A Rough Path

At one point in my life, I could remember most of the dirt paths I had traveled in detail including every rock and crevasse. Now I am good to remember where the path was located much less the detail. This path in Germany was particularly rough.

German Countryside

Between 1820 and 1918, nearly six million Germans immigrated into the United States. When I see a view such as this one, I can but wonder what they thought when they arrived, especially those who settled in the vast Western part of the United States. Presently, it is estimated that 44 million Americans are descended from these German immigrants. It is interesting that since 1620 different groups of people have been identified as undesirable for immigration into the United States.

Digitizing the Rembrandt's The Night Watch

One very interesting thing we saw in Amsterdam was the project to digitize a huge painting by Rembrandt called "The Night Watch." The painting is displayed in the famous Rijksmuseum. Here is a short explanation of the project from the Rijksmuseum's website in an article entitled, "Operation Night Watch to start at the Rijksmuseum."

Never before has such a wide-ranging and thorough investigation been made of the condition of The Night Watch. The latest and most advanced research techniques will be used, ranging from digital imaging and scientific and technical research, to computer science and artificial intelligence. The research will lead to a better understanding of the painting’s original appearance and current state, and provide insight into the many changes that The Night Watch has undergone over the course of the last four centuries. The outcome of the research will be a treatment plan that will form the basis for the restoration of the painting. 

Operation Night Watch can also be followed online from 8 July 2019 at rijksmuseum.nl/nightwatch

The project is still in progress on the date of this blog post. 

Sandstone Sunrise

If you get up really early in the morning, you can watch the sunrise over the sandstone pinnacles of Southern Utah.  This particular morning was chilly we a temperature of about 32 degrees. It is also a time to be alone.

Eggs before the Scramble

There are interesting designs all around us. All you have to do is look. I liked the light and color of these eggs that only a few seconds later were cooking in a large pan on our camping trip to Southern Utah.

Ceibo Tree - National Flower of Argentina

The Ceibo or Erythrina crista-galli is the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay. The tree is the national tree of Argentina. Here is a short description from Wikipedia: Erythrina crista-galli.

Erythrina crista-galli, often known as the cockspur coral tree, is a flowering tree in the family Fabaceae, native to Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Paraguay. It is widely planted as a street or garden tree in other countries, notably in California. It is known by several common names within South America: ceibo, seíbo (Spanish), corticeira (Portuguese) and the more ambiguous bucaré, to name a few. Its specific epithet crista-galli means "cock's comb" in Latin. 

The ceibo is the national tree of Argentina, and its flower the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay. 

This species characteristically grows wild in gallery forest ecosystems along watercourses, as well as in swamps and wetlands. In urban settings, it is often planted in parks for its bright red flowers.

While I was living in Argentina, I loved to see this beautiful flowering tree. I was surprised to find this specimen in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

Victoria amazonica from the Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam

These amazing plants have the largest flower in the world. Here is a short description from Wikipedia: Victoria Amazonica.

The species has very large leaves, up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter, that float on the water's surface on a submerged stalk, 7–8 m (23–26 ft) in length. The species was once called Victoria regia after Queen Victoria, but the name was superseded. 'V. amazonica' is native to the shallow waters of the Amazon River basin, such as oxbow lakes and bayous. It is depicted in the Guyanese coat of arms. The flowers are white the first night they are open and become pink the second night. They are up to 40 cm (16 in) in diameter, and are pollinated by beetles. This process was described in detail by Sir Ghillean Prance and Jorge Arius.[4][5] It is the largest waterlily in the world.

We missed seeing one of the flowers bloom. Too bad. 

A Visit to a Diamond Cutting Business

We couldn't visit Amsterdam and fail to visit a diamond cutting company. We went on the Gassan Diamond Experience Tour. Unfortunately, they said we came on Tuesday and the free samples were only given out on Wednesday. We were impressed by the collection of very high-priced cars parked in front of the company building. Here is a short excerpt from their website that tells about the company.

GASSAN Diamonds, is located in a beautiful restored originally steam driven diamond factory and was built in 1879. Every year more than 350.000 visitors experience a unique tour through the industrial factory.Visitors can view the diamond polishers at their craft, while multilingual guides explain where diamonds are found and how rough diamonds turn into dazzling brilliants. Loose polished diamonds are shown as well as an elaborate jewelry collection. After the tour you can see our extensive jewelry and watch collection in our Boutique. Also have a look  in our in-house Rolex Boutique.
For over 400 years diamond polishers have perfected the art of giving maximum life to the brilliant cut diamond.  At GASSAN Diamonds this tradition is being continued and we are proud to introduce a breathtaking and worldwide patented cut: GASSAN 121, with one hundred and twenty one facets.

Fall Splendor

Fall has finally arrived here in Utah. This is one of the many trees directly in front of our house in Provo. We live so close to the forest that we can claim hundreds of trees as within our view. Unfortunately, an early winter-like storm blew almost all the leaves off of this tree a few days after this photo was taken. We did get some more snow on the mountains however.

Return to Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah

One of our preferred camping spots in all of Utah is Kodachrome Basin, State Park. The weather was cold and windy at night, but perfect during the day. This view is on the Panorama Trail, a new trail for us but it will probably not be the last time we hike out into this wonderland of rocks. It is really fortunate that this lovely place is so remote and little known. We have visited some of the more popular sites in the state for our last time because of the crowds and congestion. But there are still some places we can go and meet only the most persistent of campers and hikers. When I pass on, I am sure that my family will find a considerable amount of red sand in my old camping gear. On this trip, the wind blew so hard that the sand came right through the tent fabric in the form of a fine red-colored dust.

Duck Store

Walking Arizona found its way to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I was fascinated by the variety of stores along the narrow crowded streets of the city. This was one that sold hundreds of varieties of rubber ducks. I am sure that a store like this would not survive in Provo, Utah or Mesa, Arizona. It is nice that there are places in the world where someone can make a living selling rubber duckies.

The Edge of the Salt Flats

Well, I will go back to photos of Utah and Arizona in between the photos from Europe. When we visited the Salt Flats earlier this year, the salt was still flooded from the Winter rains and snow. The water is only a few inches deep but it is extensive. This would be what the entire northern part of Utah looked like when the Great Basin was filled with Lake Bonneville.

View of the Utah Valley from Rock Canyon

In the distance, you can see part of Utah Lake and Provo City extending from the lakeshore to the mouth of the canyon. Rock Canyon is immediately adjacent to the city and the mouth of the Canyon is a Provo City Park. If you turn around from this view, you will see all the rocks that make up the canyon. 

Amsterdam Flower Market

If you love flowers you would love the Amsterdam flower market. Compared to what we pay in the United States, the prices were incredibly low for tulips and other types of bulbs. The United States government requires a foreign phytosanitary certificate in advance for any plant parts intended for growing. For information, you need to contact the USDA/APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit Unit. For more information see the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection website article entitled, "Bringing Agricultural Products Into the United States." I can just say that we decided not to run the gauntlet of requirements and forego the purchase of any plant products.

A Dog Statue

While traveling around Europe, we saw a lot of statues. Most are commemorating some famous person or event. Some, like this dog, apparently are simply decorative. This particular street had an interesting statue about every 100 yards or so down the center of this median in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Gateway to Rock Canyon, Provo, Utah

Having spent a considerable portion of my early life as a rock climber, I still have a tendency to look at rocks and cliffs with an eye to climbing routes. There are so many exceptional cliffs in Rock Canyon, in the Wasatch Front, above Provo, Utah, that almost any place you look there are interesting potential climbs. These rocks are on the north side of the Canyon right at the entrance. They are hardly ever considered by the fair-weather climbers because there are better climbs in different parts of the Canyon. Additionally, the uphill sides of these rocks are almost level. Also, the rocks are a fairly steep climb up the slope and there are better rock faces a short distance away that start practically on the trail up the Canyon. I have seen them used to establish a Tyrolean traverse between the two slabs.

The Zuiderkerk and the Montelbaanstoren Tower

There are few places I have been when I could point my camera in any direction and see a memorable photo. These views of Amsterdam were taken with a telephoto lens from the top of the NEMO Science Museum. There are so many interesting details in a photo like this one that you could spend hours just looking. These two towers belong to the Montelbaanstoren in the foreground and the Zuiderkerk in the background.

Self Portrait in Amsterdam

I seldom take any photos of myself. Almost never would be a better characterization.  This is an accidental "selfie." The bike was the main focus of the shot and the fact that we showed up in a reflection was an oversight. I didn't try to ride one of these extended bikes, but despite the fact that they look almost impossible to balance, they are all over the city. Despite the sunshine, it was windy and chilly with rain showers every few minutes.

UP No. 4014 - The Big Boy

Quoting from the Union Pacific Railroad website:

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941. The locomotives were 132 feet long and weighed 1.2 million pounds. Because of their great length, the frames of the Big Boys were "hinged," or articulated, to allow them to negotiate curves. They had a 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement, which meant they had four wheels on the leading set of "pilot" wheels which guided the engine, eight drivers, another set of eight drivers, and four wheels following which supported the rear of the locomotive. The massive engines normally operated between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyo. 

There are seven Big Boys on public display in various cities around the country. They can be found in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

Big Boy No. 4014 was delivered to Union Pacific in December 1941. The locomotive was retired in December 1961, having traveled 1,031,205 miles in its 20 years in service.  Union Pacific reacquired No. 4014 from the RailGiants Museum in Pomona, California, in 2013, and relocated it back to Cheyenne to begin a multi-year restoration process. It returned to service in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad's Completion.

We were able to see this huge engine when it visited Provo, Utah for three days. Unfortunately, events in Provo are not well publicized and many people did not know about the visit.  Here are some statistics about this huge railroad engine.

Tender Type: 14-wheeled
Water Capacity: 25,000 gallons
Fuel: Coal**
56,000 lbs.
Gauge of Track: 4 ft. 8-1/2 in.
Cylinder: Diameter: 23 3/4 in.
Stroke: 32 in.
Driving Wheel Diameter: 68 in.
Boiler: Outside Diameter: 106 9/16 in.
Pressure: 300 lbs.
Fire Box: Length: 235 1/32 in.
Width: 96 3/16 in.
Tubes: 2-1/4 in. Diameter: 75 x 22 ft. 0 in.
4 in. Diameter: 184
Wheel Base: Driving: 47 ft. 3 in.
Engine: 72 ft. 5 1/2 in.
Engine & Tender: 132 ft. 9 7/8 in.
Weight in Working Order,
Pounds: Leading:   97,000
Driving:    540,000
Trailing:   125,000
Engine:    762,000
Tender:    427,500
Evaporating Surfaces,
Square Feet: Tubes: 967
Flues: 4,218
Fire Box: 593
Circulators: 111
Total: 5,889
Superheating Surface,
Square Feet: 2,466
Grate Area: 150
Maximum Tractive Power: 135,375 lbs.
Factor of Adhesion: 4.00
**Original configuration. Now converted to No. 5 Oil 

Pigeons on the Plaza

Years ago, when we lived in Mesa, Arizona, we had a significant amount of trouble with pigeons. Eventually, we had to put up wire mesh in various locations on our house to keep the pigeons from leaving their calling cards on our walls and patio and in the swimming pool. We don't have the same problem here in Provo. Pigeons still exist, but only in very small numbers. Having a flock of pigeons like this one in Amsterdam, the Netherlands would be a nightmare.

More Boats, Cars, and Bicycles

The most foreign thing about my visit to Amsterdam was the tremendous number of boats, cars, and bicycles. Actually, the number of cars is decreasing in the Netherlands. There are some statistics that about one car a week falls into a canal. This statistic is balanced by the fact that between 12,000 and 15,000 bicycles are pulled out of the canals every year. Here is a short video about that particular problem.

Fishing bicycle wrecks from the canals of Amsterdam

Leaning to the Right

Many of the buildings in Amsterdam, the Netherlands are built on fill or very soft soil. They use pilings to provide a platform for the building. Unfortunately, some of them do not stay level. As you walk around the city, you can see examples of buildings that are more than slightly off-kilter.

Can You Name Them All?

In our family, we eat an extremely varied diet. My wife and daughters are superb cooks. You can see a lot of their cooking on their blog, Family Heritage Recipes. Because of their expansive outlook on the types of food to prepare and serve, I can immediately name almost every vegetable you can see in this photo and have eaten almost all of them at some time or another. Many of these vegetables are regulars for our meals. In fact, several of them were featured in our dinners the past few weeks. This vegetable stand is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Egyptian Geese

Here is the explanation for these unusual birds from Wikipedia: Egyptian goose.

The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley.
Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, and appeared in much of their artwork. Because of their popularity chiefly as an ornamental bird, escapees are common and feral populations have become established in Western Europe. The Egyptian goose has escaped or been deliberately released in to Florida, USA. However Egyptian geese are also now present in many parts of Central and Southeastern Texas with more than 100 sightings just in 1Q 2018 as reported in ebird.org database.

These particular Egyptian geese were spotted in a park in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

Amsterdam Skyline

Most of the cities in the United States pride themselves on having a downtown area dominated by highrise buildings. New York City, of course, is the epitome of a large city. Contrast a view of New York, with its Dutch counterpart; Amsterdam. Some of the buildings in this photo are older than the entire City of New York and were busy building an empire when the land on Manhattan Island was purchased from some real estate promoting natives. Here is a Rogers and Hart song called "Give It Back to the Indians" from 1939.

https://youtu.be/hCQzPwZtAKE