Good Bye to 2021!

Is it already the end of 2021!  It just seem like yesterday that 2021 was beginning.

How was 2021 for you?  Like all years, it was a rollercoaster year for me.  There were happy times and there were sad times.  It is through the journey that I learn how to enjoy each day.

Overall, 2021 was a year of growth.  A year of learning new things.  This was the year I attended a writers conference and my heart was pricked in writing a book.  A story that needed to be told.  It is a fiction, but based on true facts.  Some dear friends left their country and family to find freedom and to discover a country which would allow them to dream "big"!  For the past twenty-five years, they have dreamed and achieved their dreams.  There story is remarkable.  They lost a lot to gain what they were looking for.

What are your dreams for 2021?  

I jut read dreaming and setting goals does more for an individual than anything else.  The more that you focus, the more powerful you are.  Your goals can make a difference in your walk of life.  It is so much easier to think "What does it matter?", "No one believes in me anyway."  "I am not trained in that particular area or I don't know anything about it." or "I can't do it!".

I am a Christian and my dreams stretch my faith.  The goals help me to trust in a God who says "I am with you!"  Just like an athlete, who trains to be the best they can possibly be.  If you aren't trying to reach a goal, "What motivates you?"  "What keeps you going?"

Philippians 3:12-14 says "do not let anything take your eyes off of your goal..., which is knowing Jesus Christ."  As a Christian our spiritual life is to grow closer and understanding Jesus.

As I grow closer to Jesus, the Lord brings dreams to mind.  He wants me to do my best and to show others that the only way to achieve my goals and dreams are through Him.

Do I get exactly what I dream for?  Sometimes, I don't.  But through the process, I learn more about me and what I need to do to become a better person.

Because of my dreams, I have energy to discover new possibilites and to enjoy the people around me.

Remember "Every ending has a new beginning!"

So as 2021 ends, there is a new beginning in 2022!

Dream big and see what God can do in your life!

Happy New Year!

Praying Mantis

Last night sitting out on the patio, I looked down and saw not one, but three praying mantis.  I can't remember the last time that I saw one.

They are such an interesting looking insect.  If you weren't careful, you would think that is a small twig.  It is the only known insect that can turn its head and look over its shoulder.  As well as having great vision and they see in 3-D.  Pretty impressive!

I am always curious about all the different insects that God created.  Why would God create a praying mantis?  To find out, these magnificent insects help farmers and gardeners by eating moths, mosquitoes, roaches and flies.  

There life expectancy is from a few months to a year.

And also, who doesn't like a little good luck.  Seeing a praying mantis is a sign that you will experience a stroke of good luck.  It is also a symbol of calmness, focus and concentration.  Its magical color is is a symbol of the Earth and it is a symbol of peace and harmony with a nature.

Go out into your garden or look in the shrubby and see if you can find one of God's creatures, the praying mantis!

Celebrate Life!

Today, I am celebrating life.  I am learning not to dwell on the past or being anxious or worrying about the future.  If anything I have learned in life is to enjoy each day and the moment.

One can take life and people for granted.  Don't miss the opportunity to be with family and/or friends.  How often have you wished you would have taken the time to go visit someone?  We have all been in that place.

Sometimes we make life too complicated.  We think that we don't have time or maybe that person doesn't really want to see you, etc.  The question is was your heart picked?  Did you have that thought that I should go see that person?  I want to encourage you to "just do it"!  You can analyze everything later.  You may just be what that person might have needed in their life at that moment.  They are probably exactly what you need.  You will never know.

Just remember "life is too short" and every moment is precious.

Today is the day to celebrate the life that God has given you!

Shana Tova

Shana Tova to my Jewish friends.  Happy New Year!

No, it is not New Year's Eve.  This is the Jewish celebration of the New Year.  And it leads up to Yom Kippur.  Rosh Hashanah will begin this evening and ends on the evening of September 8th.

The two day celebration is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.  Customs include sounding the shofar(a cleaned-out ram's horn), as well as attending synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva(repentance).  Eating symbolic foods is also a part of the tradition.  Such as apples dipped in honey, hoping to have a sweet new year.  

May this be a blessed year for you and your family!

Today is A Day of Being Quiet

As I celebrate the Sabbath, I am reflecting on the week and the rollercoaster of emotions for the week.

Tuesday was a day of rejoicing.  My brother-in-law, George was so much better and stronger.  He was recovering well from COVID.  It is going to be a slow process, but we knew he was on the road to recovery.

And then Friday came and George called to tell us that Adele, his wife, had passed away that morning in the hospital due to COVID/pneumonia.  We were in such shock.  Such shock that I was not able to cry.  Also thinking in thirteen days, Adele would have turned "71".  And next year, George and Adele would have celebrated fifty years of marriage.

Forty-five minutes later, I received a text that a dear friend, who was "95" had just passed away.  Tears began to flow.  I was rejoicing for V, as I knew he was finally with the love of his life, Erma.  Erma had passed away in December of 2019, at the age of "93".  They had been married almost seventy-five years.  They were now together.

Today is a day of being still and resting and exalting God for who He is.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalms 46:10

When Your Heart is Sad

Everyone has gone through times of sadness.  There are periods where there are situations with family and friends, work isn't going well, some challenging times at home, the break-up of a relationship or the death of a family member or friend.

Right now, I am experiencing sadness due to the death of my sister-in-law, Adele.  Yesterday, my husband's brother, George, called to let us know that she went home to be with Jesus.  Adele had been in the hospital for almost a month with pneumonia.  

Adele was a God-fearing woman and loved and shared Jesus with everyone she knew.  Family and friends were praying for her divine healing to come home to her home that she had lived in for almost fifty years.  God had other plans.  Praise God!  She is healed.  She just will not be with us, but she is rejoicing with other family members and friends and Jesus.

We are not alone.

Isaiah 43:2 says "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.  And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fires, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."  The Lord will hold our hand and walk through these sad and dark times with us.

What now?  We will treasure the sweet memories of Adele and all that she has done for others.  Life is short and that is why you enjoy your time with family and friends.  I will treasure the thirty-six years that I had with Adele.  Some fond memories are when she made the flowers for Kenny and mine's wedding.  We spent a day picking out flowers and deciding on the designs for my bridal bouquet, as well as the bridesmaid's bouquets and the table arrangements.  She was never selfish of her time.  She was always willing to assist others.  Our time with family(dinners, holidays, reunions, working puzzles and so much more).  But what I will miss the most is just having a conversation of certain matters going on in my life, talking about family and friends and sharing our faith.

We will now rise up and carry the torch.  What would Adele want us to do?  She would want us to go forth and continue to share the gospel that Jesus lives.

It is hard to see the blessings, but I know they are there.  God promises me that.  Matthew 5:4 says "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."  Blessings are more than happiness.  It is about finding hope and joy and to follow Jesus no matter what.

Adele has faced a physical death, but she lives and will always live in our hearts.

John 5:24 - "Jesus said that Adele heard His word and believed in Him who had promised her everlasting life.  Adele will not come into judgment, but she will pass from death into life."

You will be missed!  Until we see each other again!

Adele, George and their beautiful grand-daughters

Don't Worry Be Happy

Today the song "Don't Worry Be Happy" popped into my mind.  I haven't heard this song in years.  The song did bring a smile to my face.  Of course, I had to google it and listen.  This song was released in 1988.  That was thirty-three years ago.  A lot was happening back then.  I was living in Austin, Texas and had been married for two years.  Life was going well and the only worries I had were taking courses at the University of Texas.

The lyrics are "Don't worry, be happy.  In every life we have some trouble.  But when you worry you make it double.  Don't worry, be happy...."

Now that I have this tune in my mind, it will help me keep everything in perspective of what is going on in the world.

Who doesn't worry?  I realize some worry a lot more than others.  When I begin to worry, I think what can I do to change the situation.  

I have a friend who tells me "When you begin to worry, pray.  When you are praying, you don't worry".  That does make sense.

If you are worrier, what can you do?  Begin to smile.  There is something about smiling.  Your whole body changes.  The weight is lifted, your breathing changes and you have a twinkle to the eye.

Exercising is also something you can do.  Exercise strengthens your heart and your increased blood flow raises the oxygen levels in your body.  

Being grateful keeps your mind off of your problems.  What is something that you are thankful for? 

And just like my friend, praying is the main ingredient.  God tells us to give him all our troubles and burdens.  Matthew 11:28 says "Come to Jesus, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  How would you like to feel loved, healed and peace with God?

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22  When you have something at task that you don't want to do and you are worried about it, remember encouragement, enthusiasm and a positive outlook will make all the difference.

This photo represents letting go and letting God handle our troubles.  Take a minute to walk outside and enjoy the surroundings.  Remember that the God who created nature is also the same God that will carry you through the troubling times.  Start whistling "Don't worry, be happy".

Happy Birthday!

I wonder how many people had birthdays today?  I know of three good friends who are celebrating.  One is celebrating her 50th; another one is celebrating her 60th and my other friend is celebrating reaching 72.  And to think somewhere, a baby is being born today and will celebrate a year from now.

Do you ever wonder where birthday celebration began?  Well, I do.  I am always curious, how things got started.

One thing that I did learn was that birthday festivities did not begin until calendars were created.  That makes sense.  No one had a way to keep track of time except by the sun, moon, seasons and other events.

The first reference to a birthday were the Egyptians when they celebrated Pharaoh's birthday.  The actual date that was celebrated was when Pharaoh became King.  This date was more important than their actual birth.  The Greeks felt that each person had a spiritual god that would be with them throughout the years.

The Romans would celebrate men turning 50 years old and they would receive a special cake baked with wheat flour, olive oil, grated cheese and honey.  Women did not begin to celebrate birthdays until about the 12th century.

If you are going to have a birthday celebration, you need a cake and candles.  The Greeks would offer up moon-shaped cakes filled with candles.  The flames from the candles gave a radiance glow of beauty.  The blowing out of the candles was a prayer to the gods.

In earlier years, sugary cakes were only enjoyed by the wealthy.  Sugar use to be a luxury only enjoyed by the wealthy.  It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution when everyone was able to afford sugar.  After that everyone enjoyed having a sugary cake to celebrate their special day.

"Happy Birthday" was written by two sisters who were school teachers.  They wrote the song "Good Morning to All" in 1893 and it was published for other teachers.  The song was to be sung in class before students started their day.  The lyrics of the song became what we know as "The Birthday Song".

The gathering of friends and family and noisemakers were welcomed to protect the birthday person from any harm.  The gifts that were brought would ward off evil spirits.

Some interesting facts.  October 5th is the most common birth date in the U.S.  Are you asking "Why?"  Think about it.  Nine months before is New Year's Eve.  A time of celebration.  May 22nd is considered to be the least common birthday in the U.S.  Nine months before May 22nd is August.  I guess August was too hot and no one wanted to be close to each other.

Now you know why birthdays are celebrated.  This year you can play a little trivia on your day of celebration.

"You are beautiful, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made."  Psalms 139:14  God has made you and His Spirit lives within you.  He wants you to celebrate life and a new year!

Angels

Last night when I stepped outside to look at the sunset, I was drawn to the blue and orange sky and the puffy clouds.  The sunset and the sunrays looked as if angels were gathered together and singing.

I just read that angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible.  God created angels at the same time that the earth was formed.  Angels are God's spiritual beings who are here to bring messages, to protect, to give guidance, to encourage and so much more.

The birth of Jesus was such a supernatural event.  The angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her "you are highly favored.  The Lord is with you."   Mary had found favored with God and she would give birth to a son and she would name him Jesus.  An angel of the Lord came to Joseph to tell him not to be afraid.  That what was conceived in Mary was from the Holy Spirit.  And then at the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared before the shepherds to tell them to not be afraid and that the Savior had been born.

There are so many more times that God talks about angels in the Bible.  Angels were there at Sodom & Gomorrah, Abraham, Jacob, Daniel, Paul, John and so many other characters and events throughout the Bible.

So many books have been written about angels and their mystic power.  Angels are not a god. God does provide them when they are needed.

I will end with this verse.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."  Hebrews 13:2

To Dream The Impossible Dream

For the past several weeks, the song "The Impossible Dream" has been playing in my mind.  This was a song that was released in 1965.  Back then, I enjoyed the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but I also loved musicals.  This song was written for the Broadway Musical "Man of La Mancha". 

When Andy Williams would sing it, my voice would come alive and I would begin to sing out loud.

"To dream the impossible dream, To fight the unbeatable foe, To bear with unbearable sorrow, To run where the brave dare not go"....."To reach the unreachable star".

This song was perfect for the musical.  Dox Quixote intends to restore the world of chivalry.  He is a dreamer and sees good in everyone and everything.  He sets out on his adventure where he fights imaginary giants, dragons & wizards.

I can remember this song would feel me with hope and made me think that I could conquer anything.  A thirteen year old girl that felt the whole world was before me.  I was very timid.  Afraid to speak up; afraid to get in front of the room; afraid to ask for anything.

I had dreams, but I was not strong or comfortable to fight for those dreams.  I was a tall, lanky, 5'10" with long brown hair and big brown eyes.  My dream was to become a model.  I even signed up with a modeling school, but I didn't have the courage to go.  I always felt that there were prettier girls than me.  That nobody would notice me.

So every time that I would hear the musical tune "The Impossible Dream", a smile would appear and my eyes would sparkle and for a moment I also felt that I was fighting those imaginary giants.

Hear I am almost sixty years later and I am still dreaming.  Yes, I still want to be that super-model.  But I have a new dream.  I want to write a novel about a woman who wants to flee from a communist country to find the freedom that she had always been looking for.  

I thank God that I now feel comfortable with myself.  I speak in front of groups, I ask questions and I figure out a way to obtain my dreams.

To have a dream, one also needs a plan.  "Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out."  Proverbs 16:3

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Philippians 4:13

I am believing in the unbelievable and dreaming that I could be that next best selling author.  

Is there something you are dreaming about?  Something that you feel is beyond reach?  Begin to believe and start humming "The Impossible Dream".

Adele, We Are Praying for You & Believing!

 Adele, we are praying for you and believing!  

Adele has a special place in so many people's hearts and lives.  I think of her daily as she lays on the hospital bed with a ventilator.  She has been in the hospital now for almost three weeks and has been on the ventilator for ten days.

People all over the world are praying for her and for the healing of her lungs from the bacterial pneumonia.

For those who do not know her, let me describe Adele.  She is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, prayer warrior, educator, a God-fearing woman, friend and so much more.  Adele has always been there for others.  There have been so many times that I have seen her lay hands on someone or on a particular part of someone's body that might be in pain and prayed for them.  It didn't matter where she was.  She always knew that the person needed some relief and needed to feel God's presence.

Talking with her daughter the other day, Krista described her mother as Deborah from Judges 4 & 5.  Deborah was a prophetess and a wise leader.  She was always able to see the big picture that others are not able to see.  Deborah was a mediator, adviser, a planner and she walked with God.  As Deborah was a fighter, Adele is as well.  If she believes in something, she never gives up.

Adele's grand-daughter shared with me the other day of a vision that she had.  Emily saw her grandmother on a walker coming out of the hospital with a smile on her face.  She said she had aged and was very feeble and her hair had streaks of gray.

I have always felt that the Lord is going to use Adele to tell the story of her fighting to live and how God was right there with her.   Adele's husband, George, is also recovering from COVID.  George is a spiritual man, who teaches others about God's grace and how He gives new lives and a peace to ones that ask.  They have always been the dynamic duo.  Their forgiving love for others has shown how God forgives us and loves us throughout all our circumstances, trials and tribulations.

During times like this, one wonders "Am I not praying correctly?", "Does God not hear me?", "What am I doing wrong?".....  So many questions, we ask God, when we are not seeing our requests answered.

I know that God is working.  He is with Adele and He is healing her.  But God is also working on me.  He is wanting me to be faithful in prayer and to keep my eyes on Him.

Luke 18:1, Jesus says "pray and not give up".  I am keeping my prayer constantly before God as I walk with Him and believing He will answer.  God may be delaying His answer, so that I can grow in character, faith and hope.

When I think of believing.  I always think about Charlie Waters, who played for the Dallas Cowboys.  I was traveling from North Texas to Austin one cold Sunday listening to the game.  Charlie couldn't play the game against Washington due to an injury.  Charlie was asked to be one of the announcers for the game.  With Charlie announcing, I felt as if I was right there in the stadium.  The game was back and forth.  Washington got ahead and it was the last seconds of the game.  

The other announcer said to Charlie "It doesn't look good right now.  Surely, Dallas doesn't have a chance."  Charlie's reply was "Brad, that's just not the way you think as a player.  Everybody just believes.  You've got to believe.  That's just what it's all about.  If you collectively believe things are going to happen, you can sometimes make miracles happen."  

Charlie knew that Roger Staubach, the quarterback, was figuring out a way to score.  The other players trusted and believed in Roger.  The players believed in their hearts that if they did their job, then Roger would do the rest.  Seconds on the board, Roger did his hail-Mary throw and the Cowboys won 35 to 34.

I know this was a football game.  But the leader and the players were all on the same page.  They trusted and believed that they could do it.  As believers, we need to come together, believing that Jesus can heal.  He is "Wonderful Counselor", "Mighty God", "Everlasting Father" & "Prince of Peace".

Even the disciples questioned Jesus on why they couldn't drive out the demons of a young boy.  Jesus told them because of their lack of faith and believing.

We are praying for Adele and laying hands over her lungs and asking God for that victory of healing and that she will walk out of the hospital.  We are waiting for her story of how Jesus healed her!

Please join me in believing in the miracle that God is going to perform!

Adele, Krista(daughter) and Emily/Elle(grand-daughters)

What Battle Are You Fighting?

There is so much chaos going in the world and among families and friends.  Should you get vaccinated or should you not?  Should you wear a mask or should you not?  When I look at the turmoil going on over these debates, I also look at what is going on in the world.  

What battle(s) are you fighting among family and friends?  Maybe, I shouldn't be using the word "battle", but at times this is how I feel.

A battle is what is going on over in Afghanistan.  People are hiding and running for their lives and fighting others to keep themselves and their families alive.  That is a true battle.

Instead of the word "battle", maybe I should say "differences".  So many differences.  Who is right and who is wrong?  It depends on what you read.

As a Christian, I am trying to understand.  Not too long ago, I took some time to be still and to pray and to seek what "I" needed to do.  My prayer was that the Holy Spirit would give me the peace that I needed.

I read Romans 13-15 to seek God's direction.  What I walked away with was "differences should not be feared or avoided, but accepted and handled with love.  Differences of opinions should not cause division".  But everywhere I turn, division is what I have noticed.  I almost feel how families felt during the Civil War.  Families and friends were literally torn apart due to their opinions.

I feel as if we are under attack and in a "spiritual warfare".  Satan is using all of this to keep our minds off of what we should be doing.  We should be in constant prayer for our leaders, our country, our family and our friends and for this pandemic.  We are "worrying" and not "praying".

God reminded me that I needed to put on my armor.

Ephesians 6:10-13 - "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of his age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand."

What is your relationship with Jesus?  Are you being responsible?  Are you respecting others?  God gave you a mind to use.  Seek Him and the decisions that you need to make.

I am praying for the peace that each one of us need.  God is our hedge of protection.  Jesus Christ is our Savior!

Key West - Discovering

Walking down Duval Street, I closed my eyes and felt as if I was living in 1934 and Ernest Hemingway was hurrying to Sloppy Joe's to have his afternoon whiskey and to visit with the locals.  Key West is definitely commercialized, but there is still the feel of that particular time period.  The buildings still look the same and there are not any high-rises or modern buildings.

Full-time residents in 2020 is approximately 25,000 compared to the 1930s, when it was around 13,000.  It is the tourists that keeps Key West over-populated.  In 2018, there were more than three million visitors.  But if it wasn't for the tourists, there would be no income coming in. 

The major industries for Key West in the 19th century were wrecking, fishing, turtling and salt manufacturing.  In the early 1831's, the cigar industry was also very important.  Key West became the center of Havana cigar making place in the United States.  It was once the richest city in the U.S. per capita due to the cigar industry and wrecking/salvaging ships that crashed into the reef.

Key West is known for the watersports, beaches, historic sites and its pastel, conch style architecture.  Since I had "48" hours there, I wanted to make sure that I used my time wisely.

My husband and I had flown into Ft. Myers on Thursday and our friends drove over from Orlando.  Early Friday morning, we enjoyed a four hour jet powered catamaran ride(Key West Express) that sailed through the calm waters of the Gulf to our destination of the America's Caribbean Island, Key West.  You can fly into the Keys or drive from Miami.  One hundred and thirteen miles of concrete(known as the Seven Mile Bridge) longest and most scenic forty-two bridges will connect you to paradise, Key West.

To get the feel of Key West, let's look at some interesting facts.  It is Florida's southernmost point, lying roughly 90 miles north of Cuba.  There are more than 700 islands throughout the Florida keys.  It is a small island, only four miles long and two miles wide.  The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean meet here in the keys at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park.  The only living reef in the U.S. is here.  Key West was originally known as Cayo Hueso(Bone Island).

Arriving in Key West, the four of us headed to our hotel to check-in and to drop off our luggage.  It was almost 2 pm and we were starved.  So we grabbed some food and headed into the historic district of Key West.  Our friends have been to Key West several times.  As we toured the area, the streets were filled with tourists.  Key West Songwriters Festival was this weekend.  It is the largest festival of its kind in the world.  We enjoyed going from bar to bar, listening to the various songwriters.

There is a lot of history in Key West.  Walking down Whitehead Street, we saw the Green Parrot Bar.  This bar dates back to 1890, when it was known as the "Brown Derby".  It was definitely packed and people were enjoying their Friday afternoon.  P.S., Jimmy Buffet hangs out here when he is in town.  As we journey down the street, we came across the Kapok Tree.  We were in awe of its 130 feet height.  This is a sacred tree of the Mayan people who believed that the souls of the dead climbed the kapok tree to reach heaven.  About a block down, we came to the Cornish Memorial Church.  It was founded for the African-American residents of Key West by Sandy Cornish.  He was a slave in 1793 and he purchased his freedom , acquired land and was well-known among the community.

As you wander through the historic district get ready to dodge the roosters and hens and possibly even the baby chicks.  You hear them 24/7 throughout the island.  When cock-fighting became illegal and not as many people were cooking chicken for Sunday dinner, the chickens became liberated and began to roam the island.  They are protected and it is illegal to kill them.  They are known as the "Gypsy Chickens".  

The lovely walk finally got us to our destination for dinner, Santiago Bodega.  This very quaint restaurant was off the beaten path and away from the crowds.  It is definitely a restaurant that I would go back to.

Saturday was our one full day in Key West.  Our day began at the eccentric, iconic "Blue Heaven".  A must for breakfast.  The outdoor seating and the live music made our hearty breakfast that much better.

After our delicious breakfast, we headed south on Whitehead Street.  We came to Hemingway' house, but the line was long.  Hemingway and his second wife, lived there during the 1930's.  During this time, he wrote some novels and many short stories, such as "The Snows of Kilimanjaro".  Next time, I will take the time to tour the house and see Hemingway's cats that are known for their extra toes.  Hemingway received the cat "Snow White" from a sailing captain.  Among sailors, 6-toed cats are viewed as good luck.

Across the street is the Key West Lighthouse, a sixty-five foot tower, was completed in 1825.  There are eighty-eight steps to the top and the view is sensational.

After walking several more blocks, Whitehead Street dead ended at the Southernmost Point Buoy of the Continental U.S.  This is one of the most visited and photographed icon.  From this point, you are about ninety miles from Cuba.

What is so nice about Key West is that you can walk everywhere.  My daily goal is to walk 10,000 steps daily and today was a day that I was going to overachieve those steps.

The Butterfly Conservatory was about a block from he Southernmost Point.  I enjoyed an hour of wandering through this conservatory and observing the various butterflies.  This is home to 50-60 different species of butterflies.

In between sightseeing, we rested our feet and wet our whistle at the many bars along the way.

Onward to Higgs Beach to enjoy the white sand, tropical trees, aqua blue water and people watching.  We also enjoyed a delicious meal at "Salute!".  

After enjoying the beach, we headed north on Duval.  We took a side-trip on Windsor to see The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea, which is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Florida.  One last stop before heading back to our hotel and that was going to be "Sloppy Joe's" to enjoy music and a "Sloppy Rita".  

Sunday morning came early.  We packed and stored our luggage so that we could enjoy a few more hours in Key West before boarding the Key West Express to Ft. Myers.  One needs a protein breakfast before beginning the day.  Harpoon Harry's was our targeted destination.  Key Lime French Toast and crispy bacon was how I started the day.  Yum!!!! 

With a full stomach, we all boarded The Conch Tour Train.  Our guide, Bob, was full of information and facts about the island.  The train passed sites that we already seen, as well as buildings that we hadn't seen.  Our last stop was "Sloppy Joe's" for one more Sloppy Ritas and the others enjoyed a Corona Light.

On the trip back to Ft. Myers, we enjoyed a spectacular sunset to the west.  We were in awe as we watched the fire ball sun dropped into the blue ocean.

Forty-eight hours went by fast, but a good time was enjoyed by all.  The friends, the food, the sun and the warm temperatures were what we all needed to restore our souls.  

Key West Mural

Key West Butterfly Conservatory

Southernmost Point in Florida

 

A Will to Live

We all have known someone who has received bad news that due to an illness, injury, etc, they only had a limited amount of time to live.  Some have given up due to the news, but then there is that percentage that tells the world "I am not giving up!"  Watch out world!  They were so determined that they outlived what the medical professionals had predicted.

The one person that I know who had the "will to live" is my sweet, precious nephew, Graham.  He has beat all odds and at the age of twenty-three he is graduating from high school.  To me he is the true definition of "success".

Even as a newborn, Graham had the "will to live".  When people tell you that newborns don't really hear or understand their surroundings, they are totally wrong.  Graham was born with the insight and direction that he needed to "survive" and to "beat all odds". 

I have shared Graham's story, but I want to share it again.  He was born weighing 6 pounds and 8 ounces.  He was the cutest baby with his ten toes and ten fingers.  At the time Graham was born, the mom and baby got to stay in the hospital for at least three days compared to now days.  The hospital stay went well.

After coming home, Graham cried a lot and also was not gaining any weight.  My sister, Terri, and brother-in-law, Gary, did everything in seeking medical advice and reading up on newborns.  The months grew weary on Terri and Gary in trying to care for their precious baby.

Four months later, Graham was scheduled for hernia surgery.  We all thought this was the answer.  He went into the hospital weighing 8 pounds and 2 ounces(this is four months later).  

The surgery went well.  But when they were trying to wake him up from the surgery, he went into a code blue.  For some reason, he wasn't able to swallow.  This is when all doctors and nurses got on board and began to do various blood work and run other tests to figure out exactly what the situation was.

After a few days, Graham was diagnosed.  He had a chromosomal condition that can be classified as a monosomy 21(a deletion of the 21st chromosome).  When he was diagnosed at four months, he was a "failure to thrive baby".  It was determined that he did not have the ability to swallow and manage food.  He had surgery to place a G-button for tube feeding, as well as a wrap on the esophagus to prevent reflux.

At this time, Terri and Gary were told that there were not really any other cases like him.  In the few that were similar, the babies died.  We were told that Graham would never walk or talk and that he would be severely retarded.

God had other plans for Graham and for the rest of our family.  Graham had such a "will to survive".  It is hard to imagine a four month old struggling for life, but he did.  He knew that he had the best parents that a kid could ever want and that the extended family would love him no matter what.

Graham has defied the odds.  He does walk and run.  He is delayed in speech and social skills.  He does understand everything you say.  I can remember feeding him after he came home from the hospital.  At 1 a.m., I would be rocking him and holding the milk up so that it would go through the G-button(this was before they had the machine that feeds him his milk now).  He would look up at you with those big brown eyes.  It was as if he was talking to you and thanking you for not giving up on him.  As you talked to him, he would hear everything that you said.  Maybe he couldn't respond, but you knew that he knew "how much he was loved".

Here we are twenty-three years later and we will watch him graduate from high school.  The school that he attends is exceptional.  When you are at the school, you feel the love that these teachers have given to their students.  They have encouraged and taught new things to them.  The teachers have also worked with the parents in guiding them into not being "helicopter parents", but to allow their children to try things.  Whatever their child does is perfect.

No, he will not work on Wall Street in New York or work in a office, but he can write his name; he can put the silverware into the drawer from the dishwasher; he loves playing on his laptop; he is a pro at English riding; he dresses up in many different costumes and he especially loves being with his mom and dad and family.  There is something about his hugs and kisses that puts a smile on your face.

I once read that success is "to be found in the way in which we live out our lives day in and day out.  It is to be found as we pursue what God calls us to be and to do.  Success is not the end of a process.  It is how we undertake the process called life".

Graham, you are a "success"!  You have shown myself and others what it means to live and to enjoy each day of life.  Thank you for having that "will to survive" so that I could be a better person!

Graham - Congratulations!

 

A Couple's Retreat

Everyone needs a get-away, even couples.  There are so many books out there for individuals in building friendships.  We sometimes forget that couples need couple friends, as well.  The dynamics of building a relationship with a friend is sometimes very challenging.  Think if you add two more people to the equation, you have four different personalities of people being with each other for an evening and/or traveling together.  As we all know, it is hard to get two people to agree on something.  So what about four people or more trying to agree?

This past weekend, five couples enjoyed three days of being together, eating, laughing and having fun.

Needless to say this is a unique group of friends.  About five years ago, I wrote a story about the guys and how their friendship began in high school in 1973.  Fourteen years ago, my husband decided that the guys should get back together and take a five day rafting trip down the Snake River.  Of course, they were all on board.  Since that time, they guys do a rafting trip every two years.  When these guys are together, they reminisced about their high school years as well as talk about all they have done since graduating from high school, almost 50 years ago.

Throughout the past years, the couples have started meeting for dinner, football games and so much more. The wives have gotten to know each other throughout the years.  Two of the couples began dating in high school.  There are three wives(including myself) that weren't apart of the group since high school.  It is always fun hearing about the adventures they had in high school, as well as hearing about other friends.

As I sit here and type, I realize that in the past fifteen years, we have all made some big changes in our lives.  We have all moved into new homes and new areas away from Spring, Texas, where the friendships began in 1973.

The weekend was flawless.  One could see how God orchestrated everything.  From all of us being available to the weather being perfect.  Last fall, we had attended one of the couple's son's wedding in Blanco, Texas.  We all had so much fun together that we decided we needed to plan another weekend.  Another couple lives in East Texas and they said "we have the perfect place".  A friend down the road from them had a home on 660 acres that would accommodate us.  Bedrooms and bathrooms for each couple.  I don't think the rest of the group could comprehend the home that our friends were recommending.

Let me tell you from the time that we entered through the gate on the gravel road through the piney forest, all anxiety and worries left us.  As we turned the corner, the view of seeing miles and miles of  a rolling forest "took our breath away".   Everyone who entered the house, could say nothing but "Wow".  We all knew that this would be a weekend that we would never forget. 

Just imagine, sitting around laughing, talking, eating and resting for 48+ hours with no cares in the world.  Bill and Amy treated the other four couples like royalty.  From preparing all the food to entertaining us with shooting skeet, riding four wheelers and just relaxing around a bonfire at night. It was definitely a weekend of relaxation, restoring souls and bonding relationships.  

Yes, we are all different, but we also respect each other and the choices that we have all made throughout the years.  There have been various trials and tribulations in our lives, but without a shadow of a doubt, each of us know that we are there for one another.  You can't put a price on friendship.  Proverbs 18:24 states "Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."

It is worth getting away from ones routines and taking time to build long lasting friendships. We all agreed that we needed to do it again.  "2022" is already booked!

The Five Couples

The home in the Piney Woods.

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho(end of the trip)

Morning came early.  We were headed home. After enjoying breakfast at "The Bunnery", we packed up and headed towards Loveland.  We were traveling on the same back roads that we had traveled on the week before.  Isn't it always surprising when you notice something different on the same path that you have always traveled.  I knew we would see different icons and we did.

Coming into Dubois, I noticed to the left a gas station that had a huge Jack Rabbit with a mask on.  I knew that Katie and I needed to be photographed with this rabbit.

Our next stop would be Lander to have an organic lunch at "The Rise".

As we entered into Colorado, I reflected on where we had been and all that we had seen.  I thought of what President Eisenhower once stated "It is a pity that every citizen of each state cannot visit all the others, to see the differences, to learn what we have in common and come back with a richer, fuller, understanding of America--in all it beauty, in all its dignity, in all its strength, in support of moral principles."

This is so true.  Traveling gives you an appreciation of what you have.  Last year, I did achieve visiting all 50 states.  They are all different and they all have their different stories and their own beauty.  

Thank you for allowing me to relive my trip and my adventures.  Now, it is your turn to put together a road trip and see America!

Dubois, Wyoming

The Rise - Lander, Wyoming

 

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho-(Part 5)

It was still dark when we walked into town to look for a restaurant for breakfast.  As we walked into the Salmon River Coffee Shop, the owner took our temperature before entering.  This seems to be the protocol for a lot places.  Fortunately, we had no fever and we entered with the others that were already there.  Bringing us our coffee and taking our order, we enjoyed watching everyone else as they entered.

The day was clear and the sun was trying to break through the clouds as we loaded up to drive to Jackson.  One more night on the road.

Another beautiful day to see the sites.  Driving south on Highway 28, we zoomed by this windmill with a water tank next to it with the words "Petticoat Junction".  My mind flashed back to the early 60s when I use to sit in front of the family's console television and watch this tv show which was in black and white.  Who remembers this sitcom?  It was about the railroad that came through town and the going on at the rural Shady Rest Hotel.  I have such fond memories of this show that ran September 1963 to April 1970.

About two hours later, we drove into Mud Lake, Idaho.  Now this small town of "358" residents saw a lot of activity of people on August 21, 2017.  Mud Lake became part of the "path of "totality" during the total solar eclipse.

Most of the towns in Idaho are small, but we noticed as we got closer to Jackson, Wyoming, the towns' population grew.  A lot of people move to these towns in Idaho to be closer to the Tetons and Yellowstone and the cost of living is less than actually living in Jackson.

Two towns that were close to the Idaho and Wyoming border were Driggs, Idaho and Victor, Idaho.  Driggs has a population of 1,876 and it is home to artists who paint and photograph the mountain views, streams and Teton River.  Victor has a population of 1,731.  Waiters and waitresses work in Jackson and live in these two towns.  Victor was named after George Victor Sherwood, who was a dedicated mail carrier despite the threats of Indian attacks or raids.

Entering Jackson from eastern Idaho, the view was breathtaking.  The Tetons lined the horizon.  There were a few clouds but overall the there was some blue sky and it seemed like we could see forever across the valley.

It felt good to be back in Jackson.  We checked into our favorite hotel, The Antler Inn.  This hotel is over 50 years old and is very rustic looking.  You feel like you have gone back in time.  We enjoyed a good meal and listening to music before tucking ourselves in for a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow, driving to Loveland, Colorado.

Petticoat Junction

Entering into Jackson from the west.

Driggs, Idaho

Victor, Idaho

Jackson, Wyoming

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho(Part4)

The scenery from the Idaho border into Salmon was breathtaking.  As we are driving along the river, all I could imagine was Lewis & Clark.  They followed the Salmon River to the present site of Salmon.

Salmon is a small town with population of 3,100.  It is also the home to the Sacajawea Interpretive Cultural and Education Center.  Elmer Keith, the creator of the .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum was from Salmon.

Some facts about Idaho.  The state's population is 1.75 million.  The capital is in Boise.  State nickname is "Gem State" because almost every known type of gemstone has been found in Idaho, including the largest diamond in the U.S.  More that "72" gemstones are mined in Idaho.  The state fruit is "huckleberry" and the state produces 1/3 of all potatoes grown in the U.S. 

After unpacking at the The Stagecoach Inn, we enjoyed our walk into downtown and had dinner at the "Junkyard Bistro". 

Salmon, Idaho

Salmon, Idaho

Outside Salmon, Idaho

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho (Part 3)

 As we headed west from Yellowstone and headed towards Bozeman, the weather and the terrain began to change.  The temperature continued to drop and the white fluffy flakes began to hit the windshield.  The trees seemed to get taller as well.

After driving about 2 1/2 hours, we arrived in Bozeman where the snow was coming down.  On our way to the hotel, we came across a field filled with sandhill cranes that were migrating.  These are the tallest birds in Yellowstone.  They like open grasslands and fresh water marshes.  They breed at 2 to 7 years old and lay two eggs, but normally only raises one.  They can live up to 20 years old.  They are 4 feet tall with a wingspan of 6.5 ft.  The large wing span make them very skilled soaring birds.

It was getting dark as we pulled into the parking lot at the hotel.  Bozeman's population is 52,000 with the county at 112,000.  In 2010, the county population was at 89,500.  So the area has grown in the past 10 years.  It is home to Montana State University with an enrollment at 16,000.  Bozeman is the most likeable place to live because of the fly fishing, hiking, mountains, biking, snow activities, hunting and Yellowstone is so close.  Bozeman averages 63 inches of snow per year with an average of 188 sunny days per year.

The state of Montana has a population of 1.1 million.  The capital is in Helena.  Billings is the largest city with a population of 110,000.  The downtown of Bozeman was adorable and so eclectic.  We enjoyed a fresh and delicious dinner at the BlackBird.

After a good nights rest, we woke up to snow and 17 degrees.  Even with the weather, we decided to take the backroads to Salmon.  Google map showed that Salmon was 245 miles from Bozeman.

It was Sunday morning and it was quiet on Highway 84.  There is something about driving in the snow and looking out onto the open roads and the Big Sky Country(Montana's nickname).  

Looking at the Road Atlas, I knew that we would be traveling through several small towns.  Virginia City is small with a population of 190 people.  Back in the 1850s, gold was discovered near Alder Creek, so Virginia City became a boomtown.  It was once the capital of Montana until it was moved to Helena in 1865.

Sheridan was a little bit larger with a population of 700.  This lovely community is surrounded by seven majestic mountain ranges.

I can't forget about Twin Bridges with a population of 400.  It is well known as the fly fishing Mecca for trout anglers.  It was named for two bridges built by the Lott Brothers.  The first bridge was built over Beaverhead River on the west side and the second bridge was built on the High Road over the Big Hole River.

Taking Highway 41 from Twin Bridges, we were approaching Dillion, Montana when this huge sign on the side of the road said "Special Event" with an arrow pointing south.  What could this "Special Event" be?  As we rounded the bend of the road, to the right of us was a maze and pumpkin patch.  My husband continued to drive 80 mph.  He wasn't planning to stop.  Katie and I finally persuaded him to go back.  We wanted to make some "memories" at the maze.  Pulling up to the parking lot, a lady in her western attire approached us and welcomed us to their "special event".    

I had just seen a Hallmark Movie about a family that built a corn maze into a snow maze.

The temperature was in the 40s, so we bundled up before climbing out of the truck.  We purchased our tickets and proceeded through the maze.  It was so much fun to hear children and grown-ups laughing and enjoying themselves as they tried to escape out of the maze.  

After spending about an hour enjoying the event, we drove into Dillion and had lunch at a restaurant that was recommended to us.  Mac' Last Cast was definitely a great suggestion.  

Dillion is one of the largest cities in Montana with a population of 4,300.  They city was named after the Union Pacific Railroad President, Sidney Dillion.  The town served as a central location for transporting goods to nearby boom towns.  While many of the gold mining towns around Dillion died, this town was able to thrive due to the railroad and talc mining in the area.  Dillion was once the largest exporter of sheep wool in Montana.  It is also home to the University of Montana Wester with an enrollment of 1,500 students.

Getting back into the truck after lunch, we knew we had about another two hours before arriving into Salmon, Idaho.  To be continued...............

Bozeman, Montana

Maze - Dillion, Montana

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho (Part 2)

We spent two nights in Jackson.  On our first full day, we got up early and headed to Bubba's for a delicious breakfast.  The avocado toast is the best.

After breakfast, we drove to the Grand Tetons and spent the day hiking and enjoying the beauty of the majestic mountains.  One can enjoy every angle of the Tetons by driving through the park.

It is because of John D. Rockefeller, Jr that the Tetons is a National Park.  He visited Jackson Hole in 1920.  He was so upset with the way the landscape was being developed that he began buying the land.  Years later, he donated 32,000 acres of the valley to the federal government.  He wanted to make sure that the area would be preserved for future generations.

There are so many different areas throughout the Tetons to visit.  You could actually spend days.  One of the prettiest areas is Jenny Lake.  This lake was formed 12,000 years ago by glaciers.  The lake is 78 miles deep and about 1,192 acres.  Jenny Lake was named after a Shoshone Indian who married an Englishman.  Jenny and their six children died of smallpox in 1876.

After hiking around Jenny Lake, we drove to Jackson Lake Dam to enjoy the sandwiches that we had purchased.  The Snake River emerges from the dam and flows about 800 miles through Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to its mouth on the Columbia River in eastern Washington.

Our last stop for the day was Colter Bay Village. Due to the pandemic everything was closed in the village.  We enjoyed walking around the water and observing the Grand Tetons.  This village was built in the 1950s to expand park visitors and to introduce automobile tourism.

We drove back to Jackson to enjoy dinner and then listened to music at the "Million Dollar Cowboy Bar".

The next morning it was raining and the temperature had dropped into the 40s.  We were driving through Yellowstone Park to arrive in Bozeman, Montana that evening.

You can spend days in Yellowstone Park.  We were only spending a few hours.  I have been to Yellowstone many times, but each time it is always a new experience as if I am seeing it for the first time.  Katie had never been there, so I was excited in sharing the park with her.   I knew we only had several hours there and I wanted to make sure she saw Old Faithful.

Let me give you a little history about Yellowstone.  It was signed into law on March 1, 1872 by President Grant.  It was one of the first national parks in the U.S. and some say that it was the first national park in the world.

96% of Yellowstone is in Wyoming; 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho.  Yellowstone makes up 2,219,789 acres.  It is 63 miles(north to south) and 54 miles(west to east).

The park contains many features, such as Old Faithful; 290 waterfalls; has one of the world's largest petrified forests and there are so many more features.

We arrived at Old Faithful and the parking lot was packed.  We had just missed the eruption of the geyser.  We enjoyed walking around and seeing the hot springs, as well as running into buffaloes, as we waited for the next eruption of Old Faithful.  

The Yellowstone Lodge is a spectacular hotel.  It was closed, so we weren't able to enjoy the beauty inside the inn.  This lodge was completed in 1904 at a cost of $140,000.  The wood structure and the seventy-six foot tall lobby is a masterpiece.  The hotel is one of the largest log-style structure in the world and is a National Historic Landmark.

Old Faithful is a geyser and it was the first to be named back in 1870.  It is very predictable of erupting every 44 minutes to 2 hours.  Eruption height is 106 to 185 feet.  About 1 1/2 hours later, Old Faithful began to make its grand entrance with lots of hissing and gurgling.  The eruption was as tall as the Tower of Pisa.  The people that were standing on the boardwalk watching the geyser were oohing and aahing.  It is a site to be seen.

After taking many photos and fighting the crowds, we drove up the road to "Midway Geyser Basin".  It is breathtaking!  You cross over the river and then walk almost a mile on the boardwalk to these spectacular hot springs and other hydrothermal wonders.  One is in awe of the spectacular colors. This is Yellowstone's largest hot springs.

It is amazing what one can see in several hours.  If we hadn't other states to visit, we would have stayed longer.  Next stop Bozeman, Montana.  .......end of Road Trip-Colorado, Wyoming & Idaho(Part 2).

Yellowstone

Grand Tetons

Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho(Part 1)

There is something about getting in your car and pulling out that Road Atlas.  I love the feel of the paper and seeing all the different highways that one can take to get somewhere.  I do enjoy my google map on my I-phone, but the atlas book gives me confidence.  You can say that I am old fashion!

2020 was the year of "road trips".  With the situation of the pandemic, one was not comfortable in flying and being in close contact with others.  Instead of cruises on a ship, we cruised in a truck across the land of our beautiful country.

My husband and I took about five road trips.  One of our road trips was driving from Loveland, Colorado to Jackson, Wyoming and then up to Montana, and west into Idaho, back through Jackson and home.  It was a lovely 6 day trip, driving 1,600 miles, driving through four states(Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Colorado).  Through our journey, we enjoyed two National Parks(Grand Tetons and Yellowstone), as well reading about all the small towns that we drove through.

What made this trip even better was that a young friend of ours from New York traveled with us.  She grew up in South Carolina and has been working in New York for ten years.  We were excited to share the west with Katie.  She had never been on a road trip.  We wanted to make sure that she would enjoy this experience.

There is something about packing up your car or truck, you feel like you can take everything.  I had a cooler filled with drinks and food.  I had made homemade chocolate chip cookies and deli sandwiches.

We headed north on Highway 287 towards Laramie, Wyoming.  Heading north on 287, the terrain began to change as we crossed over the Wyoming state line and kept driving northwest to Lander.

About two and a half hours later, we pulled into Lander to get gas and to stretch our legs.  As we drove through downtown, you noticed the various shops and restaurants.  One restaurant that we noticed was "The Rise".  Next time, we will need to stop there for a meal.   With a population of about 7,500, this town is located south of the Wind River Indian Reservation and is known for the art festivals and climber's festivals.  The town was named after Frederick W. Lander, who mapped the Lander Cutoff of the Oregon Trail.

Still traveling Highway 287, we stopped at Crowheart.  There is only one store in this town for "141" residents.  With one stop, you can buy your groceries or any other essentials, put gasoline in your vehicle, pick up your mail and more.  From the store you could see Crowheart Butte.  This was the site of the battle between the Crow and Shoshone America Indian tribe in 1866.  Another interesting fact is that Matthew Fox who played in "Lost" and "Party of Five" grew up in Crowheart.

After taking some photos, we loaded back up in the truck and headed towards Dubois.  Now this town is a little bit larger with a population of "971".  But in the summers, the population doubles.  The views and weather are what attracts people to this area.  Some interesting facts about Dubois are Butch Cassidy owned and managed a ranch on the outskirts of town, and Michael Horsack, drummer for the Doobie Brothers resided here.

Leaving Dubois, we noticed that we were driving uphill into Togwotee Pass.  The pass was covered with snow.  With an elevation of 9,658 feet, it had been snowing for about a week.  

We were only about an hour and half from Jackson.  I have driven this road to Moran Junction many times.  As you approach Moran, one is always in awe as you see the Tetons for the very first time.  There is no other view like this.  Katie's eyes began to sparkle as she got that first glimpse of the majestic mountains.  One is speechless.

After driving for about seven hours, we were finally almost to Jackson.  The sun was beginning to set and the Tetons were north of us.  The Tetons extend over 40 miles from the southern border of Yellowstone.  What a view!  

Driving into Jackson, one of the first things that you notice is the town square.  At every corner of the square are elk antler arches.  Each arch is supported by a steel framework and constructed by a steel framework and constructed by hand using 14,000 pounds or more than 2,000 antlers each.

This small town of 10,500 residents attract more than 2.6 million visitors each year.  The area was originally populated by Native America tribes.  In the early 1800's, this area became an area for trappers and mountain men.  The women in Jackson were powerful in the early 1900's.  The town of Jackson elected the first all-woman city government(including town council and mayor, who appointed women to town marshall; town clerk and treasurer) in 1920.

If you like snow, this is the town for you.  The town averages about 72 inches of snow per year.

Another spectacular view is the National Elk Refuge.  In the winter, this wildlife refuge(24,700 acres) is home to about 7,500 elks.  In 1912, this refuge was created to protect habitat and provide sanctuary for one of the largest elk herds in the world.  One of my fond memories was back 1997, my husband's family and myself rode a sleigh through the elk herd.  It was so cold and we were so close to them that you could see the breath of each elk.

If you enjoy eating, there are several great restaurants to enjoy.  Some of my favorites are "Cafe Genevieve", "Thai Me Up", "The Bunnery", "Bubbas" and so many more.

There is so much more of this town that captivates your soul.  This is definitely another place to put on your bucket list. ............  end of Part 1 "Road Trip - Wyoming, Montana & Idaho".

Jackson, Wyoming - Town Square

Tetons

Saratoga, Wyoming - Road Trip

As I look out of my office window, the wetlands are still brown looking and the day is dreary with some snow and rain.  The trees are still barren and no leaf in sight.  I am so ready for summer.

Even though everything looks so gloomy, my trip to Saratoga, Wyoming came to mind.  In October, some friends traveled to Denver from Houston and we decided to take a road trip to Wyoming. That was such a fun trip.

Leaving Loveland, Colorado, we headed to Saratoga.  Our first stop was going to be in Laramie, Wyoming. Laramie is the home of "University of Wyoming".  It is the third largest city with a population of 32,711.  In 2011, Laramie was named as one of the best cities in which to retire because of its scenic location, low taxes and the university.  I wonder if the magazine stated that Laramie receives 64 inches of snow a year and how windy this area can be? 

As we left Laramie, we headed west towards the Snowy Range Pass and Medicine Bow National Forest.  We were in awe of the beauty of the changing color of the leaves.  With the blue sky and the steady breeze of the wind, the golden leaves danced before our eyes.

About two hours later, we arrived in Saratoga, Wyoming.  Saratoga is known for it's healing waters/hot springs.  Prior to the 1800s, the land around was frequented by the Indians, who soaked in the healing waters.  This area was known as Warm Springs, but in 1884, the town was renamed with the hopes of creating a smaller version of the New York spa town, Saratoga Springs.

This cute town has a population of 1,640.  The North Platte flows through Saratoga.  People come from all over to fish, hunt and to soak in the mineral baths.  The town's motto is "where the trout leap in Main Street".  In the winter, the town receives an average of 54 inches of snow.

Saratoga is a nice town with several choices of restaurants.  Everybody helps each other in this town.  Even during the 2020 pandemic, this town thrived.

We enjoyed two nights in Saratoga.  The men enjoyed a day of fly fishing and my friend and I toured the town and the small shops and enjoyed watching the deer as they walked through town.  The evenings were spent drinking wine and soaking in the hot springs.

On Sunday morning, as we were packing up a winter storm blew in with snow.  Everybody was excited to see the first snow for fall.  We headed back the way that we had traveled on Friday, not knowing that the winter storm had already came across the Snowy Range Pass.  The pass was treacherous with several inches of snow and slick spots.  We came across two Moose and a mob of deer.  After about three hours, we finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It felt good to be back in Loveland, where the temperature was 68 and the wind was howling.  Another fun get away weekend!

Saratoga, Wyoming - October 2020

Texas Road Trip from Waco, TX to Amarillo, TX

If you have never visited Texas, you need to go.  Texas does offer a lot.  It is the 2nd largest US state by area(Alaska is #1) and 2nd largest US state by population(California is #1).  Texas shares borders with the states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, the country of Mexico and has a coastline with the Gulf of Mexico.  There are "2" National Parks in Texas, Guadalupe National Park and Big Bend, and more than "80" state parks.  

There are "16" interstate highways in Texas, as well as "45" U.S. highways.

As you can see, there are some great road trips that you can take throughout Texas.  You can do a one day road trip or a 7+ days road trip.  The choice is yours.

One of the day trips that my husband and I drove was from Waco, Texas to Amarillo, Texas was on Highway 6.  We chose to take the US highways instead of traveling the interstate.  Highway 6 runs from the Texas/Oklahoma border to northwest of Galveston, Texas(located on the Gulf of Mexico).  We were driving north Highway 6 to Interstate-20 and then we would change highways to arrive in Amarillo.

The 425 miles to Amarillo was very scenic.  We drove through so many small towns and each town had its own story and was very unique.  It was another hot and bright sunny day as we began driving northwest on Highway 6. 

Leaving Waco, Texas, the first town that we came to was Valley Mills.  This lovely town has a population of about 1,200.  It is the 749th largest city in Texas.  It is named for a flour mill that was established on the banks of the Bosque River.  Driving through the downtown, I enjoyed seeing the various murals

As you drive through these small towns, you wonder how they thrive.  There is a charm of no traffic, the quaint little stores and the openness of the surroundings.

Each town had its own personality.  It was interesting trying to capture all the "Welcome" signs as you drove into the town.  You could tell that each town took pride in welcoming people into their surroundings.  The courthouses were very impressive.  You can understand why these buildings were the center of downtown.  This was the area where everyone would come and meet up with family and friends.

Approaching Dublin, you could see the outline of a shamrock.  This town was a little larger than Valley Mills.  It had a population of 3,700.  As I travel through these towns, I wonder how did it get its name?  After googling "why was Dublin, Texas named Dublin?"  This is what google said "Dublin was founded in 1854 by A.H. Dobkins and named in 1860, probably for the warning cry at Indian raids, 'Double In' the cattle.  Thus was the town named, first spelled 'Doubling' and later changed to its present spelling."  Some other interesting facts are that Dublin is the former home of the world's oldest Dr. Pepper bottling plant and well-known golfer, Ben Hogan, lived here before moving to Ft. Worth, Texas.  The largest Ben Hogan museum in the world is in Dublin.

As you drive these two lane roads, you need to be alert and observant.  You never know when you are going to get behind an 18-wheeler or tractor.  Speed limit ranges from 55 to 75 mph.  As you pass through these small towns, the speed limit does drop to 35.  So be on the look out for a policeman, who may want to pull you over for speeding through their lovely town.

We went through several other small towns before reaching Cisco, Texas.  Cisco has a population of 3,900.  An interesting fact about Cisco is that Conrad Hilton bought his first hotel in this small town in 1919.  It was the Mobley Hotel with 40 rooms.  Now look at the success of Hilton.  The Hilton's have property all around the world.

After driving about 5 hours, we saw the dark clouds and lightning to the north.  We were headed into a Texas thunderstorm.  As we left the town of Anson, the sky opened up and the sheets of rain began.  Driving against the strong winds, pouring rain and 50 degree drop in temperature, we finally made it to Amarillo.  It had been a long eight hour drive.  The towns that we drove through and all the different landmarks made this trip worth it.  You can always turn a long day of driving into something entertaining!  Making it into a fun road trip made all the difference!