Not every morning starts this way but, with any luck, sometimes they do. I just couldn't believe the sights and smells of this desert morning. That jaggedy mountain to the left of the sunrise is Dove Mountain.
By now, most of you are aware of my transfer into the Persimmon Gap Visitor Center for our summer operations, as the budget wouldn't allow for two places to be open at the same time -- plus the Entrance Station turns into quite an effective oven during the summer months. This view (a historical view at that) is taken on the hillside across the road. You can see the new apartments off in the distance, just sitting there now due to the contractors being given the heave-ho for taking their own sweet time and not doing a decent job while they were doing it.
Down off the hill now, here's a little shot of the moon caught between the tall yucca and the front of the building. It adds a nice graphic touch, doesn't it?
One more image of plantlife before heading in -- the false pitaya in full bloom in the flowerbed to the right of the door. I promised you some photos of desert blooms, didn't I? Unfortunately, they're few and far between out here this year.
And here we are, inside the Visitor Center and looking at my new duty station. It's kind of fun getting to sit and chat with the visitors, for the most part, but when they pile in all at once, it loses some of its charm. Oh, well. (Obviously, this shot was taken out of sequence, as you can see the flag still folded on the counter.)
This is one of our display areas, picked for a couple of reasons: 1) It's got the most information for the display in the picture and, 2) It's just the best photo of all I took. This particular display deals with being on the river and showing what you should take with you when you go. I want that hat!
This is by far one of the most appealing aspects of working in the VC -- the picture window. This photo is a rough approximation of the actual view, as all the displays blocked me from getting a good shot of it. You get the general idea, though. No back ends of Exxon stations for Doug anymore.
Well, the day is done and it's time to kick back at home with a "beer-and-a-bump" as Garrison Keillor put it in A Prairie Home Companion. I was on my way back for another bump to accompany my beer when I caught this ray of light illuminating my Route 66 shotglass I got when I was at the Meramec Caverns in Missouri. I was just stunned by the lighting, so of course I had to grab the camera. I really like this shot.And so, friends and nieghbors, that will close not only my day at work, but this blog entry, as well. Thanks for tuning in to our show. Till next time . . .
