Curiosity

Not that I particularly want to be on Mars, but I wouldn't mind taking credit for this amazing photograph! 

NASA's Mars science rover Curiosity performed a daredevil descent through pink Martian skies late on Sunday to clinch an historic landing inside an ancient crater, ready to search for signs the Red Planet may once have harbored key ingredients for life.

Mission controllers burst into applause and cheers as they received signals confirming that the car-sized rover had survived a perilous seven-minute descent NASA called the most elaborate and difficult feat in the annals of robotic spaceflight.

One of the better Google Doodles!

Hands Across the Sand 2012

I have to say, I am a big, whiny crybaby when it comes to the beach.  I don't like anything about it - the sun, the sand, the water, the humans, the stench of sunscreen.  That being said, the beach was quite beautiful today to join in a peaceful protest of off-shore oil drilling (can you say BP?).  A lot of people were out enjoying this great South Florida day. The best part of it was seeing all the turtle nests marked and roped off; that made my suffering in the sun worthwhile!

I was greeted by this little varmint on my way to the beach.  She was very protective as she had a bunch of babies.  She let me know not to get too close.  I can respect that.

A cute little family.

This beach could not be more beautiful.  Just because I don't enjoy going to the beach doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty of it.

There were a lot of roped-off turtle nests (pic above and below) on this particular beach.  From May to September, the east coast of Florida is a huge turtle nesting area.  It is important to respect the nests and not disturb them in any way.  Sea turtles are endangered and protected.

Well, I guess I don't look too miserable!

I could just see myself getting on one of these contraptions.  I would be vomiting from the moment I took off.  People ride on the parachutes pulled behind a boat.  And, to think that they actually have to PAY to do this nonsense.  Oh, fun!

There were several organizations sponsoring today's event.

More turtle nests.

Great organization.

At noon, everyone lined up on the beach and held hands to oppose off-shore oil drilling.

My crazy friend, Sandy.

WE HAD FUN!

I will never, ever understand why dirty humans throw their trash on the ground. 

For more info about Hands Across the Sand, an annual event, go here:

http://www.handsacrossthesand.com/

Car2Go

Buzzing around all day in a Car2Go Smart Car.  I love it!  Great idea for the city.

Wish I was in London!

Balsam Mountain Inn (North Carolina)

This is an amazing place I visited (I didn't stay here, but would love to!).  Unfortunately, my camera battery died and I didn't get a lot of pictures.  This is the website:  http://www.balsammountaininn.net/

This inn has beautiful rooms, some with claw-foot bathtubs.  There are no TVs and no airconditioning.  But, it was July and the rooms were very cool, I guess because the inn is in the mountains.  What an amazing place!!  Such history.

You walk up the steps on to the front porch area of this inn.

This is the lobby.

This is the breakfast dining area. A beautiful room!

This inn has so much charm and character.

. . . oops -- camera battery died!



Pretties in Leicester, NC