as we enter California...

Doug at Boomtown, a view coming over the summit towards Lake Tahoe.

more pics

more pics on way through Nevada and into California

Here are some more pics - Great Salt Lake, saltflats, and finally as we entered California - had forgotten how beautiful Tahoe area is...you'll also see a pic on I80 where a builder of sorts decided a tree was needed, so he built one! The deer were in the yard of Kirk's brother Dave's house where we stopped to visit and see an old Mack truck before heading out. They are in the shot with Doug and me - another beautiful log house.

Day seven....we've arrived...

Hope all are enjoying the trip thus far; haven't had access to computer since we arrived in Park City, Utah last Friday. We spent a wonderful three days with Jeanette and Kirk, Doug's cousin and her husband. Jeanette and I spent two afternoons shopping in quaint villages while the guys caught up and did "guy things". All in all it was relaxing and encouraging. Learned a few new card and table games and drank a good bit of wine too. What's to complain about?
The drive to Utah was gorgeous and am uploading a few pics. You'll also find those from our journey west from Park City. What I learned about the Salt Flats is that it wouldn't have done any good for me to be a pioneer lady - too far between rest stops and bathrooms! Doug and I now know the location of all public facilities for a 200 mile stretch - BOTH OF THEM! I won't comment on the fact that he actually missed the first one I pointed out to him. Spent last night (Monday I believe) in Winnemucca, Nevada and am now in Antioch, California. We actually stopped in Boomtown, NV for lunch and DIDN'T GAMBLE! (Only because the slots only too.k cash or chits, not silver.)
Enjoy the pics - they are self-explanatory. More to come. Oh yes, I'm at Panera bread across from a MERVYNS, for those of you formerly from the Petaluma area.....Thought they were all closed down...yippee..and, we left in 11 degree temp and it is now 60+.... These are pics of Doug, his cousin Jeanette, her husband Kirk and me at their wonderful log cabin in Park City.

Viveca

Failed to transfer pics of Viveca, Heather's daughter and my "adopted" God-daughter....what a beauty. Viv and Heather, Viv with Heather and me. Also, to id the pics from the visit to Heather...Doug with Heather, Doug and me, David (Heather's husband) on the sofa and Doug "reclining" in front of the tv...

Sorry - still learning how to navigate the postings: to identify the second set from day 3...the first is a pic of the snow fences alongside I 80, erected to keep the snow from drifting on to the interstate. Interesting! The other two pics are of us in front of the massive Lincoln statue monument.

More Wyoming

Day three in Wyoming

Thanksgiving 2009 was spent driving across Interstate 80 through Wyoming on our way to Park City, Utah. Thanksgiving dinner was at a truck stop - fried chicken for me and breakfast for Doug! So much for turkey and trimmings. Pictures from today show the snow I am thankful we didn't run into; what we saw was left from an earlier snow storm. We visited a memorial to Abe Lincoln; apparently I80 is the Lincoln Highway. The rock formations were amazing; I spent most of the day oohing and ahhing out the windows. At least today I managed to stay awake all day! Tomorrow I meet the first of his family.
Enjoy the pics....and check back.

Sad farewell from Heather's

Heather's

Day two: Heather has to work so Doug and I visit with Dave for the afternoon. What to do when bored? SHOP...so off to the nearest mall we go to shop for Viv's replacement birthday gift and the newly discovered missing necessities - i.e. flat iron (left two at home) and SNACKS for the drive, yarn, etc. I spend the evening with Heather as she does her afternoon school bus run and then a busload of basketball players to a game in a nearby town. Who else would be cheering a middle school game in a town where you don't know anyone but me? At least they were kind enough to win both games! Mexican dinner while we waited and back home to visit some more.

Wednesday (today) we said a tearful goodbye with an offer by Doug to try and return on the way home at month end. We have ended the second leg of the journey in Kearney, Nebraska, an area connected to Lewis and Clark. Tomorrow we head for Park City, Utah to Doug's cousins, my first introduction to his family. Gulp...lol

The journey begins

Monday morning, 23 November 2009, we begin our Christmas journey. First destination is Troy, Illinois to visit Heather and Viv. Believe me, packing for a month-long trip is not easy! Within an hour of Doug's house I am making a mental list of everything I didn't think to bring - boots for the possible snow, yarn and crochet hooks to occupy my time, Christmas cards to write and mail, and most important, Viv's birthday gift! The drive is easy - Doug drives and I nap. The first concern is when I attempt to load Heather's address into the GPS and her street isn't recognized. Problem is solved when we call and she gives us the nearest cross-street name and after 9 hours we arrive. Pictures to follow.