Day 6 of Vacation

As much as I hated to do it, we left Grand Teton National Park and made our way towards Yellowstone.   The last time that either of us had been here was 20 years ago when we rushed through the park on our honeymoon.   This time we're taking our time.   Today we saw some pretty amazing waterfalls!  I probably took too many pictures but seriously, how often do I get to see waterfalls?   I discovered something about T today....he doesn't like heights.  Well, not heights specifically but rather looking down over ledges.   It was a real trip for him when I was driving through the mountain passes this morning.  It was fine while he was on the mountain side, but when he was on the "cliff" side, he was white knuckling it a bit.   NOT that I'm a bad driver or anything.

 

We're staying in Gardiner MT tonight in a quaint little hotel run by these goofy two women who are a hoot.   But the room is clean and the price is right.    What is even more fun is there is a back patio that overlooks the Yellowstone River.   So tonight we went to the grocery store to pick up some items and guess what?  They have these cute little individual glasses of wine!   That's what I enjoyed on the patio tonight. :)

 

Signing off from Gardiner MT

Day 5 of Vacation

What an absolutely amazing day!  It will be stamped in my memory forevermore.

We stayed in Jackson Hole last night and decided this morning to go check out the Tram at Teton Village.   We bought two tickets for the trip up the mountain.   OMG!!  I stood on top of a freaking mountain!   It was so beautiful and breathtaking that I teared up.  We watched some brave souls tandem paraglide.  I wanted to do it but voice of reason talked me out it.

From there we went to Jenny Lake and to the boat across.  We hiked 2.5 miles to the falls and another .5 mile to Inspiration Point.

 

 We didn't travel very far today at all...only 50 miles!   We ended up staying at Signal Mountain Resort beside Jackson Lake.  It was a quaint little cabin with no TV and no internet (hence the late post). LOL    Hubs and I took a walk down by the water and watched the sunset.   It was beautiful and the perfect ending to a perfect day!   What a Day!

 

 

Tram heading up the mountain 

What a view from on top of the mountain!  

 

Day 4 of Vacation

Today was an amazing day!   We left Lander Wyoming an headed towards the Grand Tetons.  We stopped at Sacajawea's grave site as it was along the way.  Then onward we went.

We had one funny moment when we came over a mountain pass .  We heard a loud POP!  We both looked at each other and T said, "Did somebody shoot at us?"  LOL   No, it was just a bag of popped popcorn that popped open from the altitude. 

 My breath was taken away when we came up over the hill and there they were, shrouded in clouds, dark and majestic.  The closer we got, my eyes were constantly glued to the breathtaking beauty.  I posted a picture on Facebook that said, "I believe I saw God today."  I meant it.  I had tears in my eyes.  I was so moved.   And the day just got better from there.  

We found a room IN Jackson Hole Wyoming.  O! M! G!!!   I've ALWAYS wanted to visit this place...and here I am..STAYING here!!  Once we got our stuff in the room we set out on the trails up through the mountains.  Gorgeous and a little frightening.  Can't say that I'm a fan of looking over the edge and seeing how long a drop off was.  T drove up but I drove on the way down.  He's been battling headaches which seem to get worse with altitude.  I can honestly say I don't like it when a big semi is riding my a$$ on the way down.  I just prayed that his brakes held out.  LOL

We got back to Jackson Hole and walked around downtown.  My goodness the neat and unique things they have in this town.  And a WHOLE lot of people. 

Good thing is I found my perfect log home...too bad I don't have a cool $2 million to purchase it.  One word...LOTTERY!  :)

Oh well, Don't Stop Beliving!  :)

Signing off from Jackson Hole Wyoming

Day 3 of Vacation

It's safe to say that I'm officially in vacation mode.   For someone who lives by a schedule, I cannot believe that I lost track of the day and time.  I'm relaxed and enjoying it.   So much so that I fear getting back on my hectic schedule will be difficult.

Today started out early.  Up and out of the hotel by 8:00 am.  It wasn't planned, it just happened.   We made our way to Jewel Cave and caught their first scenic tour of the day.   One hour and 30 minutes of walking and steps.   It put yesterday's Wind Cave expedition to shame.  Once again, T and I found ourselves directly behind the tour guide (just like yesterday), and once again, the man with all the questions was T.  :)  He thoroughly enjoyed picking the guide's mind and tidbits of information.  Can't say that I minded at all....we were privy to some interesting tidbits of information that weren't shared with the rest of the tour.

I'm glad that I didn't hit the gym this morning as it was a good exercise as well.  All of those steps were crazy!   And, at one point we were 370 ft below the surface.  I am slightly claustrophobic so that tidbit of information gave me a moment to pause.  But I pulled up my big girl pants and trudged along with the group (with a death grip on T's hand!). 

From there we headed in to Wyoming.   A friend of mine from college lives in Lusk, Wyoming.  Todd Hoelmer does archeological digs in that area and owns a small little show where he displays artifacts from his digs.  I tried to make contact with him while we were in Lusk, but didn't have any success.  Bugger.

We made our way through a whole lot of nothing!  Goodness, we hardly saw an antelope.   Areas of it were pretty, but between Lusk and Casper, well let's just say that I'd hate to have a flat tire.  

We're in Lander Wyoming tonight in a quaint little motel called the Rodeway Pronghorn Inn.  The price is right and the room is as well.  

After a quick walking tour, we're settle in for the night.   Tomorrow we make our way to the Tetons. 

Signing off from Lander Wyoming

Day 2 of Vacation

It rained, pretty much all day - which wasn't entirely a bad thing.   We slept in a little bit (for us 7 am in sleeping in), had breakfast and hit the road at 9 am.   The destination goal today was Mr. Rushmore.  Amazing.   I'd forgotten how breathtaking it was. 

From there we went to Crazy Horse and saw the head that'd been carved out.  It's going to be beautiful when they finish it - which will be quite a while.  

Jewel Cave had an issue with the elevator due to a power surge, so they were suspending tours for the day.   We backtracked and went to Wind Cave.   That was absolutely amazing.  My favorite part of the trip so far.   T and I were first in line behind the tour guide/Ranger.   There was only one more person besides T that was annoying with questions, and that was a little 6 yr old boy.  lol

It was all good though.   We're in Custer tonight and just got to our hotel.   I'm tired.   I did all the driving today as T still isn't feeling the greatest and his back is hurting quite a bit.   So, I'm grateful to relax. 

We're gonna try Jewel Cave in the morning then we're off to Wyoming.  I'm still trying to get in contact with my college friend Todd.  If we connect, I'd like to see him in Lusk.

Signing off from Custer SD

Day 1 of Vacation

Well, we managed to make it through Day 1 without incident.   After much debate on whether we were going to actually go (T hasn't been feeling well the last 4 days), we decided that it was no or never.

We didn't actually get on the road until 9 am because of last minute things in town, but once we hit the road, it was time to hit the cruise, crank up the tunes (or as much as T would let me), and away we went.

We hit the Enchanted Highway and admired some of the iron works (I thought there would be more of them), then down to Belle Fouche and Spearfish.   We found our hotel with no problems and then took off on the scenic byway.   I now have another bucket list item.  :)

We're planning our route through Wyoming right now...kinda...sorta.  We're kinda winging it on this trip...which is good.  

I have a college friend who lives in Lusk Wyoming.  I've tried to make contact with him to see if he's still in town this season or out in the field digging (he digs dinosaur bones).  I'd like to stop in and see him if at all possible.  It's not out of our way to go that direction, so maybe we'll just go there and see if we can make contact.

I didn't hit the gym tonight....but I think I NEED to tomorrow morning before we leave.   I feel like a round barrel.  Uggghhh...HORMONES!!!

Signing Off from Spearfish

Active

Tonight at the gym: 3 sets 8 reps each of lat pulldowns 80 lbs, pushups regular,  shoulder press 20 lbs, hammer curls 15 lbs, lawn mowers 30 lbs and 25 lbs (I wimped out 1/2 way through, skull crushers 25 lbs.

Two miles in the Ecliptical and 2 miles on bike

45 minutes teaching yoga.

And wasn't ready to go inside when it was so nice outside.

Soooo...since hubs wasn't home, I went to Pipestem and did 6 miles biking out there.

Now. .I'm tired.

Can a person change?

When I think about the person I was in my teens and early twenties and compare myself to the person I am today, I don't think I've changed all that much, although some would say that I have.

I'm still the Sherry that likes to laugh, is a bit of a wild-child or free spirit, a dreamer, best friend, beer and wine drinking, rock-n-roll loving, girl who believes the best is in everyone.  The optimist and lover of life.

But the years have added a layer of maturity to that girl.  (One should hope as I'll be 52 in a month).  

The years have shown me difficulties in love and marriage, death of parents and grandparents, loss of friendships, jobs, opportunities, and disappointments and let downs too many to count.   Walls have gone up, crumbled and been resurrected so many times it's hard to count.    But I always manage to find the joy in life not matter how difficult the road has been.

I'm still me..just multidimensional now.  Rather like peeling the layers of an onion.  The layers are Life....the core is Me.

Memory Lane

I was able to connect up with some college friends last night.   It was fun to take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about the good times (and even some of the bad) we experienced in college.   Although we admit that we do not feel like we're in our 50's, we couldn't help but laugh at how the conversation revolved around jobs, children, marriages, and health.  Stark reminders that we are NOT in our 20's anymore. 

 

Dean is perhaps the closest to me.  We keep in contact through txt, facebook and the occasional phone call.   He put out a post on facebook a week ago that simple said, "I sure could use a friend right now."   I called the moment I read it.   He's going through a difficult divorce and just needed to vent.  I listened...that's all I did was listen.   Reward?   The biggest hug and "Thank you" imaginable when I saw him last night.  He will be moving to Iowa within the next couple of months and I made him promise that we'll get together before he leaves. 

 

John and Deb live in town but I rarely see them.  They were college sweethearts that let a misunderstanding break them up.  After 25 years apart, they found their way back to each other.  Their road has been rocky in that they were both married at the time.  They seem to be doing well and it's good to see them together.  I smile when they say it was "their destiny" to end up together.  We made a pact that we'll try to do better in seeing each other socially because, after all, life is too short to say "someday we should do that." 

 

John and Laura have been together since college.   They did end up divorcing about 12 years ago? but found their way back to each other.  They have remarried and seem strong in their relationship.   My relationship with them, however, hit a rocky point about 4 years ago.  After an unfortunate misunderstanding, they made it known that they didn't want anything to do with me ever again and for me to delete them from my world.  Which I did.   Last night was the first time that I'd seen them and they behaved as if nothing had ever happened and we were long lost friends.   I took my queue from them and didn't bring up past hurts.  Bygones...but I won't forget. 

 

I was able to reconnect with Rick (Andy).  That was a flashback reunion to say the least.   He was the one that took me to my very first Road Rally.  Holy Cow. Memories!  It was fabulous to run in to him and to meet his girlfriend Carol.  He happens to share the same birth day as me and this year, we have a Super Moon to celebrate under.    I told him that no matter what we were doing, we would have to stop and raise a glass in toast to each other.  I hope our paths cross again in the future.

 

I was disappointed that more didn't show up - especially those that live in the area.  They may not have the same fond memories of college that I have and may not want to take that trip down memory lane.  I understand.  Life has a way of changing people (both for the good and/or bad).  I'm also not going to worry about it.  I just know that I had an amazing night with some of my lifelong friends, and that is what counts most to me.

 

So until next time when we can manage to get together, I'll continue to travel down memory lane from time to time and celebrate the people who were a part of my past and my present.  

It Was Good

I had a Girls Day away from Jamestown this weekend.   I started planning this about a month ago....   Capital Grounds Craft Fair, Spa Appointments and dinner at a nice restaurant.  This day was with some of my circle of best friends: Donna, Vickie and Ginny.

 

Although the day didn't go off completely as planned, it was good! We ended up coming back to town earlier than expected, then headed to VC for dinner at City Lights.  Great Food1  I highly recommend it to those looking for an out of town dinning experience.

 

We cruised VC for a little bit, then came back to Jamestown.   I wasn't ready to call it a night, so I cruised out to Pipestem with the sunroof open and the tunes blasting.   I was reliving the day and smiling.

 

I have such an eclectic group of friends, and I love each and every one of them.  We all have our idiosyncrasies but for the most part, we ignore them and embrace each other as the unique individuals that we are. 

 

We came to the realization that we need to do more of these types of things.  We, as women, tend to do everything for everyone...except ourselves.   So, we started planning our outings.   The next one will be in September and we'll be visiting a new Wine Bar in Fargo.  We're still looking for a designated driver.  We can use my vehicle but I'm not driving on that one!

 

Today I went out to the Pipestem and completed the North Ridge trail.  I did good and enjoyed the hell out of it, right up to the last hill where I wiped out.  The trail is beautiful and challenging and I did most of it on the bike.   I was in the mood for a challenge, and I got it.   Loved every minute of it but I was tired at the end.  I sat on the bench by the Rock and just watched enjoyed the quietness and beauty.   Did some thinking, some remembering, some tears, some laughter, and some smiles.  Don't know if it was hormones or just the need to release stress...but a good cry can do wonders.

 

Regardless ...it was a good weekend. 

 

It Was Good.