Nine Things I'm Thinking About, Saturday

1. It's been waaaaay too long since I blogged, I know. But I have an excuse, well, a couple of excuses. First, Tom and I were in Jackson Hole, Wyoming for five days, and then the day after we returned our computer crashed. We got it back up and running yesterday.

2. Right before we left for Jackson, Erin, Brent and the kids came for a visit. They arrived in time for dinner and then we quickly made the first batch of ice cream with the new (thrifted) ice cream maker. It worked like a champ! Recipe: 2 cups heavy cream, 2 cups half and half, one cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla. Mixed it up, poured it in the assembled maker and followed the directions. Thirty minutes later (with no muss or fuss from ice or salt) we had ice cream. The kiddos loved helping the the turning of the crank -- three times every five minutes. Here are pics of our culinary adventure. It made just enough for the six of us to get our fill!

3. Jackson Hole was beautiful!! I have traveled much in my fifty plus years but never been to this part of the country. The descent into the airport located in Grand Teton National Park was awesome. A wide circle over Jackson Hole (which is not the name of the town, I have learned, but the name of the area between the mountains -- like a valley but called a "hole" by the early settlers). As the plane circles it slowly descends until landing in the tiny airport which was allowed to stay open after much politicking when Grand Teton became a National Park. Here we are in front of the Tetons.

4. We stayed at the Snow King Resort just six blocks from downtown Jackson. It is nestled up next to a mountain and has a couple of ski lifts that run during the summer to afford folks the amazing view (without walking up and down the mile long switchback trail which my friend walked not once but TWICE during our stay there -- while my lazy butt was sitting at the hotel computer!). Of course, like most tourist joints they took a picture just as we approached the summit. Tom decided to give me a kiss so you can't see the terrified look on my face! And also a shot of the view as we started down (with rain and LIGHTNING! in the background!)

5. We spent time in both Grand Teton and Yosemite National Parks. After watching the PBS series about the National Parks earlier this year, it was wonderful to actually spend some time in a couple of the most famous. We, of course, waited for Old Faithful to blow her top and took pictures of that. While we were waiting, I wrote out postcards to all of the grandkids and my little sis about where we were. The place was packed, and is surrounded by bleachers to watch and wait.

6. When it did finally blow, the kids behind us who were whining about it "taking so long" were the first to cheer! Not sure if it was because they could finally leave or because of how awesome it was. We encountered many families along the way. Most of the school-aged kids seemed to be enjoying the adventures but there were also many who late in the day were saying, "we saw enough nature for today, mom!"

7. I loved seeing all of the wild flowers. I'm sure in the spring it is even more beautiful but I did find many along the way.

8. And, of course, we saw some wildlife. Up close and personal with the buffalo, elk hiding in the tall grass, and deer grazing.

9. It was a great trip and, as always, I'm glad to be home! But love looking back at the pictures and remembering the good time we had.