Countdown to Paradise

When we booked our trip to Moorea and Bora Bora in September of 2017, April 29, 2018 seemed so far in the future.  I had plenty of time to brush up on my high school French, research the best snorkeling spots, learn how to use my new camera, and determine where we could find a convenient ATM to pick up some local currency.  Now it is suddenly 6 days until we fly to LA. What happened? I have spent the weekend trying on summer clothes that have been packed away since last year.  I am also attempting to calculate how much sunscreen I will need.  Two bottles or three?  The last few years I have been on two cruises, a work trip to Las Vegas and Suezapalooza in Florida.  I know exactly what to pack for a cruise and in Vegas and Fort Myers a Walgreen's is always close by.  Now we are off to a more exotic location.  English is not the first language, we won't have a rental car, not sure which power adapter is required and I need to learn how to say gluten free in French.  But the location......paradise.   

Finally

Booking a cruise several months ago was a fabulous idea.  As I sit in my bedroom under a down comforter with fleece sheets and an electric blanket, I believe it was a super bloody brilliant fantastic idea!!!!!!  Temperature in Neenah is 4 degrees but with the wind chill it feels like -15.  Yes that is negative fifteen degrees.  Why the hell do we live here?  Let me now check the temperature in the Bahamas.   A balmy 76 degrees.  Fort Lauderdale from which we will set sail is a comfortable 68 degrees today.  Forecast is for 70's tomorrow.  To us frozen tundra inmates, it will be paradise.  Image humidity in the air, sunshine, only wearing one layer of clothes, perhaps short sleeves even.  I know it is crazy talk but it is out there. Land with sun and without wind chills.  Land where you only wear boots for fashion and not to keep your toes from becoming frost bitten.  Land where the only ice is blended into your pina colada.  It is to this land that I journey.  So long frozen amigos and wolf pack members.  I will think of you often and say a prayer that your furnaces are working, that your cars are starting and that some day you will have sun.  Laters.

And the Adventure Continues

Day 4

On Tuesday, Sue and the kids went on a horseback ride at the YMCA of the Rockies.  Sue rode on Sloppy Joe, Ava rode Skeeter and Drew was on Cheyenne.  The ride went well with the exception of Cheyenne backing up on occasion and another horse ridden by someone else, deciding it was done with the ride and sat down.  I slept in and then enjoyed a morning of tea, reading and wildlife bounding through the cabin's yard.  The tender feet arrived back at the cabin walking a bit funny.  We spent the rest of the day chillaxing at the cabin, eating snacks, reading, playing video games and thoroughly enjoying our vacation.  Escape from cube farm!!!!


Day 5

On Wednesday the plan was to hike around Lily Lake and then visit Estes Park because rain was forecasted for the afternoon.

Lily Lake

The views were fabulous as always.  Sue and the kids walked the trail around the lake while I took the Lily Lake Ridge Trail that followed a ridge above the lake.  

Lily Lake Ridge Trail - nice when they carve in steps

Duck butt

A very friendly chipmunk

Evil duck eyes

View from Lily Lake Ridge Trail

After the hike we headed to Estes Park to check out the shops.  They had the most adorable t-shirts and with Sue's help (she threatened a t-shirt intervention) I only purchased one.  It is tots adorbs.  However, I may sneak down to the t-shirt shop and purchase another two or three.  I know where the keys to the minivan are.  Tomorrow we plan on hiking to Dream Lake and Alberta Falls.

Day 3

For the first time in two days we were able to sleep in. It was fabulous.  But the mountains are calling us and we head out to Rocky Mountain National Park for our first hike.  We select the Bear Lake to Beirstadt Lake trail.  The Park has a lovely shuttle service so you park in a Park & Ride and they shuttle you to various trail heads.  It rained when we were in the Visitor's Center and there were a few clouds that followed us but for the most part the weather was perfect for hiking.  Not too hot, not too cold.  Perfect.  As were the views.

Rocky Mountain High

 

Thank God for switchbacks

We had one incident on the trail.  Sue blew out the sole of her left hiking boot.  It made an interesting clapping sound as we hiked down the mountain.  No worries - Drew was able to fix it up later with duct tape.  We hiked for about three hours, caught the shuttle back to the minivan and then had a well deserved lunch at Sprague Lake.

  

We returned to town and on the way back to our cabin we found some elk that had wandered down to creek.  They were eating leaves off the bushes along the creek.  

Tots Adorbs

We continued back to our cabin and as we were about to turn into the driveway, we came upon a mommy mule deer with two fawns.  

I am waiting for a beer to come rambling down through the backyard next.  We soothed our tired feet in the jacuzzi bathtub, had a lovely spaghetti dinner and celebrated Bastille Day with a glass of red wine and some Perrier. Tomorrow Sue and the kiddos are taking a horseback ride while I sleep in.  I do love vacation!

Colorado here we come!

DAY 1

It has been months in the planning but it is finally time to leave for Colorado on our fabulous road trip.

Minivan is packed to the roof

Minivan was packed and ready for a 5:00 am departure.  We didn't want to burn any daylight.  We actually started our road trip at 5:30 am and were soon on the road eating gorp and singing "99 bottles of beer on the wall".  No, we were half asleep and wanted to get to Wall Drug as quickly as we could.  We make good time, stopping for gas periodically and bathroom breaks.  We played license plate bingo and I am way ahead on spotting the McDonald's first. 

Wisconsin flies by and we are soon over the Mississippi River and into Minnesota and then it seems like you have been driving for hours......wait we have been driving for hours.  We stopped when we needed a break or gas and kept driving along.  Finally South Dakota!  Cynthia (GPS unit) keeps us on track and up to date on what is happening and where we are.  Our final destination of the day was Wall Drug but we made a quick stop in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace and to purchase a refreshing beverage. 

Corn Palace Fun

 

 

Back on the road and counting down the miles to Wall Drug.  We drove for miles and miles and miles and then some more miles and we finally started seeing the Badlands in the distance and FINALLY we made it to Wall Drug.

 

We checked in and headed downtown.  We wanted to get our picture on a Jackalope and I wanted some fudge.
 

This was also Wall Drug's Town Celebration Day and a rodeo.  In a small town like Wall Drug, it should be easy to find the activities but we didn't find the tents or the rodeo.  We bought fudge, took pictures, bought post cards and some magnets and then stopped at the Dairy Queen.  We then headed back to the hotel, changed into our swimming suits and headed for the pool and hot tub.  I did some ab work because I had brought along two pool noodles.  After a soak in the hot tub I was ready to crash, Sue was ready to crash but Drew and Ava had plenty of energy and wanted to swim.  Finally we are all back in the room and we prepared for an early start on Sunday morning with plans of viewing Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and getting to our cabin in Estes Park.  I did more in one day than I usually do in a week, probably a month.  And mom, the fudge was delicious but with it being so warm, I had to eat the fudge I bought for you.  So sorry :)



 



DAY 2

Another early start (5:30 am) but we have plans for today and we need to make it to Colorado.  First stop was Mount Rushmore.  The boys were looking good in sunshine.





Drew, Sue and Ava at Mt.Rushmore



Back on the road we decide to let Cynthia select the best route to Estes Park.  She does a wonderful job.  However, we quickly realize that traveling on an Interstate is much more convenient that traveling back roads and smaller highways.  We traveled a most unusual route and each time we learned that a city was coming up, we grew excited thinking that we could stop, fill up and use the facilities.  Well, Lost Springs has a population of 4.  We finally made it to Lusk where we found a lovely gas station with lovely bathrooms. 

 

Several miles later, we are finally back on the Interstate and with a speed limit of 80 we are making up some time and should be at our cabin by 5 pm.  One small problem - storms.  We passed through two storms and watched a few in the distance.  We were almost to Cheyenne when it really started to rain hard and we had to pull over and wait until the rain subsided.  It finally slowed down and we started driving again and as we arrived in Cheyenne we noticed white stuff on the road, lawns and the roofs of houses - it was hail.  Pea sized hail but lots of it.  We had just missed a major storm.   We drove into Cheyenne, trying to get off the Interstate and find some where warm with a bathroom and food.  What we found were flooded streets and inches of hail.  On one side street we stopped to talk to a woman that was raking hail stones off her sidewalk.  She gave us directions to CULVERS!!!! When we had left the Interstate we had turned right, which took us downtown and also downhill to where the streets were flooded.  If we had only turned left we would have found several restaurants.  Storms over, our stomachs full of food and bathroom visits complete, we were as happy as clams.  But if we wanted to get groceries and find the cabin before dark we need to get on the road again. 

We went back to the Interstate and 5 minutes south of Cheyenne there was not a hail stone to be seen.  It was amazing.  The sun was shining and the road was dry.  We quickly made it to Loveland, stopped at Safeway for groceries and then drove to Estes Park.  The damage from last year's flooding of the Big Thompson was still evident in some areas but the road from Loveland to Estes Park was just completed and it is quite lovely.  Cynthia found us a short cut to the cabin and the road was a bit rough in places where the asphalt had been ripped away during the floods.  In one area the sidewalk along the creek just drops off into the creek.  Won't be walking along that trail.  We found the cabin and it is just beautiful.  Will post pictures tomorrow.  We unpacked, settled in, relaxed and planned our adventures for the rest of week.  Tomorrow is hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and on Tuesday, Sue and the kids are heading out for a horseback ride.  And most importantly, tomorrow we can sleep in!

 

 

Day 5 & 6 in California

Day 5

Today Amy and Mark visited wineries in the Carmel Valley.  I stayed home at the cabin and vegged.  I read a lovely book I found in the cabin but was disappointed with the ending.  I started another book, read several magazines, tried to organize my life, ate junk food and contemplated the universe.  Amy and Mark returned with 6 bottles of wine and then went to Rocky Point for another cocktail and to enjoy the sunset.  I stayed in my pajamas.  It was a very relaxing day.  Tomorrow we plan on hiking to Mount Carmel from the end of our road.

 

Day 6

Well the hike to Mount Carmel was postponed.  It is a least an 8 hour hike and we were going to get up early but we didn’t wake up until after 9.  By the time we make breakfast, get ready and hit the road, it was too late for Mount Carmel.  Plan B – Garrapta and the Rocky Ridge trail.  This time I am happy to report that we were successful.  We took the right path, only got off trail once, hiked up the easier side and we made it to the top after 3 hours.  While we celebrating our summit, two men ran up and one said to the other what’s our time?  The other responded 40 minutes.  I asked if they ran the trail and he replied “in areas where they can”.  WTF!!!!!! It took us 3 hours walking and they ran it in 40 minutes.  I wonder if they are on meth or steroids.  I was so proud that I made it to the top without pain or gasping for air.  I need to exercise more.  Next time I am running up the trail.  Who am I kidding?  I will hire a sherpa to run me up on his back.  We made it back to the trail head and did a non-moving victory dance.  Back at the cabin we relaxed eating pasta and meat.  It is only 6:15 pm and I am ready for bed.  I don’t think we will be hiking to Mount Carmel tomorrow.  I am willing but is my body?  Decided to take some pictures of the stars.  After a few attempts and reading my camera book I figured it out.  Tomorrow is our last full day in California.  We are heading to the beach to relax.

 

Trying to Catch Up

It is fabulous on a vacation not to have Internet access or cell phone reception.  We actually have to relax and talk to one another.  So, we finally made it to our favorite Safeway where I am will quickly catch you up to date.

Day 1 & 2

We made it Monterey late on Saturday night.  Flights were delayed but in the end we arrived safely and with our luggage.  Win Win.  Kathryn’s daughter Lindsay kindly picked us up from the airport because the car rental agencies close at 8 pm and we arrived at midnight local time.  Quick ride home to the cabin and off to bed.  Fast forward 10 hours, we wake up and head to the airport to pick up our ride for the week.  We have a lovely Ford Fusion (hybrid).  We head off to our favorite Safeway to pick up provisions for the week but first a stop at Starbucks.  They built a new Starbucks at Cross Points and we stopped in for breakfast.  It was interesting shopping with Mark, he wanted meat.  What the? Meat, we never buy no stinking meat.  The highlight of the shopping expedition was the fact that they sell fresh gluten-free cheese ravioli which I had for dinner with a lovely creamy vodka pasta sauce.   Back at the cabin we unload and then head out for our first hike. 

We scrambled down cliffs, over rocks enjoying the scenery and looking always for the elusive sea otter.  No otters today but a quick sea lion sighting.  We head back to the cabin for dinner (ravioli for me) meat for Amy and Mark.  Again, what is with the meat?  There is so much I don’t understand in this world and a craving for meat is one of them.  Fleshy goodness according to Mark.   With our evening meal, we enjoyed a lovely selection of Angry Orchard cider and Blue Moon Harvest beers.  I am currently enjoying the Cinnful Apple Cider a bit too much.  It is damn good.  And when I say damn good, I mean I am ready for bed and it was only 6:45 pm.  It’s like those little cinnamon candies with a lovely kick.  Of course with drunkenness, comes witty repartee.  We are so witty right now. 

The weather is fabulous, the cabin peaceful, and the company priceless.  Later Gators.

 

Day 3

I awoke with a headache courtesy of Angry Orchard.  Now I understand the name.  The apples are angry and are taking their revenge on any that partakes of the cider.  Today we visited Monterey.  First stop was the fabulous aquarium.  They had a lovely jellyfish exhibit but we were unable to find the peanut butterfish exhibit. 

I know, don’t give up my day job to write jokes.  The bay was quite active with otters, seals, sea lions and even humpback whales.  Yes, I saw my beloved humpbacks.  They stopped in the bay for a quick snack before heading south to Hawaii or Mexico.  We had lunch at a lovely restaurant on the water.  It was quite enjoyable to eat your lunch and enjoy sea otters swimming by and whales feeding.  We walked over to pier to view the sea lions and then continued our walk to the wharf.  It is now 7:22 and we are ready for bed.  Vacation can be so tiring.  Tomorrow we once again return to nature and hiking with a visit to Point Lobos and Andrew Molera.  We are saving Garrapata’s hike for Friday. 

Day 4

We awoke early and headed to Point Lobos.  The sea lions were barking and the otters were cavorting but we missed our seals.  Not sure where they hiding but we only saw one.  The surf was huge and we took several hundred pictures of the waves and the spray as the water hits the rocks.   We then traveled to Andrew Molera where we dined had a lovely picnic and were joined by a local squirrel who would only eat Amy’s cheetahs.  It was quite windy and when we got to beach we were sand blasted.  Showers for everyone tonight.  We also ran across our first rattlesnake.  He was teeny tiny, only about 9 inches long with two tiny rattles on the end of his tail.  We were discussing on Sunday morning all the ways we could die in California.  We now have another to add to the list.  The list so far is:

Rattlesnake

Mountain Lion

Driving off a cliff

Falling off a cliff

Rogue wave

Fire

Redwood tree falling on cabin

Hit by a tourist

Flood/Mudslide

Earthquake

Choking a piece of See’s candy

 

Interesting conversations we have when we don't have cable or Internet.