Pictures from G-Camp

John Wayne was here...ok not recently since he's dead, but at one time he was...part of True Grit was filmed here. Topper with her water bottle attached to her belt loop...maybe this is what her deal was the 2 weeks...the water bottle was up her ace!!!

Ron with Josh in the background...Ron was not regular on the trip...TMI, but you'll be glad to know he got some fiber one bars...they kicked in...on the bus!!! Thank God we had to change buses!!

You think people would get tired of being on top all the time...Mount Lindsey is #43...it's going to take awhile for me to get on top

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Last day

We drove from Blanco to New Braunfels to the Canyon Lake Gorge...it was neat, but I wanted to gorge my eyes out it was so hot. Texas heat and Colorado heat are NOT the same...I was sweating buckets and we had to hike down the gorge. Today was a day for A walking stick, not 2, and actually 1 wasn't really needed. After the gorge we headed back to Blanco to hunt fossils...haven't done that in YEARS...I think I might quit teaching and start doing that for a living. Instead of a bounty hunter, I'd be a fossil hunter. I've also developed a rash...on my arms...I'm going to blame it on an allergy to Topper. Because of the rash, I'm not staying in the room with her tonight. So long Topper!!!

Pictures will be coming shortly!!!

So Tired I Can't Think

Days ???





Haven't been on because of crappy internet connections and due to the fact I've been staying out late...10 pm. I'm taking a moment to share that Topper is no longer speaking to me and avoids me like I have some sort of disease. I'm going to try and stay strong. I can make it through this rough patch. We climbed up Enchanted Rock...in the heat of the day...we all survived...barely. Topper carried around not 1 but 2 walking sticks to get up the large granite rock...i'm not an avid hiker, but i don't think walking sticks are going to help when the rock is COMPLETELY solid. she looked like she was going skiing...woo i love skiing on rock it gets that adrelaline pumping!!

We'll Be Coming Around the Mountain

Day 10

JEEP day!!! we drove up and around and up and around several times until we made it to the top of a mountain. this would have been fine except we were not on a nice paved road complete with guardrails..this road was a rocky path and jeeps, atvs, dirtbikes, etc. consider a road. normal sane people shouldn't do this. at some points we were so close to the edge i was worried we were going to fall off...i could hear rocks squirting out from under the tires and i was afraid something else was going to squirt out. the views were really pretty even looking through my fingers. i didn't get stuck in a jeep with topper, which was nice, but i did get to experience rode hard in my jeep...yay...although not too bad...i couldn't hear her...i was in the back seat and she was in the front.

topper didn't talk to me today...kinda ackward...she ate lunch by herself...strange...invited her to dinner...didn't go. oh well.

can't post pictures...internet is too slow...hopefully once we leave here!!!

We Don't Want No Drama

Days 8 and 9

So nothing really Earth shattering happened on our free day. I hiked up to some waterfall and almost passed out just walking up the road and I do mean UP. Once up there it was very pretty and worth the almost loss of life. We did have a hike leader....guess who?!?!? We were all breathing heavily...because of the altitude...and she said, "oh this doesn't bother me!!" and practically took off sprinting up the hill...funny because she has "slight" asthma and had to use her inhaler the other day.

Yesterday, was a VERY interesting day. We went to see another waterfall and it's rock structure, which was interesting. As the sign said, "An uplifting experience." Again, everything we've done has include being high off the ground, yesterday was no exception. We hiked along a path until we came along some metal grating...used for the ground...i got sweaty palms and almost couldn't move couldn't look down...but i did. Once I saw there were steps, katy bar the door...i took off sprinting down them to get to solid ground. I didn't kiss it, but I wanted to. Then we had to hike up to the "high bridge." Good name because the bridge was really high...didn't walk across...got the idea from the solid ground next to it.

After that we went back to town and learned how to use a fancy compass, which was ok, but it was hard. Here's where the drama started. We were in partners and of course mine was Topper, we had to measure different body parts...not those...to use a measures if we didn't have precise tools in the field. Long story short, my wingspan doesn't match my height...which is ok...it's not a rule that your wingspan and height match...mine was 3 inches shorter than my height...i've got little bitty arms...Topper had asked me how tall I was...told her 5'9...been that since who knows how long...she measured me and it came up to 5'8 and three quarters...she said in a condescending voice, "well you're only 5'8. she just has to be the best and at every dang thing...even height...give me a freaking break. i measure her and her wingspan came up 5 inches shorter than her height...karma!!! she starts telling another lady...in a condescending voice that basically it didn't make sense for her's not to work...as she was standing there with her arms spread staring at us wanting someone to agree with her...i said,"if you think i measured wrong, get someone else to measure it!!!!" "oh i didn't say that!" like hell you didn't, you bring it up, stand there looking like an idiot...you said it all right!! Well come to find out, there are several frustrated with good old Topper. Last night she didn't speak to anyone. I wish I could bottle her up and put her on display somewhere so others could experience her. oh well!! in a perfect world, maybe.

Million Dollar Road

Day 7

I SURVIVED THE MILLION DOLLAR ROAD!!! this was the gandola ride times 10...i had to turn sideways in my seat just so i couldn't see out my window...this road is up in the moutains surrounded by cliffs...two curvy narrow lanes with no guard rail and no chance of survival if the bus ran off the road...my palms are sweating just typing this...i was almost in the fetal position for the 2nd time this trip.

once off the crazy road, we went to the old 100 mine...really neat...wish we could have lost a few people there...didn't strike it rich or see the seven dwarfs but i did get to wear a killer yellow hard hat and rain jacket. look out!!

after the mine we ate lunch in silverton at the last brothel in town...not one now...thank god! it was called the shady lady and boy was it shady...the former madam still worked there, except selling sex, she now sells root beer floats...classy!! move over john candy...in your grave...there's a new hero in town!!

i know this wasn't as entertaining as other posts, but it wasn't really an entertaining day. i will say, last night while i was trying to go to bed, Topper, wanted me to help upload video from a Flip camera to her netbook. i couldn't quite figure it out and the questions kept coming and coming and coming..."i know you want to go to bed" YES i do...this can freaking wait until later...i need my beauty rest!!! i'm not married to my best friend and have two smart overachieving daughters...i can't catch a man with bags under my eyes!!!

tomorrow is a free day!! i'll hopefully have a better internet connection and can post some pics!!

Quotes and Pics

Day 6

We got to see evidence of glaciers today...must say it was really cool!! We also got to work in a stream...i'm still trying to get the feeling back in my feet...i felt like Lieutenant Dan..."Lieutenant Dan you got no legs" except i felt like i had no feet...one poor lady fell down in the freezing water.

This is going to be short because the internet connection is kinda sketchy but the place is nice, which is a nice change of pace.

Quotes

Today while looking at glacier evidence...we were informed the land in front of us was the RL Ranch..RL standing for Ralph Lauren...Rode Hard yells out, "I love Ralph Lauren! He's going to be my next exhusband!!" Some says, "Why ex?" "I'm just telling the truth." Stay classy Rode Hard.

After testing the water, we are on the bus...Topper (my roomie, cause she has to top everything) asks who is in my group...I said, "Christina, Kristen, and Anthony." She says, "Well who's the 4th?" "ME!!" Here's your sign!!

On the bus...again...a couple of people sitting behind me starting talking about Topper because she moved herself up to the front right across from the leader and talked the whole time. One of the ladies said, "Geez, Topper we aren't getting a grade for this trip!" Priceless!!!

Got Coors Light??

They have a store named after me in Telluride!!!

Your gandola awaits, madam!!

Shady hotel where the body hair decided to hang around

Clean Cup Clean Cup Move Down Move Down

Day 5...in a nutshell

Everyone made it to breakfast and the bus on time. if their rooms were as nice as ours...i'm not surprised...we had "friends" in the shower...someone is missing a few hairs that decided to hang around a little longer.

Went across the Continental Divide. It wasn't very exciting. I thought there would have been flashing lights and sirens...you are the 1 millionth tourists to cross.

Stopped on the side of the road a couple of times...i hope this doesn't become such a habit i pick it up when i get home...oh look there is some schist...where's my rock hammer???

Went to the Black Canyon...it was amazing...really high up...i almost crawled into the fetal position, but instead i hung out in the gift shop. did get some good pics...kinda shaky and blurry, but good. roommate went up to a priest and asked him if he was a priest...nope just testing out my halloween costume...she wanted him to bless us...those crazy catholics.

road hard and put up got in trouble for some inappropriate pictures posted to facebook. of course she did nothing wrong...dry humping a statue is common for teachers to do on a teacher trip. she also decided to yell at everyone to move their seats up as we were getting off the bus...we couldn't wait until the morning because her skank ace wanted to make sure everyone moved NOW...she should go into the military.

tomorrow we get to ride a gandola in telluride...if your excited raise your hand...if you went and bought depends squeeze your butt cheeks together...i can't squeeze any harder. i wonder if they have a cog railroad to the top??? i'm going to need a blessing!!!


The singing bush from 3 Amigos

Creepy looking wood carving in Gunnison

Some people took the word divide to a whole new level today, but not me!!

Found an Italian Aggie!!!

Dikes and Dunes

Day 4

So since we've been on the road, we try to leave by 7 freaking am, which means i have to get up at the butt crack of dawn. we have to have our luggage out to the bus before we go eat breakfast and everyone has been able to get this done, with the exception of one girl/lady...i will refer to her as rode hard and put up. yesterday on the bus i learned that she is divorced...was she talking to ME?!? no she was talking so dang loud in her raspy smokers voice i could hear her. i also learned that someone had sent her something with her husband doing sexual things to animals...again...didn't need to know...well road hard has been late the past two days and makes it to the bus in what looks like her pjs and then has the nerve to be rude to everyone who knows how to set an alarm and get up...the altitude and long cigarette breaks must be getting to her...she also has an appointment with Target to pick up two Rxs...again...if you want to have a nice little chat with the Target pharmacy, wait to do it when you aren't crammed on a bus...she probably needs to refill her genital warts Rx...that's rude...i shouldn't say that...i meant herpes. rode hard is part of a group of 4 girls all around my age...i prefer to hang with the older more mature group...these girls sit at the back of the bus and talk while the leaders are on the PA giving us important info or they are asleep...this ain't no vacation...believe me i like to relax on vacations...i've never hiked so much in my life and it's only day 4!!! everywhere we go these girls are taking "sexy" photos...excuse me...rocks aren't sexy and neither are yall...no one is going to buy your G-Camp Girls Gone Wild calendar..."have you seen december?!?!? i don't think that rock formed to be raped like that"

i don't really have any roomie stories to share today. today was a good day. although, we had been following a garbage truck through the mountains and we fell behind a ways. we came around a corner and saw dust...the truck had run off the road...some of the group went out to help and check on the driver...he had fallen asleep ran off the road then rolled the truck twice...he had to be taken to the hospital. how he could have fallen asleep on the curviest, hilliest road ever is beyond me...i know i fell asleep on it, but i wasn't driving. after the little delay, we headed to look at the dikes...gotta love dikes...you never know where they are going to pop up!! after the dikes, we went to the dunes...the hot hot dunes with lots and lots of sand...i wore sandles because we were suppose to get to walk in a stream...guess what?!? the stream dried up!!! i felt like michael scott in the office when he burned his foot on the george foreman...i needed some bubble wrap.

i'm not sure where we are going tomorrow. hopefully we don't stay in a sketchy motel.

Dike...not really what i think of when i hear that word

Day 3 I've got a story for ya...

ok this is part of the group...there is a dike behind me...

We left Vernon at 7:03 this morning and didn't get to Colorado until 6 pm. THE LONGEST DAY OF MY LIFE...ok so it wasn't that bad. I tried to start the day off with a positive attitude...that quickly went out the window, when I almost got left because the line to pee was so long after breakfast. I got to the bus and the door was shut and I stood there, and stood there, thinking..."are you kidding me?!?! i'm on this dang trip; so i don't have my lovely nametag on, but you know i'm on this trip, open the dang door!!" i got on after about 30 seconds of waiting. haha. once we got on the road, i had the pleasure of listening to my roomie talk and talk and talk...not to me...thank goodness, and the lovely girl sitting behind me doesn't know personal discretion, but she knows how to sleep and gripe and smoke. what a lovely combo!! more on her later. we stop in amarillo to make a "quick" restroom break and i get a lesson in cell reception from...guess who??...my roomie...she got a text message 20 minutes after it was sent from her bestest friend in the whole wide world telling her he knew where we were. i told her we had already gone through there and she went on to tell me...he sent this 20 minutes ago when we were there (she wouldn't know she talks the whole time), you know that happens some times you get a message later when there aren't towers around...was i born yesterday??? most used quote of the day..."I've got a story for ya..." yeah i bet you do...you are like Rain Man you know everything...dates, random numbers of random things that no one cares about...like how many bristles are on a tooth brush...heck she might even know how many hairs she has on her head. i learned that if a word is difficult or not often used, the writer will put a synonym after it so the reader can use context clues to get the meaning...dumbass (my roommate)...again i have a degree and i know how to read...thanks!!! at 11:00 am i was informed that i got a text message during the night...i knew i did because there was a MASSIVE storm...lovely...also it was 11:00 am...i had definately seen my phone...thank you AT&T for messaging me that my bill was ready...i'm really grateful for that, but not at 1 in the freaking morning!!!!

on this trip, i have found a teacher i want to be like. she told me today everyone at her school calls her Ms. Frizzle. i told her i wanted to be like her!! this lady is a hoot!! we got walk around a dormant volcano today...it was really high up, but i did it!! i was scared at first...not to mention out of breath and about to pass out walking up...it was good because then you get to go down. i really thought i was going to have to have mouth to mouth and so far on this trip...there is no one's mouth i want near mine. after the volcano we drove on for a bit and then pulled over on the side of the road to look at rocks. while we were out there...looking like TARDS...just imagine a group of older tourists getting out with there cameras, walking around taking pictures, bending over picking up rocks with their massive rear ends pointed toward a major highway...yep that was us!! people kept honking at us...it was amazing!!

really high!! i just wanted to stop, so i took this picture as an excuse.

this is us on the side of the road...there is a dike behind me...

tomorrow we go to the sand dunes!!! what what!!

Pics

This is our real life facebook stalker!! I should have taken a picture of the plates, except he was in there and I was afraid he might lure me into the cab with his charming good looks and windblown mullet!!

Hotel in Vernon as seen from across the street at KFC/McDonald's. "Yes that is an extrusive igneous rock!" "Are you sure?" "Well I'm not a geologist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!!"

G-Camp Days 1 and 2

DAY ONE



I am currently on a 2 week Geology Field Trip across parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado with 30 teachers from different parts of Texas. We had to pick our roommates for 2 weeks based on our Facebook profiles. Fun times! Most of the women are older and women can't room with the men...that's alright cause they are all married...might not work out too well. It was kinda stressful. Anyway, I got a roommate. She's 51 years old, has two daughters, Lynn and Karen, and is married to her best friend, Sal... the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I got the pleasure of meeting her yesterday...obviously for the first time, and she proceeded to tell me, she can't carry anything heavy because she just had a lump in her breast removed. Once she said that I offered to help her carry anything, but she informed me that her husband and daughter, Karen, who was 504 during school, but didn't know, who's going to be a freshman at A&M, where there to help her. Great! Are they staying with us?!?!? She then informs me later, that Sal, her best friend and husband, is going to change her dressing...what from ranch to thousand island?? She also tells me not to worry because she won't have me do that, to which I responded, "Thank God!" and she goes on to say that last week at LTF (laying the foundation) training she had an accident in her pants and didn't even know it. That's awesome! I wish I didn't know it either. Do I need to ask the front desk for some plastic bedding for you?? Also, if you wanted to know, her daughter Lynn, who went to Texas Tech, lived in Spain not once, but TWICE and is bilingual.





DAY TWO





Today we played with some rocks on campus at A&M before we left town and it brought back a lot of memories from my Geology days with Dr. Mathewson, who's still there. We load the bus. We sit in the back by the toliet because we have to move up everyday so everyone gets a chance to sit by the crapper. Best to sit back there before it starts to stinking!! My luck, I get to sit by my roomie and across from one of the leaders. The Enigizeer Bunny has nothing on them. They talk about everywhere they have been. Frankly, I'm a little jealous. I'm just a poor single teacher who isn't married to her best friend who works in the oil business and travels all the time. Me getting to walk along side old man Bush isn't near as good as her husband getting to sit next to him on a plane for 45 minutes. I'm sorry I don't watch the news when I get up and don't know everything that is taking place everywhere around the world. This lady knows exactly when things happened...In 1979...I took my dog for a walk down the street and stopped at a Starbucks because I needed a venti white chocolate mocha and I ran into the Queen...who the blank cares!! I've heard stories twice now and it's only the 2nd day. When we get to the hotel, I asked if we had adjoining rooms and she explained to me that we did and what they were exactly. I'm 28 years old and I might be from the sticks, but I know the purpose of an adjoining room. We are adjoining with two people from our group and she knocked on their door to see if they wanted to eat with us...they ended up leaving us!! Classic!! She was upset about it...heck I was too because I probably would have had an invite if she wouldn't have been with me. I wanted to take my camera when we went to eat, but I couldn't find it. We get on the elevator, I look over and the dummy has MY camera attached to her pocket. I said, "is that my camera?" "Do you have a case like mine?" I opened the case and said, "Do you have a camera like mine??" Hers was in the room. We go eat and she makes friends with a trucker and tells him everything about our group and that he should follow us online and see where we are and that he should become our groups' friend on facebook...we now have a true facebook stalker!!!



Sorry for ranting. We are heading to Colorado tomorrow!! I'll post some pics!!