We're off to the coast today, my Girl Scout troop and I. It's a bittersweet trip; I'm really looking forward to being next to the water. But this is the last gathering of "my" group of girls.
I've been with some of these girls since kindergarten - they're now entering 11th grade. That's a long time! I've watched them grow and mature into fine young women with so much potential. It will be hard not to be involved in their lives any more...
For the moment, I just plan on enjoying their company - and their antics - and the beach. Sun and sand, here we come!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Shoulder Update
Finally, I'm able to report that my shoulder is showing dramatic improvement. I injured it on April 13th, so it's been just over four months of pain and frustration. I am so pleased with the progress my chiropractor, Dr. Underhill, has helped me make. He's found just the right combination of adjustments, stretches, laser treatments, and strengthening exercises to do the trick. I saw he most dramatic improvement, though, when I started receiving "instrument-assisted massage" from his assistant, Dr. Gough. He works my shoulder area twice a week with special instruments, and it had an immediate effect. I can't say enough about how great this practice is; I didn't suffer with my sciatica or with hip pain on our trip, and I totally credit Dr. Underhill for getting past that pain, too.
I still don't have total function in the shoulder, but I can finally say it's better daily. With continued treatment and patience, I finally feel like I will one day.
I still don't have total function in the shoulder, but I can finally say it's better daily. With continued treatment and patience, I finally feel like I will one day.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
It's good to be home!
We spent our last night in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. What a pretty town! It's set on a large lake, and seemed full of culture, with public art in abundance, as well as museums, a performance arts center, sports arenas, and a great public park. The park boasted a giant sculpture of a red wagon. Very cute!
On our constant quest for unusual roadside attractions, we found a building shaped like a giant milk bottle. Very unique!
Much as we enjoyed our trip, it's good to be home. It was great to be back in my own bed last night, and to be able to use a decent shower again.
On our constant quest for unusual roadside attractions, we found a building shaped like a giant milk bottle. Very unique!
Much as we enjoyed our trip, it's good to be home. It was great to be back in my own bed last night, and to be able to use a decent shower again.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Yellowstone Wildlife
In the end, we saw more wildlife that we hoped for while traveling in Yellowstone.
Ground squirrels were a dime a dozen, but one morning we saw a rabbit as we walked to breakfast. A snowshoe hare, perhaps? Too fast for me to photograph, though.
As we were making our way through the canyon towards Gardiner, we spotted several animals grazing on a steep canyon wall next to a river. Checking our reference guide, we decided they were pronghorn deer. Pretty cool!
Ground squirrels were a dime a dozen, but one morning we saw a rabbit as we walked to breakfast. A snowshoe hare, perhaps? Too fast for me to photograph, though.
On our third day there, as we made our way from our lodging in Canyon Village up toward Mammoth Hot Springs, we had the quintessential Yellowstone experience. We got caught in a 45 minute delay while bison wandered all over the road. We were literally surrounded by these huge, powerful creatures. They were in the road and on both sides of us – from the shoulders on out into the meadows, as far as the eye could see. While sitting in traffic at a standstill, they would just cross the road between vehicles. One car we saw was stuck at the turnoff with bison standing on either side and in front of them; they couldn't drive away until the bison decided to move on. They'll have a story to tell!
Once we started moving, it was stop and go, and at a snail's pace. All along that stretch of road were more animal sightings: more bison that we could count, elk, a yellow-bellied marmot, and even a cinnamon-colored bear, albeit way off in the distance. Sarah was driving, and it was she who was behind the wheel while we were stuck in the “bison back-up”. A hairy driving experience with animals in the road, drivers acting goofy, and people getting out of their cars and wandering along the roads. She handled it beautifully, though; I was quite proud of her.
As we were making our way through the canyon towards Gardiner, we spotted several animals grazing on a steep canyon wall next to a river. Checking our reference guide, we decided they were pronghorn deer. Pretty cool!
Once we reached Mammoth, we found that it is still a favorite gathering place for elk that time of day. It really is amazing to see them making themselves so comfortable in the midst of all those human visitors.
On our way home that night, we saw a black-tailed deer, another black bear and a coyote. But the most exciting sighting came on the morning we left the park. We spotted a grizzly bear with two cubs, another coyote, and - finally - a moose! No pictures, as he was moving too fast, but it was pretty special; they're quite the elusive creatures. What a great way to end our trip!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Waterfall, Rafting, and Terraces
August 12, 2010
Our last day in Yellowstone had a different feel to it. We didn't do a tremendous amount of sightseeing, but what we did was quality!
We started the day at the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Beautiful!
Larry and the girls hiked down almost to the river, while I stayed and admired the view of the Upper Falls.
Leaving the falls, we headed towards Mammoth, but were held up by animal sightings galore, and very slow, winding canyon roads. Leaving Mammoth for later, we left the park for a white water rafting trip out of Gardiner. What a blast! We rafted down the Yellowstone River in a raft with another family from Oregon. What are the odds? Emily, Sarah, and their daughter took turns sitting on the nose of the raft. At first, as we hit the rapids, they were knocked back into the raft. (Better in than out!) As time went by, they got a feel for it, and each was able to stay put through the roughest of the rapids we hit. I think they're all ready for the mechanical bull at Gilley's (but, alas, too young...). It was a great trip, and I stayed in the raft this time - unlike a rafting trip 16 years ago, when I was thrown out... I feel like I've redeemed myself now, after all this time!
Wet and happy, we headed back into the park and visited the terraced sculptures at Mammoth Hot Springs. These were truly amazing features.
Some looked like icescapes.
One was so active, it was encroaching on the road, and appeared to be building by the day.
Many of these features have detailed patterns in the pools. These are formed by thermophiles - heat-loving bacteria that dwell in these waters.
A scenic drive on the way back yielded no new animal sightings, but some beautiful wildflowers.
A late dinner, a long, slow drive home, and a midnight arrival at our cabin left us ready for bed. We all slept well!
Our last day in Yellowstone had a different feel to it. We didn't do a tremendous amount of sightseeing, but what we did was quality!
We started the day at the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Beautiful!
Larry and the girls hiked down almost to the river, while I stayed and admired the view of the Upper Falls.
Leaving the falls, we headed towards Mammoth, but were held up by animal sightings galore, and very slow, winding canyon roads. Leaving Mammoth for later, we left the park for a white water rafting trip out of Gardiner. What a blast! We rafted down the Yellowstone River in a raft with another family from Oregon. What are the odds? Emily, Sarah, and their daughter took turns sitting on the nose of the raft. At first, as we hit the rapids, they were knocked back into the raft. (Better in than out!) As time went by, they got a feel for it, and each was able to stay put through the roughest of the rapids we hit. I think they're all ready for the mechanical bull at Gilley's (but, alas, too young...). It was a great trip, and I stayed in the raft this time - unlike a rafting trip 16 years ago, when I was thrown out... I feel like I've redeemed myself now, after all this time!
Wet and happy, we headed back into the park and visited the terraced sculptures at Mammoth Hot Springs. These were truly amazing features.
Some looked like icescapes.
One was so active, it was encroaching on the road, and appeared to be building by the day.
Many of these features have detailed patterns in the pools. These are formed by thermophiles - heat-loving bacteria that dwell in these waters.
A scenic drive on the way back yielded no new animal sightings, but some beautiful wildflowers.
A late dinner, a long, slow drive home, and a midnight arrival at our cabin left us ready for bed. We all slept well!
Reeling from the news!
Oh, my! After four days without email of phone service, we stopped to check email at the Bozeman, Montana Public Library. Found an email from my dear friend, Jeff's mother with the devastating news that he died on Sunday. I cried aloud and immediately had tears streaming down my face. No doubt the people around me were alarmed, but my response was visceral.
Jeff was such a dear, dear person. He was one of the kindest souls I've ever known. He had such a zest for life, and was an avid traveler. I loved living vicariously through his many trips abroad until his health kept him closer to home.
I feel lucky to have known him, and will cherish my memories of time spent together: All-State Chorus in Tuscaloosa where we met in 1972; military dance at West Point; beach trips to Ft. Walton Beach; a ten-year wedding anniversary trip to NYC, where Larry and I stayed at Jeff's empty Brooklyn Heights apartment; visits in passing as we met up while our family traveled to Alabama; meeting in Pensacola at the Air and Space Museum a few years back; his long, wonderful trip to visit us in Portland just last year.
He will be desperately missed by the many friends who loved him and the family he left behind. He was a wonderful son; his parents will be lost without his constant care and attention.
I miss him already.
Jeff was such a dear, dear person. He was one of the kindest souls I've ever known. He had such a zest for life, and was an avid traveler. I loved living vicariously through his many trips abroad until his health kept him closer to home.
I feel lucky to have known him, and will cherish my memories of time spent together: All-State Chorus in Tuscaloosa where we met in 1972; military dance at West Point; beach trips to Ft. Walton Beach; a ten-year wedding anniversary trip to NYC, where Larry and I stayed at Jeff's empty Brooklyn Heights apartment; visits in passing as we met up while our family traveled to Alabama; meeting in Pensacola at the Air and Space Museum a few years back; his long, wonderful trip to visit us in Portland just last year.
He will be desperately missed by the many friends who loved him and the family he left behind. He was a wonderful son; his parents will be lost without his constant care and attention.
I miss him already.
Lake Day!
August 11, 2010
We spent the day today in the Yellowstone Lake area. We visited a lakeside area of thermal features, probably my favorite site yet. It just had a peaceful feel to it next to the water.
Some of the geysers and hot springs were actually in the water. It's said that Native Americans used to fish here and cook the fish right in the hot spring. Very efficient!
We visited the site of a mud volcano, now just gurgling away since it blew its top... Other mud features were impressive, too, especially the Churning Cauldron. It actually made waves in its pool!
The highlight of the day was a cruise we took on Yellowstone Lake, where we learned much about the history of the lake and the park, and some of the characters who influenced the area. I was taken by the mud swallows who have certainly learned to use the area's natural resources to their advantage.
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