Blue Planet Journey

A week ago, I completed the Logan Marathon.  This marathon is the replacement for the now-defunct Top of Utah marathon.  I didn't take any photos, but the marathon organizers had a photographer capture a few stills.  This is what the scenery looks like! Trust me... this is really the start.  Note that I can run with my eyes closed! I'm probably at about mile 17, returning to Logan.  I took off my jacket at mile 7. One of the issues when there are only 300 runners spread out over 26.2 miles... "Hey, where is everyone?" It's always uplifting to see runners you know!  Nan, Linda, and Maryanne shared their smiles with me! Then, it was time to cross the finish line! Coming in to the finish line... I think I could have run an additional 500 feet!

African penguins at Boulders Beach, near Cape Town, South Africa. After weeks roaming the African bush for wildlife, our last week was decidedly urban.  We landed in Cape Town, had dinner with a local family, took a gondola to the top of Table Mountain, visited the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and an active township, headed down to the Cape of Good Hope, watched nesting PENGUINS, and finally visited the Cape's wine country. Arriving in Cape Town! The drinking age is 18.  "Keep walking, South Africa." Concerns about excess plastic isn't just a US thing. We had a few hours before dinner.  Caroline and I spent it in the hotel's gym on the 15th floor.  Here, Caroline is pointing to our destination for the next day, Table Mountain.  You can climb up Table Mountain, but most people take a gondola to the structure on the edge of the mountain. There's a bit of wind at the top of Table Mountain.  The island in ...