I'm Back

[Don McRitchie]

As some may have noticed, I'm back on the forum after an absense of two weeks. Yesterday afternoon, I flew home from Denver and am beginning to decompress from a four day work conference and subsequent 10 day vacation tour of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. While the trip was a welcome diversion, it was not relaxing since my schedule was pretty full during this time. I took advantage of the last 24 hours to catch up on my sleep to the extent that I could. I have two cats that have been attention starved for the past two weeks to ensure that I don't get too much rest.

As you can imagine, I have a huge backlog of emails and PM's to address over the next few days. Not to mention the significant events that occurred on this board during my absence. I obviously picked a great time to go away.

I do want to comment on one of the highlights of the trip. John Nebel invited me to stay with him for two days at the beginning and end of my vacation. John and Mary were extremely gracious hosts. During this time I had the chance to engage in extended listening sessions to John's 4435's, 4343's and 6332. This was the first time I had listened to any of these systems and I will offer my impressions in a subsequent post in the next day or so.

For now, I'll leave you with a few vacation pictures.

[Don McRitchie]

The focus of my travels were in persuit of my interest in old mining towns and railroads. I'll begin with the old mining towns. First, Bisbee Arizona:

[Don McRitchie]

Next, Jerome Arizona

[Don McRitchie]

St. Elmo Colorado

[Don McRitchie]

Now the railroads. This is a picture of my rental car on the abandonned rail line to Alpine Pass, Colorado. This gives you an idea of the roads and terrain I was following. I really need a Jeep, but one has to make do with what one has.

[Don McRitchie]

A further example of the roads I was following. Again the rail line to Alpine Pass.

[Don McRitchie]

Following the abandonned rail line to Crown King, Arizona.

[Don McRitchie]

Now, a real mine (they still operate them). This is the Morenci copper mine in Arizona. It is the largest open pit mine in North America. This picture captures about 5% of the operation. The mine excavation covers over 50 square miles.

[Don McRitchie]

And a real railroad that hasn't been abandonned - the Georgetown Loop in Georgetown, Colorado:

[Don McRitchie]

An obligatory mountain scenery shot on the highway north of the Morenci mine.

[Don McRitchie]

And finally, the proper destination of any vacation (the place is Cleator Arizona on the rail line to Crown King)

[mech986]

nice photos, looks like an interesting trip when you could get away from the conference.

thanks for sharing them with us.

Bart

[duaneage]

Did the bar have a massive column of JBL professional speakers for the band to play through ( behind a chain link fence of course)?

[jblnut]

Hi Don,

Please check your PM's get back to me when you can. I have the settlement check from the lost PSS amp...

jblnut

[clmrt]

I want to move back to AZ now.........

[Steve K]

I think it's great to plan one's vacation around a specific theme, makes it more memorable, too, I guess. Anyway, welcome home!:)