We come here occasionally for the photo-ops when the smoky skies of the South Bay give way to the azure ones.

Click on the image above for the bigger picture. You will need 3D glasses to view the image in 3D. If you don’t have the 3D glasses handy, you can see the 2D version here.

Last week, she acquired “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” an action/adventure movie that included a copy in 3D - complete with the nerdy colored glasses. We first watched the movie in standard format; as we watched, it became clear that the producers were obviously accentuating some of the scenes for 3D. After numerous such scenes we resolved to watch the movie again - this time in 3D. It was quite spectacular, actually. Lots of stuff came flying out at us - from birds to giant dandelion seed pods and from flying fish to T-Rex dinosaur slobber (really). It was a lot of fun.

Click on the thumbnail image to get a closer look at a couple of 3D nerds and don’t forget to visit the 3D Stuff pages.

This is the result of a pair I took of the ‘Hopi House,’ one of the five Mary Jane Colter buildings at Grand Canyon. The Hopi House is located at Grand Canyon Village near the famous Bright Angel (another Colter building) and the El Tovar Lodges. Click for the larger ‘PNG’ (better resolution) image.

You will need 3D glasses to view the image and the PNG above. If you don’t have the 3D glasses handy, you can see the 2D version here.

“Lipstick Hibiscus.” Seen in the garden shop yesterday. Click for big.

Bear loves to go for a ride, even if it’s around the block. Every other weekend, or whenever we feel like it, we break out the “Bear Stair” and practice getting in and out of the SUV. We decided that she’s going to accompany us on our next vacation, so she needs to be used to the drill. For now, she thinks it’s a great adventure, but when she goes on vacation with us, it might just be routine and not a big deal. I shot this video today just before embarking on a thrilling ride around the block.

This article from Midweek.com came out in August of 2006 when the collection was announced:

Military Service Inspired Aloha Shirts

Reyn Spooner introduces two new military service-inspired aloha shirts: The Silent Service design features the evolution of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service and highlights the USS Bowfin, the 63-year-old submarine now on view at Pearl Harbor. The shirt is available on a blue or khaki background and in pullover or full button front style

Spooner introduced Vintage Propellers at the same time - Bob’s looking for one of those also.

The owner did some beautiful restoration on this classic set of wheels. The interior was fully restored with original equipment. The exterior woodwork had been fully restored and polished to a high luster. Original equipment chrome hubcaps and the white sidewall tires were a delight. Everything was highly polished.

Click on the image to view in the 3D Gallery (you will need red-cyan or red-blue 3D glasses). While you’re at it, visit Bob’s 3D Stuff to read about stereoscopic anaglyph imaging. Also see the 3D Gallery for thumbnails and links to the entire collection.

If you prefer, the 2D version can be viewed here.

In this panorama, Verna looks down into the canyon, whose floor is a thousand feet down. Click the thumbnail image below to enlarge.

This is Bright Angel Canyon, as seen from Mather Point, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Bright Angel extends from the Colorado River to the north and is in the center of this photo. Bright Angel Creek empties into the river straight ahead and down, out of view.

On the right side of Bright Angel, you can see Sumner Butte near the mouth of the canyon, with the higher formations of Brahma Temple and Diva Temple behind and further to the right. On the left side, you can see Sturdevant Point and Johnson Point, with Hiller’s Butte and Buddha Temple to the left of them, all beyond Phantom Creek which empties into Bright Angel Creek on the left.

At the top of Bright Angel Canyon is Bright Angel Spring near the village at the North Rim, about 13 miles away. Visitors to the North Rim get this view from the other end.

This is one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Click on the image for a closer look.

In the side, start some white rice with ginger slices to give it that oriental flavor. Prepare a dressing with sesame oil and low-sodium soy sauce to top the rice and vegetables when served.

In the top part of the steamer, place some chopped bok choi, savoy cabbage, spinach and (optionally) some cauliflower or broccoli florets. Steam for about 30 minutes. We use an electric steamer, but the traditional bamboo steamers work just as well (we started out using them).

Add a Tsingtao, if desired, and enjoy.