tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82360802525635009182024-03-09T18:47:23.725-08:00Champagne Wishes and RV Dreamsliving the dream on the open road...Horray!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08291917264973593470noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-76315166193484668882024-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:002024-02-24T12:18:20.229-08:00Having a BLAST at Lake Havasu!<p>There are two things that really bring out the "little kid" in me, and that is Christmas lights and Fireworks! I never get tired of seeing either one of them (just ask my family!) So, when I read a flyer that Lake Havasu was having their annual "<a href="https://www.golakehavasu.com/winter-blast-pyrotechnics-show">Winter Blast Pyro Party</a>" I knew I had to go! We belong to our resort's RV Club and they like to put rallies together for interesting places and things, so I thought I would give it a try and sign up to be a "Wagon Master" and see who all would be interested in joining me for a few days. The Winter Blast was for a whole week, but I had commitments so could only go for 4 days. I thought maybe I would get 5 or 6 rigs interested...it turned out I'm not the only one who loves fireworks! 15 other couples do too! Actually, we would even have had more, but quite a few said <i>their dogs didn't...so, h</i>ad to pass it up. </p><p>What fun we all had! We lucked out with great weather (clear, and in the mid 70's) with beautiful sun rises and sun sets every day. We started out with a welcome pot luck and of course had a ton of wonderful food, and a nice wood fire to sit and chat around before we wandered off to see the fireworks. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLb3t7fV9vVMJhcGstrgCnyb-qhBo17-Jn0jgmUGa-dkG7AjTSd_IhS5AREzS1jyIAFeu9INdPsMWCvY0nVs05sowqveEX3humXan17NUUxRCuAbWQYZkXzuZq4BuzOlDvlsZgrDMTGxohi6uQp2jTXmYcm5gHTUEMJff0D6YkWBt5dC9jFHhr7vkLgc/s800/The%20many%20sunsets%20during%20our%20campout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLb3t7fV9vVMJhcGstrgCnyb-qhBo17-Jn0jgmUGa-dkG7AjTSd_IhS5AREzS1jyIAFeu9INdPsMWCvY0nVs05sowqveEX3humXan17NUUxRCuAbWQYZkXzuZq4BuzOlDvlsZgrDMTGxohi6uQp2jTXmYcm5gHTUEMJff0D6YkWBt5dC9jFHhr7vkLgc/w300-h400/The%20many%20sunsets%20during%20our%20campout.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN4w7vzs_D59rL5I0Iz173MeMy1S6E8ncZyfhTvCP9PQ1lk1Vk23GW6_SGUahCtgV4huB7wwSbc9VQ_QQuQHaQqdk5J5zBqLeeaK0hvIAlLuyaS2CEmfnpahU9G3KrzI4kQQ2JgeI6lpWaTVrWKE_wDcjW2nkrA8Xjb_kfoMMhXWJGDNWX_6Hloz8Og8/s800/Fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN4w7vzs_D59rL5I0Iz173MeMy1S6E8ncZyfhTvCP9PQ1lk1Vk23GW6_SGUahCtgV4huB7wwSbc9VQ_QQuQHaQqdk5J5zBqLeeaK0hvIAlLuyaS2CEmfnpahU9G3KrzI4kQQ2JgeI6lpWaTVrWKE_wDcjW2nkrA8Xjb_kfoMMhXWJGDNWX_6Hloz8Og8/w300-h400/Fireworks.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>During the daytime many enjoyed going into town to see the <a href="https://www.golakehavasu.com/london-bridge">London Bridge </a>and or hike the various area. We, along with others checked out the local <a href="https://www.havasumuseum.com/">History Museum.</a> It was fun seeing how Lake Havasu got it's start. Quite a marketing plan...flying people in from snow-filled states in the middle of winter to show them "sunny & warm" Arizona! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Z5vKDdBo9oZF1moRlroyHGABwWheKm4gOF8hobJ8U75be1aFolzabSBlrMGhurOyHZ0x4rBm_44xZP2Sblve9v2gyDuavSANcz8DW4Hh4q-kUVD5IOGBe-rxMzyG36vQXS0QTBHHaSDaXiu8qo5QtpRdOB6yhEkj1v5nIu5trDbzYjqfbiD62H6qXg/s800/Lake%20Havasu%20Museum%20of%20History.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9Z5vKDdBo9oZF1moRlroyHGABwWheKm4gOF8hobJ8U75be1aFolzabSBlrMGhurOyHZ0x4rBm_44xZP2Sblve9v2gyDuavSANcz8DW4Hh4q-kUVD5IOGBe-rxMzyG36vQXS0QTBHHaSDaXiu8qo5QtpRdOB6yhEkj1v5nIu5trDbzYjqfbiD62H6qXg/w300-h400/Lake%20Havasu%20Museum%20of%20History.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p> Each night we were treated to a different live band, then followed by hours of fun-filled fireworks. You could see them from anywhere, but the best seats were in the bleachers (we camped at the rodeo grounds). </p><p>Our final night dwindled down to half the group as many had to leave early due to various commitments, but that didn't stop the rest of us from enjoying one last dinner together and a nice campfire that we all decided to stay around and watch the last fireworks from there...all comfy together. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CtBz8dPEMLJtGOdklq85oBMAXOYGS6hA4kYy2EG1nOwxXFFNrNSqzB7Vfj9nzs68mdkFsGob-4tw8ZVslD9XGEIeH71s97y47vO0UUbJ6JTRdy7QjB5AA-W7lI9YC1zxdD28ouvPg4HlM93SLYxjEuST4G84ugCLuUGbcBKSlIf8dyHszDi6p6g4HRg/s800/Gathering%20togher,%20HT%20RV%20Club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CtBz8dPEMLJtGOdklq85oBMAXOYGS6hA4kYy2EG1nOwxXFFNrNSqzB7Vfj9nzs68mdkFsGob-4tw8ZVslD9XGEIeH71s97y47vO0UUbJ6JTRdy7QjB5AA-W7lI9YC1zxdD28ouvPg4HlM93SLYxjEuST4G84ugCLuUGbcBKSlIf8dyHszDi6p6g4HRg/w300-h400/Gathering%20togher,%20HT%20RV%20Club.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>A simple rally, only 3 hours away, but packed with loads of fun and friendship! What a BLAST!</p><p>...sitting back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-55187954529969674582023-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:002023-12-18T09:14:32.738-08:00Saying goodbye to 2023...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynai3NnUVnS1J2cmqiqv67RSUaYmqe8_hnBdLuHpNJfUq8yNQY1V6fd0DRT2uICIIcHRkHsV9fzhctDsPI-tmEiRrLQFL92NqNqy3R1tdNCkIVuhNB52aY6iGWoAtEV06sX9NL49cQRlPK4YkdFLGvd_mrJJ2eeAtWHZzN64V-Vv3XJaOc_6HPZun9t4/s844/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%203.05.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="844" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynai3NnUVnS1J2cmqiqv67RSUaYmqe8_hnBdLuHpNJfUq8yNQY1V6fd0DRT2uICIIcHRkHsV9fzhctDsPI-tmEiRrLQFL92NqNqy3R1tdNCkIVuhNB52aY6iGWoAtEV06sX9NL49cQRlPK4YkdFLGvd_mrJJ2eeAtWHZzN64V-Vv3XJaOc_6HPZun9t4/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-17%20at%203.05.27%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here it is the end of 2023 and all I find myself doing is <i>dreaming</i> of 2024! It's not that this year hasn't been wonderful, it has. We've been to some great places and done some wonderful trips...but there are more to come and the planning is half the fun! <p></p><p>This is the time of the year though, that I do like to sit back and not only reflect, but acknowledge how <i>truly</i> lucky we are. We have great health when so many don't; we have a sweet little warm home that shelters us in a sunny area of the country, a lovely working motorhome that takes us where we want to go, when we want to go; we have enough money to travel - maybe not to as many nor as far or exotic destinations as we would love to go if we won the lottery, but more than many folks. We are happy people who love each other and enjoy life with family and friends who care about us. So very much to be thankful for, we <i>are very blessed. </i></p><p>Our driving trips this year were "short and sweet" - Arizona and New Mexico. What we lacked in driving distance, we seemed to have made up in flying - to Washington and then to the Caribbean via Miami! That seems to be the "norm" these days for us anymore...less driving, more flying, and next year cruising. I think it just might have something to do with our age and comfort...lol - hey, it's still traveling! and that's all I've ever asked to do! ;-)</p><p>...ending another wonderful year in the sunshine of Arizona, Marie <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-79990432684034800752023-11-27T15:29:00.000-08:002023-11-27T15:29:29.262-08:00Seeing a Different Side of Sedona...<p>We've visited<a href="https://www.visitarizona.com/places/cities/sedona/"> Sedona</a> a number of times, enjoying it's beautiful red rocks, great restaurants and unique shops, but we've rarely taken the time to explore the history of Sedona. We were here for a full week, the weather was lovely, it was the perfect time to explore!</p><p>Our first stop was the <a href="https://sedonamuseum.org/">Sedona Heritage Museum</a> where the Jordan Family began a farm in the 1870s, eventually planting almost 1500 fruit (apple and peach) trees. By 1931 they had a one room cabin and a tractor shed and by 1937 they were the largest employer in the area. The Jordan's success brought the construction of the fruit packing shed in 1946, and a new car and another house addition in 1947. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jrElUPBo4isNXtWQ9KYSza8U_3thnXvhBumB7Fv9VfHn5F2PGYchDBgHat083aoV9aHKJ54GSMjWchXNFyVWxs-9a2V0gVwr4MuWqJrnR67u_bVOiOmV1gnqov_FD_q8kOOpqJDCcc9xCTBCYU33w63Q8mkc6AsyA_BpH2LtxfzCrzQnVoMvIeYYXYw/s800/museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jrElUPBo4isNXtWQ9KYSza8U_3thnXvhBumB7Fv9VfHn5F2PGYchDBgHat083aoV9aHKJ54GSMjWchXNFyVWxs-9a2V0gVwr4MuWqJrnR67u_bVOiOmV1gnqov_FD_q8kOOpqJDCcc9xCTBCYU33w63Q8mkc6AsyA_BpH2LtxfzCrzQnVoMvIeYYXYw/w300-h400/museum.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> The museum also had the first ever "teal" McDonald's Arches (c1993) to go along with Sedona's "natural decor"!<br /><p></p><p>Along with the Jordan's farm buildings, the museum showcased the film history of the area as well. From the 1920s through the early 1960s Sedona's red rocks made an ideal setting for Western movies. In 1945, a movie set was constructed for John Wayne's film "Angel and the Badman", which featured a Telegraph Office. It was relocated to the Museum in 2014 and restored to it's 1945 movie prop condition. "The Call of the Canyon" statue by James Muir pays homage to the spirit of the settler in Oak Creek Canyon in the early part of the 20th century documented in Zane Grey's novel of the same name. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoWd7ARxn97Gd0fw-8fWQtPCfunoV3HeS3QkSEHKLtCIGvHparkP1a4zL9kAIcEHig0qnohr9NXOoWMHBw5D96ikNYyLgPzMZfhUjjdc_zwxvalJPdlno58tgnCQUAgofljE4mzcyVVweYBHamMOVfFIZ1n2HfSl7up53poze8qZGDmwB8UwBKejYwgQ/s800/telegraph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoWd7ARxn97Gd0fw-8fWQtPCfunoV3HeS3QkSEHKLtCIGvHparkP1a4zL9kAIcEHig0qnohr9NXOoWMHBw5D96ikNYyLgPzMZfhUjjdc_zwxvalJPdlno58tgnCQUAgofljE4mzcyVVweYBHamMOVfFIZ1n2HfSl7up53poze8qZGDmwB8UwBKejYwgQ/w300-h400/telegraph.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Nothing tells the history of a place like it's cemeteries. This small town has three! The oldest is the <a href="https://www.verdenews.com/news/2022/apr/13/voices-grave-pioneer-cemetery-walk-red-rock-cemete/">Schuerman Red Rock Cemetery</a> started in 1893. The first soul buried on this part of the Schuerman property was that of their 5-year old daughter, Clara, who died in 1893 of cholera. Standing apart from the other graves, under a couple of stately juniper trees, one can see the simple gravestone marks a place that you can imagine might have been a favorite of a young girl, with its magnificent view of Cathedral Rock. The cemetery is a veritable who's who of original Sedona settlers:
the Schuermans, the Thompsons; the Purtymans, a Baldwin and Owenby;
you'll find these iconic Sedona names on homesteads, crossings, trails,
residential streets, buttes, and irrigation ditches throughout the
town. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE646EIw_yPR78YB418rSWq3Cj5YQHKh22OqxIPvCrTK18t3niCZa79q4oZTnHRwwvhGgnJEWEPNJuxT1I6VrKarYZsPakIy2yZvE8s1dmZDcAhNCsEDQyFkBFAasDOvD5wwxzIJ7Q6eSUd_iL1PP4kBu7hrquXtmklKH4OEK9tNzZAoLLSu9pnOdx9Jw/s800/red%20rock%20cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE646EIw_yPR78YB418rSWq3Cj5YQHKh22OqxIPvCrTK18t3niCZa79q4oZTnHRwwvhGgnJEWEPNJuxT1I6VrKarYZsPakIy2yZvE8s1dmZDcAhNCsEDQyFkBFAasDOvD5wwxzIJ7Q6eSUd_iL1PP4kBu7hrquXtmklKH4OEK9tNzZAoLLSu9pnOdx9Jw/w300-h400/red%20rock%20cemetery.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Sedona's second oldest graveyard, the <a href="https://visitsedona.com/blog/voices-from-the-grave-pioneer-ghost-walk-at-cooks-cemetery/">Cook Cedar Glade Cemetery</a>, which is the final resting place of Sedona Schnebly and many other original founding families. This pioneer cemetery was established in 1918 with the death from the Spanish Flu. Henry Cook homesteaded 160 acres that included this site. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBqfkVQhfHzfLa0cbNt8lqsA1g0sl-wCQbf3lzHVfLcaUAqeojfc0Lf-Q80Ir3b-KpOc3KK-sLcwJi3C94LzVg3tISA7CLDAWNxWtp4ZQ2MyYFqH7Js56WFtIovVnWy5W82Bf8Ow11WUpiVu4g3INSnNxL8fFauSJvZyAbu8v0Rg1sptvLpqhHxNunZo/s800/Cooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBqfkVQhfHzfLa0cbNt8lqsA1g0sl-wCQbf3lzHVfLcaUAqeojfc0Lf-Q80Ir3b-KpOc3KK-sLcwJi3C94LzVg3tISA7CLDAWNxWtp4ZQ2MyYFqH7Js56WFtIovVnWy5W82Bf8Ow11WUpiVu4g3INSnNxL8fFauSJvZyAbu8v0Rg1sptvLpqhHxNunZo/w300-h400/Cooks.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The last Cemetery was the <a href="https://www.thedesertway.com/sedona/">Sedona Community Cemetery</a>. This is the newest cemetery, dedicated in 2019 providing the same stunning views after death that they enjoyed living here. These are definitely graves with a view! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAtBELS_NLyc1DA5LUbOEOvvztBJRi-xsQS-VtlrLTBEqIKD5RHx56IfkCFUi81-C3cr6DqY4qNXOfXZfUMKjPaafACqi-9U7K5r_rxPxQm2c3QGJJqudppk_CYkt2cEDO8mjB3L1HCkQCp-Td8vpsRJfw1QdpYxdGnJcKnrf2v4Ml2ghGETErSlEvuY/s800/community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAtBELS_NLyc1DA5LUbOEOvvztBJRi-xsQS-VtlrLTBEqIKD5RHx56IfkCFUi81-C3cr6DqY4qNXOfXZfUMKjPaafACqi-9U7K5r_rxPxQm2c3QGJJqudppk_CYkt2cEDO8mjB3L1HCkQCp-Td8vpsRJfw1QdpYxdGnJcKnrf2v4Ml2ghGETErSlEvuY/w300-h400/community.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p> Of course we did our requisite shopping at <a href="https://www.tlaq.com/">Tlaquepaque</a> and eating at our favorite spot (Thanksgiving at <a href="https://the-hudson.popmenu.com/">The Hudson</a>) along with some new ones (a great lunch at the <a href="https://sedonahideawayhouse.com/">Hideaway House</a>) and even enjoyed listening to an evening of jazz while we had dinner at <a href="https://soundbitesgrill.com/">Sound Bites Grill</a> on our first night, which was new for us! All this just goes to shows that one can go to the same place again and again, and still find new adventures to discover! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA11nXuPP1iUG0foQQ7NuISwh5GFEY_h32cJgpM5VjGyfluTyA6BSfPyj9i2NQdUXmMUVDTzkhLZjCwO66iuvZwHZ1Jdon-1u_MloIFF12faevm0LxCoiLfI2Huay2kTKm4v96Vcd4Bxwz_Fsn7VFTwPUEAUiY_Nw91a7izfgbi1FDOvNoi8TEbDlzAbQ/s800/about%20town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA11nXuPP1iUG0foQQ7NuISwh5GFEY_h32cJgpM5VjGyfluTyA6BSfPyj9i2NQdUXmMUVDTzkhLZjCwO66iuvZwHZ1Jdon-1u_MloIFF12faevm0LxCoiLfI2Huay2kTKm4v96Vcd4Bxwz_Fsn7VFTwPUEAUiY_Nw91a7izfgbi1FDOvNoi8TEbDlzAbQ/w300-h400/about%20town.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCcMtprZDIcSv4_sAR32KSu0F3g8dmspXDkS_YRryQ0DpIo_wAYlLj7ZJpydxrnR-dMftJmsclS5zeq4cZohb2LakHscdOZBrfJPVLqGkHt_5EgZ89rO2GwpBMIWYuBnOAJVGyRQczdnX7eyLn2rhXT23B2pqDeMKrzFPJEbe_aHAaTYtc6IzAWp2FUU/s1296/Marie%20and%20Traci%20in%20Prescott.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="973" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCcMtprZDIcSv4_sAR32KSu0F3g8dmspXDkS_YRryQ0DpIo_wAYlLj7ZJpydxrnR-dMftJmsclS5zeq4cZohb2LakHscdOZBrfJPVLqGkHt_5EgZ89rO2GwpBMIWYuBnOAJVGyRQczdnX7eyLn2rhXT23B2pqDeMKrzFPJEbe_aHAaTYtc6IzAWp2FUU/s320/Marie%20and%20Traci%20in%20Prescott.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />As we ended our delightful week's stay, we topped it off with a wonderful visit with a dear friend we hadn't seen in many years! I had posted a quick snap about enjoying the jazz player in Sedona, and she caught it and shared that she was not far away, in Prescott! It is so delightful to be able to catch up with lovely people, to reconnect and share again, it's what makes life so special.<p></p><p></p><p>This will be a trip long remembered as we hunker down to our "winter routine" here at the resort. Christmas is just around the corner, and the annual Theater Production's rehearsals take up all of January and February, along with my Board of Director's duties...so this little respite needs to last me awhile!</p><p>Until the next one...Marie<br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you would like to see all the photos from this trip, just go to my flickr account at: https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/</span><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-47228261923467828202023-11-05T12:58:00.000-08:002023-11-05T12:58:29.835-08:00Celebrating in Saint Martin!<p>Jack turned 80 this year, so we decided that this Birthday needed some "extra fun". It had been a rough year with him being in the hospital in March and an <i>extra</i> hot summer, we both really needed a break! After our planned trip to Spain got cancelled, it was time to look for something a little closer and someplace a little different. We have a time-share, so I let my fingers do the walking and I was able to find us a really nice stay in <a href="https://travel.usnews.com/St_Martin/">Saint Martin</a>!</p><p>American Airlines was nice enough to give us credit for our cancelled flight, so we decided to use it and add a small amount more and upgrade it to first class. There is no direct flights to Saint Martin, so we decided to break it up and fly into Miami and spend the night and fly out the next day to the island. It sure beats trying to catch that second flight "on time" dashing from one plane to the next (especially at our age!)</p><p>It had been a long time since we had flown first class, and what a luxury that is! Being waited on every minute, good food, good leg room and comfy seats...one could really get used to this! The flight was great, and the shuttle to the hotel was right on time. Arriving in the evening in Miami, a bit tired, left us no time or energy to explore Miami, unfortunately. Our room was nice, but <i>cold</i>...our first introduction to the tropical solution to dealing with the humidity! Welcome to Miami! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-eDvFPOWfPZf6qRIrJzkFzgRmU35mfV8OBk7jdGQeDcSUUTAT55IDQg5Pjb673Pw1dE1jpB4Pq2nHuBKO2soxJhFqJS3mi3s7HPp7ZJtxp2Rc5P41A9T7grTJ0MJO7qNyuOktwoqPcuFU0LTjpvCKSODv5OvmOijKdF_1EkokhHJPlLoKPOY7xoyLWs/s1410/Wall%20Art,%20Miami%20Airport.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1055" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-eDvFPOWfPZf6qRIrJzkFzgRmU35mfV8OBk7jdGQeDcSUUTAT55IDQg5Pjb673Pw1dE1jpB4Pq2nHuBKO2soxJhFqJS3mi3s7HPp7ZJtxp2Rc5P41A9T7grTJ0MJO7qNyuOktwoqPcuFU0LTjpvCKSODv5OvmOijKdF_1EkokhHJPlLoKPOY7xoyLWs/s320/Wall%20Art,%20Miami%20Airport.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div><p>Like good travelers, we checked the airline's schedule before leaving the hotel, and everything was still scheduled "on time", so we left to be there the required two hours before boarding. When we got there, I checked again, printed our boarding passes, and proceeded to the proper gate. Fifteen minutes later the gate attendant announces that due to high winds yesterday, Saint Thomas closed their airport, and all their flights were cancelled and those flights were delayed until today....so, all OUR flights were now delayed! Our 10<b>am</b> flight would now be 7<b>pm.</b> <i>What? </i> That said, "we <i>could</i> leave, however, there is always a chance that the flight could get moved up, so be watchful..." </p><p>We were not happy. All this could have been told to us either last night, or earlier this morning, since the flights were cancelled the day before. At that moment, there were only three of us sitting there, and we went up to the attendant and asked her if she could let us into the AA Lounge? "No, because it's not AA's fault!" and she walked away. Wow. Great customer service. The other gentleman went to the lounge and offered to pay the day rate and was told they didn't have one, "that it was only for Business Class and above." So, we all sat there all day long...;-(</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRAxOTqKzT3F2_t9mrH_-BXPHTagb9bF-w62pBZmoaADvVMkELtBccHsWvY65Qyc3iksKVZGRhdpl0AnoxsiP5GHVWVhqAkV3f_SAygHg8KhpBlAkMq_tbqfinBXIHV1Zu-NAIFRRLriqaSedLbDVN0Wiy1NTAHtFacI1cqFaE6XG38yoSHJR8GW4QjQ/s800/Miami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRAxOTqKzT3F2_t9mrH_-BXPHTagb9bF-w62pBZmoaADvVMkELtBccHsWvY65Qyc3iksKVZGRhdpl0AnoxsiP5GHVWVhqAkV3f_SAygHg8KhpBlAkMq_tbqfinBXIHV1Zu-NAIFRRLriqaSedLbDVN0Wiy1NTAHtFacI1cqFaE6XG38yoSHJR8GW4QjQ/w400-h300/Miami.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>We had prearranged for a taxi pick up to the hotel, but had little hope that it would still be there for us nine hours later! But there was Ritchie, holding a sign with my name on it, standing in the rain, with a big smile on his face! I was never so glad to see anyone before! Thus began our island vacation!</p><p>Our room at the <a href="https://www.reservations.com/hotel/flamingo-beach-resort-simpson-bay-sx">Flamingo Beach Hilton </a>was spectacular! I actually think it was as big as our home is, only with a better view! The balcony faced the beautiful sandy beach and wonderful ocean. I loved listening to the sound of the waves and sat outside on the balcony every time we were at the room. The only downside to the room was how cold it was! Being from Arizona, our blood has thinned out so much, that any temperature lower than 80-85 is cold to us. It was set around 70, so I turned it off! The next day everything was wet...the floors, the walls, counter tops, our bedding was damp, it was awful. Jack went down to the front desk and told them. Minutes later the maintenance man came knocking. He quickly realized it was the thermostat and explained that it HAD to be set at least at 74 to keep it dry! After that, we kept the sliding door to the balcony open and also wrapped a blanket around us when we were inside sitting! Wimps, lol</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctoATHetMJv9_N2ikJ4IxKIDlMbvL0bXj16JdIs3r2Vnod9BAUsEI3MqYrgeFuD-0qOubnP3qSx8FfqkfO3YJSu3ZyK-RNbxhimcGaHoKUBYtCK-6sN783KsDaGYesgQuontz8MmHchGopL8kreutDjPK6_vAJ2qG7KG_s-j7tsYX02rgi74WetKKiVs/s800/Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctoATHetMJv9_N2ikJ4IxKIDlMbvL0bXj16JdIs3r2Vnod9BAUsEI3MqYrgeFuD-0qOubnP3qSx8FfqkfO3YJSu3ZyK-RNbxhimcGaHoKUBYtCK-6sN783KsDaGYesgQuontz8MmHchGopL8kreutDjPK6_vAJ2qG7KG_s-j7tsYX02rgi74WetKKiVs/w400-h300/Hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Our days were a mixture of sun, clouds, and rain and always humidity. The ocean was lovely, always warm and mild with smooth sand to walk on. The pool area had a much cooler breeze though, so it made lounging around more comfortable and the pool itself was cooler than the ocean. Music was played there and the bar was there too! ;-) It was to hot to lay in the sun itself, but we both still got quite tan, just hanging around, amazing!</p><p> The next day was Jack's Birthday and he wanted to go to the nearby restaurant, which was a sports bar! It just so happened to be the final playoffs between Philadelphia and the Arizona D-Backs! Well, since the Caribbean Islands are closer to the east coast, it was no surprise that the bar was full of "Philly fans"! Of course I made it known that the D-Backs were a sure winner and for them not to put their hopes up! We left before the game ended (to be on the safe side), but it was probably a good thing anyway, as we would probably gotten napkins thrown at us! lol </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XbefMSlij-_bvzeUwJUdPaOMxmA3YbUq-S-7L0YQog0xX4zWDa4pKXbGViG9NHuDS0izPlX3g9meXB5RxwNauip6Z3aIhabbD56xbOtcfc8n_EzjP2X3RsVz7qmP4_KBhOVTxovcrfV2vJuPDFHmslcAfiiEY-7ejZBPBFIKF4SjKQfDzsA4e2qox5I/s1410/Jack%20and%20Marie%20celebrating%20his%2080th%20Birthday%20at%20Replay,%20Sint%20Maarten.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1060" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XbefMSlij-_bvzeUwJUdPaOMxmA3YbUq-S-7L0YQog0xX4zWDa4pKXbGViG9NHuDS0izPlX3g9meXB5RxwNauip6Z3aIhabbD56xbOtcfc8n_EzjP2X3RsVz7qmP4_KBhOVTxovcrfV2vJuPDFHmslcAfiiEY-7ejZBPBFIKF4SjKQfDzsA4e2qox5I/w301-h400/Jack%20and%20Marie%20celebrating%20his%2080th%20Birthday%20at%20Replay,%20Sint%20Maarten.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><p>On our third day, we booked an all day sailing trip on a catamaran called <a href="https://sailingsxm.com/tours/quality-time-catamaran-sailing-charters">Quality Time</a>. It was a beautiful day, great for sailing and snorkeling. They stopped at four or five different locations for us to swim and snorkel. The water was so delicious, nice and warm and smooth...but nothing to see, unfortunately. A couple of the guys swam about 1/4 of a mile away and said they saw a couple of small fish and some small coral, but that's pretty far against the currant for a couple of fish (at my age!). Each stop was about the same. Nice swim, but nothing to see. No matter, the crew were great and the food was fantastic! We were the oldest aboard, but the young people were delightful to be around, not drunk, rowdies at all. It rained a couple of times, and Jack sat outside and enjoyed the rainfall while the rest of us dashed inside (like we weren't already wet!) We stopped at <a href="https://www.visitstmaarten.com/beaches/maho-beach/">Maho Beach</a> where the planes fly just over your head and watched a couple take off, which was fun too. All in all, a great day. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1UidztOZxIB5NI7RKylj__sd99_s5vvrWV17tdmzDKHxAV9g4sEweob39g7hfbqFx9Lve6Duo-KWfRKGB391AxtOSdAirN0AYr1wdQ5DrvAUBX_kjWqSF22qjVp82KvnIG_B3V4KFpa8Z0kvc4h_HDrt9O5leaucqpERES6MYJYVGd8bDyYLK-_pveU/s800/Sail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1UidztOZxIB5NI7RKylj__sd99_s5vvrWV17tdmzDKHxAV9g4sEweob39g7hfbqFx9Lve6Duo-KWfRKGB391AxtOSdAirN0AYr1wdQ5DrvAUBX_kjWqSF22qjVp82KvnIG_B3V4KFpa8Z0kvc4h_HDrt9O5leaucqpERES6MYJYVGd8bDyYLK-_pveU/w480-h640/Sail.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBUA-sz09C-B5DRDE99M4TH3LoEDkFm6sX3G4mXu49oBr0okQozuYAog0gh_5DzUwBQzlu8jGnC5VzYAXByiMae9JnUs85Ma7hauzselVc6Z0bb0izqYFA0AdzVGH9mdlI-44loU-e8cOYgG5JzySi66nh_dlwYtBQvJEKvya9nnoWBZ7t3KyhPCxA_c/s800/boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBUA-sz09C-B5DRDE99M4TH3LoEDkFm6sX3G4mXu49oBr0okQozuYAog0gh_5DzUwBQzlu8jGnC5VzYAXByiMae9JnUs85Ma7hauzselVc6Z0bb0izqYFA0AdzVGH9mdlI-44loU-e8cOYgG5JzySi66nh_dlwYtBQvJEKvya9nnoWBZ7t3KyhPCxA_c/w480-h640/boat.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div> There was a free shuttle into<a href="https://www.vacationstmaarten.com/our-island/philipsburg/"> Philipsburg</a> sponsored by a jewelry store that we took. Jack bought me a couple of earrings (of course!) and <i>almost</i> a new diamond and sapphire ring! But I talked him (and myself) out of it, as I would rather use that money for travel! ;-) We then enjoyed walking around the town, and all to soon it was time to go back to the resort. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZ_M0f4is6Yflk3KDejmc773lQvoKLlr1pSrSaB5PiQYwB0alcDYQ3Lz4KFeF8SC-2XMDBN90shvnwrJq4ylI4aBJSuo8hq8YYtQYqdQVYWLipas2BOv6X1TSGTEwvLytFCXYKArvxooPXGsAs0SIBHPZigG5gWDPahnJOAc1eJFsD4NKsk-CSokIK8/s800/philipsburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZ_M0f4is6Yflk3KDejmc773lQvoKLlr1pSrSaB5PiQYwB0alcDYQ3Lz4KFeF8SC-2XMDBN90shvnwrJq4ylI4aBJSuo8hq8YYtQYqdQVYWLipas2BOv6X1TSGTEwvLytFCXYKArvxooPXGsAs0SIBHPZigG5gWDPahnJOAc1eJFsD4NKsk-CSokIK8/w480-h640/philipsburg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Later, we called our favorite taxi driver, Ritchie and had him take us to <a href="https://www.vacationstmaarten.com/our-island/marigot/">Marigot</a>, which is on the French side of the island. It was quite different than Philipsburg. Philipsburg is Dutch, very busy, bumper-to-bumper cars and the stores are mostly jewelry, with restaurant and others mixed in. In Marigot, it's less traffic, with an Open Market along the harbor, while the rest of the stores are more up-scale clothing and shoes with cafes and bakeries mixed in with some restaurants. While we wished we had more time to walk around in Philipsburg, we were done with Marigot in two hours and that included breakfast. I did find some fun things there though! A cool license plate (I collect them) and a very pretty beach cover-up. While we were there, we discovered their <a href="https://cemeterytravel.com/2014/02/12/cemetery-of-the-week-124-the-cemetery-of-marigot-on-saint-martin/">cemetery</a>, so I got to take some different pictures too! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wdntZTlB5aewwsf8Eb0g9PM1UL4TxJRIgIesi5fzGubFyKOmC7sBlJLykk-gV16Y4e45195T_PDjSG_x6GmxG5ozKI5V0w8IlxUVA5vVGbMt5HP6Ul6CTWLDmWt0fJCxCEcJjiAnlrNjK3JWZehgN9R3Ua0fLtqSYJgJQqaab8Q8DixJt4kmpt402t8/s800/Marigot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6wdntZTlB5aewwsf8Eb0g9PM1UL4TxJRIgIesi5fzGubFyKOmC7sBlJLykk-gV16Y4e45195T_PDjSG_x6GmxG5ozKI5V0w8IlxUVA5vVGbMt5HP6Ul6CTWLDmWt0fJCxCEcJjiAnlrNjK3JWZehgN9R3Ua0fLtqSYJgJQqaab8Q8DixJt4kmpt402t8/w480-h640/Marigot.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOVI7kq7ePIHuPpBZoihLOtfm7cGp0xZb2ZCSDnFtM9ALO4yQGp35v7L1a2YWzRkeMKV_hm4BnNuzb8LJwUTXdYZJvETC0IJVSKZ9whlrJbzXO3CUF6t0ZGrm6Wvf5hZijxbjGnmgpK9KIZKB8R4Cb51SIsoBH3XcBC_8LbMq3SR7uevTb2rcNJmG1g8/s800/cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOVI7kq7ePIHuPpBZoihLOtfm7cGp0xZb2ZCSDnFtM9ALO4yQGp35v7L1a2YWzRkeMKV_hm4BnNuzb8LJwUTXdYZJvETC0IJVSKZ9whlrJbzXO3CUF6t0ZGrm6Wvf5hZijxbjGnmgpK9KIZKB8R4Cb51SIsoBH3XcBC_8LbMq3SR7uevTb2rcNJmG1g8/w640-h480/cemetery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p> We were on a Caribbean cruise years ago and it stopped in Marigot, but at a completely different location, so it was really neat to see not only a different part of the Capitol, but of the island itself and to get to know some of the local people. One of them was Enoh. She was a waitress at <a href="https://juliettesbistro.com/">Juliette's Bistro</a>, which was across the street from our hotel. Jack and Enoh really hit it off, joking with each other and having such fun teasing together. She had such a wonderful laugh and sweetness about her, we all felt like we had made a new friend by the time we left. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv9Qeiz7UdInfA3ZdKoohMyAvmimJkXcrV6oHqRuxwGnLFHoZ2XDh5MktIsdj_7DjliFLTYJmJf0Gpxt5nIXzB5kXEXKj9HQEDQW9LfamJyf1mMhszGo8RhAdK3yD2M0E1UJUkzdeQ7Iq3ASkjIIwlC25hf7krXMQQpqoug1-VY7fcf5m4nlAVa5X89Q/s1410/Jack,%20Enoh%20and%20Marie%20at%20Juliet's,%20Simpson%20Bay,%20Sint%20Maarten.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1055" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv9Qeiz7UdInfA3ZdKoohMyAvmimJkXcrV6oHqRuxwGnLFHoZ2XDh5MktIsdj_7DjliFLTYJmJf0Gpxt5nIXzB5kXEXKj9HQEDQW9LfamJyf1mMhszGo8RhAdK3yD2M0E1UJUkzdeQ7Iq3ASkjIIwlC25hf7krXMQQpqoug1-VY7fcf5m4nlAVa5X89Q/w299-h400/Jack,%20Enoh%20and%20Marie%20at%20Juliet's,%20Simpson%20Bay,%20Sint%20Maarten.jpeg" width="299" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Like all vacations, in a blink of an eye, they come to an end. Our flight out of Saint Martin was delayed by a flat tire. Then our flight out of Miami was delayed by a medical emergency. I had to laugh. They were all fairly short in comparison to the first one, but <i>all</i> of them? Wow. </p><p>I love to travel, I really do, but sometimes it just feels good to be home again...</p><p>...back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on flickr: <a href="https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/">https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-37504635445939014702023-08-19T16:49:00.016-07:002023-08-19T16:49:00.127-07:00Cooling off in Flagstaff!<p>As the summer heat in the Arizona valley continues to be relentless, Jack and I decided it was time to give ourselves a break, if only for a week, and escape to the local mountains and our favorite campground in Flagstaff. Months of triple digit heat, no matter how many times you go to the pool, or "play inside", it gets old, and you (or I should say I) need a break...or more accurately, need <i>cool mountain air! </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfmAfIit5tf3oCmoM7TbA91svyLAmncgcl6v4__v4NHU7fD-08_mrWfTGRPJcYGFxT2GpaNhheAgtG_pxoAyXNcbVmHZcESo_d_MEay7VJlANeeO_Vok9149x1sNYFHFGBszVP2rxOja6-LQAs5JmoJcDVNz57c0-Q-kxY8i0PAb8zOD9bF-BM6DQnlw/s800/Flagstaff%20RV%20Campground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfmAfIit5tf3oCmoM7TbA91svyLAmncgcl6v4__v4NHU7fD-08_mrWfTGRPJcYGFxT2GpaNhheAgtG_pxoAyXNcbVmHZcESo_d_MEay7VJlANeeO_Vok9149x1sNYFHFGBszVP2rxOja6-LQAs5JmoJcDVNz57c0-Q-kxY8i0PAb8zOD9bF-BM6DQnlw/s320/Flagstaff%20RV%20Campground.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I love it up in Flagstaff. It's still unpretentious, yet big enough<i> </i>to<i> </i>have (more than) everything one needs and at 7000 feet have pine trees, cool clean air...and space! The campground that we have been coming to for a number of years is "basic" - nothing fancy, just full hook-ups - and trees! We don't need pools, or BBQs, or cabanas, or cable, or any of the other <i>stuff</i> that the other places offer (and charge for), just a nice quiet, clean spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors in. I like that when we make our reservation and arrive, they remember us and welcome us back, always treating us like we are <i>regulars</i>, even though we probably only get up here once a year. They must keep good records because they "remembered" where we were camped before and that we liked it and put us in that spot again and commented on that when we arrived. Nice. <p></p><p> The weather has been so nice (one never really knows up here and needs to expect rain at any given time) that we decided to take a short drive and visit Winslow. We hadn't been there in many years and I was wondering how it looked now, so off we went! </p><p>You can't be a fan of the Eagles band and not heard of Winslow. They made it popular with their song "Take It Easy" with the lyrics "Standin on the Corner in Winslow Arizona"... and the town has certainly taken advantage of it! The song was actually written by Jackson Browne who was a good friend of Glenn Frey in the band. Browne <i>was</i> in Winslow and <i>did</i> stand on a corner and saw a girl in a flat bed Ford look at him - so those lyrics are true to form. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ1LgdoC733rnQqv5SPzX6SQXWSlBwXNa3qe3HNfqxbgVuqqJ1jOGT4XG8CeOwN4ZFfGpSrWglQ22arDmuvZTGvND_L_ex8JO_157EpwrKYIF__gTe8fs6hthNwu0LFfZkQIMcCUzVCC-jcCqhYIiR9iT0YuJz1RsBYAyOIhyKVYMGd6nXvS4Pb7M19E/s1839/Standing%20on%20the%20corner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1839" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ1LgdoC733rnQqv5SPzX6SQXWSlBwXNa3qe3HNfqxbgVuqqJ1jOGT4XG8CeOwN4ZFfGpSrWglQ22arDmuvZTGvND_L_ex8JO_157EpwrKYIF__gTe8fs6hthNwu0LFfZkQIMcCUzVCC-jcCqhYIiR9iT0YuJz1RsBYAyOIhyKVYMGd6nXvS4Pb7M19E/s320/Standing%20on%20the%20corner.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In 1999, a group of locals got together and formed the Standing On The Corner group (SOTC) to raise funds to create a Park (corner). They sold "bricks" and raised enough money to hire a renowned sculptor (Ron Adamson) to create a bronze balladeer who now permanently stands on a corner in Winslow Arizona! Additionally, they also hired artist John Pugh to create an amazing trompe l'oeill style mural that graces the brick wall of the Park. It makes a fantastic "picture spot" to say the least! In the middle of the road is a HUGE painted Route 66 as well. That 4-Corner area is the heart of Winslow. Across the street a musician was singing and playing his guitar and the two most prominent stores and an ice cream parlor are on those corners as well. After that, there wasn't to much else to see, unfortunately. We spoke to one of the store owners and she said while they had been having a very good summer this year, COVID had really hurt the town and many of the other small businesses just couldn't make it through it. It was really sad to see. It used to be a thriving little tourist town before, now we could just about count the number of places on one hand. We bought a couple of things, stopped in to the ice cream shop (had to help the town out!) and then headed on back. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ro_b13CsnqBNH9OCJTTiOoPLL1lTbGyGNybeeTEdTM6tG62Vi_dIodrg71dWCXLkk5Q3nk-_lL9OtZgzq52ARZutVPcpbtUrsAr8UzegD0N4fLDBzStzFEtJ6IbKM8890eK1_iNYoSEsX6vXXeorEP0r7Q9nwEZp21sEnL8TKRs5G3bk5Q-q4FfIP8c/s1169/Marie,%20Stadin'%20On%20The%20Corner%20in%20Winslow%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="878" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ro_b13CsnqBNH9OCJTTiOoPLL1lTbGyGNybeeTEdTM6tG62Vi_dIodrg71dWCXLkk5Q3nk-_lL9OtZgzq52ARZutVPcpbtUrsAr8UzegD0N4fLDBzStzFEtJ6IbKM8890eK1_iNYoSEsX6vXXeorEP0r7Q9nwEZp21sEnL8TKRs5G3bk5Q-q4FfIP8c/w240-h320/Marie,%20Stadin'%20On%20The%20Corner%20in%20Winslow%20AZ.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivNtRrdI0EiEGvJ3fbzWnXpMQpgCps1Up8pQCEbBJeVnFC9mr22AzacAw_QkLXzhISCkmjjl-bh614loZ9IT0dz6Ot8gP6DZ1CnC5f5jaycoP2VSmU-8EddgFffee3wJnC56qsaK2HdwfqKAT47mkuSZ-xB17ounOV14-Qmu_lLTnsYc-G2X8inq5dUE/s1297/Jack%20with%20the%20Glenn%20Frey%20statue,%20Winslow%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="975" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivNtRrdI0EiEGvJ3fbzWnXpMQpgCps1Up8pQCEbBJeVnFC9mr22AzacAw_QkLXzhISCkmjjl-bh614loZ9IT0dz6Ot8gP6DZ1CnC5f5jaycoP2VSmU-8EddgFffee3wJnC56qsaK2HdwfqKAT47mkuSZ-xB17ounOV14-Qmu_lLTnsYc-G2X8inq5dUE/w241-h320/Jack%20with%20the%20Glenn%20Frey%20statue,%20Winslow%20AZ.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><p>Bookstores and antique shops are the other thing we can't pass up here...so we made sure we visited our favorite ones...and sure enough we found some bargains we just needed to bring home! Don't you just love it when that happens? ;-) </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsFmiMuUQmEVZFVvIZR5Qpt3rMHC20ru-Pbr_UYH59q2Lq-lhMIFmOn5Qx3y3yYlWXb6xbzY2lx2oScR_iY12Hx2o49lvYoavkxQ2OTWD5wRruckFpmaBh0ZGuHKbJoZTQgZEkq3BtJzLg5vFquWarqwIbnlCkXUKlyzDEG3k_a7XkcTa6Q_TaQq0QF4/s1257/Our%20plant%20stand%20find,%20Flagstaff%20AZ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsFmiMuUQmEVZFVvIZR5Qpt3rMHC20ru-Pbr_UYH59q2Lq-lhMIFmOn5Qx3y3yYlWXb6xbzY2lx2oScR_iY12Hx2o49lvYoavkxQ2OTWD5wRruckFpmaBh0ZGuHKbJoZTQgZEkq3BtJzLg5vFquWarqwIbnlCkXUKlyzDEG3k_a7XkcTa6Q_TaQq0QF4/w239-h320/Our%20plant%20stand%20find,%20Flagstaff%20AZ.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Won't my plants look great on these?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Well, the sun has been good to us during our stay. I was worried that it would rain the whole time, but other than a couple of short, light showers, and one evening with a very loud thunder storm, it's been delightful. The weather report kept "predicting thunderstorms" but then would revise it the next day to "partly cloudy with a high of 76-77". Worked for me! That was "sitting outside" (and reading) weather, and loving every minute! It's going to be tough to go back down the mountain...but the high temp's can't last forever (can they?) and it IS almost September for goodness sake! Pretty soon it will be cool enough for me to try and replant all the potted plants and areas that died because of that miserable heat (who says I'm not an optimist?)! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiBInyMFZMoQi08Ie6s0xWobQAM5lhYXy8nXXxqzCeMO7niAULhHQJYz_MwbEQiiFdx5MDvR50X1vfDmxAi2J5eVia-b8F-JDxMW6jyzX0FlFYYPX2rZ37BGyGr7RihaVHWWJTKBAc_0TxG73qe_9PFRkw9-im0Q7zON0Dt55SWdKO7wDFoFz6Hp9Lwo/s1161/Marie%20reading,%20Flagstaff%20AZ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="872" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiBInyMFZMoQi08Ie6s0xWobQAM5lhYXy8nXXxqzCeMO7niAULhHQJYz_MwbEQiiFdx5MDvR50X1vfDmxAi2J5eVia-b8F-JDxMW6jyzX0FlFYYPX2rZ37BGyGr7RihaVHWWJTKBAc_0TxG73qe_9PFRkw9-im0Q7zON0Dt55SWdKO7wDFoFz6Hp9Lwo/w150-h200/Marie%20reading,%20Flagstaff%20AZ.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>...kicking back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-57931114629139043422023-07-23T19:48:00.000-07:002023-07-23T19:48:25.718-07:00New Adventures in New Mexico!<p>We've been all through New Mexico...and just when I thought "we'd seen just about every town", our friends informed us that they had moved to one we hadn't been to before! Well, we couldn't pass <i>that</i> opportunity by! We gave them a year to get settled in...and this summer when the Arizona heat was just to much, we decided it was time to check out this "new town" and see if they were up for a visit! </p><p>So, off we went to <a href="https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/regions/southwest/silver-city/">Silver City New Mexico</a>, altitude, 5900, South West corner...a 5 plus hour fairly easy drive. When we left Surprise it was already pushing past 80 degrees at 7:30 in the morning and it would reach 118 that day. We were looking forward to much cooler weather for the next two weeks along with some nice visits with our friends that we hadn't seen in a few years. </p><p>It didn't take us long to find out, that like many other parts of the U.S., they too were having "unusually hotter weather"! Ugh...It had been, and was going to stay, right around 89-90 with mid-humidity. Cooler than our area, but not as cool as we had hoped...oh well...</p><p>Our first stop (as usual) was the <a href="https://www.townofsilvercity.org/">Visitor Center.</a> Even though we were here to see our friends, that didn't stop Jack; that's the one place he goes into and gathers up all the info he can find and chats with people. ;-) Their outside was very interesting...beautiful artwork, all done with tiles. Found out that the town had a history of making tile and still does some. There was also a replica of Billy the Kid's boyhood home. Seems Ron Howard filmed a movie in 2003 there called "The Missing" and built this 1870 cabin and gifted it when they were done.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Go0WhBNLNAvfoJCQeRN1XU4Btyr_XX0B_fQKqA4q8zlATooBIvp4Oxqddr7y9hpdBWz9K_dg8hp_8g2-hB2I3TQJZi44BjejXksgWbOqeCiQY_Rk5GZ9upgcObjmwRoMnE3YKxgVEfjLzDFkXbhdUqkPlTo08dJkEYc12lh0dPsxPy9_VoZXfJ3nPkw/s800/Visitor%20Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Go0WhBNLNAvfoJCQeRN1XU4Btyr_XX0B_fQKqA4q8zlATooBIvp4Oxqddr7y9hpdBWz9K_dg8hp_8g2-hB2I3TQJZi44BjejXksgWbOqeCiQY_Rk5GZ9upgcObjmwRoMnE3YKxgVEfjLzDFkXbhdUqkPlTo08dJkEYc12lh0dPsxPy9_VoZXfJ3nPkw/w300-h400/Visitor%20Center.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrcCw8yqqxLJgX2x2PQUK_3gCJ22ckburvhuP0PZUHGJhyGSHlw2H-bPapk6X8ml45uTXL1rcg_u535dz8hHHL8B2Wd_BapKxdtEpX7bH4rwQ8I4S4sHDUv-MjQHRMz0z-i7LlvhnAdzwFl5EiM_8JMjeJFZaWghb5Jl8ncaIqeKwYokLdGtgCcGlgV8/s800/Billy%20the%20Kid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrcCw8yqqxLJgX2x2PQUK_3gCJ22ckburvhuP0PZUHGJhyGSHlw2H-bPapk6X8ml45uTXL1rcg_u535dz8hHHL8B2Wd_BapKxdtEpX7bH4rwQ8I4S4sHDUv-MjQHRMz0z-i7LlvhnAdzwFl5EiM_8JMjeJFZaWghb5Jl8ncaIqeKwYokLdGtgCcGlgV8/w300-h400/Billy%20the%20Kid.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We quickly discovered two things about Silver City...it's very "artsy", with tons of small art shops of all kinds, along with fun thrift shops and book stores to mix it up some. The second thing was the crazy hours all of them have! Every store, shop and restaurant opens and closes on different days and on different hours, with no rhyme or reason to it. So, if you go on a Monday, you might find two places open from 7am-2pm (coffee cafe and someplace else), then if you go on a Wednesday, you might find three different places open, at three different times! Crazy! It was a good thing we were there for the full two weeks, because we needed it to get to all the places we wanted to see, with their funny hours!</p><p>If you have read my blogs before, you know I love taking pictures of murals. Well this town has <i>plenty</i>! They have a special "<a href="https://www.youthmurals.org/silver-city">Youth Mural Program</a>" that they started in 2003 to teach students about the history and culture of their community through the arts, engaging students in beautifying their community. In addition, students learn problem solving, working collaboratively while creating something that they can be proud of. I couldn't have agreed with their philosophy more, and as for the "art", they are fantastic!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcbC7hz8HeYTiVqICnCne5StAIrAPiFvMs_1snE6K6UpO2QoBQf8jsSZ9f2nNG9Hmos89t9TTXclGSP9f791QHkkIoO6YGq-YkPGK5AovRVctavbPH3drlwTJt9-bNSXHDyu29E5A7W-FiVjS07p_9WbwqL9tidqfbJdpY7PQFw3MeoJfU7QGDMoAqlE/s800/Mural%20art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcbC7hz8HeYTiVqICnCne5StAIrAPiFvMs_1snE6K6UpO2QoBQf8jsSZ9f2nNG9Hmos89t9TTXclGSP9f791QHkkIoO6YGq-YkPGK5AovRVctavbPH3drlwTJt9-bNSXHDyu29E5A7W-FiVjS07p_9WbwqL9tidqfbJdpY7PQFw3MeoJfU7QGDMoAqlE/w400-h300/Mural%20art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9tydczdCCM2qWR7CS5JliX9VdoRnf5IIzwbUQInqQk5LpgRHK3v8STVxQhGafDO9O47R1c2LvArsh1ySlXneMVSQQU-4cl-8J3OHtj_h0qHy9cpqq-QsSC3XiWq0lz0WaJessLh34DuWOR67A56FH3kYWnmyV77yEvoMCWDeDfq_q4jUc0Jmg2jCV_0/s800/Murals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9tydczdCCM2qWR7CS5JliX9VdoRnf5IIzwbUQInqQk5LpgRHK3v8STVxQhGafDO9O47R1c2LvArsh1ySlXneMVSQQU-4cl-8J3OHtj_h0qHy9cpqq-QsSC3XiWq0lz0WaJessLh34DuWOR67A56FH3kYWnmyV77yEvoMCWDeDfq_q4jUc0Jmg2jCV_0/w400-h300/Murals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I read about a wonderful little coffee shop to visit called <a href="https://tranquilbuzz.com/">Tranquilbuzz</a> that we decided to check out. What an incredible find! I have to say, it was the most eclectic, "natural", relaxing, fun place I have ever been to. As you enter, all the outdoor seating is created to look as natural as possible with smoothed limbs of trees as backing to long boards cut from them interspersed around a small pond and fountain with koi. Paths and bridges lead you to different nooks for tables and seating areas, one with two bent metal swings (for two) with lovely cushions. Then you go on up inside to more seating that has comfy chairs and a sofa, along with more wooden tables and chairs. There is where you order your wonderful coffees and goodies. They have a "music corner" that has every kind of instrument imaginable available, and a calendar of artists who come and perform. Along the walls and hanging from the ceiling are all sorts of fun pieces of art, etc to catch your eyes and entertain you. Such a magical place. Our friends had never been, so of course we came back again and brought them! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbXo-lJyZdkfOwTRMGn8xLL1yq_MrZF8cEGqHO8wuEYN9YXx2BEiZcKwGWLNCOAg7iIHonyuxysfzEUSJuKEJ2OEvdkpTLillfgjtg0GMpEmlAqTAq1ZpnLDC5RlKwKy1xyIPF3QKgbEuk2gBejd0tBnI9GbV9GRqH6x8HZIxOvCPgBylB66I5nKJU4U/s800/Tranqualbuzz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbXo-lJyZdkfOwTRMGn8xLL1yq_MrZF8cEGqHO8wuEYN9YXx2BEiZcKwGWLNCOAg7iIHonyuxysfzEUSJuKEJ2OEvdkpTLillfgjtg0GMpEmlAqTAq1ZpnLDC5RlKwKy1xyIPF3QKgbEuk2gBejd0tBnI9GbV9GRqH6x8HZIxOvCPgBylB66I5nKJU4U/w400-h300/Tranqualbuzz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>When we were there the first time, we engaged in a delightful conversation (while swinging in one of those wonderful swings) with several local ladies and they suggested that we drive out to Pinos Altos to have dinner and listen to the music at the <a href="http://www.buckhornsaloonandoperahouse.com/saloon.html">Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House.</a> We told our friends about it and they agreed it was a "must do", so we set a date for the following Friday night and I made us a reservation. </p><p>What a wonderful evening we had! The Buckhorn did not disappoint! Great looking, and the food was wonderful! At first I was afraid that our table was a bit far from the music, but once they started playing, I was glad it was where it was because we could see them and hear them just fine and still hear each other! If we would have been any closer, we couldn't have had any conversation at all. ;-) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe1W3HyQjGrYItDzmtcrPvaE7g_N0mQdhp8MimfMxZGksQMVFYBDxPeq_BLSxmKXOFbTXMKa8cWRQCyNX1Fe_v7CO0uwW1nb_ds9TK0qxMLEPUk2Ep8UqhnqkHpw0lxWL6_cad0Sl21qsi7axy2rlT0AhxABtGG4B4ctylMtw_55oKzcStqyhNCE7shQ/s800/Buckhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe1W3HyQjGrYItDzmtcrPvaE7g_N0mQdhp8MimfMxZGksQMVFYBDxPeq_BLSxmKXOFbTXMKa8cWRQCyNX1Fe_v7CO0uwW1nb_ds9TK0qxMLEPUk2Ep8UqhnqkHpw0lxWL6_cad0Sl21qsi7axy2rlT0AhxABtGG4B4ctylMtw_55oKzcStqyhNCE7shQ/w300-h400/Buckhorn.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>That night, our friends suggested we should take the scenic drive up through the <a href="https://www.newmexico.org/the-gila/">Gila Wilderness Area.</a> I asked about seeing the Cliff Dwellings and they said it was about a mile hike and with this heat, it might not be a great idea, but to stop at the Visitor Center anyway. They gave us a route up and back and to do that would be an "all day trip" that sounded perfect, so we planned it for the next day.</p><p>We left around 8am to get an early start and headed out. It didn't take long to start to see the lovely scenery. We had seen some of it the evening before when we had driven to Pinos Altos, but the trees just got denser as we climbed and entered the Gila National Forest. By then we were surrounded by ponderosa pine, spruce, fir and oak and about 7000' up. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIuHJvO1aSNQoU_mrfNNeffZb2RuWMigd-_fGj0pJs0_HcABnqguJs0G4N08sgelHYtvBda-ohHhvuUdB-Xw0AhMUmQtU73LqHbdbfuyH0klP-ZZn-mKmPitCHPkJznS9AiY-weXXdo2rnvmib_AZg8IbuY8Z0oQeUSNwmy8V_1d_ZaAy_8IA8Qk0uns/s800/Gila%20Wilderness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIuHJvO1aSNQoU_mrfNNeffZb2RuWMigd-_fGj0pJs0_HcABnqguJs0G4N08sgelHYtvBda-ohHhvuUdB-Xw0AhMUmQtU73LqHbdbfuyH0klP-ZZn-mKmPitCHPkJznS9AiY-weXXdo2rnvmib_AZg8IbuY8Z0oQeUSNwmy8V_1d_ZaAy_8IA8Qk0uns/w300-h400/Gila%20Wilderness.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>At the Visitors Center for the <a href="https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/regions/southwest/gila-cliff-dwellings/?psafe_param=1">Gila Cliff Dwellings</a> we talked with a ranger about hiking back to see them. The temperature was already over 90 degrees and the tour wasn't going to start for another 45 min. She looked at me and gently smiled and said that they had a great film of the cliffs here and artifacts...I took the hint, and watched the film. They had a nice Geromino Monument outside. Seems he was born at the headwaters of the Gila River in 1820. I've seen other cliff dwellings before...</p><p>We went on to see <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60831-d11666351-Reviews-Lake_Roberts-Silver_City_New_Mexico.html">Lake Roberts</a>. Beautiful fishing lake. Only two other folks were there while we were there, one still out somewhere on the lake, and one bringing in their boat. So peaceful and quiet, the sky was so vivid, it left wonderful reflections on the water as I watched a mama duck gather up her little ducklings. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkzeNROYKBgPflXUSiE2gfRjJ9Y1qWFGopNo0YYN0FAC8sZ7giVfM2YjtO3WRMSTfF0-7OhQI3FjmtGmrJzP-bmn592_XoUYupvRMTCjJQmzBMC8YKVJaFB3IV1UXUrkjcpW8KKar5rjGaHTIGkQn2NVJz437fNRdgCviiLCLoBvtuJMAphCtgE_4Gxw/s800/Lake%20Roberts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkzeNROYKBgPflXUSiE2gfRjJ9Y1qWFGopNo0YYN0FAC8sZ7giVfM2YjtO3WRMSTfF0-7OhQI3FjmtGmrJzP-bmn592_XoUYupvRMTCjJQmzBMC8YKVJaFB3IV1UXUrkjcpW8KKar5rjGaHTIGkQn2NVJz437fNRdgCviiLCLoBvtuJMAphCtgE_4Gxw/w300-h400/Lake%20Roberts.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Next stop was a visit to the <a href="https://stateparks.com/city_of_rocks_state_park_in_new_mexico.html">City of Rocks</a>! We had no idea what to expect. All our friends told us was "you have to swing by and go see this place!" So, we followed the signs and turned when it said to...paid our $5. to the State...and found out it is a picnic and campground! ;-) HUGH boulders, the size of buildings (hence "city") in weird shapes that (may?) suggest buildings, chairs, monsters, creatures...who knows? Let your imagination soar! They certainly are fun to look at, and I bet camp at and picnic beside (in cooler weather). There <i>were</i> a couple of campers there, but otherwise, the place was pretty empty.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVo00JSvHthOJzv9fDXHfc2esEBcArCd4i73rlpLqiAXgA9ce1VGDF_l2lR8MtM5HJp_bN4tF9boKTbZPog6hWNvrc2GSmx5Dc7rVg6A1IixffxES5KNS9XEKOoIDaIp_x4h4AHsOuY2EjH6QveRqj0Zxd6Y0fFGbWbuqU9xSUbrsZR7dCD6GCcApmXk/s800/City%20of%20Rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVo00JSvHthOJzv9fDXHfc2esEBcArCd4i73rlpLqiAXgA9ce1VGDF_l2lR8MtM5HJp_bN4tF9boKTbZPog6hWNvrc2GSmx5Dc7rVg6A1IixffxES5KNS9XEKOoIDaIp_x4h4AHsOuY2EjH6QveRqj0Zxd6Y0fFGbWbuqU9xSUbrsZR7dCD6GCcApmXk/w300-h400/City%20of%20Rocks.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>We did try and stop at a place for a bite to eat, but they were closing, so all we had was some ice cream. It was ok...but we had a place we really liked in town that makes homemade ice cream, called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60831-d653183-Reviews-The_Ice_Cream_Emporium-Silver_City_New_Mexico.html">Ice Cream Emporium,</a> that we've fallen in <i>love</i> with! We made it back home around 4pm. Nice, wonderful day. <p></p><p>All to soon our two weeks came to a close...wonderful lunches, sweet ice cream treats and dinner visits with our friends, fun excursions and even a great time at the RV park. <a href="https://www.manzanosrvpark.com/">Manzano's</a> turned out to be a delightful spot! Nothing "fancy", which is fine by us, we just need nice hook-ups, clean place, level spot, shade, some breathing room...and it's nice to meet friendly people. This place had all that and more! John and Barbara gave you all that and host a complimentary BBQ on Saturday nights with all the "fixings"! Great way to not only enjoy good food, but to meet super nice people. If we didn't have appointments and obligations to come back when we did...we would have stayed longer...even if to have another BBQ!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiOu7XtJ8UVh9mM5Lrl9IKZxwZw71l7wBCL71PQ39g9PBGm3eVCIumBGxN50qqnhCUtDSgUI-815p7rOQIzCQ8CdqzTRM3nIiSUCLEmVlZsGuVfHNtk9Ws_bWKq9JnFBeFESsG-ceiJlmfeGcva_rjJUxwftIi8RdnHa1AyLvuGDnNr2YgH0pswYOwqg/s800/Manzanos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiOu7XtJ8UVh9mM5Lrl9IKZxwZw71l7wBCL71PQ39g9PBGm3eVCIumBGxN50qqnhCUtDSgUI-815p7rOQIzCQ8CdqzTRM3nIiSUCLEmVlZsGuVfHNtk9Ws_bWKq9JnFBeFESsG-ceiJlmfeGcva_rjJUxwftIi8RdnHa1AyLvuGDnNr2YgH0pswYOwqg/w400-h300/Manzanos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>....back in the Arizona heat....Marie<br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-45828126257726822682023-06-25T13:29:00.000-07:002023-06-25T13:29:38.845-07:00Life happens...and then you make U Turns!<p> It's a good thing I write everything in pencil! Life is full of surprises, and you just never know when the next one is going to happen, do you? We were all set to go to the Escapee's Rally in Tucson, packed, paid for, etc. when Jack came down with COVID - big time. Instead of of fun time camping, he spent a not so fun time in the hospital! (<i>Much to our surprise, they gave us a full refund they will have my loyalty forever!</i>) It has taken him quite awhile to bounce back to his "normal" lively self, so no "trips" for him. </p><p>Me, on the other hand, besides my usual "duties" on the Board here, and the fun stuff of line dancing, swimming at the pool, ladies coffee days, bingo, etc. decided it was a good time to fly off to visit family in Washington! Didn't want to leave the dear one for to long, so only went for a week...but the family managed to pack a whole lot in during that time!</p><p>I no sooner arrived and my sister, niece and her friend whisked me away for a two day visit to Westport Beach - a place I had never been before! I was "forewarned" that this area only gets "sunshine and nice weather 12 days a year...so don't expect much". I tallied back that I bring it with me! ...and I did! It was cool, mostly by the breeze, but the sun shone both days, and it was lovely! The tide was way, way out, and we even drove onto the beach. Sand dollars and jellyfish were scattered all across the sand along with a few shells and driftwood. The clouds left beautiful reflections on the waters edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YfUtY8KatZa3B_JdCjk6I8Waxr0yxxh-0TPF9PYme4PlcJxWIZLriL7a4hSL-Z9s6nWSywkPY6M86k4m91ZGaBv_YV74XPsEVgieNszy-WM1FRzJkIOSi7bi4M8VeKoMfWSOFSXRoLSEn3escxJUNlFI9NGgLC924JryeyQW1tSSKuPp8vFw-JJW0xM/s800/BEACH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0YfUtY8KatZa3B_JdCjk6I8Waxr0yxxh-0TPF9PYme4PlcJxWIZLriL7a4hSL-Z9s6nWSywkPY6M86k4m91ZGaBv_YV74XPsEVgieNszy-WM1FRzJkIOSi7bi4M8VeKoMfWSOFSXRoLSEn3escxJUNlFI9NGgLC924JryeyQW1tSSKuPp8vFw-JJW0xM/w480-h640/BEACH.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Afterward, we went into the small town and walked along the harbor and watched an oyster boat unload his catch of oysters into a truck. <a href="https://www.scenicwa.com/poi/westport">Westport</a> is known for their oysters and crab (of which we saw lots of crab traps stacked up for later use). We took advantage of their wonderful fresh seafood at every meal!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQwZw42ImlQ-BSOg6u6hCm7Z_YdUVT_cVESehYpE6iCUtRIKsR5aSmB-n-aw3ZMRvWDJezchl-xzTIu-fQiOJ-5W5TrwWZEqAjJsra72anIwgDsQK9kHyYcDKC8kzzRo2sFpndudadRaXPVg8MaTGqeQiexmr2eiEpx3GKI9DskAwKo2GmBV7_ggwKeA/s800/DOCK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQwZw42ImlQ-BSOg6u6hCm7Z_YdUVT_cVESehYpE6iCUtRIKsR5aSmB-n-aw3ZMRvWDJezchl-xzTIu-fQiOJ-5W5TrwWZEqAjJsra72anIwgDsQK9kHyYcDKC8kzzRo2sFpndudadRaXPVg8MaTGqeQiexmr2eiEpx3GKI9DskAwKo2GmBV7_ggwKeA/w480-h640/DOCK.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>That night we were able to find a place that had three rooms, each with it's own bathroom along with a small living room and kitchen. All for a very reasonable price. The next day, after having a wonderful breakfast, we continued to drive along the coast and spotted <a href="https://www.wsbhs.org/lighthouse">Gray's Harbor Lighthouse</a>. It was closed, but that didn't stop me from walking around and getting a picture! Pretty thing, with a green top. Never saw one with a green top like that before. ;-)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdje8umTxEZBvU3FV2wNBSkovLyYehQelLd3mJC0cpK_ORARtznxao-rrMDalnqoEKBtU6Zakg_UIQQ6G3HNQAK9Bk0-De1dXH4PpYgQ13Ildmu4z6mwKtHx77q3fCIvzR1wFoCxCUcclsrwy9vu8ElFyRccTExpYL7XjUJRdwkKBar3A-f9BgEjiCpe8/s1468/original_96038663-3bac-4037-9d14-a6992ad30517_IMG_20230614_131913221_HDR.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdje8umTxEZBvU3FV2wNBSkovLyYehQelLd3mJC0cpK_ORARtznxao-rrMDalnqoEKBtU6Zakg_UIQQ6G3HNQAK9Bk0-De1dXH4PpYgQ13Ildmu4z6mwKtHx77q3fCIvzR1wFoCxCUcclsrwy9vu8ElFyRccTExpYL7XjUJRdwkKBar3A-f9BgEjiCpe8/w480-h640/original_96038663-3bac-4037-9d14-a6992ad30517_IMG_20230614_131913221_HDR.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The following day my sister and I were meeting up with one of her friends for dinner, so we had the morning to ourselves, which means, we played cards! She (and I) love to do that, and every time I come to visit, that's what we do every spare minute. ;-) I get up earlier than she does tho, and so does my nephew (whom she lives with) and we talk, and when the weather is nice, which it was this trip, and walk his garden. He's really proud of the work he does in his garden. Each year it's fun to see what he's added. I must admit I miss having one like I used to, one with all the roses and flowers and multiple vegetable bins, but I know in my heart that I'm in a different place now and it's "OK". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkEEnhjkablxYNCuQQcIJlaMt8Oxc4HP4aaRbG313YdqFSkCRjD7VgCipviWE4KEMirIRog0arUvuycFtbPpldVS_nii9_wRpOVV2Ix7EOJSwbECpTIHeP1ENGcRoienpdsXStWk0NYSDLUSWBTfC5ye-xjBrb85MwHj16bBV4_ULhAUN-gr23TIoAO4/s800/YARD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkEEnhjkablxYNCuQQcIJlaMt8Oxc4HP4aaRbG313YdqFSkCRjD7VgCipviWE4KEMirIRog0arUvuycFtbPpldVS_nii9_wRpOVV2Ix7EOJSwbECpTIHeP1ENGcRoienpdsXStWk0NYSDLUSWBTfC5ye-xjBrb85MwHj16bBV4_ULhAUN-gr23TIoAO4/w480-h640/YARD.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>That night we ended up going to dinner at <a href="https://www.datikihut.com/">Da TiKi Hut</a> for dinner. At first our friend wasn't very thrilled with it, as the menu was a little confusing. But once we all understood it, and even got a sample, we enjoyed it. It was all decorated in Hawaiian and the food and drinks were Hawaiian (on one side of the menu while the other side were burgers). It was fun and delicious!</p><p>Saturday was one of my niece's youngest daughter's graduation from Nursing School celebration party. She went all out with fun food and cute drinks and decor! We drank from "specimen cups" and had drink choices of "Blood Draw", Urine Analysis" or "Code Blue" along with "Rescue Meds" in syringes. What a hoot! We are all so proud of her as she starts her new career at Kaiser.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgzCDtZhHn5Qv_6tcHmv4GeH1AeQPaIa83GCsi8Q-QybH3wm0ZnxTYLE6EnoI92P5Q_6IRz2RcP4judVsZLwG6-f9BrqR4D19X6vA2QGhiRZ8k2g_jTzCqvPEsIaaJj8k4I3IyJRUGo-H-jeGY5YcicrSUoHdqh9uTEct39VlbzqmWNfZDA_3qu5ypVw/s800/GRAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgzCDtZhHn5Qv_6tcHmv4GeH1AeQPaIa83GCsi8Q-QybH3wm0ZnxTYLE6EnoI92P5Q_6IRz2RcP4judVsZLwG6-f9BrqR4D19X6vA2QGhiRZ8k2g_jTzCqvPEsIaaJj8k4I3IyJRUGo-H-jeGY5YcicrSUoHdqh9uTEct39VlbzqmWNfZDA_3qu5ypVw/w480-h640/GRAD.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Sunday was Father's Day and my nephew did a wonderful job at the BBQ! It was chilly, but sunny and we enjoyed the day on his lovely patio playing cards, eating and enjoying each other. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFOWarLgMshd7JyyIuuqmlRPk9U5OkocoDlBg6M9mHPxkORJlYiIJ-8HHPAbraaByOCw3ox1vF7wTFdEVZtuBUUiO8MGJr8sr3va9ifGbqws3bfqLzGr2klnRIaoDMzpdzOG_Z14ognlg0qhZ9u62Q2uMt8zf_DziqlVm-r0s3dH3d7m3L59cO0vXDDI/s1468/IMG_20230618_181258877_HDR.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1468" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFOWarLgMshd7JyyIuuqmlRPk9U5OkocoDlBg6M9mHPxkORJlYiIJ-8HHPAbraaByOCw3ox1vF7wTFdEVZtuBUUiO8MGJr8sr3va9ifGbqws3bfqLzGr2klnRIaoDMzpdzOG_Z14ognlg0qhZ9u62Q2uMt8zf_DziqlVm-r0s3dH3d7m3L59cO0vXDDI/w480-h640/IMG_20230618_181258877_HDR.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Monday, my last day (where did the week go?) my other sister's three girls took my sister and I out to lunch out along the dock. The day was beautiful, the sun was shining, the food was fantastic, the company was wonderful. We sat there and talked and laughed for hours and hours, then we moved to one of their home's and continued for more hours! The best way to end my week...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKaRj_HVvk5F0siaw9ROsE6QoilQS85rGVD8m4pNhznyd_-MFrczwO5O1D3soj4Ioo4ha8GrNKsmDiZTGIesPtE76uxfAQRsTscXFcCIfVgu_1h2oLnkbJIr8KV9JKndTEGSm2t3J9jOv43CI85QBYF_f6iP662JAx5S2qlCXJ4m8O3uxExx3B3NKfqw/s800/GIRLS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKaRj_HVvk5F0siaw9ROsE6QoilQS85rGVD8m4pNhznyd_-MFrczwO5O1D3soj4Ioo4ha8GrNKsmDiZTGIesPtE76uxfAQRsTscXFcCIfVgu_1h2oLnkbJIr8KV9JKndTEGSm2t3J9jOv43CI85QBYF_f6iP662JAx5S2qlCXJ4m8O3uxExx3B3NKfqw/s320/GIRLS.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The day I left, it started to rain...</p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-34995911756835605222023-01-09T12:51:00.001-08:002023-01-23T13:32:02.523-08:00Did 2022 even happen? ...and now it's 2023!<p> Transitioning from "Full-Time" (12 months traveling on the road) to "Part-Time" (6 months on the road) was one thing...and <i>that</i> took an adjustment, but this last year was what? "Part-Part-Time" (once in awhile on the road)? We put more miles in the air than we did in the RV! I'm not complaining, it's just hard to write a "year-end blog" about a year that hardly happened! I kept putting it off because I didn't really know what to say, even though I wanted to say <i>something</i>! </p><p>Do I like it? I don't know, I'm still adjusting to it...like my age. Inside I feel like I can and want to do so much more...but when I go to do it, funny how my body doesn't seem to cooperate like it used to! I'm also finding myself being pulled in a lot of different directions now that we are here in the Resort more. I'm on the Board of Directors now, liaison to a couple of committees and in several clubs - all of which take time and commitment...and makes it harder to get away for any length of time. </p><p>Belonging to the RV Club has been a wonderful blessing because they really help get us out and about without us having to do much of the pre-planning and work. They've also introduced us to places that we hadn't heard of before and might not have ever explored. We hope to do even more with them in 2023. </p><p>Even with barely traveling in the RV this year, we still managed to put over 1000 miles on it with another 6100 miles on our Toyota. Enough to keep the engine running and serviced and the tags kept up to date anyway! ;-) </p><p>We have reservations for March on the books (to go to Tucson for the Escapee's 64th Escapades) for a rally and then I will be looking into little jaunts for us here and there to keep us more active this year...so stay tuned! </p><p>Until then we will just be...kicking back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-5591285353510476692022-12-12T14:37:00.000-08:002022-12-12T14:37:03.683-08:00Trip to Tubac, last campout of the year!<p>Our RV Club organized a great rally to the small town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubac,_Arizona">Tubac AZ </a>for four nights to enjoy their Annual <a href="https://www.festivals.com/50th-anniversary-of-la-fiesta-de-tumaccori-28603">La Fiesta de Tumacacori </a>and <a href="https://www.nogalesinternational.com/community/tubac-s-luminaria-nights-set-to-return-dec-7-8/article_844931c6-f42e-11e8-80d9-037be1c36d88.html">Lumnaria Nights de Tubac Celebration of the Holiday Season.</a> 16 rigs as well as 3 additional couples (that stayed in cabins) came, making for a great group gathering. </p><p>We all stayed together at a nice park called <a href="https://deanzarvresort.com/">De Anza RV Resort </a>that was close to everything we wanted to attend. The first night our wagon master had reserved for us to go to the local steak restaurant, Longhorn Grill & Saloon. They had a nice large tent set up outside filled with heaters, so it was warm and cozy. The food was great, but alas, the servers didn't have a clue what they were doing and they jumbled simple orders continuously (we only had 3 choices), took hours to figure it out, we were there longer to pay, than to eat! Sad because it put a damper on the evening that shouldn't have. Felt sorry for the chef!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6yFpootfYTKWU1oCZeFGg1EoRd_E5bdmkTwQEOliVeBSraDzP3uiwWNSSIh6fXCjXMPY14zharwJbSLfdytsZtVYoLyLWftVK4y3fAfmRLyCefruDU77TfuuEVgn34OmaxMGkJOLLDhA4GDKOuCo6bvdZZn4cszQQnxwEVdIRPxQRg7qYQq_2YEZ/s800/DE%20ANZA%20RV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6yFpootfYTKWU1oCZeFGg1EoRd_E5bdmkTwQEOliVeBSraDzP3uiwWNSSIh6fXCjXMPY14zharwJbSLfdytsZtVYoLyLWftVK4y3fAfmRLyCefruDU77TfuuEVgn34OmaxMGkJOLLDhA4GDKOuCo6bvdZZn4cszQQnxwEVdIRPxQRg7qYQq_2YEZ/w400-h300/DE%20ANZA%20RV.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>The next day we all pitched in and had a fantastic pot luck breakfast held in their large meeting room. Wow, so much great food! One of our members is a retired baker, so you can imagine what his cinnamon buns are like! Yum! When we were finally able to roll ourselves out of there, we all went on our own ways - us to Tubac to check out the town and see what to expect later for the lighting of the lumnarias.</p><p>Well, I have to share, I didn't know what to expect...Tubac is fairly close to Mexico, small and "out in the middle of nowhere"...so I didn't have big expectations...boy, was I surprised! What an incredible arts and crafts community! We have been to Sedona, Aspen, Santa Fe, etc. and I have to say, Tubac is right up there with them, if not surpasses them! Their art was across the board in diversity, not just Mexican, not just Southwest, not stuff you've seen everywhere else, but their own. I don't know how they attracted the artisans there or their work, but if I ever win the lottery and need to furnish another home, I'm shopping there! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0gwcXH6rRTQLRpHzgDV_O9xPXxcEtcZWFbtVi_eotyEwcbHIbEfVTgfmvNxSEerJdtyz_a8n8B5xTNMjEbTrfBn7_Gsg91iiSHPzUwajTAYcLQU5EILQnmyqjimk082v5wl_f6SJZJYn1yW5lbMnLuiXqbCTCy8qK9ey8VLzF0Bk1L52dT76LKVr/s800/ART.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0gwcXH6rRTQLRpHzgDV_O9xPXxcEtcZWFbtVi_eotyEwcbHIbEfVTgfmvNxSEerJdtyz_a8n8B5xTNMjEbTrfBn7_Gsg91iiSHPzUwajTAYcLQU5EILQnmyqjimk082v5wl_f6SJZJYn1yW5lbMnLuiXqbCTCy8qK9ey8VLzF0Bk1L52dT76LKVr/w300-h400/ART.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p> As the sun went down, the lumnarias began to be lit. Some shops went all out, with tons of them, all over their place, many served nibbles and small drinks as well. It was all very festive and fun! Several artists demonstrated and talked with shoppers, musicians played, people strolled around and everyone took pictures. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZGMUige2Pr1rwYDpuXwgVoFHjBZusGDkGc6ybZPQobAOgJ2QjioqklQ4XepSwrnqJIryfEzECExdSoiMeWF7NgRQzQbITT3eEQu1f1nG5aMv5hyk9DWi4kLq57E4EtLQKXWWZV6dQE_7fT8WKMU9UOxp07eB9_MQCY0Gs1YtvQDX9CWnjnvyxTHp/s800/LUMINARIOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZGMUige2Pr1rwYDpuXwgVoFHjBZusGDkGc6ybZPQobAOgJ2QjioqklQ4XepSwrnqJIryfEzECExdSoiMeWF7NgRQzQbITT3eEQu1f1nG5aMv5hyk9DWi4kLq57E4EtLQKXWWZV6dQE_7fT8WKMU9UOxp07eB9_MQCY0Gs1YtvQDX9CWnjnvyxTHp/w300-h400/LUMINARIOS.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The next day was the Fiesta de Tumacacori held at their National Historical Park. Locals set up a variety of booths selling everything from handmade items to fruits and veggies, and of course lots of good food. The Park Rangers had several booths with handouts with information of several of the parks in Arizona. They were also giving tours of <a href="https://www.visitarizona.com/places/parks-monuments/tumacacori-national-historical-park/">The Tumacacori Mission Church.</a> They had a stage set up and about every 45 minutes different dancers and musicians performed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mlilof-WGSMatw4un-vT2jPG9az6nKPC7d3vGfkBNTvMu3P7tOjwhLkPZY6bJzjpQyTxT_ZBDTIBj-6Zurg6FH_e1SzlIvBGuCdIQ__bZtdsnGlAUE5M1kBa-oOC-pZTJX_Qy0wvdqGlridRZbGIlfDWfcbgNCvBO3MHWz8kBbaFTWTYcMZGH8Ft/s800/MISSION.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mlilof-WGSMatw4un-vT2jPG9az6nKPC7d3vGfkBNTvMu3P7tOjwhLkPZY6bJzjpQyTxT_ZBDTIBj-6Zurg6FH_e1SzlIvBGuCdIQ__bZtdsnGlAUE5M1kBa-oOC-pZTJX_Qy0wvdqGlridRZbGIlfDWfcbgNCvBO3MHWz8kBbaFTWTYcMZGH8Ft/w300-h400/MISSION.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p>We roamed the booths and enjoyed talking to some of the various vendors and sat and watched several of the dancers for a bit. Afterward, we walked over to the Mission and took our time to wander through all the nooks and crannies of the old buildings. It was the first mission to be located in Arizona, founded by Jesuit Father Eusebio Francisco Kino in January 1691. This building was constructed in the early 1820s and never entirely completed. Abandoned in 1848 under pressure of Apache raiding, Tumacacori began falling into disrepair; it became a National Monument in 1908. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FOgUBgj81rWWYhIjurXlVKWEz3NUfVA2W8IIi1UEVs-djGKqUY3Rz_ZEtSqG9DLa9LBZttg3GpcoYkeUFZlPO8P_eK488eKGhQ3Dm5FGdAQGOmFzTe_aH8CC7KaLw_Nr5zVXu2YeGA68zwSglm3aT_ykyHzto6ICdi3Mih657bRcc9RWGf3wrZRc/s800/FIESTA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FOgUBgj81rWWYhIjurXlVKWEz3NUfVA2W8IIi1UEVs-djGKqUY3Rz_ZEtSqG9DLa9LBZttg3GpcoYkeUFZlPO8P_eK488eKGhQ3Dm5FGdAQGOmFzTe_aH8CC7KaLw_Nr5zVXu2YeGA68zwSglm3aT_ykyHzto6ICdi3Mih657bRcc9RWGf3wrZRc/w300-h400/FIESTA.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>The storm was threatening to start, so we left and decided that "indoors" would be a safer bet to grab a bite to eat. Recommendations had been given to go to a local favorite called <a href="https://tubacaz.com/members/listing/wisdoms-cafe/">Wisdom's Cafe</a> nearby. "Easy to find" we were told, "just look for the big chicken, you can't miss it!" They were right...and about how good the food was too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dCqlZs3Vh_OYR7xboP7YUbUikev5Tqd9OjDupyenAUwciq9lvnqsCW1zExfvSzyenZnFX-Cr3Uybj18ps5UA17QZhqizsV51ZF66nNA11jnxcW5D4XxWFQzdo8wX8vu06BdTHAtRIEuQmPMCLSj6-W6nbOZIx7qr-aHIIrJpWvnhWNg1Lm5AKDR-/s4533/Funny%20Chicken%20at%20the%20entrance%20to%20Wisdom's%20Cafe,%20Tumacarori%20AZ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4533" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dCqlZs3Vh_OYR7xboP7YUbUikev5Tqd9OjDupyenAUwciq9lvnqsCW1zExfvSzyenZnFX-Cr3Uybj18ps5UA17QZhqizsV51ZF66nNA11jnxcW5D4XxWFQzdo8wX8vu06BdTHAtRIEuQmPMCLSj6-W6nbOZIx7qr-aHIIrJpWvnhWNg1Lm5AKDR-/w265-h400/Funny%20Chicken%20at%20the%20entrance%20to%20Wisdom's%20Cafe,%20Tumacarori%20AZ.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><p>De Anza RV Resort treated everyone to a free Margareta Happy Hour later that night as the rain came down. It rained on and off the rest of the weekend, but cleared up just in time for all of us to pack up and head on home (wasn't that nice?). All in all, it sure was a super trip and a wonderful new place that we'd like to come back to again!</p><p>...kicking back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-35741930324075341482022-11-30T12:56:00.013-08:002022-12-11T14:51:26.622-08:00Seasonal fun in Sedona...<p>We may not have been "traveling" much, but that doesn't mean life hasn't been full! Being on the HOA Board at our "home-base" Resort keeps me hopping, especially as the <i>snow birds </i>start returning! Between that, and the start of the new production of Happy Trails Theater Variety Show for 2024, and then being asked to plan the annual Theater Christmas Party...I was stretched to the max. Solution? Take a break!!</p><p>So, we did, off to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedona,_Arizona">Sedona</a> for a week to relax and "do nothing"! Sedona is less than two hours from our place, so it's an easy and pretty drive for us. We have a timeshare there and have gone a number of times, so don't feel the need to do any of the tourist things, yet know the restaurants we like and the places we like to take walks to. We stay a <a href="https://visitsedona.com/directory/los-abrigados-resort-spa/">Los Abrigados Resort</a> which is right in the heart of town so it's easy to walk around or a short drive to places we like. <br /></p><p>Being Thanksgiving week, fall was in full form. All the oak trees were showing off their colors and dropping their leaves everywhere making wonderful piles to play with and kick as you walked through them! So fun. It was such a lovely week, the sun shone each day through clear, crisp air. Enough to wear sweat shirts or sweaters, but not so cold that you could see your breath. Some brave soles even went swimming! (<i>not me!!</i>)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-hwlsC75VjKdkDBT3WaZDgo4zbCv38GXZUgMOy4_zHO9YSTkwRyQ6_aODgNUAzi-9J-n-h6-WbmxSWSRwJQeiu5CPVqq2wRrvbHGREWsK9BGXiGa5OzJ0fcPHrdWBxBXkiIEkuqGeNlqhwXdOxqcVLlX0_Jjsuz1w3S5u4Diynh8FCunbZdyxRLo/s2052/Jack%20at%20Oak%20Creek,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-hwlsC75VjKdkDBT3WaZDgo4zbCv38GXZUgMOy4_zHO9YSTkwRyQ6_aODgNUAzi-9J-n-h6-WbmxSWSRwJQeiu5CPVqq2wRrvbHGREWsK9BGXiGa5OzJ0fcPHrdWBxBXkiIEkuqGeNlqhwXdOxqcVLlX0_Jjsuz1w3S5u4Diynh8FCunbZdyxRLo/s320/Jack%20at%20Oak%20Creek,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VecIhYPs-6vjtSsigiTA6jHhVHjSZUjWFOXb91EBAZ-Wck0j9ZOte0u8XG7m4ooEw7qR75Q1nFlqaN3ZbFJhkb_vjJQxLaF4nq3XnYwT_Vm9CWMwNivZQiBOIZblVPU5OE90JUhzjdkoleCYlSyZEu-CY7MGqRqC0r68w1PcF9zynqHL8ifEeVRV/s1788/Marie%20at%20the%20Oak%20Creek%20Park%20in%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VecIhYPs-6vjtSsigiTA6jHhVHjSZUjWFOXb91EBAZ-Wck0j9ZOte0u8XG7m4ooEw7qR75Q1nFlqaN3ZbFJhkb_vjJQxLaF4nq3XnYwT_Vm9CWMwNivZQiBOIZblVPU5OE90JUhzjdkoleCYlSyZEu-CY7MGqRqC0r68w1PcF9zynqHL8ifEeVRV/s320/Marie%20at%20the%20Oak%20Creek%20Park%20in%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaThFsMLD_rJJXRSMAb5lGz_Ei26i_YU6Nj7USCq4vZCDt9N5YfHzrHpRmb93KlCcMPfY2-lFJh5mQzCS3d3wIpbsmZna136yF7sezaFFevnOKIpzvky9wriWaBeLQwjZGX1Wb93Q-9KVdZDctthpqzK3DRsE7NXtUr0YBauaXSskmvcpolP9Oq0M/s1788/Stepping%20among%20the%20leaves!%20Oak%20Creek,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1788" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaThFsMLD_rJJXRSMAb5lGz_Ei26i_YU6Nj7USCq4vZCDt9N5YfHzrHpRmb93KlCcMPfY2-lFJh5mQzCS3d3wIpbsmZna136yF7sezaFFevnOKIpzvky9wriWaBeLQwjZGX1Wb93Q-9KVdZDctthpqzK3DRsE7NXtUr0YBauaXSskmvcpolP9Oq0M/s320/Stepping%20among%20the%20leaves!%20Oak%20Creek,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Shopping at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8236080252563500918/3574193032407534148">Tlaquepaque </a>is always a favorite with us, and this time was no exception. It's such a beautiful place to walk around as well as a great place to eat and find special treasures...of which (of course) we did. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFBv1PgtGX67WThb1NbGTP-duxCbq-Ru4oF_yjLW2d0HE8ZzVLCvgksbfaqMNsS-zJoc_EBv5y_GLktx-__8EfmTuiTb6dNAeyJ2deY-IDhlatVwqOV_q44ZMKOf7VQlSJzhPx11UwtZgGOpayVXpToUYFKeh0vaJCue_pvvLRy1E6yjO0aU1ruF7/s1493/Marie%20with%20%22angel%20wings%22%20at%20Tlaquepaque%20Village,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="1119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFBv1PgtGX67WThb1NbGTP-duxCbq-Ru4oF_yjLW2d0HE8ZzVLCvgksbfaqMNsS-zJoc_EBv5y_GLktx-__8EfmTuiTb6dNAeyJ2deY-IDhlatVwqOV_q44ZMKOf7VQlSJzhPx11UwtZgGOpayVXpToUYFKeh0vaJCue_pvvLRy1E6yjO0aU1ruF7/s320/Marie%20with%20%22angel%20wings%22%20at%20Tlaquepaque%20Village,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmgoYEMFSvuv9jNKIZcIp75DS4UNMBaFSCv0RSG-d7aehtrGjJSnpKN-2miOAyOQykGo2MV28ooxGMh2A4V8y6M-STQte8Re-LNyNBnP0shlERTUAv9Ayp78ZRv3lhbtRhA3v73VTw_AenM4nzMi2ZVf7WFOwCF0IMF4vmkuK1FFSaoN-E2lMV5Et/s1696/Fountain%20at%20Tlaquepaque,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="1271" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmgoYEMFSvuv9jNKIZcIp75DS4UNMBaFSCv0RSG-d7aehtrGjJSnpKN-2miOAyOQykGo2MV28ooxGMh2A4V8y6M-STQte8Re-LNyNBnP0shlERTUAv9Ayp78ZRv3lhbtRhA3v73VTw_AenM4nzMi2ZVf7WFOwCF0IMF4vmkuK1FFSaoN-E2lMV5Et/s320/Fountain%20at%20Tlaquepaque,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mUqD70ElmxkKxzto8nWdd00X8lIk7mDRYeMhKTqrqcBRg0xEI8DQsqbxY9HeXqARVAx9M9SEivePMAAO1WvThQI0kwVrHk5e0PoQPwiccLr_5I2M2necwfOBo2oH3m8mPRKOuQM9W10zkODzYqdtOGuI2GBRuNpjkldVr9xHhlxdDnjRHdahdMyF/s2312/Autum%20at%20Tlaquepaque%20Square,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1733" data-original-width="2312" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mUqD70ElmxkKxzto8nWdd00X8lIk7mDRYeMhKTqrqcBRg0xEI8DQsqbxY9HeXqARVAx9M9SEivePMAAO1WvThQI0kwVrHk5e0PoQPwiccLr_5I2M2necwfOBo2oH3m8mPRKOuQM9W10zkODzYqdtOGuI2GBRuNpjkldVr9xHhlxdDnjRHdahdMyF/s320/Autum%20at%20Tlaquepaque%20Square,%20Sedona%20AZ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Thanksgiving dinner at <a href="https://visitsedona.com/directory/the-hudson/">The Hudson</a> was a wonderful treat. We love that restaurant anyway, but being able to have reservations for that evening was extra special - and they sure made it that way too. I have been used to very large family gatherings most of my life, so now with just the two of us, it's a difficult adjustment. Having a place treat us special, preparing a meal wonderfully, serving us like friends, helps. We left there with full tummies and big smiles...and yummy leftovers! </p><p>That week of no meetings, no calls, or "important e mails" was just what I needed. I read a good book, watched a couple of Hallmark movies, slept in, took long walks, soaked in a hot tub and...relaxed. </p><p>Then...back to the real world (but ready for it!)...</p><p>...in Arizona, Marie<br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-86372558091510443982022-09-17T13:45:00.000-07:002022-09-17T13:45:08.049-07:00Back to the Islands...Maui and Kona<p>If you know us or followed my blog at all, you know that one of our favorite places to visit and "vacation" is in Hawaii. Obviously, we can't take the RV there and it's truly our fantasy getaway place to completely relax. I, for one, love all the islands, and don't really have a favorite. Jack, on the other hand, favors Maui, so we tend to return to that one more than any of the others. This year was no exception.</p><p>We usually go towards the end of October, around Jack's Birthday, but decided to celebrate our anniversary there this year instead, which is around Labor Day. It made it tougher to find places, etc. but, oh well...</p><p>We ended up booking our time share for one week in Maui then another on Kona, the Big Island. Another change for us this time was that we didn't bring any friends along. I can't remember the last time we've done that, as we almost always do. Because of the holiday period, places were harder to find and we ended up getting "hotel style rooms", something we've never had before. We also decided not to rent cars at either island as we have toured both of them extensively and didn't feel the need to do that again. This was going to just be a full, <i>sit and relax kind of vacation.</i></p><p>Maui was our first destination. Our room was okay, nothing special, but it had a great view of the resort overlooking the ocean. There were two pools, that I quickly learned two things about: neither one was designated for "adults only" so both were FULL of kids, and two, both were ICE COLD! Now, the heater at our place here in Arizona has been out in our Olympic size pool all summer and it's not that cold, these pools were half that size, in the full sun, and <i>freezing</i> cold. I got in, and got out! Yikes. The beach was beautiful, gentle sand, and the water was bathtub warm...<i>that's </i>where we went everyday! It was only steps outside of the resort...so who needed the pool?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZFWEfFcL1DMhl1VDu4_ww1TMAw7s4ZsuQzHneLhjW_WbSgLikBPb7i_zGV9xCrqcyqzNc1GRUMkEebxAxWIAupJhCdo44OhY7oI8DIeSyUnt-00MULkAvqkBy9T_GqBhNH6EkY2tHPu-BuDqoLR5LecVVF1xqizwMT8EdmhQaDPNceaF_CghDGIs/s1762/Beach%20outside%20the%20Royal%20Lahina%20Hotel,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1762" data-original-width="1321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZFWEfFcL1DMhl1VDu4_ww1TMAw7s4ZsuQzHneLhjW_WbSgLikBPb7i_zGV9xCrqcyqzNc1GRUMkEebxAxWIAupJhCdo44OhY7oI8DIeSyUnt-00MULkAvqkBy9T_GqBhNH6EkY2tHPu-BuDqoLR5LecVVF1xqizwMT8EdmhQaDPNceaF_CghDGIs/s320/Beach%20outside%20the%20Royal%20Lahina%20Hotel,%20Maui.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTyI1fJC79j703Kyjc_cpTR9asi9IFXkbJnS5ORaQCIThqdTMpDhwz7Tunfk6Vz3r4o8nL3mO5Dz7dLyyCDHULISyZCHwxO3-tbTIHk42uZdN4mc3LFZ1mbXyOw5IwzMmnHH6PUl86uJQ6LefeGqN9XEFfmZm48UXQNpKVlxWSNLU9thsikO-OeQ1/s2334/Looking%20out%20our%20window%20at%20sunset%20of%20the%20Royal%20Lahahina.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">O<img border="0" data-original-height="1751" data-original-width="2334" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTyI1fJC79j703Kyjc_cpTR9asi9IFXkbJnS5ORaQCIThqdTMpDhwz7Tunfk6Vz3r4o8nL3mO5Dz7dLyyCDHULISyZCHwxO3-tbTIHk42uZdN4mc3LFZ1mbXyOw5IwzMmnHH6PUl86uJQ6LefeGqN9XEFfmZm48UXQNpKVlxWSNLU9thsikO-OeQ1/s320/Looking%20out%20our%20window%20at%20sunset%20of%20the%20Royal%20Lahahina.jpeg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgEdxfCxG86x1akczeEPUkDHJtKbtd-Ya6olsvvRTDpoZqevqn1gCR3ZWMPg77UgS6tn3_ZRC7EnpUlZJItB_4TRNwTBtabLbPbBhfpjkD7It8yz9xvl7XU_DLHDyt6-PJzdWlf6fOkgtXHtcd7dFKFJ4UyqBOQRxo7KUjqLSKK4Wcye6xnCTlzMy/s2342/Sunset%20from%20our%20balcony%20at%20the%20Royal%20Lahahina,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="2342" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgEdxfCxG86x1akczeEPUkDHJtKbtd-Ya6olsvvRTDpoZqevqn1gCR3ZWMPg77UgS6tn3_ZRC7EnpUlZJItB_4TRNwTBtabLbPbBhfpjkD7It8yz9xvl7XU_DLHDyt6-PJzdWlf6fOkgtXHtcd7dFKFJ4UyqBOQRxo7KUjqLSKK4Wcye6xnCTlzMy/s320/Sunset%20from%20our%20balcony%20at%20the%20Royal%20Lahahina,%20Maui.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Watching the sunset from our balcony at The Royal Lahina Hotel<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtJKitFPQ7Z1JicECCaZsTXEZTpkthwp8pZXPPryUXqD-Z_SIaddCY2295-T84UfiPhgOW_j7P2VhNgihtvhbMxvMMH37RJaerHJrIwx4oc_rPKDVfubFMeOUZWrV_pXLIkii3TI7fLedgsGFYTQTCKxZNouhbMKwopsydqjiLB2-s5ZIAviqUwpG/s2280/Royal%20Lahahina%20at%20night.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtJKitFPQ7Z1JicECCaZsTXEZTpkthwp8pZXPPryUXqD-Z_SIaddCY2295-T84UfiPhgOW_j7P2VhNgihtvhbMxvMMH37RJaerHJrIwx4oc_rPKDVfubFMeOUZWrV_pXLIkii3TI7fLedgsGFYTQTCKxZNouhbMKwopsydqjiLB2-s5ZIAviqUwpG/s320/Royal%20Lahahina%20at%20night.jpeg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WSnT2DdilLSGG74c3bWPtveOIrLpbBHQZUKbVZb_IkY2NZmfJboRPDSJYiRWiEegcJYrYHzZzFcKKYWVG5VyGLw0dWPnJIxL0W7UiX5qHAsi3O0gKfBEXPqaISZl26xQZn-JUiFH7qTxtI49tEeX3Q1nDg8ixa3_XjeC0a2E4N5dHTi8Yg5fzu0a/s1735/Red-crested%20cardinal,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="1301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WSnT2DdilLSGG74c3bWPtveOIrLpbBHQZUKbVZb_IkY2NZmfJboRPDSJYiRWiEegcJYrYHzZzFcKKYWVG5VyGLw0dWPnJIxL0W7UiX5qHAsi3O0gKfBEXPqaISZl26xQZn-JUiFH7qTxtI49tEeX3Q1nDg8ixa3_XjeC0a2E4N5dHTi8Yg5fzu0a/s320/Red-crested%20cardinal,%20Maui.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Red-crested cardinal enjoying breakfast with us<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt6lARZM64sKvjv__vNLmrb6CBajyxWIpyaL2ORVwCzAyysALU2wx5iCipCFFlg_o0wI_O41Gu4442XNk0mZJTgDOrpEvmjqY9qKtCX1jvitJRfrsJMJYv5reltukgJsv4273PtZ5d229aiz7zqNAgs9RiyK9BH1AzIKooBqUgQxZmtsdgW5HO48y/s1759/Marie%20in%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1759" data-original-width="1320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt6lARZM64sKvjv__vNLmrb6CBajyxWIpyaL2ORVwCzAyysALU2wx5iCipCFFlg_o0wI_O41Gu4442XNk0mZJTgDOrpEvmjqY9qKtCX1jvitJRfrsJMJYv5reltukgJsv4273PtZ5d229aiz7zqNAgs9RiyK9BH1AzIKooBqUgQxZmtsdgW5HO48y/s320/Marie%20in%20Maui.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Along our beach walk<br /></div></div><p></p><p>The resort offered free shuttle service to the nearby mall that had plenty of shopping and restaurants as well as another shuttle service that was all of $2 to <a href="https://www.mauihawaii.org/sights/lahaina/">Lahaina</a>. We enjoyed both, going into Lahaina for our anniversary dinner. Fancy drinks and sunset included. It was lovely. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZvjDrMTH0s8E-GLD8DIkQ6vW5mEsG6lt-IXLiDbKQPBdXtXIbGoBlcX_P0rivHVVlL1ioLRkO2JaGVzuNBxQyafKr4rfL0O0VLAlTINCZ19JHJ-oaLaqn9gFZaTXhFQvnLGAy2Vg0UyZ12FLz1aehb7VUmgD7xTtoo1pfKsgjIYhd8D3QicgMKXD/s1788/Fancy%20drinks,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZvjDrMTH0s8E-GLD8DIkQ6vW5mEsG6lt-IXLiDbKQPBdXtXIbGoBlcX_P0rivHVVlL1ioLRkO2JaGVzuNBxQyafKr4rfL0O0VLAlTINCZ19JHJ-oaLaqn9gFZaTXhFQvnLGAy2Vg0UyZ12FLz1aehb7VUmgD7xTtoo1pfKsgjIYhd8D3QicgMKXD/s320/Fancy%20drinks,%20Maui.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Fancy drinks and a walk along the boardwalk in Lahaina<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal0Eo8UrvK7VZQKc0C1dTegSr9OWqYzOGW8FyMNX9JlHaBiz9aDdS8uNEUbBd0CWxyUn6GBD8aMzU1n75YHtuAA4VbgUwkknedPvDdMz2h1ihI1nsrx2kE_bdLhPLpuQXZyPUwehNRB5AQp3BH0VKyaDhMPkx7dpPuIPMMPfecAQ3xKCCABI6xNsM/s2358/Jack%20in%20Lahina,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1768" data-original-width="2358" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjal0Eo8UrvK7VZQKc0C1dTegSr9OWqYzOGW8FyMNX9JlHaBiz9aDdS8uNEUbBd0CWxyUn6GBD8aMzU1n75YHtuAA4VbgUwkknedPvDdMz2h1ihI1nsrx2kE_bdLhPLpuQXZyPUwehNRB5AQp3BH0VKyaDhMPkx7dpPuIPMMPfecAQ3xKCCABI6xNsM/s320/Jack%20in%20Lahina,%20Maui.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>We were not thrilled with the "on site" restaurant. We tried, but the menu nor the prices just didn't impress us, so I turned to Google for help and discovered <a href="https://www.astonmauikaanapalivillas.com/resort-dining/">The Castaway Cafe</a> right next door! A 2 minute walk and we not only found good food and great prices but wonderful staff that we soon became friends with! We almost hated to leave them at the end of the week.</p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgqlFp49RrOcVRO5031rULRs2UooO5CubF7pSeKvu5vHzhEO7-44HreKqwGgUSsunliKZpgBEIk0mNIUL_oa9rG5AIhHDU7MmG6nrD7WT6quvnwYLaG8o4NmFmGUh-wg_RGnpeBVQs-NUfwwlZOopPL5URj8xe9f5dWuXFe6eaaOUFItauZSqgUq6/s1777/Sunset%20from%20Castaway%20Cafe,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1777" data-original-width="1345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgqlFp49RrOcVRO5031rULRs2UooO5CubF7pSeKvu5vHzhEO7-44HreKqwGgUSsunliKZpgBEIk0mNIUL_oa9rG5AIhHDU7MmG6nrD7WT6quvnwYLaG8o4NmFmGUh-wg_RGnpeBVQs-NUfwwlZOopPL5URj8xe9f5dWuXFe6eaaOUFItauZSqgUq6/s320/Sunset%20from%20Castaway%20Cafe,%20Maui.jpeg" width="242" /></a></div>Watching the sun set from the Castaway Cafe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqHSfyK2icDUcdIEca3XamIO4hVgGaSLq09CpmwoEM1Cn5aPRCD_Au7i8zZqJwoy9aNFttPDgxQZKBSuNz78nSbHQFk6lF9cTYMMqyWLf6F4_DowW-L82BjGjFSkC0sbYRxsmkkrhnlog6CY4bIAETm6g_aIoZq_n-lKYEQd1iFPOmZ-PDVc3yaYC/s2360/Sailboat%20sunset,%20from%20the%20Castaway%20Cafe,%20Maui.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="2360" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqHSfyK2icDUcdIEca3XamIO4hVgGaSLq09CpmwoEM1Cn5aPRCD_Au7i8zZqJwoy9aNFttPDgxQZKBSuNz78nSbHQFk6lF9cTYMMqyWLf6F4_DowW-L82BjGjFSkC0sbYRxsmkkrhnlog6CY4bIAETm6g_aIoZq_n-lKYEQd1iFPOmZ-PDVc3yaYC/s320/Sailboat%20sunset,%20from%20the%20Castaway%20Cafe,%20Maui.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The following week we were off to Kona! We've only been here once before, about six years ago. Our friends own a home here and had invited us to stay with them, and kindly showed us just about everything one can see on the island....thank goodness! Renting a car here (which you need to have if you are going to see anything, as this is a BIG island) is expensive, at least it was the week we were staying. I figured out that between the car rental, the hotel parking charge and gas, it would have cost us about $1000. for the week. Not worth it, so we didn't. </p><p>The pictures of the <a href="https://www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/">hotel</a> before we booked really didn't do it justice, so when we got there, our jaws dropped. We soon realized we had actually been here before to "see it" when our friends took us here as a "you've got to see this place, it's unbelievable". We had taken the boat tour around their little canal and <i>ooh and ahh </i>then. Now, we were staying here. How cool was that?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopGR8sXzjGwFNOpexvoOm3mWLEbj10qmhKXR2rTdbaE3FyFdIYfK5mwy14rb5C9zZA3erBq1GO_D35Y--gZI0WCLZUyt_nVHyAeai70wFzUWYglYkiQjVH_8T7RJQjvXPHCh6PYGQtRVCIg9IENH13-xt2V7h-gor110_LqcYbxQhu8zOo4iYKW1J/s800/Hilton%20Waikoloa%20Village,%20Maui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopGR8sXzjGwFNOpexvoOm3mWLEbj10qmhKXR2rTdbaE3FyFdIYfK5mwy14rb5C9zZA3erBq1GO_D35Y--gZI0WCLZUyt_nVHyAeai70wFzUWYglYkiQjVH_8T7RJQjvXPHCh6PYGQtRVCIg9IENH13-xt2V7h-gor110_LqcYbxQhu8zOo4iYKW1J/w300-h400/Hilton%20Waikoloa%20Village,%20Maui.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BtqkrvBlzsh06z-Alzx4MlxJaPCRTOjAtCep2e5R85XrxUthwvrXh4jgM4RGyf1N8omhxmn9QgbDSSc__nTNU-kOhaNwWBOksWMG3RgwYtLhXlspq-g4JvmjcaDwtT56WDdmvJvmJzqhtzOE2VkFWAMWjPJ06450OMUMMkTmtMdVJO3v75cjG4y6/s800/Scenes%20around%20the%20resort,%20Hilton%20Waikola%20Village,%20Kona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BtqkrvBlzsh06z-Alzx4MlxJaPCRTOjAtCep2e5R85XrxUthwvrXh4jgM4RGyf1N8omhxmn9QgbDSSc__nTNU-kOhaNwWBOksWMG3RgwYtLhXlspq-g4JvmjcaDwtT56WDdmvJvmJzqhtzOE2VkFWAMWjPJ06450OMUMMkTmtMdVJO3v75cjG4y6/w300-h400/Scenes%20around%20the%20resort,%20Hilton%20Waikola%20Village,%20Kona.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The room was twice the size of the one in Maui with a view of the beautiful Asian gardens. This resort was <i>huge - 64 acres huge. </i>An adult pool (nearest us, warm and peaceful) along with various other pools of different sizes and shapes, a man-made lagoon and beach, waterfalls, a dolphin pond, and acres and acres of Asian gardens filled with sculptures and art all surrounded by a water canal and monorail system to get around it all. Beautiful. They had a variety of restaurants to choose from along with different shops and markets, plus a shuttle service ($) to the local mall for more choices. All fun, and delicious. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZXX7-zYLdtKCvyyGLK7-YQUFKYRJMi1IvYY7V1j9V_Tdxjj35EsoJXducIy0JmHT-O0FJQNKdiNAf9Cs4xI0nUFfo95nNZZd7sPzdAATlFwtbNv94a2sEn5EYlvE5cyxbfsrXUrm9EOs73izy143_p-xCabjv2LqOJnkFfKKoWWycd_6hagUO2Mr/s1604/Myna%20Bird,%20%20Legends%20of%20Hawai'i%20Luau,%20Kona.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1604" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZXX7-zYLdtKCvyyGLK7-YQUFKYRJMi1IvYY7V1j9V_Tdxjj35EsoJXducIy0JmHT-O0FJQNKdiNAf9Cs4xI0nUFfo95nNZZd7sPzdAATlFwtbNv94a2sEn5EYlvE5cyxbfsrXUrm9EOs73izy143_p-xCabjv2LqOJnkFfKKoWWycd_6hagUO2Mr/s320/Myna%20Bird,%20%20Legends%20of%20Hawai'i%20Luau,%20Kona.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />One amusing thing we discovered were the myna birds. Seems that right outside our room were these trees that they liked to roost on, so every evening around 4pm or so, they would start flying in. They would line up along the rooftop...hundreds and hundreds of them, and slowly fly into these trees. Then as the sun set, they would start chirping. This goes on for a bit... then quiet down until about 4<b> AM </b>and the chirping begins again! Now, you have to understand, there are <i>hundreds and hundreds of these birds</i>, all chirping at the same time - it's LOUD! When I first heard it, I couldn't quite figure out what it was. I followed the sound and ended up going outside to look for it, and that's when I discovered it was the <i>birds</i>! Wow. After that, I realized their pattern and was blown away at how many there were as I watched them come and go. I used to tell Jack, "here comes our evening and morning choir!" Once you knew about them, you got used to it. It really was kind of amusing.<br /><p></p><p>We enjoyed a <a href="https://legendsluau.com/">luau </a>while we were there as well. Now we have seen one on each island except Oahu. It was quite nice. We had front row seats, met nice people, the food was good, weather was wonderful and the entertainment was delightful. I would have to say that the fire dancers were some of the best we've seen. But as for the luau itself, the best we've experienced, I feel was on Kauai, hands down. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2Hdw84jfGYcmorKBLeE6-Dq5QgbD80aXT1Ha9kl0ovyg6AwkLyR5x3pNjXsnJKNSBX19fA5WW-8L7dkL5cqnG80RNUOyGQg9HSe5mkfRbYwmIirhoew8SblwaeroryunQaf6OWRzpyrV6KxZS2esKfAqZs7TMuxBJA-CqbRBCHJafM7cfazUswP/s800/Luau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2Hdw84jfGYcmorKBLeE6-Dq5QgbD80aXT1Ha9kl0ovyg6AwkLyR5x3pNjXsnJKNSBX19fA5WW-8L7dkL5cqnG80RNUOyGQg9HSe5mkfRbYwmIirhoew8SblwaeroryunQaf6OWRzpyrV6KxZS2esKfAqZs7TMuxBJA-CqbRBCHJafM7cfazUswP/w300-h400/Luau.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>No matter how many times we go to the islands, we discover new things, enjoy new wonders and always have a wonderful time. It truly is a paradise for us. The only downside is the long trip back home. I hate that plane trip. The older I get the worse it seems, too. We ended up taking the "red eye" this time, and I promised myself, I will never do that again...ugh. We couldn't sleep, to uncomfortable, so we were up for 24 hours, and just wiped out when we got home. Took us days to get back into shape. <i>We're to old for this anymore..</i>.guess we've been spoiled with all the years of RV travel! ;-) </p><p>Well, this is probably it for awhile now. Only two more trips scheduled for the remainder of the year...until then...Aloha...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCPllc7yy3GJXdOzIwuWo9ZEssZGkdusyGZoF4o5L36eh5YmAHQnkwsHMoSC7PHBu_FoDglCuvcLE95l4UNmMgg7T7fz4cjxNSeXjK-e-EBkNJAd1qS4UGxBMl_4unbZmTBgvUxMDQSi7VvHiLL8aWz6ua2giZFfQlgPy86HlfnP4Y7rhO2lQfyyx/s1788/Rainbow%20through%20the%20trees,%20Waikoloa%20Beach,%20Kona.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCPllc7yy3GJXdOzIwuWo9ZEssZGkdusyGZoF4o5L36eh5YmAHQnkwsHMoSC7PHBu_FoDglCuvcLE95l4UNmMgg7T7fz4cjxNSeXjK-e-EBkNJAd1qS4UGxBMl_4unbZmTBgvUxMDQSi7VvHiLL8aWz6ua2giZFfQlgPy86HlfnP4Y7rhO2lQfyyx/w300-h400/Rainbow%20through%20the%20trees,%20Waikoloa%20Beach,%20Kona.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>kicking back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p><p><i> </i> <br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-38400335527424857692022-08-22T15:07:00.001-07:002022-09-15T15:47:49.456-07:00Cooling off in Flagstaff...<p>Phew! It's been HOT here this summer...and the <i>monsoon's</i> are going strong! Of all the summer's to decide to stay home...makes me wonder <i>why</i> we chose this one?? Guess we needed to learn what Arizona's summers were really like, first hand, ha ha </p><p>In truth, it's not been all <i>that</i> bad...You get used to it, and adapt to it. Most days I go to the pool first thing in the morning and exercise with a small group of ladies for about an hour then come back and change and get what ever "outdoor" chores need to be done, done. Then head inside to for most of the day for the rest of the chores, or in and out of a/c from one place to another. You get into a routine. But, after a few months of it...you need a break, or at least I do. So, off we went to the (local) mountains!</p><p>One of our favorite stomping grounds is Greer's Pine Shadows Campground (now called <a href="https://www.flagstaffrvpark.com/">Flagstaff RV Park</a>) in Flagstaff. We've camped there a number of times, usually coming and/or going from our trips. We especially like it because it has TREES, and you really feel like you are in the mountains. To many places are just large parking lots now with small planted trees here and there that don't even afford you any shade, let alone give you any since of nature. This place is more like a state park with it's lots surrounded by nature, big old pine trees everywhere. I love it. So peaceful, you don't even hear the road traffic that's right outside of the campground or the trains that's not far away either...just nature. Nice. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHz_jKMRCaQsC_yOkDPBjSU7piHHkCVoZ185hBmUhNLFshVq99XGFqzbIIn9WPhXT3zCE8DNPpB1_CleXz7KcaY1PfdI5DqpLaNvHDmyo9Zt9st-gEi4wCEbTCknTL4ArwE8KJioX2d8bGqnkP0Sl8hKClEVyDq8c6ENyvl92CkRgomps3c8Lx58h/s1788/Flagstaff,%20Aug%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHz_jKMRCaQsC_yOkDPBjSU7piHHkCVoZ185hBmUhNLFshVq99XGFqzbIIn9WPhXT3zCE8DNPpB1_CleXz7KcaY1PfdI5DqpLaNvHDmyo9Zt9st-gEi4wCEbTCknTL4ArwE8KJioX2d8bGqnkP0Sl8hKClEVyDq8c6ENyvl92CkRgomps3c8Lx58h/w480-h640/Flagstaff,%20Aug%202022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Most the folks here that go to the "local mountains" go a little further higher to a town called <a href="https://www.arizona-leisure.com/show-low-arizona.html">Show Low.</a> I thought I would try it, and gave several campgrounds a call. Our rig "was to old", so they wouldn't accept it. Well, after a couple of calls, I thought "if that's their attitude, I'll go back to Flagstaff, who needs that attitude?" So, we've never made it there...guess it's nice, but we'll never know...</p><p>Monsoons don't care if you are down in the valley or up in the mountains...they are going to find you! We had lovely sunshine every morning, but by mid-afternoon, the rains came, almost everyday. I got my morning reading and sunbathing in, but it sure put a damper on any grilling and campfires! Oh well...</p><p>The cooler weather (in the high 70s, low 80s) was such a wonderful break, and just what we needed. We browsed our favorite book stores, ate out a couple of times and just relaxed. Pure R&R, nothing more. </p><p>Soon our two weeks were up, and it was time to head on back down to the valley...no problem though, we were refreshed and smiling again! Ahhhh</p><p>...kicking back in Arizona, Marie <br /></p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-4036234863406889112022-05-26T13:09:00.025-07:002022-09-15T15:07:02.851-07:00Springtime visit with family!<p>I haven't been to see my family in Washington in a couple of years, and with my only remaining sister getting on in age (88), it was high time I get up there for a visit! Jack wasn't up to taking the RV up there, so that left me with flying. </p><p>We usually visit in the fall when it's cold, so I thought it would be nice to see it in springtime when the flowers were in bloom. I thought May would be nice a break from here and just maybe not to rainy there. People here leave in April to "go back home", which about 70% seem to live in Washington, so May seemed like a good time to go! I knew I would miss the tulips in bloom (something I've always wanted to see), but hoped I would catch the daffodils (no such luck).<br /></p><p>Being retired, I forget when holidays are, so completely forgot about Mother's Day, and booked the Tuesday after, (thinking that flying on a Tuesday would be less busy). It wasn't until long after I had booked that someone asked me if I was going to celebrate Mother's Day with my sister? Ugh. I ended up calling her and telling her we would have to "do it late"! <i>Sheesh! </i> </p><p>My sister now lives with her youngest son and his wife, and they gracefully made up their spare bedroom for me. What a lovely room, I even had a mint on my pillow to greet me!</p><p>I have to say, Washington was lovely...all the flowers were in bloom, the grasses were green the trees were all in leaf, spring had absolutely come! I even got lovely sunshine most of the days I was there, and was able to sit outside and have iced tea while enjoying the birds and butterflies fluttering by! </p><p>Of course my sister and nieces had lots of activities planned for me. The first being a <i>whole</i> family gathering at one of my niece's homes. A wonderful casual dinner so that I could catch up with everyone and get all my missed hugs and news. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr70BixR5xZZ6N0t5-Rb8dbCaLDHDh3LzfTBQHGk-DaKLUU8Yh9vxZYJMxQ5gIhL_0HsmxG_94zZZu03I6oEl2a9OFqMimCQs_qEYyA9Lnzw7phoPtaNFGzUGlXlsosxToL037M0_uTbrb7a3R-2by5vr3udMeo-wGBF53K1DjyQEtwC_eeKBh8Esr/s800/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr70BixR5xZZ6N0t5-Rb8dbCaLDHDh3LzfTBQHGk-DaKLUU8Yh9vxZYJMxQ5gIhL_0HsmxG_94zZZu03I6oEl2a9OFqMimCQs_qEYyA9Lnzw7phoPtaNFGzUGlXlsosxToL037M0_uTbrb7a3R-2by5vr3udMeo-wGBF53K1DjyQEtwC_eeKBh8Esr/w300-h400/family.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We went to the movies, out to lunch, and to visit her friend's to see their "project". They have been covering a tree with crochet pieces! My sister crochets the pieces (all in different patterns and colors) and her friend Mickey puts them together and attaches them to her front yard tree trunk! It's called "<a href="https://www.castawayyarnshop.com/blogs/blog/what-is-yarn-bombing/">yarn bombing</a>" and it's very popular in Tacoma. It's really quite pretty and fun! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp9V2dUbEaR-Vl9J39_nYvcGSdNpwHNjdBI49zk3J7DTC5-Z3-Q4tJ5nC2xD3dTNkyMyq4HQg_pMfpjraR6ArVykhXb9rWcaOeoU7xmNUvxqeyz9uHbjvcSsvwNYgpspmlNY6ilDO3ekqSgDgUKoySvnX9tXiS1BAWpPtXuxrc2nT7SK7ZYQZV0BY/s1788/52102060057_6a730c1834_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFp9V2dUbEaR-Vl9J39_nYvcGSdNpwHNjdBI49zk3J7DTC5-Z3-Q4tJ5nC2xD3dTNkyMyq4HQg_pMfpjraR6ArVykhXb9rWcaOeoU7xmNUvxqeyz9uHbjvcSsvwNYgpspmlNY6ilDO3ekqSgDgUKoySvnX9tXiS1BAWpPtXuxrc2nT7SK7ZYQZV0BY/w300-h400/52102060057_6a730c1834_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>We caught up on the "special occasions" of my birthday and Mother's Day by going to a really nice dinner at <a href="https://www.meltingpot.com/tacoma-wa/">The Melting Pot</a>, a fondue restaurant that I have wanted to try for eons. What a delight it was! The service, the food, the place, everything was fantastic! What a treat! Way more food than we could eat...but we sure tried...the valet even gave us <i>warm</i> cookies as we departed, now <i>that's</i> service!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azz78UsTuFg7jaEFflVeFEEhFzCzjAWtGaIy2ZSOHwBvgS0Ll7Wa7MZvuiHAxzmW2wUTAnI29x-8zvPE24W0ImiIAcBGH0xG9tm4eg9g2sxitAjPFKIpO4EBMdoZX69jndjQdxTnmkut8z72F2FsdbiaxjI5utjF4WhVlNMnz2F8kbJabYAUVNOh/s800/fondue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8azz78UsTuFg7jaEFflVeFEEhFzCzjAWtGaIy2ZSOHwBvgS0Ll7Wa7MZvuiHAxzmW2wUTAnI29x-8zvPE24W0ImiIAcBGH0xG9tm4eg9g2sxitAjPFKIpO4EBMdoZX69jndjQdxTnmkut8z72F2FsdbiaxjI5utjF4WhVlNMnz2F8kbJabYAUVNOh/w400-h300/fondue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> We also made a trip further up north for the day to see my sister's oldest son and family. It was a lovely drive, full of sunshine and a nice visit. We even made time to stop and see some funky art and antique shop in Mt. Vernon on our way home! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryGdP1fel4tD09mY_-cZQYsGivPEpbr6hVy8_OyB6G672cRrfhlsE5C51Yj5hr6994jo10xBvt41kM_74dfy5kq7JjAU8FASB2_78asYSIXAiAalTHQUjMvIVo3iUWZn3k1bABXSP15bICTHfnJ2lP9sF6zLmi_BwLrxmP2ipiwKQxupjhG86t5Q6/s1788/52103101933_b1ec8b3d09_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="1341" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryGdP1fel4tD09mY_-cZQYsGivPEpbr6hVy8_OyB6G672cRrfhlsE5C51Yj5hr6994jo10xBvt41kM_74dfy5kq7JjAU8FASB2_78asYSIXAiAalTHQUjMvIVo3iUWZn3k1bABXSP15bICTHfnJ2lP9sF6zLmi_BwLrxmP2ipiwKQxupjhG86t5Q6/s320/52103101933_b1ec8b3d09_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vh071OQgLakKRzxr-d-223puycRxz7Q7hfHZKQ77vqCmTN4DS9g_B3MrpPwT8fsWCaLetJN4id9FwRc2GCvnhVI_M-_qbxr34AtGH7QLLSMRDIL6y79xhPsZEgq4723LK7FsZi85Del_wnjQcTjnNf7AUdAW6C1JuneCldWDCYJ_JTxvpz5RPCX-/s800/funky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vh071OQgLakKRzxr-d-223puycRxz7Q7hfHZKQ77vqCmTN4DS9g_B3MrpPwT8fsWCaLetJN4id9FwRc2GCvnhVI_M-_qbxr34AtGH7QLLSMRDIL6y79xhPsZEgq4723LK7FsZi85Del_wnjQcTjnNf7AUdAW6C1JuneCldWDCYJ_JTxvpz5RPCX-/w400-h300/funky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>As with all visits, this one ended all to soon, and it was time to go home. With promises to come again and hugs all around, I headed back on the plane (not my favorite way to travel anymore). It may be spring in most parts of the country, but in Arizona, it's "summer" as the heat has arrived in full force...the "triple digits" as we call them, are arriving and we are in for a <i>hot one! </i> Oh joy!</p><p>...kicking back in Arizona, Marie<br /></p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-17640294440865823552022-03-13T10:38:00.112-07:002022-09-15T13:08:20.504-07:00Camping in Cottonwood AZ<p> We decided not to make the "big trip" this year, and instead, just stay close to home and maybe do a few short trips - with the RV Club and on our own during the summer. Last year's long trip was quite a strain and Jack, the RV and even I needed a little break. So, we shall see how it goes...this "staying put" thing!</p><p>Our first trip out was with our RV Club, to a campground called <a href="https://azstateparks.com/dead-horse/camping-and-cabins/camping-at-dead-horse-ranch">Dead Horse State Ranch</a> in Cottonwood AZ. It's only about a couple of hours from our resort, which was a nice drive, and a change of scenery. There were about a dozen coaches, so a nice size group of us - not to small or big. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjb80uC0ZW7yau5yOwXR2a5m1RJYnfTjYP80zUACXINCxsZhwJU3Y71fdd2YL_uNJzLhqavr4Tm6W4pNvIoZv-P287NHpTqRgpXR7-OyT1hwK7j_D6eXfd7gtMqx_sWEtu4jjoxgfGhKco7Hlon6C4b7jDgk6wmxIK7S1qmXWWvJgAV3n0-NvzMLb/s4871/51940447696_b1edc6a2c2_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3227" data-original-width="4871" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjb80uC0ZW7yau5yOwXR2a5m1RJYnfTjYP80zUACXINCxsZhwJU3Y71fdd2YL_uNJzLhqavr4Tm6W4pNvIoZv-P287NHpTqRgpXR7-OyT1hwK7j_D6eXfd7gtMqx_sWEtu4jjoxgfGhKco7Hlon6C4b7jDgk6wmxIK7S1qmXWWvJgAV3n0-NvzMLb/w400-h265/51940447696_b1edc6a2c2_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Being in a "group" is still kind of new for us, as for the last seven plus years, we've pretty much traveled and camped alone. There a pluses and minus to that kind of camping. I enjoy both. <p></p><p>The coordinator was "on top" of everything for this trip. She had each evening planned with campfires scheduled and hosted at different sites, people signed up to go to local entertainment (an Escape Room and a BBQ with entertainment) along with various hikes during the day if you wanted. Two potlucks were also scheduled. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpI6bwiAK6MLyD58XxqIviymfsvgQ20Gh81-wGJKOSGw4KFozyYQnkglJOBPM7ngpr0-SdhYd7Zj56YTx2NMfSBgYsj94AByI0alVIJ3EetgfvUZRSAp2b9sjWVZXwf277xMQBduivor2hGJ1vVx2bCto2K2KPEqsanNc0_WSKL5G6aU0zOcjOHhD/s800/camp.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpI6bwiAK6MLyD58XxqIviymfsvgQ20Gh81-wGJKOSGw4KFozyYQnkglJOBPM7ngpr0-SdhYd7Zj56YTx2NMfSBgYsj94AByI0alVIJ3EetgfvUZRSAp2b9sjWVZXwf277xMQBduivor2hGJ1vVx2bCto2K2KPEqsanNc0_WSKL5G6aU0zOcjOHhD/w300-h400/camp.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p> I, personally love potlucks, it makes cooking and eating so much more easy and fun. You get to try new foods along with the opportunity to chat with so many people. We are still getting to know most of the people in the club, so this gave us the chance to mingle and learn about some of the members.</p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDn7tkQO1NVsM-GyJBCa5eQUKCp1ekGYzqcj8AKpVea58FfuUIFhKdZKIXl56uivuVBd1DLmiVeKPUEDW1FX6XwFUS7NhEQvbNmIc-TB1wJ2TDKaFD21r_cwUeCS-hRqNzNGv8sabomq65ZoqHW0Wi_S1yToDa8T2BCOxFoheRl1bD3c0r7R38Jx4/s1957/51940344981_a46b5b37f0_o.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1957" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDn7tkQO1NVsM-GyJBCa5eQUKCp1ekGYzqcj8AKpVea58FfuUIFhKdZKIXl56uivuVBd1DLmiVeKPUEDW1FX6XwFUS7NhEQvbNmIc-TB1wJ2TDKaFD21r_cwUeCS-hRqNzNGv8sabomq65ZoqHW0Wi_S1yToDa8T2BCOxFoheRl1bD3c0r7R38Jx4/w400-h300/51940344981_a46b5b37f0_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>We pretty much stayed around the park, only going into town one day. Decided not to do the two evening outings, but joined the other few couples around our campfire and enjoy the glorious sunsets we were greeted with instead. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5unTdeSt5XG_XDVNhhi-YTndUhAJY-dEO_7cJ3HxIFrRh6FiZ2zCkFPCwTCR5JnjnPOsOHmMvxVOFKo1VJ1qufae3KBiYF8FQbr2xd2Ra9DE6Axd_xmbVloITpChaAg79PaPZZOez1yve0g6LMpKySHN0hQL8W6up1TB845O0mFNGfuLVrfcVk8n/s1929/51940963155_c280921178_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1929" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5unTdeSt5XG_XDVNhhi-YTndUhAJY-dEO_7cJ3HxIFrRh6FiZ2zCkFPCwTCR5JnjnPOsOHmMvxVOFKo1VJ1qufae3KBiYF8FQbr2xd2Ra9DE6Axd_xmbVloITpChaAg79PaPZZOez1yve0g6LMpKySHN0hQL8W6up1TB845O0mFNGfuLVrfcVk8n/w400-h300/51940963155_c280921178_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>All in all, it was a lovely four days. The weather was cool in the mornings and evenings and warm, sunshine during the daylight. The group was super friendly and fun and the trip was short and sweet! It would be fun to do this more often, but as the season is drawing to a close...people are getting ready to "head back home" for the summer, so this will be it for the group until fall I'm afraid. So, we will be on our own to come up with camp outings! </p><p><br /></p><p>Kicking back in Arizona, Marie</p><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-45978833611898497332021-12-30T10:13:00.001-08:002021-12-30T10:13:28.557-08:00Finishing up year with Friends, Food and Photos...<p>As we close out 2021 and the travels for the year, we did our last trip to the town of Palm Springs California. We have a Time Share, and needed to "close it out" for the year as well, so a week over Christmas seemed like a fitting way to do that. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_rkBXR9kd1Z-V0XKH3VwqU608gyz7eRvg3vWBTEvo-27yPD0aVFrJ65zMipVr-ScgEAQ8hjlgQv28pOU_mzFHvXmoJW7nuV9ZYeOmT6TIS_E3qKfx00K3Y272nlUDWWlTuRvDYlxGo8wT24NXpClVaoyhFAETFtSXyJYH0RV88ne0NBwFTPR3Id3k=s1850" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1850" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_rkBXR9kd1Z-V0XKH3VwqU608gyz7eRvg3vWBTEvo-27yPD0aVFrJ65zMipVr-ScgEAQ8hjlgQv28pOU_mzFHvXmoJW7nuV9ZYeOmT6TIS_E3qKfx00K3Y272nlUDWWlTuRvDYlxGo8wT24NXpClVaoyhFAETFtSXyJYH0RV88ne0NBwFTPR3Id3k=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />We have friends who have a second home in Palm Desert that invited us up early for a couple of days so that we could visit before we checked into our Time Share Condo. It had been a year since we had seen them, so it was really nice to be able to visit and just catch up. Other friends live just down the ways from them in their RV Resort, so all of us got together for breakfast the next day. They had moved into a new resort, so we all went over to their place afterward and "oohed and aahed" at how beautiful it was! <p></p><p>We quickly learned the challenges of eating out while here...seems Palm Springs has adopted the rule that one must show their COVID Vaccination ID to sit <i>inside</i> their restaurants, while all the other outlying towns only mandate that you wear a mask. <i> Of course</i>, we were staying in Palm Springs, which means we had to drive a half hour each time we wanted to eat (and it limited which restaurants). Annoying to say the least. On the plus side, we found new places we wouldn't have tried! ;-) </p><p>A couple of days after we checked in, my niece and nephew-in-law drove in from San Diego to visit with us for the day. He had some work to do during the day, so my niece and us just wandered around town and then that evening we all went to a nice dinner. Once again, wonderful to be able to see and catch up with them!</p><p>Some friends of ours from Happy Trails where we live, moved from here to a condo in Palm Desert, so we went to visit them in their new home. Very nice, and of course very different from living here. They had it completely remodeled, and had been living in <i>dust and construction </i>for months. We got to see the finished job, lucky us! <br /></p><p>The following day we did a "sit in"...a lazy day of doing nothing! Jack read, I watched TV all day! Wow, can't remember the last time I've done that! It was a cloudy, cold day and we just didn't feel like going anywhere...so we didn't! Felt good! ;-) We did have lovely views from our window though...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy1Y68g8MU0iMDLATYobCW0sQTJGA8kN7Gj4So3faeQMZSZtrtokP3bG_9yme2HAd0cVcbIu09ahuQ4hhT4lHTkHcuBv9JtSKaAP6SYYazyMVDUgoiqotiXXNoUuDfs5S1GihfST3AhaExgmKM8peo-pg_KHXOVbbnGFZ87QM5ST0rvLUxxb45FWNc=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy1Y68g8MU0iMDLATYobCW0sQTJGA8kN7Gj4So3faeQMZSZtrtokP3bG_9yme2HAd0cVcbIu09ahuQ4hhT4lHTkHcuBv9JtSKaAP6SYYazyMVDUgoiqotiXXNoUuDfs5S1GihfST3AhaExgmKM8peo-pg_KHXOVbbnGFZ87QM5ST0rvLUxxb45FWNc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Christmas, we were joined by our dear friends Kay and Everett, as we had in years past. We had found a lovely restaurant in El Mirage called <a href="https://www.acquaranchomirage.com/">Acqua California Bistro</a>. What a wonderful meal! Four courses, with several choices each...all lovely...and no dishes to wash!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5EZhlJmwLSdmuu6KISdHNM3hoZ7jBzF_m1UEkBQ3IIKFJxtOmiV7G05ccyd2iQrS6_u_gIP9ONIH2KP1pQLRoQDY6CboNuh96YCIQNWh5DScAwBYiT2AR7KPLYGFHM_U-FO44k6js752ERtjwk3XRzF4VuiXc0M1AzTUuOoge8unC3jOtj0mShKd=s2339" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="2339" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5EZhlJmwLSdmuu6KISdHNM3hoZ7jBzF_m1UEkBQ3IIKFJxtOmiV7G05ccyd2iQrS6_u_gIP9ONIH2KP1pQLRoQDY6CboNuh96YCIQNWh5DScAwBYiT2AR7KPLYGFHM_U-FO44k6js752ERtjwk3XRzF4VuiXc0M1AzTUuOoge8unC3jOtj0mShKd=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The last day there, we drove out to Borrego Springs Desert to see the <a href="https://socalfieldtrips.com/discover-the-anza-borrego-metal-sculptures-and-galleta-meadows/">metal sculptures at Galleta Meadows.</a> We had been told about them from our friends and it sounded just the sort of place we like to venture out to. I found a map online that took us right up to them..wow, what a treat! We lucked out with the weather, and even though it was the holiday week, it wasn't to crowded. We stopped at almost every one of them (130). I ended up taking almost 60 pictures! What a wonderful find! An interesting back-story too. Seems that the owner of Avery Stationary hired an out of work welder (Ricardo Breceda) to promote Galleta Meadows Estate (land lots). I don't think the lots really took off, but the sculpture's fame did! Funny how things work out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWPkpUQDCTDw4jSXgqItY3tVBDXqHHq2NK3oY0P_4KRBvIubpqyYuF7VTFgGhYSfYFIkxNs8hi7eS61eqRWsNEHZdnre6l_fpcmuOJPETN5nhD3d76zR-JDBlPwexxkYXnI2N1W6mKWXWvQcm0Ys0KQlgpFrN-FYr9g34XeiylnrSC10TT0_Zdvt2J=s800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWPkpUQDCTDw4jSXgqItY3tVBDXqHHq2NK3oY0P_4KRBvIubpqyYuF7VTFgGhYSfYFIkxNs8hi7eS61eqRWsNEHZdnre6l_fpcmuOJPETN5nhD3d76zR-JDBlPwexxkYXnI2N1W6mKWXWvQcm0Ys0KQlgpFrN-FYr9g34XeiylnrSC10TT0_Zdvt2J=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>In spite of the ups and downs of the crazy weather and what seems to be the on-going COVID on-again-off-again restrictions, we managed to enjoy traveling this year. I was bound and determined to finally get to see the<a href="https://www.goldenisles.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvPfH4pSK9QIV_z6tBh2QdQDWEAAYASAAEgIA1vD_BwE"> Gold Coast of Georgia</a> and the Carolina's and we did, plus some. We not only got to see family but friends that we hadn't seen in many, many years. Even after having camped in all the lower 48 states, we still managed to find new places to discover, to camp and to enjoy, along with revisiting "old favorites. With all that said though, both us and our sweet RV are getting older and these cross-country trips have taken a toll on us. We did inform everyone this year that this is our last "long-haul" trip, that future ones are now <i>on them. </i>Time for them to come <i>out west </i>for a visit! We will continue to travel, but it will be closer to home, and shorter trips. Us, the RV and the truck all deserve it now...</p><p>We stayed at 41 campgrounds this year and drove over 9000 miles in the RV! </p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https:/https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/albums </p><p><br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-20229728406039425582021-10-13T13:24:00.000-07:002021-10-13T13:24:15.953-07:00Time to say goodbye to our Summer Trip...<p>We did have one last lovely camp-out with friends just before heading
home. Four days at<a href="https://azstateparks.com/catalina/"> Catalina State Park in Tucson.</a> Nice sunny days
with cool breezes and lovely sunsets. Another couple friends of theirs
joined us, so we made new friends as well, which is always fun. We even
got in a couple of games. Tried to play cards in spite of the wind,
which was a challenge. I think we laughed more about that than the
game! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ju9i1F9PD_MBEUhyphenhyphen4fSDFMkOuFZusxiZZapdfXkxWzw4H_3Gqpagz55wrO3WIq9Yt3Yzde3Rzz2FjDb_UmoegOJ7NByBiyS7Fjjj_ItMRnyrcEHP_Wrq1G0hrJVPqVOg86cRwKH6v20/s800/CAMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ju9i1F9PD_MBEUhyphenhyphen4fSDFMkOuFZusxiZZapdfXkxWzw4H_3Gqpagz55wrO3WIq9Yt3Yzde3Rzz2FjDb_UmoegOJ7NByBiyS7Fjjj_ItMRnyrcEHP_Wrq1G0hrJVPqVOg86cRwKH6v20/w480-h640/CAMP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was pretty there with the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/Datura">Datura plants</a> in bloom and
<a href="https://www.desertusa.com/flora/mesquite-tree.html">mesquite trees</a> everywhere...but the biting bugs...ugh! I'm not sure
what they were, gnats, or mosquitos, or flies (lots of those too) or ?
But I am still itching from those bites! They had had quite a bit of
rains prior to our visit because you could see the residual dried mud
runoff, so maybe they were from that...or from the plants? Don't know,
but they sure liked us and made sitting outside a challenge. ;-( </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMCSEm8npTre9S1gk0VH8X6ZSC92aomXVPvPfCPygNnOirK4Zy6oGZX1g7rVLkF4PrOjUPWm5UrnLpLrR7l0UkoK6A12of-9ijdt2VjNa2_aqzx4x4__gyWia4YRRcxNQK71sXuMBaDU/s2048/Dartura+plant+at+Carlsbad+State+Park%252C+Tucson+AZ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMCSEm8npTre9S1gk0VH8X6ZSC92aomXVPvPfCPygNnOirK4Zy6oGZX1g7rVLkF4PrOjUPWm5UrnLpLrR7l0UkoK6A12of-9ijdt2VjNa2_aqzx4x4__gyWia4YRRcxNQK71sXuMBaDU/w400-h300/Dartura+plant+at+Carlsbad+State+Park%252C+Tucson+AZ.jpeg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjYRl955GAuCwmeL1CdAfL92gbnngHjkVMkLWDKxjcK-C_cFkuKHKfJyrbbFEdgCQKVVHvXRK5W9hmcl2IVlUfmK5w1lItxtGm7AbbsXDcuVVnz2v-2yQm7_J2HMjGxbQvuPFMyEmoMc/s2048/Dartura+Flower+at+Carlsbad+State+Park%252C+Tucson+AZ.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjYRl955GAuCwmeL1CdAfL92gbnngHjkVMkLWDKxjcK-C_cFkuKHKfJyrbbFEdgCQKVVHvXRK5W9hmcl2IVlUfmK5w1lItxtGm7AbbsXDcuVVnz2v-2yQm7_J2HMjGxbQvuPFMyEmoMc/w400-h300/Dartura+Flower+at+Carlsbad+State+Park%252C+Tucson+AZ.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p>All good things come to an end (so the saying goes)...and so does our "Summer Trip". We rolled back into Surprise earlier this week and was greeted with lovely <i>mild</i> sunshine! So nice to come home to low 80's instead of "triple digit" weather here in Arizona! Wow, such a nice arrival and a great way to have to unload and do all the trudging of bringing everything back in plus cleaning up the 6 months of dirt on the outside of our little home! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoooTQdQCIpMV58z8zOzgJ-QtKKCMKnO_WjsoVFq-0v_Ia6_FBBbLRHKXvhnVU7ZC8MFUAuVG5qfcOOASbjejAv_o0n77Bjesib4VHkL5Xwe7UtN6U5qKFyhv9Aa0yX2-Y_PZD5iNMCLY/s1658/Home+again.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1658" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoooTQdQCIpMV58z8zOzgJ-QtKKCMKnO_WjsoVFq-0v_Ia6_FBBbLRHKXvhnVU7ZC8MFUAuVG5qfcOOASbjejAv_o0n77Bjesib4VHkL5Xwe7UtN6U5qKFyhv9Aa0yX2-Y_PZD5iNMCLY/w300-h400/Home+again.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We did have wonderful neighbors who watched our little home while we were gone, watering our few potted plants (they even added some for us!) and ridding the weeds. But our ground plants have grown out of control...so we have our work cut out for us...might even need an ax to get to them! lol</p><p>Well, I think it's going to be awhile before we go out again, but you never know, so we keep our baby "ready" just in case an offer <i>to good to pass up comes along</i>....so I won't close up the year...just yet! ;-)</p><p>Until then, we are home in Arizona, Marie<br /></p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-42416882641679917082021-09-29T09:38:00.000-07:002021-09-29T09:38:28.520-07:00Utah isn't just about Red Rocks!<p> After days of cold, windy weather with nothing to look at but flat sagebrush, we finally left the southern area of Casper Wyoming and headed to Utah. We no sooner crossed the state line and within a half hour began to see beautiful <i>fall foliage </i>color all along the hillsides. What a wonderful site! One of my friends had posted some pictures on Facebook of it, but she lives higher up in the mountains of Utah, so I hadn't expected to see any on our trip into the state. I am so used to just seeing the state's wonderful red rock forms, that coming in from Wyoming, I guess I've never caught the mountains and canyons filled with trees...and at this time of year, now filled with color.</p><p>Once we settled in, we decided that since the weather was so glorious, we would look into where we could go see the trees even better. After doing some research I found that there was an <a href="https://utah.com/scenic-drive/alpine-loop">Alpine Loop Scenic Drive</a> through the American Fork Canyon that took you up into the mountains and canyons that was supposed to be a great place for "fall color viewing" as well as various picnicking and hiking. We decided that Sunday was the perfect day to do it, the weather was ideal at about 85 degrees, slight breeze and a clear blue sky, so off we went! </p><p>Wow, New England doesn't have anything over Utah, and for us "westerners", it's a whole lot closer! The road was an easy drive, not to many curves, traffic not to bad, lots of places to pull over so I could pull out my camera and snap away at leisure, as well as a number of picnic areas and even some campgrounds. A number of hikers and climbers were out having a great time too. You could tell that this was "early fall" and in another week or three, it will be even more spectacular, but it was mighty great for me. I love the swath of Aspen groves in amongst the hills, that bright yellow is so eye catching against the reds, oranges and greens. I will admit, Aspens have always been my favorites, and to see them outside of Colorado is an extra treat. Of course I took way to many pictures, but here's a small sample (the rest are in my flickr account if you have an interest). </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADL_7A41w4aSLQHV6wFs6O1-PVy5Msmok3lGr0n-RMe_U8BqkbVlvZOwk4rcryrbzCkdNHJ1sYkVXL7m9ouNvI_VZj5Nq67sdW9jNfElshe16rwWE3CnNvSTQKz_nKzK00FQ5sRjYFHw/s800/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADL_7A41w4aSLQHV6wFs6O1-PVy5Msmok3lGr0n-RMe_U8BqkbVlvZOwk4rcryrbzCkdNHJ1sYkVXL7m9ouNvI_VZj5Nq67sdW9jNfElshe16rwWE3CnNvSTQKz_nKzK00FQ5sRjYFHw/w640-h480/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxjlkoFKSk-UfVAXfEfxFS-Ybpjg6xdgksA7uIjqB7dpbNxX27hMzwtRklZ7Qpdrwv7nI5ZzwhjjR1H9xKiGrE1M5pHok94eEjmxLcgGuPNfMJAY4z-GLTxg-HIVAwFN0unzhKwo6Guc/s800/FALL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxjlkoFKSk-UfVAXfEfxFS-Ybpjg6xdgksA7uIjqB7dpbNxX27hMzwtRklZ7Qpdrwv7nI5ZzwhjjR1H9xKiGrE1M5pHok94eEjmxLcgGuPNfMJAY4z-GLTxg-HIVAwFN0unzhKwo6Guc/w480-h640/FALL.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Another fun "eye candy" was across the street from our campground. We always stay at the <a href="https://www.utahvalley.com/listing/lakeside-rv-campground/22/">Lakeside RV Campground </a>in Provo (one of our favorite campgrounds) and just across the street and down about a half a block is the <a href="https://www.storagecafe.com/storage/ut/provo/aaa-lakeside-storage-4095-west-center-street/">Lakeside Storage </a>(once owned by the same family). The owner is a "collector" of gas station signs, pumps, some old cars, a couple of small planes, kids rides, and a few various other things he may have found "interesting". Hundreds of them...enough to make you go "wow!" We first noticed it (you can't miss them) when we started coming to the campground back in 2012, and each time we came, we noticed the amount seem to get larger. This time (it's been a few years since our last visit), it seems <i>much larger</i>, so we decided to venture over and see if we could actually visit inside and meet" and learn about this strange collection. </p><p>We had a delightful chat with the on-site manager who shared with us that the owner now lives in Hawaii while she and her husband live on site. He owns this while his daughter owned the campground down the street, but she sold the campground a while back. He still comes into the storage company and is planning on turning the property across the street (his place is on both sides of the street - one for garages and across the street is open space for RV/Boat storage) into an special event area. He just keeps adding pieces all the time, she said. He certainly has the space! What an incredible collection, we'd never seen anything like it. It was really fun strolling all through his collection. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxMRfFIpaTJGXdi6fu0kQxVM0htgxikflyYrtJJ63RRrNQ-2ow_fwNXi2Fkh7hT9vksycEb_YJ7To9gHt7yXIs56IjWgTLiO6nENHkg_FmWqQSn7yyf_wKPCGTH9t_O5S4up3ulbvJw/s800/SIGNS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQxMRfFIpaTJGXdi6fu0kQxVM0htgxikflyYrtJJ63RRrNQ-2ow_fwNXi2Fkh7hT9vksycEb_YJ7To9gHt7yXIs56IjWgTLiO6nENHkg_FmWqQSn7yyf_wKPCGTH9t_O5S4up3ulbvJw/w640-h480/SIGNS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFdrID852X2wO0yqAiK56WXjACluVYO5hsLe3zw2CBImrVOPxLbMpR2iXgp2LKJrcppS3-YqnNtYpySEfOUknFhnTsjmrFMZGUbT3QSUn4WyAPFCzt9JyBD_yhv1x_N8g8JD2He1iUQ/s800/PUMPS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaFdrID852X2wO0yqAiK56WXjACluVYO5hsLe3zw2CBImrVOPxLbMpR2iXgp2LKJrcppS3-YqnNtYpySEfOUknFhnTsjmrFMZGUbT3QSUn4WyAPFCzt9JyBD_yhv1x_N8g8JD2He1iUQ/w480-h640/PUMPS.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>For such a short visit, we sure had a lot of fun there, and actually hated to leave! We are off to Kanab for another quick stay before heading on to Arizona. Hopefully the sunshine will continue to follow us!</p><p>...on the road in Utah, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https:/https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/albums </p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-41656502926251709842021-09-18T15:18:00.000-07:002021-09-18T15:18:08.631-07:00Once again in Wyoming...<p>We have made all of our <i>final</i> reservations to end our "summer trip" this year, ending with a meet up with friends who are camping in Tucson. In order to match their days, we needed to stretch out a couple of ours here and there, so ended up staying in Wyoming a bit longer than usual. </p><p>We had always planned on re-visiting Cody, so that worked out fine. There is so much to see and do there, adding a couple of days (and being able to!) worked out well there for us. But where else, we asked ourselves? Well...we'd never been to Casper, so decided to add that town to our agenda...why not? So added a week there...</p><p>Last time we were in Cody was in 2016 and we loved it! We happened to be there during one of their Indian Pow Wows and got to enjoy that as well. There is so much to see and do not only <i>in</i> Cody, but within a short drive from Cody - we never got to see it all! So, we were anxious to come back and see what we didn't see last time! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpWVYXXFbTIL_0gCGzNm_yRU49SZnGIUrr7_tHVYWzbzPjQ9dgzVYG7zF-ezcLZz71bCJ8DluR74o7I5ASBEQ6eFMOHXcnYNl9ec8VC2xZqhn8NhXdJBTSred64-a1NXPUnGYuW9fG68/s2048/1959+Corvette+Convertable+Drawing%2521+Buffalo+Bill+Center+of+the+West%252C+Cody+WY.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpWVYXXFbTIL_0gCGzNm_yRU49SZnGIUrr7_tHVYWzbzPjQ9dgzVYG7zF-ezcLZz71bCJ8DluR74o7I5ASBEQ6eFMOHXcnYNl9ec8VC2xZqhn8NhXdJBTSred64-a1NXPUnGYuW9fG68/s320/1959+Corvette+Convertable+Drawing%2521+Buffalo+Bill+Center+of+the+West%252C+Cody+WY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The first thing on our agenda was to get back to the <a href="https://centerofthewest.org/">Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum</a>. It's actually five museums in one. They have now made the ticket a two-day ticket, which is a good thing, because it really does take two days to see and enjoy it! As we entered the lobby a bright red 1959 Corvette was being displayed...as a raffle! Well, I couldn't pass <i>that</i> opportunity up! I'll let you know if I'm the lucky winner, as the drawing is next week! Wish me luck!! <p></p><p>Well, from there, Jack and I split up...he, to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CodyFirearmsMuseum/">Cody Firearms Museum</a>, and I to the Draper Natural History Museum. </p><p>Two years after our visit in 2016, the Cody Firearms Museum totally redid their displays. Jack had read all about it, and was anxious to see it "in person". He was not disappointed. I had visited it back in 2016 as well, and took a "quick peek" this time and could really see what a huge difference they had made. The biggest, I felt (amateur that I am) was how they displayed the arms in clear cases from all sides. Cool. But that is only <i>one</i> observation, and this museum is HUGE. </p><p>Now, <i>my</i> visits...the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/drapernaturalhistorymuseum/">Draper Natural History</a> was <i>beautiful</i>...truly beautiful. They focused only on the west and did it in little scenes. The taxidermy was done so well, the animals looked almost alive. This museum wasn't as large as the others, but done just as well. </p><p>The namesake...<a href="https://centerofthewest.org/our-museums/buffalo-bill/">The Buffalo Bill Museum</a>. You are greeted at the entrance by Bill himself (via a full-size motion activated screen) welcoming you, then on you enter, to learn about him and his show. It was extensive, with maps showing you where and how many shows they put on in the years they traveled, a miniature display of their entire show requirements from housings to arena; films, photos, old billboards, costumes, etc. Very well done, of course. </p><p>On day two, we finished with the <a href="https://centerofthewest.org/our-museums/yellowstone/">Whitney Western Art Museum</a>, which was quite extensive, and like the others, beautifully well done. It was a pleasure to have the time and really enjoy two full days in these wonderful museums. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_gkDnSYCjMP-ew1WHzJyJZkPbKEUmmny4qHOQVaLE6HL6nZbMKcSO9BZs1aObUUCJ-HwrpjW7QFJ_7PXapsPGf4_xQyCP3S68kq-hP1K-hXfwQHuO4VNG3tr0v8DC-DZONd7BZ29b2M/s800/CODY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_gkDnSYCjMP-ew1WHzJyJZkPbKEUmmny4qHOQVaLE6HL6nZbMKcSO9BZs1aObUUCJ-HwrpjW7QFJ_7PXapsPGf4_xQyCP3S68kq-hP1K-hXfwQHuO4VNG3tr0v8DC-DZONd7BZ29b2M/w480-h640/CODY.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ilq3yp1Q_alwqCUTTvMNCliGHCkz9yTwN15kGzR55mPEoiTroUBUeaslsr_jMStaAq-k1f6WIl7HITHEgl9_l7aa82fW0Q8gdLb2NdjSCvMVE2ruQmgX92RSC6j3Ieu21YtO7BgSJPM/s800/MUSEUM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ilq3yp1Q_alwqCUTTvMNCliGHCkz9yTwN15kGzR55mPEoiTroUBUeaslsr_jMStaAq-k1f6WIl7HITHEgl9_l7aa82fW0Q8gdLb2NdjSCvMVE2ruQmgX92RSC6j3Ieu21YtO7BgSJPM/w480-h640/MUSEUM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Once we "finished" with all that, we were ready for a little music! Of course there are several options to choose from, but after doing some sleuthing, we went with the <a href="https://www.thecodycattlecompany.com/">Cody Cattle Company Dinner Show</a>...and we were so happy that we did! What a great time we had (and a good dinner too!) As I've shared before, we have been to several "western" shows, but this one was nicely different in that it not only had the <i>required </i>western songs and humor, it threw in some really, really old ones (the ones my Dad used to sing to me when I was a kid), but also (surprise) some non-western, new songs (from out of nowhere) that made you go "what the heck?" and <i>laugh</i>! Wonderful mix and some of the best guitar and fiddle playing we've heard in a long time! The lead, <a href="https://www.thecodycattlecompany.com/ryan-martin/">Ryan Martin</a>, also lives and plays in Apache Junction AZ at Barleens (also a fun place!) in the winter. Very fun night! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbX3Y6JLWpmtsLMhb_AiRvLcYLX0LHv2x99SisvJ_vaI1Eu-UpYzMrhWwyx7EMgZIphPwgx1tYTA1BPfmybpypM2zf4lgFmnUtvTsfs9wcm2f_XNEJVGUo7Fx5CtRbo8Xk08BJwYWlRc/s800/CATTLE+CO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbX3Y6JLWpmtsLMhb_AiRvLcYLX0LHv2x99SisvJ_vaI1Eu-UpYzMrhWwyx7EMgZIphPwgx1tYTA1BPfmybpypM2zf4lgFmnUtvTsfs9wcm2f_XNEJVGUo7Fx5CtRbo8Xk08BJwYWlRc/w480-h640/CATTLE+CO.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>We also decided to take the short trip out to the <a href="https://bbdvc.com/history-and-facts">Historic Buffalo Bill Dam</a>. Now, I've seen a number of dams, and I'm not usually impressed with them...it's just not my "thing" really....but it is Jack's, so I go along...Well, I have to say, after watching the video on how this dam was built, what these men went through to build it, etc. I'm impressed. Out here in Wyoming, it's pretty much dry dust, at least in this area, and Bill Cody saw that. He instigated and helped finance the dam idea so that people could get water to their land and farm. It was that simple. It wasn't for power or money, it was for survival. It took five long, hard years to build. When it was finally completed it was the tallest dam in the world (at that time). It has no rebar, only cement and boulders in the construction. </p><p>One of the things that it left me with was the reminder of what the generations of men before us have gone through to build - our dams, our bridges, our roads, the very buildings we live/work in, and drive on every day. We take all this for granted as we go about our day, but many people gave their lives for these "conveniences". Next time each one of us crosses a bridge, or enters a tunnel or sees a dam, let us remember that and send up a "thank you". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lr03PAxbdaxVZAmCYJAsh8pajdWHgGzSskjAmDkQ9xGkfTOej_Z6nNOueufv9PaWmbaR3uOebMovX5Dn21Ga4ek1CM-YDbX0B-8sl7-drU57T83pcP-QP7J12fE9dvWYRxm0yEGUfu8/s800/DAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lr03PAxbdaxVZAmCYJAsh8pajdWHgGzSskjAmDkQ9xGkfTOej_Z6nNOueufv9PaWmbaR3uOebMovX5Dn21Ga4ek1CM-YDbX0B-8sl7-drU57T83pcP-QP7J12fE9dvWYRxm0yEGUfu8/w480-h640/DAM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>After we left the Dam, we decided to continue on with a short drive and do a little scenic loop. We choose the <a href="https://www.codyyellowstone.org/see-do/scenic-byways/east-yellowstone-loop/">East Yellowstone Loop</a>, one we hadn't done before. It didn't turn out to be much, but a couple of little things...some interesting rock formations - called "The Holy City", a pretty creek here and there, a <i>very unusual</i> home up on a hill that I found out later was built by a man called Frances Lee Smith, who worked on it for 12 years, never getting it quite right. He obsessed over the project so much that his wife left him. In 1992, while working on the balcony, he fell to his death. The house remained empty for 30 years until it sold in 2019. And finally...an old Bob's Big Boy statue, placed on a pedestal out in the middle of
a field! No fanfare, no sign, nothing, just him in all his glory! I
checked on that one too...It seemed it just appeared one day. No one
knows how, or why. That one made my day! ;-) <br /></p><div id="tsm-clipoard-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 0.1; left: -1000px; position: absolute; top: -1000px; width: 0.1;">never
getting it quite right. He obsessed over the project so much that his
wife left him. In 1992 while working on a balcony, he fell to his death.<span><br /><br /><b>Read More: </b><a href="https://y95country.com/weird-things-you-can-spot-from-wyoming-highways/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral">Weird Things You Can Spot From Wyoming Highways</a> | https://y95country.com/weird-things-you-can-spot-from-wyoming-highways/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral</span></div><div id="tsm-clipoard-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 0.1; left: -1000px; position: absolute; top: -1000px; width: 0.1;">never
getting it quite right. He obsessed over the project so much that his
wife left him. In 1992 while working on a balcony, he fell to his death.<span><br /><br /><b>Read More: </b><a href="https://y95country.com/weird-things-you-can-spot-from-wyoming-highways/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral">Weird Things You Can Spot From Wyoming Highways</a> | https://y95country.com/weird-things-you-can-spot-from-wyoming-highways/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral</span></div><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvGL1uxcGyxngfYctpYJfDwtQMFi5JOzdU8_n7F0l3-POT6Hw2jVEwfuKECHqqP0WRjf-PvrkzNYEl3L-vE6kVtuAuS9jc_VFzrH64jddeuR94Q8TGcWvbka269u9zGcJlQODV-iipz4/s800/HOUSE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvGL1uxcGyxngfYctpYJfDwtQMFi5JOzdU8_n7F0l3-POT6Hw2jVEwfuKECHqqP0WRjf-PvrkzNYEl3L-vE6kVtuAuS9jc_VFzrH64jddeuR94Q8TGcWvbka269u9zGcJlQODV-iipz4/w480-h640/HOUSE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br />We finally left Cody and drove on to Casper...a long, long drive. We booked a week here at a CG called River's Edge, hoping that as the website said, it would be a nice respite along the river. Well...it is along a river, but not exactly what I was picturing....</p><p>Turned out that Casper, at least while we are here, is dry, very windy and dusty - almost all of the time. Sitting outside is pretty much out of the question. We did manage to take a walk down to the river, and I'm guessing that maybe? in the late spring, it's a pretty place, but right now...not so much. No shade, lots of white rock (to bring out more of the sun's glare) and stir up that dust along with a few small trees. Oh well....</p><p>The city, and that's what it is, does have one thing going for it...a great museum, called the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/000/national-historic-trails-interpretive-center.htm">National Historic Trails Center.</a> It is all about the migration of the people coming west in the 1800s - The Oregon Trail, the Mormons, the Pony Express and finally the Train. It has some of the signatures of the folks that celebrated arriving at Independence Rock, an actual Pony Express Saddle showing the wear and signatures of the riders, some fun "rides" in moving stagecoaches and wagons crossing the North Platte River, movies to watch, walking wagons to pull, backpacks to lift, several dioramas, stories to listen to and read. It was very well done. They also have an auto tour guide you can do on your own if you want to continue on and see the various areas that these folks traveled through. Once again, another reminder of how the people "before us" paved the way for us, and were hardy, brave people! God bless them!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzEV7fI5BEPjdwtlc5TWdVSxJmCdhK1AM4cbvZIEaN54b9iRgRdpYDGr86RBWTwIj2zyDonADi5HgBcXBOw3sxf3czwRqezG3jE2FnByrcMa4B2aVRS_u0FH15dWuHuSV-ZaveFa9kE/s800/TRAIL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzEV7fI5BEPjdwtlc5TWdVSxJmCdhK1AM4cbvZIEaN54b9iRgRdpYDGr86RBWTwIj2zyDonADi5HgBcXBOw3sxf3czwRqezG3jE2FnByrcMa4B2aVRS_u0FH15dWuHuSV-ZaveFa9kE/w480-h640/TRAIL.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br />...on the road in Wyoming, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https:/https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/albums <br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-45247660203138777042021-09-09T17:25:00.000-07:002021-09-09T17:25:00.211-07:00Heading Home....<p> As we turn the calendar pages into September, it's time to start thinking about turning our sweet rig in the direction of "home". "Which way?" is always the question we ask ourselves...This year has especially been the challenge with all the awful northern fires still blazing away. So sad to hear about, causing so much damage and smoke - not only in the areas they are burning, but miles beyond. Routes and states that we were planning on driving to and through, we have changed, several times because the smoke is still so thick. My heart goes out to all the people and companies that this has affected. </p><p>Having traveled and camped now for so many years, there is not to many areas that we haven't been to, so for the last few weeks we have just been "taking it easy" and tootling through South Dakota and into Wyoming, not doing much of anything, really. </p><p>While in Sioux Falls, we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary at a very nice restaurant called <a href="https://www.morriessteakhouse.com/">Morrie's Steakhouse.</a> It was wonderful! The following day, we were able to catch up with a couple of long time friends I had worked with years ago that just happened to be in the area on a job for the week! (thank you Facebook)! What a treat that was! One just never knows "who" you are going to run into while traveling!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkwBJ8Vouhs6XwMq5q7JXx9OT2tn0fr6jQaDADJfEVa45ntxCduW4Wtz6TEGbIxczH6ohxMLHqv2hqf9eFdpRwKunn5KOLGJ5AEXyq95WBFhITrSpfQhUaTHhnVB-ZVmTqsWHvdb6s54/s2048/AM-JKLVKx781BoqOD_cLqiNTB4JLeWFTacxIlDcJe2OOqMBUfx4GxmwcheuKlDfUx6VaooZAclHTVa7hjgpua6e8upct51QZxZaZ8qjyR2l4l1BTGIYMaKIv3uF1EcnPMtuxCvc4Bn0d_wvlTMGF4zByk2li%253Dw2340-h1754-no.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkwBJ8Vouhs6XwMq5q7JXx9OT2tn0fr6jQaDADJfEVa45ntxCduW4Wtz6TEGbIxczH6ohxMLHqv2hqf9eFdpRwKunn5KOLGJ5AEXyq95WBFhITrSpfQhUaTHhnVB-ZVmTqsWHvdb6s54/w640-h480/AM-JKLVKx781BoqOD_cLqiNTB4JLeWFTacxIlDcJe2OOqMBUfx4GxmwcheuKlDfUx6VaooZAclHTVa7hjgpua6e8upct51QZxZaZ8qjyR2l4l1BTGIYMaKIv3uF1EcnPMtuxCvc4Bn0d_wvlTMGF4zByk2li%253Dw2340-h1754-no.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We also made a quick trip over to Wall, to the "famous" <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/south-dakota/articles/the-quirky-history-of-south-dakotas-wall-drug-store/">Drug Store</a>...always worth a visit...just for fun! Other than those highlights, we've just been relaxing and sitting back enjoy reading! That was one of our goals on this trip...to just take some time and s l o w d o w n! We've tried to pick campgrounds that help with that, green grass, trees that bring shade, a little breeze, and peace and quiet. Nice. Once the Labor Day Weekend was over, campgrounds seem to empty out, big time. Prices haven't gone down (darn) but space availability sure has, so that's good. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVoZJhMsBUfvXqd67ClbJHKe9oEo4FU0MVjypMwT819WqSncUMw_67IqaV30F77EryGrHHz6MztHIKh4KmU_I1lYKbNwq2bmOgLzB4HGPsCTVyrO8cUavXovz7VJrKrHuhw_K2_a-vQE/s2048/AM-JKLVSRUi9pMArf1pRlDknhZPCNZurHRPoFwVDXmlXYnbOqNfMHMWZGxnz6zStHvNcWC2RWsYhz8BX8knw_gndkpJHXlLLofbld44nBl7psnmPurEcCIF-NZgcZzoBBg27LdRyLpBN9VnTc02ocb1LwTCS%253Dw2340-h1754-no.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVoZJhMsBUfvXqd67ClbJHKe9oEo4FU0MVjypMwT819WqSncUMw_67IqaV30F77EryGrHHz6MztHIKh4KmU_I1lYKbNwq2bmOgLzB4HGPsCTVyrO8cUavXovz7VJrKrHuhw_K2_a-vQE/w640-h480/AM-JKLVSRUi9pMArf1pRlDknhZPCNZurHRPoFwVDXmlXYnbOqNfMHMWZGxnz6zStHvNcWC2RWsYhz8BX8knw_gndkpJHXlLLofbld44nBl7psnmPurEcCIF-NZgcZzoBBg27LdRyLpBN9VnTc02ocb1LwTCS%253Dw2340-h1754-no.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>We are trying our best to travel roads, and back roads, that we haven't traveled before (or in a very long time) as much as possible. While here in Buffalo WY, we decided to go check out a small town called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaycee,_Wyoming">Kaycee</a>, about 45 min. from here. The article that we read said it had a lot of interesting history, so, why not go see??</p><p>Well, "small" was an understatement...wow. Maybe 2 blocks, if that? And that included homes, the tiny Post Office, their museum and park. The two things worth visiting. </p><p>The park was a beautiful little Memorial Corner Park dedicated to<a href="https://chrisledoux.com/the-monumen"> Chris LeDoux,</a> the World Bareback Champion rider and Country Western singer. He wasn't born in Kaycee, but he and his family came there to live after he gave up riding, and he died (and is buried there) in 2005. His wife and 5 children still have a farm there. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrfChjuPZiF53uw5yyNrT-C2aA3WoUVH9J81sPsF9H74uwXR3kduFAVtGPAddJ7ehBmvXlKoTVGXJZtbs9nzct4QlbSC2jUMml6E3bZ7h9JdTyl6tSvQmvFtDf0ETgC5M5xorCFWhaw4/s800/COWBOY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrfChjuPZiF53uw5yyNrT-C2aA3WoUVH9J81sPsF9H74uwXR3kduFAVtGPAddJ7ehBmvXlKoTVGXJZtbs9nzct4QlbSC2jUMml6E3bZ7h9JdTyl6tSvQmvFtDf0ETgC5M5xorCFWhaw4/w480-h640/COWBOY.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Across the street was the <a href="http://hoofprintsofthepast.org/">Hoofprints of the Past Museum</a>, that we decided to check out...and was glad we did! What a great museum! The detail and cataloging of the "old west" in their area was fantastic. Everything from arrowheads to wagons. They had the complete insides of stores, a blacksmith shop, a home, the first Homestead home, the oldest school in Wyoming, along with chuck wagons, sheepherder wagons and farm equipment. They had the complete detailed rundown on the Johnson County War and the Wyoming Range War (c1889-1893) - basically the "homesteaders vs the cattle barons. Wow, tough times. Anyway, great museum and a great stop...just shows you that you never know what you can find hiddin in a small town! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AU2d8C8wrT7FMZKOZ8EDcO0YsQT4Lzdgt8fxCVbm5hpNT8plfCS30ap_MHo2X431HF-Qkk6uIKwLFjE8lyhIsc7UmfTgP1XLOhDyWR2EhsKoTK_DSt6R-fFWn9dlvBoxJHv4aBDPC1E/s800/MUSEUM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AU2d8C8wrT7FMZKOZ8EDcO0YsQT4Lzdgt8fxCVbm5hpNT8plfCS30ap_MHo2X431HF-Qkk6uIKwLFjE8lyhIsc7UmfTgP1XLOhDyWR2EhsKoTK_DSt6R-fFWn9dlvBoxJHv4aBDPC1E/w480-h640/MUSEUM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Not much scenery in these parts but rolling hills of yellow "grass" (?) and fields of sorghum and sunflowers...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pYqz-zpXiKDuknftCj3Cs-yJ8rr4H4PsZR_o3qolPG8uL0EwMfdGHKiabgOvkWxUSQwssse9cGTDZDZ4q8M-hyVm5vcYw1G5xCGv1SMuVqo5YpKJEJNqjCriBUv97WnHFT9HHGTQb20/s800/FLOWERS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pYqz-zpXiKDuknftCj3Cs-yJ8rr4H4PsZR_o3qolPG8uL0EwMfdGHKiabgOvkWxUSQwssse9cGTDZDZ4q8M-hyVm5vcYw1G5xCGv1SMuVqo5YpKJEJNqjCriBUv97WnHFT9HHGTQb20/w480-h640/FLOWERS.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Well, we are off to Cody tomorrow, one of Jack's most favorite stops! We will be spending more time in Wyoming this time as Idaho is off our itinerary due to the fires. So, we shall see what new adventures we find!</p><p>...on the road in Wyoming, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/</p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-36652124956508224332021-08-31T14:02:00.000-07:002021-08-31T14:02:45.831-07:00Capturing Capitols!<p> One of the things that Jack and I like to visit while we travel is State Capitols. We found early on, that each State's Capitol can really reflect the time it was built, the people it represents, and the area of the country. They are all so very different from each other, it's not only been fun to see them, but quite an education! </p><p>When we first started out, I only took pictures of the outside, not realizing how interesting or how <i>important</i> the insides were; boy was I wrong! It was only later that I discovered that the history was really about the <i>insides</i>! <i>Who, what </i>and<i> why </i>they put on the insides to <i>impress</i> and <i>showcase</i>, makes the Capitol <i>what it is</i>, otherwise, it's just a couple of "meeting rooms". A good example of this is North Dakota. Their Capitol is just that, a basic business building with meeting rooms for the Senate and House of Representatives along with offices for the Governor, etc. Plain, no decor, straight business. Only Capitol we've seen like that. </p><p>Most, however, are quite the opposite. As were the two we just visited, first in Kansas (Topeka) and the second in Iowa (Des Moines). Both beautiful, lavish and full of great art. Both were built during the late 1800's and have the refined Renaissance style that give the impression of strength and dignity combined with utility. Both were built after the Civil War, but proud to be part of it, although on the "edge" of it, so to speak. Both Lincoln supporters. Both are supported by "country farmers" and their politicians are "part-time" and paid accordingly. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKZq3WR2lYT8NQgjmzMv-iTColGrT9e5cCWztLfRLWQh0vFXSLuOwHv0s7v_TMAb2hRFFXRD1zMu5l2D7_xInB6IJxRG3oTdG9uQbQ_TNPWP_zm7tL9eOSg1VnCqygBNpGF1GXIp-QjE/s2048/Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKZq3WR2lYT8NQgjmzMv-iTColGrT9e5cCWztLfRLWQh0vFXSLuOwHv0s7v_TMAb2hRFFXRD1zMu5l2D7_xInB6IJxRG3oTdG9uQbQ_TNPWP_zm7tL9eOSg1VnCqygBNpGF1GXIp-QjE/w400-h265/Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_State_Capitol">Kansas State Capitol,</a> we were left on our own to view it. Given a nice brochure and friendly greetings by the security staff. We entered in the ground floor, which isn't unusual these days (after 9/11). They use this "basement" area as gallery area, This is where we found the State Seal, as well a chair made from the Cottonwood Tree (state tree), and John Brown's sword (the abolitionist). <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs00dTPwFPfgArrT4IY0sNLpR8dJTo7Z6q81pO7UbYvUTqF2GrSM2eqlAqAIlpvgh6pMv_MPWLzkwptoP4rAnsmMl03PEbBUHoqHvEY1VtWwg9Xq3hc9bC1R_ySCpVVKMM0qmkJDHr54I/s800/CHAIR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs00dTPwFPfgArrT4IY0sNLpR8dJTo7Z6q81pO7UbYvUTqF2GrSM2eqlAqAIlpvgh6pMv_MPWLzkwptoP4rAnsmMl03PEbBUHoqHvEY1VtWwg9Xq3hc9bC1R_ySCpVVKMM0qmkJDHr54I/w480-h640/CHAIR.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>From there we moved up to first floor and got to admire the Rotunda and Overmyer murals. One of my favorite things, is to look straight up to the Dome from the middle of the Rotunda! It's always the highlight for me! I love seeing what they put up there, what effort they have gone into. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzI1nz8JCYq39-oDm-PsaM5XsHgkoW18vNV64nsg8jrfJOKl4YfFfFeeP-aFGFX2dL7kjyDli9tHip9UwoxaD6GmETE9HG6LZjEv3U9VsnGlsLlbr4y_DsKPNn5WRkGm4i_eMUrVHzrA/s2048/Dome+with+256+glass+panels+%2526+a+900+lb+chandelier+%2528c1942%2529%252C+Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzI1nz8JCYq39-oDm-PsaM5XsHgkoW18vNV64nsg8jrfJOKl4YfFfFeeP-aFGFX2dL7kjyDli9tHip9UwoxaD6GmETE9HG6LZjEv3U9VsnGlsLlbr4y_DsKPNn5WRkGm4i_eMUrVHzrA/w640-h424/Dome+with+256+glass+panels+%2526+a+900+lb+chandelier+%2528c1942%2529%252C+Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Surrounding the Rotunda were eight beautiful murals painted by <a href="https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190821/history-guy-artist-overmyer-painted-statehouse-murals">David H Overmyer </a>of topics significant in Kansas history. Adding to that, another large mural by<a href="https://kansassampler.org/8wondersofkansas-overall/john-steuart-curry-murals-state-capitol-topeka"> John Steuart Curry</a> created Tragic Prelude" featuring abolitionist John Brown, and "Kansas Pastoral", which depicts the life of the homesteader. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d0ZYC2Zjxx_MfRlmi2r5YtgJjee-R5-Wkm3c1HINLeBDe0q65yfSxRekNVSIK6bLaBmjEYvTuEG3w-njCnYy1sIANsOavDchnSF9Ni014o3X1FJ8lDNwGjPHWJTalkZnS9Ceh-yGe7Y/s800/MURALS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d0ZYC2Zjxx_MfRlmi2r5YtgJjee-R5-Wkm3c1HINLeBDe0q65yfSxRekNVSIK6bLaBmjEYvTuEG3w-njCnYy1sIANsOavDchnSF9Ni014o3X1FJ8lDNwGjPHWJTalkZnS9Ceh-yGe7Y/w640-h480/MURALS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwiVwXjnycuohD00MK-XRBenGIq8HPk9zzlEgHikjATRB1qNS1V62DaWcY5dlLBYgzsp5CEuzFtfhLYjxQ6_5WCIxZkK6xfRSNH28Y8DASMSDIGE082L-lg474OZr0X3M5oDDuwMdgTc/s2048/%2522Tragic+Prelude%2522+by+John+steuart+Curry%252C+featuring+abolitionist+John+Brown+and+Kansas+Pastoral%252C+which+depicts+the+life+of+the+homesteader%252C+Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS+.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwiVwXjnycuohD00MK-XRBenGIq8HPk9zzlEgHikjATRB1qNS1V62DaWcY5dlLBYgzsp5CEuzFtfhLYjxQ6_5WCIxZkK6xfRSNH28Y8DASMSDIGE082L-lg474OZr0X3M5oDDuwMdgTc/w640-h424/%2522Tragic+Prelude%2522+by+John+steuart+Curry%252C+featuring+abolitionist+John+Brown+and+Kansas+Pastoral%252C+which+depicts+the+life+of+the+homesteader%252C+Kansas+State+Capitol+%2528c1903%2529+Topeka+KS+.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As with most Capitols, the Senate and House of Representatives Rooms were impressive. The House featured marble, gold leaf and pink columns made from a faux marble process. Allegorical murals painted on the ceiling along with the names of 10 prominent figures from the Kansas Territory era. The Senate chamber featured several types of marble, the original native Kansas wild cherry wood desks, and massive hand-cast columns with ornate circular grills that once encouraged air circulation. These were unbelievably beautiful, a combination of bronze, copper and silver, and with such detail!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjaKcpOHLqBugM9y8p0H7iEnUSDTWHBNtJcwn-vPA9GCJyyZNNvfONsIKOsCzibB0rcFtdt72JeJ-v87MoCe0YZrSwE-G3jToZpsyL0onTlMXtpbYsWBoUr_f_BGmVfdRJUDbD3rRGN8/s800/SENATE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjaKcpOHLqBugM9y8p0H7iEnUSDTWHBNtJcwn-vPA9GCJyyZNNvfONsIKOsCzibB0rcFtdt72JeJ-v87MoCe0YZrSwE-G3jToZpsyL0onTlMXtpbYsWBoUr_f_BGmVfdRJUDbD3rRGN8/w480-h640/SENATE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>They had a nice Law Library, and other areas, but those are the "highlights", so I will move on to Iowa...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOwvG6169vOljFGV9axqzpKoWhe4tgwKgEtF_PIepoSyFIHAwavXClb7QEi3NqquoY1oWfQCwvtfo6SUICsSEkIoFUYgqqz2EGi_xPO8WDdmNmDdvh-hXGNZLW8Gtiedu1R4_WYHzAzU/s2048/Front+of+the+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOwvG6169vOljFGV9axqzpKoWhe4tgwKgEtF_PIepoSyFIHAwavXClb7QEi3NqquoY1oWfQCwvtfo6SUICsSEkIoFUYgqqz2EGi_xPO8WDdmNmDdvh-hXGNZLW8Gtiedu1R4_WYHzAzU/w400-h265/Front+of+the+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We lucked out and got an actual tour of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_State_Capitol">Iowa State Capitol</a>! I love it when they do that as you learn so much more that way! Diana was a great guide and really took her time with us. Another unusual thing about this tour was that we actually got to go up to the Dome! A first! Because we had a couple that had done the tour the day before, but couldn't do the Dome (not sure why), they asked if it would be alright to start there so they wouldn't have to do the whole tour all over again - she agreed, so off we went! Luckily we took the elevator up the 3 stories first, as the winding stairs to the Dome was another 97 (steep)! Phew! What a thrill though to <i>look down </i>for a change! We still had quite a bit of the Dome above us, of course, but it was an interesting view to see the detail of the statues and paintings along the rim, as well as the banner that hung across it, closer. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa-0OkNbpB2B7h2315jmweba1Ep6jxB5zTrKSB5ByVvbFeTqy2SkvSVgbcxcNC4OH98nxcvfG1LFdcAcK4v98srH9r8JFdo0Qt7T_Ukrj0geb89yrprs0NZbHijfWdDh1jC8tk-v5UhM/s800/DOME.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa-0OkNbpB2B7h2315jmweba1Ep6jxB5zTrKSB5ByVvbFeTqy2SkvSVgbcxcNC4OH98nxcvfG1LFdcAcK4v98srH9r8JFdo0Qt7T_Ukrj0geb89yrprs0NZbHijfWdDh1jC8tk-v5UhM/w480-h640/DOME.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>And the Dome from below looking up!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNSuPyzAwlH80l9Zpy_o9zK5845byvz4MFC1j2aZml4wvc-oMiLFmsFlHbBo6PuPvRQ-zbipfpeRzYzGlMKEd6gSTqMcj6PCGlJ-Dpz1ED0T75bA3FiphF0iJ5ffrx9xhkr5uKPFt2f0/s2048/Looking+up+to+the+Dome+at+the+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNSuPyzAwlH80l9Zpy_o9zK5845byvz4MFC1j2aZml4wvc-oMiLFmsFlHbBo6PuPvRQ-zbipfpeRzYzGlMKEd6gSTqMcj6PCGlJ-Dpz1ED0T75bA3FiphF0iJ5ffrx9xhkr5uKPFt2f0/w640-h424/Looking+up+to+the+Dome+at+the+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of the things that impressed me about this Capitol was their attitude of "pay as you go". As Diana explained it, that is one of the reasons it took 14 years for them to build the Capitol. It's also the reason why many of the walls lay "bare" for years before they have art on them. All that said, however, it's absolutely beautiful inside and out. The Grand Staircase, made of granite, is one of the prettiest I've encountered, along with tile flooring set with wonderful designs throughout the three floors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLz7L9J5VbKIJSBq2VkvY1_2aA4qTkkAwVDk2UPSaD8ZUL9RiSjxVdso1_x6tNPDQGFXzpRFQcIiJ3k-jSX7LDf8CHBsyqRQrY1JdMZT-9YPm1T5m7YiU5O5Cej7YPR0wE__xrydfKBA/s2048/Grand+Staircase+done+in+granite+and+edged+in+tile+artwork%252C+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLz7L9J5VbKIJSBq2VkvY1_2aA4qTkkAwVDk2UPSaD8ZUL9RiSjxVdso1_x6tNPDQGFXzpRFQcIiJ3k-jSX7LDf8CHBsyqRQrY1JdMZT-9YPm1T5m7YiU5O5Cej7YPR0wE__xrydfKBA/w640-h424/Grand+Staircase+done+in+granite+and+edged+in+tile+artwork%252C+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Senate Chamber and the rest of the rooms are original to the building except for the House of Representatives. In 1904 a fire was started when the gas lights were being converted
into electricity and the House of Representatives Room was lost. All
else was saved (including the furniture from that room). <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l3K750D8BeT6a_-KBf7O4XrfJr12NH7r0QaQRpAqTCjeIkix8UJITmZrvrov0Ndk7HSfJHgwQN95q-EyPLOSVOTv5AG4r9J-amn4TEFj96YuSwCqtEUbjb6iTkzDe51QWqQGFtN25P4/s800/SENATE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l3K750D8BeT6a_-KBf7O4XrfJr12NH7r0QaQRpAqTCjeIkix8UJITmZrvrov0Ndk7HSfJHgwQN95q-EyPLOSVOTv5AG4r9J-amn4TEFj96YuSwCqtEUbjb6iTkzDe51QWqQGFtN25P4/w480-h640/SENATE.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I have to say that he most impressive room was the Law Library though. It was hard to capture it on camera, it was so large - five stories high, and two wings wide! It reminded me of the pictures you see people post of "dream libraries" that you only fantasize about. It was beautiful...</p><p>Diana explained that the spiral staircases (one at each end) were so old now that only the librarians were allowed to climb them. They also had a few very rare "non-law" books on display in a showcase: a 14th century hand lettered book and a book printed in 1742 by Benjamin Franklin. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaELiQedMnNkILaGEHGtqsUl_vnmM20JdCtERhDPH8uA6PoXYIcmDFmwms_tZ0Acio2TC5z9fk75LeMw2fytw7LS5lDNXG40C5aKLjz5sVbz1_6oR0fO6-S-QfpiRk_nAVzDScywwuys/s800/LAW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaELiQedMnNkILaGEHGtqsUl_vnmM20JdCtERhDPH8uA6PoXYIcmDFmwms_tZ0Acio2TC5z9fk75LeMw2fytw7LS5lDNXG40C5aKLjz5sVbz1_6oR0fO6-S-QfpiRk_nAVzDScywwuys/w480-h640/LAW.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Both these Capitols were wonderful examples of our Country's pride. Each taking care to showcase their State, while still representing the Country as a whole. I'll leave off with this quote that Iowa had over one of it's doorway's that I thought was quite good...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7dJsocH1lNnII2CvB8B6P7y7E-oGHjm_uxU2gdV_v9YdiOvtPr7kxdSz15LAvLt7M4-tXaAz9kJFb7G3oyQSTHUV1U1mCpFNdxl7d0NBKvwYm7ICLp3crYe2BE6pKhEKPgI2qmWu0z4/s2048/Great+saying+over+one+of+the+doorways%252C+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7dJsocH1lNnII2CvB8B6P7y7E-oGHjm_uxU2gdV_v9YdiOvtPr7kxdSz15LAvLt7M4-tXaAz9kJFb7G3oyQSTHUV1U1mCpFNdxl7d0NBKvwYm7ICLp3crYe2BE6pKhEKPgI2qmWu0z4/w640-h424/Great+saying+over+one+of+the+doorways%252C+Iowa+State+Capitol+%2528c1886%2529%252C+Des+Moines.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...and now we are on the road in South Dakota, Marie<br /></p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https:/https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/albums<br /><br /></p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-74779870941316037182021-08-21T09:06:00.000-07:002021-08-21T09:06:06.767-07:00Kicking Back in Kentucky...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4olEXaQKIwP8xs9xdmn0NIMi5cJiFzQorr-6KtBoBORvzSLk8p9JPEhlIXayJClfdDvv11o5K4YEMu3mS0BPXSgx41plP5Z0ofgyZVE7xgKzRYRfbJw0QwBaDfagtjWAwwqWPK8DgRg/s1680/Kentucky+Mural%252C+Georgetown+KY.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="1261" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4olEXaQKIwP8xs9xdmn0NIMi5cJiFzQorr-6KtBoBORvzSLk8p9JPEhlIXayJClfdDvv11o5K4YEMu3mS0BPXSgx41plP5Z0ofgyZVE7xgKzRYRfbJw0QwBaDfagtjWAwwqWPK8DgRg/s320/Kentucky+Mural%252C+Georgetown+KY.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>Still waiting on our car part, we moved from Lexington to Elizabethtown to Calvert City, which is near <a href="https://www.kentuckytourism.com/golden-pond/natural-attractions/nature-wildlife/land-between-lakes-national-recreation-area">The Land Between The Lakes of Kentucky.</a> We finally found a campground that could take us for more than a week (just in case that darned part continued to take it's time getting here!). At least here, there were places to drive around and see, as well as nice weather to enjoy!<p></p><p>Like I've shared, if you have to be "stuck" some place, Kentucky is a great place to have it happen! I'm actually writing this today, because it's the first time we've gotten rain since we've been here...so, we changed our plans and are staying inside! ;-)</p><p>One of the first things we did when we arrived here was to take a drive into the town of Paducah and visit the <a href="https://quiltmuseum.org/about-us/">National Quilt Museum.</a> We had read about it, and having some close friends who are quilters, we have become very appreciative of the art. In our travels, we have been to all types and sizes of museums, and have learned to keep an open mind. The size of the town, nor the brochure isn't always a true indicator of the true quality of the museum. It is always wonderful when you discover a "true gem"...and this one was that. The beauty and quality of these quilts were truly jaw-dropping. To be able to get up close and see the detailed stitching without them being behind a case was also special. Each displayed with good lighting and descriptions of the artist, details of the quilt and it's "history". There were hundreds on display to enjoy. What a treasure this place was!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jiV4_0eBs36W6dtrztRjNCBVDYKlB_DpC-ytaq1yhMLOOmvmbmur8NZ0VPFvvAXjT_8CYFYIX-fgKttsEAqdi3nEStqUtODAbXgZtZ_BfsgKz0KkODlAu9btWaU-zmjyARQkJcSoncA/s800/FACE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jiV4_0eBs36W6dtrztRjNCBVDYKlB_DpC-ytaq1yhMLOOmvmbmur8NZ0VPFvvAXjT_8CYFYIX-fgKttsEAqdi3nEStqUtODAbXgZtZ_BfsgKz0KkODlAu9btWaU-zmjyARQkJcSoncA/w640-h480/FACE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJXV2hkLwHpQY8-5LEtGZhe0WJN20Q-kmUqftP4_ccS2R3fBHFCjo92ygriFhek7o1xI3JrO95U7jZdnoaCFH32LVEyBMZsHXgpw5YNPEJjnz2LYITrYnYdROtCwTHOZPLkxwi9XRe7k/s800/FLAG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJXV2hkLwHpQY8-5LEtGZhe0WJN20Q-kmUqftP4_ccS2R3fBHFCjo92ygriFhek7o1xI3JrO95U7jZdnoaCFH32LVEyBMZsHXgpw5YNPEJjnz2LYITrYnYdROtCwTHOZPLkxwi9XRe7k/w480-h640/FLAG.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxz5tl59LNTIotW_l_58vmRW09HWUMYA3-NzHVVJ1367FPd1ZpU50KiMcypWd861YzTj6JAXc2qezPQs_Z-1d2W1KTSE_ySFxG_TqvkueX5-gm-ILNkzMcbFOjz73cqG5IcXH4v37bPs/s800/BIRDS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxz5tl59LNTIotW_l_58vmRW09HWUMYA3-NzHVVJ1367FPd1ZpU50KiMcypWd861YzTj6JAXc2qezPQs_Z-1d2W1KTSE_ySFxG_TqvkueX5-gm-ILNkzMcbFOjz73cqG5IcXH4v37bPs/w640-h480/BIRDS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>One of the things we love to do when traveling is find local music...and so far this summer, we haven't had that pleasure, and I've really missed it. Usually it's been in the south, and we haven't spent much time there this year, so when I saw an ad for <a href="https://kentuckyopry.com/about-us/">The Kentucky Opry</a>, I looked into it! They had a performance playing the first weekend we were here of "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time". Sounded perfect, so I got us tickets! </p><p>Wow, what a night! Such fun! Clay Campbell is the main singer, along with a great band (one is his son), two additional men, two women, a guest violinist and a couple of his young students who "clogged". They were all great. It was a two-hour show (with very comfortable seats, I might add!) and had us toe-tapping and hand-clapping all the while! So glad we went! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6UpXgxdvbGFjNVeIRmtX_AVX4QQjei_UqP-tjAx1I9eI98p0-jKVjjWaWIB8U-Et0U9-qcez770E5BVBZvWFN766XWp60ut9m38w0U80NrHrBimsrNhoJuorhOgSAPmGDDExCEZ7Ozw/s800/OPRY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6UpXgxdvbGFjNVeIRmtX_AVX4QQjei_UqP-tjAx1I9eI98p0-jKVjjWaWIB8U-Et0U9-qcez770E5BVBZvWFN766XWp60ut9m38w0U80NrHrBimsrNhoJuorhOgSAPmGDDExCEZ7Ozw/w480-h640/OPRY.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>We took the scenic drive around The Land Between The Lakes one day. The lakes here are HUGE! Lots of boats and marinas...hardly anyone out on the water though (even on weekends!). Sure seems a shame...We got a chuckle along the way I have to share...about half way through the drive is a "<a href="https://www.landbetweenthelakes.com/attractions/elk-bison-prairie/">Bison & Elk </a><a href="https://www.landbetweenthelakes.com/attractions/elk-bison-prairie/">Prairie</a>" that you pay $5 per car to enter. We thought, "what the heck, why not?" So we went in. We, along with about six or eight other cars, all driving about five miles an hour, driving along this loop, all craning our necks, looking for the bison or elk...nothing. The ONLY thing we spot are about a half dozen wild turkeys! So, we leave there and go on down the road. Now, we end the "scenic drive" of Kentucky and crossover to Tennessee and are just about to turn around when Jack spots a sign saying "Bison Reserve". We chuckle...but then, just beyond the sign, he spots a <i>whole herd </i>of them! No fee, no drive, they are just there, all along the fence! We drive over to them and laugh...I joke and say "well, now we know what happened to the Kentucky bison, they wondered over to Tennessee!" </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw7n73uEZ8zcpsfyqZO6CLg6sfKl6IMSG-hE-3GLtRGqDU2LXUx8C8g3a1X76OeBH9VOM-tbB1J63c1DA9gwk1zO-CSTmBC7PHATVN5MpOVAndnO8T7LmkG-OOkKEZOdLu6qe8I9cG6M/s800/BISON.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw7n73uEZ8zcpsfyqZO6CLg6sfKl6IMSG-hE-3GLtRGqDU2LXUx8C8g3a1X76OeBH9VOM-tbB1J63c1DA9gwk1zO-CSTmBC7PHATVN5MpOVAndnO8T7LmkG-OOkKEZOdLu6qe8I9cG6M/w640-h480/BISON.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On our way back, we stopped at Lake Barkley for lunch at a cute little cafe called<a href="https://zmenu.com/buzzard-rock-cafe-kuttawa-online-menu/"> Buzzard Rock.</a> I have to admit that we chose it for the name, but we were glad that we did, because the food was great too! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gJ6nL4eKQqlbX22LXujQBsI_jGCIPnPw8ABfpFLN9pIrjjusAMc2LdrK6G4JUU4iCPOk0KmZgIMKy4Uh4M5y3T1Z1zA0Se68r2RbK7mJeap2qi9rHo8JD7jlXwR1is8Qhbp7fgraeVM/s800/ROCK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gJ6nL4eKQqlbX22LXujQBsI_jGCIPnPw8ABfpFLN9pIrjjusAMc2LdrK6G4JUU4iCPOk0KmZgIMKy4Uh4M5y3T1Z1zA0Se68r2RbK7mJeap2qi9rHo8JD7jlXwR1is8Qhbp7fgraeVM/w640-h480/ROCK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Speaking of food, I got to try a "regional" dish the other day. I love doing that! This one is called <a href="https://theinspiredhome.com/articles/kentucky-hot-brown-sandwich?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiuP5o-O98gIVBHxvBB08-wwDEAAYASAAEgJ4_vD_BwE">The Kentucky Hot Brown.</a> I had heard of it before, but never had the opportunity to try it. The waitress said that it's really only from <i><u>this</u></i> area of Kentucky, as it originated from Louisville. It's basically "leftovers":Bread (toasted), covered with turkey, smothered with a very rich creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with tomato slices and two strips of bacon and then browned/broiled on top. <i>Very Rich!! </i>I couldn't eat it all, and it turned out to be to rich for my system, but it <i>was</i> good! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtVcbY1HzSsXySt4lY23KQWa3jdS86ry8XMAa_Ds7tkbDLaYGa0fYlW3SZeO3knHYaBa3mqBOmjm5QgyQXG1ChYdGlXt_xpKovfb2C1oaG5wBANPSO6p2iEla5NP9-s6qrjMd5RUp1k0/s1754/Kentucky+Hot+Brown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="1316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtVcbY1HzSsXySt4lY23KQWa3jdS86ry8XMAa_Ds7tkbDLaYGa0fYlW3SZeO3knHYaBa3mqBOmjm5QgyQXG1ChYdGlXt_xpKovfb2C1oaG5wBANPSO6p2iEla5NP9-s6qrjMd5RUp1k0/w300-h400/Kentucky+Hot+Brown.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.pattis1880s.com/">Patti's 1880's Settlement </a>in Grand Rivers (about 15 min. from our cg) had signs all along the roads, brochures in every establishment and Ads in every booklet. The Restaurant even suggested making "reservations". It certainly created a "must see" factor. We saved it for our least busy day, thinking it would take us most of the day to see all of the "settlement"...what ever that was...</p><p>Well, when we got there, the parking lot was pretty busy, and a bus had unloaded it's guests and was standing by. Lots of people were walking around...but it took us a bit to figure out <i>what</i> it was we were actually looking at? A town with a hotel? Some ordinary shops (that all seemed closed)? So, we went into the hotel to see if there was a map of sorts to find this "settlement". Turned out that they use the term Settlement: "<i>for their unbelievable menu." </i>...to continue: "<i>Our atmosphere is magical, filled with history, taking you back in time to a slower paced, relaxed setting. Our beautiful gardens and unique gift shops, situated behind the restaurant, all have a story of their own on how they found their way to be a part of what we call Patti's 1880s Settlement." </i>Well, that said, we walked through to the other side and wandered about..."their Settlement". Many of the buildings closed, but cute on the outsides. Nice gardens, Koi pond, Waterwheel, etc. but nothing like advertised. The restaurant seemed nice, big, pretty, but the menu was a bit to heavy for lunch we thought, so we passed it up. Nothing else in town was open, so we left. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADXhU41hMsmvZobJOplcPFx0K8ildC_hM_p0_sSNMjxeZCtRaFf0t1djK3T1GvCK9SttVGyrW_6YI4Xi5zQqMymNFGtV-lASc4AmIsCcSFoCjc0U_2WBgISS5FzdwBJvTtgJhMn85BQ8/s800/PATTI%2527S+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADXhU41hMsmvZobJOplcPFx0K8ildC_hM_p0_sSNMjxeZCtRaFf0t1djK3T1GvCK9SttVGyrW_6YI4Xi5zQqMymNFGtV-lASc4AmIsCcSFoCjc0U_2WBgISS5FzdwBJvTtgJhMn85BQ8/w480-h640/PATTI%2527S+.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Since we had the rest of the day "open", Jack had discovered a bookstore downtown Paducah when he was having the truck serviced called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books-A-Million">Books-A-Million</a> and suggested we go back there so I could check it out. Well, you don't have to ask me twice! Big mistake, big, big mistake...two bags of books later and I sheepishly thanked him for taking me to the store and promised not to spend anymore $$ for awhile! ;-)</p><p>Well, we finally leave Kentucky on Monday and start our trek west. It's been a great visit, but we are ready to roll once again! <br /></p><p>...on the road, Marie<br /></p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/albums/72157717012988911<br /><br />Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-79007973085993757242021-08-05T08:36:00.000-07:002021-08-05T08:36:15.301-07:00Kentucky Kamping...The Good, The Bad and The Relaxing...<p>Kentucky is one of my favorite states to visit. Whenever we are here, the weather has been delightful, clear, sunny (not to hot, not to cold, not humid, not "always" raining), no bugs to annoy us, lots and lots of green grass with long beautiful fencing holding in sleek horses looking back at us as we drive by...ahhh</p><p>What could be better? To be able to stay in <i>one place</i>, actually. You see, "camping" this year has changed a bit...it has gotten more crowded, and thus, reservations are harder and more frustrating to deal with - especially over the weekends. In our prior years of traveling, we used to be able to make reservations days to hours ahead of time. Now, it's months to weeks ahead, and even then it takes several calls to get one location. What I've found in "prime locations" like Kentucky, we've had to move several times - sometimes even in the same campground, just to have a whole week in one spot! </p><p>To add to this equation, we needed to have some work done on our truck and a part had to be ordered...it was supposed to be here two days ago...it's still not here. Oops, there goes our "schedule" full of reservations! That was one of the reasons I always hated traveling that way, it locks you in, then what? </p><p>When I'm not on the computer or the phone working through this maze...I'm enjoying the beauty around me. Jack and I took a lovely drive out into the countryside of Georgetown to look at some barns that had hung "<a href="https://georgetownky.com/buffalo-gals-barn-quilt-trail">barn quilts</a>" on them. We found about a dozen along our drive. Georgetown is outside of Lexington by about 45 minutes, and is a much smaller town. As with most of Kentucky, many of the homes are large, rock or brick stately mansions with beautiful gardens all around them, each one deserving an "Oh my! Look at that! Wow! Oh, how beautiful!" If I took pictures of all of them, I would have hundreds and hundreds, so, I just admire them and drive on.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQymvn8-1SPssgWVUmhALHWvW-qbuytzxDbb8StUDcIClMUSKIQBpxR2emhst-oOP7l74Ek1PNsaxUXfW5NMymxkeBIWk0CiUT4mOzL8kluhrIMzopzzB8JvXDTCoxV1JzaTZwKq5faTU/s800/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQymvn8-1SPssgWVUmhALHWvW-qbuytzxDbb8StUDcIClMUSKIQBpxR2emhst-oOP7l74Ek1PNsaxUXfW5NMymxkeBIWk0CiUT4mOzL8kluhrIMzopzzB8JvXDTCoxV1JzaTZwKq5faTU/w480-h640/Untitled.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p> Additionally, we discovered the <a href="https://lexcem.org/">Lexington Cemetery</a>, established in 1849. What a beautiful old cemetery! While driving through it, we found that it not only had "local" Civil War hero's but a Vice President (John C Breckinridge (1821-1875) as well as a former Speaker of the House (Sen. Henry Clay (1777-1864), but the biggest surprise was Mary Todd Lincoln's family plot - everyone but her - she's with her husband (of course) in Springfield IL. All in all, some incredible and unusual headstones along with beautiful gardens and ponds. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLN71gMlTMoBFBoNxg916cFvhma4piLbsshsrbnjH9xanZHbWG0NtfS3peuO6J6v2CaDR7oubqNc75fhlxnYzdtFYK9e8rje1ETjPv5Gv-fyF0TY1xTMSoyY_pISOWXr6f6lfh-x9RmQ/s800/CEMETARY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLN71gMlTMoBFBoNxg916cFvhma4piLbsshsrbnjH9xanZHbWG0NtfS3peuO6J6v2CaDR7oubqNc75fhlxnYzdtFYK9e8rje1ETjPv5Gv-fyF0TY1xTMSoyY_pISOWXr6f6lfh-x9RmQ/w480-h640/CEMETARY.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Because we have been to Kentucky before and enjoyed several areas of the state, we don't have the need to rush to "go and see" this and that, and that is another reason I wanted to come here for a few weeks - to just <i>relax</i>...sit back, read a book or two...take a walk, or not...call a friend or two...</p><p>So, here we are, under the sunny skies of Kentucky, awaiting the "next turn of events", not quite sure which direction we will be heading - plan A or plan B yet...so, I guess I will just go grab my book and wait and see!</p><p>kicking back in Kentucky, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/ </p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-31715922915905212652021-07-27T16:21:00.000-07:002021-07-27T16:21:55.167-07:00Family Fun...<p> We've been spending time visiting family in Pennsylvania and in New York. Our first stop was to catch Jack's cousin's daughter's wedding in Somerset PA over Independence Holiday weekend. We booked ourselves into a campground near them for the four days and caught up with the family as much as we could. </p><p>It's been two years since we've been back here, so in between all the wedding arrangements, we tried to do as much "catching up" as possible. After the actual wedding, we had a bit more time to spend with other cousins that the guys hadn't seen in years, and ones I hadn't met before, which was really nice. Weddings are always such a fun time to to get together with old and new friends and family; sharing memories, making new ones...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qzcg4SYQqJKQTfFzkTGfAIFqX8vnmos95Roz56L_pNIKwjBUhBStPCfqSJM0fteVCkDfwgKHm4pXguD8z2qx4gmcP47kD2NZYJeLuoHKm91eiRjj9iNXfGIcxbXHejkPJOEKylgt3M0/s800/BREEN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qzcg4SYQqJKQTfFzkTGfAIFqX8vnmos95Roz56L_pNIKwjBUhBStPCfqSJM0fteVCkDfwgKHm4pXguD8z2qx4gmcP47kD2NZYJeLuoHKm91eiRjj9iNXfGIcxbXHejkPJOEKylgt3M0/w480-h640/BREEN.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> Additionally, the bride and groom were going on their honeymoon to locations that Jack and I knew very well (Grand Canyon, Zion & Bryce in Utah) and wanted as much "inside information" as we could give them as neither of them had been outside of Pennsylvania before! Going there in mid-July was going to be quite a different experience for them! I loaded them up with as much "advise" as I could think of! ;-)<p></p><p>I, in turn, learned a couple of new things while here as well! It seems that Western Pennsylvania has a unique wedding tradition called "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_table">The Cookie Table</a>". The brides family (and some) close friends bake the bride's favorite and/or special cookies and bring them to the wedding for the guests to take home in special bags. I "Googled" this, and it seems that this tradition started in the Depression when brides couldn't always afford a wedding cake, so family and friends would bake her favorite cookies, ones maybe she would bake with her Mom or Grandmother, Aunts, etc. and have special meaning/memories for her, and that's what guests would have instead of the cake. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfAk3DEl5AlyXFVfVCezw_pyBhLh4a7PiQPy8X6tUlg0NGjeRKq4RLwYHukqFF3JMHzpCEMB5aNyyMyvFiJrrF18ceho4co1UWZwOe6FMdLA1zYzMVUr9vYY6zdqaqwMoeMqwHJ44_OQ/s800/COOKIES.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfAk3DEl5AlyXFVfVCezw_pyBhLh4a7PiQPy8X6tUlg0NGjeRKq4RLwYHukqFF3JMHzpCEMB5aNyyMyvFiJrrF18ceho4co1UWZwOe6FMdLA1zYzMVUr9vYY6zdqaqwMoeMqwHJ44_OQ/w480-h640/COOKIES.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> The tradition has carried on (including the bridal cake now) and people come to really look forward to the cookies more than the cake! Many, many dozens of cookies, each more beautiful than the next, displayed on tables for the guests to ooh and aah and pack into bags to take home. Most to (almost) to pretty to eat!<p></p><p>The other thing I got to learn, even though I've seen it lots of times, is the game of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornhole">Corn Hole!</a> One night, after a wonderful cookout, the family brought it out and suggested a game. When I said we'd never played, they taught us...and guess what? I won! ...and, of course, I really like the game! lol I told Jack he needs to make us one when we get back home! ;-) </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj2deKuxebYXBPs6fBV-dDuLQDaQ5ezR10ko28FtpkEjAUZid12BDp502UTJhH-xd_u7aFimGfosUMdTljNujT48ND7MrpQ-Ls89FawnX5wIOSuTDsIMu7blphqo68PCflakjy7jGt84/s800/CORN+HOLE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj2deKuxebYXBPs6fBV-dDuLQDaQ5ezR10ko28FtpkEjAUZid12BDp502UTJhH-xd_u7aFimGfosUMdTljNujT48ND7MrpQ-Ls89FawnX5wIOSuTDsIMu7blphqo68PCflakjy7jGt84/w640-h480/CORN+HOLE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>After we left his cousin's, we headed to New York to visit my son and grandchildren. I was able to find a campground only about 15 minutes from my son's farm, so I was happy about that. He works, so we planned it to arrive on a Thursday, so we would have the weekend, then during the week visit with my grandchildren. My grandchildren live with their Mom and are ages 12-20, so old enough now for me to see them one at a time now, which is what I wanted to do this time. </p><p>Meeting up with each of my grandchildren for lunch and ice cream, a hike, a half-day visit, etc. worked out really well. We got to have a nice talk without any of the others competing for attention. Every other time it was always all of them (5 of them) teasing each other, or talking over each other, etc. The oldest is working now as a welder, so we didn't see him, our oldest granddaughter is going off to her first year of college on a full scholarship and wants to be an elementary school teacher; the next grandson is getting his paperwork all ready as he wants to be a pilot, with the last two entering Jr. High and still in Elementary. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9SpWKJUU0ARdSJNY5kj3lYTJ6YIeKIu-ArlXaqJf9E82LZ5BrheMhvGOvzKiaZT2N5-3gBc5NEHcsRknVZ0l2sUXO5vCx5k2pTnK_3WiJopW89uSMc_HTWhbhd2P27NNgrx3H98mV_U/s800/KIDS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9SpWKJUU0ARdSJNY5kj3lYTJ6YIeKIu-ArlXaqJf9E82LZ5BrheMhvGOvzKiaZT2N5-3gBc5NEHcsRknVZ0l2sUXO5vCx5k2pTnK_3WiJopW89uSMc_HTWhbhd2P27NNgrx3H98mV_U/w480-h640/KIDS.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>My son and daughter-in-law just bought two horses, so were super busy with all the challenges that come with that! She was studying to take her state nursing exam (she passed!!) as she just finished getting that degree, besides working full time! Busy, busy people!! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVlxSc2y2Di8eP8PuDRo85oPrrzlIcEIws8tcAE1kMnevUFA-QOQMSwt7r2lXaMPj9KIKNywx-9_FpjfoZr2JxRg-XQfrO3vcYfFqF20uxiFO2x7OQxNCCKJilC6hZtj3EMYYwvdYTs/s800/HORSES.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVlxSc2y2Di8eP8PuDRo85oPrrzlIcEIws8tcAE1kMnevUFA-QOQMSwt7r2lXaMPj9KIKNywx-9_FpjfoZr2JxRg-XQfrO3vcYfFqF20uxiFO2x7OQxNCCKJilC6hZtj3EMYYwvdYTs/w480-h640/HORSES.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I keep telling her how great it would be to take that new nursing license and get an RV and hit the road as a traveling nurse! We have friends who do that, not only enjoy it, but make great money doing it! She's never been out of their tiny, tiny town of Norwich NY! I told my son to start taking her on "vacations" to places (like Florida) so she can actually <i>see</i> what the <i>ocean</i> (among other things) looks like, etc! <br /></p><p>After lots of long, loving hugs, we left there and drove back to Pennsylvania to visit with Jack's sister for a week. This was a nice, relaxing "do nothing" week! His sister <i>spoils</i> him...;-) She knows all his favorite foods, and makes sure he gets them...fresh, hot (right out of the oven) pretzels, cheesesteaks, scrapple, and Birch beer. He was in heaven! We went out to dinner a few times, but he was happiest with his "favorites". He and his brother-in-law Bob did a "guy day" and went to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and viewed all the planes and tanks from WWII to the Vietnam War inside and out. Kathy and I had planned on going to "high tea" at a local tea house, but learned that it had closed...so, instead, we found a lovely restaurant that she had been wanting to try and went there and had a fabulous lunch! The rest of the time, all of us enjoyed relaxing and reading. Some of her friends wanted to talk with us about our travels and our rig, so she invited them over and we had lovely chats with them. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAQuXkHBaFzTSLNhZA6Xv2zQYa0kvVtSkYMLgAwSgBlHnGeTAlnDsJHev38R7uAD0cWdYYopIUabD1jisa59sZ-omldxD2DQD4ARsKzXoqNtP4wANG-2DxaYwR-vn_8Q1vM4WdiGTrr8/s800/KATHY+FAM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAQuXkHBaFzTSLNhZA6Xv2zQYa0kvVtSkYMLgAwSgBlHnGeTAlnDsJHev38R7uAD0cWdYYopIUabD1jisa59sZ-omldxD2DQD4ARsKzXoqNtP4wANG-2DxaYwR-vn_8Q1vM4WdiGTrr8/w480-h640/KATHY+FAM.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>All to soon, our visit with them was up, and time to head on out. Since we didn't get much one-on-one time with Jack's cousin, we decided to come back to John and Linda's for a few days before we ended the "family visits" for now. No kids, just the four of us. First thing we did was go out to a nice, quiet dinner!</p><p>Then, the guys headed out for a full day (just the two of them) to <a href="https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=br%7cpure%7ctest&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgIGr2pqB8gIVmL7ICh3HRAjoEAAYASAAEgJoj_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#" rel="nofollow">Cabela's</a>! They had to drive all the way to WV, but they didn't care, those two "gun and knife enthusiasts" would go hours to somewhere and spend hours there...which they did! ;-) I baked. They did come back to take us ladies to dinner tho! ;-)</p><p>Of course they had to go try out their "new goods" at the gun range the next day...I cooked. ;-) </p><p>Life is good...we are off tomorrow to West Virginia en route to Kentucky for awhile...to sit and relax!!!! </p><p>...on the road, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/ </p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-49595009112235634002021-07-07T12:40:00.001-07:002021-07-07T12:41:25.218-07:00Lazy Days in Lancaster...<p>After our very busy time along the coast searching out all the lighthouses, we drove in-land a bit to the (mostly) <a href="https://www.discoverlancaster.com/amish/history-beliefs/">Amish</a> area of Lancaster PA for a week's break. We had a wedding to attend on July 3rd and knew we would be busy with family outings during that holiday weekend, then after that, on up to NY for more family, and back to PA for even more family, so this was our week to RELAX! </p><p>The day we arrived, Jack had gone out to run a quick grocery errand and when he returned, said, "grab your shoes, and let's go! I've got something to show you!" He was quite excited, so I didn't hesitate, and off we went. When I asked him what it was, all he would say was "just wait and see!" Well, as we went around the corner...<i>there it was! </i> As far as the eye could see, a field full of belongings ready to be auctioned off! It was the "Annual 2-Day Amish Auction" for Lancaster and Bird-In-Hand! Wow! What a sight it was to behold! Tents the size of football fields, holding small stages, with chairs for people to sit and view and bid from; open fields full of merchandise with everything from buggies to signs, to pictures, to forges, to old furniture...you name it, they had it! They had a tent that was all for flowers and plants, one for antiques and quilts, one for buggies and tools and one for handmade crafts. Outside they had auctioneers for every 4 rows, and the rows were <i>long</i>! It went from 8am to 8pm each day. Of course they also had a place to get food and drinks, handmade ice cream and goodies! ;-) </p><p>We bid on several items, but were outbid on all but one, and Jack got his mechanic's roller for only $5, so he was happy! Me, I had fun! What a cool experience! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9PP5LgqV8mBRuoofaTqnnxYZETQDu8KbezztoAimqu4unWCUjb5w6Xh56AqGOgeSZHEU2iW4HY79yyyJvXukZ8kE5TYRQAO-M6-r5vnE5QupXTU7rODev4la580XoCyJslVCAmbKkak/s800/AUCTION.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9PP5LgqV8mBRuoofaTqnnxYZETQDu8KbezztoAimqu4unWCUjb5w6Xh56AqGOgeSZHEU2iW4HY79yyyJvXukZ8kE5TYRQAO-M6-r5vnE5QupXTU7rODev4la580XoCyJslVCAmbKkak/w640-h480/AUCTION.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>One of the days we were there, we decided to take the <a href="https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/">Strassburg Scenic Railway Train.</a> It's just a short 45 minute tour, but a fun way to see the countryside...and we love train tours! It was a lovely sunny day. The train is an Steam Engine (#475) and the railroad was established in 1832 in response to the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad's bypass of Strassburg. It remains the oldest American railroad operating under it's original charter. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B8cjwm3HY7xONXAiGXoFhAxnas9NyaEuveZXnvTlQwnu9qcZws4ev0P1M4ITDz3-0yUy6W-sQuKuFinK-D752nYNow4WYPg0XTYceK4-QKowU4GiT1Bd08gAFM1F6jfEhNJHbFc5GDU/s800/TRAIN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B8cjwm3HY7xONXAiGXoFhAxnas9NyaEuveZXnvTlQwnu9qcZws4ev0P1M4ITDz3-0yUy6W-sQuKuFinK-D752nYNow4WYPg0XTYceK4-QKowU4GiT1Bd08gAFM1F6jfEhNJHbFc5GDU/w640-h480/TRAIN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another fun thing that we did, was go to a old pretzel making factory! Well, where the "original" ones used to be made...;-) <a href="https://juliussturgis.com/">Julius Sturgis</a>, began making pretzels and opened the first commercial pretzel bakery in America in 1861 at the age of 26. It was a family owned and operated business, first with he and his wife and ultimately all 14 children! It is still "family owned", by his grandson, in Reading PA. <br /></p><p>The tour is of the original "old style" way of making the hard pretzels, <i>all by hand until 1953,</i> when the <i>first machine</i> was introduced! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICyM-cXHZj3OQVrbIga6ynqLOnmsdFHOqr-xreyUOy724KxKhDLOiAqER4HWncPg8gSm2mdMlMftSyRDJbOVDkzp0E7UXuFbrNC36Pv1IkszOfhWhc8mPMGtYJXrPSmqdt3GCQYgJSA/s800/PRETZEL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOICyM-cXHZj3OQVrbIga6ynqLOnmsdFHOqr-xreyUOy724KxKhDLOiAqER4HWncPg8gSm2mdMlMftSyRDJbOVDkzp0E7UXuFbrNC36Pv1IkszOfhWhc8mPMGtYJXrPSmqdt3GCQYgJSA/w640-h480/PRETZEL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We got to try our hand at the "art of hand twisting" a pretzel, and then got a certificate for doing so! That was a hoot! Jack's not going to take up that "art" anytime soon though, I can bet....;-)</p><p>They give you a small bag of their hard pretzels at the end and you can purchase a nice warm, hot out of the oven soft pretzel, if you wish - which of course we did - Yum!! Very fun morning, and an interesting tour! </p><p>The rest of the time, we did what we came for, which was a whole lot of RELAXING! We sat back and enjoyed the days, went out to eat the fabulous food, got haircuts at a great barber shop (<i>that</i> was sooo fun!) and just enjoyed "people watching" and the beauty of the landscape! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-WR3BW31THSuBgR9maDJOktXiumdXFTk_vPoDlGaFPwdtqOCtFbVNdajiyv8QRal4zKj5Nts1i4vst2hGZKrkqOwBoHM-T9LKrJo13H98VryhgPX94Uq3eIRFBdNWgtSI47gl5C9GPQ/s800/LANCASTER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-WR3BW31THSuBgR9maDJOktXiumdXFTk_vPoDlGaFPwdtqOCtFbVNdajiyv8QRal4zKj5Nts1i4vst2hGZKrkqOwBoHM-T9LKrJo13H98VryhgPX94Uq3eIRFBdNWgtSI47gl5C9GPQ/w640-h480/LANCASTER.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>All to soon, it was time to leave...in all honesty, I wish we could have stayed another week, the Lancaster area is such a beautiful place, so peaceful and lovely, and this was such a great time of the year to be here.</p><p><br /></p><p>...on the road in Pennsylvania, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/ </p>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8236080252563500918.post-32582977613848443752021-06-22T13:27:00.001-07:002021-06-22T15:59:10.637-07:00Following the Light...<p> Traveling along the coast lends itself to a number of wonderful adventures and "hobbies". One of my hobbies is to collect sand from the various beaches and sand dunes that we visit. I label it and display it on a cute little shelf I have at our home in Arizona. I have sand from all over the US! It's fun to see the various colors and grains disbursed by Mother Nature. </p><p>Of course, by now, it's obvious that my hobby and my passion is photography...That almost goes without saying. I'm really trying to cut down on that. For years I took pictures of <i>everything, </i>multipules of everything, now I tell myself, "one will do just fine", and "I don't really <i>need</i> that". After all, at my age, who's going to want all these when I'm gone? </p><p>One of the things I love to photograph, is lighthouses...and this coastal route just so happen to bring these three wonderful passions together! Lucky me! </p><p>When we entered the coastal area of South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, we hit the jackpot of lighthouses! </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort,_South_Carolina" title=""></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0am7suQiLyLlOg8jXc0Mxp8KAaWnmUbQokodkZ6cld4nNe50sD5-rO6LmrB5ZDIMSRi6GaOWegSVy6q692mzdGebIMrJhVkT6czGxfI3M8p1i2YIW2HUPYxhS61SCBBgVcSVgIvUo5o/s2048/51223602379_257fd027de_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0am7suQiLyLlOg8jXc0Mxp8KAaWnmUbQokodkZ6cld4nNe50sD5-rO6LmrB5ZDIMSRi6GaOWegSVy6q692mzdGebIMrJhVkT6czGxfI3M8p1i2YIW2HUPYxhS61SCBBgVcSVgIvUo5o/w265-h400/51223602379_257fd027de_o.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />Beaufort South Carolina was our first stop to see the <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_Island_Light" title="Hunting Island Light">Hunting Island Light</a>. An 1879, Black and White beauty standing 132' tall. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>When we first got to North Carolina, it started raining, but we didn't let that stop us, once it let up we headed out to<a href="http://www.oakislandlighthouse.org/"> Oak Island</a> to see that lighthouse...little did I expect that we would have to wade through two feet of water to get to it, but my trusty driver and our sweet truck made it through! Glad too, as it was an unusual lighthouse color...three shades of gray! A new lighthouse, completed in 1958, standing 153' tall, but on a rise, so is 169' above the water. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxwkWy0RvynfoOK4lnuEXaYa8MRJsth1N8dmwtTOvWvyvwq_9D1hOHvMPhWA5s-vagUR_kYGPgMxCUd_OROGLQIUjrYaomdNcUVtYGMgDX7i8ykvQxSZi1IIgsNwN7i8pHmE4U6oOzlM/s2048/51230563297_f448004b39_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxwkWy0RvynfoOK4lnuEXaYa8MRJsth1N8dmwtTOvWvyvwq_9D1hOHvMPhWA5s-vagUR_kYGPgMxCUd_OROGLQIUjrYaomdNcUVtYGMgDX7i8ykvQxSZi1IIgsNwN7i8pHmE4U6oOzlM/w400-h265/51230563297_f448004b39_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />North Carolina has the "Outer Banks", or OBX as they are referred to by locals. Three island areas of Dare County span more than 100 miles of sand, water and small towns. Each community seems to have it's own vibe and personality, with a common culture that makes them all Outer Banks. <p></p><p>The Outer Banks are old, ancient even, but they haven't been around forever. All it took was a few thousand years of currents converging offshore to tease them up from the depths, and then a perennial tug-of-war between seasonal winds to groom their shape The grains of sand are forever wandering, but that's a big part of what makes the experience out here feel so alive. We know them as barrier islands because they shield North Carolina's vast estuaries - among the most prolific natural fish nurseries in the world - from the crashing waves of a a sprawling Atlantic Oceans. Not unlike a cradle of arms, holding something delicate. What we are left with are clean, pure beaches in their most natural form. Each rhythmic wave coming to rest after traveling the globe, adding and creating in the surf, lake an artist's brush stroke. A canvas that's never fully completed, always at work. A front seat to Mother Nature in a place that many consider paradise on earth.<br /></p><p>We decided to start at the far end at Hatteras Island and visit <a href="https://www.outerbanks.com/cape-hatteras-lighthouse.html">Cape Hatteras Lighthouse</a> then work our way back. This alone was going to be an all day!<br /></p><p>Few places in America evoke a more powerful sense of nostalgia than Cape Hatteras, which inspired the creation of this country's first <a href="https://www.outerbanks.com/cape-hatteras-national-seashore.html">National Seashore</a>. Cape Hatteras National Seashore opened in 1953 to provide recreational access for the public and to protect pristine nature for all to enjoy. </p><p>Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in America at more than 200 feet tall. It's the most recognized beacon in the world. Built in 1870 and historically moved 2900 linear feet to the southwest (1999). It truly was an experience to go there and well worth the long drive out there...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xeD9GwVz6Kmm3pLPh-3nW6YoWsGff2fN0LXzh42hX8xUswpJhrGP3ey1UUG7i2dVVPoRTelKFfcOFpiP6JzXHG75jD28XnZTi_sCyjHh7e4KdUwB52j_tUHXMH4gsMi8v4DcAqxkkP4/s2048/Marie+at+the+base+of+the+Cape+Hatteras+Lighthouse%252C+Hatteras+Island+NC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xeD9GwVz6Kmm3pLPh-3nW6YoWsGff2fN0LXzh42hX8xUswpJhrGP3ey1UUG7i2dVVPoRTelKFfcOFpiP6JzXHG75jD28XnZTi_sCyjHh7e4KdUwB52j_tUHXMH4gsMi8v4DcAqxkkP4/w265-h400/Marie+at+the+base+of+the+Cape+Hatteras+Lighthouse%252C+Hatteras+Island+NC.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><p><br />Next in line, was the <a href="https://www.outerbanks.com/bodie-island-lighthouse.html">Bodie Island Lighthouse</a>. This pretty Black and White, 1872 lighthouse is the third light to stand in this location on Roanake. While some people (including North Carolinians not from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Banks" title="Outer Banks">Outer Banks</a>) pronounce the name with a long "o" sound, it is traditionally pronounced as <i>body.</i>
Folklore would have you believe it is due to the number of dead sailors
washed ashore from wrecked ships along this portion of the East Coast which has long been known as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graveyard_of_the_Atlantic" title="Graveyard of the Atlantic">Graveyard of the Atlantic</a>
but that is not true. The name is actually derived from the original
name of the area, which was "Bodie's Island" after the Body family who
once owned the land that was a separate <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrier_island" title="Barrier island">barrier island</a> prior to 1811 when Roanoke inlet that separated it from the Currituck Banks to the north closed. She stands at 156' tall.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVa8TtMdIHtQkKGCaTPicAzP8T09GOs4LFtt8Li6jWLzm2X5qR3VviOzVlFhaZMr7Zt-QbnydNSe4KAJKt6RX_D-hPFeXFTEofg8J2e3nTJp3tJrKj27QqJAXGJKZ8ws5vYeGA1l4NfA/s2048/Bodie+Island+Lighthouse%252C+%2528c1848%2529%252C+NC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVa8TtMdIHtQkKGCaTPicAzP8T09GOs4LFtt8Li6jWLzm2X5qR3VviOzVlFhaZMr7Zt-QbnydNSe4KAJKt6RX_D-hPFeXFTEofg8J2e3nTJp3tJrKj27QqJAXGJKZ8ws5vYeGA1l4NfA/w265-h400/Bodie+Island+Lighthouse%252C+%2528c1848%2529%252C+NC.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><p></p><p> Tucked in, almost hidden under one the bridges, was this small "house-looking" light. It had caught my eye when we crossed over it and I wondered about it. When we stopped for lunch, we had the delightful company of a local sitting next to us that chatted with us and when we shared that we were visiting the lighthouses here, he said "don't miss the <a href="https://chicamacomico.org/">Chicamacomico Life Saving Station</a>, it's worth stopping for! <i> It was that cute little "house" I saw!</i> I had to hike up and down and through and around dunes to get even close to that building, and even then I couldn't really get near it! It was down another dune, closed, but still worth the trek! What an interesting building! I guess it was open to the public at one time, it just isn't right now. They are doing work on the bridge next to it, and using the lot for their equipment, so maybe that's why it's closed off. But I got my picture! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhgjP-ZarkhSMoK_5I5iTDzR56mVZacdo4yr4IWV52Y8wrOkhpeKLJ_lH3uptYXGw4ncvhPQ95s5ES8nMv0ZsBZD_o7UeEHppJNXqy9K0vwsyPkI9VmlKzd7zM68CtzwpeTCzIsEDLT8/s2048/Chicamacamico+Life-Saving+Station+%2528c1874%2529%252C+Rodanthe+NC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2048" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhgjP-ZarkhSMoK_5I5iTDzR56mVZacdo4yr4IWV52Y8wrOkhpeKLJ_lH3uptYXGw4ncvhPQ95s5ES8nMv0ZsBZD_o7UeEHppJNXqy9K0vwsyPkI9VmlKzd7zM68CtzwpeTCzIsEDLT8/w400-h265/Chicamacamico+Life-Saving+Station+%2528c1874%2529%252C+Rodanthe+NC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Just before we left the Outer Banks area, was one of the <i>prettiest</i> lights, we thought...maybe because it wasn't painted, but left "natural" with it's bricks showing all red and bright. The <a href="https://www.outerbanks.com/currituck-beach-lighthouse.html">Currituck Beach Light</a> at 162' built in 1875 stands tall and proud. It was closed when we got there, as it was the last of our very long day, but that was alright by us. No crowds to contend with, a nice bench to sit in and look up at her and enjoy, and then the drive home...to rest up and then to map out the next group!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyR7CVGWj5Qj9B4oFupXcuedYlglm7-4ect_JNA1vTbutfEDPokXshPqU6o_CAbwcHhXxvwYTZXV_5WMRxFoXlfI84SiuMJvbFdK66_gLDRjACmb5kkGIhGKlkyKJEJmvxKLtFVYaKTg/s2048/Currituck+Beach+Light+Station+%2528c1875%2529%252C+Corolla+NC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyR7CVGWj5Qj9B4oFupXcuedYlglm7-4ect_JNA1vTbutfEDPokXshPqU6o_CAbwcHhXxvwYTZXV_5WMRxFoXlfI84SiuMJvbFdK66_gLDRjACmb5kkGIhGKlkyKJEJmvxKLtFVYaKTg/w265-h400/Currituck+Beach+Light+Station+%2528c1875%2529%252C+Corolla+NC.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><br />Welcome to Virginia! We booked a full week in Virginia Beach, so now we had lots of time to spend going up and down this coast! ;-) <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiJiasIko9CTRXrtJpteIx1HzU8_d5FG_9KL7WYB-jwKjSyaSIE811L24kaFiOCTi65Vj3LOywmMq9cOvYODYIMJTQ_R9CnyMh8GM487RfqQN_ELRMB339U0Bx2lKWEezRb2Rz_VlW2Y/s2048/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528Old+c1792%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiJiasIko9CTRXrtJpteIx1HzU8_d5FG_9KL7WYB-jwKjSyaSIE811L24kaFiOCTi65Vj3LOywmMq9cOvYODYIMJTQ_R9CnyMh8GM487RfqQN_ELRMB339U0Bx2lKWEezRb2Rz_VlW2Y/s320/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528Old+c1792%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Two lighthouses we had visited before, I will share with you now, are what I call "The Cape Sisters" = They are the Old and the New <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Henry_Lighthouse">Cape Henry Lighthouses</a>. They are almost right next to each other, and look very different from each other! Really kind of funny, I think. "Old" Cape Henry was built in 1792, of brick and was 90' tall. In the 1870s, concerns about the condition and safety of the Old
Lighthouse following a lightning strike that caused large
cracks in the structure led to the construction of a new, taller,
lighthouse at Cape Henry (157 feet) in 1881, which stands
350 feet to the northeast of the original tower. The New Cape Henry is built of cast iron and wrought iron while the Old Cape Henry is octangular truncated pyramid of eight sides. Two very different lights.<p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39JShET9fQoOYRrNRZRDn2mS0Ho2fhbIe-jkGM0fMqyzi2gumgiyZE0p69Vk5_gWlwrx32vO_L1vUTbxjAyxQpCCHmfPcdyYyFk-0bEZHkBMa5-HIkys5nLWI-_BAVp6hgh2aaMew8cM/s2048/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528New+c1881%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39JShET9fQoOYRrNRZRDn2mS0Ho2fhbIe-jkGM0fMqyzi2gumgiyZE0p69Vk5_gWlwrx32vO_L1vUTbxjAyxQpCCHmfPcdyYyFk-0bEZHkBMa5-HIkys5nLWI-_BAVp6hgh2aaMew8cM/s320/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528New+c1881%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Point_Comfort_Light">Old Point Comfort Light</a> is a lighthouse located on the grounds of <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Monroe,_Virginia" title="Fort Monroe, Virginia">Fort Monroe</a> in the Virginia portion of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay" title="Chesapeake Bay">Chesapeake Bay</a>. It is the second oldest light in the bay (and looks it) and the oldest still in use. Records date back to 1775. Upon automation in 1972 the keeper's house was transferred to the U.S. Army, which used it as a dwelling for Fort Monroe's Command Sergeant Major until the fort was closed in 2011.
The lantern is painted in an unusual combination of a red roof and green rails, decking, and walls. The light is still active. It's 53 feet tall. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ-iktMvq7g8R9HMULryPPtxLAC0KJAqdNnnC_CPMfbPJt6FfV8y1J5SKid4hVUKtkpiWNo7MOcjQXgQ6U8aRepInUq1C7nLYS0cDla6D8_5uc75IwOBxIc0evO6jR2LgWViTPGptfqs/s2048/+Old+Point+Comfort+Light+%2528c1802%2529%252C+Fort+Monroe%252C+VA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ-iktMvq7g8R9HMULryPPtxLAC0KJAqdNnnC_CPMfbPJt6FfV8y1J5SKid4hVUKtkpiWNo7MOcjQXgQ6U8aRepInUq1C7nLYS0cDla6D8_5uc75IwOBxIc0evO6jR2LgWViTPGptfqs/w265-h400/+Old+Point+Comfort+Light+%2528c1802%2529%252C+Fort+Monroe%252C+VA.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><p>I was determined to get the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assateague_Light" title="Assateague Light">Assateague Light</a>, if for no other reason than it was one of the "rare" red and white lights! For this, I have paid dearly...having been eaten alive, as I have lost count on how many mosquito bites I have on me! I had no idea I was going to have to trudge through the "jungle" to get to it, So off I went, trusty camera in hand (while Jack sat safely in the RV) and dashed off to see this beauty! Little did I know that I was going to be lunch to thousands of hungry mosquitos en route, to and from the site! Was it worth it? Well...yes, it was...What an absolute beauty she is! Tall, 142', bright red and white stripes, clear away from any obstructions, built in 1833 and looking grand! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy-58rSzfsjZQDTl-vRBjh2gsbhhUS8IX1iCsai3fLz_5_rQGx3s8K_EUql1UKSQrEZIeqENpg1Qq4-80Oee_CMI59vl8Rp31P2gfrbhBdowoHyr8UlT6E2xw47qYtatdzwJFCz6-ZTk/s2048/Assateague++Lighthouse+%2528c1866%2529%252C+Assateague+Island+VA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy-58rSzfsjZQDTl-vRBjh2gsbhhUS8IX1iCsai3fLz_5_rQGx3s8K_EUql1UKSQrEZIeqENpg1Qq4-80Oee_CMI59vl8Rp31P2gfrbhBdowoHyr8UlT6E2xw47qYtatdzwJFCz6-ZTk/w265-h400/Assateague++Lighthouse+%2528c1866%2529%252C+Assateague+Island+VA.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><p>I'm going to slip one more in...just because it's right on the border...just barely over the line from Virginia /Maryland into Delaware, and that's <a href="https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=452">Fenwick Island Light</a>. This was an unusual light, in an unusual spot. It's actually in a neighborhood (along side a mobile home park). There were telephone wires crisscrossing in front of it, houses all along side, odd. I guess they all grew up around it over the years. It was built in 1858, making it the oldest in Delaware. It was automated in 1940 and is 87' tall. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1978 and remained dark for several
years. A public movement to save the lighthouse resulted in ownership
of the lighthouse being transferred to the State of Delaware, and the
lighthouse was relit in 1982.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenwick_Island_Light#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup>
In 1997, after extensive fundraising efforts made it possible, the
rapidly aging lighthouse underwent a full restoration. It was
rededicated in July 1998. The lighthouse is owned by the state of Delaware and maintained by the
private, non-profit New Friends of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. Visitors can enter the base to view a small museum and gift shop. The lighthouse, however, is not open for climbing. I was able to duck around to get a picture without all the wires... <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIDQYRE9W-OABPaF-kMdVDUExSb_lWIz0gkDci7WCPX4qm3KBw18-8UK8J96QDh9oAKdsKncAfuZR_s2AfoPRHFm-b9n-mDNyhEkEEm0cb0kvSzUV8lzf0KdEzCuH0qRIR4tDoRzuHKo/s2048/Fenwick+Island+Lighthouse+%2528c1859%2529%252C++DE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIDQYRE9W-OABPaF-kMdVDUExSb_lWIz0gkDci7WCPX4qm3KBw18-8UK8J96QDh9oAKdsKncAfuZR_s2AfoPRHFm-b9n-mDNyhEkEEm0cb0kvSzUV8lzf0KdEzCuH0qRIR4tDoRzuHKo/w265-h400/Fenwick+Island+Lighthouse+%2528c1859%2529%252C++DE.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><br />From here we are heading away from the coast...so this is probably it for now! Not bad though for just a short time! Quite a collection to add to my list, so I'm happy! I don't see us making this kind of trip again, so this has been a happy highlight for me. I've been a lover of lighthouses for as long as I can remember, so these are very special treasures! <p></p><p>...currently, on the road in Delaware, Marie</p><p>If you would like to see the rest of my photos, you can on my Flickr at https://flickr.com/photos/74905158@N04/ </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9oYNSEyiTThRvo5wUTqFxTFm_g5Wp8_LasXLSo79BKs6_Zy_E42PMoEBc1jxeixlFqDaLatPtS-436V7js-NSLYfW4JYPaB7mGGjh1Kz-vGj7WKUuxIaQbm98JT4CbtECEcIWuc_uws/s2048/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528New+c1881%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9oYNSEyiTThRvo5wUTqFxTFm_g5Wp8_LasXLSo79BKs6_Zy_E42PMoEBc1jxeixlFqDaLatPtS-436V7js-NSLYfW4JYPaB7mGGjh1Kz-vGj7WKUuxIaQbm98JT4CbtECEcIWuc_uws/s2048/Cape+Henry+Lighthouse+%2528New+c1881%2529%252C+Virginia+Beach+VA.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06395848214602558863noreply@blogger.com0