February 18 - On the Plane to Tulum!

Not to constantly compare my life to a Jimmy Buffett song, but so often it seems entirely appropriate (which I guess is something to be proud of!)...

Well he’s on his third drink before the wheels of the plane leave the ground…
And that’s just the start of a well-deserved, overdue binge
Meanwhile back in the city, certain people are starting to cringe!

You can’t fly to Mexico and NOT have a drink on the plane!

February 18 - Tulum, Day 1

To get to Mexico from Wyoming, one must endure no fewer than three plane rides of varying lengths. For us, we drove two hours to Casper, WY, then from Casper to Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA (definitely in my top 5 Worst Airports of All Time) to Cancun, at which time we hopped in a van for the two-hour ride to our Cabana in Tulum. When we checked in, the guy at the desk 1) heard me say that our name was “Pardo” and immediately began speaking Spanish (after he had greeted us in English) and 2) asked us how long we had been traveling, to which we paused awkwardly, counting the hours, and came up with something like 12 hours of travel time, not counting our layover in LA that including margaritas along with an exuberant and happily drunk chic on her way to Buenos Aires.

A long exposure night shot of our cabana on the beach with light from the full moon...

But once at our destination, we were greeted with a candle-lit cabana, cool ocean breezes, and a bottle of wine. We found some grub (and yes, we ate the vegetables, cooked or not... hmmmm) at a local dive down the street, which was also fated to have no electricity this time of night. Candles lit the tables and the bar, and tiki torches led the way to hammocks should you feel the need for a sleep.We spent the night of the full moon outside in the warmth and humidity, listening to waves and wind and the rustle of palm fronds, and watching thick, heavy Caribbean clouds roll in from the sea and careen over and around us. Every once in a while, we could feel a spit of rain from rainstorms that were destined for somewhere else…And though we were travel weary, we found the time and energy to really appreciate the way the full moon rises over the water in the tropics…

February 22: Happy National Margarita Day!

Hope you all enjoyed your National Margarita Day! Traditionally celebrated by drinking your weight in margaritas, this sprightly holiday can also be honored with martinis, daiquiris, pina coladas, Coronas, Landsharks, anything else that just screams "Back to the Island" or by simply going to a Margaritaville for those of you who may not imbibe for one reason or another. As I spent the holiday in the Cancun airport, I had a respite in Air Margaritaville under the whirring of a model airplane.

Catching up...

Hello readers!

I just wanted to drop a note saying that I know I haven't posted in while, and I assure you I have TONS of awesome photos to post from Philadelphia and around Wyoming, and from my recent trip to Tulum, Mexico. While out of the country for the last week, I had ZERO access to internet, and it was ridiculously awesome. I love being unplugged, even if it means being a total slacker.

So until I get all my photos up and running, I leave you with my first shot from Tulum: a long exposure night shot, with the help of the full moon over the Caribbean Sea, taken from just in front of our beach bungalow!

International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race!

Woof!This race is the longest sled dog race in the Lower 48, goes from Jackson, Wyoming to Park City, Utah and kid of zig-zags its way there to maximize influence.
Below is Lance Mackey, who won the Iditarod four times in a row!
I bet you didn't know that Jamaica has its own dog sled team! Cool mushings! Below is Jamaica musher Newton Marshal!
Getting ready to start the race!

Wayside Exhibit Fail

When there are several feet of snow on the ground, it's kind of hard to read the wayside exhibits...
Or get to the restaurant...
But it is a great time to get lost in a good snowshoe!

Happy Valentine's Day, from the Pardos

Fall of 2006. Girl wanders into small Montana town on the border of Yellowstone. Girl doesn’t know a single soul in town. Girl wanders into a bar to play pool by herself. Boy is there playing pool with friends. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy and girl play pool with several New Zealanders and win, resulting in some supreme Kiwi nakedness, a Maori dance, and years' worth of gossip. Boy and girl fall in love. Girl drags boy all around the world. Boy and girl get married and are in the midst of one of the greatest adventures of all time.

Typical Pardo Family Fairytale.

Happy Valentine's Day, Baby!

The Tetons

In less time than it takes me to get to the nearest Target store, I can be here:


I have to keep reminding myself of this.

Izilwane and Geraint Smith

I am now going to take this opportunity to plug a short article of hers, along with a wonderful photo gallery from photographer Geraint Smith. Visit Izilwane.org for some great articles about the human role in nature and why humans actually care about conservation (because let's be honest, most of us genuinely don't care about science).

To check out one of my awesome little pieces (more to come!), go to http://www.izilwane.org/geraint-smith1.html.

Interested in seeing more of Geraint's photos? Visit his website at http://geraintsmith.com/.

Thanks, everyone!

Snow King Snow Tube: a photo essay