A is for Ayer's Rock

This is the famous Ayers Rock  in Central Australia. It is remarkable in that it's a giant rock sticking up out of a vast flat plain. Steep to climb, many have lost their lives in attempting to summit. This giant sandstone is much photographed from the Four Seasons Hotel four miles away at sunset when it turns bright red.

B is for Big Banana

The Big Banana was just one of many oversized attractions we discovered along the coast between Sidney and Brisbane. The Big Cow, the Big Pineapple, and the Big Koala Dropping also left oversized imprints on our memories.

C is for the camel, who really likes to talk.

"Now, be a good boy and take me to the vineyard." "Ha, Ha, Ha, another rookie rider!" In Alice Springs you can "take a camel to lunch" at a local vineyard. Fortunately the camel doesn't actually dine with you (he has terrible table manners).

One of the highlights of our trip to Tunisia was a camel ride into the Sahara. The group of  robed and turbaned folks on the right are our fellow travelers (although they could easily pass for the cast of a nativity play).

D is for the diver, who was eaten by a shark! (oh no!!)

One of the highlights of our trip to Australia was learning to SCUBA dive on the Great Barrier Reef. The diving was terrific, but the weather was quite cold in July, which, unfortunately, is the middle of winter down under. That's why we always refer to it as the Great Brrrrrr Reef.

E is for Eccentric, in Rocky Mountain National Park

At the Never Summer Ranch, you can try on clothing worn by settlers and make a complete fool of yourself.

F is for Ferocious

This mammoth bear was lurking inside a mini-mall in Sapporo. Despite his appearance, he turned out to be a real sweetheart.

G is for Gorilla
When Helen worked as a zookeeper at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, she was very fortunate to serve as nursemaid to Asha, an adorable female gorilla born at the zoo.

H is for Honeybees

Helen shows off her hive to LaVonne.

K is for Kimono...

What's wrong with this picture? A British woman dressed in a lovely kimono, and a Japanese woman (Helen's friend Mrs. Asakawa) in a plaid skirt, stockings, and a blouse!

... and for Koala

Helen realizes a long-time dream of holding a koala.

L is for Llanos

No, this is not a scene from a science fiction movie in which mutant hamsters threaten to take over the planet. This cute little fellow is a capybara, the world's largest rodent. They are abundant in Venezuela's Llanos flood plain region, though very hard to catch. We spent 5 minutes chasing this one in a truck until he was exhausted enough to be grabbed, and he only has 3 legs!

M is for Mummies.....

Bet you've never been to a party like this. Try wrapping your spouse in TP as fast as you can, and this is what you'll get. As far as we know, none of these mummies has received any offers from Hollywood (yet).

.....and Murderers.....

These two nefarious characters appeared at a Halloween party we hosted at Fountain Valley. The theme was famous murderers and murder victims. The fellow on the left is Rasproutin, the infamous Russian mystic and adviser to Czarina Alexandra (identifiable by the Brussels sprouts in his beard). The fellow(ess) at right is ... you guessed it ... the butler.

... and More Weirdos

That's LaVonne in the Planter's peanut costume. Her victimization angle was "I was a salted (nut)." Opposite on the far right is Tip, who came as a "Middle-Aged Mutant Ninja Human." The couple in between are "Death" and "Taxes" (a.k.a. Robin and Will Purves).	Ugh! Death and Taxes again! You just can't avoid them!

N is for Natation Au Naturel

After a long, hard day of hiking, Howard enjoys one of his favorite pastimes, bathing in the great out-of-doors (in this case, a natural hotspring in Olympic National Park).

O is for Oysters

Our galloping gourmand tucks in to a rare Colorado delicacy known as Rocky Mountain Oysters. There aren't any oceans in Colorado, but there are plenty of cows.....or, to be more precise, bulls.....I think you're catching on. Great with a tangy tomato, tartar, or horseradish sauce!

S is for Skiing...

While living in Colorado, we took full advantage of the many excellent ski areas, but we wouldn't be so crass as to actually name any of them. Oops.

... and Scotland

A panoramic view of the mountains near the bonny bonny banks of Loch Lomond.

T is for Trekking

Helen stops to enjoy a spectacular view of the Never Summer Mountains from a spot we've dubbed "Marmot Rock" on one of our favorite hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Z is for Zulu Dancers

Helen makes a new friend during an evening of Zulu dancing on our trip to Tunisia.

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