Mill Canyon - Moab, UT

Friday, June 3, 2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

Today was our first day out on trails since last year. We knew it would be a learning day of what we forgot to take and not to take.  I forgot my ugly- obnoxious colored- scare away the Mountain Lions - towel. I actually forgot it at home so tomorrow that will be first on my list. (to find the loudest, ugliest, biggest beach towel around.)

We started our day at the Moab Welcoming Center to purchase another yearly permit to ride the trails. Then we headed out. About 12 miles north of Moab is a trail called Mill Canyon. We have not explored that one and were very interested in it. There are alot of other trails that lead off the main loop and it became confusing at some points. We ran into other 4-wheelers and they explained the same concerns. The maps were not precise, and  very confusing to read. Knowing Tommy, we forged on. Going off trail is illegal but that doesn't apply to us, ever! LOL.We used GPS coordinates for most of it.

The rock formations are beautiful and as the sunlight changes, the rock's appearances change. The very same rock can look completely different depending on where in the sky the sun is at that moment. Its neat to watch what 10 minutes can do.

The first destination was 'Determination Towers'. They are huge and very impressive. Another point of interest we had was Tusher Canyon Tunnel. It took us most of the day to find it. Once there, we had to hike a short, but steep trail to actually get in the tunnel. It is well hidden. The GPS is the only way we could find it. Several other people along the way said they were on the same trail and yet did not find the tunnel.

Just before hiking we found a wonderful shade tree with a big rock to sit on for lunch. Finding shade on most of these trails is like panning for gold. This tree was perfect. So was lunch. And after hiking when Tommy decided to pull over and try out his new gun he purchased in KY, I pulled out 2 beers. He didn't know I had packed them so he was a happy camper.

We shot off several rounds, but Tommy brought with him the wrong bullets and we had to hand feed each round. It got old quick. I hit every object he challenged me with. So now - bring on the Bears! I'm not going to shoot them where I have to empty the entire clip on them. OH NO!!! I'm going straight for their heads!!! I got a picture of Tommy's shell casing leaving his gun, pretty cool, huh?

While we were playing around with the gun we walked along the edge of a canyon and came across this beautiful bush of purple flowers. At first I thought they were lavender, but after smelling it - it smelled more like sage. Perhaps, Master Gardener Ron can help identify it??? LOL.


Tonight at the campground they are having a pot luck dinner. We opted out. We have made a commitment to each other. Instead of being typical RV'rs as in last year, this year we will eat healthier and drink less. Last year we ate way too many Ribeyes and baked potatoes, along with consuming way too much alcohol. This year it will be alot of chicken Caesars salads and 1-2 glasses of wine a night.  We both want to lose 25 lbs, so wish us luck!

So far I am breathing well and have not used my inhaler at all. Tomorrow will be the big test, we plan on hiking all day. Tomorrow night is a Rodeo. WAHOO!!!  OK, chickens off the grill, gotta go eat.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Paducah, KY

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

It took 3 days to arrive in Paducah, KY from St. Augustine, FL. We got into town around dinner (oops, I mean Suppa), time.  Several storm chaser teams passed us along our travels and  so we knew wherever they were headed we were right behind them. Scary!   Tommy's brother Jim, and his wife, Cathy reside in Paducah. Its a pretty, quaint little town. Lots of history and lots of friendly people. It sits on the Ohio River. Which by the way is over its banks.

I was so excited I finally got to meet Sweet Baby James. Sarah's son. Sarah is the elder daughter of Jim and Cathy. James is now 4 months old and so incredibly snugly. Cathy and I got to go shopping the following day with James while Sarah finished her last week at school. She is a teacher. Our adventure was comical. Cathy, nor I have done the 'baby' thing in a while and we could not figure out how to put the carseat/carrier in the shopping wagon. (oops, buggy). After 4 or 5 stores I followed another mother and secretly inspected how she had hers placed. Once we found the groves that are pre molded on the carseat/carrier it was a piece of cake. But then we were done shopping. LOL. James was great all day.

Cathy cooked us dinner every night. It was wonderful. I took a couple of recipes from her and plan on repeating them on our trip. Especially the 'boyfriend test poppy seed chicken'. Its incredibly good.

The following day, Emily, the youngest daughter, was to drive down from Louisville. She lives  there with her husband Joseph and daughter Eastyn. Isn't that the coolest name? Anyway, the weather was going to get really bad and it was wise for Emily to stay home and bunker down for the night. There were tornado warnings all across the mid west.

We watched the storm blow through from Cathy's kitchen window. For almost 5 straight minutes it seemed a bit hairy. We were lucky though and no tornadic weather hit Paducah.

 Thursday came around and Cathy and I met Emily  1/2 way to Emily's house in Louisville. We kidnapped Eastyn.  She is almost 2 and  is the happiest little girl. And oh so busy helping her aunt Sissy (Sarah), with baby James. I had fun just watching her interact. We were both very happy to see the girls and their children...finally!

We left Paducah on Friday morning and headed towards Moab. We drove completely through Kansas. Kansas is actually very aesthetically pleasing. Rolling hills, lots of farms, big sky, but oh-so-freaking- boring!!! It took 2 days of 6 hours behind the wheel and we made it to Golden CO. We are only one more days drive from Moab. The plan was to stay one night here and move on but this town is wonderful. Ill blog about it in another story.

That's if for now. I hope you are caught up and enjoy the pictures. Thanks for reading.

St Augustine, FL

Friday, May 20, 2010

At  2:00 in the afternoon, Tommy and I pulled out of our driveway with our new temporary housing unit for yet another adventure out west.  She, the trailer,  was named Rita in honor of all the Margaritas that will be consumed in and around her. Which I'm sure will be many!

We met up with several friends in St. Augustine, FL.  Bobby and Tracey, Brenda and Tony, Tanya and Chris, and the birthday boy - Mike. We stayed at the KOA and had a blast.

We arrived last on Friday, so the gang had already played all day and were ready for dinner. Of course we jumped right in. 

Saturday morning we woke up to Bobby cooking breakfast for everyone. Always an awesome meal when Bobby cooks. After breakfast, we all headed down to the beach. It is 3/4 of a mile from where we were staying. The day was clear and sunny, the beach is very clean and we all got burnt. But yes, we all used 50+ sunscreen.

There is a hotel situated on the beach and they offer this huge slip and slide for their guests. If you are a beach goer you can purchase an armband to utilize the slide for the entire day. It looked like alot fun but none of us advantage of it. Too much effort to climb it...hee hee.

Tracey, Tanya and I walked almost 3 miles on the waters edge while the boys played football and consumed all the beer they brought with them. LOL. After the beach, we all jumped in the pool at the campsite, showered and headed downtown.

St. Augustine is the countries oldest city and is full of history. Still standing is the oldest one-room wooden school house in which you can tour. St Augustine also offers self walking tours through Fort Matanzas. Very cool. They have 'ghost' tours in the evening in where you walk through the graveyard and visit several houses where they are haunted from the battles that took place there. St Augustine is very very pretty and is full of things to do.

It was supposed to be the end of the world while we were walking downtown and at  6pm when it didn't happen all the church bells were sounded. We celebrated hard being; the end was coming, and then we celebrated harder when we all survived the Armageddon.

Bobby  yet again, cooked another great steak dinner. Fillet Mignon, baked potatoes, etc. was Mike's choice. It was his 40th birthday - and it was alot of fun. 

Everyone pulled out Sunday morning and the gang headed southbound for home. We headed west towards Paducah, KY to visit with Tommy's brother and his family. 

We will write more then, for now I hope you enjoy the pictures.

So glad everyone lived through the end of the world, and thanks for reading.