Vegas-March 2016

Any idea what it is like to fly into Las Vegas on a Boeing 737-900 with 90 empty seats? NICE!!!  That was just one of several special treats on a Spring trip out West.  

There was the "white-out" snow storm we encountered while touring in Utah and then there was the Rightous Bros. show at Harrah's. 

On the two day Utah tour we visited Zion National Park, overnighted in Cedar City, Utah and then on to Bryce Canyon National Park, before returning to Vegas.  Even with snow conditions up in the mountains, we had some poolside days down in Vegas.

 

 

 

Views from the Lodge at Zion National Park

 

 

Shuttle Buses in Zion

 

Rock Climber in Zion (The climbers looked like tiny ants on the giant rock faces.)

 

 

3 ft. deep snow on road

 

Frozen lake??  this time of year

 

 

 

Tunnel through the Rock

 

Snow storm coming over the mountains

Red Rock Arch in Bryce Canyon National Park

 

 

 

Rock Formations called "Hoo Doos" in

Bryce Canyon 



THANKSGIVING - CHRISTMAS 2015

 

Our usual Thanksgiving and Christmas routine was altered somewhat this year.  Due to the unusual warm and rainy weather, we were unable to repeat some traditions while we created new activities as conditions allowed.

Now at 16 months old, Luke is more capable of following the footsteps of his brother and cousins as they enjoy their times together!

 

 

 

 Connor, the pilgrim, going through the motions and sometimes even singing!

 

 

Luke coming off the zipline

 

FUN in the MUD

 

Abi taking a leap

 

Logan landing in mud



 

 One of those times when the least expensive gift is the best

 

Everybody made gingerbread houses with Gigi

 

 

 

 Luke found chocolate goodies at this get-together

 

The gift exchange



 

 

Connor is wondering about Santa's entry

 

Abi on Christmas Eve

 

Rain never stopped a John Deere

 

Logan and Luke enjoying a movie

Luke-Christmas morning

Logan jumping on his trampoline



As Autumn Arrives in Colorado

Sept. was a great time for our visit to Colorado.  High temps in the 70's with lows in the 30's was very comfortable.  Our driving tour from Denver to Steamboat Springs and Rocky Mt. National Park, down to Vail, Breckenridge and back to Denver provided lots of great scenery and activities.

One special find was exploring some of the old mining towns that were antiques themselves.  Then there was the ride in the ski gondola's enclosed car up to an ideal outdoor lunch at the summit.  The golden aspen leaves as well as the large variety of wildlife made each drive more enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

Town of Steamboat Springs as seen from the ski lift

 

 

 

Mountain bikes being lifted for the "steep" ride down

 

 

 

 

The slopes from downtown Steamboat Springs

 

 

 

 

Ski Jump-Lots of Olympians produced here

 

 

 

 

Heading out for a ride in the Arapaho National Forest

 

 

 

 

View of Grand Lake from our ATV ride

 

 

We were definitely in the Rocky Mountains

 

 

 

Bison Herd

 

 

 

 

Mountain sheep in the wild

 

 

 

 

 

A calf elk along the highway

 

Baled hay must be protected from the wildlife

 

 

 

 

This arrangement keeps the snow plow from tearing down your mailbox quite as often

Yes, there was snow above 12,000 ft.

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Park's natural Hot Springs

 

 

 

 

Mining town of Silver Plume

 

 

Georgetown Loop Railroad tressel

 

 

 

Argo Mine's Hammer Mill

Hawaiian Cruise

After several months of detailed planning, this trip played out just as it was scripted.  Rather than a 10 hr. flight from ATL, we chose San Diego as an overnight stop to take a break both going to and coming from Honolulu.  We also added one day before and after the cruise to tour in and around Honolulu.  Norwegian's "Pride of America" proved to be a very effective way to visit O'ahu, Maui, Hawaii (Hilo, Kona), Kaua'i  all in seven days.  Island-hopping was made easy with the ship moving us while we slept.  The ship's sightseeing detour to view the Na Pali Coast was a special treat.  We also decided to pick up (5) rental cars, use our GPS and explore at our own pace rather than take part in the much-too-structured organized tours that were offered.  We were never lost.....just exploring areas that others did not get to see!

 

 

 

 

Overnight stop in San Diego-A few residents own boats!

 

 

 

San Diego from atop the Coronado Bay Bridge

 

 

 

 

Our evening walk on Waikiki Beach

 

 

 

The remains of the USS Arizona at the Memorial

 

 

 

Drops of oil as they rise to the surface

 

 

 

 

Diamond Head and Downtown Honolulu from the Punchbowl National Cemetary

 

 

 

 

Unimproved portion of "Highway to Hana"

 

 

 

Rocky shoreline along the Hana Highway

 

 

 

 

Beautiful beach along Maui Highway

 

 

 

 

Lava at Volcano National Park

 

 

 

 

Spouting Horn Blowhole

 

 

 

 

Shipwreck Beach

Cruising along the Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i

(The mountains are real, not  a photographer's canvas background!) 

 

Along the North Shore of Oahu

Presentation of pig at Luau

Luau at Polynesian Cultural Center



Wiamea Canyon

(Scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed here)

 

 

 

 

 Wailua Falls