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See Ya at the State Fair

8/12/2023

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Not every state has a great state fair, so I'll take you to Indiana's.

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This is the 1918 Sideshow.
Notice most of the fairgoers are men. Note the fashions. There's no sideshows anymore.
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1958 Fair Tram
I have to admit the tram hasn't changed in over fifity years, except the tractiors now run on soy biodiesel fuel.
PictureFair Queen Contest
We still have a fair queen every year, but I don't think they have a swimsuit contest. Each county sends their own 4-H Fair Contest Queen to compete. Often the competitors participate in a fashion show of clothes they designed and sewed 
themselves.

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Anyone Regonize these Guys?
In 1964, the Beatles arrived to play at the Indiana State Fair. Many bands play at the state fair every year.
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Racing is a big part of the state fair. Standardbred horses are used for racing. They race with a fast, showy trot rather than a full out gallop.

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Animals are a huge part of the fair. Competitiors that won on the local level can compete at the state level. All animals get a full spa treatment including haircuts before entering the show ring.

This is a wonderful opportunity for child and adult alike to experience farm animals.


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Carriage Horse
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Boys Earing Roasted Corn
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Sheep wearing tropical coats
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Fair Food
As far as fair food, if it can be fried, it will be. If it can be put on a stick, it will be, too. 

We always stop at the dairy barn that sells ice cream, milk shakes, and grilled cheese sandwiches. It is run by 4-H members. I was in 4-H as a kid, as were my children, and we worked at the local 4-H food stand each year. I recommend it as probably the cheapest place to eat and profits go back to the 4-H organization. 
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Daughter Sarah & Me at the Glass Barn
Each year my daughter and I attend the fair. It's great fun seeing the animals, exhibits, feeding the animals at the petting zoo, cheering on the racing pigs this year,  fair food, photo opps, and meandering through the flea market.
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Double Decker Carousel
The Midway is a big draw with its various rides and games of chance. On my first visit to the fair with my now husband, he won a dragon and unicorn for me, which made me the envy of many children. :) I still have both stuffed animals. I can see my characters Tenny and Blue from The Tenacious Librarian Series wandering the fair grounds. Blue would definitely hang out with the dairy cows. Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Indiana State Fair.
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The Boone High School Band can play us out.
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Ferris Wheel at Sunset
What are your favorite fair memories?
Photos from Indianapolis Star, self-taken, or from the Glass Barn.
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Movies, Monsters, and Marmalade Giveaway

7/7/2023

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​Tagline: When legends come to life, a librarian's detective skills are put to the test.
I never thought my quiet little town would become the center of attention, but here we are. A low-budget movie production company has descended upon us, determined to resurrect a local legendary monster. As the town librarian and amateur sleuth extraordinaire, I couldn't resist digging deeper into their suspicious activities.
 
My best bud Blue, always up for an adventure, joins me in unraveling the secrets behind the movie crew. There's something fishy about them, and I suspect they're up to more than just making a film. But that's not the only challenge I face.
 
Rita, my nemesis, has escaped from prison, and she blames me for her incarceration. It seems she hasn't forgotten our last encounter when she tried to end my life. With her lurking in the shadows, I have to stay one step ahead and protect myself and my loved ones.
 
Oh, and did I mention Precious, the mischievous raccoon? He's always by my side, getting into trouble and helping me crack the case in her own unique way. Together, we'll uncover the truth behind the movie production and the legend it aims to resurrect.
 
In a town where everyone is busy perfecting their acting skills, we're about to discover that some performances are too real for comfort. Join me on this thrilling adventure as we navigate through movie dreams, dormant fears, and a town buzzing with excitement. When legends come to life, a librarian's detective skills are put to the test. Will I solve the mystery before it's too late?
 
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Frogs, Floods, and Fraud Release Day Giveaway

5/20/2023

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a Rafflecopter giveaway
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My Ireland Trip

5/20/2023

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Share with me my trip to Ireland. It started when a friend asked me if I'd accompany her.

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 Ireland is the land of lakes, standing stone circles, myths, and sheep. Because we went in the spring, there were plenty of lambs. The  sheep are often sprayed  with paint as a form of identification. Soon after the lambs are born they get a dab of color, too.

The fields are usually divided by hedge groves  or ancient stone fences. There are a few wood and wire fences to keep both lambs and cows contained.

Lamb meat while expensive in the United States is an affordable dish in Ireland. Woolen stores are everywhere and sell the most beautifully woven merino wool scarves.

Ireland contains 60% of all megalithic stone circles in the European Union and the UK. Most are on private property, but are still open for tourists/locals to visit.

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This is a Hawthorne tree and is considered a fairy tree. Roads and building projects  have been planned around in such trees in Ireland. Our guide told us a story where a road was either built around or cut down the Hawthorne tree and wrecks kept happening there. They eventually changed the road and offered an apology to the fairies.

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The Lakes

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Ireland is an island surrounded by the Alantic ocean, but inside the mountains, you have magnificent lakes. A good part of Ireland is National Parks land including the lakes. The parks are open for all to visit. Boats and kayaks are available for rent. We chose a boat tour with a guide who not only had a motor on his boat, but knew all the tales that go along with the magnicient, scenery.
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One of our day trips was to Innisfallen Island, which is now deserted, except for the deer. It had been once a monastery. In ancient times, it was believed to be a place of learning for both men and women. There's a possibility it could have served as a leper colony, too. Now it is a park belonging to Killarney. People often picnic on this peaceful place while exploring the ruins. It is only acessible by boat.

Jaunting carts through the hills and Celtic Steps Dancing

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Bunratty Castle to the left and my normal fish and chips lunch above. The green stuff is mushy peas, which is a staple that comes with almost every meal.

Bunratty Castle is a restored castle that hosts many events including a madrigal dinner. I undertand that reservations must be made very far in advance. There is a folk park surrrounding the village that gives a feel for life during the castle's heyday. There are shops to visit and tearooms and pubs to frequent . I took advantage of the tea room during the rain shower. (Yes, it did rain several times on my trip.)
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There was a whimisical atmosphere about my Irish sojurn. There were swings everywhere and I did stop for a few pumps of the legs. Some of the swings were over water testing my resolve. I tried out those swings, too and didn't end up in the chilly water.

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Here I am crawling out of OWEYNAGAT , which is sometimes called the entrance to the Irish Underworld or the Cave of Cats. It is dark, muddy, and amazing. It gets bigger once you get inside. I You'll have to try it out for yourself.
Find out more about Irish Caves.


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It is fitting we end our visit to Ireland with sunset over the Killarney countryside.

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Countdown to Bookworm of a Suspect Release

3/11/2023

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Win Amazon Gift Cards, Ebook, Paperback, and Audible Cozy Mystery Reads

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30 authors 30 Cozy Mysteries benfitting the Free Book Bus

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Don't forget Bookworm of a Suspect is available for only .99 until 4/11/23

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Christmas Memories

1/7/2023

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A Call from Santa by Robin

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I think I believed in Santa longer than most children.  The reason is that he called me!  This was in the early 1950s, before kids were disillusioned through modern technology.  Mom answered the phone and, after listening a minute, held the handset out saying, "It's for you." 

Probably the first time that had happened to me.  I tentatively said, "Hello?"  and a gravelly voice replied, "Ho, ho, ho!  Merry Christmas, Robin!" 

I could hear jingle bells and Santa turned away from the phone to call one of the reindeer from wandering off.  Then he told me that he was calling the children on his "Nice" list to check what they wanted for Christmas.  We had a lovely, but short, discussion (he had a lot of children to check on) and then, with more jingle bells and commands to elves and reindeer, he hung up. 

​ I found out years later that it was "Uncle" Charlie Brophy, a friend of my parents'.  They had been as surprised as I was when he called.  It was just something he had decided to do for the younger kids of his friends and neighbors.

Morgan here. What a sweet thing for Uncle Charlie to do.

COMPASSION CHRISTMAS COOKIES BY SHELBY

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My favorite Christmas memory is from when I was a lot younger. My mom wanted to bake sugar cookies with us and we needed a few ingredients from the store (flour, sugar, salt, etc). She sent me into the store with a sandwich baggy full of loose coins.

Thinking back… she was probably embarrassed to do it herself. I faithfully grabbed all of the ingredients on the list she had given me and set them on the conveyer belt to check out. When the cashier rang everything up and I counted out each coin from my bag, I didn’t have enough. The cashier asked me to choose an item to put back. I tried telling her that my mom had sent me into the store to buy all of the necessary ingredients we needed to make cookies for Santa and I needed it all. I was devastated. Everything was vital to making the cookies.

Finally, I chose the salt. The woman in line behind me told the cashier that she would take the salt. My young pride was upset. How dare she take MY salt. The salt that I couldn’t pay for. I slowly walked out of the store to my mom, who was waiting in the car for me. How was I going to tell her that I couldn’t get everything she’d asked for? I failed the job she had given me. Now, we wouldn’t be able to make cookies.

As I was just about to exit the store, the woman who was behind me in line called out to me. I turned around and she had the salt container in her outstretched hands. She told me that she wanted me to have it. She remembered being a struggling single mom and that she wanted me to tell my mom Merry 
Christmas. Through my tears, I thanked her and gave her a hug.

 When I got back into the car with my mom, I told her everything. How I didn’t have enough money for everything and that I had to return an item and I’d chosen the salt. How the woman behind me in line said that she would buy the salt and how upset I was. Then, I told her what that same woman had done, she’d purchased the salt for us and that she’d asked me to tell my mom that she was doing great and to have a Merry 
Christmas. My mom and I sat in our car crying for a few minutes before she turned to me and said, “That is the true meaning of Christmas.”

Now that I’m older and have a family of my own, I still cannot make sugar cookies without thinking of that nameless woman and silently thanking her for her kindness.

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What an incredible tale of compassion. Thanks for sharing it, Shelby.
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1975 Christmas Boat Parade

An Unexpected Trip by Kathy


One of my favorite Christmas’s took place in 1975. My father was in the U.S. Air Force and we had recently returned to the United States from living abroad in West Germany. In December of 1975 my father decided he would drive the family to Washington State so my mother could visit with her Uncle Bob and her grandparents.

It was quite an experience for us. We had our school work to do but we also visited so many new historical places .
We participated in a Christmas Boat Parade. We went to Mount Rainier and Northwest Trek. We went up in the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington.

It was so much fun.

It sounds like a wonderful time. Happy memories.
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Christmas Love Delivered

12/10/2022

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Christmases Remembered
 
The Christmas I remembered best was when my father had just hired on as a welder at Jeff Boat. A fall at work caused him to break his arm and miss work when a strike happened. Despite being part of the union, he was on sick leave when they chose to strike and was denied strike pay. This was the death knell for our Christmas. Living on a farm provided us with staples such as chicken, eggs, milk, and everything my mother had canned. My mother tried to prepare us telling us Santa might not be able to bring us much this year. I’m not sure if this made much of an impression because everyone knew Santa was magical.

Our old dolls vanished and my mother became very interested in creating tiny doll clothes she insisted were for my cousin’s doll. My father took advantage of scrap lumber and hammered together tiny doll cradles and dollhouses when he wasn’t helping neighbors who repaid my father with livestock feed, dog food, and occasionally, venison. The dog food came in handy because we had four large Germans Shepherds, the result of my mother’s attempt to get into the dog breeding business without success.

That Christmas Eve we could stay up late and watch It’s A Wonderful Life and munch on an oversized box of cheap chocolates a neighbor passed on. Could be my parents knew this was the most they could offer us. We trooped off to bed sleepy, but hopeful that Santa would come through for us. 

I remember standing at the window and peering outside at the moonlit snow hoping to spot in the distance a sleigh and reindeer without luck. Eventually cold drove us under the covers dreaming of what might be. Sometime later, a cacophony of dogs barking mingled with a woman’s shriek had us kids sprintng to the window only to see a car reversing down our driveway chaperoned by German Shepherds, who raced the unknown driver back to the road.

​My father ran outside barefoot, clutching his rifle. From our second-floor window, we watched him pick up a stocking out of the snow. Mother joined him and carried in wrapped packages that had been abandoned in the driveway when the dogs came charging out of the barn. Without saying a word, the three of us knew not to mention what we had seen.
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The next day we were pleasantly surprised with stockings and gifts. Even my mother and father received a gift and the dogs got a large can of dog bones. For years, we never knew who our generous visitors were and in some ways, that served us. Anyone we met, from neighbors to church members, could be our secret givers. Believing anyone was capable of this kindness made my world a better place.
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Those familiar with The Christmas Story might recognize the lamp.
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Christmas Giveaway

11/12/2022

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 It's begining to look a lot like a Cozy Mystery Christmas.

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Christmas Lights in the Snow

Here's a giveaway to celebrate the upcoming releases of Bullies, Bovines, and a Bookmobile plus Bookworm of a Suspect Anthology with 30 cozy mystery authors penning 30 different tales.

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Four $10 Amazon Gift Cards and Four MK Scott eBooks are waiting to go home with someone for the holidays.

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Bullies, Bovines, and a Bookmobile
​Blurb:
​
An unexpected illness of the aunt who raised her, draws reference librarian Tenny back into the tangle of small time life complete with unrequited love, and a mean girl with an agenda. Her goal is to nurse her aunt back to health and start a local library in the process. Unfortunately, she stumbles onto a bovine secret and a life-long rivalry. Can she untangle the mystery while creating a rural bookmobile service?

​Available for only .99 cents preorder on Amazon.

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A Bookworm of a Suspect

​All proceeds will be donated to "The Free Book Bus" 
a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

From bookstores to libraries, mischief and murder is on the rise.
Follow 30 sleuths as they tackle the ultimate case, to catch a bookworm red-handed.

Will their love of books solve the case before it's too late?
Spend the next month solving a mystery a day from the best cozy mystery authors in the industry.

Featuring bestsellers such as: Verena DeLuca, NAK Baldron, Denise Jaden, Iris March, Nicolette Pierce, Jessica Baker, Krista Lockheart Lisa Bouchard, Lise McClendon, Julie Anne Lindsey, Stella Bixby, K.L. Montgomery, Anne Shillolo, Polly Holmes, Kathryn Mykel, Angela K. Ryan, M K Scott, Brittany E. Brinegar, Mary Lucal, Elle Wren Burke, C. Farren, Alicia Ellis, Jennifer S. Alderson, Kelly Brakenhoff, Rune Stroud, Mary B. Barbee, Elle Hartford, ACF Bookens, Adriana Licio, Kate Darroch and more.


Only .99 preorder at your favorite online bookstores.
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Waiting for Santa Paws
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Shooting for the Stars

10/29/2022

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What happens with thirty cozy mystery authors come together for a fun anthology that benefits the Free Book Bus, a non-profit organization that delivers free books to children? It's a win-win for the children and cozy mystery fans.

Pre-order your own A Bookworm of a Suspect for only .99 cents. Enjoy thirty tales from thirty talented authors. Here's a little more about my story, which involves Donna and Mark from my Painted Lady Inn Mysteries series.

M.K. Scott,  A Cat’s Tale

A curious cat leads Detective Mark Taber and amateur sleuth wife, Donna, to a murdered man inside an empty bookstore. Despite warnings not to interfere by the local authorities, Donna finds herself pulled into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
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Amazon Link to Related Series: https://www.amazon.com/The-Painted-Lady-Inn-Mysteries-12-book-series/dp/B087LQWWN4


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Bucket List Vacation

10/15/2022

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Join Us on Our Galapagos Vacation

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Two Sea Lions Curled Up Together
My mother loved to travel and often took us on family vacations. She has since passed on, but I like to think she traveled with us. Too often, people wait too long to take a dream trip. We've been waiting two years for ours. Come travel with us.
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Guayaquil, Ecuador Night Skyline

We arrived in Guayaquil, Ecuador late at night.

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Sea Lion Napping on Our Tender

This is our mode of travel, but without the sea lion.
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PictureYoung Sea Turtle Swimming
Galapagos Islands is considered a national park with a very interesting history. It served as a pirates hideout due to the morning mists from the currents, a whaler's paradise due to whales, a penal colony, and finally a protected wildlife sanctuary.  Animals have no fear of humans since they are neither hunted or harassed. The finches will land right next to you for a crumb from your sandwich. 
 
The Island of Floreana  could be its own mystery novel. Back in the seventies, nine people chose to live there, only one remains, and she's a little fuzzy about the details about what happened to everyone else.  A few of the islands have human populations, but must rely on supplies from Ecuador. Conservation is number one consideration with no plastic bottles in Galapagos. They have machines that dispense water and coffee, but a customer must provide their own container. All soda and water are in glass bottles.
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Morning Mist
There are so many incredible animals in the Galapagos including sea lions, penguins, iguanas, flamingoes, sea turtles, and gIant tortoise to name a few. (Only 1 in 1000 baby sea turtles actually reaches the sea.)

There are all sorts of birds including the famous blue footed booby, Darwin Finches, pelicans, gulls, Galapagos Hawk, and the Frigate Bird. If anyone remembers Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie, it will give you a feel what it was like visiting the island where all the huge, black frigate birds filled the sky crying their slightly eerie call. Thankfully, they didn't attack and there were plenty of fluffly baby frigates to ooh and ah over.  A baby is anywhere from twelve to eighteen inches long.
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Fluffy Baby Frigate Bird
For those of you planning a similar trip, I should warn you about lots of hiking, speeding around in inflatable boats and wet landings. Wet landings are where you jump out of the boat and wade to shore. Dry landings are where you jump out of a rocking boat and hope you hit land. We fared well. No sun burn, no bug bites, and over six hundred photos.
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The Yellow Warbler
PictureScott planting a tree.
 Our bucket list trip to Galapagos really stretched our horizons and forced us to remember our high school Spanish. We saw animals up close, snorkeled, and kayaked. We planted trees to help rebuild forests crowded out by invasive species. One of the invasive species was surprisingly blackberry brambles. The blackberries were brought by immigrants from Ecuador hoping to grow familiar berries.


It's an amazing experience to walk through a field of migrating giant tortoises. Our guide told us once a tortoise reaches a hundred years, it refuses to migrate since they always come back to the same place in the spring. Wisdom comes with age.

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Turtle and Me
Here is Galapagos Most Photographed Resident
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The Blue Footed Booby
Color is very important to attract a mate. Boobies with the bluest feet attract the most mates. It's the same with the Sally Go Lightly  Crab. The brighter the color, the more chance a female crab will notice it.
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Sally Go Lightly Crab
Galapagos Islands Park allows only so many visitors per year, so we feel extremely lucky to visit in our lifetime. We were on a small craft with only ninety-four guests. Most everyone flew in from Quito. We were the only ones to fly in from Guayaquil. For a few hours, we were the only guests on the boat. :) 
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Enjoying being the only people on the boat. LOL

Some of the Islands are still forming, which explains the lava fields. This one is 130 years old, but we did witness a smoking vent.

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Standing in the Lava Fields

Galapagos is on the West Side of Ecuador, which makes for Great Sunsets.

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Sun Setting over the Sea

Hope you enjoyed your trip to Galapagos.

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San Cristobal Sign
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