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Machu Picchu and Darwin's Islands
Guided colonial Quito tour; Four-night Galapagos cruise; Darwin Research Station visit; Exploring Urubamba, "Sacred Valley of the Incas"; Mysterious Machu Picchu-a must see!; Scenic 'Vistadome' train to Cuzco
Dates & Prices
Prices are in US Dollars (USD), before taxes (if applicable) - All pricing reflects per-person Land Only expenses, however, we can book flights from virtually every city. Please call us for an air quote.
|Start Date
|End Date
|More Info
|Mon 30 Jan 2017
|Tue 14 Feb 2017
|Mon 06 Feb 2017
|Tue 21 Feb 2017
|Mon 26 Jun 2017
|Tue 11 Jul 2017
|Mon 06 Nov 2017
|Tue 21 Nov 2017
|Mon 29 Jan 2018
|Tue 13 Feb 2018
|Mon 25 Jun 2018
|Tue 10 Jul 2018
|Mon 05 Nov 2018
|Tue 20 Nov 2018
Optional Single Supplement: $1490 USD (number of singles limited).
Tour Overview
This tour is an expedition along land of such immaculate beauty that it is hard to justify the experience through the use of flowery adjectives and descriptive imagery. Only we can see first-hand why Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands are some of the most popular locations in adventure tourism. Seeing the ancient structures of Machu Picchu sitting on the lush green slopes of the Andes is sight we will have a chance to soak in. Walk through the ruins and then step back to find the higher ground so we can obtain a panoramic view of the entire valley. Watching the tortoises, sea lions and iguanas crawl along the white sands of the Galapagos Islands, we will come to understand exactly why Charles Darwin described this archipelago that is spread across 4800 square kilometres as a "little world within itself". As we cruise through the islands over the next few days, we will be stopping for a hike along the volcanic terrain that supports some of the world's most unique land structures, or we will snorkel in the crystal-clear waters where exotic, colourful fish swim in innumerable schools.
Regions visited: South America
Countries visited: Peru and Ecuador
Full Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Lima
Today we arrive in Lima, Peru.
This city has had wonderful restorations in recent years to the plazas, ornate facades, and wooden balconies for which the city is famous. Lima, named the 'City of Kings' by the Spanish Conquistadors, is the capital of Peru. Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, where the River Rimac meets the Pacific Ocean, this was the most important Spanish city during the colonial era with a population of about 100,000 inhabitants. Today the city is home to more than 7 million people.
Overnight in Lima (Miraflores).
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2 Lima: City Tour
This morning we start our tour with a visit to San Francisco's Church to visit the extensive catacombs that lie underneath. We then continue to the Plaza de Armas, the most important plaza in Lima. The oldest surviving part of the plaza is the impressive bronze fountain, erected in 1650. Surrounding the plaza is the exquisite Archbishop's Palace, the cathedral, and the Government Palace where handsomely uniformed presidential guards are on duty all day. We visit the cathedral where the great conquistador Francisco Pizarro's tomb lies.
We then proceed to the Larco Museum, which showcases remarkable chronological galleries and an excellent overview on 3,000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Features the finest gold and silver collection from ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects.
Later we head to the trendy area of Miraflores where people stroll along the cliff tops and watch the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean. The best location is the new "Love Park," with its magnificent monument to lovers at its centre. We continue to the Hacienda Mamacona for an exhibition of beautiful Peruvian Paso horses, accompanied by a delicious dinner of Criollo food and a folkloric show.
Overnight in Lima (Miraflores).
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 Lima - Cuzco - Urubamba Valley - Ollantaytambo - Yucay
Early this morning we fly to Cuzco, located in a fertile valley at 3354 m (11,004 feet). This is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the ancient capital of the Inca Empire that, at its height, stretched from Colombia in the north, through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and down to central Chile in the south. Although the empire already existed in the 12th century, it remained small until the mid-15th century. Over the next 100 years, it expanded massively but declined due to the civil war and the conquest by the Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro in 1533.
On arrival we will travel by road into the Urubamba Valley, or "Sacred Valley of the Incas," along one of the most scenic drives on our trip, to the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo located on a spectacular ridge with deep valleys on either side. We can admire the carefully constructed and maintained farming terraces on the surrounding hillsides.
We continue to the town of Yucay on the bank of the Urubamba River (2300m / 7,590 ft). This is an attractive little town of particularly fertile lands whose name translated into Spanish means "deceit" or "bewitchment". According to legend, in the middle of the 15th century, the Inca Huayna Capac was captivated by the incomparable magnificence of Yucay's setting and decided to settle here.
Overnight in Yucay.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 Yucay - Machu Picchu Area
Today we take the early morning train* from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The train journey to Machu Picchu is a highlight of any trip to the Andes; the scenery is simply spectacular, and the train allows you to enjoy it in comfort. The +/- 3 hour trip takes us through a changing landscape with wonderful vistas of the mountains and, deep in its dramatic canyon, the beautiful Urubamba River. Our early arrival from Urubamba ensures that we are at the site before the tourist throngs arrive on the train from Cuzco later in the morning.
Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, a bus will take us on the 6 km (4 mile) twisting journey up the mountainside to the site of Machu Picchu. Having already dropped our baggage at our hotel, we proceed immediately for a guided 3-hour walking tour of the ruins (please be prepared with all that you need for our tour). We will enter the site through the House of the Terrace Caretakers, which flank the agricultural sector. Once on the site, we will see, among other features: the Temple of the Sun, the Fountain Caretaker's House, the Royal Sector, and the puzzling Temple of the Three Windows. We will also see the Common District, the Sacred Rock, and the prison-like Temple of the Condor.
Machu Picchu, popularly known as the 'Lost City of the Incas,' is an ancient city of stone palaces, towers, temples and staircases. It is a very mysterious place, and to this day our knowledge of it remains sketchy. There are no records or artifacts on the site to indicate what any of the buildings were used for. Archaeologists have ascertained that the site was most likely a ceremonial centre and possibly used for administrative purposes for the populous region.
After our tour, you may choose to proceed to the hotel or remain on the site for some independent exploration (your ticket is good for the day), and return to the hotel on your own using the return portion of your bus ticket.
* PLEASE bring an overnight bag for this one night at Aguas Calientes as the the train enforces strict luggage limits. Our larger bags will be transported back to Cuzco for us.
Overnight at Agua Calientes (near Machu Picchu).
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Machu Picchu Area - Cuzco
A large part of the beauty of Machu Picchu is created by its setting on a mountain top surrounded by deep valleys. By staying for a second day to visit Machu Picchu, rather than visiting as a day trip from Cuzco, we are able to savour the atmosphere of this very special place.
In the early morning of our second day at Machu Picchu, most group members choose to take the bus back up to the site with the weather-dependent hope of seeing the mist-clad mountains greet the morning sun. Weather notwithstanding, the best thing about going up the second day is being there early when there are fewer people, allowing time to "soak it in," as well as the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu and/or to the Sun Gate (approximate optional costs to revisit the site today: bus 28 USD round trip, and 55 USD site entrance, payable locally).
During our time at Machu Picchu, we will also include a visit to the Manuel Chavez Ballon Site Museum, which focuses on the "discovery", excavation, and history of Macchu Picchu. On display are historical photos, including photos of Hiram Bingham at Machu Picchu shortly after he came across the ruins, informative write-ups on the construction of Machu Picchu and the life of the Incas, and artifacts found at the site. Outside the museum is a very lush botanical garden running along the river; some plants are labeled and there are a few short trails. This is a nice shady area to rest on a hot day and is an easy 25 minute walk from Aguas Calientes down the road leading to Machu Picchu.
Later in the afternoon we board the VISTADOME train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Station (1.5 hours) from where we bus back to Cuzco.
Overnight in Cuzco.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 Cuzco Area
This morning we visit some of the most important Inca sites in the Cuzco area.
Sacsayhuaman is an impressive complex which, like so many others of that time, had both a religious and military purpose. The fortress known as the 'storehouse of the sun' incorporates some of the largest stones ever used in a building. The zig-zag walls represent the teeth of the sacred puma and provide an excellent defensive structure. The stones fit so perfectly together without mortar that not even moss can grow in the cracks!
In the afternoon we return to Cuzco and enjoy a tour of the town. We visit Coricancha, the temple of the sun which was the most important location in the Inca empire. Entombed in the closed cloister of the Sto Domingo Church, these sacred walls were hidden from modern civilization until the colonial walls were brought down in 1950 by a powerful earthquake. We also visit the church of San Blas with its fabulously carved pulpit. Wandering the narrow streets of the San Blas artisan region we make our way to the cathedral which towers impressively over the Plaza Mayor. Inside we find precious paintings from the Cuzco School of Art, one of the most prolific of its era.
This Inca city was laid out around a great central square in the shape of a puma, the god of lightning. Today, stone walls built by the Incas line most of Cuzco's central streets and form the foundations of colonial and modern buildings. The Inca buildings were so well built that the Spaniards simply knocked down the upper parts of the Inca temples and palaces and built their churches and mansions on top of the Inca walls. Shortly after the Spanish conquest, the capital was moved to Lima on the coast. Thus Cuzco has retained a wonderful, untouched colonial atmosphere. The culture is also very much alive here, and is evident in the music, clothing and handicrafts of the people.
We have dinner at a local restaurant where we can try some typical Peruvian dishes. One may wish to try the "Pisco sour", a powerful drink made with a Peruvian liquor distilled from white grapes.
Overnight in Cuzco.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 Cuzco - Pisac - Cuzco
This morning we visit the ruins at Tambo Machay, Puca Pucara and Qenko. The latter is an Inca sacrificial site carved with inscriptions.
We continue to Pisac with its lively market where you will encounter traditionally dressed locals with whom you can barter for colourful craft items. You will see many unique Andean musical instruments as well as dazzling textiles. Peruvian woolen items are justifiably famous for their imaginative designs, based on Inca art and the local flora and fauna. You can buy sweaters and caps made from the extremely warm wool of alpacas and llamas.
We return to Cuzco with balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Cuzco.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 Cuzco, Peru - Quito, Ecuador
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito (via Lima).
Quito (2788 m / 9,200 feet) is Ecuador's lovely capital city, nestled against Pichincha Volcano high in the Andes.
Overnight in Quito.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 Quito: City Tour
Today we tour old Spanish Colonial Quito, preserved by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. As we enter the streets of Old Quito we step into the past, surrounded by centuries-old architecture. We stop at the commanding Legislative Palace, whose murals record Ecuador's history. We will see Quito's most beautiful religious buildings, including the cathedral, the Independence Plaza, San Francisco Church, and visit one of Quito's most impressive religious buildings, La Compania church, whose ornate facade and solid gold altars make it one of the most famous of South American churches. We visit the famous Panecillo Hill with its towering winged statue of the Virgin of the Apocalypse with views of north and south of Quito and the surrounding mountains.
This afternoon we travel 22 km (14 miles) north of Quito to the Equator line monument, known as the "middle of the world," where you can stand with one foot in the Northern and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. We also visit the excellent on-site ethnographic museum with exhibits pertaining to the many indigenous peoples of Ecuador.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to logistical reasons, this is a "floating day" that may occur at a different point of our programme.
Overnight in Quito.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Quito - Otavalo - Quito
Today we have a day trip to the Otavalo Valley region.
In early years the Otavalo Valley was filled with farmers who raised crops in fertile lands where they lived. In the 14th century the Inca expansion reached north into the Otavalo area. The Caraquis who inhabited the area resisted the invaders. For 17 long years fierce fighting continued as the defiant Caraquis refused to be subjugated by the Incas. The Spanish arrived a few years after the Incas. They established a Hacienda system of workshops where Otavalenos were forced to work 15 hour days weaving fabrics. Today this weaving tradition forms the basis of a lucrative industry that has allowed the Otavaleno indigenous peoples to join the world economy while retaining their traditional values and skills. During our time in the valley we will have a chance to visit with the local Otavalenos and see them working their craft. We visit a traditional home with adobe walls and visit with the owners who raise guinea pigs, a local delicacy.
Overnight in Quito.
Meal plan: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 Quito - The Galapagos / Baltra / Santa Cruz Island
This morning we fly from Quito to Baltra Island and board our cruise vessel for our exploration of the unique and beautiful Galapagos Islands.*
An archipelago of 12 large and several hundred smaller volcanic islands occupying a 4800 sq km (3,000 sq mile) area about 1000 km (620 miles) west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands have become one of the world's premier adventure travel destinations. Over the course of your visit, you'll enjoy up-close views of unusual, specially-adapted animals, plants and terrains including sea lions, tortoises, iguanas, land and sea birds, volcanic landscapes, unusual cacti and vegetation. Little has changed about the islands since Charles Darwin's visit in 1835 to "this little world within itself" inspired his first theories of evolution. Nearly the entire archipelago is a natural sanctuary where you'll have thrilling encounters with some of the world's last completely untamed wildlife that has never learned to fear the presence of humans.
We will be navigating the Galapagos on board the M/V Galapagos Legend, a 110-passenger luxury expedition ship totally converted in December 2001. The M/V Galapagos Legend has all-new passenger accommodations with 1800 sq m of social areas and was built with marine certified materials qualifying with Safety of Life at Sea specifications. All cabins are booked in outside 'superior' class with plenty of space for luggage in the wardrobe closet (Junior Suite cabin upgrades available; view cabins on www.gogalapagos.com). Private bathrooms feature hot and cold water, shower, and a hair dryer. Also aboard, a highly trained crew, 24 hour physician, and naturalist multilingual guides. An auditorium for conferences, spacious social areas, dining room, 24 hour coffee bar, swimming pool and sun decks, observation platforms, cocktail bars, long distance calls, fully air-conditioned.
Return to ship for passenger welcome and briefing; there is a presentation of the crew. At this time a safety drill is practiced. Free time on board. After dinner a guide's briefing on next day activities in the auditorium.
PM - Black Turtle Cove
On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea where four species of mangrove crowd from the shore out into the lagoon, turtle enjoy swimming in the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays and small sharks circle below. White tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, sea birds, including pelicans, herons and egrets, all feed in the cove. This cove has been declared as a "Turtle Sanctuary." Difficulty level: easy. Duration: 1h00
* The cruise portion of this itinerary has been provided by the cruise operator and should be taken as guidance only. Last minute operation considerations and national park policies can result in alterations and deviations from this schedule, sometimes at late notice. Such changes are the prerogative of the cruise operator over which Adventures Abroad has no control. PLEASE NOTE: Most of our 2016/17 dates will operate itinerary "D", except for February and the earlier October dates, which will operate itinerary "B". You may visit www.gogalapagos.com for more information on the itineraries and vessel. Prior to your departure, you will receive the correct version with your FINAL documents.
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 Galapagos Cruise / Sullivan Bay (Santiago) / Rabida
AM - Sullivan Bay (Santiago), Wet landing. This visitor site located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island, and of important geologic interest, features extensive lava flows believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. Difficulty level: difficult, 1.5 km path. Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava. Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling/swimming.
Return to ship; the crew will welcome you with canapes followed by lunch.
PM - Rabida, Wet landing. Dark red sand covers these unique beaches with incredible landscape Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin's finches can be seen. We will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active. Difficulty level: easy. Type of terrain: sandy. Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride.
Return to ship; the crew will welcome you with canapes. Free time on board. Guides briefing on next day activities.
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13 Galapagos Cruise / Urbina Bay (Isabela) / Tagus Cove (Isabela)
AM - Urbina Bay (Isabela). Wet landing on a volcanic black beach. Depending on the season, we may find giant tortoises, land iguanas, and the unusual Flightless Cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on the season. We can observe the beautiful colours of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. We will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from 1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano. Difficulty level: intermediate. Type of terrain: flat. Duration: 1h30 walk / 1 hour snorkeling.
We may also encounter Darwin's finches, Yellow Warbler and lava lizards. Great snorkeling opportunities with Green Pacific Sea Turtles as well, this island is best known for its endemic vegetation: Scalesia villosa, Lecocarpus pinnatifidus, and Galapagos milkwort. Snorkelers can practice on the main beach among playful sea lions.
Return on board, the crew will welcome you with canapes. Lunch.
PM - Tagus Cove (Isabela). Dry landing on Galapagos's largest island where we will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin's salt-water crater Lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. We will return by the same path for a dingh y ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife, where we will admire a variety of seabirds, such as Blue-footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, Flightless Cormorant and depending on the season, a large number of Galapagos Penguins which are only 35 cm tall ; the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava, on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline not reached by the ocean waves. The population of penguins on the islands is about 2,000 individuals, most of which live on this western portion of Isabela; others are scattered further south on the island. We will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to have been left by19th-century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past. Difficulty level: intermediate. Type of terrain: steep. Duration: 2 hour walk / 40 minutes dinghy ride / deep water snorkeling 1 hour.
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 14 Galapagos Cruise / Espinosa Point (Fernandina)
AM - Espinosa Point (Fernandina) Dry landing. Espinosa Point is the only spot that we visit on Fernandina, and from it we can see the island of Isabela across the Bolívar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs; a wonderful opportunity to encounter Flightless Cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the "King" of predators on the Islands, the Galapagos Hawk. Pa-hoe-hoe and AA lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is thus scarce inland, but we encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores. Difficulty level: intermediate. Type of terrain: rocky. Duration: 2 hours walk / 1hour snorkeling
PM - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela). Great deep water snorkeling at one of the richest marine havens on Earth (Bolivar Channel). We take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds; Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins, flightless cormorants. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life. Duration: 1 hour snorkeling / 1 hour dinghy ride.
Overnight Galapagos cruise.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 15 Galapagos / Highlands (Santa Cruz) - Quito
AM - Highlands (Santa Cruz) Dry landing. A 45 minute bus ride will take us to the Santa Cruz highlands, located to the northwest of Puerto Ayora, where we will find a natural reserve with giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles are responsible for the island's name and therefore approaching them in their humid and forested abode is always an inspiring adventure. They can weigh between 250 and 300 kg and can live up to 150-200 years. Difficulty level: easy. Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on season). Duration: 45 minutes drive / 1h30 walk.
Return to the M/V Galapagos Legend, check out* and depart to the airport for our flight to Quito (via a stop in Guayaquil).
* PLEASE NOTE: As an exception to our general policy regarding the inclusion of tips in our tour pricing, gratuities for the ship's crew are NOT included in tour price. (We have found that trying to pre-pay tips on your behalf is not practical, for a number of reasons). Accordingly, we suggest that you allow approximately USD 90-100 total per passenger for satisfactory service.
Overnight in Quito.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 16 Departure
Departure from Quito.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Tour Map
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
Hotel List
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Mercure Alameda Hotel
Location: Quito
Country: Ecuador
Quito ALAMEDA Hotel Mercure offers: Rooms with Wi-Fi, located near the financial and commercial center of Quito, restaurant, coffee shop ... coffee, lunch), bar, 24-hour front desk, non-smoking rooms, lift, safe, soundproofed rooms, luggage storage.
Read More.
Click here to visit hotel website
Royal Inka II
Location: Cusco
Country: Peru
This charming colonial property offers local flavour and friendly service. Modern rooms offer individual heating, colour TV, international telephone.
Click here to visit hotel website
Hotel Casona de Yucay
Location: Yucay
Country: Peru
53 comfortable and cozy rooms, all of which are decorated in a local style. Rooms with ample windows with views ... colourful gardens, mountains, and countryside. Rooms feature heat and hot water, safety deposit box, telephone, private bath.
Read More.
Click here to visit hotel website
MV Galapagos Legend
Location: Galapagos
Country: Ecuador
M/V Galapagos Legend is a 110-passenger expedition ship with 1800 sq m of social areas and built with marine certified ... qualifying with Safety of Life at Sea specifications. All cabins are booked in outside cabins; private bathrooms feature hot and cold water, shower, and a hair dryer. Also aboard, a highly trained crew, 24 hour physician, and naturalist multilingual guides. An auditorium for conferences, spacious social areas, dining room, 24 hour coffee bar, swimming pool and sun decks, observation platforms, cocktail bars, long distance calls, fully air-conditioned.
Read More.
Click here to visit hotel website
Trip Information
Breakfast and dinner daily, all meals on board ship. All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary (including Galapagos park entry fee). Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters. Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Tour Leader gratuity, some lunches lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable). Airport transfers for Land Only customers. Optional trip cancellation insurance. Tips for ship's crew are NOT included (allow USD 100 per person). Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs, shopping, and local departure taxes.
Seasonality and Weather
This tour is offered throughout the year. The mainland is cool and dry from May to October, warmer and perhaps rainy / misty outside that time.
The islands: Hot Season (warm-rainy), December to April. Average air temperatures range 25-33 C on land and 23-26 C in the water, ideal for snorkeling. It may rain occasionally in the afternoons for an hour or so. The ocean is generally calm due to the absence of the southeast trade winds. The Cool Season (windy-dry), June to November. The cooler or 'garua' season (named after the mist) sees a drop in temperatures 18-27 C on land and 18-23 C in the sea. Rainfall is low, though the islands may seem somewhat moist as an early mist covers the sky. Usually this fine drizzle burns off by mid morning. The seas are moderately strong; surge, choppy waters and some waves should be expected.
Transport and Travel Conditions
Road transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Numerous walking tours on uneven surfaces. Much of this tour occurs at high altitude and, though our itinerary spends a night at Yucay before climbing higher to Cuzco, some people are affected-check with your doctor. Scenic VISTADOME train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco. Internal flights via scheduled local carriers.
Well-located, heated / air-conditioned, mid-range (3 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout (probably shower only). Porter service is available though you should be independent with your luggage, especially at airports. Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than twins.
The MV Galapagos Legend is one of the most comfortable boats sailing the Galapagos. With space for 110 passengers, the fully air-conditioned ship offers all the amenities of a cruise liner yet small enough for that intimate experience with nature. All cabins are booked in outside 'superior' class (Junior Suite cabin upgrades available; view cabins on www.gogalapagos.com). Private bathrooms feature hot and cold water, shower, and a hair dryer. Snorkels & masks provided free.
Staff and Support
Tour Leader or local guide on mainland only; ship's crew and naturalist guides on the islands.
Group Size
10-18 (plus Tour Leader)
DURATION16 days
TOUR STARTLima
TOUR ENDQuito


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PNT Staff Report
Roosevelt County Sheriff Darren Hooker said Tuesday no arrests have been made in the Sept. 6 death of a 9-month-old and the investigation is close to a standstill with reports pending.
"We're still waiting on some stuff from the Office of the Medical Examiner," Hooker said.
Hooker would not comment on what kinds of reports he was waiting on, but indicated the wait could be a month or possibly longer.
He said the investigation is still ongoing locally, though at a much slower pace.
"I would say that it's still active," Hooker said. "There's something done on it every day, but it's mostly waiting on the medical examiner's results."
Authorities say Kyler Willis was found not breathing Sept. 5 at a babysitter's house. She died at a Lubbock hospital the next day, police said.
Hooker said Sept. 12 preliminary reports from the OMI indicated homicide by blunt force trauma to the head. Since then, law enforcement has refused to release further details, citing an ongoing investigation.
Search warrants in the case have been sealed, according to District Court workers.
Willis was the daughter of Jimmy Willis and Rebecca King, according to the Sheriff's Office.

subset: commoncrawl


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North Shelby Baptist makes wow statement in community with cooking competitioncomment (0)
May 31, 2012
By Julie Payne
Savory smoked meats, scrumptious soups and decadent desserts were available at every turn. Smiling cooks eager to share their culinary creations heaped generous servings of their foods onto plates for each passerby to enjoy. Such was the scene May 5 at North Shelby Baptist Church, Birmingham, at the first annual Taste of the South cooking competition.
Under sunny skies, throngs of attendees wove in and out from under the covered tents of the cooking competitors. Each competitor was vying for top place in his or her respective food category: chicken, ribs, "other" meats, soups and stews, desserts and lagniappe (foods that did not apply to any other category).
Dana Polk, a member of the Shelby Baptist Association church since 2005, was a cooking participant in team Pork-A-Dot. Stationed with her husband and daughter, she served portions of her flavorful cornbread — cooked in a pan on the grill — and meat to enthusiastic tasters.
"I've been doing the cornbread for a while," Polk said as she served hungry spectators. "This is the first cooking event I've ever done," she noted. "It always tastes better when you know you're cooking it for somebody else."
The endless array of tasty foods to sample, good music, door prizes and fellowship — all set up in the North Shelby Baptist parking lot — were there for a purpose: to reach the community with the love of Christ.
Mateo Melendez, associate pastor for North Shelby Baptist, was a primary organizer of Taste of the South. He said the church had put on a large Easter pageant for years and it wanted to do "something new" for the community.
The idea of a community-wide event developed into combining a fun, festival atmosphere with a cooking competition — one that would be conducive to reaching all ages. "We thought if we worked at having a variety of foods and a variety of flavors, it would be welcoming to everybody," Melendez explained. "Everybody likes to eat and cooking shows are so popular right now, so we just thought for sure that [it] would be something everybody would enjoy."
The day was free to attendees and cooks did not have to pay an entry fee to participate. The cooking competitors included members of the church as well as "friends and neighbors," Melendez said.
A panel of five judges, all members of North Shelby Baptist, sat inside the fellowship hall to judge each food entry. Awards included first, second and third place trophies, and the grand prize trophy was dubbed "The People's Choice" award.
In conjunction to the tasting event, a fundraiser took place near the entrance of the church. The fundraiser was made possible by the North Shelby Baptist disaster relief team's meat-smoking unit. More than 400 pieces of meat, including Boston butts and ribs, were cooked to perfection on seven smokers. The proceeds from those sales went to benefit the church's upcoming high school ministry missions trip to Guatemala and middle school missions trip to Kentucky.
Billy Graham, North Shelby Baptist church member and head of the church's disaster relief ministry, was instrumental in connecting the fundraiser to the Taste of the South event. "We're located on Highway 280, south of Double Oak Mountain, and we probably have 25,000 cars pass by every couple of hours," Graham noted of the church's location. "We wanted to make a wow statement in the community, invite them in and let Jesus be seen through us."
In addition to Graham's desire that the church be a "shining light on a hill to the community" through the event, Melendez said the church benefited from the event's organization and planning process.
"There was a real emphasis on praying through each [planning] task — that was kind of a renewed … passion for our church," Melendez said. "That was really … part of the goal also — we wanted our church members to be excited about reaching the community and … praying over the event."
Melendez hopes Taste of the South turns into a yearly outreach and that it opens the door for more partnerships in the future. "We really see it just continuing to grow and [to] be a good outreach event for north Shelby County," he said.


text:
|GM JaceDK
|Caelin Nyndel
At the angry exchange between Lielaera, Fira and Oreius, Caelin stood with clenched fists. Striding to stand next to Tae, he did his best to contain his anger.
"Elven kin, this mist has clouded more than your vision. How will you skirmish from a distance when you cannot see more than a stone's throw? Some ambush and stealth will no doubt be useful, but it will not be enough. What threat have you faced that compares to this? None, I'd guess, and yet you would answer your nature-sister Fira's pain with boasts and pride?"
He turned to the centaur. "And do not set all your hopes on dauntless courage, Oreius Dawnsprinter. The Fellnight Queen has set this very landscape against you. Where will your prideful charge lead but into a mist of her making?"
Calming a bit he laid a hand on Taecuss' shoulder and addressed everyone. "My friend speaks true. We have courage and strength in common, enough for victory. But we have pride and fear enough for defeat, if that is what you'd wish. Let him again make his case for cooperation. And listen now with the ears of those who love this world and would protect it from the Fellnight Queen's harm, and who by the grace of fortune find themselves surrounded by willing and able allies."
Still somewhat chuffed, he glared around the glade.
Aid Another Diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Again, sorry for the slow posting...travel, work and sickness dumped on me. I'm ready to get back into it full-time.
|NPC: Maligorn the Satyr
Maligorn steps forward after Caelin has spoken, and gestures towards the stone Taecuss is holding.
"The esteemed Taecuss tells it true. The faengard, which has kept the Fellnight fey at bay for countless years has been breached. It must be repaired, or we will be overrun. Fortunately, this brave bunch has recovered the missing wardstones at great personal risk. We must join our forces - we only have to agree on how."
Succes - make a new diplomacy roll, please
|Taecuss dyn Bru
Diplomacy 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
At least let us draw on the collective wisdom here to formulate how to best restore these stones and stem the tide of evil. It will take some coordination I believe to get these back into place. And then with a deferetial bow to those advocating individual engagements then the remaining forces can be picked off in the ways those gathered here best know how.
|Caelin Nyndel
|NPC: Lielaera Shantru
Trust an elf to speak words of wisdom that even satyrs and centaurs will have to agree with. You make an eloquent point, Taecuss dyn Bru - and let it never be said that the elven warriors of the Highgrove Vale shied from a fight. We will do our part.
Another success. I am tempted to hand-waive the rest of the Conclave and move on, since it only seems like Taecuss and Caelin are activly engaged. Any objections?
|Goodluck K'tango
|Jervaise Toppington
Sorry for the prolonged absence, guys; for some reason, this game dropped off my 'active' thread :-/ Thank-you JaceDK for PMing me :-)
Jervaise nods in agreement.
"From what I have seen, the forces of the Fellnight Queen seek only to consume and destroy, whether mortal or Fey alike. We should put aside our differences, and work together, to avoid our common peril."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19.
|GM JaceDK
|NPC: Maligorn the Satyr
Maligorn steps forward again, and raises his arms.
"We are all in agreement, then. We will repel the minions of this dark queen, and use the wardstones to repair the faengard. Let us convene this conclave for now. On the morrow, we will call a war council to determine how best to use our forces. In the mean time, I will consult the ancient legends in order to determine more of how the faengard can be restored, and the Fellnight Realm sealed away once more.
From all the gathered groups, murmurs of agreement break out. Before long, the first participants start to slip away into the night, to prepare for the coming conflict, or take part in some light-hearted revel or mischief.
Maligorn turns to you and says "Thank you for your part in uniting us and for giving us some glimpse of what it is we face. You must be exhausted. A tent has been prepared for you - sleep easy, for you have surely earned your rest. The camp is well guarded, and scouts watch the woods for approaching enemies."
He motions for a couple of satyrs to show you to your quarters, then leaves to do his research.
Unless anyone has anything else they want to take care off, I assume you all embrace the chance to rest.
|Taecuss dyn Bru
Taecuss gives a weary smile to Maligorn. "If the warriors I saw tonight are some of the guards and scouts, I will rest well indeed."
He graciously accepts the tent and uses his pack with the stones in its magical space as a pillow.
|Goodluck K'tango
|Caelin Nyndel
Caelin's shoulders slumped slightly in relief at the thought of rest, but he quickly squared them up again. I'll be very happy to lay down, but Elyin taught me never slouch around strangers.
Caelin gave each of his companions a gentle pat on the back as a sign of his gratitude for their exertions this long, long day.
With a smile to Goodluck he added, "Perhaps there will be some drink left over from the wedding, when we get back. I'll need quite a ration after tomorrow's work."
|GM JaceDK
|Taecuss dyn Bru
Taecuss doesn't give a thought to additional security (beyond resting his head on the backpack as he sleeps), but if others suggest they take watches beyond what the fey provide, he would agree to take any turn given to him.
|GM JaceDK
Suddenly, as one, you awaken with a start. You have no notion of how long you have slept - it could be seconds or eons. But you are instantly aware of an overwhelming feeling of dread.
Sparing only a few moments to retrieve your gear and don your armor, you exit the tent to find the camp around you deserted. The Fellnight mist is back, smothering the entire area in a sickly greenish glow. A chill run through Goodluck as he realizes that even he cannot see more than a few dozen feet.
Caelin and Meycho call in vain for their feathered companions as the rest of the group look around. Everywhere among the trees, thick thorn-covered vines wall you in. Only a narrow passage leads north, towards the clearing where the conclave gathered.
Moving through the mist, you spot fleeting shadows all around you. Even though the camp is lit by both torches and spells, it is as if a dark veil has been drawn over the world.
As you advance, you spot the leering faces of enlarged spriggans ahead and to the sides, but they withdraw into the thorny growth before you can engage. Muffled cries and sadistic laughter urges you forward.
You emerge into an area where the thorny walls form a circular enclosure. Thorn-covered oak trees stand as columns to support a domed ceiling of sharp spikes 30 ft. above. Everywhere within, the bodies of fey, elves and centaurs are scattered, impaled on the thorns. At the far side, a massive pile of dead is stacked on a stone dias. To your horror, you recognize the mangled remains of your friends and allies: Devarre, Palombier, Fira, Maligorn, Lumi and Elyin and his bride Kailah.
Amid this carnage stand a lone figure. A woman of inhumane beauty, with flowing hair the color of midnight and perfect mother-of-pearl skin. Clad in a revealing dress of forest green, she is both magnificent and terrifying to behold. In her left hand, she clasps a staff of gnarled oak. You know with a chilling certainty that you are facing Rhoswen, the Fellnight Queen herself.
"Welcome, brave heroes." she purrs, in a voice of summer nectar poured over a honed razor.
"It is so good to finally meet you in person. Such mighty warriors. No wonder my poor servants could not stand against your prowess."
"No, who could hope to withstand the mighty blows of an elven ranger like you, Caelin Nyndel, or the stalwart soldier Jervaise Toppington? And certainly not when they have the likes of proud Meycho, servant of Ketephys, and Goodluck K'Tango, chosen of Gozreh to aid them. You are far from home, oracle of the wind and waves. And finally, to ensure that you legend lives forever, Master bard Taecuss dyn Bru." She bows a slight, mocking bow towards you and continues.
"Now, as you can see, I have already disposed of your pathetic conclave of fey and mortals. Did they really think that they could escape my wrath, even united by your stirring little speech? It was quite the tale. Even so, do you have any last words, before I add you to the pile?"
Rhoswen smiles, her immaculate teeth and flawless lips forming a smile of pure malice as she raises her staff.
Say something heroic, then roll for initiative!
|Goodluck K'tango
Goodluck snarls at the mockery in her voice as she spits the name of his god. He raises his head, defiantly staring at her. "Well now, Queen. I see you are as overconfident as you are beautiful. It won't matter none; Gozreh was here before you and will be here long after you're gone. And I'm His instrument, to put you back where you belong!"
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
|Taecuss dyn Bru
"Your foul reign ends here! Your legions cannot save you from us now!"
Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
|Jervaise Toppington
|Caelin Nyndel
|GM JaceDK
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Wrath of the Fellnight Queen - round 1
Jervaise - 25
Meycho - 19+
Caelin - 19
Goodluck - 14
Queen Rhoswen - 12
Taecuss - 9
All right - spoken like true heroes. It's on! Jervaise gets to open the ball.
- The stumps represent oak threes rising up 30 ft.
- The circular green wall is similar to a wall of thorns.
- The entire area is in dim light - 20% miss chance.
|Jervaise Toppington
Never one to mince words, Jervaise charges the Queen!
Moving to F8.
+1 Merciful Cold Iron Greatsword: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 14 + 2 = 27, for 2d6 + 16 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 16 + (4) + (4) = 28 non-lethal damage.
The target is also Sickened for 2 rounds.
Free Intimidate check (to demoralize): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 Vs DC 10 + target's HD + Wisdom modifier. If successful, the target is Shaken for a number of rounds equal to 1 + the damage dealt to it.
|GM JaceDK
Miss chance (1-20 miss) - 1d100 ⇒ 62 - hit.
Will Save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Jervaise rushed forth and swings his greatsword with a forceful blow that catches the queen square in the chest. She stumbles backward, reeling from the blow, but only for a moment. Despite the dark bruise that beings to form where the sword struck her, she simply laughs haughtily. She does not appear neither shaken or sickened.
Meycho and Caelin, care to join the fun?
|Caelin Nyndel
Steeling himself against the awful beauty of the fey, Caelin rushed forth, raising his sword and striking in a long arc.
Caelin will activate his Iron Will adaptation for 10 minutes, giving +2 to Will saves for that time. Move to G8
Greatsword power attack vs. fey: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 2 + 4 = 18
Damage if hit: 2d6 + 7 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 7 + 6 + 4 = 22
He will attempt to figure out why they woke up so strangely, without Aumgwe around, having heard nothing of the battle that slew all these people. Skill check or saving throw apply?
As he rushed forward, he almost instinctively called out to Aumgwe. Where was the bird? How was the Queen here so quickly? Why had they heard nothing of the battle that killed the others?
His thoughts deflected his blow, and he cursed in confusion and frustration.
|Goodluck K'tango
|GM JaceDK
|GM JaceDK
Goodluck Fort 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Goodluck Will 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Taecuss: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Caelin: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Jervaise: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Goodluck: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Meycho: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Caelin Will 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
Queen Rhoswen easily evades Caelin's attack, and seems almost amused by Goodluck and Meycho's spellcasting.
"Calling upon you fickle gods for aid won't help you. They are powerless to protect you from my wrath. Observe!
She points to Goodluck - and suddenly, the Mwangi oracle begins to shrink and transform. A desperate scream turns into a high-pitched squawk as the barnacles that cover his skin suddenly sprout feathers. Within seconds, Goodluck is gone, and a colorful parakeet flutters around in his place.
You have been targeted by a baleful polymporph, but you managed to make your will save. As such, you retain your own memories.
As the queen was speaking, you heard her voice a second time, uttering the words of a spell. It seemed to come from the air above her, about 20 ft. up.
Taecuss to finish the round, then on to round 2
|Taecuss dyn Bru
Taecuss calls on his most potent magic, hoping to bolster his allies in this desparate battle.
Casts Haste on himself and his allies, including the parakeet. Then he begins a bardic performance of inspire courage.
Inspire Courage: +2 morale vs. charm and fear, +2 competence to attack rolls and attack damage.
Haste: additional attack with full attack, +1 to attack rolls, AC and reflex saves.
|Caelin Nyndel
|Jervaise Toppington
*grumbles* "How is an honest soldier meant to operate in conditions such as this? Back in the day, it was so much simpler - a straight-up fight between two opposing forces, with none of this invisibility and Flying nonsense."
With a sigh, Jervaise sheathes his sword, and draws a sling.
Apologies, but as in so many of these fights, I am going to be essentially useless; I am not a primary 'ranged' combatant :-/
|Goodluck K'tango
|GM JaceDK
I totally see your point, Jervaise. Indeed, lots of flying and invisible enemies in an fey-themed module. Really, what WAS mr. Spicer thinking?
Wrath of the Fellnight Queen - round 2
Jervaise - 25 - acted
Meycho - 19+
Caelin - 19
The parakeet formerly known as Goodluck - 14
Queen Rhoswen - 12
Taecuss - 9
Meycho is up - updated map in a later post.
|Caelin Nyndel
Sheathing his sword and sprinting a few steps forward, Caelin attempts to swing up into one of the oak trees.
"I think she's up here! Or something is!
Climb check gor G10/11 tree: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
|GM JaceDK
Tae Fort 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Tae will 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Taecuss: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Caelin: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Jervaise: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Goodluck: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Meycho: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
With amazing agility, and the aid of Taecuss magic, Caelin scales the tree swift as a squirrel, reaching 20 ft with ease.
The air right besides him fills with laughter once again.
"Oh, so this is how you hope to defeat me? By singing songs, throwing rocks and climbing trees? Do not worry, my dear Caelin - I will attend you shortly. But for now, the twittering of your friend Taecuss upsets my ears. If you do insist on such nonsense, let me provide you with a form more suited for the task...
Once again, she intones words of magic, and Taecuss's song turns into a cry of dismay as he undergoes the same transformation as Goodluck - only this time, a mockingbird appears where the elven bard once stood.
Yup, baleful polymorph, and you failed your will save to boot - for all intents and purposes, you are now a bird.
While Goodluck retains his free will and mental capacity, I can't see how he can make a meaningful contribution to the fight - you are welcome to post if you want to do anything Goodluck, but otherwise, I'll move us on to round 3. Jervaise is up.
Round 3
Jervaise - 25
Meycho - 19+
Caelin - 19
The parakeet formerly known as Goodluck - 14
Queen Rhoswen - 12
The Mockingbird formerly known as Taecuss - 9
|Jervaise Toppington
Unable to see where the party's opponent is, and with two PCs turned into animals, Jervaise makes a regretful decision.
"Lads, a wise warrior knows when it is foolish to continue a battle. A tactical withdrawal is indicated!"
He then withdraws from the combat.
Run action, to get as far away as possible; I ain't coming back :-/
|Taecuss dyn Bru
"Tweet! ChirpchirpchirpachirpCHEEP!"
The mockingbird that flutters where the dashing elf once stood spins on its wing and moves quickly in a decidely northwestern direction.
|Goodluck K'tango
|Caelin Nyndel
Well, I suppose Jervaise is correct Caelin thought grimly to himself.
"Right...behind...YOU!" Caelin grunted with an effort to get in position.
Get in position to draw my sword, swing on the way down. Not sure what set of rolls might be needed here, but we'll start with climb, acro and an attack roll
Climb: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Miss chance 1d100 ⇒ 16
Attack, if applicable: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 + 4 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 6) + 17 = 25
Edit: This was too cool to let go with so little text
Getting his feet below him on the branch, Caelin drew his sword, planning to leap off and strike where he thought the invisible foe might be. As he pushed off, his boot slipped on the mossy branch and he began to tumble.
Turning end over end, he fell with a thud to the moist ground, his breath coming out in a loud whoosh that swallowed his bellowed curse. His sword lay a few feet away.
Dazed and desperately embarrassed, he tried to pick himself up.
|GM JaceDK
All right...no need to draw this out...I'm taking some narrative freedoms with the inevitable.
As Jervaise races out of the dome, a dozen thorn darts fly from the dark, green ichor smeared on their tips. Most bounce off his armor, but enough find their mark. Within a few steps, his veins feel like they are filled with liquid fire. A few more, and his lungs seem ready to burst with the effort of drawing breath. All around him, the thorn walls close in, leaving no opening, no escape...as the darkness deepens and the forest floor rushes up to meet him, he sees a final flutter of bright green wings.
Meycho also bolts for the exit. But before he can reach it, the shadows in the air above him swirl and lash downward. A whirlwind of shadow snatches up the small inquisitor, lifting him off the ground. As he struggles to break free, the shadow bashes him against the thorn-covered oak trunks, again and again.
Caelin's wild slash completely throws off his balance, and he hits the ground hard. Stabs of pain shoot up his leg as he collapses in time to see Meycho lifted off the ground. A movement besides him makes him look up, only to see the queen materialize and slowly drift down to stand above him.
"Pathetic....how you managed to defeat Gossamere and Arvormeigh is beyond me. But if you enjoy climbing trees and jumping back down, by all means, let me assist you."
She repeats the magic words you have already heard her utter twice before, and Caelin's hands being to sprout red-brown fur. As he shrinks in size, his teeth grow and a large, bushy tail bursts from his rear.
His last coherent thought is one of relief, that as a squirrel, he won't care about the horror that has befallen him and his friends and the terrors that await the inhabitants of the surrounding lands....
That went well...
|NPC: Devarre Snowgaard
"Gozreh's beard...wake up, lads! What are you doing, wandering around in the night, cursing and shouting and waving around your weapons?"
Your vision clears, and you see the confused and apprehensive faces of your new friends and allies all around you. Many of them are brandishing weapons and scan the night for unseen enemies.
You are all unharmed, and back to your old selves, but the fear and pain of the encounter you just had feels quite real.
Congratulations - not only are you alive, you have just reached 8th level! However, before you can level up, you need to get some rest in earnest. For the next 24 hours, you are fatigued and unable to recover spells.
|Goodluck K'tango
|Taecuss dyn Bru
"It is okay, my friends. I was as enthralled as the rest of you, but I believe no permanent harm was done by her gesture."
Before returning to rest, Tae will grab some sunflower seeds for a snack on his way back to their tent, and reassure himself that the earthworm on the pathway really isn't as delectable as it looks.
|Taecuss dyn Bru
Congratulations - not only are you alive, you have just reached 8th level! However, before you can level up, you need to get some rest in earnest. For the next 24 hours, you are fatigued and unable to recover spells.
Do you want us to level up on the ooc thread, or is there more to be played out before we get that period of rest?
|NPC: Maligorn the Satyr
Maligorn listens intently, a worried expression on his brow. After you are done explaining what happened, he confers quickly with Aripha and Devarre, and then motions for all of you to gather round.
"Come, follow me - there is something we must do, and quickly!"
He leads you to his own tent, and retrieves several scrolls and exotic components. Grabbing a bowl, he begins to mix the components while Aripha begins to recite phrases in sylvan from the scrolls. The pair then anoint each of you with the mixture and chant one final spell in unison.
"There! We can talk freely now. We have cast a spell of nondetection on you. From what you told us, there can be no doubt that the queen has been spying on you for some time. She knew each of you by name, and the details of events from the past few days. This ritual should shield you from her for at least a week, and hopefully we will have sealed up her prison again before that time. Now, tell us everything that happened once again, and leave out no detail, no matter how insignificant it may seem."
By now, all of the conclave leaders, as well as Devarre and Palombier have gathered in the tent. They all listen intently to your retelling of nightmare visitation.
|NPC: Palombier the Unicorn
"By your actions, you have attracted the attention of the queen herself. Even though she mocked you, she is obviously concerned - otherwise, she would never have lowered herself to intervene in person. I believe she fears you, especially now that you have captured the wardstones that can seal her back in her prison. Maligorn, have your study of the ancient legends uncovered any more about how the faengard might be restored?"
|NPC: Maligorn the Satyr
"I have, Palombier, and what these heroes have told us confirms much and more. You said she was wielding an oak staff set with green gems? I believe this to be the crook of Cildhureen, a powerful artifact that is at once her greatest weapon and the key to her undoing.
You see, when Rhoswen started dabbling in shadow magic, using it to twist and pervert the creations of the First World, the other fey banded together to oppose her...and thus, they employed a bit of deception. Under the guise of "aiding" her efforts, they're the ones who gave her the crook of Cildhureen, knowing full well that such a staff would intrigue and please Rhoswen to no end.
At the same time, however, they secretly laid the wardstones to create the faengard and constructed the "anchor points" in the First World and the Second World, attuning the staff to them. Cosmologically-speaking, those anchor points on the two "planes" of existence allow you to draw a straight line across the multiverse towards the Plane of Shadow. The fey did this purposefully so that when Rhoswen used the crook of Cildhureen it would react with the wardstones and the anchor points to literally project her Fellnight Realm out of the First World...towards the Shadow Plane...and into its own demi-plane bound by the limits of the faengard to act as a prison and keep Rhoswen safely locked away.
But, the whole crux behind this elaborate deception is that the "key" to invoking the faengard has always been in Rhoswen's hands. As she used the staff to perform ever greater shadow magic, it doomed her to the outcome of shutting herself away...in essence, she provided her own punishment for her misdeeds in a fey manner of speaking. This bit of irony and equilibrium is something the First World fey rather prided themselves on.
But, what that ultimately means is the fey court doesn't have the power to reinvoke the faengard unless someone turns the "key" to the "prison" again...and only after repairing the "lock"...meaning, somebody has to go into the Fellnight Realm, wrest the crook of Cildhureen from her, and then use its magic in a strong enough invocation to reignite the magic of the repaired faengard again and push the Fellnight Realm away from Golarion."


text:
The Texas A&M football team has a 7-2 record and is bowl eligible. With three games left in the season, the Aggies are still under consideration for a variety of bowl games.
Texas A&M needs to win all three remaining games in order to have a shot at a BCS bowl game. In that scenario, they would need some help from some of the other teams in the conference in order to qualify.
Some of the bowl possibilities would have the Aggies facing a team from their former conference. They played a Big 12 team in a bowl after the 2012 season, when they faced Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
The Aggies are a young team in 2013 that is getting better as the season goes along. They will be a very tough opponent in a bowl game.
This is a look at who Texas A&M may face in their bowl game.


text:
Students Action Committee, Lahore calls for a protest against the imposition of emergency, independence of judiciary and media on December 4th, 2007 at Lahore Press Club at 3:00 PM. This is going to be third protest by SAC, Lahore after their tester protest at Davis Road and mass protest at Liberty both organized in the current month. Students from FAST, LUMS, NCA, PU, BNU, LGS, UET, UMT, GCU, FCC and other educational institutes are expected to attend the event. Here is the official flyer released by SAC,Lahore for this protest:
Click to open large-size image.


text:
Cobb cool, collected and masterful in shutout of A'sAlex Cobb | Rays 5, A's 0 Cobb was masterful against Oakland, throwing nine shutout frames. Highlights » Cobb's shutout is the third of the season by a Rays starter, following those of David Price and James Shields . Cobb struck out eight and walked two i… (more)Source: MLB.com
Cobb tosses 4-hit shutout, leads Rays past A'sAlex Cobb pitched a four-hitter for his first major league shutout and the surging Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 5-0 on Thursday night to pull within 2.5 games of the first-place New York Yankees in the AL East.Source: ESPN.com
MLB.com Stars of the Game: Thursday, Aug. 23Each day, MLB.com selects one player from each game whose performance stands out.Source: MLB.com


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Today, I went to a paintball match with a group of friends, one of whom brought his dad along. His dad is a weight-lifting, wannabe alpha male fucknut who thinks that chokeslamming opponents is a legitimate close-quarters paintball tactic. My broken shoulder disagrees. FML
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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits > Research News & Studies
Hey, cowardly sons of fartknocks re: Zephyr Foundation
<< < (7/7)
Can someone tell me why the NIH aren't paying for all that stuff anyhow?
Hello,I'd like to take a moment and thank each of you for taking the time to respond to this issue. Pardon me if I do not name each of you personally, my time is short this day.I do appreciate Tim's clarification this morning, and am breathing easier. I understand that there are farther reaching consequences to this 'fund raising' issue in respect to using these Forums as a venue, and this is one of the reasons that I have decided to endeavour the "Zephyr Foundation" apart from them.I would like to say, also, that the NIH policies about reimbursement or coverage of out of pocket expenses is a thorny issue, not only with Paul and I, but apparently all other participants of these studies, as well. We got that message loud and clear from our staff contacts during our visit, and we are taking private steps to communicate with the Patient Representative, in order to open a dialogue.You see, that's part of my distress. I have many irons in the fire (not complaining), each as important as the next, all demanding my personal attention. This particular cause is a definite priority, and time is of the essence. It is my sincere hope that Paul and I can affect change, but that can't happen until I shoot off a letter to this individual. There are only so many hours in the day.With this, I will depart. I hope everyone takes a deep breath and relaxes. Just take care of yourselves, please.Thanks,Zephyr
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Tell Congress to Protect Medicare Part B
Send Letters to Congress: 1,877 Letters Sent So Far
Urge Congress to stand with our most vulnerable citizens by protecting Medicare Part B reimbursement rates. The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction is considering making further cuts to this essential program. Reducing our nation's debt is important, but further cuts to Medicare Part B would put lives in danger.
Call, write or post on their Facebook and Twitter pages!
We encourage you to share your own personal story and concerns about cuts to Medicare Part B with Members of Congress. Enter your zip below to see a sample letter. Please edit the letter as you see fit.
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Ada Farnsworth Webb, 93, of Amarillo died Saturday, May 22, 2004.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Westminster Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Conway officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
At Ada's request, this will be the only service on her behalf. She fulfilled a longstanding commitment to donate her body to science at Texas Tech Medical School.
Mrs. Webb was born March 31, 1911, in Anson. She graduated from Anson High School in 1929, then attended North Texas University to obtain a temporary teaching certificate. She started her 33-year teaching career in the Oak Grove Community of Jones County, near Anson. By teaching and attending college part-time for several years, she obtained her BA from North Texas in 1938. She received her M.Ed. from West Texas A&M University in 1954.
She married Boyd Marshall Webb of Borger on Sept. 29, 1940. Mrs. Webb taught third grade in Amarillo from 1954 through 1975, including at Sanborn, Wilson, Coronado and South Georgia elementary schools. She also served the teaching community for decades as a member, officer, and president of Delta Kappa Gamma.
She served Westminster Presbyterian Church in many ways, including as moderator of Presbyterian Women in 1979, as an elder from 1984 to 1986 and as a delegate to many church conventions. She received the Woman of Faith award from the church in 1989. She was an officer and president of Church Women United of Amarillo.
She supported the Presbyterian Children's Home in Amarillo for decades. Amarillo College established a scholarship in her name in the 1990s, which continues to benefit students there.
She was the eldest child of seven of Eva Fowler Farnsworth and Edward E. Farnsworth.
She was preceded in death by her husband on May 20, 1965; her brother, Staff Sgt. Elmer Lee Farnsworth; and a sister, Susie Mildred Hudson.
Survivors include two sisters, Mary M. McBride of Round Rock and Eva G. Sage of Dallas; two brothers, John E. Farnsworth of Anson and Bill F. Farnsworth of Bella Vista, Ark.; a son, David F. Webb of Houston; and two grandchildren, Elizabeth L. Roehl of Pearland and Alexander D. Webb of San Antonio.
The family suggests memorials be to Presbyterian Home for Children, 3400 S. Bowie St., Amarillo, TX 79109; Ada F. Webb Scholarship Fund at Amarillo College, P.O. Box 447, Amarillo, TX 79178; or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2525 Wimberley Road, Amarillo, TX 79109.
Amarillo Globe-News, May 27, 2004
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Why did you choose Columbia College?
To receive a quality education near my home.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan on working in the field of Human Services. I want to help as many people as I can during my lifetime.
What was your favorite course, and why?
All of my psychology courses were my favorites.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank all the instructors and staff at Columbia College - Fort Stewart for making my experience so wonderful. I also want to thank my family and friends for their encouragment.
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Are there seed pods on a bee balm plant and can I start a new plant from them? Thanks.
Hardiness Zone: 6b
By Warren from Halifax, PA
Yes, info below.
Flower Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: Summer
Height: 3'
Exposure: Full Sun, Light Shade in hot climates
When to Sow Outside: Spring, two weeks before average last frost or late summer/early fall at least 2 months before first fall frost.
When to Sow Inside: 8 - 10 weeks before last frost.
Seed Depth: 1/8" to 1/16"
Seed Spacing: 1"
Days to Emerge: 5 - 10
Thinning: 12" apart, good luck.
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!


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War on Terrorism becomes Crime against Humanity
Special to The Canadian
If the War on Terrorism was primarily about stopping the threat posed by terrorists, then why have so many innocent civilians been killed by it? Does 9/11 justify an estimated over one million killed civilians since the launching of Wars in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan?
In the latest apparent Crime Against Humanity, a U.S.-operated drone fired two missiles into Spalga village, 15 km south of city of Miranshah, in the northwest Pakistan's North Waziristan on Tuesday.
"It was a US drone strike, which targeted a militant's vehicle, killing four rebels," a senior local security official told AFP.
While Washington claims the air raids target militants, official figures have revealed that most victims are civilians.
US drones have launched around 30 missile attacks since early September.
An international group, known as the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (Civic), said in a report on Thursday that nine recent drone strikes in Pakistan had claimed the lives of more than 30 civilians.
The United States has intensified aerial attacks in Pakistan's tribal regions since US President Barack Obama took office in 2009.
This is while hundreds of Pakistani people have taken to the streets of the capital, Islamabad, to protest the unauthorized US drone attacks on the country's tribal areas.
The protesters condemn the killing of over two-thousand civilians in non-UN-sanctioned American drone strikes since 2004.
Activists have asked Washington to pay compensation to the families of victims and those who have suffered losses in such attacks.
The United States claims its drones target militant hide-outs near the border with Afghanistan.
According to official figures some 10,000 people have been killed in both Pakistani military operations and US drone strikes since former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf joined the so-called US-led war on terror following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
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The Canadian can only continue to publish investigative articles in such areas, with the donations from members of the public in Canada, the U.S., and abroad. Consider making a donation of $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $200.00 or more. Donors are eligible to receive our first collector's print edition in mail. Alternatively, you can send us a note to be placed on our special email list of members. Member-donors can also suggest articles or commentaries to be published in The Canadian.
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The Kerala State Handicapped Persons' Welfare Corporation is a public sector undertaking under the State Government established in 1979 with its Head Office at Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram. The main aims and objects of the Company are to formulate, to promote and implement many schemes aimed at the rehabilitation or improvement of the living conditions of the visually impaired, the deaf and dumb, the orthopeadically handicapped and mentally retarded persons and to provide financial/technical assistance to physically disabled persons, group of such persons and organizations engaged in activities on the rehabilitation and welfare of handicapped persons.
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Helensburgh Lennox (defunct)
Like its parent publication, it was owned by Scottish & Universal Newspapers (now part of Media Scotland), part of the nationwide Trinity Mirror group. It was published from the same editorial offices in Dumbarton.
It had no website of its own; the link below is to the Helensburgh news pages on the Lennox Herald's website.
It came out on Fridays. It was still in print as late as 2008 but had apparently ceased publication by 2010.
- Helensburgh Lennox
1 Central Quay
- 01389 742299
- 01389 742488
Latest posts in Scotland
Dumfries Courier
Weekly freesheet tabloid for Dumfries, Nithsdale and the eastern Stewartry
Dumfries & Galloway Standard
Twice-weekly tabloid sold in Dumfries-shire and southern Kirkcudbrightshire
Dunfermline Press
Weekly tabloid sold across the West of Fife from Forth Weekly Press
Dunoon Observer
Independent weekly tabloid sold throughout the Cowal peninsula between Loch Fyne and Loch Long


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Athlete Profile
Athlete: Deb Love
How I Eat
How I Train
I workout mostly at a CrossFit Affiliate
I have a coach who determines my programming
My Athletic Background
I played youth or high school level sports
My Experience With CrossFit
I began CrossFit with a coach (e.g. at an affiliate)
My Work/Rest Schedule
I usually only do 1 workout a day
5 x / wk 2 rest days
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
15 months


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on Sep 24, 2008
at 9:44 AM
O hai-- MamaFluffy! Welcum tew mai CheezPeep's frends! Nuttin tew addd tew Laffin's advice, jusst a few "heads upz": Hab fun! Dun't post tings in messages u dun't want udders to read (or tings ur Mama dun't want u tew sez). Hab fun ebber tym u canz. An' stay away from (dun't dun't dun't favor) teh guitar_man-- dun't axe mei whi. Lastly-- HAB FUN!!!! <(+.+)>
on Sep 24, 2008
at 6:34 AM
tx fur addin meh as a fren! i iz kinda nu herez, i hafta learn howz to add frenz too! haf a wunnerful dai!


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Excessive amniotic fluid during pregnancy is just what is sounds like, too much fluid surrounding the baby in the amniotic sac. While extra fluid cushioning the baby might not seem like a problem, inrealityit can make it difficult for baby to move and grow properly.
About 1% of pregnancies will have too much amniotic fluid, a condition known as hydramnios or polyhydramnios. The causes of this condition remain uncertain, but it appears to be more likely to occur in women with diabetes and those carrying multiples.
What is the Danger of Excessive Amniotic Fluid?
The amniotic fluid is an integral part of your unborn baby's development. In the early weeks of pregnancy, your body circulates fluid into the amniotic sac to cushion and protect your growing baby. The amniotic fluid also keeps baby warm and protects it from possible infections.
After about 14 weeks, baby starts developing respiratory and digestive systems. As babies learn to swallow and breath, they start recycling the amniotic fluid. The fluid is swallowed and inhaled, and then excreted through urine and exhales. Every few hours, your baby has fully recycled all the amniotic fluid in the sac.
Too much amniotic fluid could indicate that baby is having a development problem, which is causing a problem with the recycling function. For example, if baby is suffering a blockage or is unable to swallow properly, this would lead to an excess in amniotic fluids.
It also increases the risk of problems during delivery. In many cases, when the water breaks it can cause placental abruption (when the placenta dislodges either fully or partially), putting both mom and baby at risk.
How Will I Know if I Have Too Much Amniotic Fluid?
When your doctor measures your uterus during regular prenatal visits, it might measure too large for gestational age, or appear to be growing faster than it should. Some women experience back or abdominal pain, become short of breath or have too much swelling in the feet and ankles. Since these symptoms could also indicate other complications, such as preeclampsia, your prenatal care provider will order an ultrasound to measure the amount of fluid in the amniotic sac.
Can the Excess Amniotic Fluid be Removed?
Your doctor will not be able to drain any excess fluid, but sometimes baby will do it for you. If baby's problem is temporary, and regular ingesting and secreting continues, the situation often corrects itself. It's normal for the amniotic fluid levels to start decreasing in the third trimester as you get closer to your due date.
If the excess fluid is a result of a treatable complication, such as an infection, treating the complication will often solve the problem. At any rate, your doctor will monitor you and baby closely. You can expect frequent ultrasounds and non-stress tests and possibly an amniocentesis to check for possible genetic defects.
As long as baby is continuing to show signs of proper growth and development, your doctor will not intervene. However, when your labor begins, you will need to go to the hospital immediately, before your water has a chance to break, due to the increased risk of placental abruption.


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It's what we're all about. Cross country skiing is our favorite way to explore the forest.
Our Beginner's Section outlines everything you need to know before you hit the snow. From what to wear, to advanced lessons, this section covers the basics. Cross country skiing is a great way to enjoy winter, and we love introducing people to our sport. With our Ski School and rental fleet, we have everything you need to get out on the snow.
If you're a new skier, start here »
For all you experienced skiers out there, we offer 45km of groomed and backcountry trails. We groom our trails daily for skating and classic, and most trails are double tracked. Be sure to check our Snow Conditions page for the latest conditions.
We hope you join us this winter.


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Along with same sex "marriage," adoption of children holds a prominent place on the homosexual agenda.
Although the first "right" was dealt a severe blow with referenda banning same sex "marriage" in 13 states, the adoption of children by homosexual activists is almost imperceptibly moving forward.
We will deal with this aspect of the homosexual offensive after delving into the issue of adoption as such.
Restoring Normality
In general, children who are up for adoption find themselves in traumatic or abnormal situations. Many have lost both parents while others have parents who are separated or impoverished. All too often the child was conceived out of wedlock or in promiscuous and fleeting relationships.
The well-being of these children depends upon taking them out of such irregular circumstances and placing them in one as close to normality as possible.
Addressing this problem, Christian charity gave rise to the institution of orphanages, where abnegated souls, inspired by religion, sought to provide poor children without parents with an atmosphere of stability and tender loving care favoring their physical and moral development.
For their part, generous and often childless couples adopted children, providing them with a family and establishing emotional bonds at times as strong as blood kinship.
A Child Is Not an Adult's "Toy"
Whether a child is one's own or adopted, he should never be seen by adults as a toy, pastime or "property" to which one is "entitled." True, the child is under the authority of his natural or adoptive parents and owes them respect, obedience and love. However, as an intelligent and free being endowed with personality, he cannot be considered a "thing" to be used merely for self-satisfaction. The child's moral and physical being cannot be sacrificed merely to benefit his custodians.
To every right corresponds a duty. When it comes to begetting or caring for children, this duty is to ensure the latter's moral and material well-being.
Therefore, although begetting or adopting children gives rise to a legitimate satisfaction, this satisfaction is not the ultimate end of such acts. This end is the noble task of collaborating with the Creator in the propagation and rearing of the human species.
History and universal common sense attest to the fact that a home sanctified by marriage between a man and a woman provides the ideal conditions for this upbringing.
The child needs this protected environment since that which makes a child so enchanting is precisely what makes him so vulnerable: extreme affectivity, intense emotionality, rich imagination, unlimited confidence in those he loves, and a total openness to outside influence.
These are fundamental elements to a child's process of learning and formation. The child assimilates knowledge mainly by what he sees and hears from parents, siblings, and other relatives. When poorly directed, the child can suffer irreparable moral and psychological damage.
The Unreal World of Homosexual Partnerships
Given the unnatural character of homosexual relations, a homosexual partnership lacks the moral and even psychological conditions to ensure a child's adequate development. The child is raised in a surreal, artificial ambiance, not to speak of the amorality that will profoundly affect his personality.
Examples of children raised in these conditions are now starting to come to light.
In 1999, homosexual activist Dan Savage published the book, The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Get Pregnant - An Adoption Story. The author comments:
Having children is no longer about propagating the species... [it is] something for grownups to do, a pastime, a hobby. So why not kids? Gay men need hobbies, too. …. I've done drag. I did Barbie drag, dominatrix drag, nun drag, and glamour drag. Now I'm going to do dad drag.[1]
What future awaits a poor adopted child raised in such an atmosphere?
Rosie O'Donnell, well-known TV anchor and lesbian activist with several adopted children, commented on the confusion in the mind of her adopted son:
[M]y son has said to me, he's almost seven, you know, "I wish we had a daddy." I said, "I understand that. I can imagine that you would. And this is the kind of family that has two mommies because that's how mommy got born, that I love another mommy, not a daddy." And he gets it, and he knows that most families have a mommy and daddy and that our family is different and that some people don't think it's right that two mommies or two daddies have children. He knows that as well.[2]
The message this child received is that homosexuality is genetic, a mere variant of human nature, and that for born homosexuals a family with two mommies or two daddies is normal. Such a conclusion is absolutely false according to all present scientific data.
The child is also asked to make a moral judgment. The anchor's qualification that some people don't think it is right fails to provide elements for the child to judge. In fact, given his lack of maturity and need for affection, the child will naturally accept the position of his adopted mother more than that of another.
Deep down, and without judging intentions, this is a form of emotional blackmail: if you love me as your mother, you cannot accept the assertion of those who say having two mommies is wrong.
Growing up Confused
In a recent article, "Growing Up With Mom and Mom," published in the October 24 issue of The New York Times Magazine, Susan Dominus tells the story of two girls, Ry and Cade, who were artificially conceived and raised by a lesbian couple.
The story of these girls could not be more poignant. Having reached adulthood, one daughter became a lesbian and the other, though heterosexual, lives in a continuous state of tension between her formation and her own feelings. Dominus writes:
Sometimes when she's with her boyfriend, she [Ry] told me the first night we met, "I feel guilty about how much privilege I feel as a straight couple, but I also love the privilege. …. At the same time, it's like this nightmare to be totally absorbed into this stupid straight world." She made a face, half-sticking her tongue out. "So at the same time, it's sad for me. I feel like I'm losing something else."
She narrates her intimate struggle:
"It took me a lot of struggle to realize that I really was attracted to men, yet now it is really hard for me to deal with men as human beings, let alone sexually." Further on, Ry reports about how she was intrigued but "repulsed" by heterosexual relations, afraid of the "sexist soul-losing domain of oppression." Her parting thought: "I cannot understand or relate to men because I am so immersed in gay culture and unfamiliar with what it is to have a healthy straight relationship."
"Scientific Activism" at Professional Associations
Such confusion in the minds of children raised by homosexual partners should cause grave public concern. However, several professional health and counseling associations have published statements favoring the homosexual lifestyle and their adoption of children in an expression of what some have called "scientific activism."
One such statement was recently published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Rhea Farberman states in the journal, Monitor on Psychology that no research shows that "same-sex couples should be denied marriage rights" and that a "review of the literature calls for joint and second-parent adoption rights for gay parents."[3]
Dr. A. Dean Byrd, a member of the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), contests the APA's assertion that the resolution is based on the recommendations of researchers studying same-sex families:
Consider those who were appointed to the committee: Armand Cerbone who was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2003… Beverly Green, editor of Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Issues, Kristen Hancock who developed "Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients"; Lawrence A. Kurdek, Editorial Board of Contemporary Perspectives on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Psychology and Candace A. McCullough — whose partner, Sharon Duchesneau, was artificially inseminated from a deaf sperm donor to make it highly likely that their children would be born deaf because of their belief that deafness is not a medical condition but a cultural identity![4] (McElroy, 2002).
The committee members were hardly an unbiased group!
Dr. A. Byrd also criticizes the Committee's reliance on the research of Charlotte Patterson whose studies were questioned and subsequently thrown out by a Florida Court. That Court concluded: "Dr. Patterson's impartiality also came into question when prior to trial, she refused to turn over to her own attorneys copies of documentation utilized by her in studies. Dr. Patterson testified as to her own lesbian status and the Respondent maintained that her research was possibly tainted by her alleged use of friends as subjects for her research."[5] (1997, June Amer, Petitioner v. Floyd P. Johnson, p. 11)
In an official statement of June 17, 2004, the American Medical Association said: "our American Medical Association supports legislation and other efforts to allow adoption of a child by the same-sex partner or opposite sex non-married partner who functions as a second parent or co-parent to that child."
Psychiatrist Dr. David Fassler praised the AMA resolution as evidence that "the AMA is moving away from a conservative agenda and into areas where policy is based on science."
However, Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, president of NARTH contested the statement saying:
To say that one side of the debate is based on politics, and the other one on science, is a false presentation of the debate. Values issues are at the heart of all of these matters — how each research study is designed, how its results are interpreted, even how we define the very concepts of mental health and illness. Neither side can ever say it simply represents "science."[6]
Dr. Fassler's pro-homosexual bias is manifested in his support for Gay-Straight Alliance clubs on junior high and high school campuses. The homosexual publication, The Data Lounge, further reports:
Dr. David Fassler, a Vermont psychiatrist who works with teens, told The Globe there is nothing wrong with encouraging teens to explore their emotions and attractions, though parents may heatedly disagree. "The experimentation in itself doesn't determine someone's sexual orientation," he said. …. "I think it's important for schools to do everything they can to support these kids during the high school years."[7]
No Unbiased Research Supports Homosexual Parenting
Robert Lerner, Ph.D, and Althea Nagai, Ph.D. rigorously evaluated the studies favoring to adoption by homosexuals. The result of their research was compiled in a book titled No Basis: What the Studies Don't Tell Us About Same-Sex Parenting.[8]
In an interview with National Review, Dr. Lerner summarized the methodological errors contained in such studies claiming that the research purporting to show that the sexual orientation of parents' makes no difference in child outcome is seriously flawed. Dr. Lerner affirms these studies have the following errors:
— Completely misconstrue and thus blatantly misuse the standard logic of statistical hypothesis testing (e.g., they attempt to affirm the null hypothesis, which is wrong; one can only fail to reject the null hypothesis)
— Fail to use proper or even any control groups (e.g. Charlotte Patterson Bay Area study)
— Use wildly unrepresentative nonrandom samples
— Use far too few cases to draw any valid conclusions
— Fail to control for essential variables when presenting their findings
— There is only one study that has any kind of follow-up. This particular study misanalyses its own data, which in fact show that the daughters of lesbian couples are more likely to engage in lesbian sexual experimentation as adults than are the daughters of heterosexual couples. This effect is probably understated since the authors lump together heterosexuals who are married with those who are cohabiting
— The above study is the only one which included adult data; findings based on young children are inadequate for talking about the development of adult behavior and identity
— None of the studies in question is a study of gay adoption; the children studied are either the natural children of one partner or result from artificial insemination. This limits the generalizability of the studies, even assuming they were valid otherwise.[9]
The study, Staying 'True to the Research' on Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting, by Glenn T. Stanton and Geremy F. Keeton of the organization Focus on the Family provides countless quotations from specialists corroborating Dr. Lerner's views.
For example, Steven Nock, Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia, who has also reviewed existing literature on the issue, concluded:
[The current literature on lesbian parenting] is inadequate to permit any conclusion to be drawn. None had a probability sample. All used inappropriate statistics given the samples obtained. All had biased samples. Sample sizes were consistently small …. I do not believe this collection of articles indicates that lesbian and heterosexual mothers are similar. In fact, from a scientific perspective, the evidence confirms nothing about the quality of gay parents.[10]
No Voice for Children
Perhaps the most tragic aspect of the whole homosexual adoption issue is the fact that the children have no voice in the matter.
They are suddenly immersed in a subculture advocating an amoral unnatural lifestyle. The child is further deprived of either a mother or father and left to navigate in a surreal world of gender confusion. His own physical security is jeopardized by a subgroup fraught with much greater incidence of social disease and other health problems.[11]
All this is accepted in the name of a political correctness that is based on false premises and pseudo-science. Many in the scientific establishment seem intent upon engaging in a kind of "scientific activism," not unlike the judicial activism of liberal judges, which forces through an agenda contested by the facts and established scientific method.
Such activist experiments can only harm the innocent child and take him away from the traditional family, the only proven atmosphere of stability and tender loving care favoring the child's physical and moral development.
donnell+mommy+got+born&hl=en. ↑
partner&hl=en. Cf.also http://readthehook.com/stories
/2004/02/19/newsDontgivetouvacomGayGra.html. ↑
http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/home/index.html?date=20010417. ↑
Cf. http://family.org/cforum/pdfs/fosi/marriage/aamft_response.pdf. ↑
/marriage/aamft_response.pdf. ↑


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Join Date: Sep 2004
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Originally Posted by zion
If you got periods before you should get periods after birth control it just may take a little time!!
Originally Posted by Arwyn
But I want it NOW! :LOL
Whoda thunk I'd ever say that? :LOL
Originally Posted by NYCVeg
Arwyn--AF just arrived today. And for the first time ever, I was actually thrilled! Getting ready to TTC really puts things into a different perspective.
Originally Posted by PikkuMyy
NYC- I was on Orthocyclen for many years but now am on Mircette for migraines (lower dose than orthocycle with some progesterone during the last 5 days of the no-hormone week.) I hope that being on a lower-dose pill will allow my cycles to return more quickly when we're ready to TTC.
I wish you call luck!
Trying to live life to the fullest.....with DH, 2 fun kids, and a wild dog.
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Thanks for stopping by Slightly Indulgent Tuesday!
After 6 weeks of taking it easy at home with Little Man Green I'm ready to slowly start easing back into life. I'd call it 'life as normal' but there's a new normal around here. And, it's not quite normal yet – meaning Momma is still learning. But I wouldn't change a single thing. I'm in love in a way I never knew I could be.
Linking Up Guidelines:
- If you leave a link in the comments, my blog will automatically mark it as spam.
- Please link back to this post NOT A STATIC "BLOG PARTY PAGE" so that your readers can find the recipes here.
- Link to your individual post, NOT your home page.
- Recipes DO NOT have to be sugar-free or gluten-free – just healthier in some way. The idea is to share our ideas and inspire each other in the kitchen.
- When you link, please tell us what you're cooking.