More from Jiaohe

There isn't a lot of color left in Jiaohe.

But there are many interesting shapes and paths through the old buildings.

Sometimes, you can see an idea of what the city looked like.

And sometimes only a path remains.

And sometimes, there is a touch of the modern as locals dry grapes nearby.

Jiaohe Ruins

Jiaohe was the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom from 108 BC to 450 AD.

It was an important point along the Silk Road going west.

The city was formed on an islet in the middle of a river, so it had natural defenses instead of walls.

It was abandoned after its destruction by Genghis Khan in the 13th century.

A man riding below the ruins.

The dry, desert dirt of the ruins.

Watch out, the walls are collapsing.

The Monastary, one of the few pictures that I have labeled.

Breakfast, Turtle Style

Occasionally, I would give Joe a Cheerio to eat.

He would enjoy eating it, and I would find it entertaining.

Are you ready for some football?

February means football. Or at least it means time for the Super Bowl. I don't watch much pro football, but the Super Bowl is an exception.

The table was festively decorated for the occasion.

I made the peanut butter pie. The chocolate football was added later.

Wings, anyone?

An array of yummy, yummy food.

Interactive Art

Where else can you ride a fish like a horse?

Or kiss a fish?

Play metal drums.

As part of a metal band.

Going crazy.

Or single with a freaky metal band.

More Sculptures, More Fun

Take a bite from a giant apple.

Look inside an over-sized sax.

Or help an over-sized sax player play.

Try to look through a spiral.

Then find a shorter one that works better.

Even if you have to kneel.

Reach for falling blocks.

Before they fall on you.

Sculpture Park in Beijing

Sculpture Parks are great fun. It is fun to pose with all the interesting sculptures.

Making monkey faces.

Hanging out inside a giant woman.

A little freaky, I know.

Doing pull-ups, well sort of.

Or fish turning into ...

Birds.

Pied Piper

I see the rodents being drawn by the music.

Squatty Throne

Take a step up to the throne.

Snowpocalypse - Part 2

The real Snowpocalypse started just a few days after the first snow storm.

Early afternoon on February 9th, it started snowing again.

Most of the snow was still hanging around from the first storm.

We got 15 more inches. See how little people look against the snow.

Everything was covered with lots and lots of snow.

Our snow measuring stick wasn't even helpful anymore.

The outside table and grill were lost under a coat of snow.

Snowpocalypse - Part 1

February has brought snow and lots of it. The first snow came on February 5th and 6th.

It was a lot.

About 20 inches. And most of it came overnight.

The whole area turned into a winter wonderland.