Beach Camping at Shirvan Nature Reserve

July 25 - 26


A group of us took off for the weekend, we went beach camping at Shirvan Nature Reserve. The beach is a 2 hour drive south of Baku. I never before would have thought that I would swim in the Caspian, but in the area we had camped the water is protected and (somewhat) clean.

We saw this mama pup on our drive into the park. She had just had a litter of babies and she was absolutely starving. We were able to give her some food and love on our way in and out of the park. At least she had 2 days of food to support her and her babies. I think of her everyday, I wish I could save her... but can't put the healthy kittens at home at risk...

The caravan

The beach

Scott, deep in thought

Sara G directing traffic

Ahhhh, time to relax

Dan getting pummeled by the waves

Rory posing... 'where's the beach'

Awwww... Dan and Oksana

Me, Chris and baby Lavery !!!

Nice, Dan...

A nice drive, dip in the water, now time to soak up the sun at the campsite.

Sara and Andy

The guys stoking up the bbq

Check out this cool evening sky... the clouds rolling in which was nice because it was so stinkin' hot that day! No rain luckily -- just some nice cloud cover to cool things down.

Clotho and I

Clotho and Brant

Rory and Chris

Gazelle's roaming the park

An Out of This World 4th of July!!!

4 July 2009

I have to say that this year's 4th of July celebration was more interesting and different than the last few years.

Since we have been in Baku, the celebration of America's independence usually goes by without much thought. Typically, there is some kind of bar-b-que or get together but it never compares to the usual American celebration of going to the nearest body of water to play and soak up rays followed up by a picnic and bonfire.

This year stands out, it actually measures up to the 4th weekends at the cottage in Michigan or in Seward, AK.

Clotho and Brant's parents were visiting from the US. So Clotho had the brilliant idea to go to the mud volcanoes late in the evening for a picnic dinner in the surreal (other world) scenery of the MVs. (see mountain biking trip blog below... this was the reconnaissance trip to check it out and do some prelim planning!)

Good Times, Good Food, Good Friends, Good Location...

Scott, Patsy and Erich
Clotho's Dad and Brant mixing up Martinis!!!! No one is roughing it on this picnic!
Group lounging near the MVs ... look more like we are lounging on the moon. Check out this spread, a yummy dinner with all the Azerbaijani summertime vegetable and fruit. I bet they don't have nice produce like this on the moon.
I've got my plates ready, bring on the food!
View of the Caspian
Ernie and Tad entertained us with their stories all evening long. I woke up on Sunday morning still laughing at the stories and 'Tad-gents'

Sun setting over the volcanoes

The crew ... me, Tad, Brant, Clotho, Clotho's Mom, Ernie, Patsy & Erich -- Scott was the photographer of this great photo.

Below is video of Brant and Scott lighting a mud volcanoe on fire... couldn't quite figure out how to rotate the view... so you have to tilt your head to the right to get the full picture...

The Mud Volcanoes Never Get Old!!!!

Sunday June 14

One of the most popular attractions in Azerbaijan is a visit to the mud volcanoes. Now, after being in Azerbaijan for 3.5 years I have been out many times both by car for a short trip and as a stop on a mountain biking trip in Gobustan.

This time I had the opportunity to go out with some good friends, Brant and Clotho. It was a great break for me to get away from work and school. Also a chance to get on my mountain bike. I had been too long!!!

The mud volcanoes are awesome -- they are sputtering, gurlgling mounds of mud. They are constantly blowing bubbles and popping. The best part of it that the fart jokes (because of the sounds the volcanoes make) never get old!!!!

I was actually quick enough to get this one spitting out chunks of mud

We ran into some friends from work... their family was having fun slipping and sliding in the mud.

5th Annual Baku Triathlon, June 6-7

This past weekend marked the 5th Annual Baku Triathlon.

This was my third year participating and it was the best yet. Our good friends Clotho and Brant were key event coordinators and it went off without a hitch!

The distances were a 500m swim, 20k bike and 5k run. The swim was on Saturday at the Hyatt Pool and the bike and run were Sunday morning around a local neighborhood. The loop we do is very hilly and it is just not the Baku Triathlon without terribly windy conditions - and this year was no exception. For the 2nd year in a row we have been especially lucky to have a major headwind on the long uphill :) makes for a long bike ride!

Collage is courtesy of our friend Akemi... they are photos of Scott and I during the swim. In the picture on the lower right I am accepting my 4th place trophy for the womens group... and no there weren't only 4 women participating!!!