The Big Project!!

Well, my big project is done and finished and was worn last week! It fit well and was just what he was looking for...

Yes, it's a silver lame suit! Yes, I made it! Now it's on to curtains for a friend in Franklin and I've started on an afghan for another friend. And yes, I'm still behind on a few baby afghans, but I'm progressing!

Vacation - Part 2

It was a long drive up to Yellowstone, but not unpleasant. I worked on a crocheting project, dozed a little and of course, we stopped for lunch. We drove through Idaho, a small piece of Montana and then into the park and into Wyoming. The park is so large - it took us almost another 2 hours once in the boundaries to get to where we were staying. We saw many wildlife that evening and during the rest of our stay. The bison were in mating season so they were definitely in abundance! Many times we had to stop (along with lots of other people) while the crossed the road or ambled down it a ways! We saw an elk, some deer, Canadian geese, but no moose or bear. The cabins we stayed in were nice, small but clean and adequate. The lake was beautiful.

Saturday we went one direction and stopped at an area called the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We learned a lot about and saw many thermal spots, hot springs, mud pots and such. Some of the colors these things produced were really pretty. Then we traveled on to Old Faithful. We watched a couple films in the Visitor Center and saw it erupt. We had reservations for dinner that evening in the Inn dining room, so after perusing the gift shops, we headed that direction to relax in the lounge for a couple hours. Turns out the Old Faithful Inn is acutally a huge log lodge! I was ecstatic! I explored a bit, took some pictures and then we sat in big comfy chairs near the huge stone fireplace (no, there was no fire in it this time of year, but I'd love to see it in fall or winter). I even took a nap for about 45 minutes. Then we explored the gift shop there and it was about time to eat. Dinner was good, we had the buffet... trout, chicken, roast beef, peel 'n eat shrimp.

Sunday we went north to explore the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone area. This was my favorite part of the park (at least the part of it I saw). No, it's not anywhere near the size of the Grand Canyon, but it is spectacular, nonetheless. Again all the colors were beautiful and just the depth of it was extraordinary. The falls, of course were magnificent! Most of you know how much of a lighthouse fanatic I am, well, waterfalls run a close second in my book to lighthouses! We did a little hiking on one side of the canyon - as much as Mom and I (my toe was bothering me some by then as it was my second full day in tennis shoes) could handle. It wasn't a lot, but it was definitely worth it to do what we could. I also enjoyed our picnic lunches both days. It was so nice to be out in the forest and enjoy the breeze and the sunshine and the lack of city noise!

Monday we left early to drive south to the airport. In retrospect, I was glad I used the Jackson Hole Airport, because that afforded us the opportunity to drive through Grand Teton National Park. What an awesome display of the beauty and grandeur of our Creator God! They were absolutely breathtaking and the sheer size of them as we continued to get closer was astounding. It was a beautiful day and one stop we made by a lake was just amazing how peaceful it was with the wind blowing and the sun shining on the mountains and the water. I've told everyone I could have just put out a blanket and sat there all day just watching it!

Well, we made it to the airport in plenty of time and it definitely rivals the smaller airports I've been to in my life, but that was kind of nice because it was easy. Both flights were good, running a little behind due to wind sheers in Denver, but less than an hour late overall and in my book that barely counts as late. As my Dad says, "any flight that lands wheels down is a good one!" Thanks to my friend Leslie for being there to bring me home and for having turned the A/C down before she came to pick me up - that's a true friend!

It was a great vacation and I enjoyed seeing a small part of this great nation that I had not yet had the privilege of visiting. The time away from the office was much needed and treasured and as always, any time I get to spend with my parents is time well-spent! Thanks Mom and Dad for a great week. I miss you!

Park City, Utah

Hello from Park City, Utah! It's been a great trip so far. Friday night I arrived on time, but by the time we drove back to the condo, I unpacked and we talked for a short bit, bedtime was about 2:00am (which is 3:00am CST). Yes, I can stay up late occasionally :o) (I did sleep on the plane for a little over an hour, which helped).

Saturday we slept in, went for our walk and then did some shopping at the outlet malls. I got a few new things that were 50% off and some more jewelry (still building my stock back up from the break-in). We went to bed fairly early, we were all tired and were planning an early morning.

Sunday we did the morning routine (walk, devotions, shower and eat) and headed to Salt Lake City. We went to hear the rehearsal for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It was done by 9am so we then decided to go ahead and do the tour of Temple Square. We finished that and decided we had enough time to tour the Beehive House (Brigham Young's) and make it back to the tabernacle for the organ recital at noon. So we did, but about 11:55am we realized that there wasn't a noon recital that day, only the 2pm. That meant it was lunch time. I had a great meal of fish and shrimp!

We went back and relaxed in the comfy seats of the south visitor center for about half an hour and then headed to the tabernacle for the organ recital. It was awesome! 11,623 pipes! We stopped back by the north visitor center to watch one more film of a historical story of their move west. The whole day was very interesting and very eye-opening! I knew that they were considered a cult and were off-base in their beliefs, but I didn't know much of why or how and hearing them speak all day was very sad in some ways. To hear that they claim to believe the Bible and yet are SO deceived. Wow.

Monday we drove 2 1/2 hours up northwest of Salt Lake City to the site where the Golden Spike was driven. There wasn't a lot there, but it was neat to see and learn a little about it. We also were going to stop at the Great Salt Lake, but decided on the way home we were ready to just be back. Tuesday after our morning routine we went to speak with one of the timeshare guys. He was nice and we had a good conversation, but were not going to purchase any more. We spent the rest of the day just relaxing in the room. I even took a nap, which was really nice.

Yesterday, morning routine, then we were off south to see the Kennecott Bingham Canyon Mine. One of the world's largest copper strip mines. It is so huge a hole in the ground now that it can be seen with the naked eye from outer space. 17% of the nation's copper is mined from here. We also learned that they gain many other minerals and such from the process as well (gold, silver, sulfuric acid and many other things I can't remember at the moment). After that we came back and grilled hot dogs to go with our homemade baked beans! Yum!

We had originally intended to go to the Utah Olympic Park in the afternoon, but we lazed around long enough that we didn't go. So this morning after our normal routine (by the way I'm currently walking 2 miles, in less than an hour, not flat and in the high altitude - not bad), we headed out to Olympic Park, which is just up the road from us. There wasn't a whole lot to do there, but we saw the ski jumps and bobsled track, and went through the museum. The best part was watching them practice ski jumping - they do it into a pool... of water!! It was very cool and we spent quite a bit of time sitting there watching the different levels of athletes practicing! Hopefully got some good picturs.

After lunch today, we went across the street in downtown historic Park City and rode the city chair lift. It was threatening storms in the distance, and the upper end was down in a small valley so we didn't get off at the top, but just rode on around and back down. It was about 40 minute ride and was peaceful and gorgeous! I even wished at one short spot that I had my jacket!

This evening we packed. I took a nap, trying to get rid of a headache too. Dad has the car mostly loaded and after our normal routine in the morning, we'll hit the road for Yellowstone! From all weather reports we've been seeing it will be even cooler up there. We are expecting about an 8-9 hour trip tomorrow in a fully-packed van, so say a little prayer for me!

Don't know what the connection options will be up there, so I will probably not write again until I return home. Hope you and yours are doing well this summer! Drop me a line sometime and let me know what you are up to!