wedding card

we love this, from brother josh:

almost home - utah and idaho

The ride home was meant to include some climbing at a couple choice spots, but we got snowed out.

In Joe's Valley, Utah, we woke up to this:

Castle Rock State Park in Idaho was even worse:


Ice-yurt:


...and then we were home at last. Honeymoon!

the long (cold and windy) road home - moab

after an unsuccessful birding stop in Albuquerque, we ventured on to Moab, the land of golden arches and eternal sandstone. our stop included some excellent camping...



newlyweds



coyotes



double arches



and then jess ate the delicate arch, hungry mama

Las Cruces

We arrived in the homeland, where we stayed for a few days with our wonderful hosts, Farmer Chris and Bree.




Then we shot some stuff.

Arizona

From Bishop, we drove through Arizona which was supposed to be a real bird-fest, but wasn't. I guess winter isn't the best time to hope for a bird-fest. Anyway, here are some highlights...

Catalina State Park, outside of Tucson, which is beautiful, and where Jess got two life birds! (The only two of the trip, unfortunately.)



A series of awesome campsites in deserted campgrounds...one nice thing about winter travel.




Cuddles


A little hike to a real old cemetery.


On to Las Cruces!

on our way!

Sonoma was great, and there will probably be more pictures or some other sort of compilation one of these days. The clock was ticking, and we had miles to drive, birds to ID and rocks to wrestle. We set off for Bishop and Jess made quick work of the 7 hour drive. Jay came down from Tahoe and took some amazing photos to be found here.

California dreamin

Wedding day was followed by a quick visit to the Russian River brewery where we happened to show up in time for Pliny the Younger. A delicious triple IPA with quite limited availability.



Then a peaceful stroll along the golden gate, with some wind and cars racing by at 65mph...

wedding day

the next day, jess and i got married at the clerk's office in santa rosa. we had a fine turnout of loved ones. yes, it was valentine's day, and we will never forget our anniversary.

sonoma

the following day involved the simmons clan going for some wine tasting in sonoma and napa. not much to report from my camera...

fort funston, bay area

from eugene, we drove past mt shasta and headed straight for sonoma. our first day was spent in the city dropping some news on some good friends. we then went to the finest dog park we have ever been to, complete with a mile long beach walk and a constant assault of hang gliders passing overhead.