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Here's some photos of some very scenic areas I've been fortunate enough to visit, with a couple of words about each one....enjoy!!

This is one of my favorite places....It's in the mountains just outside of Las Vegas, looking out over the desert floor.  Every time I take a trip to Vegas I make a point to go back here.  Simply one of the most picturesque places you could ever see.

 

Here's a view of the mountain from which the picture above was taken (Mt. Charleston, Nevada)

 

View of Lake Mead looking upstream from Hoover Dam

 

Me on the "hardhat" tour inside of Hoover Dam.  Fortunately I took the tour while I had the chance, as it it no longer offered.

 

Here's me at the north rim of the Grand Canyon.  For anyone who has never been there I highly recommend it, probably the most awesome spectacle on the planet.

 

Monument Valley, Arizona.  Probably the most utilized area for any sort of "old western" movie or any reference to the American southwest.  Nothing but a bunch of rock formations in the middle of nowhere, but somehow it has an almost spiritual aura to it.  Definitely worth checking out if you ever get the chance.

 

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  If you like scenery with a lot of gorgeous mountains that go on forever, this is the place to visit.

 

Breaking away from the nature pictures, here's a couple from my 1st degree black belt test.  Finishing the test was one of the greatest achievements of my life....8 hours of torture in order to gain a lifetime of pride and self respect...I'd hate to have to go through it again though...lol

 

Ron, Brad, Mike, Amy.....my adopted family

 

Me and Mr. Del Real (martial arts instructor)

 

Couple of pictures from the North American Grappling Championships.....First Jiu-Jitsu tournament I ever competed in...

 

That's me on top starting to "pass his guard"

 

Here I am "Passing his guard"

 

I've established "side mount"....gaining this position is essentially what won me the match

 

This is the "finals match" for 1st place.....i'm on the bottom putting my opponent in my "half guard"

 

I'm now attempting to "sweep" my opponent from my half guard and gain the top "mount" or "side mount" position....didn't quite get there...he did a good job of defending

 

Had to settle for 2nd place....time expired in the finals match and the other guy won on points

 

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