Monday, October 5, 2009
BEACHWOOD ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL
Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying the games at the carnival. They all came home with lots of prizes and had fun on all the rides and slides!
Ricky's 11th Birthday!!!!
Another reason I wanted to visit NJ was to celebrate a very special birthday and to visit with three of my four grandkids. It was a tiring few days that I wouldn't want to change for anything.
All Ricky wanted was for Nana to bake his birthday cake. Me and my cake decorating tips traveled from Illinois to NJ to do just that and a few other things!
When asked what kind of cake he wanted he requested a chocolate cake with Naruto on it. I had no clue what a "naruto" was or how I was going to convert what little information I was to get into a birthday cake. But Ricky came through and provided me with a poster that had a detailed picture of "Naruto" on it. I still don't know who this person is but I guess he was pretty important to my favorite 11 year old!
We shopped, watched movies and went to a school carnival all in the short time that I was able to spend with them. I miss them so much and it was good to see them and spend time with Liz and family.
Here are some pictures of the good times we had. . . .
All Ricky wanted was for Nana to bake his birthday cake. Me and my cake decorating tips traveled from Illinois to NJ to do just that and a few other things!
When asked what kind of cake he wanted he requested a chocolate cake with Naruto on it. I had no clue what a "naruto" was or how I was going to convert what little information I was to get into a birthday cake. But Ricky came through and provided me with a poster that had a detailed picture of "Naruto" on it. I still don't know who this person is but I guess he was pretty important to my favorite 11 year old!
We shopped, watched movies and went to a school carnival all in the short time that I was able to spend with them. I miss them so much and it was good to see them and spend time with Liz and family.
Here are some pictures of the good times we had. . . .
Central Regional HS Class of '69 Reunion
I had decided when I realized that my high school reunion was in September rather than the usual August that I would be going by myself, that is if I was going at all. Whether or not I was going to attend was still up in the air on the Thursday before the reunion. It was a short visit to NJ, did I really want to take time out of visiting with grandkids, family and friends to see people that I hadn't seen since the last reunion? In the end I decided to go. I couldn't even use the excuse I didn't have a ride, one of my classmates picked me up!!!!
It was fun and great to see so many old friends. Everyone talked of retirement and grandkids which only 10 years earlier wasn't even thought about. Many, like me, traveled a long distance. We had classmates come from Hawaii, Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, Florida and Maryland.
We had a graduating class of about 168 considering it is 40 years later the attendance for the evening was pretty good. Someone said that there were about 75 attending, that is pretty amazing.
The evening was fun, informal and I'm so glad I went.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
THE PARENTS
I have been reminded by those near and dear to my heart that I've not blogged in awhile. Well, after looking at the last blog I would have to agree with them. Since Dale and Dick left in August (such a long time ago), my parents have visited Eldred. I didn't take any picture during their visit but I can at least update you on their stay.
I think they had a good time and also realized that I'm pretty happy out here and enjoying my life in Illinois.
We did the usual tour of the farm and equipment and my dad was pretty impressed. I don't know how it happened but when everyone from New Jersey was here for the wedding, Mom and Dad missed the tour bus and didn't get to see the sheds and equipment. This visit we made sure they saw most of everything. We took them on a "crop inspection" tour and I think they went home with two ears of corn and some soybeans of their own.
I was asked by my favorite daughter in law to make lasagne and invite the whole family over for supper while the NJ parents were here. . . of course I thought it was an excellent idea and we had a great time and hopefully my parents got a chance to get to know my family here in Illinois a little better.
Dinner at the Brass Door enabled them to have and enjoy the famous Brass Door porkchops on famous "Port Chop Night" and of course a visit from those back east would not be complete without supper at the Barefoot.
Lastly we took them to Ameristar and my Mom was lucky enough to win $1000 in a slot machine. So I guess her visit to St. Charles was well worth.
The visit was over too quickly and before I knew it they were headed back towards New Jersey with stops in Nashville and Asheville along the way.
Trailor for the next post . . . lots of pictures of my NJ visit, 40th high school class reunion (I can't be that old!) and harvest. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!
I think they had a good time and also realized that I'm pretty happy out here and enjoying my life in Illinois.
We did the usual tour of the farm and equipment and my dad was pretty impressed. I don't know how it happened but when everyone from New Jersey was here for the wedding, Mom and Dad missed the tour bus and didn't get to see the sheds and equipment. This visit we made sure they saw most of everything. We took them on a "crop inspection" tour and I think they went home with two ears of corn and some soybeans of their own.
I was asked by my favorite daughter in law to make lasagne and invite the whole family over for supper while the NJ parents were here. . . of course I thought it was an excellent idea and we had a great time and hopefully my parents got a chance to get to know my family here in Illinois a little better.
Dinner at the Brass Door enabled them to have and enjoy the famous Brass Door porkchops on famous "Port Chop Night" and of course a visit from those back east would not be complete without supper at the Barefoot.
Lastly we took them to Ameristar and my Mom was lucky enough to win $1000 in a slot machine. So I guess her visit to St. Charles was well worth.
The visit was over too quickly and before I knew it they were headed back towards New Jersey with stops in Nashville and Asheville along the way.
Trailor for the next post . . . lots of pictures of my NJ visit, 40th high school class reunion (I can't be that old!) and harvest. Stay tuned!!!!!!!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
VISITORS
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Dale and Dick have left Eldred and are on their way back to Ruckersville, VA. I think a good time was had by ALL of us.
I've posted a picture of Dale feeding the cows and a video of one trying to get some more corn that just wasn't there. They ate and entire bucket of corn, and I mean EVERTHING, they eat the whole thing and just crunch away.
Our guests got to experience Birthday Night at Thirsty's and like everyone else that has been here for the occasion can't believe that people get together and have a covered dish supper in the local "watering hole" Our cooks prepared a fried turkey and there was lots of other things to choose from.
Dale and Dick enjoyed going down to the shed and seeing all the equipment. Denny likes talking about farming so everyone seemed to be in their element.
It is quiet here today and I'm catching up on laundry and cleaning. Enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think.
Dale and Dick have left Eldred and are on their way back to Ruckersville, VA. I think a good time was had by ALL of us.
I've posted a picture of Dale feeding the cows and a video of one trying to get some more corn that just wasn't there. They ate and entire bucket of corn, and I mean EVERTHING, they eat the whole thing and just crunch away.
Our guests got to experience Birthday Night at Thirsty's and like everyone else that has been here for the occasion can't believe that people get together and have a covered dish supper in the local "watering hole" Our cooks prepared a fried turkey and there was lots of other things to choose from.
Dale and Dick enjoyed going down to the shed and seeing all the equipment. Denny likes talking about farming so everyone seemed to be in their element.
It is quiet here today and I'm catching up on laundry and cleaning. Enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
PLANTING 2009
PLANTING 2009
These are the pictures I promised. I went out to ride with Denny while he planted one of the remaining fields early in July. The ground was too wet to spray so it was overgrown with very large weeds. Note they came up to and at times over the top of the tractor. I don't know how he saw his marker line when he was planting.
Bushnell Reunion
Right from church today, Denny and I went to White Hall to attend the "Bushnell Family" reunion which is held this weekend every year. I was a nervous wreck. I knew there was going to be lots of people I had no clue who they were . . . but it was all unfounded. We really did have a good time.
The last time Denny went was one week after we had been matched on Eharmony, everyone remembers him talking about me, some I met at the wedding but most only knew what he knew about me at the time. They were very glad to see that we are happy and that things went well for us.
I'm telling you, (NJ) we have to go through with this plan to get together once a year. It really was fun and you get to catch up on people that you don't know or haven't seen in awhile.
It didn't last very long, started at noon and we were home in Eldred about 3 so it wasn't a long drawn out affair. Everyone seemed to have a good time and the food was delicious.
I'm waiting for Dale and Dick Gallagher to arrive from Virginia tomorrow, I'm sure we will have a great visit. They leave on Thursday. Ricky is on vacation with his Dad's family and the only thing he knew was that on Saturday he was going on an airplane, he thought maybe Florida but no one had told him. They were trying to keep it a surprise.
I'm going to go be a good Baptist and take my Sunday afternoon nap, I've finished cleaning, laudry, etc. so it is TIME!!!!!!
The last time Denny went was one week after we had been matched on Eharmony, everyone remembers him talking about me, some I met at the wedding but most only knew what he knew about me at the time. They were very glad to see that we are happy and that things went well for us.
I'm telling you, (NJ) we have to go through with this plan to get together once a year. It really was fun and you get to catch up on people that you don't know or haven't seen in awhile.
It didn't last very long, started at noon and we were home in Eldred about 3 so it wasn't a long drawn out affair. Everyone seemed to have a good time and the food was delicious.
I'm waiting for Dale and Dick Gallagher to arrive from Virginia tomorrow, I'm sure we will have a great visit. They leave on Thursday. Ricky is on vacation with his Dad's family and the only thing he knew was that on Saturday he was going on an airplane, he thought maybe Florida but no one had told him. They were trying to keep it a surprise.
I'm going to go be a good Baptist and take my Sunday afternoon nap, I've finished cleaning, laudry, etc. so it is TIME!!!!!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
ON THE WAY HOME!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Left Canon City early this evening and arrived at Wichita, Kansas at about 7 pm. It was a long day but when vacation is over, sometimes all you want to do is get home to family and friends. I also hear that my kitties are very melancoly and want us home too.
We took a "scenic byway" all the way and I enjoyed every bit of it. Denny crop inspected and decided that some of their corn (there wasn't much) looked pretty good, but alot looked like it had been hailed on at some point.
We drove through Greensburg, Kansas, the town that is being rebuilt after a tornado. I looked for Leo DeCaprio but didn't see him helping, I guess because it was Sunday!!!!! The town looks like it is coming along and there are many signs of support both financially and emotionally from big business and locals. It is also the town that is famous for the "Largest Hand Dug Well" but we didn't stop, bummer!!!!
Many, many HUGE feedlots, almost in every town. Didn't smell too bad so they must have done something to neutralize it or the wind was just blowing the other way, either way I was thankful.
Denny snapped a picture of one of the bigger ones. I will post it on this blog. We stopped in Dodge City and I was a little disappointed. Wanted to see "Boot Hill" and was told the cemetary in the "historic" area is just for show that all the bodies had been moved years ago to the town cemetary. What a bummer. Then they told us no one famous had ever been buried there . . . oh well another myth shot down. It was interesting and they had some really neat displays including one of Marshall Dillon and the whole Gunsmoke" tv series.
We went to the local saloon and Denny had a beer and I had a sassfrarilla (sp) can't spell it but it tasted like root beer, it had a Boot Hill label so that is what I paid for!!!! Then like everyone we "got the heck out of Dodge!"
We will be home some time tomorrow. It will be another 7-8 hour drive with not too many stops.
It has been fun and I would recommend that if anyone can, they should go out west and see the beautiful country. Pictures don't do it justice. Last night we watched Family Vacation and recognized many of the shots as places that we had just driven through.
Can't wait to get home. See you all soon.
Left Canon City early this evening and arrived at Wichita, Kansas at about 7 pm. It was a long day but when vacation is over, sometimes all you want to do is get home to family and friends. I also hear that my kitties are very melancoly and want us home too.
We took a "scenic byway" all the way and I enjoyed every bit of it. Denny crop inspected and decided that some of their corn (there wasn't much) looked pretty good, but alot looked like it had been hailed on at some point.
We drove through Greensburg, Kansas, the town that is being rebuilt after a tornado. I looked for Leo DeCaprio but didn't see him helping, I guess because it was Sunday!!!!! The town looks like it is coming along and there are many signs of support both financially and emotionally from big business and locals. It is also the town that is famous for the "Largest Hand Dug Well" but we didn't stop, bummer!!!!
Many, many HUGE feedlots, almost in every town. Didn't smell too bad so they must have done something to neutralize it or the wind was just blowing the other way, either way I was thankful.
Denny snapped a picture of one of the bigger ones. I will post it on this blog. We stopped in Dodge City and I was a little disappointed. Wanted to see "Boot Hill" and was told the cemetary in the "historic" area is just for show that all the bodies had been moved years ago to the town cemetary. What a bummer. Then they told us no one famous had ever been buried there . . . oh well another myth shot down. It was interesting and they had some really neat displays including one of Marshall Dillon and the whole Gunsmoke" tv series.
We went to the local saloon and Denny had a beer and I had a sassfrarilla (sp) can't spell it but it tasted like root beer, it had a Boot Hill label so that is what I paid for!!!! Then like everyone we "got the heck out of Dodge!"
We will be home some time tomorrow. It will be another 7-8 hour drive with not too many stops.
It has been fun and I would recommend that if anyone can, they should go out west and see the beautiful country. Pictures don't do it justice. Last night we watched Family Vacation and recognized many of the shots as places that we had just driven through.
Can't wait to get home. See you all soon.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
ON THE ROAD!!!
August 1, 2009, Saturday
Left the lovely Navajo town of Kayenta at 7 or 8 am. We still didn't exactly know what time it was. . .but I guess it didn't matter. Headed down Route 163 toward Monument Valley. Monument Valley was almost as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Different and unusual, I could see the ghosts of John Wayne, Randolf Scott and Joel McCrea riding off into the sunset. Monument Valley is a sight that everyone should see in their lifetime.
We drove from Arizona, back into Utah then into Colorado. Crossed the mountains at Wolf Creek Pass at a height of over 9,000. I like to look but I don't think I would be comfortable driving on those kinds of roads.
We stopped at Royal Gorge Bridge toward the end of the day. I thought we were just going to go over a bridge and nearly had a heart attack when I saw how much it cost to get in. . . but the price included an amusement park, incline train ride and many other attractions. We drove over the bridge which is over 1200 feet above the Arkansas River. When I saw the bridge was wood planks I about died. People walking on the bridge, cars trying to drive over it in both directions and not enough room for all of it. Looking down was not an option.
We took the incline train ride to the bottom of the gorge and were talking to the Mennonite family from Arkansas, in front of us. Eight kids and the oldest boy, (he was really a young man) liked to talk (alot) so we chatted the whole time in line and down the train. Found out they are on a family vacation and are heading to Illinois for a family reunion in Roodhouse. Could not believe it!!!!
Walking across the bridge was even worse than driving across. I couldn't stand the bouncing of the bridge from the cars going across, the wind and the people. I got less than a quarter of the way and chickened out. The bridge swayed, bounced and the wooden planks popped up as cars drove over them. I think I was justified in being a chicken!!! Denny, the brave man that he is walked to the middle and took all the pictures from the bridge.
We are off to Dodge City, Kansas tomorrow, staying in Wichita for the night and hopefully should be back in Eldred on Monday, late afternoon or early evening.
Left the lovely Navajo town of Kayenta at 7 or 8 am. We still didn't exactly know what time it was. . .but I guess it didn't matter. Headed down Route 163 toward Monument Valley. Monument Valley was almost as beautiful as the Grand Canyon. Different and unusual, I could see the ghosts of John Wayne, Randolf Scott and Joel McCrea riding off into the sunset. Monument Valley is a sight that everyone should see in their lifetime.
We drove from Arizona, back into Utah then into Colorado. Crossed the mountains at Wolf Creek Pass at a height of over 9,000. I like to look but I don't think I would be comfortable driving on those kinds of roads.
We stopped at Royal Gorge Bridge toward the end of the day. I thought we were just going to go over a bridge and nearly had a heart attack when I saw how much it cost to get in. . . but the price included an amusement park, incline train ride and many other attractions. We drove over the bridge which is over 1200 feet above the Arkansas River. When I saw the bridge was wood planks I about died. People walking on the bridge, cars trying to drive over it in both directions and not enough room for all of it. Looking down was not an option.
We took the incline train ride to the bottom of the gorge and were talking to the Mennonite family from Arkansas, in front of us. Eight kids and the oldest boy, (he was really a young man) liked to talk (alot) so we chatted the whole time in line and down the train. Found out they are on a family vacation and are heading to Illinois for a family reunion in Roodhouse. Could not believe it!!!!
Walking across the bridge was even worse than driving across. I couldn't stand the bouncing of the bridge from the cars going across, the wind and the people. I got less than a quarter of the way and chickened out. The bridge swayed, bounced and the wooden planks popped up as cars drove over them. I think I was justified in being a chicken!!! Denny, the brave man that he is walked to the middle and took all the pictures from the bridge.
We are off to Dodge City, Kansas tomorrow, staying in Wichita for the night and hopefully should be back in Eldred on Monday, late afternoon or early evening.
Friday, July 31, 2009
VEGAS BABY!!!!!
We arrived at Planet Hollywood on Monday noon, waited in line for 45 minutes only to find out that we were considered VIP and didn't have to wait in the line!!! Why do they always tell you those things AFTER you have stood in line??? Then I had to wait in another line to get my "freebies" for being a VIP. I'm still trying to figure out if it was worth it all!!!
Any way our room was very classy, with all kinds amenities. We were on the 20th floor and very comfortable. Well as comfortable as you can be with a picture of David Hasslehoff and two Baywatch babes looking over your bed! I'm talking BIG pictures not little 8 x 10 pictures. They also had a huge picture of two of the babes in the bathroom over the soaking tub, why would you put that kind of picture over a tub? A signed speedo bathing suit in one of the end tables and a Baywatch, suit hanging on the wall. I guess that is one of the drawbacks of staying in a hotel that is totally "hollywood" orientated.
Monday afternoon they had all kinds of areas roped off in the casino and lobby and it only took me about an hour to figure out that they were filming the TV series "CSI" at the hotel that day. I got to watch the whole scene that they were shooting. Saw, Jerry Bruckheimer, Marge Hellgenberg and the guy that plays the detective. Watch for the scene next season when she is handed a ring by an oriental guy at the craps table. When she looks up after he leaves, she was looking right at me. I was so impressed. Denny was not and didn't even know who or what CSI was . . . my phone was useless, couldn't take one picture cause I had dropped it at the Grand Canyon and all it says now is, "busy try later" Phone works but not the camera.
One gentlemen that works at the hotel was talking about his morning, telling us and everyone else in ear shot that he went out to get his morning paper at his home and saw nothing but helicopters, DEA agents, Cops and anyone else that was involved in the raid on Michael Jackson's doctor's home. This employee lived in the same area as the doctor and he said it was a mad house at 6:20 in the morning.
That was all in the first morning and afternoon!!!! Isn't Vegas exciting?????
Saw Cirque de Soilei at Treasure Island on Monday night. It was a very good show. Great costumes, colors, and performers. You didn't know where to look and the time went by very fast. It was funny, and very entertaining well worth the price of the ticket.
Tuesday we took a walk. I wanted to see the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor. What a walk, 114 degree weather. It was so hot you could see the heat coming up from the street, the sidewalks were hot to walk on and you could not touch the railings on any stairs or escalators. BUT it was a dry heat. Denny says it was so DRY he didn't break out a sweat. ME, 114 is hot whether it is dry or wet. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. Not one day got below 112. Oh yeah, and when we got to the Luxor the line for the tickets was about an hour long so the nice walk in the very dry 114 degree weather was a bust!!!
We finally wised up and took the bus to downtown. Wanted to experience the "Fremont Street Experience" It was so HOT under that canopy that you felt like you were in a furnace. But the light show was good and so was dinner. I also found the "old" lighted signs from years gone by interesting. I guess they have a whole museum just with the old neon signs from Vegas during it's heyday. The bus ride back to the hotel was long. Traffic was awful and we finally got off a few blocks from Planet Hollywood and walked in the HOT weather even at 10pm. It must have cooled off to about 99.
Vegas is HOT (just a reminder in case you didn't understand from the paragraph above), crowded and noisy. I really missed my quiet corn fields. The shows were exciting, the food good, but expensive and the hotel stay was worth the noise and crowds. We met some very nice people and enjoyed our stay very much.
Today - July 31, 2009
We left Vegas and headed north to Zion National Park. We did the scenic route, got to the entrance to the park and were surprised to learn that today was their 100th BD and we didn't have to pay the $25 fee to enter the National Park. Woo Hoo!!!! It was a beautiful drive lots of hairpin curves, no barriers along the road and very pretty scenery. They even have a 1.1 mile tunnel in the mountain and that was pretty cool.
We stopped at Lake Powell and saw the dam and the marina. The ranger was telling us that the lake is 58 feet lower this year than last. Same at Hoover Dam you could see how much lower the water was just since the last time we were there. It didn't stop the boats or the people going to the lake and it was very pretty nestled in the mountains.
We are now resting in a Best Western outside Monument Valley. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We have reservations in Canon City, CO tomorrow night so we are talking about a 7-8 hour drive through the mountains.
I will try to put up some pictures. We didn't take any in Vegas, but took alot today on the drive to Kayenta, AZ. Oh and just in case you haven't finished laughing about the mix up with the time zones, it does get better. Kayenta is on a Navajo Indian Reservation and guess what they don't follow what the rest of Arizona does so their time is different than the rest of the state. We are STILL an hour behind the times. I don't think we will ever get the time straight.
Any way our room was very classy, with all kinds amenities. We were on the 20th floor and very comfortable. Well as comfortable as you can be with a picture of David Hasslehoff and two Baywatch babes looking over your bed! I'm talking BIG pictures not little 8 x 10 pictures. They also had a huge picture of two of the babes in the bathroom over the soaking tub, why would you put that kind of picture over a tub? A signed speedo bathing suit in one of the end tables and a Baywatch, suit hanging on the wall. I guess that is one of the drawbacks of staying in a hotel that is totally "hollywood" orientated.
Monday afternoon they had all kinds of areas roped off in the casino and lobby and it only took me about an hour to figure out that they were filming the TV series "CSI" at the hotel that day. I got to watch the whole scene that they were shooting. Saw, Jerry Bruckheimer, Marge Hellgenberg and the guy that plays the detective. Watch for the scene next season when she is handed a ring by an oriental guy at the craps table. When she looks up after he leaves, she was looking right at me. I was so impressed. Denny was not and didn't even know who or what CSI was . . . my phone was useless, couldn't take one picture cause I had dropped it at the Grand Canyon and all it says now is, "busy try later" Phone works but not the camera.
One gentlemen that works at the hotel was talking about his morning, telling us and everyone else in ear shot that he went out to get his morning paper at his home and saw nothing but helicopters, DEA agents, Cops and anyone else that was involved in the raid on Michael Jackson's doctor's home. This employee lived in the same area as the doctor and he said it was a mad house at 6:20 in the morning.
That was all in the first morning and afternoon!!!! Isn't Vegas exciting?????
Saw Cirque de Soilei at Treasure Island on Monday night. It was a very good show. Great costumes, colors, and performers. You didn't know where to look and the time went by very fast. It was funny, and very entertaining well worth the price of the ticket.
Tuesday we took a walk. I wanted to see the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor. What a walk, 114 degree weather. It was so hot you could see the heat coming up from the street, the sidewalks were hot to walk on and you could not touch the railings on any stairs or escalators. BUT it was a dry heat. Denny says it was so DRY he didn't break out a sweat. ME, 114 is hot whether it is dry or wet. It was HOT, HOT, HOT. Not one day got below 112. Oh yeah, and when we got to the Luxor the line for the tickets was about an hour long so the nice walk in the very dry 114 degree weather was a bust!!!
We finally wised up and took the bus to downtown. Wanted to experience the "Fremont Street Experience" It was so HOT under that canopy that you felt like you were in a furnace. But the light show was good and so was dinner. I also found the "old" lighted signs from years gone by interesting. I guess they have a whole museum just with the old neon signs from Vegas during it's heyday. The bus ride back to the hotel was long. Traffic was awful and we finally got off a few blocks from Planet Hollywood and walked in the HOT weather even at 10pm. It must have cooled off to about 99.
Vegas is HOT (just a reminder in case you didn't understand from the paragraph above), crowded and noisy. I really missed my quiet corn fields. The shows were exciting, the food good, but expensive and the hotel stay was worth the noise and crowds. We met some very nice people and enjoyed our stay very much.
Today - July 31, 2009
We left Vegas and headed north to Zion National Park. We did the scenic route, got to the entrance to the park and were surprised to learn that today was their 100th BD and we didn't have to pay the $25 fee to enter the National Park. Woo Hoo!!!! It was a beautiful drive lots of hairpin curves, no barriers along the road and very pretty scenery. They even have a 1.1 mile tunnel in the mountain and that was pretty cool.
We stopped at Lake Powell and saw the dam and the marina. The ranger was telling us that the lake is 58 feet lower this year than last. Same at Hoover Dam you could see how much lower the water was just since the last time we were there. It didn't stop the boats or the people going to the lake and it was very pretty nestled in the mountains.
We are now resting in a Best Western outside Monument Valley. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We have reservations in Canon City, CO tomorrow night so we are talking about a 7-8 hour drive through the mountains.
I will try to put up some pictures. We didn't take any in Vegas, but took alot today on the drive to Kayenta, AZ. Oh and just in case you haven't finished laughing about the mix up with the time zones, it does get better. Kayenta is on a Navajo Indian Reservation and guess what they don't follow what the rest of Arizona does so their time is different than the rest of the state. We are STILL an hour behind the times. I don't think we will ever get the time straight.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
You know those emails you get about stupid people calling tech support about their computers? Well you can add me to the list. I told you that I called US Cellular and wanted to know why our cell phones went to Pacific time instead of Mountain time . . . . .Duh, we found out today when we arrived at the Grand Canyon (an hour early) and after reading the little article about "What Time is It?" We found out that Arizona doesn't adhere to Daylights Savings Time. So for the last two days we have been an hour behind whatever time we thought it was. . . . Gee no wonder the restaurants weren't crowded!!!!! It also means we probably left Flagstaff at about 6 am this AM!!!!!!
We now have our watches and our minds set to the right time and are functioning at an almost normal level. Boy it is really scary when my "Polish" comes out unexpectedly.
The Grand Canyon was breathtaking. You loose any conception of how far away things are, how big it is and how far it is to the bottom. We looked at the rapids (one of the pictures below) and it looked like a stream but the waves in the rapids were 10 feet and the drop in the river was over 30. Denny read in the same newspaper that we learned we were an hour behind, that it was over 21 miles from one rim to the other side and over a mile to the bottom!!!!
It took the health nuts almost all day to walk the 7 miles from the first lookout we saw to Hermits Point. We know this because every once in awhile you would see them walking the paths or at one of the lookouts. I don't have to tell you we didn't walk. They had a free shuttle bus and we used it, but my little pedometer says we walked almost 4 miles today. The rangers give good advice and tell those adventuresome hikers don't expect to walk to the bottom or around the rim in one day. Allow 1/3 of your time to get down and at least 2/3 of your time to get back up. I liked the shuttle got to see just as much if not more than the hikers.
We had sun screen with us and on but both of us got sunburned. Denny didn't have a hat, his head is okay but he forgot to put the sunscreen on his forehead and the tops of his feet so they are now bright red!!!! I got a little on my arms and that was about it. It was very hot and I was surprised that they didn't have water available. Of course, I didn't have any so we were very glad when we finally made it to Hermits Point and were able to get water.
It took us all day to see the 7 miles of the shuttle at the south rim. Hopefully if we have time after we leave Vegas we may try to see some of the North Rim on the way home.
We still have Ravens following us and I almost walked into a deer that I didn't see. The guy across the way kept saying, "deer, deer" and I just kept walking. Denny finally grabbed my arm and I saw the thing. I guess I wouldn't make a very good hunter!!!!!! I've uploaded a picture for you to see.
Not very many Americans are vacationing (at least not out here) most of the people were Eastern Europeans (I could tell Toni) and alot of French speaking people, probably from Quebec. Today was the first time we saw crowds and full parking lots. But we really didn't have to wait too long for the buses. So it was a very good day.
Lloyd I saw one plaque with a Bible verse on it and it was at Hermits Point right outside the gift shop. There may have been more but we didn't see them.
We are now in Williams, cute little town right on Historic Route 66 and tomorrow we are off to Vegas. Haven't decided how we are going. May take a two hour side trip to Lake Havasu, but we aren't sure yet.
Jackie and Cindy, hope you both have a good week at VBS.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
July 25, 2009
We are still in Flagstaff. Haven't a clue what we will do today, but I'm sure we will find something.
Karen, my catsitter and neighbor called. . . seems our garage door was opened this AM. I had left the opener on the table for John to use next week when he mows the lawn for us. Guess, Jerry decided to play with it and opened the door sometime early this AM. He is such a bad kitty.
Postcards should be arriving soon to all family members. I didn't say much but the pictures are pretty. I know that is getting old but it really is very pretty and each place is unique and different.
Nothing else new or exciting . . .
Decided we are heading south to Sedona and maybe some canyon down that way. We are a little screwed up here. Our watches are on mountain time and our cell phones have decided they like Pacific time better. Same thing happened to mine on the cruise my phone kept changing time zones for no reason. I'm going to have to check this out with US Cellular.
Talk with you all later.
We are still in Flagstaff. Haven't a clue what we will do today, but I'm sure we will find something.
Karen, my catsitter and neighbor called. . . seems our garage door was opened this AM. I had left the opener on the table for John to use next week when he mows the lawn for us. Guess, Jerry decided to play with it and opened the door sometime early this AM. He is such a bad kitty.
Postcards should be arriving soon to all family members. I didn't say much but the pictures are pretty. I know that is getting old but it really is very pretty and each place is unique and different.
Nothing else new or exciting . . .
Decided we are heading south to Sedona and maybe some canyon down that way. We are a little screwed up here. Our watches are on mountain time and our cell phones have decided they like Pacific time better. Same thing happened to mine on the cruise my phone kept changing time zones for no reason. I'm going to have to check this out with US Cellular.
Talk with you all later.
Friday, July 24, 2009
July 24, 2009 Flagstaff, AR
We arrived at Flagstaff around 5 this evening. It was a tiring day but we saw lots of beautiful places and things. The Painted Desert was really pretty and very colorful for a desert. I didn't expect to see all the different colors. The Peterified Forest was neat too. We pulled over at every spot to look and see. Each one was different and worth the effort. It is hard to believe that they were once trees. There are no people out here. I was very surprised at the lack of cars. The one picture of just Denny's truck in the parking lot is not a trick picture as we were leaving the area one other car drove in . . .
I think we are staying in Flagstaff for 2 days with the hopes of making it to the Grand Canyon on Sunday. There seems to be lots of things to do around here so we will do that stuff tomorrow.
We are both having a good time, missing home and the cats but they are being well cared for and probably getting even more spoiled than we spoil them.
Enjoy the pictures, we took lots more. Can't wait to show them off.
We arrived at Flagstaff around 5 this evening. It was a tiring day but we saw lots of beautiful places and things. The Painted Desert was really pretty and very colorful for a desert. I didn't expect to see all the different colors. The Peterified Forest was neat too. We pulled over at every spot to look and see. Each one was different and worth the effort. It is hard to believe that they were once trees. There are no people out here. I was very surprised at the lack of cars. The one picture of just Denny's truck in the parking lot is not a trick picture as we were leaving the area one other car drove in . . .
I think we are staying in Flagstaff for 2 days with the hopes of making it to the Grand Canyon on Sunday. There seems to be lots of things to do around here so we will do that stuff tomorrow.
We are both having a good time, missing home and the cats but they are being well cared for and probably getting even more spoiled than we spoil them.
Enjoy the pictures, we took lots more. Can't wait to show them off.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)