Time Travel, Angels, and Explosive Puppy Diarrhea

Today I fly back to Barrow, God-willing, of course. I hear the weather is an iffy thing in various parts of the U.S., but so far everything is a go for my route.

Speaking of my route... Check it out.

Atlanta to Seattle
Seattle to Anchorage
[long middle-of-the-night layover with a not entirely potty-trained puppy]
Anchorage to Fairbanks
Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay
Prudhoe Bay to Barrow

It's roughly 24 hours of travel. And honestly, it feels more like time travel, and let me tell you -- time travel is nothing to sneeze at. It's quite exhausting.

Granted, I am only time traveling back four hours, but still. Transitioning from east coast time to Alaska time wears a girl out.

So, here it goes.

Honestly, all I want is for Quya to not have explosive diarrhea at the Anchorage airport like she did two weeks ago.

** This post is dedicated to the stranger (angel?) who saw my distress at the airport and cleaned up Quya's disgusting mess by baggage claim #3. Thank you.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

On Saturday morning some of the other Graduate Institute (GI) students, a Greek Institute student, and I went to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. I'm no serious hiker...more of a "let me stop and take a picture every five minutes" hiker. Hence, I wore my Tom's shoes.  Although they held up pretty well, I will be ordering a new pair shortly. :)

Xuan!

Michael ponders. 

Getting close to the top.

Bad hair day. Awesome view day.

Michael the philosopher.

Add caption

At the top.

Back at the bottom...

These are called hoodoo formations.

Arthur sits  I̶n̶d̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶ s̶t̶y̶l̶e̶ crisscross applesauce. 

Veterans' Memorial View.

See more pictures on Facebook in my Twenty-Thirteen album! 

This ain't my first rodeo. (Well, technically, it is.)

Three other GI students and I went to the Rodeo de Santa Fe last night. We were pretty much as excited as these little 'un's you see above. :D

From Carlsbad to Santa Fe

On the way to Carlsbad Caverns...

Outside the caverns. 

This is a rope ladder that was used by early explorers of the caverns. 

Moo!

 Heading into Santa Fe.