Yellowstone National Park

If you have never visited Yellowstone, you really must plan to do so. It has it all: waterfalls, lakes, wildlife, hot springs, geysers, mountains, wildflowers, mud volcanoes, fumaroles, rivers...and hiking and walking trails to see everything! My photos won't do it justice, but here are a few of the falls:

And some amazing colors of a hot spring:

And, finally, the least stressful traffic jam we've ever been in...

During the last 5 days, we have hiked 28.85 miles! I've described these hikes/walks on a separate page on this blog, if you're interested. Today I sent Bill on  his way to take a hike alone, so I can do laundry, work on my blog, and rest my weary legs! When he returns we'll do some easy walks around Old Faithful and continue to enjoy all that Yellowstone has to offer.

Back Online

Blogging is very difficult to do without an Internet connection! I have a lot of catching up to do...

My stay in Salt Lake City was fabulous. The area in which I stayed, Temple Square, was very safe, clean, and pedestrian-friendly. I spent the day Friday at the Family History Library, which is run by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is the largest library of its kind in the world. The guides and volunteers there were very helpful and my research led me to some new information about my family. There on the shelves, was a book entitled, The Descendants of Abel Huse of Newbury, (of which I am one!) The book was published before my mother was born, so her name is not in it, but my grandmother's name is! Abel Huse came to the Massachusetts colony from England in the early 1600's. I also discovered a little known fact about my father's family...his father, my Grandfather Sobieski, was born in Poland! Everyone assumed he was born in Baltimore, but I found a passenger list that confirms he came to America when he was one year old. There is still much to discover about my ancestors, and I will definitely continue my genealogy studies in the future.

Bill arrived in Salt Lake City mid-afternoon, and from there we headed north to Preston, Idaho to visit a quilt shop (isn't he a good guy?) We found a quiet (and free!) place to camp along the Idaho/Wyoming border.

Our next stop was Grand Teton National Park. What a beautiful area! Bill and I decided to take a hike to Amphitheatre Lake, a hike we took 30 years ago. I have to admit, I had a bit of trepidation as I read the description in the park brochure: “STRENUOUS; 10.1 miles roundtrip; ascent 3150’; bears seen frequently on this trail”. Bill assured me I was fit enough to take this hike, and that we would not see any bears. My legs did fine, but my breathing was labored for much of the walk up to the lake, ( I am blaming it on the altitude; we started at 6548’ and ended at 9698’). Although Bill didn’t need to, we rested often on our way up, and I was really happy to finally see that lake, where we sat and ate our lunch.

 I wasn’t tired yet, so I knew the trip down would be much easier. And easier it was until…

It started to rain about two miles into our descent…and we had forgotten to pack our rain gear. It was a gentle rain, and I didn’t mind being wet. About three miles down, we saw that the hikers in front of us had stopped. Quietly they informed us there was a black bear munching on some berries near the trail. Yep, there it was, the bear Bill told me I wouldn’t see, as big as life!

Eventually, there were about 15 of us hikers gathered as we watched the bear cross the trail and then cross back again, never going very far away. Finally, a gentleman with a can of bear spray calmly walked down the trail, passing by the bear. The bear paid him no mind, so the rest of us traveled as a group and did the same. Well, I looked calm, but I didn’t feel calm as I saw the massive beast in my peripheral vision!

Then, of course, it started to rain harder. By the time we were back to the RV, we were soaked. But we took hot showers right there, put on our dry clothes, and began the cocktail hour!

I’m glad my body that is 30 years older than the first time I hiked that trail, could still get up the mountain, even though it probably took me twice as long. It was certainly a hike to remember!

Westward Ho!

Bill DeRose’s wanderlust is legendary. Almost every summer since he graduated from high school, Bill has either hitchhiked or driven his way to the Rocky Mountains. At the time I met Bill, I had very little travel experience save for the annual trips to Ocean City, Maryland. When he invited me to accompany him out West the summer of 1980, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. Since I had a graduate class to finish first, I flew out to meet him in Texas in mid-July. At that time Bill owned the “Luxury Camper”, a used VW pop-up camper with no running water or AC. I’ll never forget my first night of camping. It was in a primitive campground in Big Bend National Park, and it had to be 110°. I didn’t realize what “primitive” meant, but quickly found out when it was time to “bathe”. Bill handed me a milk jug filled with water. “What do I do with that?” I asked. “Pour half of it over you, soap up, and use the other half to rinse off,” he answered.

I learned many other creative ways to bathe that summer, such as sneaking into the showers at Yellowstone Lodge, swimmimg in a lake, or using coin-operated bath facilities (it’s important not to run out of quarters before you’ve rinsed off). What can I say… I was in love…and the beauty of the West and the fun we were having made it all worthwhile.

There were subsequent trips out West together, the last few with children…enough said. Summer work, the kids’ activities, and my various avocations ended our family trips, but Bill could always find a buddy to travel with him.

But now, I’m retired!!!! And the kids are grown!!! Westward Ho!!

This summer’s plans start in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am flying there today and will visit the Family History Library tomorrow to do some genealogy research. Bill is currently in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and he will pick me up in SLC tomorrow evening. I am very grateful I didn’t have to make the long drive across the Midwest!Our goals for this trip are to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks in Wyoming; Glacier National Park in Montana; and Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada. These were some of my favorite places on previous excursions, and I can’t wait to experience them without children and with our own bathroom!

It's Cold!

I am wearing corduroy slacks, a long sleeve top, and a fleece jacket...we must be close to home.

Yesterday we camped in another very nice state park...Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina. This park afforded us two more pleasant beach walks, although it was too chilly to go barefoot.

Last evening we had cocktails with a couple who has the same motorhome as we. They are also recently retired, and are just starting their trip to Florida. Bill and Dave shared tips and experiences with the motorhomes, and Diane and I talked about QUILTING! Yes, she's a quilter and even had her sewing machine with her!

Today has been spent getting to I95 and then traveling up 95. I guess the whole trip can't be as fun as the last 37 days:)

What a wonderful trip we have had! Bill and I realize how fortunate we are to have each other, to have good health, and, oh, yes, to have a pension, so we can continue to live life fully in our retirement. We are truly blessed!

One Fine Day

As soon as I walked into The Georgia Pig and smelled the meat cooking in the open pit, I knew we were going to have a delicious lunch. And, boy, did we! We bought a pound of the pork barbeque and a pint of cole slaw. Luckily, there is enough left over for tonight's dinner.



This afternoon we arrived at Hunting Island State Park on the coast of South Carolina. Yeah! Another beach! And it was warm enough to take a nice long walk in the surf of the Atlantic Ocean. I found my first sharks' teeth here, which was very exciting:)



This campground was quite a find. I can look out our front window and see the ocean, and we can hear the waves, which will make for some sound sleeping tonight!

Homeward Bound

Today is Day 35 of our trip...5 weeks, and still loving it! But, alas, it's time to leave Florida and make our way back home.

Two days ago we returned to the east coast of Florida after taking some walks in Juniper Springs Recreation Area (in Ocala National Forest) and Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. Bill took dips in the always 68 degree temperatures of the clear waters of both springs. By the size of the parking lots, these must be very popular destinations on weekends and in warmer weather. We are very happy to have these places to ourselves in January and February.

Tuesday night we parked the motorhome in the driveway of our friend Bob's house in St. Augustine. Bob and his wife still live in Maryland so the house is unfurnished, but I used their electric to dry my hair. I'm sure tongues were wagging about why an RV from Maryland was "camping" in their neighborhood!

The drive up Highway A1A along the Atlantic coast was beautiful. Last night we stayed in Fort Clinch State Park, and again had the pleasure of walking along a beach. I love beachcombing for shells, and found some more to add to my collection.

Lunch today will be barbecue at the Georgia Pig, a favorite spot of Bill's, then onto Beaufort, South Carolina. Hope it's still warm there!

The Still of the Night

After spending a couple of days with my mother, we drove inland yesterday stopping at a few places along the way. Our first stop was Dunedin, FL, which is the location of the best quilt shop I have ever visited. It's called Rainbow's End, and it features over 20,000 bolts of fabric! I had lots of fun choosing fabric for the quilt I will make for my sister Lisa's wedding gift. Even if you don't quilt, Dunedin is a great town to visit, with four miles of picturesque waterfront and many nice shops and restaurants along Main Street.

We then decided to walk through Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which is the home of native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. We didn't realize the animals would be in a zoo-like setting, and though it was somewhat educational, we didn't enjoy seeing the animals caged.

The next order of business was to find a place to camp/sleep. Bill wanted to try Ocala National Forest, where we found an almost empty campground at Fore Lake. It was a real bargain at $12, but the best thing about it was how quiet it was. Everytime I woke up last night, I was amazed at the stillness...not a sound to be heard!

It's getting chillier as we venture northward, and I noticed Baltimore isn't too much cooler than we are here! That's OK...Bill and I want the Maryland snow to wait until we return...we love a good snowstorm!