seen them up at
Punta Norte, getting into the fisherman’s fish scraps and along the gravel road
leading up there, but I’ve never seen them south of town before.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have an affinity
for raccoons. My grandmother was a cook at a summer camp in the Smoky Mountains
in Tennessee. The people that owned the camp, also lived on the property, and
almost every year they would end up with raccoon orphans to raise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I would visit, I
would get to play with the little, or sometimes nearly grown, orphans. Very
curious and intelligent animals, and their front paws are like little hands and
they have the ability to open almost ANYTHING!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask the people who
owned the summer camp what they found the day 2 of their little adoptees got
out of their cage and decided to find out what was in every box and jar in the
kitchen…EVERY box and jar!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hadn’t had
anything for dinner yet, so on the way back to the hotel, we stopped at another
old haunt, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ernesto’s Fajita Factory</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ernesto’s has been
around forever, I think, and is always a good place to get a bite to eat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Sometimes hit and
miss, this visit it was either right on, or we were just starving…probably a
little of both.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Sea food burrito, for
her, and chicken fajitas for me, and we were off to the Blue Angel for some
shut eye.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Day 4 – May 20 –
Mon –</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>1 ship at the International Pier; Carnival Liberty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a.m. dive on Blue
Angel II, with Norman and Alberto. Palancar Cuebones & Villablanca Wall …
(SEE THE DIVES!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-kRuuWLtbQ/UeW7XQdpTUI/AAAAAAAABbw/XFgMkQWGr3I/s1600/18339-PalancarBolones-ArrowCrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-kRuuWLtbQ/UeW7XQdpTUI/AAAAAAAABbw/XFgMkQWGr3I/s320/18339-PalancarBolones-ArrowCrab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Arrow crab at Palancar Cuebones</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A relaxing lunch at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rasta’s</b>
of Shrimp Quesadillas and Chicken tacos, and a soothing Negro Modelo to settle
the pallet and we were off to explore the island, shoot some stock video and
photos for the radio station website.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21iawESYwec/UecTIEFccNI/AAAAAAAABhI/v4i5xN0ZlSQ/s1600/18379-RastasShrimpTacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21iawESYwec/UecTIEFccNI/AAAAAAAABhI/v4i5xN0ZlSQ/s320/18379-RastasShrimpTacos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shrimp Quesadillas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKWZpGtxoXU/UeW6K5v-TOI/AAAAAAAABbQ/4JTkfwHoNso/s1600/18997-Rastas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKWZpGtxoXU/UeW6K5v-TOI/AAAAAAAABbQ/4JTkfwHoNso/s320/18997-Rastas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome to Rasta's, The Freedom Bar...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w34s2UW4M48/UeW6LjHwacI/AAAAAAAABbg/rDq06W2HAok/s1600/18999-STcardAtRastas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w34s2UW4M48/UeW6LjHwacI/AAAAAAAABbg/rDq06W2HAok/s320/18999-STcardAtRastas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shark Tank radio show card at Rasta's</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uaS1jXp6zdc/UeW6LxaAkcI/AAAAAAAABbk/x3-qpLw2IvQ/s1600/19000-RastasBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uaS1jXp6zdc/UeW6LxaAkcI/AAAAAAAABbk/x3-qpLw2IvQ/s320/19000-RastasBeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rasta's beach</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
We spent a lot of
time driving around, deep in town, beyond 30<sup>th</sup> Ave., if you will.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
It is amazing how
much new construction is happening off of Benito Juarez just as you come in
town from the east side on the Trans-Island highway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Whole new
neighborhoods are popping up. With at least one of not two new major north/south
thoroughfares with frontage roads that have parking on them. I think that
eventually what looks like a frontage road will actually be parking lot passage
with pull in parking on each side of it for retail.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We ended up, like
most evenings, sitting on our balcony, marveling at the amazing weather and
enjoying the evenings free show of another spectacular sunset.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Hunger we setting in,
so I left her at the hotel to relax and I ventured up to see Matt at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">‘Ohana</b> and order a deep dish pizza and
house salad to go. My first of three times I had the wonderful gift from home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I bellied up to the
bar and grabbed a menu, ordered a cold water and a shot of tequila and followed
Matt out front to meet some now acquaintances.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Chris and Sharon are
fairly new to the island, Chris is originally from South Africa and Sharon is
from England. It was all I could do to not start talking like them, especially
Chris, that South African accent is so distinct and very cool.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M48LJSwVJuU/UeW8E60HyoI/AAAAAAAABb4/0pOCffPsXRo/s1600/19465-Chris-n-Sherry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M48LJSwVJuU/UeW8E60HyoI/AAAAAAAABb4/0pOCffPsXRo/s320/19465-Chris-n-Sherry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sharon & Chris...Andale Beach Bar</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
These two operate the
newly re-opened <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Andale Bar</b> over on
the Wild Side of the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Some of you long
timers might remember, years ago it was called Andale Bar, and the owners used the
cartoon character Speedy Gonzalez for their logo. I remember seeing their
t-shirts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Then some guy bought
it and tried turn it into a biker bar…? Changed the motif to skulls and black
and, well, let’s just say, it didn’t quite work out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
So these two are
giving it a go over at the beautiful San Martin beach, located just between
Playa Bonita and Chen Rio.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p> One of the few spots on the island where conditions, on an
occasion, provides some pretty sweet sets of waves nice enough to strap on a
board and do some surfing from.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chris and Sharon are
trying to go with basically a surfing theme and like most Cozumel palapa bars,
they are currently accepting t-shirts and paraphernalia for the ceiling. So if
you are so inclined, please bring a home town ‘T’ for the décor at Andale.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andale is a great
place to kick back on a hot afternoon. The 2<sup>nd</sup> story palapa sits
across the new highway from the beach and is set up higher than the road, so
the cool Caribbean breeze is constantly sweeping through the bar like natural
air conditioning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
There are even a
couple of hammocks strung up in the bar and with that breeze and a couple of
Sherry’s drinks, it might siesta time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Back at the room, the
pizza was consumed until we were about ready to bust, which was really just one
and maybe a half pieces for her and I managed to do 2 and the other half of
hers…aw-some…kudos to Matt and Angie to adding this dish to an already
fantastic menu.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Day 5 – May 21 –
Tuesday –</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 ships at the
I.P./Maya pier area<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A</span></b>fter a restless night, insomnia is my new friend;
we decided to take the day off from diving and lay low.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We slept in a little
and had a light breakfast in the lobby of the hotel of fruit and yogurt and
eventually made our way to the pool. Well she did.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br />
I headed straight for the hammocks strung up under the small
coconut palms between the hotel and the pool.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42BPJdug24I/UeW87jZ4WNI/AAAAAAAABcQ/aGcJZMRBKPQ/s1600/18395-BA+Hammock+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42BPJdug24I/UeW87jZ4WNI/AAAAAAAABcQ/aGcJZMRBKPQ/s320/18395-BA+Hammock+time.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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hammock time!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3MLvhhqVN0/UeW87bLfC5I/AAAAAAAABcU/jPb9rkSIfQs/s1600/18390-BA+Grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R3MLvhhqVN0/UeW87bLfC5I/AAAAAAAABcU/jPb9rkSIfQs/s320/18390-BA+Grounds.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Blue Angel Grounds</div>
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I love relaxing in a hammock; I actually slept in one for
nearly a year when I was in the Navy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I pushed the ceiling
tiles in my barracks room away one day and noticed a large I beam running the
length of my room, so I tied up a hammock I had, and still have to this day.
It’s made of white line, but it looks exactly like the ones you’ll find for
sale all over Mexico.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We also had one on
the signal bridge of my ship, and on nice evenings when I didn’t have to work,
I’d go up there and sleep under the stars when we were out to sea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was doing this the
night before we came into Pearl Harbor on one of our many trips to Hawaii from
San Diego…I know, rough duty huh?<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The sun was coming
up, just as we were passing Diamond Head…priceless.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jt1j4vglJeY/UeW342PVvhI/AAAAAAAABZ8/LbOkxEsisJg/s1600/18201-OtillioChangingBulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jt1j4vglJeY/UeW342PVvhI/AAAAAAAABZ8/LbOkxEsisJg/s320/18201-OtillioChangingBulb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbo6pryJdM8/UeW87G2hWvI/AAAAAAAABcM/cZkkTR_g8jY/s1600/18401-Otillio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbo6pryJdM8/UeW87G2hWvI/AAAAAAAABcM/cZkkTR_g8jY/s320/18401-Otillio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My buddy, Otillio, "the ninja" maintenance man fixin' stuff at BA</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
So, when most people
struggle to get in and out of one, slip right in and cocoon myself with the net
and am off to Never-Never Land in no time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
My friend Sally,
barefootincozumel.com was out of town and I was in desperate need of a massage.
I talked to Andrea at the front desk at the hotel, and after making a phone
call, a lady showed up, massage table in hand and I was off to Never-Never
land…again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Thanks again to
Andrea for hunting her down for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For dinner we met up
with Bob and Janice for a wonderful meal, as usual at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Le Chef.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located on Ave 5 at
Calle 5 south, I believe it is, is one of the best places to eat on the island,
hands down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We parked the jeep at
our little parking lot on 3<sup>rd</sup> and walked down the street to meet Bob
and Janice, who had already arrived and were at a four topper on the sidewalk
dining area, under the canvas awnings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Our friends had
already ordered, Tuna Tar Tar for her and fish for him, I forget how it was
prepared exactly, but they both gave rave reviews.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
As did we! Lore had,
by the waiter’s recommendation, Fish of the day, Wahoo in this case, in a
lobster, mushroom sauce. He said it was his favorite, and she’s brought it up
several times since we’ve been back how much she loved it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I was craving pasta,
all the diving must have been eating carbs like crazy. Seafood pasta, no matter
how fresh and well prepared, always is a little too “seafoody” for me, so I
went with the spaghetti with grilled chicken and veggies…lots of veggies! Lots
of chicken and pasta for that matter! I ate until I was going to burst and it
hardly looked like I touched my plate…now how about some dessert?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We all four waddled
back to the jeep, and just as we were about there, a detour popped up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls noticed a
chocolate shop and the lady who owns it, noticed them, noticing her store and
invited us in for samples. Chocolateria Isla Bella is located on 3<sup>rd</sup>
Street south, between 5<sup>th</sup> Ave. and Rafael Melgar, basically just a
block off the waterfront on 3<sup>rd</sup>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R66nw4A9v-Y/UeW93sGSzjI/AAAAAAAABcg/XVBbs0Tbdzg/s1600/19018-ChocolateShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R66nw4A9v-Y/UeW93sGSzjI/AAAAAAAABcg/XVBbs0Tbdzg/s320/19018-ChocolateShop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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OPEN, OPEN, OPEN!</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now as I said before,
I was about ready to bust, but these handmade chocolate confections are
marvelous and a sample just wasn’t enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I think<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we ended up buying 4 pieces that night to
have in the room refrig., just in case of a “chocolate emergency and Lore ended
up going back the night before we left the island and buying a full 16 piece
assorted box to bring home…we’re still enjoying those!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br />
We dropped our friends off at the hotel and remembered we
needed some supplies for the room and started to head to Mega or Chedraui, but
decided on a nightcap at ‘Ohana first…our new hangout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Well, our new ‘in
town’ hangout, the list out of San Miguel continues to grow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">T</span></b>hings start to work into a
regular routine from here, so in an effort to save a little time and space, I’m
going to change the format a little.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically we set into
a string of continuous dive days, followed by afternoons visiting all our old
haunts, meeting new friends and finding new haunts, shooting stock video for
the new station website, trying to track down folks, lazing at the pool and
well…vacationing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 20pt;"><u>The Dives…<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sat. 05/18:</span> </b>Shore dive to check equipment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">VB Shallows:
22’max./46 min. 81 degrees – <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Trumpet fish, 3 different types of
urchins, a small Southern stingray (outside the pen), a spotted yellow ray, a
scrolled file fish, coral banded shrimp, juvie angels, a black and white
spotted eel and three hermit crabs having a discussion too important to be
interrupted by 2 wayward divers… all crossed our path, not to mention the usual
suspects in the shallows, Sgt. Majors and those blue carplike fish that always
seem to be around, all BEFORE clearing the enclosure! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax-SdNqvT14/UecJ0mAsW2I/AAAAAAAABc0/N_cfMHd6RI0/s1600/18204-VillaBlSh-Traffic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax-SdNqvT14/UecJ0mAsW2I/AAAAAAAABc0/N_cfMHd6RI0/s320/18204-VillaBlSh-Traffic1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHmbPDwf3ks/UecJ0ezxpXI/AAAAAAAABcw/9Yz8fViPY88/s1600/18215-VillaBlSh-HermitCrab-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHmbPDwf3ks/UecJ0ezxpXI/AAAAAAAABcw/9Yz8fViPY88/s320/18215-VillaBlSh-HermitCrab-c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we venture out
past “the pen” and are greeted by a gently sloping, sandy landscape scattered
with coral and rock debris and many, many small coral heads providing lots of
nooks and crannies to find more spotted eels, Cozumel’s sharp tail eel, nearly
every type of juvenile fish that can be find out on the big reef, lots of arrow
crabs and coral banded shrimp and many more delights await the diver who isn’t
afraid to dig for their treasure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The Gorgonians, the
large purple sea fans, still have not recovered from being nearly wiped out by
Wilma. The area used to look like an underwater garden with all the coral heads
covered with fans and soft corals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Some fans are about,
but mostly shaggy fans that have not yet recovered, or small full fans that
just haven’t grown big yet.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Despite this, this is
still a great dive with lots to offer for the novice and experienced diver
alike. Especially the underwater photographer.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u7lGbkzLn4/UecJ1-WENGI/AAAAAAAABdU/ojJa-fPlPYI/s1600/18227-VillaBlSh-SpottedEel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u7lGbkzLn4/UecJ1-WENGI/AAAAAAAABdU/ojJa-fPlPYI/s320/18227-VillaBlSh-SpottedEel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get the impression
the same people who don’t think there is any good shore diving on Cozumel are
the same people who say they “didn’t see anything” after diving for nearly an
hour on one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world, because a sea
turtle, shark, lion fish or Eagle ray didn’t swim up to them and introduce
themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I just want to
scream, “Geesh, Dude, you didn’t even notice the reef?!” </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u7lGbkzLn4/UecJ1-WENGI/AAAAAAAABdU/ojJa-fPlPYI/s1600/18227-VillaBlSh-SpottedEel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4dUEN98aKc/UecJ1m7vivI/AAAAAAAABdQ/tA8iSOkTXjM/s1600/18218-VillaBlSh-CoralHead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4dUEN98aKc/UecJ1m7vivI/AAAAAAAABdQ/tA8iSOkTXjM/s320/18218-VillaBlSh-CoralHead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our SCUBA friends
from Michigan, Bob and Janice, Brewdiver on the ScubaBoard, were doing their
“check out dive” as well, and we passed them just as we were approaching the
pen on our return trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
They had just
arrived, and we spend several great boat dives, and a wonderful dinner at Le
Chef with them over the next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
After spending three
quarters of an hour “checking out our equipment”, everything seemed to be
working a-ok, SCUBA gear and camera gear alike, and everything was a go for our
first boat dives in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sun., 05/19</span> – </b>a.m. dive on No Problem with
DM Edgar, I didn’t get the Captain’s name.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No Problem</b> is the large cabin cruiser, type boat that Blue Angel
uses for their late morning <br />
excursions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
It is usually full of
folks that are either off a cruise ship or have come over from the mainland to
<br />
dive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Topside of Santa Rosa Wall, 56’ Max. for 44minues, 81 degrees.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wGhq5HYnwk/UecLuhj51lI/AAAAAAAABdg/yL716LhwEVc/s1600/18248-TopSanRose-QueenAngels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4wGhq5HYnwk/UecLuhj51lI/AAAAAAAABdg/yL716LhwEVc/s320/18248-TopSanRose-QueenAngels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had several
novices on the boat and Edgar obviously didn’t want to take them on a very deep
dive, so the top of Santa Rosa was a perfect choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I think the
typical MO for this dive is to go to Santa Rosa and then to Paradise. Not only
because most divers on this trip are ‘one-timers’, meaning that they are most
likely only diving with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BA for one day,
and the DM’s can’t evaluate them and ‘OK’ them for a more advanced dive on
subsequent days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTwCkxQvgvA/UecLutOyp4I/AAAAAAAABds/d3T-GD679H4/s1600/18247-TopSanRose-RockBeauty_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gTwCkxQvgvA/UecLutOyp4I/AAAAAAAABds/d3T-GD679H4/s320/18247-TopSanRose-RockBeauty_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rock Beauty</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYcY0zrS1_I/UecLv3tuKLI/AAAAAAAABeE/lPN3BAjU6Hc/s1600/18260-TopSanRose-Lobsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYcY0zrS1_I/UecLv3tuKLI/AAAAAAAABeE/lPN3BAjU6Hc/s320/18260-TopSanRose-Lobsters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Piggy back Lobsters</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other reason of
course, is time, they need to get the cruise shippers and the mainlanders back
so they can get back to the ship or catch the ferry back to Playa del Carmen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Santa
Rosa</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> has been, in my humble opinion, the slowest of
the dive sites to recover from Wilma. We dive it almost every year, and as late
as last year, there were still significant </span></div>
</o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
sand deposits resting on flat areas and shelves along the
wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we barely went
over the edge of the wall at all, so I didn’t get a good evaluation of the wall
its self.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQRlhsG8mYE/UecLvluQi0I/AAAAAAAABeA/j5uGSKRVNhk/s1600/18255-TopSanRose-JuvQueenAngel_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQRlhsG8mYE/UecLvluQi0I/AAAAAAAABeA/j5uGSKRVNhk/s320/18255-TopSanRose-JuvQueenAngel_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Juvenile Queen Angel</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-As3obGj3RmU/UecLux_NioI/AAAAAAAABd0/DNv_0DF0_5c/s1600/18249-TopSanRose-Barracuda_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-As3obGj3RmU/UecLux_NioI/AAAAAAAABd0/DNv_0DF0_5c/s320/18249-TopSanRose-Barracuda_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Barracuda</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a good shot of
a Rock Beauty poking his head out of the coral, Queen Angels, small barracuda
and grouper passed us by. I found a Lion’s Tongue poking out from underneath
some coral, a relative to the Sea Cucumber and several lobsters milling about
under shelves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, off to
Paradise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Paradise Reef (41’ Max./44 min., 80 degrees)</b> has seen a lot of
stress over the years, due to cruise ship pier construction and other factors,
but it is still a fun site to dive and full of life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urvnNdsguLk/UecNL77-GnI/AAAAAAAABeU/klaLGNIDRb8/s1600/18264-Paradise-ChristmasTreeTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urvnNdsguLk/UecNL77-GnI/AAAAAAAABeU/klaLGNIDRb8/s320/18264-Paradise-ChristmasTreeTube.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas Tree tube worm</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone on the boat
said they wanted to see a Sea Horse…who doesn’t?<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we hit the
bottom and poked around some of the many coral heads and ridgelines for a
little while.<br />
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edgar took us out
over the sand flats to look for Sea Horses. They like to hold onto these little
seaweed things that look a little like a green flower pod on a stem.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOJSq51DaIw/UecNLq-cJLI/AAAAAAAABeY/lpBiSivngCE/s1600/18277-Paradise-Seahorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOJSq51DaIw/UecNLq-cJLI/AAAAAAAABeY/lpBiSivngCE/s320/18277-Paradise-Seahorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sea horse</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a couple of
minutes of scanning the sandy bottom, I spotted the familiar shape we were all
looking for, grabbed by shaker and alerted the rest of the group…much to
Edgar’s relief! He gave be a big smile and the ‘ok’ signal for his approval and
appreciation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gp4ioeoeZo/UecNLx0bWsI/AAAAAAAABek/53XxvZVMexY/s1600/18274-Paradise-BrittleStars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--gp4ioeoeZo/UecNLx0bWsI/AAAAAAAABek/53XxvZVMexY/s320/18274-Paradise-BrittleStars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brittle Sea Stars on coral</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvwB2Qfgu2s/UecNMuddH-I/AAAAAAAABes/D4EWmiqTRZ4/s1600/18291-Paradise-Lobster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvwB2Qfgu2s/UecNMuddH-I/AAAAAAAABes/D4EWmiqTRZ4/s320/18291-Paradise-Lobster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lobster close-up</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, as I’ve pointed
out many times, boats and I don’t always get along.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I take as
many precautions as I can; sea sick pills, try to get and keep something on my
stomach, watch the horizon…all the tricks of the trade, sometimes I still get
seasick.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve found that most
people who suffer seasickness say the same thing. No matter what you do,
sometimes it still just happens…today was one of those days.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started feeling a
little nauseous as soon as I got back on the boat from the safety stop of the
second dive. Edgar gave me some O2, which actually helped after sucking on it
for a couple minutes.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, by the
time we got back to the hotel, I was still feeling a little weak and ended up
sleeping most of the rest of the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mon. 05/20:</span></b> a.m. dive on Blue Angel II with
DM Norman and Capt. Piñata, (his family owns a piñata shop, thus the nickname)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Palancar ‘Cuebones’,
75’ Max./43 min., 81 degrees.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dive is set
between the amazing Palancar Bricks, one of my top 5 Cozumel dives and Palancar
Caves, no slouch on its own.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gb2mXqUMVU/UecPjKOSa9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/vZV9ilZMCeo/s1600/18331-PalancarBolones-Sponges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gb2mXqUMVU/UecPjKOSa9I/AAAAAAAABfQ/vZV9ilZMCeo/s320/18331-PalancarBolones-Sponges.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Cuebones is a wall dive with the continuation of the
landscape that Bricks has to offer, tall pinnacles with lots of large crevices
to explore. I believe Norman told us the name Cuebones means loosely, “Big
Caves”, referring to the large crevices that jut in and out along the wall.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of Deep Sea sea
fans, hydroids, and all the sponges Coz has to offer, cover the reef. Arrow
crabs and horse puffers hang near the edge of small outcrops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJCbwTTniaI/UecPhjBmJVI/AAAAAAAABfE/JvvKpzya4rk/s1600/18329-PalancarBolones-LettucewithDamsel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lJCbwTTniaI/UecPhjBmJVI/AAAAAAAABfE/JvvKpzya4rk/s320/18329-PalancarBolones-LettucewithDamsel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lettuce coral with Damsel fish</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwYttI9iDe4/UecPhaHITJI/AAAAAAAABe8/SB68hDTxHkQ/s1600/18330_bw-PalancarBolones-BarrelSponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwYttI9iDe4/UecPhaHITJI/AAAAAAAABe8/SB68hDTxHkQ/s320/18330_bw-PalancarBolones-BarrelSponge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Black-n-white reef shot</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwE5YC28tPY/UecPjyYsb8I/AAAAAAAABfg/_hVPqAqAnlg/s1600/18347-PalancarBolones-GardenEels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KwE5YC28tPY/UecPjyYsb8I/AAAAAAAABfg/_hVPqAqAnlg/s320/18347-PalancarBolones-GardenEels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Garden eels</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at the old
“Sand Dollar” pier, now part of the Sabor property, I believe, for our surface
interval and then it was off to the beautiful Villablanca Wall…love this dive!<br />
<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I explained
before, Villablanca Wall runs along the deep water drop-off, from the
International Pier, well, to Cuba…ok, maybe not that far, but I’m pretty sure
the ridge runs the entire length of the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">VB Wall, 60’ Max./46
min., 80 degrees – <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dive, depending
on the current, which can be rippin’, can take you easily from the pier all the
way to the area of the lighthouse, but today with the mild current, we dropped
in just north of La Ceiba and popped up just a little north of Blue Angel.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AbF7ygq64o/UecQ5QhhzWI/AAAAAAAABf0/khEcVjlka8U/s1600/18354-VillaBlancWall-JuvLionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4s01pGrhWeA/UecQ6uHH7pI/AAAAAAAABgQ/6zyn8xFsJRg/s320/18369-VillaBlancWall-Traffic.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Reef traffic</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lore found a juvenile
Lionfish, there was actually a second one under the shelf, I found while
editing the photos…I love finding surprises when editing underwater photos, you
always get something you didn’t think you were shooting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The reef is a fairly
sharp sloping wall, 60-70 degrees, covered with Barrel sponges, Tube sponges of
all sorts of colors and soft corals galore. Some little outcrops dot the wall
here and there and are good places to find eels, Coral Banded Shrimps, Arrow
crabs & the occasional King crab.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBopEs8VZxE/UecQ5N5fleI/AAAAAAAABf4/5PB9GNRJXZE/s1600/18351-VillaBlancWall-CoralBandShrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBopEs8VZxE/UecQ5N5fleI/AAAAAAAABf4/5PB9GNRJXZE/s320/18351-VillaBlancWall-CoralBandShrimp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AbF7ygq64o/UecQ5QhhzWI/AAAAAAAABgA/7-go_u1a5zE/s1600/18354-VillaBlancWall-JuvLionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AbF7ygq64o/UecQ5QhhzWI/AAAAAAAABgA/7-go_u1a5zE/s320/18354-VillaBlancWall-JuvLionfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came across a good
sized Big Green moray with his head sticking out of the coral posing for
photos.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
At one point he
started moving further out of his hole and then back in. One these times he
came out straight for me. I held my ground, as I always do.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVdewWlCOVY/UecQ5NLH4FI/AAAAAAAABgE/jPWqYxcMWeA/s1600/18364-VillaBlancWall-GreenMoray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVdewWlCOVY/UecQ5NLH4FI/AAAAAAAABgE/jPWqYxcMWeA/s320/18364-VillaBlancWall-GreenMoray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big Green Moray eel</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as always, the
crowd around be started back finning like crazy, with their popping eyes all
wide open…pretty funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I get the same
reaction when I crawl up under a large outcrop on the big reef to take photos
of sharks or large eels.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Wed. 5/22</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">:</span>
a.m. dive with Norman and Alberto on Chiquimax.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Palancar Gardens, 78’
Max./47 min., 81 degrees</b> –<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the dive I
found baby Splendid Toadfish on last year, so I was prepared as we slipped
around the second set of pinnacles and came across the sandy sloped area tucked
up alongside the reef.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZIPrCP8A7Y/UecSSPuK1UI/AAAAAAAABgs/YptMj8-WEik/s1600/18413-PalGard-SplendidToadfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZIPrCP8A7Y/UecSSPuK1UI/AAAAAAAABgs/YptMj8-WEik/s320/18413-PalGard-SplendidToadfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Splendid Toadfish</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough, there
were the 5-6 little “caves” on the sandy slope, and one Toadfish very visible
at the nearest one to me. I shook my shaker and gave the group the ‘toadfish’
signal and moved in closer for a photo op.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
No babies this year,
but I did get one good shot of the little guy.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIwUSnIkhao/UecSR2pYY0I/AAAAAAAABgw/BzXrhdEyN2U/s1600/18404-PalGard-ChristmasTreeTubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bIwUSnIkhao/UecSR2pYY0I/AAAAAAAABgw/BzXrhdEyN2U/s320/18404-PalGard-ChristmasTreeTubes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas Tree tube worms</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6TlntOxff4/UecSRt6SZcI/AAAAAAAABgk/keUGUbIFFn0/s1600/18418-PalGard-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t6TlntOxff4/UecSRt6SZcI/AAAAAAAABgk/keUGUbIFFn0/s320/18418-PalGard-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reef shot, Deep Sea seafan</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5EkEL74X9U/UecSTEwHaAI/AAAAAAAABg8/DccaQ9ngYZ0/s1600/18420-PalGard-Trumpetfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5EkEL74X9U/UecSTEwHaAI/AAAAAAAABg8/DccaQ9ngYZ0/s320/18420-PalGard-Trumpetfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Juvenile Trumpet fish</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Punta Tunich, 61’
Max./45 Min., 80 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Tunich is known for its strong currents
but on both dives we made during this trip, the currents were quite mild.
Schools of grunts and pork fish mill about the reef, along with lots of large
Gray and French angels. Queen angels and large schools of teardrop shaped
sweepers mill about under outcrops and overhangs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We found a couple Big
Green Moray eels, one under an outcrop getting a good cleaning from a Coral
Banded Shrimp.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ov4E-JFyUU/UecUoiECs4I/AAAAAAAABhY/nr4duI6IMbk/s1600/18423-PuntaTunich-RainbowParrotfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ63bA-Ifw8/UecUose1GOI/AAAAAAAABhk/GKE3WzpFPwA/s1600/18424-PuntaTunich-BigGreenMoray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ63bA-Ifw8/UecUose1GOI/AAAAAAAABhk/GKE3WzpFPwA/s320/18424-PuntaTunich-BigGreenMoray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big Green Moray eel</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFQKdoaICOA/UecUqdcvbeI/AAAAAAAABhw/8UU-JlelrGU/s1600/18434-PuntaTunich-EelCleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFQKdoaICOA/UecUqdcvbeI/AAAAAAAABhw/8UU-JlelrGU/s320/18434-PuntaTunich-EelCleaning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big Green Moray eel at cleaning station</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTKiC1GsJT0/UecUqtKS_VI/AAAAAAAABh0/BMAzku6KvCI/s1600/18436-PuntaTunich-ScrolledFilefish_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
A nice sized Nurse
shark swam by as Scrawled filefish hung upside down looking for morsels along
the top of the wall.<o:p></o:p><br />
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found sea turtles
on almost every dive, this one a couple Hawksbills were munching on sponges
with their constant angel and trigger fish companions looking for a handout.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qU7mxQkXld0/UecUq_EKmNI/AAAAAAAABiE/7MiNWNQYv74/s1600/18440-PuntaTunich-HawksbillSeaturtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qU7mxQkXld0/UecUq_EKmNI/AAAAAAAABiE/7MiNWNQYv74/s320/18440-PuntaTunich-HawksbillSeaturtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hawksbill sea turtle</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ov4E-JFyUU/UecUoiECs4I/AAAAAAAABhg/26uov45G58Q/s1600/18423-PuntaTunich-RainbowParrotfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ov4E-JFyUU/UecUoiECs4I/AAAAAAAABhg/26uov45G58Q/s320/18423-PuntaTunich-RainbowParrotfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rainbow parrot fish</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Thurs. 05/23</span></b>: a.m. dive with Mateo and
Alberto on Chiquimax<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cedral Pass, 56’
Max./56 min., 80 degrees </b>–<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Paso de Cedral has
been climbing the “favorites” list over the past couple years. Sea turtles seem
to like hanging out between and on the ridgelines of coral that run on either
side of the ‘valley’ that I think give the site it’s name, the ‘Pass’ part
anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
As usual, it did not
disappoint. Especially in the turtle department.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br />
I know that Green sea turtles are found pretty much all over
the world, including Mexican waters, but I had never seen one until dropping
down on ‘the pass’ on this day.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1NweBua2aA/UegcsfEuKqI/AAAAAAAABis/eqMyZdbX-HI/s1600/18500-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1NweBua2aA/UegcsfEuKqI/AAAAAAAABis/eqMyZdbX-HI/s320/18500-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Green Sea turtle</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AglSmYRnA88/Uegcsd04mnI/AAAAAAAABio/wDwJxHkPWLs/s1600/18501-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AglSmYRnA88/Uegcsd04mnI/AAAAAAAABio/wDwJxHkPWLs/s320/18501-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hawksbill Sea Turtle</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Hq3Ud2JX4Q/UegcvqVWVDI/AAAAAAAABjc/KJ_HUkxsshE/s1600/18519-Cedral-KingCrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, when I swam
up on it, I was thinking that the shell looked odd for a Hawksbill, but surly
it couldn’t be a Green! …IT WAS!<o:p></o:p><br />
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I saw
several Green sea turtles throughout the trip. It’s always nice to make a new
find.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC6K2kg0FvQ/UegcvUBx3iI/AAAAAAAABjg/eVZCagkBZ4I/s1600/18527-Cedral-FireWorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC6K2kg0FvQ/UegcvUBx3iI/AAAAAAAABjg/eVZCagkBZ4I/s320/18527-Cedral-FireWorm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fireworm</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLpVLYb4lBw/Uegct1KrZ-I/AAAAAAAABjM/ppcF6roys08/s1600/18515-Cedral-EagleRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLpVLYb4lBw/Uegct1KrZ-I/AAAAAAAABjM/ppcF6roys08/s320/18515-Cedral-EagleRay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eagle ray with Conch in its mouth</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a 5 ½ foot
Nurse Shark swimming about and towards the end of the dive, a large Eagle ray
with a large conch shell in it’s mouth, chomping away trying to get through the
hard shell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yucab, 51’ Max./56
min., 80 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This is when I first started noticing
issues with my strobe. It appeared to be going off, but not putting out as much
light as it should. It may be giving up the ghost, and time to check into
upgrading.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oe-OV0curXY/Uegd-mcH26I/AAAAAAAABj0/oEdVGe7xQzo/s1600/18552-Yucab-SpottedEel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oe-OV0curXY/Uegd-mcH26I/AAAAAAAABj0/oEdVGe7xQzo/s320/18552-Yucab-SpottedEel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Spotted eel</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrrrBcOhjzA/Uegd-n_R6oI/AAAAAAAABjw/nVI1gDhXXGU/s1600/18556-Yucab-QueenAngle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrrrBcOhjzA/Uegd-n_R6oI/AAAAAAAABjw/nVI1gDhXXGU/s320/18556-Yucab-QueenAngle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Queen Angel</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yucab is a beautiful
“garden” dive, with dozens of all three kinds of the large angels all about.
Scrolled and Orange filefish lead the way, and a couple of snapper became our
dive partners for most of the dive…looking for a lionfish handout I’m sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Fri., 05/24</span></b><span style="font-size: 16pt;">:</span>
a.m. dive with Mateo and Alberto on Chiquimax<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cedral Wall – 75’
Max./52 min., 82 degrees –</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeBfmfIwym0/UegfhY7m01I/AAAAAAAABko/E_XlmiamtTE/s1600/18592-Cedral-Hawksbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeBfmfIwym0/UegfhY7m01I/AAAAAAAABko/E_XlmiamtTE/s320/18592-Cedral-Hawksbill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We should just call this site "Turtle Town"</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQJM3WJjgKw/Uegfh6wzc2I/AAAAAAAABks/2lZM6_8Ki4Y/s1600/18595-Cedral-Lore-n-Howard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQJM3WJjgKw/Uegfh6wzc2I/AAAAAAAABks/2lZM6_8Ki4Y/s320/18595-Cedral-Lore-n-Howard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore and Howard explore the reef...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfqQU4_FVQ8/UegfiIpFWsI/AAAAAAAABk4/qJrmBCAu098/s1600/18604-Cedral-TrunkFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Several Hawksbill turtles and one Green
were found, most of them feeding on sponges with angel fish and triggers all
about looking to a handout…turtles seem to like Cedral, whether it is the Pass
or the Wall.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKruQTPYh6U/Uegfi70b7QI/AAAAAAAABlE/7UImEq6UvTk/s1600/18613-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AKruQTPYh6U/Uegfi70b7QI/AAAAAAAABlE/7UImEq6UvTk/s320/18613-Cedral-GreenSeaturtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Green feeds on the reef</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfqQU4_FVQ8/UegfiIpFWsI/AAAAAAAABk8/eOE7Erwm8cg/s1600/18604-Cedral-TrunkFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfqQU4_FVQ8/UegfiIpFWsI/AAAAAAAABk8/eOE7Erwm8cg/s320/18604-Cedral-TrunkFish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trunk fish</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lore found a juvenile
Lionfish, we saw several of the different varieties of Butterfly fish and
several lobsters.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LfeKKOocz8/Uegffirr0lI/AAAAAAAABkM/W-1Vb3pOj8w/s1600/18588-Cedral-Grouper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LfeKKOocz8/Uegffirr0lI/AAAAAAAABkM/W-1Vb3pOj8w/s320/18588-Cedral-Grouper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Large grouper</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JClFYuHUpX0/UegfgtBxAhI/AAAAAAAABkg/FFFDQEVhYkA/s1600/18585-Cedral-Butterfly_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JClFYuHUpX0/UegfgtBxAhI/AAAAAAAABkg/FFFDQEVhYkA/s320/18585-Cedral-Butterfly_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Butterfly fish</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjlMMwyFlyw/UegfgyoLTJI/AAAAAAAABkk/UwpofCJDWEg/s1600/18590-Cedral-Lobster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gjlMMwyFlyw/UegfgyoLTJI/AAAAAAAABkk/UwpofCJDWEg/s320/18590-Cedral-Lobster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lobster with Big Green Moray in background</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Punta Tunich round 2,
73’ Max./53 min., 82 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Again, current pretty mild for this site.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXMaiXg92Pw/UeghbogygZI/AAAAAAAABlQ/jVSJFZeYb5Y/s1600/18619-PuntaTunich-QueenTrigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OXMaiXg92Pw/UeghbogygZI/AAAAAAAABlQ/jVSJFZeYb5Y/s320/18619-PuntaTunich-QueenTrigger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Queen filefish</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlhQZxYUqac/UeghcpM80II/AAAAAAAABlY/p8zMJMs7voM/s1600/18622-PuntaTunich-CarpetAnemone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlhQZxYUqac/UeghcpM80II/AAAAAAAABlY/p8zMJMs7voM/s320/18622-PuntaTunich-CarpetAnemone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carpet Anemone</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were met by a
small battery of Barracuda just after dropping down. A Queen Filefish and
Honeycomb cowfish passed by and we saw several very large grouper…Nassau’s are
getting BIG!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bldyVGU23qo/Ueghc0AaOTI/AAAAAAAABlo/V6nyQwTv9QY/s1600/18625-PuntaTunich-Grouper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bldyVGU23qo/Ueghc0AaOTI/AAAAAAAABlo/V6nyQwTv9QY/s320/18625-PuntaTunich-Grouper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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HUGE Nassau grouper</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6VHuwXXydco/Ueghcssq1gI/AAAAAAAABls/-U1cHD6uvV4/s1600/18633-PuntaTunich-Hind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6VHuwXXydco/Ueghcssq1gI/AAAAAAAABls/-U1cHD6uvV4/s320/18633-PuntaTunich-Hind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Red Hind in sand</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JogCEpZx590/UeghePk7pRI/AAAAAAAABmA/cRp_3Ien37M/s1600/18634-PuntaTunich-Sweepers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JogCEpZx590/UeghePk7pRI/AAAAAAAABmA/cRp_3Ien37M/s320/18634-PuntaTunich-Sweepers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sweeper gather under shelves</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I ran across a lot of Carpet anemones on
many of the dives throughout the trip, several of them on Tunich, several with
little purplish/blue and clear Shrimp on them. I think they are part of the
Harlequin shrimp family.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP5l4PveIyo/UegheMfy4-I/AAAAAAAABmE/I6Z_EV5BVOI/s1600/18641-Lore-n-Alberto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP5l4PveIyo/UegheMfy4-I/AAAAAAAABmE/I6Z_EV5BVOI/s320/18641-Lore-n-Alberto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore is all smiles after another great dive day. Alberto at the wheel</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeO4VFAZvsc/UegiWgnUVII/AAAAAAAABmQ/S_t2Rt1EPis/s1600/18645-TresPelicanos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeO4VFAZvsc/UegiWgnUVII/AAAAAAAABmQ/S_t2Rt1EPis/s320/18645-TresPelicanos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Racing Tres Pelicanos back to the casa</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sat. 05.25</span></b>: a.m. dive with Matthew and
Alberto on Chiquimax<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Palancar Bricks, 68’
Max./57 min., 82 degrees – </b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ffyK9dSHI/Uegjv0PxIYI/AAAAAAAABm0/aEY0zWlUPAE/s1600/18715-PBricks-BrittleSeastar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ffyK9dSHI/Uegjv0PxIYI/AAAAAAAABm0/aEY0zWlUPAE/s320/18715-PBricks-BrittleSeastar.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Brittle Sea Star on tube sponge</div>
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(One of my favorite shots of the trip)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ag_YZKPPpHU/Uegjw6d6HdI/AAAAAAAABnE/H1t-9EUlpXw/s1600/18717-PBricks-BandidCoralShrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ag_YZKPPpHU/Uegjw6d6HdI/AAAAAAAABnE/H1t-9EUlpXw/s320/18717-PBricks-BandidCoralShrimp.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Coral Banded Shrimp in reef</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b> Bricks is named for the bricks that are, or used to be,
scattered around the site from a cargo ship that sunk in the area years ago.
I’ve been told that most of the actual bricks are now more closer to Columbia
Shallows.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, just a
beautiful reef, tube sponges reach for the surface, barrel sponges spread out
and provide shelter for Arrow crabs and Coral Banded shrimp. Algae, soft and
hard corals all mingle together to paint an amazing canvas.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_Wgr5avc1c/UegjxeSLj9I/AAAAAAAABnM/MztUPQQGhrQ/s1600/18724-PBricks-ScrawledFilefish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_Wgr5avc1c/UegjxeSLj9I/AAAAAAAABnM/MztUPQQGhrQ/s320/18724-PBricks-ScrawledFilefish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore and Scrawled filefish</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBtYfATEGIY/UegjuzmXujI/AAAAAAAABmo/7Oi-GDfl8zk/s1600/18701-PBricks-Sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBtYfATEGIY/UegjuzmXujI/AAAAAAAABmo/7Oi-GDfl8zk/s320/18701-PBricks-Sponge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reef</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> We spotted several Scrawled filefish, lots of parrot fish
zipped about, I found a large lizard fish and a King crab resting on a shelf.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVyJejAZ0Y/UegjvGky64I/AAAAAAAABms/y8iB_mHmeLk/s1600/18698-PBricks-ArrowCrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmVyJejAZ0Y/UegjvGky64I/AAAAAAAABms/y8iB_mHmeLk/s320/18698-PBricks-ArrowCrab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arrow crab in sponge</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb_f-JZ0kmg/Uegjyd0PcKI/AAAAAAAABnc/ayYyq9Kbe8A/s1600/18726-PBricks-Lizzardfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cb_f-JZ0kmg/Uegjyd0PcKI/AAAAAAAABnc/ayYyq9Kbe8A/s320/18726-PBricks-Lizzardfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lizard fish</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 5 foot or so Nurse
Shark passed under us at one point.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQHirEhJTQk/UegjwhYyrsI/AAAAAAAABnA/vPTc2tICzDY/s1600/18721-PBricks-NurseShark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQHirEhJTQk/UegjwhYyrsI/AAAAAAAABnA/vPTc2tICzDY/s320/18721-PBricks-NurseShark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">San Francisco, 77’
Max./52 min., 80 degrees –</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JMyriuH9-s/UegljHXCdPI/AAAAAAAABnw/5FbOI58LrJ4/s1600/18735-SanFran-Lore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JMyriuH9-s/UegljHXCdPI/AAAAAAAABnw/5FbOI58LrJ4/s320/18735-SanFran-Lore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lorefish</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPJ7E4qCP2o/Ueglj-TSPjI/AAAAAAAABn8/VJSht-LsQ6Q/s1600/18731-SanFran-Hawksbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPJ7E4qCP2o/Ueglj-TSPjI/AAAAAAAABn8/VJSht-LsQ6Q/s320/18731-SanFran-Hawksbill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hawksbill</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S.F. is just another
of a long list of great dives on Coz. This one falls into what I call the
“garden” category. Meaning that it is a long stretch of coral heads, just
completely covered with sponges, anemones, hydroids, soft corals and sea fans,
all that added up makes the reef look like an underwater garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
We found a couple
Hawksbill turtles along the way, schools of grunts and pork fish milled about.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-deifCSrdo/UegljnGjrYI/AAAAAAAABn4/4c2xeoGcJsw/s1600/18739-SanFran-Lionfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-deifCSrdo/UegljnGjrYI/AAAAAAAABn4/4c2xeoGcJsw/s320/18739-SanFran-Lionfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Juvenile Lionfish</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0sWB_q7EM8/Ueglk20dvYI/AAAAAAAABoI/cAFt8DDxveg/s1600/18743-SanFran-GruntsInCoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e0sWB_q7EM8/Ueglk20dvYI/AAAAAAAABoI/cAFt8DDxveg/s320/18743-SanFran-GruntsInCoral.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grunts in coral</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQN47Jxn964/Ueglk1CZz3I/AAAAAAAABoM/mIM_WOzh5Fs/s1600/18755-SanFran-Snapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQN47Jxn964/Ueglk1CZz3I/AAAAAAAABoM/mIM_WOzh5Fs/s320/18755-SanFran-Snapper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Snapper looking for a handout</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lore spotted a
juvenile Lionfish. All the Lionfish we found on this trip were juvies, and most
of them looked black rather than red. I don’t know we have 2 different types of
lionfish, or if their diet is making them darker in color than their Pacific
cousins.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sun. 05/26</span></b>: a.m. dive with Matthew and
Piñata on Chiquimax<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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On the way out to the first dive site, we saw 2 dolphins
swimming south along the boat lanes. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We inquired about
dolphin being these waters a few years ago, and the DM told us that they
usually only come into the channel when a storm is coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
We should have taken
heed, because it rained most of the day the following Tuesday. I checked NOAA
radars and it appeared that there was a small depression off the coast of Coz to
the east, but we only got the outskirts of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Santa Rosa round 2,
67’ Max./51 min., 81 degrees –</b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqZvZMyS4a8/UegnxLop1II/AAAAAAAABog/5iTkSbBALSo/s1600/18914-SantaRosa-NurseShark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqZvZMyS4a8/UegnxLop1II/AAAAAAAABog/5iTkSbBALSo/s320/18914-SantaRosa-NurseShark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big Nurse Shark under ledge</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My strobe issues
really started to take off here. Most of the photos I took on this dive turned
out like there was not flash being put out at all.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77eIuelqd8M/UegnyjCkeDI/AAAAAAAABpA/xfZbBP7meDw/s1600/18917-SantaRosa-Sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77eIuelqd8M/UegnyjCkeDI/AAAAAAAABpA/xfZbBP7meDw/s320/18917-SantaRosa-Sponge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tube sponge</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, it was
another spectacular dive. I found a large Nurse Shark sleeping under a shelf,
another Hawksbill and lots of Arrow crabs under shelves and in sponges.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DT8tAs-JqXo/UegnzMTpzSI/AAAAAAAABpE/aZoRWtjpcqM/s1600/18920_bw-SantaRosa-Anemone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DT8tAs-JqXo/UegnzMTpzSI/AAAAAAAABpE/aZoRWtjpcqM/s320/18920_bw-SantaRosa-Anemone.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sometimes b&w just works...</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Punta Delila, 56’
Max., 1hr 6 min., 82 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delila never
disappoints. Another great mid reef garden dive covered with all kinds of sea
life.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62ZOrMc0mLo/UegqCI2Oh1I/AAAAAAAABpo/vlDFSsOdpt4/s1600/18952-Delila-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62ZOrMc0mLo/UegqCI2Oh1I/AAAAAAAABpo/vlDFSsOdpt4/s320/18952-Delila-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scrawled filefish over reef</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZcC33c-xrA/UegqDqabmOI/AAAAAAAABqE/Uy_X0a_Eyeo/s1600/18953-Delila-ScrawledFilefish-n-Lore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZcC33c-xrA/UegqDqabmOI/AAAAAAAABqE/Uy_X0a_Eyeo/s320/18953-Delila-ScrawledFilefish-n-Lore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore and Scrawled filefish, (reoccurring theme)</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> We dropped down and found another juvenile Lionfish right
off the bat. Schools of small Midnight parrot fish zipped by all in a line. A
small battery of barracuda hung off to the deep side of the reef and the second
Eagle ray of the trip casually ‘flew’ by us.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More Scrawled
filefish, Four eye butterflies, and schools of snapper and grunts milled about
and yes, another free swimming Nurse Shark!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--T8S_f4k7lE/UehJFO_CLNI/AAAAAAAABqU/I-vSfmCHQ8k/s1600/18937-Delila-EagleRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--T8S_f4k7lE/UehJFO_CLNI/AAAAAAAABqU/I-vSfmCHQ8k/s320/18937-Delila-EagleRay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eagle ray</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iB9RRcdQeQk/UehJG5F9H1I/AAAAAAAABqo/GQx7vCxhzK4/s1600/18948-Delila-YellowRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iB9RRcdQeQk/UehJG5F9H1I/AAAAAAAABqo/GQx7vCxhzK4/s320/18948-Delila-YellowRay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yellow Spotted Stingray</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ruk3M2XW9p4/UehJHnzkZ9I/AAAAAAAABq8/uu2FHdhgATo/s1600/18973-Delila-NurseShark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ruk3M2XW9p4/UehJHnzkZ9I/AAAAAAAABq8/uu2FHdhgATo/s320/18973-Delila-NurseShark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nurse Shark</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
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I had been searching
the shaggy looking soft coral branches looking for the tiny Slender filefish
and finally found one just before heading up for the safety stop.<o:p></o:p><br />
</div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was actually able
to find a couple more throughout the trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mon. 05/27</span></b>: a.m.. dive with Jose and Piñata
on Blue Angel II<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Columbia Deep, 85’
Max./58 min., 81 degrees</b> – Simply amazing. I can’t put my finger on it
exactly, but this reef looked great! Just covered with sponges, deep sea fans
& corals, it was just awe inspiring.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzSJWLCUIPk/UehKmX1KajI/AAAAAAAABro/a_vkoZpxPqY/s1600/19126-ColumbiaDeep-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzSJWLCUIPk/UehKmX1KajI/AAAAAAAABro/a_vkoZpxPqY/s320/19126-ColumbiaDeep-Reef.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Columbia Deep</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTqjwG7qByk/UehKk62UdZI/AAAAAAAABrQ/uzLSYUN3RAI/s1600/19131-ColumbiaDeep-FireWorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMCk38hOltM/UehKmRB-0gI/AAAAAAAABrs/dB4qzjFDD8M/s1600/19140-ColumbiaDeep-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMCk38hOltM/UehKmRB-0gI/AAAAAAAABrs/dB4qzjFDD8M/s320/19140-ColumbiaDeep-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...more reef</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found several
lobster hanging out under shelves, more barracuda, grouper hanging out in the
deep, Blue Chromas darting all bout the reef and Damsel fish defend their
territory as you invade it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I found a teeny tiny
little black and yellow Box fish about the size of my thumbnail. Pretty sure they are Juvenile Trunkfish.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmB7iih4Q_4/UehKnd1qmvI/AAAAAAAABr4/BbLUG89vklQ/s1600/19152-ColumbiaDeep-JuvTrunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmB7iih4Q_4/UehKnd1qmvI/AAAAAAAABr4/BbLUG89vklQ/s320/19152-ColumbiaDeep-JuvTrunk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Juvenile Trunkfish</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9VF279QFIQ/UehKlk3ezbI/AAAAAAAABrc/K5Yhj_NjxT4/s1600/19138-ColumbiaDeep-HermitCrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z9VF279QFIQ/UehKlk3ezbI/AAAAAAAABrc/K5Yhj_NjxT4/s320/19138-ColumbiaDeep-HermitCrab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big 'ol Hermit Crab</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTqjwG7qByk/UehKk62UdZI/AAAAAAAABrU/RH7BHQgz5no/s1600/19131-ColumbiaDeep-FireWorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTqjwG7qByk/UehKk62UdZI/AAAAAAAABrU/RH7BHQgz5no/s320/19131-ColumbiaDeep-FireWorm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fireworm</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rgjnjARgpM/UehKnSwj9lI/AAAAAAAABr8/Z90DH6DmIgE/s1600/19144-ColumbiaDeep-Howard-n-Barracuda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rgjnjARgpM/UehKnSwj9lI/AAAAAAAABr8/Z90DH6DmIgE/s320/19144-ColumbiaDeep-Howard-n-Barracuda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Howard with Barracuda</div>
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</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cedral Pass round 2,
64’ Max./1hr. 4min., 79 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">EASILY the dive of the trip!! </span></b>Maybe the best dive
we’ve ever done on Cozumel!</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></b><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Wow what more could you ask for? First of all we drop
down and Howard hears toadfish! So we find a little cavern with a toadfish in
it and Jose commences to coax it out of its hole. It did pop out about half way
a couple times before the entire group showed up and it thought better of doing
that again.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9zrLsU1ydk/UehOTpvZaqI/AAAAAAAABsM/osWOiSZOAh0/s1600/19153-CedralPass-SplendidToadfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9zrLsU1ydk/UehOTpvZaqI/AAAAAAAABsM/osWOiSZOAh0/s320/19153-CedralPass-SplendidToadfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Splendid Toadfish</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQutIii1e30/UehOXhBBCqI/AAAAAAAABs8/APh2xX3vmxU/s1600/19174-CedralPass-SplendidToadfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQutIii1e30/UehOXhBBCqI/AAAAAAAABs8/APh2xX3vmxU/s320/19174-CedralPass-SplendidToadfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The one Jose was trying to coax out of his hole</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQutIii1e30/UehOXhBBCqI/AAAAAAAABs4/lOnvZWVBxnM/s1600/19174-CedralPass-SplendidToadfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we start to move off down the reef and we
run across 2 Nurse Sharks feeding on something in a small coral head and just
off to the left is a free swimming Big Green Moray eel!</span><br />
</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1X_Z_owwY/UehOUICaP4I/AAAAAAAABsU/zBxwH8bvSkA/s1600/19155-CedralPass-FeedingNurseSharks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1X_Z_owwY/UehOUICaP4I/AAAAAAAABsU/zBxwH8bvSkA/s320/19155-CedralPass-FeedingNurseSharks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2 Feeding Nurse sharks, grouper waiting for scraps</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vOGXCypp0/UehOU4QO5wI/AAAAAAAABsg/r9zFNTpFUKk/s1600/19158-CedralPass-GreenMoray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7_vOGXCypp0/UehOU4QO5wI/AAAAAAAABsg/r9zFNTpFUKk/s320/19158-CedralPass-GreenMoray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Free swimming Big Green Moray eel</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it get better from there! The next thing
we run across is a HUGE Loggerhead turtle sleeping against a small coral head
that she pretty much dwarfed. I took several pics of her, including a close up
of one of the barnacles on her back. At one point she just opened an eye about
half way, but pretty much ignored my presence.</span><br />
</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86S53vy9OsM/UehOWcT32qI/AAAAAAAABss/rjda-aSeoJI/s1600/19162-CedralPass-Loggerhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86S53vy9OsM/UehOWcT32qI/AAAAAAAABss/rjda-aSeoJI/s320/19162-CedralPass-Loggerhead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sleeping Loggerhead</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RB1JqlTLCGo/UehOUypaABI/AAAAAAAABsk/G0lWYzTIL8g/s1600/19157-CedralPass-Hawksbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RB1JqlTLCGo/UehOUypaABI/AAAAAAAABsk/G0lWYzTIL8g/s320/19157-CedralPass-Hawksbill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hawksbill</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found my second, and THIRD Slender filefish,
a couple more Splendid Toadfish and more barracuda passed us by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> Jose found another clear and purple anemone
shrimp in one of the many Carpet anemones we came across and near the end of
the dive he found a very small bluish purple and yellow nudibranch…great eyes!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXKF7iYikjc/UehOYevX8EI/AAAAAAAABtQ/o-45_5M9GhY/s1600/19181-CedralPass-Shrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXKF7iYikjc/UehOYevX8EI/AAAAAAAABtQ/o-45_5M9GhY/s320/19181-CedralPass-Shrimp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anemone Shirmp</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz2pevk8cYI/UehOW9InJhI/AAAAAAAABs0/WbWJ2S-C2fs/s1600/19169-CedralPass-SlinderFilefish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz2pevk8cYI/UehOW9InJhI/AAAAAAAABs0/WbWJ2S-C2fs/s320/19169-CedralPass-SlinderFilefish.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Slender Filefish</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tejdqXLsyk/UehOYW1f7GI/AAAAAAAABtM/3xgeUyKEg-0/s1600/19179-CedralPass-Jose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tejdqXLsyk/UehOYW1f7GI/AAAAAAAABtM/3xgeUyKEg-0/s320/19179-CedralPass-Jose.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm not exactly sure what Jose is up to here,</div>
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I suspect he's looking for Slender filefish,</div>
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they hang out in this type of soft corals,</div>
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I love the 2 colored fins, really makes it easy to find him in the water</div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I think Jose is the best overall Dive
Master at Blue Angel. That’s not slighting any of the other guys in the least,
I just feel that overall he does the best job from service on the boat, dive
profile descriptions, finding critters; especially little ones, and keeping an
eye on the group.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PeJ9WbwY1pQ/UehOZY473fI/AAAAAAAABtg/S5KEKxQdv4Q/s1600/19188-CedralPass-RainbowParrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PeJ9WbwY1pQ/UehOZY473fI/AAAAAAAABtg/S5KEKxQdv4Q/s320/19188-CedralPass-RainbowParrot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rainbow parrotfish</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7g-FW0QoYnI/UehOYsZZK-I/AAAAAAAABtU/rldLQdAVrgI/s1600/19184-CedralPass-ArrpwCrab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7g-FW0QoYnI/UehOYsZZK-I/AAAAAAAABtU/rldLQdAVrgI/s320/19184-CedralPass-ArrpwCrab.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arrow crab</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, I use the term Dive Master even
though most of the guys at Blue Angel,and a lot of other dive ops, have higher
certifications. DM is the job description they are performing for us when we
dive with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Wed. 05/29</span></b>: a.m. dive with Jose and Alberto
on Chiquimax<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Our last dives of the trip:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Palancar ‘Cuebones’
round 2, 79’ Max./52 min., 77 degrees –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
I like this new dive!
A pretty wall, pretty much the continuation of what you find at Bricks with a
lot of caverns to move in and out of.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OM147-TsONA/UehQo0UPyeI/AAAAAAAABtw/PYdGHnuR_i0/s1600/19350-Cuebones-FrenchAngels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OM147-TsONA/UehQo0UPyeI/AAAAAAAABtw/PYdGHnuR_i0/s320/19350-Cuebones-FrenchAngels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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French Angels on the reef</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small hawksbill
passed us on her way to get a breath of air, on our way down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Along one of the
caverns on a small shelf, Jose found an orange Seahorse, it seemed like an odd
place for one to me, but, there he was!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7rtb2QKk6w/UehQqG52sAI/AAAAAAAABt8/q4CxI-fLIH8/s1600/19349-Cuebones-Seahorse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7rtb2QKk6w/UehQqG52sAI/AAAAAAAABt8/q4CxI-fLIH8/s320/19349-Cuebones-Seahorse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Orange Seahorse</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5erq7gv2Xw/UehQroNrgzI/AAAAAAAABuE/FgSdJBThPvY/s1600/19358-Cuebones-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5erq7gv2Xw/UehQroNrgzI/AAAAAAAABuE/FgSdJBThPvY/s320/19358-Cuebones-Reef.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Cuebones reef</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed French and
Gray angels, orange filefish, yellow tail snapper, and most the usual suspects
as we made our way from the wall to the top portion of the reef to save bottom
time on this last day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Lore found another
junie Lionfish, and Jose continued to find nudibrach, pipefish and all kinds of
little critters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tormentos, 58’
Max./1hr. 6min., 77 degrees –</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, here we go, the
last dive of the trip, let’s make it a good one! And of course it was
Tormentos, so, naturally, it was a good dive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Trunk fish and grouper
were all over this reef!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WuViiCZMzw/UehSyGqD9bI/AAAAAAAABvs/g66SArjgAEw/s1600/19422-Tormentos-Trunkfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0WuViiCZMzw/UehSyGqD9bI/AAAAAAAABvs/g66SArjgAEw/s320/19422-Tormentos-Trunkfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trunk fish</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a large fire
worm crawling across the coral upon dropping down, lots of Trunk fish on this
site, most of them in pairs milling about the large coral heads, spread out
over the flat, sandy patches between them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4H4ljTxMsY/UehStFnSUmI/AAAAAAAABuw/5ZSriHbd8x4/s1600/19374-Tormentos-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s4H4ljTxMsY/UehStFnSUmI/AAAAAAAABuw/5ZSriHbd8x4/s320/19374-Tormentos-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See the Fire worm?</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5RJC7a2EY/UehStBybNbI/AAAAAAAABuo/QfxhrmRJKlE/s1600/19375-Tormentos-Fireworm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KV5RJC7a2EY/UehStBybNbI/AAAAAAAABuo/QfxhrmRJKlE/s320/19375-Tormentos-Fireworm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There he is!</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The search for a
blenny finally paid off, as I got one decent shot out of the whole trip of one
of these cute little crowd pleasers that make their homes in holes bored into
corals.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnW_Ohw6Sgk/UehStdE0_yI/AAAAAAAABu0/0ZHJrPdIfo8/s1600/19383-Tormentos-Blenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnW_Ohw6Sgk/UehStdE0_yI/AAAAAAAABu0/0ZHJrPdIfo8/s320/19383-Tormentos-Blenny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blenny!</div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK52CGPY8o0/UehSwLRH_VI/AAAAAAAABvY/1VOXRkPIOKM/s1600/19407-Tormentos-Sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mK52CGPY8o0/UehSwLRH_VI/AAAAAAAABvY/1VOXRkPIOKM/s320/19407-Tormentos-Sponge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tube sponge</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m not sure if they have the ability to bore the holes
themselves or it they possibly eat the previous inhabitant, possibly a tube
worm of some sort, all speculation of course.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br />
We found a lot of
large grouper spread out throughout the entire dive. Most of them tucked up
under large shelves, but a few out in the open…beautiful animals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a Yellow
spotted stingray buried in the sand and got a shot of him before he took off.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDYdXYHnqLg/UehSuY0XT1I/AAAAAAAABvA/WJoztVpO8KE/s1600/19386-Tormentos-YellowRay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDYdXYHnqLg/UehSuY0XT1I/AAAAAAAABvA/WJoztVpO8KE/s320/19386-Tormentos-YellowRay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yellow spotted stingray in sand</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L66RY0InszA/UehSxv8A66I/AAAAAAAABvo/8WC6nq3BzAY/s1600/19420-Tormentos-Grouper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L66RY0InszA/UehSxv8A66I/AAAAAAAABvo/8WC6nq3BzAY/s320/19420-Tormentos-Grouper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Grouper</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw more angels of
all varieties of course, including a juvenile French darting in and out of a
hole.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
And to cap off our
trip, what else, but 2 Splendid toadfish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Just a real pretty
dive to finish it all up. I had been trying to get there all week, and Alberto
even laughed when I said so after Jose suggested it.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLke4W_8sjA/UehSumLXNvI/AAAAAAAABvE/x4sz7jLnrzE/s1600/19391-Tormentos-Hind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pLke4W_8sjA/UehSumLXNvI/AAAAAAAABvE/x4sz7jLnrzE/s320/19391-Tormentos-Hind.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hiding Hind</div>
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(another favorite shot from this trip)</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Li3NMpaYmyM/UehSwcX-ryI/AAAAAAAABvc/4hScafjNqU8/s1600/19401-Tormentos-Anemone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Li3NMpaYmyM/UehSwcX-ryI/AAAAAAAABvc/4hScafjNqU8/s320/19401-Tormentos-Anemone.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Anemone</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8TwJmw2oKE/UehSv0tjosI/AAAAAAAABvQ/MGX6-Nut4Hc/s1600/19412-Tormentos-Gobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8TwJmw2oKE/UehSv0tjosI/AAAAAAAABvQ/MGX6-Nut4Hc/s320/19412-Tormentos-Gobe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gobe in sponge</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmBvHInIYWA/UehSyqGFbYI/AAAAAAAABv8/w-gI8WIJgr0/s1600/19423-Tormentos-Lobster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kmBvHInIYWA/UehSyqGFbYI/AAAAAAAABv8/w-gI8WIJgr0/s320/19423-Tormentos-Lobster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lobster</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One person on the
boat earlier in the week kept saying there was “nothing to see” at Tormentos,
so we always went somewhere else…seems like we saw a lot!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Reef thoughts…</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtaDpTp6JhQ/UehZw23SeVI/AAAAAAAAByg/sB8GC3zTYxY/s1600/19430-Jose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtaDpTp6JhQ/UehZw23SeVI/AAAAAAAAByg/sB8GC3zTYxY/s320/19430-Jose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jose on the surface</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">O</span></b>verall the reefs look very good, the most
“damage” I personally noticed was where turtles had been eating on sponges.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p> Although I did find a
patch of coral on one dive that looked like someone sat in it. It was a patch
of finger coral, roughly 3 ½ foot in diameter and it looked like someone
literally sat down in the middle of it. Could have been ‘natural’ damage of
some sort, but it was really the only broken coral I saw.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
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Finger and lettuce
corals overall are really making a comeback. The sponges are starting to
overrun the hydroids that had sprouted like crazy ahead of the slower growing
sponges after hurricane Wilma.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU9RZTUdF1k/UelXjw0G06I/AAAAAAAAB0g/nQMZTFXzxEg/s1600/18254-TopSanRose-FingerCoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU9RZTUdF1k/UelXjw0G06I/AAAAAAAAB0g/nQMZTFXzxEg/s320/18254-TopSanRose-FingerCoral.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6s1yw12jgc/UelXkAMSYUI/AAAAAAAAB0k/XYf3Bna-ZBg/s1600/18329-PalancarBolones-LettucewithDamsel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6s1yw12jgc/UelXkAMSYUI/AAAAAAAAB0k/XYf3Bna-ZBg/s320/18329-PalancarBolones-LettucewithDamsel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Every year they get
more and more impressive, Columbia Deep in particular on this trip really stood
out, just beautiful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
There are some really
large grouper out there now. I started noticing them getting much larger a
couple of years ago. We saw several this trip, that were simply huge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Water temps ranged
from 80 – 82 degrees on most dives. The last day we dove was after it rained
all day the day before and water temps were 77 degrees on both of those dives,
but still very comfortable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Speaking of the rain.
Several years ago we asked a DM if they ever saw dolphins here much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
He said the only time
they seemed to come around was when a storm was coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Oddly enough we saw
the 2 dolphin on the way out to dive on Sunday, and it rained the following
Tuesday. I checked satellite and radars for the area on Tuesday, and sure
enough there was a small depression off to the East of the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
So maybe the dolphin
are an indicator of weather patterns when you see them in the channel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>This year’s “Boat
People” – </u></b><u>our dive buddies on this trip!<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></u><br /></div>
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I’ve already mentioned our friends Bob (Brewdiver) and
Janice from Michigan.<br />
</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc70pCBzUDg/UehY8ctvA5I/AAAAAAAABwM/InV5YWTE_WA/s1600/18765-Loren-n-Bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc70pCBzUDg/UehY8ctvA5I/AAAAAAAABwM/InV5YWTE_WA/s320/18765-Loren-n-Bob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bob gets on the boat after a dive</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Howard, a retired Dr. and part timer on the island. A great
guy and lots of fun to dive with. He dives here so much, it’s almost like
having an extra DM along for the ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
His buddies Sid from
Northern California, who is about to become a full timer, and Jerry, the owner
of the Rejuvenation Clinic, all three we have had the pleasure of diving with
on previous trips.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWu0WQuumzM/UehY8W4uLwI/AAAAAAAABwQ/H4H4IEpfEU0/s1600/18642-BoatPeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWu0WQuumzM/UehY8W4uLwI/AAAAAAAABwQ/H4H4IEpfEU0/s320/18642-BoatPeople.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jerry, Sid, Howard, Mateo, Alex & Jennifer (left to right)</div>
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Steve, Skip & Mary from Nebraska<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Alex and his daughter Jennifer from San Antonio<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alicia and Dan from Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pam and Russ from New Mexico<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brothers John and Dan from Chicago<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Food</span>: 05/22-05/30 – pretty much in order of
appearance –</u></b></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Hatch</b> –
Another new hangout for us and a little hidden jewel. Located near Papa Hogs,
this place has very good food, a great sunset view, good service and cheap
prices. For instance, the Wednesday special; $1 tacos el pastor, pork marinated
in pineapple and chilies, so, so good.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NteDR8eO_kg/UelYGyP6gbI/AAAAAAAAB0w/MNMXYf-4IfA/s1600/18444-LoreatLaHatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NteDR8eO_kg/UelYGyP6gbI/AAAAAAAAB0w/MNMXYf-4IfA/s320/18444-LoreatLaHatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lunch at La Hatch</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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On a second trip I
had the el pastor again, this time on a torta, sandwich.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rock-n-Java</b> – a
long time favorite, Lisa and crew continue bring good and healthy food and some
of the best desserts on the island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
For starters Potato
Skins, some of the best I’ve ever had, topped with cheese, bacon and pico de
guio. Spinach salad for her, loaded with all the good stuff a spinach salad
should have, and a club sandwich for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The club is great,
but HUGE! I could barely stuff down half the thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 frozen strawberry/lemonades…it just sounded good, and was!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>La Candela</b> – another new favorite, we
discovered it a couple year ago when we<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>were going to try and eat someplace else and it wasn’t open so tried
this place on a whim, and what a payoff that was.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
This trip Lore had the “Candela” style fish. The house
special style.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I had what was for
sure to that point the best meal of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
trip. Fish with crunchy vegetables. WOW, the description pretty much tells you
what it is, but who know that slightly sautéed julienne veggies, especially
onion, goes so well with fish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I'm</span> pretty sure Wahoo
was the catch; it seemed to be on a lot of menus while we were there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that held us over
until we ended up back at Ohana and it just happened to be Angie;s birthday
weekend and the crew was celebrating with pizza and cake and we were invited to
partake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
So this was my second
time to eat Matt and Angie’s fantastic Chicago style deep dish, and I don’t
know who made the cake, but it was amazing as well. A chocolate tres leche
cake, I believe; rich, moist, sweet…did I mention rich.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<strong> Blue Angel
restaurant: </strong>Always good food, and great go-to for <strong> l</strong>unch by the pool, BLT & shrimp quesadilla. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
The amazing<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buccanos at Night. </b>Once again, I’ve
been telling people for nearly a year, don’t leave Cozumel without doing Buccanos
for dinner.,,now I know why.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
The setting is even
more spectacular at night and I don’t know what it is about the angle of the
sunset to the island, but the sunset up there was nothing short of
breathtaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
As was the food by the way, I had a double date for the
evening, the lovely Miss Christi Courtney of BlueXTSea Divers joined us on this
lovely Friday evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have just recently
realized that I have known Christi longer than anyone else on the island other
than my buddy Armando Alentado at Island Photo and Video <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Good thing too, it’s easier for three to share a sampling of
a fine menu than it is for two<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
We started off sharing both of the special appetizers.
Beautifully grilled fresh pineapple and fresh mozzarella over a bed of arugula
and topped with just the right amount of pesto and what I describe as mini tuna
tostadas with a blueberry sauce and blueberries. Im<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not doing it much justice, but it was
delicious.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU4t6yjzuJ4/Uehc0wrl7mI/AAAAAAAABzk/FPMfeDHiTbk/s1600/18682-BuccanosAppetizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OU4t6yjzuJ4/Uehc0wrl7mI/AAAAAAAABzk/FPMfeDHiTbk/s320/18682-BuccanosAppetizer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Appetizer #1</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RcvAR3JeqY/Uehc0sUdfWI/AAAAAAAABzg/YbEuQy9uQ-E/s1600/18685-BuccanosAppetizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RcvAR3JeqY/Uehc0sUdfWI/AAAAAAAABzg/YbEuQy9uQ-E/s320/18685-BuccanosAppetizer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Appetizer #2</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXzh_hK8c1M/Uehc1IacfzI/AAAAAAAABzs/b907uOtV6IQ/s1600/18689-BuccanosEntre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXzh_hK8c1M/Uehc1IacfzI/AAAAAAAABzs/b907uOtV6IQ/s320/18689-BuccanosEntre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wahoo!!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpbLIyZF2HM/Uehc1f5rugI/AAAAAAAABzw/wlBVj4cuKLo/s1600/18690-BuccanosEntre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpbLIyZF2HM/Uehc1f5rugI/AAAAAAAABzw/wlBVj4cuKLo/s320/18690-BuccanosEntre.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mahi Mahi</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As was the entre,
Lore and Christi had the Wahoo marinated in coconut milk and crusted with
coconut and I had an amazing Mahi Mahi dish, poached in chipotle and honey
sauce. Again, words could not do it justice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
For dessert we went
all out and ordered all three specials. Inez, the owner chef, does a weekly
mousse special of three shot glasses with three different flavored mousses in
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
Always unique
flavorings, I think one was some sort of coffee or mocha, one had habanero, and
one was maybe blueberries again, not sure, but I think some sort of fruit base.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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I wish I would have
written down what the other two desserts were, but they were spectacular as
well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PRWCRfLAWA/UeleY_3tabI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/kYVyhGcnq88/s1600/18680_c-BuccanosSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PRWCRfLAWA/UeleY_3tabI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/kYVyhGcnq88/s320/18680_c-BuccanosSunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Buccanos sunset</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
By the way, if you
are one of those people who just want to come in, order your food, snarf it
down and head out, Buccanos at Night is not for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
This is a casual,
slow paced, relaxing dinner. Order one of the specialty drinks and enjoy the
sun setting as you wait for Inez to personally come to your table and explain
the specials for the evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
The wait staff
perfectly times the rest of your meal out where you are not rushed, but also
not impatiently waiting for the next thing. Savor and enjoy, is the theme here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Coconuts</b>, my
“Margaritaville” – a trip to the “wild side” -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-0UDOoSnwQ/UehZtsc1JyI/AAAAAAAABxg/7j7DrYOMSYI/s1600/18801-Coconuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-0UDOoSnwQ/UehZtsc1JyI/AAAAAAAABxg/7j7DrYOMSYI/s320/18801-Coconuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Coconuts</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBuUo4aerGE/UehZs6QB97I/AAAAAAAABxQ/QIMX-nrqubE/s1600/18797-Chimichanga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XBuUo4aerGE/UehZs6QB97I/AAAAAAAABxQ/QIMX-nrqubE/s320/18797-Chimichanga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chimichanga</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29o_gMQHgIs/UehZsRVUrRI/AAAAAAAABxI/cNFfmt0ILJQ/s1600/18796-LoreAtCoconuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29o_gMQHgIs/UehZsRVUrRI/AAAAAAAABxI/cNFfmt0ILJQ/s320/18796-LoreAtCoconuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore gives a toast</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love sitting up on
the hill, catching a little breeze, visiting with Cuco and the gang and seeing
my old pal Chimichanga, the cockatoo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish burgers for all!
Messy, yes, but what a way to go! Opting again for a straight shot of sipping
tequila over the nearly world famous margaritas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCtdh7UTsTg/UehZrA2VA-I/AAAAAAAABwk/KLVrmtgbtEo/s1600/18786-FishBurger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCtdh7UTsTg/UehZrA2VA-I/AAAAAAAABwk/KLVrmtgbtEo/s320/18786-FishBurger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
FISH BURGER!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDgGQD2-7CE/UehZrIkoOpI/AAAAAAAABwo/AKzMA-ASZoA/s1600/18783-ViewFromCoconuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDgGQD2-7CE/UehZrIkoOpI/AAAAAAAABwo/AKzMA-ASZoA/s320/18783-ViewFromCoconuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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View from Coconuts</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR9-ni1d_jA/UehZryd7nHI/AAAAAAAABw4/teWj1ZbvVNs/s1600/18788-Luna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PR9-ni1d_jA/UehZryd7nHI/AAAAAAAABw4/teWj1ZbvVNs/s320/18788-Luna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Luna</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZjY0LV0y00/UehZuEcYu3I/AAAAAAAABxk/EJ1gxjX2in8/s1600/18803-BumperStickerCoconuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZjY0LV0y00/UehZuEcYu3I/AAAAAAAABxk/EJ1gxjX2in8/s320/18803-BumperStickerCoconuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look for Shark Tank bumper stickers...appropriately in the restrooms! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-29o_gMQHgIs/UehZsRVUrRI/AAAAAAAABxI/cNFfmt0ILJQ/s1600/18796-LoreAtCoconuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Casa Denis</b>.
Lore’s must have, Mayan cream spinach soup and shrimp ceviche and chicken
tostadas for me. Of course 2 mango margaritas to drink.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p> Lunch at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rastas</b>.
Shrimp ceviche for her…there seems to be a pattern here. Chicken tacos for me,
see what I mean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br />
Got back to the hotel and debated about extending the trip, what’s
to debate? By the time we called the airline and talked to the hotel, it was
getting late, so I just ran up to Mega and got a couple pieces of pizza to go…I
know sacrilege after ‘Ohana’s pie, but we were tired and it filled the hole.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blue Angel restaurant: </b>BLT and shrimp ceviche for lunch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Woody’s:</b> Fish
& chips for her, 2 huge fish fillets, deep fried with a light crust and I
think Mayan seasoning with perfectly cooked French fries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
A big ol’ chicken
burrito for me. Stuffed with white meat chicken, cheese, pico, cream fresh
(sour cream), more than I could do in one sitting for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Late lunch/ early dinner at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Terraza</b>. In the former location of Prima Pasta, on the second
story terrace, just south of the plaza, this place has reclaimed the top spot
in Italian cuisine on Cozumel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9rssfTBqo/UehZxLxlmBI/AAAAAAAABzE/eJJ52vXfBKw/s1600/19450-UsLaTerraza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NP9rssfTBqo/UehZxLxlmBI/AAAAAAAABzE/eJJ52vXfBKw/s320/19450-UsLaTerraza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
us at La Terraza...stuffed.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pddSrIQ3vs8/UehZxule3NI/AAAAAAAAByw/tFsnJfl3NkY/s1600/19451-Mariachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pddSrIQ3vs8/UehZxule3NI/AAAAAAAAByw/tFsnJfl3NkY/s320/19451-Mariachi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
our favorite mariachis</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started off with
the Blue Cheese salad. A slight reworking of the old signature salad from
Prima, they have cut back on the cheese and are using balsamic vinaigrette for
a dressing…pretty much perfecting a good idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
For the main event,
Lore had the Seafood Lasagna, another improved receipt from the old store,
absolutely stuffed with all kinds of seafood and a serving large enough for a
family of four.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the chicken
raviolis, which were the best raviolis I’ve had since I can remember. Fresh
pasta wrapped around a tasty chicken filling and topped with red alfredo
mushroom sauce…amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 coffees, 2
Frangelico, split a piece of Key Lime pie and we floated down the little spiral
staircase in culinary bliss.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
After checking the bags early at the airport, our last day
on the island, we headed to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Museum</b>,
another long, long time favorites of ours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opted for one last
breakfast, “the Countryman”, 2 scrambled eggs, fruit, and frijoles. Lore had
the Shrimp ceviche…one last time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">A</span></b>ll in all, the culinary
expedition turned out pretty good this year. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Top three meals</b> for sure were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Buccanos
at Night</b>; Mahi poached in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chipotle
and honey<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, La Candela</b>, fish with
crunchy vegetables & <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Terazza</b>;
Chicken ravioli, in no particular order. It really would be hard to pick a
favorite out of the three.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
La Hatch stands out
as great “go to” place to eat. Reasonable prices, very good food and open until
at least midnight most nights they are open.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">S</span></b>everal evenings we stopped
by ‘Ohana for a nightcap of Reposado tequila sipping shots and conversation
with Matt, Angie, their family members and the local ex-pats and business folks
that frequent the place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Adventures, ventures, observations and more…<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></u></b> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I</span></b> made a couple attempts to
stop at the Caleta to meet ScubaTony to no avail. He does dive reports for us
on Cozumel Radio and I was looking forward to meeting him in person, both times
I stopped by he had already left the marina for the day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dX2CTDf3bs/UehZvHmDDbI/AAAAAAAABx8/BIl7dWtbqxw/s1600/18985-ScubaTonyShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dX2CTDf3bs/UehZvHmDDbI/AAAAAAAABx8/BIl7dWtbqxw/s320/18985-ScubaTonyShop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Scuba Tony's place at Caleta</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9Ptgw4u69I/UehZvxJFAhI/AAAAAAAAByQ/pWfL3OVWGgY/s1600/18987-Fisherman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9Ptgw4u69I/UehZvxJFAhI/AAAAAAAAByQ/pWfL3OVWGgY/s320/18987-Fisherman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fisherman cleaning Mahi & Barracuda</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">S</span></b>ame thing happened with
several of our other sponsors, but I did get to meet Inez at Bucannos, who was
on my list of people to me this trip. Once again DO NOT leave Cozumel without
having this experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocxZjnij_98/UehbiFOq74I/AAAAAAAABzQ/ZSeXK6AtWbo/s1600/18692-LoreInezChristi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ocxZjnij_98/UehbiFOq74I/AAAAAAAABzQ/ZSeXK6AtWbo/s320/18692-LoreInezChristi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lore, Inez & Christi at Buccanos</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the reason we
had a hard time getting together with people is that, as I stated before, the
island was in a major slow season and businesses being very slow, some owners
were taking time off the island to see family, or they just weren’t at their
businesses all day like they would have been if it was a high season.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I</span></b> mentioned earlier that the
greatest masseuse in the world Sally Hurwitch, better known as “Barefoot Sally”
<a href="http://www.barefootincozumel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.barefootincozumel.com</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was out of town and I ended up getting a
massage at Blue Angel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Well, it just so
happened that we decided to extend out trip from ten days to a full two weeks,
something we did last year as well. We’re just going to have to book 2 weeks
from the get-go.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Sally came home the
day we were supposed to leave, so we were able to get with her and have one
those amazing Ashiatsu massages. If you have never done it, do yourself a huge
favor next time you are on the island and contact my buddy Sally.</div>
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<strong>O</strong>ne of the things we like to do is to drive up to Punta Norte, as I mentioned before, if you have never seen the Cozumel raccoon, this is a good place to find them.</div>
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The drive is a bit of a beat down, and you want to do it early enough in the day that you aren't driving back when the mosquitos start coming out...especially if you are in an open air vehicle.</div>
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The road is unpaved and in spots, resembles the surface of the moon, but if you take your time, the pay off is a breeze swept semi-protected lagoon overlooking the mystical Isla Pasion just across it's bay. I don't know how 'mystical' Passion Island is, but it sounds good.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTU3hrlrqyw/UelaYjs9GqI/AAAAAAAAB1A/KPnEXzPON0k/s1600/18562-PuntaNorte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTU3hrlrqyw/UelaYjs9GqI/AAAAAAAAB1A/KPnEXzPON0k/s320/18562-PuntaNorte.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fishing boats at Punta Sur</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2o0c85-6-Dg/UelaZGCiGKI/AAAAAAAAB1M/IpESrfAkGY4/s1600/18565-PN-Marc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2o0c85-6-Dg/UelaZGCiGKI/AAAAAAAAB1M/IpESrfAkGY4/s320/18565-PN-Marc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sharky's thinking about opening a bar!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoIY7fbaxKQ/UelaY1VZwQI/AAAAAAAAB1E/Ydy6aocSBKM/s1600/18571-Catepiller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoIY7fbaxKQ/UelaY1VZwQI/AAAAAAAAB1E/Ydy6aocSBKM/s320/18571-Catepiller.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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VERY cool caterpillar at Punta Sur</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXck2SDTGnA/UelbxxZ9yJI/AAAAAAAAB1g/FD0ARsAfvFQ/s1600/18563-PN-KiteSailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXck2SDTGnA/UelbxxZ9yJI/AAAAAAAAB1g/FD0ARsAfvFQ/s320/18563-PN-KiteSailing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kite boarder</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SV6JfTpIkCY/UelbyMKOWPI/AAAAAAAAB1k/8uKH8LIL5FM/s1600/18566-PN-PassionIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SV6JfTpIkCY/UelbyMKOWPI/AAAAAAAAB1k/8uKH8LIL5FM/s320/18566-PN-PassionIsland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isla Pasion (Passion Island)</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">W</span></b>e spent even more time than
we usually do driving around in town. After all these years, I’m finally
starting to know my way around San Miguel pretty well.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h6pC8cAx0Y/UehZwdZZ-VI/AAAAAAAAByU/9lyeZijIEog/s1600/19245-KFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4h6pC8cAx0Y/UehZwdZZ-VI/AAAAAAAAByU/9lyeZijIEog/s320/19245-KFC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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too funny!</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
For a couple years
after our accident in 2005, I felt a little nervous about driving around the
back neighborhood narrow streets, but I’ve gotten past that now and very much
enjoy exploring around town.<br />
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<strong>D</strong>riving around the "wild side" of the island this time of year, you will see markings on the road where the Turtle Conservation people have marked where they have dug up turtle eggs to incubate them. On the beach you will find pole markers to mark the exact place & date where the eggs were found...<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PDZn8kDrCo/Uel0ywW6vQI/AAAAAAAAB3U/2Juz8wZJSz8/s320/19439-TurtleNest.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Sea turtle next marker</div>
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<strong>T</strong>hese are some interesting plants we found along the way...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peWKz9H0VqQ/UelznGK9tJI/AAAAAAAAB20/9wphkXwCtW4/s1600/18469-PlantwithFruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peWKz9H0VqQ/UelznGK9tJI/AAAAAAAAB20/9wphkXwCtW4/s320/18469-PlantwithFruit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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odd how the fruit of this tree grows off the trunk</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0prjbxwww/UelznhmEqdI/AAAAAAAAB3A/fJ1gkJW5Jkc/s1600/19440-Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FT0prjbxwww/UelznhmEqdI/AAAAAAAAB3A/fJ1gkJW5Jkc/s320/19440-Flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYMZi5D5Hdc/UelznTlUOQI/AAAAAAAAB24/N-jHv93umo8/s1600/19441-Flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYMZi5D5Hdc/UelznTlUOQI/AAAAAAAAB24/N-jHv93umo8/s320/19441-Flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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very cool flower, at least 12" across</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">O</span></b>ne thing I noticed this
trip, is how many of those little “Super mini” quick shops there are around.
Most of them seem to be named after people, Super mini Rosie” “Super mini Jose”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I’ve seen them before
of course, even stopped and bought things at them before, but I don’t think I
noticed that there must be 100’s of them scattered about throughout the
neighborhoods of San Miguel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
I even found one back
in the new housing development back east of 80<sup>th</sup> that is in a
traditional Mayan hut…very cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere in the
middle of this trip, I decided I’m going to do a photographic essay, taking
images of every one of them I run across on the next trip. It will probably
take me an hour to drive 6 or 7 blocks! It could take years to shoot all of
them…hopefully.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> A</b>ll in all,
another wonderful trip to our little piece of paradise and after several talks
with some of our ex-pat friends, we may actually be starting to think about
becoming some sort of part-timers on the island…still a developing story.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNGvcD-6KCY/UeleZg39HRI/AAAAAAAAB2k/E6jh-7jlqLI/s1600/18878-BA-dock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNGvcD-6KCY/UeleZg39HRI/AAAAAAAAB2k/E6jh-7jlqLI/s320/18878-BA-dock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Thankx's!!</span></u></strong></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks so much to Eva
and all her wonderful staff at the Beautiful Blue Angel Resort.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YqlbMDfhOfE/UehZrF0Bi4I/AAAAAAAABws/3F2U1hcQQm4/s320/18771-TurtleTowel.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Turtle towel! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Thanks to Martin,
Matt (Mateo), Jose, Mathew, Norman, Edgar, Alberto and Piñata for all you do at
the dive shop and out on the water. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FP6c_6bYKVk/UehZw0375XI/AAAAAAAAByo/-SpkzqNolik/s1600/19431-Chiquimax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FP6c_6bYKVk/UehZw0375XI/AAAAAAAAByo/-SpkzqNolik/s320/19431-Chiquimax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alberto always there to pick us up</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks again to
Barefoot Sally and the kind lady at Blue Angel for working out the kinks.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks to my buddy Armando Alentado of Island Photo and Video for coming by and looking at my strobe. Good to see you as always my friend. <br />
If you are looking to get into underwater photography, see Armando to rent a camera and get some instruction, Cozumel is a great place to cut your chops on underwater photography.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Thanks to all our
friends and ‘family’ on the island for your hospitality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as always, Thanks
so much to the people of Cozumel, Mexico for allowing us to share your
beautiful home with us…see you soon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4KkrE77LyQ/UeldnTJ1i4I/AAAAAAAAB14/CwUG57jLu6s/s1600/18174-BASunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4KkrE77LyQ/UeldnTJ1i4I/AAAAAAAAB14/CwUG57jLu6s/s320/18174-BASunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blue Angel Sunset</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioWt4UAN0js/Ueldno2TOBI/AAAAAAAAB18/eC6XRYPDWX4/s1600/18311-BlueAngelSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ioWt4UAN0js/Ueldno2TOBI/AAAAAAAAB18/eC6XRYPDWX4/s320/18311-BlueAngelSunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and the hits keep coming</div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure to check in
with us at <a href="http://www.cozumelradio.net/"><span style="color: blue;">www.cozumelradio.net</span></a> for
the new interactive website and the resurrection of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Shark Tank radio show, which will be
‘on-demand’, meaning you will be able to listen to it any time you want, and
hopefully we will also be archiving all the original shows so you can go back
and listen to them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like us at ‘The
Shark Tank radio show” on Facebook to keep up on the latest and greatest and
for news of the new website launch.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p>Website: <a href="http://www.logoztogo.com/">www.logoztogo.com</a></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p>Older Trip Reports: <a href="http://travellogs.logoztogo.com/">http://travellogs.logoztogo.com/</a></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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</span><br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-38177385497576811892013-06-18T16:36:00.001-05:002013-06-18T16:54:30.295-05:00Interior shots..<div align="center">
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These are a few interior shots I made of one of our clients homes, nearly finished with a couple of Allen's paintings hung in the Entry and in the Dining room...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6b2-mLfyWVw/UcDSzjy1NfI/AAAAAAAABWc/kelb3VPRMIE/s1600/0701-CherryEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6b2-mLfyWVw/UcDSzjy1NfI/AAAAAAAABWc/kelb3VPRMIE/s320/0701-CherryEntry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Untitled #43" in Entry</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZYG0ULGNfs/UcDSzVtNBRI/AAAAAAAABWY/xvkxlkODsB4/s1600/0702-CherryEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZYG0ULGNfs/UcDSzVtNBRI/AAAAAAAABWY/xvkxlkODsB4/s320/0702-CherryEntry.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZB_UVOBGik/UcDSzihmbcI/AAAAAAAABWg/ij0drMEO2fI/s1600/0704-CherryEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZB_UVOBGik/UcDSzihmbcI/AAAAAAAABWg/ij0drMEO2fI/s320/0704-CherryEntry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7syQzHDQglw/UcDS0DIyvCI/AAAAAAAABWw/7c1_lYj9Z_o/s1600/0708-CherryDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7syQzHDQglw/UcDS0DIyvCI/AAAAAAAABWw/7c1_lYj9Z_o/s320/0708-CherryDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Untitled #6" in Dining Room..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ayCKqJzuhs4/UcDS0QTvQrI/AAAAAAAABW0/gtFqYynzcKw/s1600/0714_c-CherryDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ayCKqJzuhs4/UcDS0QTvQrI/AAAAAAAABW0/gtFqYynzcKw/s320/0714_c-CherryDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yV9rqqUyrg/UcDS02XvBnI/AAAAAAAABXE/AgNHHiT3Qm4/s1600/0715-CherryDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9yV9rqqUyrg/UcDS02XvBnI/AAAAAAAABXE/AgNHHiT3Qm4/s320/0715-CherryDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1dqJNDNJs9Y/UcDS0wzfchI/AAAAAAAABXA/MSXx7qE39KU/s1600/0720-CherryDining_8x10h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1dqJNDNJs9Y/UcDS0wzfchI/AAAAAAAABXA/MSXx7qE39KU/s320/0720-CherryDining_8x10h.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yU7Ty8VR7Y/UcDS1UlWhHI/AAAAAAAABXQ/JyHYhLG7t4Y/s1600/0720-CherryDining_8x10v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yU7Ty8VR7Y/UcDS1UlWhHI/AAAAAAAABXQ/JyHYhLG7t4Y/s320/0720-CherryDining_8x10v.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXO79TFxFHY/UcDS1ttn1FI/AAAAAAAABXU/ImM-XKNckG0/s1600/0738-CherryLiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXO79TFxFHY/UcDS1ttn1FI/AAAAAAAABXU/ImM-XKNckG0/s320/0738-CherryLiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the Living room. The TV is hid behind the Chinese panels</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-92152734535109158182013-05-13T20:36:00.003-05:002013-05-13T21:31:28.213-05:00Shane Leahy's graduation from the University of North Texas...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...with a super brainiac degree too! Physics Engineering!</div>
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or something crazy like that...we're just in aw...</div>
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Congrats to our buddy Shane and all the UNT 2013 grads!!!</div>
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the band!</div>
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an emotional moment when a mother accepted</div>
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her late daughter's diploma</div>
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waiting...</div>
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waiting</div>
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waiting</div>
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Yes!</div>
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Congratulations Mr. Leahy!</div>
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Whoo hoo! Got it!</div>
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never seen people decorating the top of their hats like this before...</div>
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...but it's kind of cool.</div>
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Singing school fight song!</div>
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Color Guard</div>
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love the hat decorations!</div>
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Barbara, Lore, Dana, Shannon & Charlyne</div>
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the fam...Dana (mom), Shane, Tommy (dad)</div>
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& little sister Shannon</div>
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with grandmas, Barbara & Charlyne</div>
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proud mom</div>
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Shane's girlfriend, Lisette </div>
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my favorite pic.</div>
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<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-20266136375238437092013-04-22T16:49:00.001-05:002013-04-22T16:49:26.761-05:00Zac Brown Band...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...04/19/13, Gexa Pavilion, Dallas, Texas</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5JEvqXla3XU/UXWvzpOySUI/AAAAAAAABP4/xHNth7uxiiA/s1600/I0055-Lore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5JEvqXla3XU/UXWvzpOySUI/AAAAAAAABP4/xHNth7uxiiA/s320/I0055-Lore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the Lovely Mrs. ready for a chilly night...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Elhs5dW0lec/UXWv4LVrDJI/AAAAAAAABQA/-92cJwLOX6o/s1600/I0067-ZBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Elhs5dW0lec/UXWv4LVrDJI/AAAAAAAABQA/-92cJwLOX6o/s320/I0067-ZBB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOYDpGOIXPs/UXWv6eUwB0I/AAAAAAAABQo/hJekB0uK9-0/s1600/I0072-ZBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOYDpGOIXPs/UXWv6eUwB0I/AAAAAAAABQo/hJekB0uK9-0/s320/I0072-ZBB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5rE0sCN6I0/UXWv6loUEbI/AAAAAAAABQk/a1f-21H0rk8/s1600/I0081-ZBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A5rE0sCN6I0/UXWv6loUEbI/AAAAAAAABQk/a1f-21H0rk8/s320/I0081-ZBB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhRagK2QUZI/UXWv6BPzIEI/AAAAAAAABQY/o26WQn_lb5c/s1600/I0083-ZBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhRagK2QUZI/UXWv6BPzIEI/AAAAAAAABQY/o26WQn_lb5c/s320/I0083-ZBB.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-58232505823047888862013-04-12T11:13:00.002-05:002013-04-12T11:13:32.318-05:00More artwork...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...2 shots of a design client's Dining room with</div>
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one of my artist clients paintings hanging...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UAGME38GGY/UWgyBUEDWuI/AAAAAAAABPc/nARU4PV0mHU/s1600/0669-MillerDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UAGME38GGY/UWgyBUEDWuI/AAAAAAAABPc/nARU4PV0mHU/s320/0669-MillerDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7UUq1Uk6FEs/UWgyBhWCfJI/AAAAAAAABPg/qb26kZYVETE/s1600/0671-MillerDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7UUq1Uk6FEs/UWgyBhWCfJI/AAAAAAAABPg/qb26kZYVETE/s320/0671-MillerDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-23915591479289610062013-04-10T14:57:00.002-05:002013-04-10T14:57:12.527-05:00Law office Interiors...<div align="center">
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Here are some photos of a design clients Law offices in Dallas,</div>
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Interior Design and lobby artwork by Allen Kirsch....</div>
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Drafting and photography by me!</div>
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All photos taken with Nikon D200 w/Tokina 11/16mm lens</div>
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(love that lens!) and available light...</div>
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some Photoshoppin' involved as always...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4zBV1PIYzw/UWXC1FsP7ZI/AAAAAAAABO0/q1--KybB2-U/s1600/0649-Lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M4zBV1PIYzw/UWXC1FsP7ZI/AAAAAAAABO0/q1--KybB2-U/s320/0649-Lobby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Full lobby</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYcEDAPFuKs/UWXC08CO6JI/AAAAAAAABOs/TkpWfUTSeYA/s1600/0647-Lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sYcEDAPFuKs/UWXC08CO6JI/AAAAAAAABOs/TkpWfUTSeYA/s320/0647-Lobby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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closer in showing paintings</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZqlWiy1iUk/UWXC1MEn5BI/AAAAAAAABOw/xpev6VmekdM/s1600/0651_fx-LgCofRm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZqlWiy1iUk/UWXC1MEn5BI/AAAAAAAABOw/xpev6VmekdM/s320/0651_fx-LgCofRm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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large conference room</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QzbLnt2E9g/UWXC2ijBXQI/AAAAAAAABPM/RqeehsjCSj0/s1600/0653_ltfx-SmCofRm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QzbLnt2E9g/UWXC2ijBXQI/AAAAAAAABPM/RqeehsjCSj0/s320/0653_ltfx-SmCofRm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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small conference room</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-50919382209205799372013-04-09T16:32:00.000-05:002013-04-09T16:32:08.629-05:00Fair Park goes to the Dogs!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's the 7th annual "Dog Bowl" inside</div>
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the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jDG_EteigU/UWSGvHWIFxI/AAAAAAAABMs/NdHylr1ECUI/s1600/DSC_9481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jDG_EteigU/UWSGvHWIFxI/AAAAAAAABMs/NdHylr1ECUI/s320/DSC_9481.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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walking down the ramp into the stadium</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBMF6-_n55A/UWSG7H5VFkI/AAAAAAAABM0/NILnAhtoeAU/s1600/DSC_9482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBMF6-_n55A/UWSG7H5VFkI/AAAAAAAABM0/NILnAhtoeAU/s320/DSC_9482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lore and Dixie</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCGTa00pyZc/UWSG7JIQnqI/AAAAAAAABM4/qbxH155ZOjE/s1600/DSC_9489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XCGTa00pyZc/UWSG7JIQnqI/AAAAAAAABM4/qbxH155ZOjE/s320/DSC_9489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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hey, that ain't right!</div>
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is it for bathing?..</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4xPg5UQ7N4/UWSG76esFiI/AAAAAAAABNM/g_qtO6KhGGI/s1600/DSC_9491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4xPg5UQ7N4/UWSG76esFiI/AAAAAAAABNM/g_qtO6KhGGI/s320/DSC_9491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...or drinking?!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AEiQtgIsIMI/UWSG7w82r2I/AAAAAAAABNQ/iANW5bLBiF8/s1600/DSC_9492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AEiQtgIsIMI/UWSG7w82r2I/AAAAAAAABNQ/iANW5bLBiF8/s320/DSC_9492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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KLUV's Jody Dean hosting the Dog/Owner</div>
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'look-a-like' contest</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hgrtnn0Pn4/UWSG8XO3ttI/AAAAAAAABNc/Aj9x0v5UdIw/s1600/DSC_9497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hgrtnn0Pn4/UWSG8XO3ttI/AAAAAAAABNc/Aj9x0v5UdIw/s320/DSC_9497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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too cute!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_nVcRWxXoc/UWSG88Msl_I/AAAAAAAABNk/kWcjwmfkRO0/s1600/DSC_9498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_nVcRWxXoc/UWSG88Msl_I/AAAAAAAABNk/kWcjwmfkRO0/s320/DSC_9498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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now, THAT's funny!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBVbCpS_k7w/UWSG8-SWZaI/AAAAAAAABNo/9_hxQ6hMgO0/s1600/DSC_9496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBVbCpS_k7w/UWSG8-SWZaI/AAAAAAAABNo/9_hxQ6hMgO0/s320/DSC_9496.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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color folks everywhere!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp6PPL2A9VI/UWSG9F5cyOI/AAAAAAAABN0/MG1XtkSLSBw/s1600/DSC_9500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp6PPL2A9VI/UWSG9F5cyOI/AAAAAAAABN0/MG1XtkSLSBw/s320/DSC_9500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the "look-a-likes"!</div>
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I think the buckets were for drinking & the pools</div>
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to keep cool, but things got muddled as you might imagine</div>
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Dixie strikes a pose!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxJPFqYNX4k/UWSG-lhnO1I/AAAAAAAABOU/Px13Q4ch5ho/s1600/DSC_9514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxJPFqYNX4k/UWSG-lhnO1I/AAAAAAAABOU/Px13Q4ch5ho/s320/DSC_9514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnDiXbMjwZw/UWSG-pKuBRI/AAAAAAAABOY/GLcpCogjjjQ/s1600/DSC_9503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RnDiXbMjwZw/UWSG-pKuBRI/AAAAAAAABOY/GLcpCogjjjQ/s320/DSC_9503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dix makes a new friend...</div>
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...can't wait until next year!!!</div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-75939411805460357532013-04-05T16:02:00.002-05:002013-04-08T19:37:21.132-05:00A couple of interiors...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was hired to shoot these interiors for the artist who</div>
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did the paintings in this room...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9uUxVkA73s/UV87XqYIDXI/AAAAAAAABMU/1gjy-Dev6yQ/s1600/0638-fxc-HibbardLiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9uUxVkA73s/UV87XqYIDXI/AAAAAAAABMU/1gjy-Dev6yQ/s320/0638-fxc-HibbardLiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...this is also a design client's Family Room as well...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7ZCdSR2OoA/UV87cM1dWlI/AAAAAAAABMc/KVNO9zC1qro/s1600/0645-fx_KirschDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7ZCdSR2OoA/UV87cM1dWlI/AAAAAAAABMc/KVNO9zC1qro/s320/0645-fx_KirschDining.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...large, 2-piece painting in Dining Room of the artist's home.</div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-31489500147628899452013-03-28T16:14:00.001-05:002013-03-28T16:32:29.531-05:00Estate sale...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are images from my Father's Estate Sale in Golden City, Missouri on</div>
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March 16, 2013....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn6JMCyDIk/UVSw571wXfI/AAAAAAAABJ8/vfGhhvcP6_o/s1600/9414-GoldenCityWatertower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVn6JMCyDIk/UVSw571wXfI/AAAAAAAABJ8/vfGhhvcP6_o/s320/9414-GoldenCityWatertower.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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the old watertower...they also have a new(er) fancy schmacy one...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ua4gLFsn5s/UVSw-94cVDI/AAAAAAAABKE/hu_ixER0zww/s1600/9423-GlassWare-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ua4gLFsn5s/UVSw-94cVDI/AAAAAAAABKE/hu_ixER0zww/s320/9423-GlassWare-bw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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glassware</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51JnHwEcsJ0/UVSxAnnAjTI/AAAAAAAABKM/5Xd2ydRCxBA/s1600/9424-GardenTools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51JnHwEcsJ0/UVSxAnnAjTI/AAAAAAAABKM/5Xd2ydRCxBA/s320/9424-GardenTools.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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garden tools</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STDtMQcecP4/UVS2utGEEsI/AAAAAAAABME/L2T7cyCjtgo/s1600/9427-Chains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STDtMQcecP4/UVS2utGEEsI/AAAAAAAABME/L2T7cyCjtgo/s320/9427-Chains.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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A selection of chains in color...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWCy1RmxxPs/UVSxGVuLCwI/AAAAAAAABKQ/V4vcHPSMRZk/s1600/9427-Chains-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWCy1RmxxPs/UVSxGVuLCwI/AAAAAAAABKQ/V4vcHPSMRZk/s320/9427-Chains-bw.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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and in b&w...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aji1IptEA8/UVSxKi_vn4I/AAAAAAAABKY/A56ruW5YHM8/s1600/9432-RedTractor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aji1IptEA8/UVSxKi_vn4I/AAAAAAAABKY/A56ruW5YHM8/s320/9432-RedTractor.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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the old red Chalmers...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZLugT_G4bQ/UVSxMBIgkaI/AAAAAAAABKg/ZE5usDDM0E4/s1600/9432-RedTractor-full-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZLugT_G4bQ/UVSxMBIgkaI/AAAAAAAABKg/ZE5usDDM0E4/s320/9432-RedTractor-full-bw.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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...and in black-n-white</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huJx7a7RgPM/UVSxPUKj4PI/AAAAAAAABKo/7U09xhEp0FM/s1600/9430-WeldingHelmlets-bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-huJx7a7RgPM/UVSxPUKj4PI/AAAAAAAABKo/7U09xhEp0FM/s320/9430-WeldingHelmlets-bw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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welding masks</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OCnIMwHpE6g/UVSxTClkO2I/AAAAAAAABKw/URfVQZC2KII/s1600/9435-ClownHeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OCnIMwHpE6g/UVSxTClkO2I/AAAAAAAABKw/URfVQZC2KII/s320/9435-ClownHeads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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my Mom used bowling pins to make these crazy dolls...</div>
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she sold a butt load of arts & crafts all the time...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1500BBLXGc/UVSxW5qQDvI/AAAAAAAABK4/gf6gQ4HfRFE/s1600/9437-Owls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1500BBLXGc/UVSxW5qQDvI/AAAAAAAABK4/gf6gQ4HfRFE/s320/9437-Owls.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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Owls...from "the bird collection"</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu3fXxQFo2I/UVSxbZmsBbI/AAAAAAAABLA/dTvs5Ag35CU/s1600/9444-BillNance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu3fXxQFo2I/UVSxbZmsBbI/AAAAAAAABLA/dTvs5Ag35CU/s320/9444-BillNance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bill Nance, Auctioneer...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYXLw60oX-M/UVSxdvP6fpI/AAAAAAAABLM/6_2LSBl8o1A/s1600/9441-NnceCrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYXLw60oX-M/UVSxdvP6fpI/AAAAAAAABLM/6_2LSBl8o1A/s320/9441-NnceCrew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bill's crew kept it movin;...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUSFxXQCShs/UVSxiEPNvyI/AAAAAAAABLU/MGqONPTXGGU/s1600/9449-GingerNance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUSFxXQCShs/UVSxiEPNvyI/AAAAAAAABLU/MGqONPTXGGU/s320/9449-GingerNance.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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Ginger Nance, keeping everyone honest...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2n53SVdptk/UVSxioWiczI/AAAAAAAABLc/Qz9NzBuIDkM/s1600/9443-Auction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2n53SVdptk/UVSxioWiczI/AAAAAAAABLc/Qz9NzBuIDkM/s320/9443-Auction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the auciton, that's my sister-in-law, Kim on the left,</div>
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and in the corner on the right, is my uncle Delbert,</div>
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that's about the time he looked at me and said,</div>
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"I can here him now", refering to my dad, "'It's not enough!"</div>
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...so true :-D</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXS4KacZm1c/UVSxmo46MDI/AAAAAAAABLk/nfdhv2GcO8o/s1600/9447-FurnitureSale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXS4KacZm1c/UVSxmo46MDI/AAAAAAAABLk/nfdhv2GcO8o/s320/9447-FurnitureSale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Furniture sale in progress</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLdceN8Th4o/UVSxqbM-n9I/AAAAAAAABLs/xYskpY-LUC0/s320/9450-Picker.jpg" width="211" /></div>
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Picker going over the books & sheet music.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5W5iTwbdjM/UVSxtaJPO3I/AAAAAAAABL0/puGY8i5AA1o/s1600/9452-OldFarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5W5iTwbdjM/UVSxtaJPO3I/AAAAAAAABL0/puGY8i5AA1o/s320/9452-OldFarm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I get time, to take the pics next time I'm up there,</div>
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I'm thinking about doing a photo essay on what is</div>
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happening to the American Farm...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzprijdJPKA/UVSxuaije_I/AAAAAAAABL8/c5wEZWNSNiQ/s1600/9415-OldHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzprijdJPKA/UVSxuaije_I/AAAAAAAABL8/c5wEZWNSNiQ/s320/9415-OldHouse.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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...I plan on driving within a 10-12 mile radius of my Dad's</div>
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town, Golden City, and see how many run down, abandoned & delapidated</div>
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farms I can find...and then show where the corporate farms have</div>
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cut down all the wind breaks, taken down all the fences (which are also wind breaks),</div>
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so they can squeeze a few more bushells out of the land by bringing the crop all</div>
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the way out to the property line...</div>
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didn't we learn ANYTHING from the great dust bowl?</div>
<br />Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-10048850184834600282013-01-30T11:35:00.000-06:002013-01-30T11:35:09.384-06:00Dallas...The Mirrored City...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The sun went behind some clouds on this morning's commute to allow</div>
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the blue sky to reflect off the buildings in Dallas...very cool light...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mX2eAy6P6hA/UQlZXS0quPI/AAAAAAAABIw/IEpu1VtSsjw/s1600/9366-Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mX2eAy6P6hA/UQlZXS0quPI/AAAAAAAABIw/IEpu1VtSsjw/s320/9366-Dallas.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbt19zL_J70/UQlZYbARcRI/AAAAAAAABI4/bXYVqd7cZkQ/s1600/9368-Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbt19zL_J70/UQlZYbARcRI/AAAAAAAABI4/bXYVqd7cZkQ/s320/9368-Dallas.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9OxHcNn5l4/UQlZZm3R4VI/AAAAAAAABJA/7Z6y3Jn9iKE/s1600/9369-Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9OxHcNn5l4/UQlZZm3R4VI/AAAAAAAABJA/7Z6y3Jn9iKE/s320/9369-Dallas.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXujqpoTGuA/UQlZatrxrPI/AAAAAAAABJI/_O3HTz3veOw/s1600/9375-Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXujqpoTGuA/UQlZatrxrPI/AAAAAAAABJI/_O3HTz3veOw/s320/9375-Dallas.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysEMEv8MJGI/UQlZb0QhX2I/AAAAAAAABJQ/E5g7Aote3oA/s1600/9376-Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysEMEv8MJGI/UQlZb0QhX2I/AAAAAAAABJQ/E5g7Aote3oA/s320/9376-Dallas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-75682675628052678942013-01-25T16:17:00.001-06:002013-01-25T16:17:12.873-06:00Living room & Study...<div style="text-align: center;">
...here are a couple shots of a recent design project with Allen Kirsch & Assoc., Inc.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK4o_Jf522s/UQMD-5YbT-I/AAAAAAAABH8/6A3g-IXEPUs/s1600/LivingRoom_Hal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DK4o_Jf522s/UQMD-5YbT-I/AAAAAAAABH8/6A3g-IXEPUs/s320/LivingRoom_Hal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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first up, a simple touch-up to the formal Living room...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XAKtdr-OFSA/UQMEAgwpr0I/AAAAAAAABIE/fXHq3K3dDtw/s1600/0594-Study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XAKtdr-OFSA/UQMEAgwpr0I/AAAAAAAABIE/fXHq3K3dDtw/s320/0594-Study.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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new paneled walls and cabinetry finish off this Study well.</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-9267031573079701262013-01-18T16:39:00.001-06:002013-01-18T16:39:40.107-06:00Black, White & Color...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Revisiting some of my favorite underwater pics</div>
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with a new concept...Black, White & Color...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKNcybkWzcU/UPnOuVjIxQI/AAAAAAAABGw/FkI57mc8lA8/s1600/BIG+GREEN+MORAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKNcybkWzcU/UPnOuVjIxQI/AAAAAAAABGw/FkI57mc8lA8/s320/BIG+GREEN+MORAY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTv1H0j0rg0/UPnOvg6kocI/AAAAAAAABG4/2YLQiqUW36w/s1600/Blue+Anemone1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTv1H0j0rg0/UPnOvg6kocI/AAAAAAAABG4/2YLQiqUW36w/s320/Blue+Anemone1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83vWhO4DxD8/UPnOwuJ_2pI/AAAAAAAABHA/dXuYUUn0ZG4/s1600/BlueTurtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83vWhO4DxD8/UPnOwuJ_2pI/AAAAAAAABHA/dXuYUUn0ZG4/s320/BlueTurtle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwu8gplscDY/UPnOx7fUEII/AAAAAAAABHI/WiRxi9VfTa8/s1600/BUTTERFLYS2-D2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwu8gplscDY/UPnOx7fUEII/AAAAAAAABHI/WiRxi9VfTa8/s320/BUTTERFLYS2-D2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBoTmCnjjhM/UPnOzEOndbI/AAAAAAAABHQ/ypvHz0UJy5c/s1600/QueenAngel_04-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iBoTmCnjjhM/UPnOzEOndbI/AAAAAAAABHQ/ypvHz0UJy5c/s320/QueenAngel_04-03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-20402434160202054542013-01-03T15:16:00.000-06:002013-01-03T15:16:57.547-06:00Night shoot in Arlington...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cowboys Stadium...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-mF4e_W_DI/TzGIFCE48RI/AAAAAAAAAao/xIFy0accUnY/s1600/8955-CowboysStaduim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-mF4e_W_DI/TzGIFCE48RI/AAAAAAAAAao/xIFy0accUnY/s320/8955-CowboysStaduim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Texas Ranger's Ballpark at Arlington & Cowboys Stadium...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdTh7UVI8B4/TzGIGwZ7iBI/AAAAAAAAAaw/Xvh2FokT9L8/s1600/8969-ArlingtonStaduims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VdTh7UVI8B4/TzGIGwZ7iBI/AAAAAAAAAaw/Xvh2FokT9L8/s320/8969-ArlingtonStaduims.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-11586875722537656662012-12-20T16:54:00.002-06:002012-12-20T16:54:48.182-06:00White Pelicans return for winter vacation...<div align="center">
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The White Pelicans have returned to White Rock Lake.</div>
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I spent most of last winter chasing the one's around Grand Prairie's</div>
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Mountain Creek Lake to no avail...White Rock went much smoother...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hballe5neE/UNOWEamkjsI/AAAAAAAABEI/7co4LQVvuJQ/s1600/0545_WR-Pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hballe5neE/UNOWEamkjsI/AAAAAAAABEI/7co4LQVvuJQ/s320/0545_WR-Pelican.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QseYDDuqIw/UNOWHT9Y7VI/AAAAAAAABEQ/L0RiWpUhv5Q/s1600/0561_WR-Pelicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QseYDDuqIw/UNOWHT9Y7VI/AAAAAAAABEQ/L0RiWpUhv5Q/s320/0561_WR-Pelicans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4npxMTPKVM4/UNOWJozVqgI/AAAAAAAABEY/jnI_Q_u96cU/s1600/0542_WR-Pelicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4npxMTPKVM4/UNOWJozVqgI/AAAAAAAABEY/jnI_Q_u96cU/s320/0542_WR-Pelicans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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bath time!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_Um9hkzIBs/UNOWK0hNreI/AAAAAAAABEg/aYxQuT9HyA8/s1600/0576_WR-Pelicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_Um9hkzIBs/UNOWK0hNreI/AAAAAAAABEg/aYxQuT9HyA8/s320/0576_WR-Pelicans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIpDyEOZLK8/UNOWNavZQdI/AAAAAAAABEo/yDiFv1b3nmI/s1600/0544_WR-Pelican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIpDyEOZLK8/UNOWNavZQdI/AAAAAAAABEo/yDiFv1b3nmI/s320/0544_WR-Pelican.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfozWEvV1pY/UNOWS2VpkcI/AAAAAAAABEw/I0BDS7Ry6NM/s1600/0577_WR-Pelicans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfozWEvV1pY/UNOWS2VpkcI/AAAAAAAABEw/I0BDS7Ry6NM/s320/0577_WR-Pelicans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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pruning in unison</div>
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pre-flight ops</div>
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back lit kiss</div>
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duck</div>
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goose close-up</div>
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posing gull</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136259028806676340.post-1197203196893394102012-12-06T15:10:00.000-06:002012-12-06T15:12:10.087-06:00A suprise from the city!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
...I just received a message from a friend (thanks Michelle), that this photo I submitted to</div>
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the city of Grand Prairie was selected for the 2013 City Calendar!!</div>
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It's an inset pic for February...and see Michelle's photo as well!</div>
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Pick yours up at the Grand Prairie City Hall or any number of businesses around town...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5M1twRmFSA8/UMEJZrDH_GI/AAAAAAAABCE/vfHIxkkSJyc/s1600/9263-GPPD_8x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5M1twRmFSA8/UMEJZrDH_GI/AAAAAAAABCE/vfHIxkkSJyc/s320/9263-GPPD_8x10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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..I hadn't hear anything from the city about being selected, when I knew others had,</div>
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so this was a very pleasent suprised!!</div>
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Marc "Sharky" Volkmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14945699199208839960noreply@blogger.com0