On the Move

Speed Tour

2011-08-09T22:35:00.006-04:00

Day Three- Monday

We all decided that we would check out head home today. Almost 22 year old wanted to get ready for his Gatlinburg adventure and VacationGirl wanted to get home to prop up the Chicago softball-sized ankles and ice everything down.

But before we left....

We had to go back to The Original Pancake House. We HAD to try the Apple Pancake. VacationGirl opted to order a half order of good old buttermilk pancakes and just sample Dear Husband's Apple Pancake. And WOW Oh WOW - it was so good.

After another incredible breakfast, we checked out and headed North to see the B'hai Temple. One of the most beautiful buildings that VacationGirl has ever seen. She used to go there a lot when she lived in Chicago and just walk around the grounds. Unfortunately, there was a lot of construction so no pictures.

From there, we drove down Sheridan Ave through Skokie and out of the blue, a lighthouse popped up. Who knew? Of course, we had to check it out. It is the Evanston Grosse Point Lighthouse.

After walking around the lighthouse and the beach, we drove down to Adler Planetarium - to show Almost 22 Year Old the view of the city from there. It is one of the best places to take pictures of Chicago. I wish it hadn't been raining the night before - I would have loved some night pictures. But I got a few good ones in the daylight.

Back to the highway - of course I94 was bumper to bumper but we finally made it to Indiana - our next stop was the Cabela's in Hammond, Indiana. VacationGirl just doesn't get the attraction - it must be a guy thing.

The trip home was slow. We had some nasty rain from just north of Indianapolis all the way home. And to top it off, the construction on I465 East was horrible - and of course, we hit it right at rush hour. Couldn't have timed it better if we tried. But we did make it home around 8 est, unpacked, and collapsed.

It was a full weekend but a fun weekend. VacationGirl needs to go back when she can walk better! It will always be my favorite city!

See ya next time.

Chicago Sized Softballs

2011-08-07T19:25:00.007-04:00

Day two in the Windy City.

VacationGirl woke up to sunshine and fluffy white clouds. Wait ~ THAT is not the typical Couch family vacation. We're used to fog, rain, and weather that generally makes for horrible pictures.

Maybe our luck is changing???

HAHAHA!

Directly across from the Sutton Place Hotel is "the Original Pancack House" It sounded more appealing than over-priced hotel breakfasts so we headed over. Of course there was a line but we were assured by the friendly people waiting with us that the food 'was worth the wait'. Hmmm???

They were NOT wrong.

The Pancake House features an Apply Pancake that, according to them menu, is oven baked with fresh-sliced apples and pur cinnamon sugar glaze. Well, let me tell you - we saw one coming out of the kitchen and I have NEVER seen a pancake so big. It's actually a souffle so it does drop a little but it was at least 12 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall. GEEZ! It would seriouly take 3 people to eat that thing. Dear Husband and VacationGirl opted for the Dutch Baby ~ an oven baked German pancake with strawberries. This thing was huge too. (VacationGirl didn't even make it half-way) and it is very rich. Loaded with eggs, you can taste them with every bite. Almost 22 year old opted for plain old buttermilk pancakes but he said they were incredible.

As we were eating we looked up and the sky turned an ugly dark color and sure enough, the skys opened up and it poured! Ah, now this is the type of weather we expect.

We made a break for it to run back across the street to the hotel, but we were all drenched by the time we got there. Of course, two people ran. One hobbled back with her cane. Oh What Fun!

We hung around and dried out a little and waited until the Puma store that is just around the corner opened. And magically, the rain stopped as quickly as it started and it was back to sunshine and fluffy clouds. Hmmm, guess who wanted to go to the Puma? VacationGirl??? NOPE! Dear Husband??? Nada! Almost 22 year old??? Ding ding ding - you won first prize! A mere $300 dollars later, we left and the guys ran back to the hotel to drop off stuff while I waited for them.

VacationGirl decided that, no problem, she can walk down to the Hancock building. It's just 5 -6 blocks. Never mind that she can't walk around the block normally, but hey, it's vacation right? Well, we decided to not stop at the Hancock just yet - we decided to go all the way to the Seadog speed boat. It's only another 14 blocks - WE THOUGHT! Just had to walk down to Grand Ave.

Maps and directions are not our strong point sometimes. We managed to miss Grand and went to the river at Wacker drive. The boat would be on the river, right? Isn't that were most boats are? Uh, not this one. I called and they are actually at Navy Pier. Well, by now, VacationGirl's ankles look like Chicago-sized soft balls and her knees and thighs are really swelling so I suggested a taxi. Damn good thing. It was a LONG way! At least too long to walk.

VacationGirl really wanted to go on the nice, relaxing architectural tour - at 75 minute tour. She figured she could get some great pictures. She sent the guys ahead to get tickets since the next tour left at 1:15 and it was already 1:05 and speed walking is not an option in VacationGirl's life right now. More like very slow trudging!

Well, they got tickets - for the 1:15 tour - just like VacationGirl asked. But....it was the wrong tour. This was a 30 minute speed boat run. ARGH! It was a blast though. The captain did all kinds of turns and managed to get everyone on the boat soaked. A great way to cool off in the hot Chicago summer. She's still really bummed that we didn't do the archtitectural tour but hey, that's life! I still got some good picture - most with people's head in them that were on the boat, but maybe photoshop can help me do magic!

After the boat ride, we decided that another taxi would be the best way to get us to Gino's East on Superior. VacationGirl and Dear Husband's first official date was at the Gino's East out in the Northwest suburbs. We LOVE this pizza. Love it, love it, love it! And it was wonderful! Almost 22 year old really liked it. During our late lunch, he made the announcement that in 2 years, he would be moving to Chicago. hahaha. I knew he'd love it!

After lunch, it was a short walk - oops, trudge, hobble, crawl - to the Hancock building. There was NO way VacationGirl was gonna be able to walk down all the stairs to get to the observatory ticket sales booth - so we asked and were told where to go to find an escalator. Oops, not exactly. We ended up on the 96th - twice - before we got out and trudged back to ask again. This time we got the RIGHT directions and made it to the ticket booth and ultimately up to the observation deck. VacationGirl had high hopes for the outside observatory - it didn't exist when she lived here many years ago. But, truth be told, she was really disappointed. It wasn't at all what she expected. Nice, but didn't live up to expectations.

Although it was only 5 - 6 blocks back to the hotel, those softball sized ankles would never make it back to the hotel. Shoot, VacationGirl shed tears at the top of the observatory when she didn't make the elevator and had to wait for yet another one. Talk about feeling silly - but when it hurts, it hurts. However, we had a sweet taxi driver that let me set up front and we made it back to the hotel where VacationGirl immediately started icing those knees. Who knows what else the evening will hold. (ok, my guess is nothing since everyone else is a sleep at least the ankles are no longer throbbing!)

We got back to the hotel just in time. When we walked in, it was still sunny and beautiful. But about 15 minutes later, the sky turned black and the skies opened up. We couldn't even see the street from our hotel room. It was crazy. We had thought about going to Second City for a show there but since it was so ugly and we were exhausted, we opted to have room service. Expensive but good! We watched a movie and then all proceeded to crash for the night.

See you tomorrow.

Vegas, Baby? NOT!

2011-08-07T11:31:00.005-04:00

The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.

Well - that fits the bill completely. VacationGirl, Dear Husband, and almost 22 year old made plans for Las Vegas! Rooms at the Aria, plans for cleaning up at the card tables, visiting Hoover Dam.....yep, we had it all planned!

BUT THEN...knees got in the way. Creaky, old, cut up knees that just don't want to heal. So instead of trying to walk a million miles in Vegas, we decided on the next best thing....

MY KIND OF TOWN! Yep, Chicago! It IS my kind of town. The decision was made at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and we were on the road by 9:30-ish. No room reservation, no plans ~ just drive. Well, since Chicago had been on the radar for a few days, I knew there were VERY few rooms available around North Michigan Avenue area. Who woulda thought that SO many people would want to go to Chicago! But VacationGirl knew her trusty cell phone would help her find a place to lay our tired heads. Uh, duh - not without power. No problem, right? Well, VacationGirl brought a car charger, but not the right one. She realized it around Lebanon, Indiana. Who would think that VerizonWireless stores would be so few and far between in Indiana? But they are! Trust me on this one. Finally found one in Lafayette and she was back in business!

VacationGirl proceeded to call 18 different 4-star hotels on the Magnifent Mile and there was NO ROOM AT THE INN! None, nada, zilch! She took a deep breath and was just ready to break down and start calling the 3-star hotels (She is a bit of a hotel snob on vacation) and a miracle happened. The Sutton Place said they "might" have a room available and they would call me back. Yeh, sure. But they did! So we landed on Bellevue Pl, in the "posh Gold Coast neighborhood". Seriously - that's what the postcard says.

It is a nice hotel - very nice! But you can't get your own ice! Seriously? You have call room service. Hmmm, that is not fun when VacationGirl needs to ice her ankle/knees alot. But, at least we'll keep room service busy!

After checking in, we decided to have a quick drink at The Whiskey. Ok, WE didn't decide - the almost 22 year old is exercising his right to imbibe. I think his goal is to have a drink at every Chicago establishment. As we drove around, he was astounded by the number of bars on every block. He now wants to move to Chicago! :) VacationGirl tried a glass of white wine - Reisling. She found that she really doesn't like Reisling. When it comes to wine, she tends to be a White Zin girl all the way.

From The Whiskey, we drove to Mt. Prospect. Dear Husband and VacationGirl had forgotten the joys of Chicago traffic. Bumper to bumper all the way to O'Hare. One would have thought they were evacuating the city. Why Mt. Prospect? It is the home of Kampai - VacationGirl's favorite Japanese steakhouse where she can get her favorite Golden Shrimp. YUMMY! We were all stuffed after having the Kampai special - sirloin, chicken, and of course golden shrimp. We had planned to show the almost 22 year old where we lived many, many years ago but decided we were all too tired so we jumped on the Kennedy and headed back to the hotel.

After a short rest, the almost 22 year old and VacationGirl decided to try one of the many fine drinking establishments near the hotel and we landed at The Tavern on Rush. Not the kind of bar that VacationGirl used to frequent when she lived there but still good. They make a mean Pina Coloda! The almost 22 year old had a good time checking out the female population ~ too bad he had to hang out with his mom. Bummer. After that, we walked around a little, taking in the crowds and people watching and then headed back to crash.

All in all, it was a good day.

On the Move Again - Finally

2011-06-15T20:35:00.002-04:00

After a two year vacation break, VacationGirl is ready to get going again. The 19 year old is almost 22 so it has been TOOOO long.

But where to go? One of her much anticipated "vacation list" spots? Maybe Alaska? Maybe Nova Scotia? Hey, maybe even Utah?

UH - NO!

Vegas, Baby!

For all of the places that VacationGirl, Dear Husband, and the 21-year old have been, Vegas was never on the list. So we never went. But instead of one two-week vacation this year, we decided to break them up. One in August with the 21-year old (can you believe he still wants to go with us?) and one in September. Vegas seemed the only "doable" place to go in a short timeframe. That or Chi-town but.....Vegas won.

Vegas in August? Who does the desert in August? No one else but VacationGirl! Insanity must run in the family. Either that, or I've started the tradition. But Vegas, it is. The only thing standing in our way are VacationGirl's knees. Walking is somewhat of a requirement when you visit Vegas and that's something that doesn't come easily these days. At least not without tons of tape and ibuprofhen.

But where to stay? Spend money on a nice hotel or spend money at the tables? Hmmmm - tough decision. But since VacationGirl tends to be a little bit of a hotel snob when she travels, I think nice may win. Right now, Bellagio and Aria are really high up on the list. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Bellagio has a great casino (so I'm told) with lots of opportunities for me to either win at cards ~ or not!

VacationGirl is also planning on dragging Dear Husband and 21-year old to an even hotter part of the world while we're out there - Death Valley National Park. At least that was the plan - until she found out that Zion NP is the same distance, in the other direction. UGH! Now she has to research that. But Death Valley may win - even though Death Valley in August is even crazier than Vegas in August!

So stay tuned.....more to come!

P.S. - We got a new puppy (another Ridgeback) - she's just over a year old (in February). She's not Sha-Sha ~ no one could replace her. But she's a sweetie. But wow - I forgot how crazy puppies are! We got her at 8 weeks and wow, it was a rough year. But she's calming down now and I'm loving her! She's a major pain in the butt ~ but I can't imagine her not being here!

See ya soon!

Saying Good-bye Is Hard

2010-03-31T21:00:00.002-04:00

Today I had to say good-bye to my dog - a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback. She came into our lives about 12 years ago and quickly made her way into our hearts. She was truly part of the family.

We had talked about getting a dog for awhile but had delayed because the boy was afraid of animals - not just a little nervous - but deathly afraid. The fear ruled his life - he wouldn't go for walks around the block because "there might be a dog or a cat". He would only go trick-or-treating to houses that he knew didn't have pets (which made for a very sparse Halloween haul). This was hard for me because I had always grown up around dogs and loved them and Dear Husband grew up around all sorts of animals - everything imaginable (except chickens).

So we figured that getting a puppy - a nice, small puppy - may be the way to get the boy over his irrational fear. I had grown up with a Ridgeback (not a full-blooded one, but mostly Ridgeback) and loved their personality. VacationGirl thought that it would be a perfect fit for a scared little boy.

I found a breeder - amazingly enough - about 5 minutes away. She was an eccentric little lady with an even more eccentric husband. They had at least 5 - 6 huge ridgebacks of their own - cages overruled their house. And where there wasn't a cage with a beautiful ridgeback in it, there were clocks - hundreds and hundreds of clocks.

It just so happened that she had a litter - one didn't have a ridge - the breed trademark. That didn't matter to us but it does to most breeders. If the pups are born ridgeless, most breeders will put them down. But this breeder sold her to us very cheaply - on the condition that we had her spayed so that the trait wouldn't be passed on.

We took Bubba to her house to see the pups - they were too small to come home yet - but he saw them and agreed that they were small enough that he would like her. (Of course, he stayed in her chair the whole time we were there and wouldn't get on the floor to play with her).

So a few weeks later, we went to pick her up - at 12 weeks old. She had grown quite a bit from the previous visit and all the boy could say was "Mom, she got big." He wanted absolutely nothing to do with her. I held her in the car on the way home and she was so scared - she just trembled.

We got her home and confined her to the family room where I spend most of my time. Unfortunately, the boy wouldn't come in the same room with her - he was too afraid. No matter what, he wouldn't come near her - he didn't like those little razor-sharp teeth. Well, this went on for almost 3 months. I thought for sure we would have to get rid of the pup. Then one day, magically, everything changed. One day, the almost 21-year old (he was only about 7 at the time) said "Mom, I'm going out back to play with Sha-Sha".

Well knock me over!

From that moment on, they became good friends and that friendship continued to grow and grow. Sha-Sha would barrel down the stairs when she heard the school bus each afternoon to greet him. When she heard the garage door open, as he got older and was driving, she came to the door to meet him. He grew to love her more than ever expected - and she helped him get over his fear of animals. She was a huge part of our family - and loved by us all. I believe she knew how much she was loved too.

But today, we had to make the tough decision to say good-bye. My girl was in obvious pain with every step she took. There is a huge part of me that now regrets the decision - I want her here with me tonight and I miss her horribly already - but in my heart, I know it was the best decision for her.

So Sha-Sha, please rest in peace and know that you will always live in our hearts. I will never forget you and the unconditional love that you gave to our family!

Lazy Days

2009-07-30T20:46:00.002-04:00

What a lazy, lazy vacation! But a much needed lazy vacation.

VacationGirl and dear husband haven't really done much but it's restaurant week so we've been trying out some new places. One was a keeper, one was a bust! On Monday, we tried a little restaurant called 'The Melting Pot'. It's a fondue restaurant and something very different. Now, VacationGirl was never a big fondue fan back when it was popular. But, it sounded different and since each 3-course meal was only $20.09, we decided to try it.

Our first surprise came when we walked in and found that we needed reservations - on a Monday! Wow - restaurant week definately has an impact! But, there was room at the bar and they have the fondue pots there so we opted to give it a try. We started out with the first course - a typical cheese fondue. There were six choices so we chose the fiesta cheese - laced with jalepeno's. You get to dip bread, chips, apples, and veggies. It was GREAT - we were scrapping the bottom of the pot.

Then came the 2nd course - a salad of your choice. Of course, VacationGirl chose good old Ceasar - and it was wonderful. The dressing was classic Ceasar but with a sweetness that you usually don't get - Yummy!

On to the main couse - shrimp, chicken, and beef. You cook it yourself in a pot with your choice of cooking method. We chose hot oil and then we dipped our food into 2 different coatings and cooked it.

Overall, we really enjoyed it and will come back - but it was also too much work! :)

On Tuesday, we tried another new restaurant - Barbie's Bistro. Hmmm, food was ok, atmosphere/service - awful. Our first clue should have been the fact that we sat for at least 5 minutes staring at the place trying to decide if we should chance it or not. Should have gone with our first instincts!

Wednesday was a fun day for me - went up to Laura's house and BS'd with her for a few hours and then met Sheli for dinner. It was do nice to see them again - I really miss talking to them. We can all talk about anything - and we do!

Today (Thursday) was a stay at home day. It was rainy so staying home was appropriate! Picked up my car after getting it detailed and buffed and it looks wonderful - almost new again. Fixed Fettucine Alfredo with shrimp! Yummy.

Don't know what all tomorrow will bring - I think we're going to go watch my friend, Raj, play soccer. But not sure yet!

Of course, I've forgotten to take my camera everywhere so maybe tomorrow will be driving around to all of the places we've gone and taking pictures. HA!

until then...

Hanging At Home

2009-07-26T23:36:00.003-04:00

VacationGirl and dear family decided to hang at home this year....

Definitely missing the fun of planning the yearly vacation and seeing new things but probably a good choice this year. The Silverado decided that it didn't like its current transmission so a new one was purchased last week and last night, the dishwasher decided to die a painful death. So Monday's vacation plans will include the purchase of a new dishwasher. What could be more fun than that - certainly not seeing the sights across the country?

But fun will be had - somehow, someway. This is restaurant week in Dayton so we'll try a bunch of new restaurants - something we enjoy doing!

Friday night we enjoyed an old favorite - Carrabba's! They have the BEST fried zuchinni ever.

Saturday night we ventured down to West Chester to try Jag's - highly recommended by a friend. They have Kobe beef and since VacationGirl is on a quest to find the best steak ever, she and Dear Husband decided to drive down and give it a try. Well.....

Although VacationGirl doesn't mind paying top dollar for a great steak, she just couldn't justify the $67.99 price tag on the 8-oz Kobe filet. Just too much ~ so Kobe beef will have to wait awhile longer. She did, however, have a good New York strip. But not good enough to pass Carver's or Paragon as the top so far. So the quest goes on.

Sunday vacation day was fun - it was an incredible weather day with the most beautiful clouds - the kind that you can stare at for hours and find different things in them. We rolled down the windows and opened the sunroof and headed down to see a good friend play cricket.

VacationGirl thinks she may bring bad cricket karma with her - they lost!

After cricket we tried a mexican restaurant - Abuelo's. It was good. But the best fun was yet to come - NOT! Home to pull weeds. VacationGirl absolutely HATES to pull weeds - more than almost anything. But weeds got pulled and mulch will go down on Monday after almost-20-year old signs up to be a personal trainer. (Don't ask!) We finished the day with a quick meal at Roosters - nothing like getting the cholesterol levels up just before blood work, huh?

Monday needs to be a day of cleaning but probably won't be - lots of things to do - all boring but all needed.

Looks like VacationGirl and family will need a vacation from the vacation...

till tomorrow ~

The Details

2008-09-02T23:28:00.003-04:00

For those interested:

We traveled 4,165.9 miles in 10 days.

The most we paid for gas was $4.80; the least was $3.39.

We did NOT see any moose.

We did NOT see the world's largest ball of barbed wire. (we would have if I had known about it sooner).

We did NOT visit Harrison Ford's ranch in Jackson. (I'm sure he would have invited us if he had known we were in town).

We did see buffalo, elk, deer, prairie dogs, and assorted other small critters - crawling and flying.

We did have a great time - seeing a beautiful part of the country!

So until next year.....

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog

2008-09-02T23:04:00.002-04:00

The weary travelers are home! The actual arrival time was Sunday around 5:00 p.m. But VacationGirl has been too tired (read, 'Lazy') to post.

When I last left you, we were in the lovely, price-gouging town of Cooke City, Montana. It was a cute little (very little) town. We headed out on the 3-hour drive down Beartooth. It was a very pretty drive but I don't know what I'd agree with Mr. Kuralt in saying that it is the most scenic road in America. It is beautiful, but I've seen other that are just as nice, or nicer. But I'm glad we drove it!

Friday's drive took us to Dickinson, North Dakota - just past the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We just there just before sunset so we did have the chance to see some buffalo, elk, and of course, prairie dogs. The little critters were everywhere.

Up early on Saturday - we need to make it to Madison, Wisconsin tonight. Not sure why - since we're 2 days ahead of schedule - but we wanted to get there. The 19 year old wanted to get home to see his buddy Mason, before he headed off to college. VacationGirl tried to entice him with the prospect of seeing the Mall of America but his response (as well as Dear Husband's) was "it's just a mall, Mom". MEN! They just don't get it.

So the only item on the agenda for Saturday (besides getting to Madison) was to see the largest Holstein cow. It 'lives' in New Salem, North Dakota - up on a hill. The cow is easily spotted from the highway but we needed pictures. Sue, the cow, is 38 feet tall and 50 feet long. I thought for sure we'd be the only goofballs to be out there taking pictures, but darned if there wasn't someone else driving up as we left.

We did make it to Madison - I'm sure that the state of Wisconsin is beautiful around the Dells but VacationGirl couldn't tell. We got to a hotel around 10:30 p.m. and immediately crashed.

Sunday found us up early, heading for the Buckeye state, and we pulled into the driveway at 5:00 p.m.

Glad to be home!!!!

Hey BooBoo

2008-08-28T23:12:00.002-04:00

We're in Yogi Bear land ~ Yellowstone! But we haven't seen hide nor hair of Yogi or BooBoo. Hmmm, maybe we need to carry a 'pic-a-nic-a' basket and they'll come out. We did see quite a few buffalo roaming around today though. And up at one of the waterfalls, we saw a beaver.

We left Jackson around 8:30-ish and stopped back at OxBow to see if my moose came out but once again, she decided to play hide and seek. And she won! We couldn't find her anywhere. VacationGirl is pretty sure the moose are still hanging out at the lake we couldn't find ~ wondering where we are.

I also just found out that we missed seeing the world's largest ball of barbed wire in Jackson. I almost feel like we should drive back there to see it. Almost!

One of our first main stops in Yellowstone was to see Old Faithful. We were in luck - we got there about 15 minutes before it erupted. It's definately a touristy thing to do but if you're here, you have to see it. It was actually pretty cool.

There are so very many little sights to see as you're driving! And I think we pulled off at everyone of them and trugged up hills, down hills, up stairs, down stairs, all around to see the various sights. Most were well worth it - great waterfalls, cool thermal pools, beautiful mountain views. But, it makes for a long day!

Our plan was to drive the Beartooth scenic road today ~ "America's Most Beautiful Road" according to Charles Kuralt. But as we neared the end of Yellowstone, in a lovely little city called Cooke City, we realized that we'd end up driving most of the scenic route in the dark. So rather than do that, we decided to stay in the Super 8 (whoo hoo) in Cooke City, Montana. It's a one street, no stop light little town just outside the NorthEast gate to Yellowstone. We'll get up early in the morning when it's light out and then drive down the scenic route. After that, we'll probably head up to I94 and start the trek home. Should take a few days.

No pictures tonight. The 19 year old had no phone signal most of the day and none of us can get a signal still so he's been going through text-message withdrawal. He confiscated my laptop that has all the pictures. So I'll upload some tomorrow night.

Until then...

Who Let The Moose Out?

2008-08-27T23:44:00.003-04:00

Moose are elusive little suckers! And don't let anyone tell you any differently.

VacationGirl, Dear Husband, and 19 year old got to bed a little later than normal Tuesday night. If you remember, we had gone to the Jackson Hole Playhouse to see 'The Ballad of Cat Ballou" ~ and we're still laughing about the show. It was great! But we got to bed around midnight which isn't late in the grand scheme of things. BUT, moose-trackers Eextraordinaire have to get up mighty early to outwit the moose.

So the alarm went off at 5:00. It was still dark out and Dear Husband and 19 year old weren't moving. The funniest thing happened, though. VacationGirl made lots of noise getting dressed this morning. I have no idea why that happened.

Eventually, the other 2 stirred and we got on the road at 5:30. It was still dark. Interestingly enough, they have large lighted signs at different intervals to let you know that there is wildlife on the roadways. I was expecting to see huge parties of animals out having a good old time but it must have their night off.

We finally got up to Oxbow Turnout and surprise! We were NOT the first ones to arrive. There are actually others as crazy as us. Well, actually, many of the people were photographers, waiting for the sunrise. I couldn't figure out why until I walked down to where they were all set up ~ and then it became clear. One of the mountains was beautifully reflected in the Snake River. I got some cool pictures. None are edited yet (too tired tonight again) but even unedited, they are pretty. And surprisinly enough, not one of them contains a moose.

So, after freezing our collective rear ends off (32 degrees in the morning), we headed down to find a lake where the moose hang out. One of the actresses in the show had told us about it. We drove down dirt roads and never did find the lake ~ or any moose ~ but there were signs all over the place telling us that it was a great place for them. Sure wish someone had told the moose. But the vacation is not over yet - there is still hope for a real, live moose.

Wildlife spottings were not completely a loss ~ we did see a herd of elk and got a few pictures of them. They were pretty, but not moose.

After the moose hunting expedition, we went back to the hotel to sleep some more. You'll love this - we had the "Do Not Disturb" sign on our room door. So around noon, we got a phone call from the front desk asking if we really didn't want to be disturbed and if we really didn't want our room made up. Well duh! We got a chuckle from it.

Since we were all awake, we decided to walk down to town and check out the stores. I'm pretty sure that Dear Husband and 19 year old went in every store in Jackson. Two hours later, I bailed and walked back to the room and started doing some laundry. (fun times, I know).

Dinner was good - expensive - but good. We're finding that there is no cheap meal in Jackson. and I mean NO cheap meal. After the meal we headed to the local rodeo. It could have been a lot of fun but we had some horribly annoying people right behind us. After about 45 minutes, we decided to bail and head back to the room.

Tomorrow is another moose expedition on our way out of Jackson ~ heading towards Old Faithful. Yeh, yeh, yeh - typical tourist - but it's here and we have to see it once in our lifetime (or twice for Dear Husband). Then it's on up to Montana.

See ya then,

Enjoy the pics...

Moose Patrol

2008-08-27T01:29:00.002-04:00

Watch out, Moose! VacationGirl are looking for you. Of course, we hear you have to get up early and I'm guessing leaving the hotel at 8:00 isn't really early, is it? However, we did get some great pictures today.

We went to Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake. Jenny Lake was by far the prettier view but wow - was it windy. Then we drove to find OxBow turnout where the moose hang out only we went past it - by about an hour. We were all the way out of Grand Teton National Park and almost into Yellowstone and give up. We finally realized the error of our ways and turned around. And after an hour back the right way, we found it. But no moose were hanging out at that time.

So we stopped for a very expensive 'chuckwagon' lunch at Moose turnout because we were starving and didn't want to wait the 30 minutes it would have taken to drive into town to get something both good and inexpensive.

Tonight, we went to the Jackson Playhouse dinner theater to see 'The Ballad of Cat Ballou". It was really good - we enjoyed it thoroughly. I particularly enjoyed it when all of a sudden, during dinner, the waiters/waitresses started singing. Of course, they play up to the crowd and the girls were having fun with the 19 year old. The theater itself is very old and had the most incredibly uncomfortable seats you could imagine. But the show was great. Most of the cast are college students working a summer job from around the country but they were all very good. The show had us all laughing.

So, now, we're back at the hotel and I'm setting the alarm for 5:00 to find those moose. and since it's 11:40 now, I'm not posting pictures tonight - but I'll some tomorrow.

see ya then,

No Moose...YET!

2008-08-25T23:44:00.002-04:00

We stopped, and stopped, and stopped along the road but not one single moose made its way up to say 'hi' and welcome us to Wyoming. As the ultimate VacationGirl, I am sorely disappointed. However, the trip is young yet so one may come out of hiding yet.

We finally made it to Jackson around 6:30 p.m. We came by way of Thermopolis and Cody which then routes you through Yellowstone. It's beautiful country but when you want to get somewhere fast, it is not the route to take. We have plans to visit Yellowstone on our way out ~and we still will but now we know what we're in for.

Some buffalo were vegging near the road so everyone had to stop and take pictures (us included). But people never cease to amaze VacationGirl and family. There were 3 girls - probably early 20's and each one had stand as close as possible to the one buffalo that had singled himself out from the herd while another girl took a picture. Fortunately, there was a ranger sitting there to made sure that no dummies got too close. We just sat and laughed. It would have been funnier if he had moved and freaked them out.

We did finally see mountains - but with the typical family curse ~ dark clouds. It's either fog or dark clouds. This time it was particulary amusing, because the sky all around was the most beautiful blue with stikingly white fluffly clouds. You know ~ the ones that you could spend hours 'seeing' things in them. yeh, well, that beautiful sky and fluffly clouds existed everywhere except over the ONE mountain that VacationGirl wanted a picture of. But pictures were snapped anyway - dark clouds or not.

Not quite sure what's on tap for Tuesday...I guess we'll figure it out in the morning. Until then...

Still Not There

2008-08-24T23:48:00.003-04:00

It's Day 3 and we are not in Jackson ~ much to VacationGirl's dismay. We did get a little bit of a late start today but we also gained an hour so I'm not sure what happened. We did, however, get to see a little more than corn, corn, corn, corn, and cows.

After leaving North Platte, NE, our first stop of the day was at Chimney Rock. This unually shaped rock marked the end of the prairies for the pioneers. Apparently, the Native Americans named the rock "Elk Penis" but that name just didn't fly with the Anglo-Americans that made the trek through on the Oregon-California trail so it got renamed.

After that, we drove up the road about 20 miles to Scott's Bluff. Scott's Bluff was another popular landmark for the people on the trail from the East to the West. You can hike to the top or you can drive up. Guess which one we chose! :) The view from the top is beautiful. On a clear day, you can see about 90 miles in each direction.

After Scott's Bluff, it was off for more driving. We pretty much decided not to try to make Jackson - it would take too long and we were all tired. But VacationGirl did drive to Riverton, Wy. After scouring the AAA book, she found that it was the only city that had a hotel between Casper & Jackson. Ok, maybe that's a slight exageration but not by much. We we pulled up to the very nice Holiday Inn only to find that 'there was no room at the inn'. Fortunately for us, a brand new Comfort Inn had just been built down the road.

So that's where we are tonight - ready to sleep and head out early for Jackson and the Grand Tetons.

See you there!

Corn, Corn, Corn, Corn, Cow

2008-08-24T08:08:00.003-04:00

The title pretty much sums it up - corn, corn, corn, corn, cow. VacationGirl and family made it to North Platte, NE last night. But thinking about using the internet made my eyes cross ~ I was way too tired.

We drove from about 8:00 CST to 8:00 CST. And yes, it was as mind-numbingly boring as we anticipated.

We did make a discover, however, that will make us RICH beyond belief. We found the Loch Ness Monster! Yep, we sure did. As VacationGirl was driving and Dear Husband was sleeping, the eagle-eyed 19-year old found dear old 'Lochie'. I drove on up the road until I could turn around and go back and sure enough, there it was! Right in the middle of a pond on Rt 2 in Nebraska. See for yourself...

Oh - that's not enough proof? Well, Lochie was kind enough to let us get a closer picture.

In addition to finding Lochie, we did actually see something worthwhile. We visited the original Pony Express Station in Gothenburg, Nebraska. It was actually rather interesting. There was a nice gentleman working at the station that told us the history.

So, today brings us to Wyoming - not sure which route to take but as long as we see mountains eventually, I don't care!

So until tonight...

go Go GO

2008-08-22T22:32:00.004-04:00

On the road again

Just can't wait to get on the road again.....

Whoo hoo ~ we're on the road again. Left Ohio at 2:33 EST after lunching at Taco Bell. Now there's something you want to eat just before riding in a car for endless hours!

VacationGirl drove since Dear Husband only got about 1 hour of sleep before hitting the road. The route was selected - I70 through St. Louis to Kansas then up 29 to I80. We missed the mind-numbing cornfields of Iowa but trust us - Indiana, Illinois and Missouri aren't much better. And tomorrow brings Kansas and Nebraska. Whoo hoo!

We did get to see the Arch in a background of a beautiful, pink sunset! It would have made a beautiful picture. But the sky would have lost the color by the time we got down to a place where we could take a picture. However, I was lucky enough to get some pictures of the fine restaurant where VacationGirl, Dear Husband, and 19-year old relaxed for a quiet, relaxing dinner in a wonderful setting. See for yourself...

This was such a high class place, they even had signs for those less fortunate that were forced to take their food to a place without the atmosphere that VacationGirl and family experienced.

This wonderful meal was eaten in Vandalia, Illinois - home of the oldest state capitol building. It served as the state capitol from 1836 - 1839. Abraham Lincoln started his political career in this building.

The evening ended for us in Warrenton, Missouri. One of us is sleeping already, the other is in bed and watching TV, and VacationGirl is heading towards the pillow too...

See ya tomorrow.

Vacation-Get Set!

2008-08-21T20:08:00.003-04:00

In less than 24 hours, VacationGirl and family will be on the road again. The packing has begun but the route is not planned. Should we go to Kansas City and then up to I80 or go up first and then over? Regardless of the route, we'll still spend a full day of corn, corn, corn, cows, corn, corn, corn, cows.

The plan is to be on the road as soon as VacationGirl gets home on Friday - and hopefully that will be earlier than normal. And then we'll drive until we don't feel like driving any longer. (Sure hope that's not before Indy!)

I had big plans for being able to come home to a clean house - but that's not happening. I'm falling asleep now as I write and I still have to pack. Guess I need to stop typing and start packing.

Next update should find us somewhere in Indiana, Illinois, or Iowa. Or maybe Missouri. Guess it will be a surprise!

See ya then.

Vacation-On Your Mark

2008-08-12T21:48:00.002-04:00

Ten days to go until VacationGirl and family hit the road. Too much to do and little time to do it!

The countdown list begins - get oil changed, make a list of things to bring, take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for gas, check route....hey, wait a minute. What's up with the mortgage? We're hoping someone will strike a new oil reserve and prices will fall back to the < $2.00 range for our vacation.

Ok - if VacationGirl can dream, she might as well dream big!

The driving route is just about nailed down. Instead of enjoying the thrill of traffic and other fun stuff in Denver at the Democratic National Convention, VacationGirl, Dear Husband, and 19-year old will be taking the alternate corn field route. Yep - good 'ole Iowa and Nebraska. Can you say 'YAWN'? We're hoping for another green dinosaur in the middle of nowhere or something else to break up the seemingly endless rows of corn, corn, corn, and more corn.

Add another thing-to-do to the already long list - check the handy, dandy AAA book to see if there is anything worth seeing on the planned route. Not meaning to offend anyone in those lovely states, but seriously, are there even any hills in those states?

VacationGirl is a little sad that the route has been changed. She was hoping to find an excuse to visit the OZ musuem in Kansas. But alas, that will have to wait for another place and time ~ maybe when Utah moves up on the vacation plan list.

I'm sure, though, that between the 3 of us, we'll be able to find something odd or unusual to see while we're driving. We usually do!

And that's the fun of it all...

No Room At The Inn

2008-07-06T10:27:00.003-04:00

WOW! That's all I can say! Doing some research on rooms at the vacation destination and sticker shock prevails. So call VacationGirl a snob but nice hotels are what she likes. Unfortunately, the family wallet just can't justify $795 ~ per night. But wow - it is nice.

VacationGirl is back to the drawing board to find something a little more in line with the finances. Hmmmm, maybe we should just take our sleeping bags!!!

The Bridges of Warren County

2008-05-26T19:01:00.005-04:00

Started out to find the covered bridge in Germantown but went to the MetroParks instead. But by that point, we had the urge to see a covered bridge. Too tired to do it that Sunday so we headed back out on Monday (Memorial Day) to see the bridge. A good bit of exercise for both VacationGirl and Sha-Sha.

VacationGirl wanted to see if she could actually learn about aperture settings. Of course, she couldn't quite get the camera to do what she wanted it to do but it wasn't for lack of trying. It's become apparent that she is going to have to break down and take a class to figure out how to use the darn thing. But still, pictures were taken and photoshop used. Here's the results:

This one is SOOC (straight out of camera)

I boosted the colors a little on this one. Slightly better.

Here's a vintage one - kinda cool.

The actions that I used were the ones I downloaded from ThePioneerWoman.com. I'm still trying to figure out Photoshop - kinda like I'm still trying to figure out the camera. ARGH! One of these days, it will come together! I just hope it's before vacation.

New Picture Toys!

2008-05-18T18:24:00.003-04:00

This isn't exactly vacation related ~ OK, it's not vacation related at all ~ but VacationGirl got a new toy last week. Photoshop CS3. Today, while scanning the never ending pile of negatives, she decided to play around with it. And what better subject to try it out on than almost high school graduate (HSG) at prom.

First, some background - "almost HSG" decided to go to the prom but wanted to go dateless. No tux, but he wanted a vest and a shirt. (The price of which was almost as much as renting a tux). Since he is the finest looking young man on earth (yes, I'm slightly biased), I thought these would be fun to work some of the new Pioneer Woman 'actions' on these pictures. Here's the before/after:

I used an 'action' called 'Fresh and Colorful" and then 'Quick Edge Burn'. I really like the effect. So now, all I have to do is learn how to create my own Actions and I'm good to go. I have SO much to learn about Photoshop CS3 but I think by the time vacation rolls around (in 98 days but who's counting!), I should be fairly good at some of the techniques.

Bring on those snow-covered mountians!

Visions of Sugarplums???

2008-05-13T20:25:00.008-04:00

Ok - so maybe not visions of sugarplums but I was having visions of lobsters and ultimately lobster rolls, and of course the beautiful views.

But then I started having visions of beautiful mountains and geisers and all that jazz.

Now do you see why the decision is so hard? I think we're leaning towards the mountains and I know we'll love every minute of it but I will miss not being by the ocean and having lobster, lobster, and more lobster.

I have threatened Dear Husband - there HAS to be snow on my mountains or, or, or I'll think of something but there better be snow on my mountains. Of course, that could get a little sketchy since we're going the last week of August. It will probably be the ONE week out of the whole year that the snow melts completely. Then, the week after we leave, it snows again and the mountains are snow-capped and beautiful.

Dear Husband and almost-graduated Senior don't know it yet, but if there is no snow on the mountains then we'll have a small detour up to Glacier National Park. Haven't figured out how far that it is - heard maybe another day's drive - but it will happen so we can have snow-covered mountains. (Please, please let there be snow on the Tetons so we don't have to drive!)

We won't have the luxury of driving in different, beautiful Saturns either, like some other recent U.S. travelers. Nope, we'll be driving in a gas-guzzeling Tahoe. VacationGirl loves her Tahoe but the gas prices will kill us. Guess that's even more reason to forgo the lobster treats every day~ gas in our Northern Neighborhood is even worse than in the good, 'ole U.S.

Let the planning begin!

East or West ~ Which is Best?

2008-05-05T19:50:00.002-04:00

Which way to go - we don't know. VacationGirl and family can't seem to decide between the Grand Tetons and Nova Scotia. This is the last year for 4 years that we can take a long vacation. VacationGirl only has 3 weeks of vacation for the next 4 years since she changed jobs and she needs to use one for Spring Break, one for Christmas holidays, and one in the summer.

VacationGirl and family are leaning towards the Grand Tetons. Ok - Dear Husband and almost Graduate are leaning towards it so VacationGirl is slightly out numbered. So plans are being made and routes are being mapped and then they tell me that "Nova Scotia would be ok too".

I honestly can't decide. I see pictures of the Grand Tetons and they are beautiful but if they are not snow covered in the winter like Mt. Hood & Mt. Rainier, then VacationGirl will be VERY upset. After Colorada Springs 2 years ago, she has determined that her mountains must have snow. Now the way to ensure that would be to travel to these mountains in a month other than September but unfortunately, VacationGirl and family are at the mercy of the school systems - both High school and College. Their breaks just don't fall at the right time.

Now, Nova Scotia doesn't present those types of problems - the only issues there are not-so-good exchange rates. But after checking today, the US and Canada are almost even so it's a wash right now. It's been a few years since we've done a lighthouse tour and oceans and we would have an abundance of them on the Nova Scotia route. Those things would be rather scarce on the mountain route. Oh - and N.S. has LOBSTER - lots and lots of it. VacationGirl could have lobster for every meal - and she would.

But VacationGirl would also get to see beautiful mountains and Old Faithful if the western route was chosen. And after the Oregon trip, mountains (big one with snow) rank right up there with lighthouses. It's a tossup.

So minds will change weekly until we finally leave. Since we're being brave and not booking any hotels for either trip, it really doesn't matter.

If anyone has any thoughts - please let us know. Maybe it will help us decide.

Wishing You Were Here

2008-01-06T16:05:00.000-05:00

Where else can you find single digit temperatures followed 3 days later with temperatures in the 50's? Where else can you find dreary, rainy days? Ok - I suppose that it could be many places in the country this time of year and I suppose there are many places a LOT worse right now. But I think I'd prefer to be here:

Of course, I hear the weather is not so great there right now. So maybe I'd go here:

But, I imagine that it's a little on the cold side there too.

So, maybe I'll just stay put ~ and snuggle in with a good book.

See ya later...

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T09:07:00.001-05:00

Farewell 2007

2007-12-31T13:33:00.001-05:00

The end is near - another year coming to a close. One of the blogs I read regularly gave a blow by blow list of all the bad things that happened to those close to her and I have to say - it was rather depressing to read it. Therefore, all I will say is "Farewell". 2007 wasn't a bad year - it wasn't a good year - it was just a year.

My one and only resolution is probably one of the more common ones around - lose weight. I absolutely have to do it. And I will do it.

On the way home from North Carolina, we ran into a little fog as we drove through the mountains. It wasn't bad driving but off the sides of the highway, you could see beautiful, fluffly clouds of fog blanketing the mountainsides. I would have loved to stop so I could get some good shots but for some reason, the highway patrol seems to frown on that behavior. So I had to be content to take them from the car. But even with that, I got a few good ones. I played with Photoshop on one of them - here's the before/after:

And here's another really liked. Hope you do too!

I still have SO much to learn about Photoshop - but the book that Ramsey got me is really helping. I've already learned a bunch of cool things - need to keep on going though. Oh - that's my other resolution - to take a photography class this year so that I can finally learn how to really use my camera.

I think 2 resolutions is a good number ~ don't you?

Have a safe, wonderful New Year's Eve. I'll be falling asleep on the couch since now-18 year old is probably going out and Dear Husband is at work until about 1:00. Oh well - saves money that way.

Have a happy one! Until next time...

Whee, Whee, Whee All the Way Home

2007-12-29T18:48:00.000-05:00

Made it home today - about 3:00. All three of us. There was some thought that now 18-year old would stay for a few more days but I guess he wanted to be home for New Year's. Of course, not to spend it with me (Dear Husband will be at work so I'll hold down the fort alone) but rather to party with his friends. Lord, that scares me beyond words...

I tried to slip a collie in the luggage to bring back with me - I'm convinced that Lucy would just love being up here- babied beyond belief. But I think Grammie would kill me if I tried to sneak her up here. I did get a great picture of the 3 dogs together - they are all so very pretty. My "puppy" was quite happy to be home from the kennel - she's zonked out now - it wears her out. But she snacked on pizza with us and is sleeping on the couch next to me now so all is right with the world.

The now-18 year old hooked up Xbox Live tonight and now half my game sites won't come up - I don't know if it's a problem with Pogo or a problem with us. I'm thinking maybe Pogo since it doesn't look like many people are in the game rooms and that's highly unusual for a Saturday night.

We had a great visit - I really enjoy visiting with Ramsey and Larry and I know Dear Husband and now-18-year old love being there too. Christmas was wonderful - I think everyone enjoyed their presents. Hope so! I know I did.

Oh well - tired tonight so going to veg out for a while. Enjoy the puppies...

The Day After the Day After

2007-12-27T18:49:00.000-05:00

We managed to avoid stores the day after Christmas but not so today. We were on a quest to find a large bag that covers a Christmas tree so that it can be stored intact - without the hassle of taking it apart and putting it back next year. But alas, we were unsuccessful in our quest. However, Ramsey did find some new stickers for her scrapbooks and VacationGirl found some new crochet string that was calling out to her. It said "buy me, buy me, buy me" so what's a girl to do? I also found a new book of crocheted doilies - the best ones I've ever seen so I know what I'll be doing on the way home Saturday ~ making the 'purtiest' mint green doily you've ever seen!

The men of the family went hunting today. Quail hunting. Now, help me understand - they bought the quail (12 of them) and went out to some huge field and released them - only to hunt them down again. They found and shot 4 of them and are out cleaning them now. The quail are winning 8 to 4, ha ha. I would have just kept the 12 and called it a day. I suppose it's one of those things I'll never understand - kinda like they'll never understand scrapbooking. Guess we'll be having some quail tomorrow. Whoo hoo.

Game plan for tomorrow is to go out to the meadow where the rest of the horses are kept and see them and the land as I'm the only one that hasn't seen it yet. And after that, we're heading to a movie to see Will Smith in "I Am Legend" - looks good.

Did manage to get a few pictures of the horses here today - was too lazy to walk to the big pasture so I only got the ones up near the house. Haven't played with Photoshop yet on them - need to figure it out first. But here's some of the untouched ones...

Christmas, Carmel, and Pecans

2007-12-26T17:06:00.000-05:00

Christmas has come and gone and it was a good one. Dear Husband and VactionGirl left the homestead at 5:45 a.m. to head south to North Carolina for the week. It's usually an 8-9 hour trip but we pulled in at 1:00 p.m. - it's amazing what having no traffic (and no police around) can do for one's travel. Once out of Ohio, I was able to keep it around 80 mph except for the mountains and even that was still 65-70 mph. As we neared the treaturous turns on I40 that I have come to hate so very much over the years, I turned to Dear Husband and said "I have a problem." He immediately perked up and was very concerned - "what's wrong", he asked. I laughed and said "I don't know how to drive in these mountains in the daylight." Whenever I drive, we always hit the mountains at night - I have never driven them in the daylight. What a nice surprise. They're not so scary after all. I may have to rethink my stance and not hate them so much.

Christmas was good. Everyone got everything they wanted - plus more. I think everyone was quite happy. Here's a few pictures of the gift opening in N.C......

I made a pie! Nowanyone who knows me knows that I don't make pies. I make cookies, I make cakes, I make breakfast, I make dinner. I make lots of things, but pie is not one of those things. However, The Pioneer Woman (at thepioneerwoman.com) had the recipe for a pie that looked too good to pass up. So I tried it. As you can see from the picture, it turned out really good. Really good until we cut it. Then it decided to have to be scooped out with a spoon - guess I had a little too much carmel on the top. But even with having to scoop it out - it was still SOOO very good. Try it - you'll love it.

Tonight we're heading to a little german restaurant - I've been checking out the menu and can't decide what to pick. I know I want spatzle but there are a few really good choices. I'll let you know later.

Until then....

'Twas the Day Before Christmas

2007-12-24T12:38:00.000-05:00

'Twas the day before Christmas
And all through the house,
The only thing stirring was
My wireless mouse.

The 18 year old's gone
Dear Husband's asleep
The dog's in the kennel
There's nary a peep.

That's taxed my rhyming skills so I'll quite while I'm ahead. We hopefully will be heading out around 5:00 in the morning. There should be little or no traffic so we should be able to breeze down to North Carolina. Then I can start taking pictures and post them here so you can see the "ranch".

So for now, I'm going to play games and wait till it's time to fix Dear Husband something to eat before he heads to work. I've got a nice sirloin just waiting in the frig.

So have a wonderful Christmas Eve - see ya later.

Pre-Christmas Travel

2007-12-23T20:08:00.000-05:00

VacationGirl's holiday travel started early. The now-18 year old managed to get some time off of work and didn't want to wait till later in the week to head south to N.C. So, we jumped (well, maybe crawled) into the Tahoe at 5:30 a.m. today (Sunday) to drive to Lexington. Why Lexington, you ask? According to most maps of the United States, Lexington is not part of North Carolina. Did something change? Did N.C. purchase some land recently?

Nope - that's where we met Grandpa. He had been in southern Illinois visiting the old homestead and Great-Grandma (his mom). He had to come through Lexington to get home to the horses and Ramsey so he picked up an 18-year-old wingman on the way.

The weather was yuchy! High, high winds - Dear husband was driving and it felt like the car was going to blow off the highway. Lots of rain too. VacationGirl had the time of her life, though. Until we reached Kentucky, she had her own personal light show. Even though there was rain and clouds, every now and then, there was a small break in the clouds and the bright, FULL moon would peak out. But what made it really cool was how it would light up the clouds from behind - just before it would peek out. What a happy, beautiful surprise for VactionGirl. Anyone who knows her, knows she is fascinated by the moon - particually when it's full, like this morning.

We were home by 10 a.m. and continued to veg until around 4 when we ate at Outback. Then tomorrow, Christmas Eve, we pack and wait till Christmas day to head out for the farm ourselves. Dear Husband has to work Christmas Eve so we'll leave sometime Christmas morning. But VacationGirl is driving on that morning so no private light shows then - must watch the road.

Until then, Merry Christmas and safe traveling!

Too Much Fun

2007-08-13T21:51:00.001-04:00

Too much fun - yep, that's what we're having - too much fun.

Today was the day for the carpet layers and tile guys to start. Things looked bright - we had the master bedroom and living room cleared out for them. They arrived a little before 9:00 and we were rolling. They tore up old carpet and pad in those rooms and the tile guy ripped up the tile in the entry way. Things are going way to good here!

Yep - too much fun!

The carpet guys left to go back to the shop to cut the carpet and get the file and materials for the tile guy. Apparently he thought they were gone a little too long so he cleaned up the old tile and left. We all assumed he would be back, but we were all wrong.

So one of the carpet guys is laying all the padding - at 100 lbs a roll. He was making good progress. So finally the other two carpet guys come back and unload all the materials but left the carpet in the truck.

The main guy apologized profusely, but they had to go finish another job. They had planned to go after ours today but apparently the lady had to leave town unexpectedly for a death in the family so they had to scoot. This was around 11:00. We're still making progress, though.

Finally around 2:30, the one lone carpet layer (with no carpet to lay) had finished all the pad he could lay so he called to find out where they were. They were finally on their way but by the time they got back, it was 3:15. Hmmmm, so much for progress.

Well - they were good - they stayed and laid the carpet in the two rooms promised so that we could move furniture again so they could finish the remaining rooms on Tuesday. Still don't now where the tile guy is - this could get fun!

So now, we have nicely padded stairs with little tack strips on each stair that you have to be ever so careful not to step on - or it will hurt! Trust me, I know - I stepped on one. OUCH! It will be interesting to see how the dog gets up/down since she just has to sleep near us.

Off to a good night's sleep and another fun carpet/tile day. We were hoping everything would be done Tuesday but the tile won't get done until Wednesday now. Better late than never though.

see ya,

Not...On The Move

2007-08-07T21:58:00.000-04:00

Wow! The first time in over 10 years that Vacation Girl and family haven't traveled on vacation. It's killing me! I mean, it is really killing me. Instead of traveling, we're painting. And painting, and painting. And oh, did I mention that we're painting?

We (ok, me, only me, Vacation Girl) decided that we desperately need new carpet. The carpet in the living room and 2 of the bedrooms is over 20 years old and it's nasty! Then the wonderful white carpet in our bedroom is so not white that it's embarrassing. So, new carpet is on the way. That doesn't sound so bad, does it?

But NOooooooo. If you get new carpet, you HAVE to paint - particularly if you're as messy a painter as Vacation Girl and Dear Husband. The guy at the paint store suggested that we wait until after we carpet to paint since the carpet will scratch the walls. I laughed so hard - when I paint I get as much on me as on the walls. So I could just imagine what fresh new carpet would look like if I painted after it was down. No Way.

So we've been painting almost every weekend for the past month. OK - I'VE been painting. Yep, me, myself, I. And I have discovered a very important fact about myself - I hate to paint. I especially hate doing the trim around the ceiling. However, in the guest room, I have to say that the trim job I did is worthy of an award - it was perfect. Of course, Dear Husband had to rub in great gobs of Icy Hot on my neck afterwards.

So, to be fair, even though Dear Husband isn't helping Vacation Girl paint, he IS working his butt off. He has almost single handedly moved most of our upstairs out to the garage. So that way, when the movers come and we have to quickly move 3 rooms into the 4th, it won't be a big hassle - we'll have very little move. And let me tell you - we've filled up over half of the garage with stuff.

So check out the colors:
Kitchen - cream with 1 DARK hunter green wall. (that was from about 2 years ago so not repainted this time)
Family Room - paneled - not painted this time.
Living room - Tan with white crown moulding and white baseboards.
Stairs and Hallway - Tan
Master Bedroom - Artichoke (dark green - kinda sage color)
Library - Dark Red Wine on one wall with beige on others (from 2 years ago so not repainted)
Guest Room - Butter on top (beautiful light yellow) and Rust - very dark rust color. With white chair rail and while baseboards.
Almost 18 year old's room - Navy blue suede on 1 wall and Camel (light brown) Suede on the others.

Yep - we LOVE color!

Pictures to follow after carpet is in.

See ya!

A Much Needed Break

2007-03-31T14:49:00.000-04:00

Well, it's spring in Ohio and that means one thing - SPRING BREAK!

This year spring break couldn't have come at a better (and worse) time. First, the worst - work is unbelievably busy with our big Parts project and we're in the middle of system test which is NOT a time to be taking vacation. But when the schools dictate vacation times, you go!

From the best standpoint - it is much needed for mental health reasons. Time to get away from work and reflect on all the changes and plan a future course. Of course from the 17-year old's standpoint - it's just a week away from school! YEA!

We started off great - got on the road by 2:45 which is early for us by about 30 minutes. And believe me, during spring break week, 30 minutes is huge! Of course, that got us smack in the middle of the GE plant Friday afternoon, get out of work traffic but we still made great time. The weather was beautiful - until Corbin KY - then we got blasted with heavy rain ~ but only for about 20-30 minutes. Then back to blue skies and open roads (ok, the open roads part is wishful thinking on my part).

Easter is the time of year for miracles and I got one - I made it about 1/2 way through the mountains before it got totally dark - and there was NO rain! That rarely happens to me! It always rains in the mountains when I'm driving. But good karma was with me on this trip.

We made it in about 10:45 p.m. - tired but happy to be out of the car! Today (Saturday) was a day of errands for me and Ramsey (and a good lunch at Fatz) and playing with the horses and dogs. Monday is going to be devoted to restoring an old-fashioned sewing machine that belonged to my Grandmother. So we should have fun doing that - I'm looking forward to it.

Well, I've procrasted enough - time to get rolling on my homework!

Dallas Football

2006-08-27T09:41:00.000-04:00

Got to see some Dallas Football on Saturday!

OK - not THE Dallas football - but still ~ football. VacationGirl and Dear Family watched the Frisco Eagles play the Frisco Vikings - 5th graders! Unfortunately, the Eagles lost but at least they lost to the best team in the league. Kyle Barden did good ~ we got to hear his name over the loud speakers a lot - he made some really good tackles.

OK - back to the beginning. As you know, we ended up driving all the way in to Frisco on Friday night. We thought we'd have to switch rooms but sanity prevailed with the day shift and we didn't have to. So we went to the mall! Nice mall - very big! It has a Dave & Busters and a Cheesecake Factory. Guess where we had lunch!!!!!

The mall was very good but just like every other mall. VacationGirl can remember when she first started traveling for work and she used to get a kick out of going shopping in other cities because she got to see stores that she had never seen before. Now, everything is a clone - go to one mall, you've been to them all. Oh well, that's progress, I guess.

After the mall, we hooked up with the Barden's ~ Steven's friend's family. That's who we went to see the game with. and Boy! was it hot. 100 degrees - as soon as you stepped outside, it hit you. But there was a breeze so it made sitting at the game bearable. and it was fun to watch the boys play. After the game, we went to their house and grilled out. Of course, we didn't grill until about 10:00 but it was good. We enjoyed visiting with them - they were one of the few families that we hung out with when they were in Springboro.

Today, as soon as the almost 18-year old gets here from staying with his friend, we'll head out for Memphis. Don't plan on doing/seeing anything but just a stop on the way home. However, VacationGirl might get out the handy, dandy AAA books and see if there are cool things to see on the way. Ya just never know what you might find.

See ya in Memphis.....

No Place to Stay

2006-08-26T11:47:00.000-04:00

Drive, drive, drive ~ that was the word of the day yesterday. We left Santa Fe and headed back north to Chimayo, NM. It's only about 20 miles north of Santa Fe and it's the site of "El Santuario de Chimayo: The Lourdes of America". As legend has it, back around 1810, a friar was performing penance when he saw a light bursting from the ground. He dug in the ground at the site and found a crucifix - and called it "the crucifix of Our Lord of Esquipulas." So the friar takes the crucifix back to Santa Cruz but it kept disappearing - 3 times. Each time, it was found back in Chimayo. So he gets the hint and leaves it there and they build a chapel. Then, accordinng to legend, the healings began. Apparently, the 'sacred sand pit' has healing powers and people will tell you of the healings that they've witnessed. From what we were told, people make long pilgrimages over 100 miles (walking) just to visit the site and touch the dirt.

There was a service going on when we got there so we stayed for part of it. We didn't get to 'touch the dirt' but we're figuring our close proximity will heal Dear Husband's aching back and VacationGirl's sore knee.

From Chimao, we drove back south through Santa Fe and on to Amarillo. The original plan was to stay in Amarillo and then drive to Frisco on Saturday morning - about 6 hours. But when after we took our pictures of the Cadillac Ranch (and added our graffiti to the cars), it was only about 5:00 and none of us were tired so we decided to drive. Got to the next town large enough to have hotels and it was only 5:45 so we kept driving. Figured we'd stay in Childress TX. Got there and still weren't tired and it was still light out so we figured we'd go to Wichita Falls, TX and stay the night.

Oops! Bad decision!

Apparently Nickleback was performing in Wichita Falls and there was 'the largest sanctioned century bike ride in the U.S.' in Wichita Falls on Friday. There was not ONE room. Well, there was one room - the first hotel I called had one room - a king bed with no sleeper couch. I said no, figuring I'd find a room somewhere else. VacationGirl called every hotel listed in Wichita Falls and no one had a room.

Oops! Bad decision!

So she called the first place back, thinking we'd go ahead and get the king bed room - Oh no! It was gone.

Hmmmm, now what? Well, she called the Hampton in Frisco where she and dear family had reservations for Saturday. They had a room but not the room that we reserved (like we care). So we decided to drive on into Frisco - only about 3 more hours on 2 lane roads. Whoo hoo. That was some fun. But hey, we made it. Now're we're hanging out until it's time to hook up with Steven's friend.

And by the way, did we mention that when we left the Cadillac Ranch that the fuse blew in the radio so we drove from about 5:00 to 12:30 with no radio. VacationGirl was fortunate to have here IPod and stuck the earphones on and listened (and sang ~ much to dear families dismay). Of course, it's illegal to drive with headphones on but VacationGirl was beyond caring at that point.

Radio is fixed today - Dear husband and almost 18-year old were able to pop the fuse this morning and put it back in and it worked.

It was pretty fascinating to watch the landscape change as we went from NM to TX. The landscape from CO to Santa Fe was beautiful - I'd not seen it before and I loved it. The mountains and fields are dotted with juniper and it gives it a unique look - pretty but primitive at the same time. However, as we turned east to head towards Texas, the ground leveled out and became flat, flat, flat! Dear Husband and I amused ourselves by watching the patterns that the clouds made on the flat land. You could see forever and the ground was dotted with sun patches and shade patches - pretty cool.

We did hit some rain ~ since it was so flat, we could see forever and saw the rain up ahead - way in the distance. You could literally see the patches that got rain and those that didn't. As we came in and out of the rain, we saw a beautiful rainbow - tried to get a picture but not sure if it turned out or not.

Oh well - time to switch rooms!

see ya later!

(will upload pictures later)

I Left My Heart in Santa Fe

2006-08-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

Ok, so the real words are "I left my heart in San Francisco" but hey - VacationGirl is in Santa Fe, not San Francisco.

Actually, it would be easy to fall in love with this place - really cool city. You can walk just about everywhere. And if you're into the artsy stuff, this is the place for you. We're not but there's still some neat stuff to see. Lots of old history.

On the way out of Colorado, we stopped and saw the oldest church in Colorado. Would have gone in but there was a funeral going on and we didn't think it would be too appropriate to barge in to take pictures. Did get a good outside picture though!

Churches were the theme of the day - that's about all we saw. San Miguel - the oldest church in the U.S. - and we rang the bell at San Miguel (apparently, there's some custom about that). We also saw Loretto Mission and St. Francis Cathedral. We also saw the oldest government building in use - the Palace of the Governers. The people that work/volunteer at the chapels are extremely knowledgeable and friendly - they really can tell you a lot about things.

We're staying at a really nice hotel - the Inn and Spa at Loretto - the room is done up in Southwestern decor - really pretty. Too bad I can't afford the $200 massage in the spa - oh well - I'll have to be happy just to have a room here, I guess.

Tomorrow, we're heading back north just about 20 miles to see some church that has healing dirt - apparently people make pilgrimages back here for its healing powers. Dear husband said he wants to try it on his back - we'll let you know if it heals!

After that, we're going to see a bunch of cars stuck nose first in the ground - yep - the Cadillac Ranch. Don't know why - just want to. From there, on to Frisco (near Dallas) to see a friend of the almost 18-year old's. Should be fun!

See ya later!

Say Good-Bye to Colorado Springs

2006-08-23T18:33:00.000-04:00

We were supposed to stay in Colorado Springs until Thursday but when we woke up this morning, we decided to head to Alamosa to see the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's about a 3 hour drive so we checked out of our great hotel and headed down the road.

The drive took us down I25 along the Sangre de Cristo mountains. In the distance, I could see two really large ones looming ~ now this is what mountains should look like! If they only had snow capped tops like those in Washington, I'd be thrilled.

We made it to the Sand Dunes - pretty impressive. Pretty tall - some are 750 feet tall! I took one look and decided to let dear husband and almost 18-year old trudge up the sand. I walked out just a little ways with them so I could take pictures of their trek and almost had 3rd degree burns on my feet. I had sandals on and as the sand came up into them, it burned horribly. Just before they started, the almost 18-year old decided to go bare foot. It took one shoe off for about 3 seconds to change his mind. That sand is HOT, HOT, HOT!

After the dunes, we headed to our Best Western Movie Manor hotel - it is situated on a drive in theater and they pipe the movie into the rooms. We drove about 20 minutes past Alamosa, took one look at it, and drove back to Alamosa and booked a room at the Holiday Inn Express (tomorrow we do surgery because we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express). I'm sure the Best Western rooms were nice but it looked like it was about 100 years old - rickety and run down.

We did make a stop at the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge Center but for some reason, changed our minds and chose not to take the 1 hour drive around. It was mostly wetlands - so lots of birds. No lions, tigers, or bears (oh my).

Tomorrow we head to Santa Fe. I'm hoping it's as beautiful as I've heard. I need some good pictures!

See ya tomorrow!

Pike's Peak (gasp) or Bust

2006-08-22T20:23:00.000-04:00

Today was Pike's Peak day. And in true VacationGirl fashion, she got dear husband and almost 18-year old up early as we had to be at the Cog Railroad 30 minutes before our 9:20 reservation. Got them up real early - in fact, we arrived at the railroad at 7:55. But at least we weren't the only ones there!

When we walked outside to start our journey to the railroad, VacationGirl was sure the vacation curse would appear and all she would have to show for the trip would be beautiful fog pictures. Pike's Peak wasn't even visable. Yesterday was SO clear ~ but not today.

Curse you vacation Gods!

But being the troupers we are (and figuring fog pictures are better than no pictures), we continued onward to the railroad. Good thing! By the time we got there (at our ridiculously early time), you could see the mountains again. Sun prevailed.

Ha! Take that vacation curse!

The ride up to the summit takes about 1.5 hours and then another 1.5 down with about 30-40 minutes on the summit. We boarded the train at 9:10 with about 3,000 other people. OK, maybe not 3,000 but it sure seemed like it. Every seat was full - actually close to 200 people. We had assigned seats so we got to experience the trip up backwards! It was ok though - we could still see good.

VacationGirl really wanted to see some black bears, mountain lions, and big horn sheep on the way up (or down). But no big, black bears popped out wanting handouts and no mountain lions made an appearance. However, we did see some of the 350 big horn sheep that make their home above the tree line. They weren't clip-clopping over the rocks, but hey, we saw them! The conductor said that we were pretty lucky as they don't usually make an appearance as close as they were. COOL!

After we reached the 14,100+ summit, VacationGirl could understand why Mr. Denver spoke of a "Rocky Mountain High" - she was a little loopy up on top! (yes, a little loopier than normal). The air up there is about 50% of what it is in Kettering so some people experience light-headiness, nausea, and some even pass out. I just felt really winded - so I drank lots of water as they suggested.

Once we reached the bottom, back in Manitou Springs, we headed to the Air Force Academy to see the Chapel and then the visitor center to buy some Air Force stuff. The chapel is really beautiful. We were up on a bridge like structure looking down at the main part of the campus and housing for the Academy. The "road" below us was about as wide as a runway - mostly concrete but edged in marble-like material. Periodically there were marble-like strips crossing the road horizonally so you ended up with lots of BIG rectangles of concrete outlined with a marble-like substance. This is important - trust me!

As we stood and watched, there were many cadets that appeared to be coming from classes (or something). Sometimes, one at a time, others in small groups - never more than 3 - 4 at a time. As the came around from wherever they were coming from they had to turn left to get on this concrete/marble "road". (I say "road" because it's what it looked like but there were no vehicles on it.) As each cadet made that left turn, each started jogging. It was kinda comical to watch because some of them would pause for just a second, take a deep breath, and then start jogging.

Well, of course VacationGirl wants to know why! There was no one there telling them they had to jog. And they each stayed on the marble part - no one jogged on the concrete. If they went from one side of the 'road' to the other, they waited until they reached one of the horizontal marble strips and then jogged on it. So why do they do this, she wonders? So she stopped a very nice looking young man in full camo and asked him. He very politely replied that he didn't know - he was a visitor himself. Then I glanced at the HUGE patch on the front of his camo's that read U.S. Army! Guess an army guy wouldn't know why the cadets jogged. Guess it will remain a mystery to VacationGirl.

We snapped a bunch of pictures of the outside of the chapel and started to leave but then decided to walk (ok, trudge - she's tired) to the far side of the chapel and actually go inside. Wow! Glad we did that! The inside is absolutely beautiful - worth the trip up to the Academy! The pictures do NOT do it justice - it is much prettier than the pictures show.

Don't know what's on the agenda for tomorrow. We decided that it was too far to head to the Sand Dunes for the day. Maybe Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, maybe US Olympic Training Center, maybe the cliff dwelling houses, maybe nothing! Who knows! Decisions will be made in the morning!

See ya then!

View from the top

A.F.A. Chapel

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead

2006-08-21T23:28:00.000-04:00

Ding, Dong, the witch is dead!

Well, at least there are no more red lights on the Tahoe! And the passenger side has air conditioning once again! Of course VacationGirl and Dear Husband had to sit in the local Al Serra Chevrolet dealership for 3 hours this morning - but it was worth it!

Today was Royal Gorge Bridge day. As soon as the Tahoe was functioning as expected (around 10:30), we dropped by the hotel and picked up the "almost 18-year old" and headed south to the Royal Gorge Bridge. It was about 1.5 hour drive. Very pretty. The bride is huge! First we rode across on a little train and but you couldn't see down over the sides so we got off on the other side and walked back. Sure is a LONG way down to the Arkansas river. Not sure how we got the Arkansas river in Colorado but it is!

The bridge is the world's highest suspension bridge - at 1,053 feet above the Arkansas. It was pretty windy out on the bridge too.

When we left the bridge, we decided to take this 35 miles road that should take us to Cripple Creek (notice should not would). The road is called the Phantom Canyon Road. Thirty five miles isn't much, right! HA! It is when you're only able to go 15-20 miles an hour. The books do warn you to not drive the road if you are not experienced driving on mountain roads. But do we listen???

NO!

And although VERY tiring, VacationGirl is glad we didn't listen. Dear Husband really loves the dirt roads and this was pure dirt road - nothing paved. It started out at about 5,000 ft and rose to 10,000 by the time we hit the thriving metropolis of Victor, CO. About half way through, the 'almost 18-year old' decided he wanted to drive. Ya know, off-roading, Mom!

YEH, Mom knows.

But he did good! Most of the time, only one car could drive so you really had to watch for people coming the other direction and plan ahead. You couldn't get too close to the edge because it was muddy and you'd easily get stuck or too close on the other side and you're off the side of the mountain. We could see the storm clouds as we began to start climbing upward and sure enough we got pelted - small hail and everything. Pretty wild. But once we got out of the mountains, the rain stopped.

Tomorrow if Pike's Peak day - riding the Cog Railway up. Hope it's as clear on Tuesday as it was today (at least in the morning).

Will post pictures tomorrow - too tired tonight!

Pike's Peak or Bust!

Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore

2006-08-20T22:44:00.000-04:00

Just let me start by saying "Bad things happen in Kansas!"

First, the red lights on the dashboard, then VacationGirl's cute little travel mouse broke (frayed wires) and she is touch-pad impaired - it doesn't do what she wants it to do! Then on top of all of that, when she and Dear Family got in the Tahoe to head to CO, the air conditioning quit working - but only on the passenger side. Everyone else has wonderful, cold air blowing on them but the passenger in the passenger seat (which is typically where VacationGirl sits) is blowing horribly, hot air - not just warm - but HOT! The type of hot air one needs when on top of a snowy mountain - which we're not. She now has roasted toes!

So to recap:
1. Red lights on dashboards
2. Passenger air conditioning broken
3. Travel mouse broken
4. Rain
5. Dorothy & Toto (can't forget about them)

With VacationGirl's deductive reasoning powers, she has concluded that Bad Things Happen in Kansas!

After we filled up and left Junction City, we headed out I-70. She expected the mind-numbing wheat and corn fields for 7 more hours but surprisingly enough, for the first 2 -3 hours, Kansas was quite beautiful. The word that popped into her mind was serene. Of course, it wasn't serene in the strict sense of the word - there were white, fluffy clouds - but the landscape just rolled along - very calming.

When we hit Oakley, Kansas, we decided to get off the highway and take some back roads. So we headed down Rt 40 for several hours and then Rt 94. Definately back roads but pretty. At one point, we thought for sure we'd get our tornado - heavy dark rain clouds right over head but we only got about 5 minutes of rain and then back to blue skies!

Got to our hotel (Residence Inn on the North side of Colorado Springs) arouond 3:00 local time and vegged for about an hour then we headed off to Garden of the Gods. It is even more beautiful than I remember it from the last time I was here. We walked around the park for about a hour or two.

An observation - although beautiful - the Rocky Mountains (at least those in Colorado Springs) are not breath-taking like those in Washington & Oregon. Maybe it's because the altitude in Colorado Springs is higher so they seem less impressive or maybe because they're all bunched together - but they just don't take your breath away like Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood. Of course, that opinion may change when VacationGirl heads up to the top of Pike's Peak and looks out over the same view that inspired America the Beautiful!

Tomorrow our first trip of the day is to the local Serra Chevrolet dealership to get the Tahoe patched up. I'll take pictures - won't they be great in my scrapbook? Hopefully, it won't take long and then we're heading to Royal Gorge Bridge. That should be pretty cool!

Here's some pictures from Garden of the Gods. Enjoy.

Going to Kansas City, Kansas City Here I Come

2006-08-19T20:04:00.000-04:00

Oops, that's a lie - VacationGirl is NOT going to Kansas City. That was her milestone for today and we were able to blow past it - to Junction City. Whoo hoo! Going through Kansas City was much curvier than she remembered - many of the curves on the highway were at 35 mph. MUCH slower than the speeds she's used to traveling at.

As expected - many corn field and wheat fields. VacationGirl and dear family's minds are actually numb - as in mind-numbingly boring. Some would say that that is a regular state for all of us - and we wouldn't argue to strenulously.

VacationGirl was really bummed - we drove right past the Oz musuem - at 5:00 - and guess what time it closed. You've got it - 5:00. Doesn't open until noon on Sunday so I guess the Oz musuem will be something that won't get visited this trip.

Dear family and VacationGirl have determined that bad things happen in Kansas. Yes, it's true. Just ask Dorothy if you don't believe us. She got sucked off to Munchkinland and I'm not sure what could be worse than that. Oh wait - maybe I do know - that would be red lights on the dashboard.

Red lights are NEVER a good thing on vacation. Red lights and rain.

The weather was pretty nice for the whole trip. There was an occasional sprinkle but nothing that lasted more than 2 - 3 minutes and then it cleared up. For the most part, the sky was a beautiful blue with pretty white fluffy clouds. Until we got to Kansas.......

I wish I could claim that the wind began to switch - the house to pitch and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch. Just then the Witch - to satisfy an itch went flying on her broomstick, thumbing for a hitch.

But I can't! It did start raining when we got a little past the state line - heavy but not stormy - thank goodness! But as VacationGirl was driving, she glanced down at the dashboard and saw an ominous message "Service 4WD". Well, that can't be good. So dear husband pulls out the handy, dandy user manual and it gave instructions to stop immediately and turn off the car - then turn it back on to see if the message reappears.

I don't think so - not in the middle I-70. So she pulls off onto an exit in the middle of nowhere, stops, and turns off the car. Turns it back on and the message came back. Hmmmm, this doesn't sound good. VacationGirl doesn't want to Service her 4WD - she doesn't use 4WD - EVER. She just took her Tahoe in for service - why couldn't the Tahoe very nicely have told the mechanic to service it then? but NOOOOOO - let's wait until we're in the middle of nowhere (oops, in the middle of Kansas) and then decide we want service. Gesh!

So Dear Husband did want any other red-blooded American would do - we drove off - for another 60 miles to Junction City. And we'll drive another 400 on Sunday to Colorado Springs and take it to a dealership on Monday (provided it still runs on Monday!)

So maybe Pike's Peak or Bust is appropriate after all!

Wish us well.....

By the way, the 17-year old (or as he now says - "the almost 18-year old") drove for about 2 hours - right through St. Louis - with LOTS of traffic. He did really good!

See ya in Colorado!

Calgon...Take Me Away

2006-08-12T22:23:00.000-04:00

Usually, VacationGirl doesn't come up with Very Important Discoveries (VID) until she (and wonderful family) are actually on vacation. However, this year, a VID has uncovered itself a little earlier - VacationGirl cannot wait until the 3rd week of August to take her first summer vacation!

Usually, family vacations start the last week of July or the first week of August. But since the almost 17-year old's school doesn't start until Sept 5 (Thank you very much), decisions were made to go after the almost 17-year old's birthday and before the start of school.

Oh NO - never again!

VacationGirl needs a vacation NOW! That much hated state up north's project is making her much older than her years! She does love the project but wow - it can make one crazy (but in a good way). Still vacation time is needed and fortunately, is only 4.5 working days away. By this time next week, she will be hopefully somewhere in the mind-numbing boring world of Kansas on the way to Colorado Springs.

This week will be spent gathering all the goodies that will occupy the Tahoe - things that will most likely never be used, but that VacationGirl and family believe they cannot travel without! Good thing we're driving and not flying.

So, washing, drying, folding, and gathering will be the name of the game this week. Need to try out the new card for the camera too - something has to be downloaded before formatting - hopefully it will be rather self-explanatory! Not in the mood to think!

Pike's Peak or Bust!

44 Days and Counting

2006-07-05T12:25:00.000-04:00

Only 44 more days until vacation. Can't wait!

VacationGirl bought a nice, new, big camera to lug around but hopefully, it will take some award winning pictures! She's played with it some but has no clue what she is really doing! But still - with the beautiful scenary in Colorado, it shouldn't be too difficult to get a good picture or two.

Hotel reservations are booked - at least for the main portion of the week. Found a REALLY great hotel in New Mexico. Although VacationGirl and family will only be in NM for 1 night, she still wants to stay in one really great hotel on the trip. Tried to book on-line but no openings. Will try the phone today.

So much to see, so little time. The travel route is fairly set - going straight there by way of I70 - from home to Colorado. Boring road but gets us there the quickest! Coming back, it has been decided that the route will take VacationGirl and dear family through New Mexico (Santa Fe), Texas (Amarillo), Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), Tennessee (Memphis) and finally home. In all, we will have traveled through 12 states in the course of 10 days. Lots of driving - but lots of good picture opportunities.

Reservations have been made for the Pike's Peak Cog Railway. VacationGirl determined that it would stress her out waaaaayyyyy too much to drive up with dear husband. Good driver, but she's a bad passenger when it comes to mountains!

More to come as the time nears.....

Crowder Mountain-Whew

2006-04-10T20:11:00.000-04:00

I've been lazy on this vacation - missed Saturday & Sunday. Saturday was a lazy day - didn't do too much (did get a new pair of sandles - leather - so I won't have another allergic reaction!)

Sunday was church day. First time that Dear Husband and VacationGirl visited the Newton Christian Church. It's a little country church but the people are incredibly friendly! It was a good service. Went to eat after church so didn't get home until 2:00 - then had to turn around and leave again for Sunday night service at 4:30 and didn't get home from that until 9:30. Long Day.

The Sunday night service was a showing of the movie "Passion of the Christ" - directed by Mel Gibson. It is an extremely accurate portrayal of the last days of Jesus. However, I couldn't watch the majority of it. He was beat so badly - very violent movie! And I don't do violence well - I'm a chick-flick kinda gal.

Today, Monday, started out lazy. Two of the dogs ran away so we made the men saddle up and go looking for them. The dogs made it home on their own - about an hour before the men! It was kinda scary cuz they are great dogs and we were afraid that something would happen to them. But all is well in dogland.

Someone had the great idea that we should climb this mountain near Charlotte that has 300 stairs to the top. Hmmmm, VacationGirl things this could rank right up there with her famous tips - don't climb mountains that have 300 stairs. Don't climb anything that has 300 stairs. So we drive out to the mountain - VacationGirl is thinking about reading a book. But, foolishly, she heads up the path to the stairs, thinking that she can wait at the bottom and enjoy the beautiful day.

HA!!!

No one mentioned that there is a 1 mile strenuous trail to even get to the bottom of the 300 stairs. And when trail maps say strenuous, they mean strenuous! It took me an hour to trudge up, up, up the rocky trail. Dear husband stayed with me for awhile but I sent him on ahead with the camera. Someone had to take pictures, and it sure as heck wasn't going to be VacationGirl. About half way up, there was a nice bench. She rested there for a few minutes and then foolishly started walking up, up, up the path again - all the while thinking that the stairs HAVE to be close.

HA!!!

They weren't even close. VacationGirl finally gave up and rested - leaning on a tree. She could have gone on down to the bench but she wanted everyone to see just how far she made it. It may not have been all the way to the top, but it was at least .8 of the trail. You can tell she's not a hiker - she was thinking that coming down would be easier!

HA!!!

Going down the trail was MUCH harder. She thought her toes were going to poke out the front of her gym shoes - because what goes up, up, up must come down, down, down and it was steep.

This vacation seems to have a common thread so far - sore feet! And they are VERY sore! So since VacationGirl can't find an open usb port on this computer, she won't be able to download pictures until Wednesday night - you can see the new baby horse and Crowder's Mountain - the source of my sore feet!

see ya!

Crowder Mountain

Spring Break and Red Feet

2006-04-08T08:39:00.000-04:00

Hi Dear Friends and Family,

Well, Spring Break vacation has officially begun. We're in un-sunny NorthCarolina now - for 4 full days - heading home on Wednesday to do un-spring break like things to the house (like clean)!

The trip got off to a good start. VacationGirl and Dear husband picked up the 16-year old from school at 2:10 with the car fully packed and ready to go. Of course, we had to make a last minute swing past the house because the 16-year old forgot his church clothes. No big deal - it's on the way. While he ran to get his clothes, VacationGirl decided to change from sneakers to sandles - a rather benign decision, one would think!

So, the Vacation Family got on the road about 2:30-2:40 along with all of the other happy families traveling to warmer destinations for the week. Traffic was slightly heavy but not horrible. Unfortunately, there were severe thunderstorm warnings out for the whole trip. Could we be lucky? Hey, it's VacationGirl and Family - of course we can't!

We got our first rain - a rather torrential downpour - in Lexington. If it had been night, we would have been treated to a spectacular light show - the lightening was extremely heavy. But as it was, we just got treated to rain so thick and heavy that you could cut it with a knife - all the way from Lexington to the Tennesee/Kentucky border. But then, miraculously, it stopped. Whoo hoo!

We stopped somewhere just after getting on I-40 to get gas and noticed on the TV that they had tornado warnings for the area so we high-tailed it out of Dodge and got on the road. VacationGirl was actually able to get through most of Ashville while it was still dusk - it turned true night just before she made it through - and all with NO rain. This will have to go down in history - VacationGirl ALWAYS gets rain in the mountains on I-40. The Gods must be with her today.

NOT!!!

(As a side note, right about this time, VacationGirl's feet were beginning to bother her a little but she thought nothing of it - figured they were just tired of pushing on the gas pedal!)

We made it to the Triple C Ranch about 10:30 - great timing for us - the earliest we've every gotten in! Almost immediately, we trecked down to the barn to see the new baby horse - 4 days old (pictures to follow in the next post). Lad, Lucy, and Tag were happy to see us. Lad was most happy to see his "boy" (and the boy was MOST happy to see his dog). I think Lucy will be my favorite - she the littlest of the collies and really sweet - we made friends right away.

While we were in the barn, VacationGirl kept feeling like there was something in her shoe - they are sandles, so this was not a totally unexpected feeling. But nothing was there - however, the feeling wouldn't subside. So she and Ramsey niked back up to the house where VacationGirl got out of her shoes, finally. WOW! Everywhere that the sandles touched her feet was bright red and swollen and horribly itchy. Apparently, after three years of wearing the sandles, they decided to create a wonderful allergic reaction. It hurt to walk, it hurt to itch, it hurt to even lay them down on the bed - she had to hang them over the side. But fortunately, Ramsey saved the day with some cortesone cream - VacationGirl woke up in the morning with new feet (actually, just her old ones back to normal).

Don't know what the day holds yet - we slept in - haven't even had a shower yet. It is rainy but at least we're on vacation. Let the fun begin!

Rocky Mountain High

2006-03-16T12:15:00.000-05:00

Well, it's looking more and more like Colordao is beckoning VacationGirl & Family to visit. It's reasonably drivable - only 18 hours to Colordao Springs which is where "base camp" will most likely be. Rhode Island is still a possibility in VacationGirl's mind, however, she may be out-voted by her wonderful husband and now 16 year old. Colorado is one of only a few states that is not on the 16 year old's "place I've been" map although many of the states for him were just drive throughs.

From what information VacationGirl can glean, Colorado Springs offers the most for a 3-4 day stay: Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Air Force Academy, Royal Gorge Bridge, and the Great Sand Dunes. (As a matter of substantiated fact, climbing sand dunes is much worse than climbing lighthouses!) Lighthouses are understandably sparce in Colorado so VacationGirl will only have mountains and bridges (and sand dunes) to photograph if Colorado wins.

Someone mentioned Durango and Grand Junction as good places to go - will have to check those out as possibilities - but time will be limited. The 16 year old must manage this vacation and a few weeks in N.C. which could be pushing the limits at his job. We'll see what happens.

Of couse, in a few weeks, we're N.C. bound for the annual trek to see the family! Always a good time - but not one of VacationGirl's favorite drives. I-40 in the mountains is horrible. And since VacationGirl will be driving down, there is guaranteed rain once it gets dark. It wouldn't be spring break without it.

Stay tuned for the spring break adventures.

Time to Plan

2006-02-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

It's time to start thinking about this year's vacation. This year will be slightly shorter than normal - the 1 6-year old is working now and money is tight. VacationGirl has actually thought about not even taking a vacation this year - instead staying home to paint!

Hey - wait a minute - that's WORK! Not vacation!

However, 2 rooms desperately need paint and there's just no time to do it on the weekends - too much other stuff to do. But I digress.....

Colorado is a definate possibility this year. Alaska is still my first choice but I want a driving vacation this year. Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico are all on the list too. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

More later when the brochures start rolling in.....

Mountains and Cities

2005-08-08T23:20:00.000-04:00

Monday, August 8, 2005.

LAST DAY! Although it has been a great trip - enjoying incredible sights - it's time for VacationGirl and family to come home. Their flight leaves at 12:03 Tuesday afternoon and if all goes well, they'll touch down at 11:42 pm, Dayton time. Should be home and asleep by 1:00 a.m. However, since they are connecting in Chicago, anything can happen!

VacationGirl has made two very important discoveries on this trip. The first you already know about - look, don't climb, the lighthouses. Another very important discovery was made today - Don't drive and expect dear(???) husband and almost 16-year old to navigate! It's a recipe for disaster.

Making "very important discoveries" like these are critical to one's health and well-being - or better yet to the health and well-being of dear (???) husband and almost 16 year-old. Everyone should make such relevant, critical discoveries on their vacations.

Enough for the discoveries - on to the trip.....

Group decision was made to visit Mt. Rainier - why come all this way and not see one more big rock! So VacationGirl and family pulled out of Kelso around 9:00 and headed up I-5 to Rt 12. That took them on the north side of Mt. St. Helen's and the south side of Mt. Rainier. VacationGirl was starting to have panic attacks because there was a HEAVY cloud layer today. All she wanted was one more day of the incredibly beautiful weather that they had experienced all week. But it didn't look like it was meant to be.

They got to one "scenic" view of Mt. St. Helen's only to see all clouds, no mountains. But VacationGirl had faith, even with the clouds blocking out everything. And sure enough, as they neared Mt. Rainier, the fog burned off and as they made their way around the east side of the mountain to the Sunrise visitor center, there was nothing but blue sky.

Sunrise is not the prettiest view of Mt. Rainier but it is the closest view that you can get to by car. Most of the pictures were taken at a view point at 6100 feet up - and then some at the visitor center at 6400 feet. You could almost touch the mountain. From the 6100 ft viewpoint, you could also see Mt. Adams - he lives right next door to Rainier and St. Helen's. Very pretty view. So up the mountain and down the mountain and on to Seattle to visit the Space Needle.

VacationGirl was dying to get one of the beautiful pictures of Mt. Rainier from Seattle - the ones from the Space Needle were ok but she had to shoot between the wires that kinda hold the thing up. The view is really great - it's right on Puget Sound and they saw cruise ships and ferries all over the place.

After leaving the Space Needle, VacationGirl headed for the hotel in Sea-Tac near the airport. (This was when critical discovery 2 was made!) . As she pulled off I-5 onto her exit, the mountain was right in front of her - the view she wanted! So she did the only thing possible - she pulled into a park and took a picture - it's the one you see below. She found that it would be very easy to live in a place where she could look out to the mountain every day - for some reason, it seems to speak to her. (She hasn't figured out what it's saying yet, but someday she will!) It may be telling her to lighten up and not be mad at dear (???) husband and almost 16 year-old for being directionally, map-reading challenged - or maybe not! However, that's what she'll assume for now as she begins the repacking process so that suitcases will close tomorrow morning!

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. " ~ Rachel Carson

See ya back home!

Volcanos

2005-08-07T22:00:00.000-04:00

Sunday, August 7, 2005
One more day.....
That refrain kept going through the vacationing family's minds all day long - like that song that just won't go away.
It's been fun but.....one more day! YEA!

The almost 16 year-old has been entertaining himself by taking cell phone pictures of all the "hot girls" in Oregon & Washington. As he, VacationGirl, and wonderful husband were sitting in a local restaurant being thankful that this particular chain does not exist back home, the cute little waitress and the almost 16 year-old kept giving each other "those looks" that only can happen between two young adults. He claimed that he was going to ask to take her picture. And when she asked why, he was going to tell her that he wanted to show all his friends back home how pretty the girls were in Oregon. Of course, VacationGirl and amused husband called him on it and darned if he didn't ask her. He took her picture and she blushed quite cutely.

Good thing she didn't ask 'why' since we were in Washington, not Oregon, and she might think we were raising an illiterate young man that didn't know what state he was in!

Today was Mt. St. Helen's day. The trip was an easy one - a quick 10 miles up the road to Rt 504 which takes you directly into Johnston Ridge Center, which is the closest that you can get to the mountain these days.

There were many good stops along the way - at one point, we had a great view of Mt. Adams and for a very short time, we could see Mt. Rainier poking its top up over the ridge. It was actually a very beautiful but sobering trip into the park. All around you can see new life growing up where the trees and grounds were stipped from the 1980 blast. But also all around the park, you can still see the downed timber - reminents of the blast.

The view from Johnston Ridge is great - you can actually see the new lava dome building. Apparently, it started building almost immediately after the blast 25 years ago. The new dome can be seen in the picture below - it's the one with the steam coming out. All around the park are warnings about what to do if there is an ash cloud - but we were also told that Johnston Ridge is typically not hit with them.

Standing on viewpoint from Johnston Ridge was kinda weird - it was named after a young geologist that died in the blast 25 years ago. He was monitoring the activity from there and calling in results - during his last transmission, he was "Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!" , then where was silence. Apparently, there was a ham radio observer named Gerry Martin that was parked two miles north of Johnston Ridge. He saw the avalanche and explosion and transmitted "The camper and the car just over to the south of me (Dave Johnston's observation post) are covered. It's going to hit me too."

They say that if you took the Washington Monument and placed it in the crater, it would only be a little more than half as high as the new lava dome. The crater that got blown out in 1980 is 1-mile wide and 2 miles long and 2000 feet deep. - It's huge.

Monday is going to the whirlwind tour - a quick drive by of Mt. Rainier - because it's there and then on to Seattle to go up in the Space Needle and visit a few more points of interest. Should be fun!

See you there!

Waterfalls, Waterfalls, Waterfalls

2005-08-07T00:59:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 6, 2005
Today was Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway day. VacationGirl was hoping for some WOW pictures but none developed - good ones yes, but wow ones no!

The Scenic highway starts out in Troutdale, Washington. Talk about a happy accident. VacationGirl randomly picked Troutdale/Greshman from the map only to find out after arriving that it was the beginning of the historic highway route. Luck was with her!

They hit the road early today - that was good because there was a full day ahead but bad because the fog hadn't burned off yet. The pictures that she had hoped would be WOW pictures were instead FOG pictures! But a Couch family vacation would not be complete without at least 1 fog picture. This one was taken from Vista House - high upon a ridge overlooking the Columbia River.

From there, the narrow highway wound its way down hairpin curves until it came to Waterfall Country. That's not what they call it in Oregon but there's one every mile. And because of all the grief that VacationGirl caught several days ago when she didn't want to go to some of the Crater Lake falls, everyone one of these would be viewed, climbed, and photographed! Yep - every angonizing step of the way.

Actually, she has to admit that the falls were all really great - each one was different and most were viewable without too much effort. They didn't get to see Bridal View because the trail was closed but they got all of the other! First on the list was Latourell Falls:

Next was Shepperd's Dell:

After that was Wakeena Falls - and yes, VacationGirl and family trudged all the way to the top! Very steep climb - very sore legs - but very worth it for the view.

Next on the trail came Multnomah Falls. It is the tallest waterfall on the route but unfortunately, we got to it right at noon when the sun was directly overhead. Between the sun and the mist from the waterfall spray at the bottom, pictures didn't turn out so great!

Last (at least for VacationGirl and family) came Horsetail Falls:

It's official - VacationGirl and wonderful family have seen enough waterfalls to last them for years and years. Please, if anyone hears her start talking about future plans that involve waterfalls, gently remind her to shut up!

Next on the scenic drive was the Bonneville Dam and fish hatchery. Can't say that fish hatcheries were a big attraction - something that just couldn't be missed but it actually turned out to be pretty neat. Some of the sturgeon there were absolutely huge - the one in this picture is actually pretty small compared to some of the bigger, more camera shy ones that we saw.

We also saw some "fish ladders" where the fish can get through the dam in special areas designed just for them - and for people to 'count' them so they know how many come through each year. We didn't really get to see any fish in the fish ladders - this isn't spawning season but it's still interesting to see the pictures (which were taken with the 35mm camera - not the digital - sorry!)

We drove on down the route to Hood River - apparently, it's the unofficial windsurfing capital of the world. With the gorge shaped as it is, it becomes a huge wind tunnel so wind surfers love it. We saw tons of them on the water. Pretty neat! (again, on the 35mm camera - carrying two and remembering to use them both is more than VacationGirl can mentally handle on day 7 of her vacation so give me a break!)

OK - it's about 3:00 pm - it's taken since 8:00 this morning to go roughly 60 miles and we're tired. So we turn the car around and head back west on I-84 to I-205 to I-5 that takes us out of Oregon and into Washington.

Tomorrow will be all about Mt. St. Helen's. There was a small 3.5 earth quake the day we got here under the mountain but apparently not enough to worry anyone. So, tomorrow we hope to get some good shots from the Johnston Viewing Center and hope to not get completely covered with ash.

See ya tomorrow!

Mountains

2005-08-06T00:11:00.000-04:00

Friday, August 5, 2005

Today was Mt. Hood day for VacationGirl and family. After completing mundane tasks, like laundry (that she swore she wasn't going to do on this trip), they hit the road for Mt. Hood - Oregon's tallest mountain and the 3rd largest in the Cascade peaks.

The drive took the vacation family through parts of the Columbia River Gorge. They got so caught up in scenery that they missed their exit - by 12 miles! Tomorrow is Columbia River Gorge day so no diversionary trips were taken but all she can say is WOW! No pictures of the WOW stuff yet - that will be tomorrow - but WOW - it was beautiful.

But back to Mt. Hood. As we turned off of I-84 to Rt 35, we began to catch glimpses of the rock - and a large rock it is - 11,239 feet tall. Even half bare, it is still a beautiful mountain - as seen in the picture below:

There was a sign for Sahalie Falls so of course, the it just had to be visited. As the vacation family took this narrow, winding road, they were suddenly stopped at a stone bridge by barracades across the road.

To walk or not to walk. Well, we all know VacationGirl's choice - but VacationGirl's adventurous husband walked a few feet to the bridge. Much to everyone's amazement, there was no walking involved this time - other than the few steps to the bridge. And once those steps were taken, they were treated to this view:

After spending a suitable amount of time admiring the falls, the trip up to Timberline Lodge was started. Timberline Lodge stands at the 6,000 foot mark on the mountain - where most of the skiing and snowboarding takes place. Talk about a freaky sight - there were tons of skiers and snowboarders around - in August!

What's up with that?

Because Mt. Hood is so tall, people can enjoy year-round skiing and 'boarding. Kinda cool - but snow skiing was never a favorite pasttime of VacationGirl. Tried it - hated it. Adventurous husband claims to like skiing and almost 16 year-old wants to learn to snowboard - but they'll be doing it without VacationGirl. Hey, maybe she will go along and drink whoosie drinks in the lodge - yeh - that works! But, skiing and snowboarding are not in the picture today so, because of that, the whoosie drinks are not happening either.

As the Trailblazer made it's way down the mountain, another large mountain popped up in front of them. Where did this one come from? It wasn't there when the trip UP the mountain was made!

VacationGirl is thinking that these things are just like prairie dogs - they just pop up all over the place.

Curiousity got the better of adventurous husband so he stopped at a teeny tiny little store on the guise of needing something to drink. But as he walked out of the "store" with a smirky little grin, VacationGirl knew he found the answer to the question that plagued her - Mt. Adams! (Didn't know there was a Mt. Adams, but there is!) It's the second largest in the Cascade range but it's in Washington, not Oregon and since Mt. Rainier overshadows it, it's just the poor red-headed step child of a mountain. Poor thing! As they made their way down the road, Mt. Adams disappeared behind the scenery of the Columbia River Gorge - dispelling the fact that they just magically pop up - the mystery had been solved.

Since all they mysteries of life (or at least mountains) had been solved for the day, VacationGirl and family made their way back to their 'home away from home' and played Canasta before hitting the sack (and writing blog entries).

Off to the historic Columbia River Gorge highway Saturday. See ya then!

Half Way There

2005-08-05T00:18:00.000-04:00

Wednesday Pictures:

Thursday Pictures:

VacationGirl and family are done "roughing it." They stayed Wednesday night at the Mazuma Motor Inn within the confines of the Crater Lake National Park. The rooms had no phones, no television, no air-conditioning! Couldn't even get a signal for the cell phones. All outdoor trash cans are virtually bolted down because bears frequently come into the camp grounds - right next to the motor inn. Was hoping to see one - from a distance - but Yogi must have been visiting a different part of Crater Lake Wednesday.

VacationGirl, wonderful husband, and almost 16 year-old took a vote on Wednesday morning. It was a unamimous decision to forgo the last few Oregon lighthouses and head inland for Crater Lake. There was a room waiting for us that couldn't be cancelled and dinner reservations at the only restaurant for hours. So when dawn broke on Wednesday morning, she was on the road again, leaving Reedsville and driving through the Umpqua river valley towards Crater Lake.

Crater Lake is spectacular - the pictures do not do it justice. Hopefully, the "real" 35mm pictures will do the color justice - an incredible color of blue. Thoughts of taking the 2 hour boat tour to the island in the middle (hey, sounds like Gilligan's Island) were entertained but quickly discarded when it was discovered that the trail takes a 1,000 foot drop to get to the boat. Down would be ok, but up? No Way! VacationGirl was seeing visions of moutain side helicopter rescues! How embarassing would that be! Even her loving husband and son decided that enough climbing had been done!

In the words of John Ohrenschall - "Climbing would be a great, truly wonderful thing if it weren't for all that damn climbing."

As we waved good-bye to Crater Lake, maps were consulted to find the "best" scenic route to Portland. The Rogue-McKenzie Pass scenic route was chosen - 82 miles from Sisters, Oregon. It took about 5 hours to drive. Well, in VacationGirl's case, it took 5 hours to ride. Along the route were many things to see - most involving climbing - but muscles had 24 hours to rest so they were ready.

In the first Thursday pictures, the 3 sisters mountains are pictured in the distance. Once you get into the Willamette National Forest, there are a ton of lava all around. As you observe Mt Jefferson in the distance, and our four-legged friend we met along the way, you can see all of the lava. At first glance, it just looks like chunks of dirt, but it really is lava - 65 square miles of lava flow. They call this part of Oregon volcano country. (VacationGirl is not quite sure who "they" are but it was in one of her zillions of Oregon travel books so it MUST be true!)

One of the last spots that we stopped at within the Forest was Proxy Falls. Our trusted travel book says that the falls are a short hike into the Three Sisters Wilderness. Hmmm, her experience tells her that "Wilderness" and "short hike" really don't go together. However, since all of the waterfalls on the way to Crater Lake were ignored, (and she caught absolute hell for this) it was decided that this one was a 'must see.' The trail was a mere 1.5 miles. After much huffing and puffing and being totally drenched from sweat, the refreshing sound of water was heard. Then VacationGirl and wonderful husband came to the perverbial 'fork in the road.' She felt like she was on the way to Oz and the scarecrow pointed both directions when ask "which way to Oz." The sign on the tree pointed in both directions to get to Proxy Falls.

Wonderful husband talked her into taking the trail to the right where someone had carved in "lower falls." She has reservations because 'lower' usually means walking DOWN and climbing BACK UP but she goes with the flow this time. But she wants to know where almost 16 year-old is! He went ahead - way ahead - but no one knows which trail he took. Motherly instincts are about to erupt!

Fortunately, wonderful husband was right. (Don't you just hate it when that happens?) After about 5 minutes, we came upon the falls and WOW - it was worth the hour of sweat it took to get there and back! They were beautiful. And better yet - way down where VacationGirl refuses to venture (her view is wonderful from where she is) is the almost 16-year old! He was up getting wet under the falls - where lo and behold - another family was there - one that just happened to have a teen age girl with them! We now have pictures of her at the falls too! Twenty years from now, we'll all be sitting around, scratching our heads, wondering who this young girl is!

So, after viewing the falls, we completed the trail and collasped at the car - after all, it is the hottest day of 2005 for the area. Boy, do we know how to plan vacation times!

After the falls, we had a 4 hour drive - we wanted to be east of Portland for the night so we could branch out to Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. Budget Rentals will wonder where in the heck their poor car has been - we've logged over 1000 miles in 4 days - and we're not done yet.

Wonderful husband and VacationGirl have noticed an interesting phenominom in Oregon. When one pulls in to those lovely roadside refueling centers, commonly known as gas stations, one cannot pump their own gas. Apparently, this is unheard of in Oregon. Someone will always be there to pump it for you. Hmmm, is this why gas is SO much more here? $2.41 to #2.69 a gallon!

As an interesting side note - on Tuesday, while passing through Lincoln City and then again today while driving up I5 towards Portland, VacationGirl and family passed the 45th parallel - we were exactly half way between the Equator & the North Pole! Maybe that explains why she's hot, then cold, then hot, then cold, then hot.....

Oh well - enough for today. Friday starts the 2nd half of the trip - with either Mt Hood or Columbia River Gorge drive on the agenda - one Friday, the other Saturday. VacationGirl is thinking some snow would feel really good right now!

See ya tomorrow!

The Lighthouse Tour Continues

2005-08-02T23:42:00.000-04:00

Hi friends and family.....
Not too many pictures today. We took a lot but none that really jumped out and said "post me!" The almost 16 year old decided that he was going to take most of the digital pictures because "he needs to practice for his upcoming photography class." We've taken 4 rolls with the 35mm but undeveloped film does not translate well into blog posts.

Today VacationGirl and her wonderful husband found that they do in fact have more bones, muscles, and ligaments that can become sore. She's considering a petition to make all attraction accesses flat - no hills, no slopes, no stairs.

First stop was Cape Mears lighthouse. The weather is beautiful - jeans and t-shirts are the order for the day - and we're quite comfortable. Comfortable until we started down the path to the lighthouse. We were certain we had been transported to Alaska. We all headed back for sweatshirts and even that wasn't enough. Getting to Cape Mears is like walking through a wind tunnel. It's a teeny little lighthouse but because it's on a 217 foot cliff, it packs a whollup - it can be seen for 21 miles out to see. That is, if the crew doesn't turn to ice first!

Next stops, Yaquina Head Lighthouse & Yaquina Bay Lighthouses. VacationGirl was hoping for a visit from the ghosts that reportedly haunt Yaquina Head but alas, they moved south for the summer to warm their little ghostly selves. If possible, it was even colder here than at Cape Mears. Since no ghostly appearences were in the works, VacationGirl just stood at the bottom of the lighthouse, hoping feverishly that a whale would make an appearance, while Tim & Steven climbed the 104 steps to the top of the lighthouse. She learned her lesson on the first day - no climb, just look! No whales, either.

We made our way down the coast to the jewel of the trip - Heceta Head Lighthouse. Only 1/2 mile to the lighthouse - all uphill - 162 feet - very, very long feet - very, very long 1/2 mile! By now, even VacationGirl's wonderful husband is beginning to feel pain in muscles that didn't exist before this trip. Of course, the almost 16 year-old jogs half way up - walks the rest - comes down to meet us and jogs up again. VacationGirl and loving husband are beginning to plan his demise as he mocks our poor tired bodies. Ha! Just wait another 20 years! Then he'll see!!!

Heceta Head is really not all that great up close - worth the climb but not one of the more spectacular lighthouses. However, the view from a distance and from across the cliffs is worth every climb we've made - it's truly beautiful.

One of the few 'attractions' that is not a lighthouse, bridge, or mountain is near Heceta Head - the Sea Caves. Since Guiness World Records shows this as the world's largest Sea Cave, we just had to see it. It was pretty neat - it's home to at least a kazillion wild Steller sea lions. We watched one little guy trying to get back up on the rock with everyone else - he finally caught a wave that took him to the rock and he was almost up and WHOOPS - another washed him off again.

VacationGirl knows just how he feels - her body feels like it's been beat against the rocks!

There's an elevator that takes you down 200 feet into the cave (after you walk down a steep, long path that you must then walk back up after your visit) where you can observe them through the glass - definately worth the walk - and a must-see if you're ever in Florence, OR.

Starvation is beginning to set in - we decided to skip lunch for the sake of lighthouses - and after far too many of them in a 48 hour period, we're ready to crash for the day. Hmmm, maybe should have thought of that a few hours earlier before all the hotels filled up! But we found a beautiful room in Reedsport - and we're resting our weary bodies.

No posts, no pictures tomorrow - we're staying in the Crater Lake National Park and the hotel supposedly has no phones, no television, no air conditioning. Guess there's no wireless either! It's a 5 hour drive inland and from what we hear, it is beyond description. Hopefully, VacationGirl can snatch the digital camera away and take some pictures.

See ya in a few days!

Only The Beginning

2005-08-02T00:42:00.000-04:00

Yep, the pictures just about sum it up - pretty darn beautiful out here!

VacationGirl and family's internal clocks are still set to good old Eastern Daylight Time - we slept in until 8:00 today - EST - 5:00 Pacific time. UGH! But it did get us on the road and out of Seattle by 7:00!

First stop was North Head lighthouse in Washington. We were able to climb to the top of the lighthouse here. (first picture) VacationGirl made a critical discovery at this lighthouse. She enjoys looking at lighthouses, but not climbing up them! This was a very important revelation as it will save many bones, muscles, ligaments and other little used body parts from unnecessary strain as we visit the remaining lighthouses on the west coast tour. Discoveries like these are very good! So in this sense, the trip has been a rousing success thusfar!

Next on the agenda was Cape Disappointment - and it was! Oops - it wasn't that bad! Seriously, it is a nice lighthouse but not worth too much effort. There's a nice view from the Lewis & Clark Interperative Center as you can see from the 2nd picture. Steven found a trail that was only 7.5 miles to the lighthouse. Ha! Another important discovery made before disaster struck. VacationGirl very quickly reasoned that hiking 7.5 miles to see a lighthouse (that she can see quite nicely already) would be just as bad as climbing to the top of one. So she chose to visit Mr. Lewis and Mr. Clark in their Center while Tim & Steven hiked to the lighthouse. While VacationGirl meandered around and leisurely made her way to the car to relax and read, thinking she had a LONG wait, she spots a familiar face. Hmmm - did they come realize that VacationGirl's very importnat discovery was truly remarkable? Nope - they made it to the lighthouse and back. How could this be? Dots are such peculiar creatures - especially when they are not seen correctly - 7.5 was really .75 miles. So much for relaxing and reading.

So on down the road to Cannon Beach. (More stops were made in the land of lighthouses, bridges, and mountains, but those details will come in the scrapbooks later). Cannon Beach draws visitors from all over - the main attraction is a rock. Granted, it's a very big rock, but nonetheless, it's a rock. But in keeping with the tradition of Couch family vacations, rocks are something we visit. Haystack Rock is the name of this remarkable creature - it rises 235 feet from the ocean and is full of all kinds of living sea life - as you can see in one of the pictures.

Although our hotel had an ocean view, it was from about a block away and the rock could not be seen from our hotel room. But a short walk to the actual beach left us with wonderful views. It was low tide so we walked down the beach to the rock to see all of the sea creatures that call the rock home. The hotel manager said the rock was about a quarter mile down the beach.

He LIED!

It was at least 6 miles away. Ok, it just seemed like 6 miles. It did take us about 20 minutes to actually reach the rock. It seemed so enticingly close. But no matter how many steps VacationGirl took, that damned rock never got closer. Or so it seemed.

Finally, VacationGirl made it to the rock. She had to wade through the water a little to get to the rock to see the sea life - thank goodness VacationGirl's family doesn't travel with video cameras. There's a whole episode just waiting for America's Funniest Home Videos! Two camera's hung around her neck - trying to keep her balance amoung all the tide and rocks! This is when VacationGirl makes another very important discovery -

The Pacific Ocean is darn cold!

But after wading for about a minute or two, one's feet are numb to the cold! Finally, her kind, loving husband came to rescue her from the rocks and start the journey back to the hotel. Is it possible for the distance back to be longer than the distance to the rock? Well, just ask VacationGirl, because the distance was at least 3 times longer! Or at least her poor legs thought so. But we all trudged to the hotel (ok, the 16 year old got cute and jogged down the beach) only to be greeted by the prospect of walking up 3 flights of stairs to the room.

Note to self - ALWAYS get a ground floor room or at least a room with an elevator!

And although VacationGirl hoped for a Haystack Rock sunset picture, the restaurants were not cooperating and she couldn't make it back to the rock in time. However, sunset over the Pacific WAS captured and still looked beautiful.

Now, it's time for VacationGirl to attempt to crawl to the bed - the floor is looking really good right now - no climbing involved - and get some sleep for the next day's agenda of more lighthouses, bridges, and mountains.

Until then.....

Oregon - Here We Come

2005-08-01T00:35:00.000-04:00

Whew! We made it! VacationGirl and family are in Seattle. Long journey, cramped seats! Although not comparable to India's travel time, 10 hours is still a long time to live in cramped little seats made for people that weigh less than 100 lbs and airports where cell phone conversations seem to be loud and never ending.

TIP - NEVER where hiking boots on long flights!

But make it, we did. Since the flight arrived at 6:31, VacationGirl had big plans to get the car, get to the hotel and then head to the space needle. Whoops! THAT'S not happening. Yes, the flight was on time, but when the person at the front the rental car line doesn't own a major credit card and is trying to come up with every way possible to rent a car anyway (and that's after spending 20 minutes trying to find the Budget counter - you know, the ONLY rental car counter that is no where near the other company's counters.), it tends to slow down the plan - finally got out of the airport and to the room (1 mile from airport) at about 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Unfortunately, our bodies think it's 11:00 p.m. so space needles will just have to wait.

Dinner at Denny's - whoo hoo! VacationGirl remembers when Denny's used to be good - but maybe those memories are colored a bit by the haze of alcohol - but it was still food. We did have a triple-priced lunch in the luxury of the Dallas-Fort Worth fast food court but by the time we arrived at our "final destination", we were ravenous! Even Denny's tasted good.

Monday we head for the land of lighthouses, bridges, and mountains. VacationGirl and family are all pretty tired tonight - so we'll just post the first pictures - from the plane on the way to Seattle.

See ya in Oregon!

The Wait Is Over

2005-07-29T18:31:00.000-04:00

Decisions have been made, fates are sealed - at least for the immediate future.

VacationGirl has gone through a myriad of emotions today - fear, concern, sadness, relief, happiness, guilt - but she knows that all of these feelings will even out over time. Right now, there is just an overwhelming feeling of relief that the wait is over. If you know VacationGirl, there are sure signs that stress has overtaken her life - signs such as fogetting to take the vacation money out of the credit union before leaving work. Fortunately, she has a loving, understanding husband that will make trips much out of his way home from work to bail her out!

This has been a sad week - each time another co-worker provided personal contact information, a tear was shed. It's hard to say good-bye to something that people have poured their hearts and souls into. But eventually all good things come to an end and one must look forward.

So after VacationGirl returns from the land of lighthouses, mountains, and bridges (yep, she's added a new category), she'll move forward to ERA with anticipation of learning something different. One chapter closes, another one begins.....

Bridges - VacationGirl was recently reminded of the many beautiful bridges that exist for her viewing pleasure in the land of lighthouses, mountains, and bridges. How these structures escaped her pre-planning frenzy is astonishing, inconceivable, and unimaginable. <gasp!>
However, by accessing another universe filled with bits and bytes floating around, she has been able to acquire information about these magnificent, majestic structures. VacationGirl thinks that she'll keep this new-found knowledge to herself and spring it on her unsuspecting family when the time is right. (like when they're on the highway, driving to another **must see** sight.

***WARNING - Adding anything to the list of "things-to-do" may cause heart failure.***
This is a warning that should be added to all vacation related materials. VacationGirl may need to seek counseling to stop the complusion to add, add, add to the list of "things-to-do."

And now that the career speculation and waiting is over for now, VacationGirl must begin the process of "getting ready" and shop for "can't-do-without" items.

and remember - "When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly." - Edward Teller
Have faith, dear friends!

See ya in Oregon.

Panic and Hope

2005-07-25T15:34:00.000-04:00

It's been over a week since Vacation Girl's first blog post was entered. It seems senseless to have a blog if one does not use it, however, she is blaming her inertia on pre-flight panic attacks, career trepidation, and sheer laziness. When she reads other entertaining blogs, Vacation Girl suffers from severe intimidation - never in her wildest dreams could she ever write such captivating material. That revelation is depressing because she knows all of the same words - just not how to connect them in ways that won't cause her readers to run screaming from the room with boredom.

Nonetheless, Vacation Girl plunges onward into the deep abyss of blog discourse, hoping that the screams do not echo back too loudly!

Six more days until the Vacation Girl and family climb aboard the metal tube that will transport them away from the day to day worries into a world filled with lighthouses and mountains. There, Vacation Girl can forget about the stresses of not knowing what her immediate future will be and concern herself with only the hopes of encountering one of the many lighthouse dwelling ghosts that she has read so much about. She recently "discovered" 3 lighthouses that are within range of the planned and plotted route - much to her kind husband's dismay. However, he doesn't like to disappoint her so he and her son will cheerfully trudge along to see these towers of light in all their splendor. Of course, he also realizes that this now means that he must purchase even more miniature lighthouses to display in their home, collecting dust and dog hair. But Vacation Girl *MUST* have a miniature of every lighthouse visited - it's an unwritten rule that her husband abides by to keep her happy.

By the time Vacation Girl is ready to go, her immediate future will have been decided for her - she remains hopeful that it will be something good, something long term, and something that has her reporting to someone she respects. Her motto up until now has always been "it is what it is" but as decisions loom, she realizes that she does care what the outcomes are - more that she wanted to acknowledge. But the conclusion to this chapter of her life is beyond her control to some degree and she awaits her fait with anticipation, fear, and hope - always hope - and the belief that it will all work out - someway, somehow!

6 more days.....

Oregon vacation - getting ready

2005-07-16T12:13:00.000-04:00

August is nearing and that means it's time for the Couch family vacation. Planning is almost done but never quite finished - VacationGirl always finds just one more place that she just has to see. Of course, if every place that she found is actually visited the trip will last for 3 months instead of just 10 short days.

Planning has become an obsession - what if she misses something - gasp! The horror of missing something is just mind boggling! Trying to determine which maps and books and printouts of attractions to take is on-going so that an extra suitcase just for the travel books is not needed. What if she forgets the one book that describes the very special place? Will she miss it, will it be overlooked? Oh, the struggles that one must endure to ensure vacation readiness.

Oregon and all its splendor awaits VacationGirl and family. 15 days and counting.......