1 Adventure

Wild Car Fire in Texas

Came across this burnt out car this weekend on the road. The conditions in Texas have been so dry that wild fires have been rampant around the state. Not sure what happened here, but the scene was very interesting, scorched, and dead. I liked how the paint of the car melted back to reveal a blue and the shadows reflected off of it showing some of its former glory. Not that a Ford Tempo is a glorious ride or anything. Did a little selective color on it to highlight the colors. The proportions are good and I think it came out appealing.

5 Minute Border Run

Alright this post is fun, and one you can even try at home as many times as you want. On one our adventures down to the Arizona border to stay at Organ Pipe Cactus Monument (famed for the Saguro Cactus), we went to seek out in Mexico or Gringo Pass, USA some cheap alcohol to celebrate the end of our trip for the next night in New Mexico. While we were not able to get some cheap duty free alcohol the night before, we did manage to head down to the border the next day for a quick trip into the liquor store. The only thing we could decide on to buy was a $10 bottle of Danzka Grapefruit Vodka, because none of us had tried it and the sound of it just seemed like it could quench the driest thrust in the desert we called home the night before.

We bought the bottle and were quickly confronted with a sign that read "all alcohol purchasers must bring all alcohol across the border or leave the alcohol for when you return from Mexico". Since we hadn't planned to venture into Mexico because it being Mexico it really didn't have much to offer once you crossed the border. Our plan was to buy the alcohol and make off before anyone noticed. Unfortunately the plan was foiled by a persistent liquor store keeper who stood out of the door and watched our next moves. While I fuddled with the map to look busy, and Emily, Dan, and Ryan debated the next move. We finally decided that we should just drive into Mexico, christen the vodka on Mexican soil, and come back in 5 minutes. That is just what we did, cross the border in our car, drive a few miles down the road, turn around and come back across the border. When the border patrol asked why we had been in Mexico, we told him we thought it would be fun to say we went to Mexico! LOL. ;-). With the goods in tow, we made it out of Arizona and on our way to New Mexico. That night once we had found a campsite in Leasburg Dam State Park, my good friend Dan came up with a drink name we created that night called the "5 Minute Border Run". The name was very befitting. Here is the drink we created:

5 Minute Border Run

1-2 shots Grapefruit Danzka Vodka
3-4 ounces of Grapefruit Juice (fresh is better)
Half a can of Sprite
Splash of lime juice
Sugar rimmed glass

- vary contents to suit taste

Yummmmm! Serve it at your next party.

"5 Minute Border Run" Copyright 2004 - Ben Pfeiffer, Dan Lavin, Emily Anderson, and Ryan D.

Cactus Flowers 2 - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

These two flowers photos right here, made all the cactus I got in my arms worth it. Definately my favorite of the bunch.

Cactus Flowers - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Emily and I - Climbing the Canyon

I normally don't put pictures of myself on the site, cause my focus is the art in my photography, but after a few requests from friends, here is us coming back up the trail. I think we are 3-4 miles in already. Doesn't it look like we need a big glass of cold water. :)

Silver Bridge on Sunrise

Bottom of the Canyon - Sunrise

Sacred Datura - used by the Indians in the area to bring about violent and vivid hallucinogens from the poison parts of the plant in an effort to communicate with the Gods. Most often they would die (from the poison) trying to reach and understand the meaning and intent of the Gods. Not a nice plant.

Coming Down The Trail

Grand Canyon - South Kaibab Trail - July 29, 2004

South Kaibab Trail - 6.5 Miles to the Colorado River

Ok these pictures are nothing spectacular, but they do kinda show you what we say on the way down to the bottom of the canyon.

Black Bridge on Sunrise

Colors of the Green Chile

Colors of green chilis from red, green, to purple. The dark the color of the chile the riper the fruit is. So those chiles that are red or purple have been allowed to age a bit longer on the plant. The long strings of chile peppers are called ristras, and were traditionally used to supply the kitchen with spice year round and still do.

What a fresh roasted green chili peppers looks like, ready for cooking and served with a cold beer.

Eyes of Joy

Definately one of the best shots of the day in my opinion. I have another version that I took, and while good I like the above a bit better.