I Love Moab

THIRTY!

For the Big 3-0 I took a
Trip Around The World!

First...I drew out for a capstone in
Payson, Ut at Moutainview Hospital
Labor & Delivery Department

Then...I traveled to the jungles of Africa
to watch these wild monkeys dance


Next...It was off to New England for a
Vermont Maple Blueberry Salad


Then...I did some shopping for my new bedroom
in Sweden
Finally...I headed home to catch some zzz's
After all, I'm an old woman now and
need all the Beauty Sleep I can get!

Surviving Supai

I did it! I survived my trip to Havasupai! It all started a few months ago my Mike invited me to go on his annual trip to the Grand Canyon to go hiking in Havasupai. I can only imagine the look of shock and fear at his request as memories of statements made by those who'd made the trip in the past echoed in my ears..."Next time I'm taking the helicopter".... "I don't think I'll ever walk the same".... My answer was not only no, but Hell No! However, Mike can be incredibly persuasive. So, after some encouraging words and a helicopter to fall back on, I was in. Although I'd started preparing about a month before, my anxiety kept increasing as the number of days until our departure were decreasing. Then, it was
suddenly July 8th and we were on our way! The hike into the canyon wasn't so bad...I didn't expect it to be, since it was all down hill. We started out around 4 a.m. and made it to the camp ground around 8:30. After setting up camp and a quick nap, we were off to play in Havasu Falls. It was just a quick hop from camp and truly a Garden of Eden in the desert. Mooney Falls was day two's destination. We spent the day playing in the water, soaking up the sun, and saving our snacks from sneaky squirrels. Navajo Falls was our final day adventure. Since it was on the way to the village, we packed up our packs and headed out to play. These were my favorite falls of all! I even jumped from 40 feet high...much to the surprise of the onlookers below.

After some fun at the falls, we hiked out to the village to fill our bellies with food and a quick rest before facing the 9 miles ahead. I was nervous, but confident. Seven of us girls set out together...The Sisterhood of the Traveling Packs. We made a vow to stick together, take things slow and steady, and passed the time with singing and laughing...especially with the rule that any complaint must be sung!

I'll never forget the feeling of accomplishment, empowerment, and fulfillment as I made my way up the final switch back! I had done it! I'm so grateful for the confidence and encouragement from my friends and sister...I can't wait until next year!

The Silver Bullet Express VS The Dumptruck

Guess who lost?

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles...

I Love to travel! Any little excuse to get out on the road and I'm there...So, when my friend Lisa asked if I would help her move to Oregon by following the moving van in her car, of course the answer was YES! As we hit the open road Friday after noon, I was excited for the sights and sounds of road trippin'! However, over the two days the view really didn't change. I found the large blue butt of a Budget Moving Truck always in sight. There is a benefit...I never lost her in a crowd!
After unloading the big blue beast and having some fun on the Oregon Coast, it was time to come home. Although that time always seems to come too soon, I was looking forward to the trip...I was taking the Train! I'd traveled by train from France to Italy, but I never considered it as a mode of travel in the United States, however, with gas prices rising planes are taking ticket prices into the sky with them...enter the train! The brochure makes some good points: plenty of leg room, large windows to see the scenery as you meander along the tracks, the ability to get up and walk around and use your cell phone while the train is in motion. There is one major draw back...IT TAKES SO DAMN LONG! It took 18 hours to get from Salem, OR to Sacramento CA. Perhaps if I'd been in the company of a good friend or a good book I may have found it quite enjoyable. Instead, as I tossed and turned alone in the dark with a dying ipod, I just kept thinking I could have flown across the country TWICE in the time it's taking me to get down the coast...and I still had another 18 hour train ride a head of me. I had almost convinced myself that the ride would be beneficial...uninterrupted pondering and planning time. As I walked into the train station to await this peaceful travel time, almost was not good enough. Unlike an airport, train stations are cold and unwelcoming...large cold rooms with hard wooden benches. As I looked around at the pigeons wandering the floor the thoughts of time for peaceful pondering were shattered by the reality of 5 hours in this cold brick room. I couldn't do it! I was going to gouge my eyes out with some sort of blunt object. Then I saw it....HERTZ rental car! After a few quick phone calls and forking over quadruple the cost of the train ticket I was free! Out on the open road in a 2008 Buick LaCrosse. I enjoyed the picturesque scenery with tunes that stand the test of time filling the climate controlled leather interior. Freedom! And a bonus...I made it to Provo by 7:30 that night--10 hours before the train.