Christmas Eve with Rick

After shopping for gifts, we returned home to wrap them and put up lights

 Marguerite arrived later bringing a potted Christmas Tree

I still had not bothered to get a proper shade for the lamp.... cheeezus

USS Ranger (CV 61)

Rick's bottom rack

where Marguerite skipped

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On Sunday 14 December 86,  Rick Walker, whom I had recently met,  took me on a tour of the carrier he was stationed on.  (Mirabilis:  the developing envelope actually says "Tour of Ranger 12/14/86.)

Stan's Leather Jacket

While in San Francisco,  I met up with Stan Hintington who gave me his ex-lovers leather jacket

Thanksgiving with Charles & Regina

On Wednesday, 26 November, I headed up to San Francisco to spend Thanksgiving with Charles and Regina and then to make the rounds of bars and friends.

I stayed in San Francisco at least until 2 December after which I headed down to L.A. to spend a post-Thanksgiving with Marguerite.

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Carlson & His Bike

Carlson & Bike

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One mid-morning later in the Summer, Carlson showed up on his bike. I think he wanted a picture of himself taken.  This picture is the next frame after Zion.  It precedes pictures of me.  The diary entry of 20 September 86 complains about how i look, so the pictures were probably taken within the preceding week, possibly even on the 7th. 

Zion

Zion is one of the most beautiful places in the United States, in my opinion.  It is to the Grand Canyon what a delicate gothic chapel is to the massive St. Peters.  

I don't know what it is like today, but when Carlson and I backpacked there in 1987, there were no amenities at all once one ascended from the camp ground and park curio shoppe.  We had to tote (and conserve) our own water. Those were also pre-cell phone days. But being young such absences were of no concern.  

For two days there was nothing to do but enjoy our own company and the vast expanse of a silent nature that seemed primordially welcoming.  

That... and watch the little squirrel feasting on his pit. :)

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Zion

Petrified Sands (East Park)

East Temple Look-Out

Emerald Pools

The "Grotto"

Near Angels Landing

In July 1986, Carlson asked me if i would like to camping at Zion National Park.  We drove there in his newly purchased Nissan truck ... with A/C.   In those days, away from the reception area camper grounds, Zion was pure wilderness.  There was no A/C  and we had to pack our own water.  It is one of Earth's stupendous places.  

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Diary for 20 July 1986 says:  Went camping this weekend with Carlson...  On Sunday [13th] we drove to Zion National Park and spent the next two days [14th & 15th] hiking around before leaving on Wednesday [16th].