Our Trip to Zion National Park, AZ 7/2012

In July we took off a week from eBay and drove to Zion National Park (just north east of St. George, Utah) and Las Vegas, Nevada.  Here are some of sights we saw on the way. 

River rafters on the Arkansas River in Western Colorado

Western Colorado - near Grand Junction

Near Colorado - Utah border

Eastern Utah - that is quite the median - see the vehicles on the other side!?

Ate lunch on 2nd day here in Salida, UT

View from the road driving in to Zion National Park

Zion - there are lots of hiking trails- see folks on top - they hiked up there! 

Rock climbing is allowed on any rock face.  Zion is like the Grand Canyon in reverse. Grand Canyon goes down, Zion goes up.

There are so many visitors to the park that the Park Service has these shuttles that take folks to many different stops on the valley floor.  We just rode the round trip along with hikers, rock climbers and photographers etc.

Guardians of the Spirit Road Ming Dynasty

All 12 - 6 different animals - 1 standing and 1 sitting or laying.

The Guardians of the Spirit Road are one-of-a-kind handcrafted miniature sculptures of huge, real and mythological creatures which stood guard for 4 long centuries on the roads that led to the tombs of the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty made of Jade colored glass.  

Elephants

These creatures were released in 1983 as a a limited edition by the Franklin Mint. 

Horses

Camels

Ch'i Lin (Foo Dog)

Hsieh Chai
Please see all these animals listed individually on eBay.


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Miller Farms CSA Program 2012

Until last year I had no idea what the CSA program is =  (Community Supported Agricultural program).  I'm sure there are CSA programs all over the country but I only know about ours with Miller Farms from Loveland, CO. 

Here is how it works - There are 2 different subscription levels  - Full family plan = $600.00 and the Small family plan = $400.  Since there are only 2 of us we went in with another couple so it cost each of us $300.00.


Each week both of us can fill a 1/2 bushel basket with all the veggies they offer at several Farmers Markets they anchor in Colorado Springs. It has been interesting to see how the season progresses as to what is offered.The plan lasts from the middle of June to Oct which is 20 weeks.


Here is our haul each week so far. 

This is only part of it, Yellow and Red Beets; Cucumbers; Peppers, Green beans, English Peas, Tomatoes, Zucchini.

All Eggplant, Corn, Onions, Cabbage, Kohlrabi

Then Patty Pan Squash and Red Potatoes

Colorado Purple Potatoes; Cauliflower, Cilantro, Lettuce

White Eggplant, Summer Squash, Broccoli

We have eaten several all veggie dinners and have frozen alot but the best is that I have learned to pressure can and did 4 pints of grilled / roasted corn yesterday.


We can't wait for tomatoes to get to peak season we can can them and make tomato jam and green tomato relish.  YUMMY.