The Bridges of Warren County

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!

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???

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?

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

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

Farewell 2007

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!













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A.F.A. Chapel