Yesterday I bought a new camera, a point-and-shoot that I can shove in my pocket.  Such a tiny thing with 12 mega pixels and a zoom.   Yes, I have a good SLR, but I know it will be a problem schlepping around India with the SLR dangling round my neck, just as surely as I know that Hank won't carry it for me--it's heavy and he's not my brother!

That's my excuse for not posting to the blog yesterday--I had to charge the camera.  This morning, before it got too hot, I gallivanted around the yard putting it through its paces:



We have a bumper crop of pomegranates this year, but many will be full of holes before we return. Some creature with a sharp beak and can suspend itself from a height is the culprit.

I'm not the diarist in the family, Hank is, so my task is to create a habit out of making daily entries to this blog.  By the time we hit Mumbai, I'll be an addict, but with 12 days to go this could get tedious. Why not fill it up with interesting, if barely related, pictures?

Between Simran and Jenny's two wedding ceremonies in Alamogordo, we took time to visit White Sands National Monument.  As this was at noon, no less, we had to return a second day to catch some shadows.


Making Tracks: Sandscape #2, White Sands, NM 2008



Sandscape #1, White Sands, NM 2008

To keep this blog interesting while we're busy organizing, as a prelude to packing, I'll add something every day.  Here's a little background to the trip.  Simran Nirh and Jenny French were married, in dual ceremonies, last year in Alamogordo, New Mexico.  We were fortunate to be able to attend.



Simran and Jenny and Jenny's Family



Simran and Jenny and Simran's Family
This month Simran and Jenny, along with Jenny's family, are traveling to Aurangabad to have another celebration, one where more of Simran's family and friends will be able to attend.  We consider ourselves very fortunate indeed to be able to tag along for part of the trip.

OK folks, here's what's going on:  I am setting up a free blog to document our upcoming trip to India.  (Emphasis on FREE ergo limited designs, but free is free!)

This is a test!  Hank and I leave for India May 23.  The intent is to have the blog text limited and pictures profuse!  To be updated daily, or whenever I can get online.  If you're interested in our travels (and our travails) bookmark this blog and check back regularly.

In order to test uploading pictures (particularly size requirements), here's a picture of Dan, taken by Tim, at his graduation in December 2008.  Handsome kid, takes after his mom (lol).



Our current itinerary is:
Mumbai; Goa; Delhi (Amritsar (Golden Temple); Agra (Taj Mahal)); Aurangabad; and a week where we haven't a clue what we're doing.  We're packing light.

Welcome to the Childers/Coe blog. Please check back soon for new entries.