Jenn

Today the contractors took the old windows out, re-framed the wall, and put the windows back in with the double door!

Jenn

We are rolling steel fence posts for the big shade structure because the PVC pieces weren't strong enough to withstand desert winds.

Jenn

I went shopping for some summer clothes! I found teal pants!

Jenn

We hiked to a natural arch (which is what I'm looking at) while Romy's parents were visiting. The arch was in the Malpais National Monument, an area of volcanic flows (but the arch was in sandstone formed by ancient dunes).

Jenn

While Romy's parents were visiting, we stopped at a cafe in Pie Town, NM. We had pie of course! I had a coconut custard pie that was the best pie I ever ate! (with ice cream)

Jenn & Romy

We went on a hot air balloon ride with Cloud Walker out of a field near Belen, NM. It was sooooooo cool! This was taken as we were lifting off.

Jenn

We are grilling on the back deck for the first time ever while Romy's parents are visiting.

Jenn

We set up the yurt at the South Ruby Marsh Campground in the Ruby Valley in the National Wildlife Conservation Area. Now with the new windows and floor, the yurt is so much more awesome! Plus the campground was nice and quiet and had a perfectly flat gravel area for the yurt.

Romy & Jenn

We took a long hike in the Ruby Mountains today on the Crest Trail. It was sooooo nice and so much better than I expected! We were over 10k feet!

Jenn

We ate at the Star Hotel, an old Basque restaurant in Elko, NV. The Basque people are originally from the French and Spanish mountainous region and were traditionally shepherds. Many moved to Nevada where they were also shepherds.

Romy

Romy is sitting on a lawn chair, ratchet strapped to the roof, and shooting a huge propane blow torch! This is my National Geographic picture which shows what 4th of JuPlaya is all about!

Romy

So, Romy and Toby got this crazy idea to ratchet strap a chair to the roof of Toby's car and add some LEDs! The second night, we perfected it.

Romy

This is our beautiful camp at 4th of JuPlaya this year. Thats Crusty by the motorcycle, and Romy is in the white shirt helping Eric cook burgers. The American flag is on a 20 foot pole of conduit.

Romy

Romy is fixing something under the Subaru before we drive it all the way to Gerlach, NV! Almost vacation time!!!

Jenn

I am in there somewhere! This is the group photo for the International Conference on Permafrost in Potsdam, Germany! We had a big BBQ dinner after for all those people!

Jenn

I rented a bike today and went around Potsdam, Germany. This is a palace that some royalty built in the 1800s. It is now surrounded by a huge park.

Jenn

We just did a test set-up of the 20x30ft shade structure for 4th of JuPlaya. Its big!

Jenn

Sewing the yurt windows in. Still. . . its a big job!

Jenn

Sewing the mesh into the yurt walls.

Jenn

Look at the greenhouse! Its growing!