Onward through the Rockies

After our night at the Red Lion, we headed East again to our next destination:  Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.  But first we put in many miles through southern Idaho and we kept encountering the Snake River (or it's tributaries).  Finally after many miles we came down into the Jackson Hole valley. Our mouth's dropped open as we viewed the gigantic mountains of the Grand Teton's which arise from the valley floor to over 13,000 ft. to tower above.  We took our time:  Went to the visitor's center, had a nice lunch at a picnic area and took a hike by a lovely little lake.  Even though there was thunder, lightning and rain, we didn't let it dampen our spirits.  We then drove the short distance from Grand Teton Park to the south entrance of Yellowstone.  We expected big crowds, but were delighted to find we were often the only car on the road.  We didn't have time to drive the inner loop where all the big attractions are, but we drove around Yellowstone lake and saw waterfalls, geysers and bubbling sulfuric pools.  It was an amazing journey.  Finally we reached our home for the night, The Kings Inn in Cody Wyoming.

The Snake River

First view of the Teton's

Kissing a moose at the visitors center

Mts looming over the visitors center

String Lake

Hiking in the rain
String lake

Yellowstone lake

A Falls in Yellowstone 

Bubbling sulfuric mud
Yellowstone lake
The long and winding road 



The owner of the hotel was proud of all the African animals he shot. The lobby was full of stuffed trophies. Disturbing. 

On the Road Again

Jeff and I are ready for a road trip. We gave a great party, entertained a guest, and did lots of chores. Jeff even made me an obelisk for a rose I planted that turned out to be a climber.  So we left the day to day responsibilities to our nephew Nick and headed out across the US of A. Our ultimate destination remains unknown..... maybe Maine but in between we have miles to travel, fun to have and people to see. 

We started out on Tuesday with the goal of staying with brother and sis Jon and Sharon at their beautiful property in Central Oregon. We took the long way as usual and enjoyed a leisurely drive over the McKenzie pass 

Flowers in the way



Dee wright observatory 

A long way down 

Two of the sisters (the mts not us)




Sharon's hollyhocks 


The sunset from the back porch

After a great night of dinner and conversation we got an early start for a long drive to Twin Falls ID. Many miles later (410 to be exact) we gratefully pulled into the Red Lion. Our first room had a smoker in it last night so we changed to one that smelled better, went out to Italian and made plans to see two national parks tomorrow--Grand Teton and Yellowstone. More tomorrow (yawn)

At the mall in Boise where we had to buy a charger for the camera
Sweet sleep at last

The Vacation that Wasn't--Kauai

Back in the spring of 2016, I decided that we had to have an incentive to get through all the construction we were anticipating.  So I booked a trip to Kauai, Hawaii for November.  In the fall when I started back to work, I was particularly happy to think about my soon to be tropical get-away.  Then, when the time changed and the dark and rain closed in, I knew it would only be a couple of weeks and I would be basking in the sun with my sweetie. 

Then I got sick.  Scratchy throat, leading to cough, leading to fever, runny nose, sneezing and feeling like crap.  We were supposed to leave on Thursday night, and I had to take Monday and Tuesday off I was so sick.  Then Jeff started to cough.  I knew he had it too.  On Wednesday night it hit him.  Thursday morning he went to the Dr., was told it was a virus and got permission to fly.  I was determined that nothing would stop us from getting to the sun and warmth of Hawaii.  We gathered our strength and packed our bags and headed for Portland Thursday night

Slowly but surely Friday morning, we caught the shuttle and braved the security line and got on the plane and got on another plane and rented a rental car and got groceries.  It was just getting dark as we left the Safeway, exhausted, but eager to find our condo.  About 45 minutes later, up and down hills, down some of the most winding narrow highways I have ever been on and over 7 one-way bridges, we found the Hanalei Colony Inn.  It was raining but at least not cold.  I sat on the lanai and thanked God that we had made it safely. 

That was about the happiest I was on the whole trip.  Except for one day, it rained and stormed continuously.  It wasn't cold, but it was gloomy.  Jeff got sicker and I got sick again.  The pool was too cold, the spa too small and we soon regretted the lack of a television and got total cabin fever.  We wanted to see the scenery, but it was blocked by mist, fog and rain.  The beach was narrow, the water rough and we had to cancel our eagerly anticipated activities.  By Wednesday night, Jeff flipped out.  He could stand it no longer.  He had had enough.  He called the airlines and by pleading and bullying and crying, got them to change our tickets to Friday instead of Sunday.  I kissed his feet in gratitude.  We packed our bags and were out of there like a shot on Friday morning.  As the sun shone down,   we saw scenery for the first time, even though we had driven by it at least eight times, I had no regrets as the plane took off, I just wanted to get home. 

Now, with a couple of weeks of perspective and hindsight being 20/20, I can see a little of the humor of the situation.  But not much.  At least we are almost completely recovered from our bug and we have optimistically booked another vacation.  This time for Palm Springs in March. 

Here are some of the pictures we took of the North Shore of Kauai. 

Selfie on our beach

The walkway to our condo

The beach on the one day it didn't rain

The lanai where I took refuge and watched the waves, wind and birds

Brave workers fixing the roof

Haena Beach lifeguard station.  It was about 2 miles further down the road

Haena Beach

Even saw a surfer

There are wild chickens all over Kauai

And shave ice stands

Hanalei Bay

The pier at Hanalei Bay

It says "No Diving"

Bird on the pier

Stand up paddler in Hanalei Bay

Church in Hanlei

Our one sunset

Mostly cloudy every day

Storm hits the condo complex

As we were leaving the sun came out

Big smile about going home.