Day 44 June 4 Mount Ranier National Park/Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

A Source of Inspiration

Brings new meaning to TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMBER!

"Learn about glaciers. Discover life in a rainforest. Hike the Wonderland Trail. Explore subalpine ecology. Watch clouds shroud the mountain and disappear. Visit a rustic historic building. Dream about climbing to the summit. Study geology. Experience a mountain meadow. Listen to a glacier crack." Oh Ranger Boy was so full of suggestions. About wore me and Pleep out thinking about what we should do. The brochure tells us "unexpected road closures may occur at anytime due to the dynamic nature of Mount Ranier" BINGO. First they had an avalanche that slid the road down the mountain...better close that section-hey when will it be "fixed" Ranger Boy? Uh, not sure could be July or next July. and by the way a car hit a construction truck today...so that's a bit of a headache. you've got that right RB.

They also say Mount Ranier creates it's own weather-right again. At the bottom of the mountain and in the valley it was 80 something...up there on top it was in the clouds chilly and lots of snow still. Loaded with those "mountaineer tree hugger types"....we stopped in at one of their boutiques....you might as well be at Chanel as far as the prices go. Flash parka's $1200 and how about a cool Patagonia or Gotex Fleece? You can have one for $600 and for a few hundred more you can get the pants as well. While this sport is not for the faint of heart it is also not for the empty pockets. We got a kick watching the young folks suit up, practice on the climbing wall and swing around those ice axes. Huh? This is June people!

BE INSPIRED PLEEP! I must say his behavior today was much better and he is learning to read the signs- no cliff jumping.

Mount Rainier National Park offers excellent opportunities for some very scenic drives, hiking, and that whacky mountain climbing. Most roads are open from late May to early October--all provide stunning views and access to a variety of hiking trails and other sites. Lowland forests of cedar, hemlock, and fir to subalpine streams and meadows of wildflower, to alpine slopes of firs, glaciers, and tundra all over the place! The growth of the trees and foliage are much like a tropical rainforest. We are talking Hansel and Gretel scary thick forest. Looking at all those trees fallen over and seeing the ones cut by a chain saw and removed from the road....I have been a bit nervous. What's to stop one of those huge trees from falling on the Bubamobile? So I asked Ranger Boy and he said "Well, we've only had one tree fatality since I've worked here". That was good enough for Buba to forge on...

And that glacier is something....I guess that's why they call it land of Fire and Ice. The glacier is 4 miles long and flows down hill 6-12 inches per summer day. We are talking waterfalls everywhere. Mount Ranier is actually an active volcano ( yes Mt. St. Helena is right around the corner) with its most recent eruption in the mid 1800's. This National Park was established in 1899 and spreads out over 235,625 acres-and 3 miles in height.

Buba has taken to calling me Mountain Mama these days. He tried to sign us up for the Black Bear and Mountain Lion Encounter Trip. Buba said I would have no problem scaring off a Mountain Lion "make yourself look large, intimidating and in control: stand up tall, open your jacket, yell and throw things". What, and feel like I'm back at work! Buba, let's do like the sign and Keep Wildlife Wild-so leave me alone already.

Close to Seattle and worth the day trip to see this big mother! check it out www.nps.gov/mora

Day 43 June 3 Crater Lake National Park/ Oregon

CRATER LAKE NP/ OREGON

The ride to Crater Lake was gorgeous. We drove through Whiskeytown-Shasta Trinity National Recreation Area in Northern California. Lots of ooooooooooooing and ahhhhhhhhhhhing. We are talking Big and Beautiful- over 217,000 acres/3 lakes. Then we hit Crater Lake - Like No Place Else on Earth- Crater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years...reminding Buba he doesn't belong in Boca these days. A a deep, pure lake, so blue in color it looks like ink; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; a picturesque island in the lake; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom for you outdoorsy types. That is if you love snow. The rim road is closed most of the year with half of the rim road opening in June and the other half....maybe in July. Today there were 10 other cars there with us.... Ranger Boy told us they get 500,000 visitors per year. Say what?

Crater Lake is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Established in 1902 on 183,222 acres. This National Park is an example of one man, William Gladstone Steel, taking a stand for this spectacular area to become a National Park. He hounded and hounded ( for 17 years!) until President Roosevelt signed the proclamation-because of his relentless pursuit most people thought he was nuts . Today we are grateful. Another example of the enduring American Spirit. Crater Lake lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when the 12,000 foot high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption. Generous amounts of winter snow, averaging 533 inches per year, supply the lake with water. Buba got the biggest kick out of the gazillions of snow poles along the road...some up to 14 feet tall! There are no inlets or outlets to the lake. Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet deep, is the seventh deepest lake in the world and the deepest in the United States. Evaporation and seepage prevent the lake from becoming any deeper. This lake is definitely a superstar and very photogenic.

The Park's Chief of Terrestrial Ecology gave Pleep what fore. Dr. Hudson caught him running all over the trails and cliffs in the snow. I guess Pleep didn't know what "CLOSED TRAIL" meant. I think the snowball fight he and Buba had (in their shorts no less) put her over the edge-what else can you expect from two Crackers from Florida. Terrestial as in ET?

ADVICE FROM A LAKE

Be Clear
Make positive ripples

Look beneath the surface

Stay calm

Shore up the friendships

Take time to reflect

Be full of Life!

Ilan Shamir

A good park to see. check it out www.nps.gov/crla

Day 42 June 2/Travis AFB/ Fisher House and Lassen Volcanic NP

Travis AFP/Fisher House

DGMC is the Air Force's largest medical facility on the west coast, providing a full spectrum of health care and patient-centered treatment for over 86,000 TRICARE beneficiaries in the Northern California Prime Service Area. DGMC is a premier staging platform for combat support of OIF/OEF and humanitarian missions, such as support for the California wildfires. This hospital is one of two that does Hyperbaric Treatments in the Military System-so they get patients from the Western half of the US.

As we drove up to the base Keith recollected his last visit here-42 years ago when he completed his tour with the US Army. He flew in from Viet Nam/Saigon August of 1967. He was welcomed by war protesters at the base giving him the finger, yelling baby killer and more. Welcome Home GI. You're in Viet Nam in the field one day and within 24 hrs on your way home. I guess they didn't know about Post Traumatic anything back then. Each soldier figured out how to adjust back to civilian life....glad to know today they are doing a lot more to help the soldiers re- acclimate to the "old/new" life at home. We also spent some time touring the base and watching the planes (C5B's and A's) do their maneuvers. Hard to believe those HUGE airplanes can fly. This large well groomed Base is a place you would be proud of...

Situated on a 55-acre campus at the entrance to Travis Air Force Base, DGMC also includes the VA Fairfield Outpatient Clinic, Clinical Investigations Facility and a community-supported Fisher House. The 7 bedroom House Manager Charlene Hall (retired Air Force) was a pure delight. HER House has a Fisher Park that she is very proud of- playground equipment, beautiful garden and serene seating for her guests. The park represents fruitful results of her Penny's for The Park and Patio Program. We want to know how she sweet talked the J and J company to take care of her landscaping-what a beautiful job they do. We also noticed the the mesh netting on the house-ah those pesky swallows nested under all the eaves making Fisher House their home...didn't they know you had to be Military to stay there! This Fisher House opened in 1994 with Becky Wood as the House Mgr-she is now House Mgr in Bethesda. Kim who was the second Mgr. (left due to her husbands transfer to Ft. Campbell where she volunteered at the Fisher House) hired Char as her assistant and then she was promoted to Mgr. More evidence that once Fisher House is in the blood there's no going back. Jane and the Housekeeper assist Char in keeping her Fisher House in tip top shape....including the many (Keith said it seemed like a million) stuffed animals.

The House just had their fund raising Viking Challenge-the largest event in their history. This 12 hour relay event in which teams continuously moved-running, jogging or walking-took place on the base 2 weeks ago. God bless the 615th Contingency Response Wing Phoenix Mobility Command for hosting such a successful event. The participants logged 2,671 miles! Talk about a Warrior Spirit! Enthusiasm, dedication and support of the Travis Fisher House is evident. The Volunteer Team is committed- there are 3 ladies who have been volunteering for 15 years one day a week...some of the short timers include 10 and 8 year volunteers! Per Char "they are wonderful and do whatever is needed." They even have a Cookie Lady who bakes chocolate chip cookies. The aroma in the house has everyone standing in line for their cookie. Keith kept hanging around hoping the Cookie Lady would show up for his visit. The House also has "The Gift of The Meal from The Heart"-20 nites a month Monday-Friday volunteer groups (mainly Military types/spouses) prepare a meal for the house guests. These meals are a house favorite per the guests. This program runs like clockwork per appreciative Fisher guests. MMMM and the leftovers are just as delicious for late comers. Thank you Charlene for such a warm welcome-you can count on Keith coming back for some of the Cookies.

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Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park's 106,372 acres provide a wealth of fun activities that are as varied as the seasons of the park. There are over 150 miles of hiking trails within the park which range in difficulty from a strenuous 5 mile round-trip hike up Lassen Peak to a gentle 1.85 mile stroll around Manzanita Lake. Established in 1916 right after the Volcano Blew! It is still considered an active Volcano-the centerpiece of a vast panorama where "volcanism" displays its spectaculars....wrecked mountains, devastated land and lots of leftover mud. I loved taking pictures of the lava rocks strewn all over the area. Until Mt. Helen blew in 1990 this was the last volcanic eruption in the lower 48.

Here you can witness a brief moment in the ancient battle between the earth shaping forces of creation and destruction. Nestled within Lassen’s peaceful mountain forests you will find that hissing fumaroles and boiling mud pots still shape and change the land.

The Main Park Road provides incredible views of the Cascades and High Sierras, as well as access to mountain lakes and active hydrothermal areas. Most of the road was still closed....as a matter of fact the road didn't open completely until July last year. We are talking snow up there. There are eight campgrounds within Lassen Volcanic National Park, and a large part of Lassen's wilderness is available for wilderness camping with a free permit. No Buba I don't care if it's free.... if you want remote this is the place.

check it out www.nps.gov/lavo

And we topped off the nite with a stay at the VAGABOND MOTEL....from the Vanderbeek Villa it was a painful transition.....I particularly enjoyed all the truckers getting their diesals reved up at 4 in the morning.....

Day 41 June 1/Palo Alto/Fisher House at the VA and Gary Danko's

Palo Alto VA Fisher House

This house opened in 2006 to support the Polytrauma Center at the Hospital. The first donation for the house came from a nurse who worked in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. How's that for dedication. This 21 suite house is a beauty-just like the House Manager Tram Le-Nguyen. Tram's strong social work background is a perfect fit for this location and needs. The number of Vets pouring into the VA system warranted a Fisher House in this area. The type of wounds the returning military are largely caused by explosions of enormous force ...leading to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)-requiring lengthy and constant care. Also included in staffing this House is: Angela (front desk), Alan (evenings/front desk), Perry (housekeeping and a Vet) and 5 wonderful volunteers who work 4-5 hrs covering Mon-Friday every week. As a matter of fact this Fisher House hosted the Fisher House Manager Luncheon while they were in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago. The house is warm and inviting and I am sure this has a lot to do with Tram's serene style. Tram was born in Viet Nam and moved to the states when she was 2 years old. As a matter of fact she went back to Viet Nam a few years ago to study there for 1 year. Keith enjoyed chatting with her about his military Viet Nam experience as well as our recent trip to Viet Nam last Feb. Tram really enjoys working with the families and the appreciation the families show to the staff regarding their stay at the House. "I do my best to make the House warm and inviting for our families". Tram runs the house using "reservations" and juggles when there is a rush. Thanks Tram for a great visit. We will be back I'm sure!

For more details http://www.fisherhousepa.com/

Dinner at Gary Danko's! 5 Star Mobil

To start the evening off we had cocktails in the city at Joey's (Jo's nephew) and Niles hip apartment with a view of the Bay Bridge- fog and all. A nice chill in the air and it's June! Then headed over to to Gary Danko's fabulous Restaurant. What a treat, to say the least. The menu was amazing ( check it out on their site) for instance I had the Seared Sonoma Foie Gras with Caramelized Red Onions, Roast Main Lobster with Puree, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Edamame Beans and Tarragon, Dungeness Crab with Citrus, Avocado's, Meyer Lemon chive Vinaigrette and Herb Crusted Loin of Lamb with Israeli Couscous, English Peas, Spring Onions, Artichoke and Mint! How's that for a mouthful- I think they charge by the description. And the deserts went on and on. We thank Bill our favorite race car driver-always a scream when he is the driver for getting us to the city and back while Pam tortured all singing to the sixties m the back seat.

Thank you Jo and Bill-as always the consummate and gracious host and hostess. Hard to leave the "West Wing at Villa De Vanderbeek"!

Do check out the web site as the full menu is there mmmmmmmmmmm http://www.garydanko.com/

Day 40 Palo Alto, Down the Road from San Francisco

THE VANDERBEEKS-WAY BETTER THAN THE 4 SEASONS!

We met Jo and Bill Vanderbeek on a business trip to Japan back in 1986. They own a metal fab company in the "silicon valley" so over the years we have commiserated about the ups, downs, ins and outs of the biz. We have been a guest of theirs in Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz as well...more 4 Seasoning. We stayed in what is affectionately called the "West Wing" -Keith had a work out room and I set up an office with a view and made myself right at home. Villa De Vanderbeek-how will we be able to go back to Motel 6? Alexandra and I last visited 2 years ago when Jo threw Billy Boy a fabulousity 60th birthday- a psychedelic, peace, love, war, what's happening now bash no make that BASH with Bill's favorite singer- Chuck Berry. The place (at the house no less) was set up as a Woodstock and Haight Ashbury venue. That girl knows how to throw a party. Never mind she had the Pointer Sisters for her 25th Anniversary. I think in another life time she was a party planner for the Egyptians. It's always a treat to visit the V's as Jo spoils you rotten. I remember one time visiting with the kids and they couldn't get over the ice cream parlor in the "basement". I was then declared an unfit mother by both Nicholas and Alex. Yes Jo also whipped up a delicious dinner and homemade desert-that gal is ruining the curve again. And we think Sarah (our favorite Basset Hound) is the best. Hey Bill, crank up that donut machine for Buba. He has been dreaming about it for the past 500 miles.

Palo Alto is a beautiful spot south of San Francisco and home to Stanford University. My dear friend Mary remarked we needed to include some shopping and spa-ing news in the blog...Mar, I don't even have time to shave my legs let alone shop AND STILL EVERY TIME BUBA DRIVES BY A BASS PRO SHOP KEEPS REMINDING ME I NEED TO SWING IN THERE AND PONY UP FOR THE MISSION. Ok so I am the only girl in the National Park in a hot pink blouse...yes I figured Keith could find me easily as the drab green and brown's is so not happening.

The Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church/OCA/ MENLO PARK

We attended liturgy at this beautiful petite church. The church was originally an Episcopalian church and they gifted the church to the Orthodox in the area. In 1952 they moved the church to it's current location and refurbished it to the traditional Russian style- no pews! Yes, it makes for a "stand up" service for 2 plus hours. The Nativity of the Holy Virgin serves primarily Russian emigries, most recently from the former Soviet Union. Father Hermogen Holste's sermon about "What is Salvation?" was very meaningful. I loved that they had a huge water container and the parishioners are able to get the holy water whenever needed at their discretion. Cool! I grabbed a gallon jug from the back of the Bubamobile and loaded up. I figured I could keep dousing ourselves a little each day in prep for the Mission in Alaska right?

Feel free to visit their web site: http://www.tserkov.org/

And the Orthodox Church of America Web site as well: http://www.oca.org/

Lots of good background info about Orthodoxy at this site.

Day 39 Yosemite Slam Solitude?

Located in Central California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park encompasses an incredible 747,956 acres meaning 1,170 square miles (roughly the size of Rhode Island!) of breathtaking natural splendor. Ranging in altitude from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet above sea level, it's hard to believe that Yosemite is just hours from bustling cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Reno. Yes, and I am looking forward to bustling for a few days myself. Besides, $158 for a Days Inn. Are ya kiddin? On the other hand I keep thinking about that sleeping bag for the 2 week mission in Alaska....oy oy oy.

Not just a great Valley... but a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. We have been here before with the kids-slip sliding on those granite rocks had me fa-clempt. So today it was fun to watch other mothers....and packed it was. No solitude here on weekends....it was so crowded last week on Labor Day they had to close the park off..too many people. That's just about how Buba felt today. Lots of Mario Andriette wannabe's...give them a winding road and they think they are in Monte Carlo. This place gets over 3.3 million visitors annually. Felt like many of them there today. We are talking traffic jams and air pollution.

Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Buba didn't understand why they had a golf course-don't you come here for the natural experience? Again, those alleged black bears. Not. But the "Watch For Falling Rocks" finally paid off. We watched as a tiny pebble fell and sure as shooting ping on the windshield....no crack yet but one of those holes....does that mean it will start cracking in the back country of Canada if I don't get it replaced now?

The deer (and many other animals) are everywhere. The deer are so tame they want to lick your ice cream cone while you hold it. I know you're thinking serves her right...she has no business with an ice cream cone. Buba keeps muttering about his rifle and the only thing good about the latest bill they raced through to Obama is the amendment tacked on that allows you to carry a gun in a National Park. I think I am almost qualified to be a Jr. Park Rangerette. I looked it up...there are 58 National Parks and we have been to 35 or so with a possibility of 10 more on this trip. How did Buba pull this off over the years? I do believe he has all of the 58 on his Secret Bucket List....of course not letting me know, just slipping them in here and there. And when does he plan on seeing the National Park of Samoa?

One of my personal favorite sites was the Ansel Adams Gallery(his family has owned the gallery since 1902!)-he is Mr. Take Pictures of California and the National Parks. I am trying my best to take the "less is more" ideology....only 1,898 photos so far....and how many months to go? How will I edit out this load? If the criterion is quality the task will be easy. Ha. I think I will have to have 4 separate photo albums....Fisher, OCMC, and now the National Park Theme has taken a life of its own and of course Family and Friends. Or just one big jumbo super sized "What I did On My Summer Vacation" type album??

Well, most of the National Parks are quite beautiful and a little different from Boca. Don't ya think? Buba keeps wandering over to the Human Resource Offices looking into how all these folks (read that as seniors) get a job here for the summer and where is an application for "us". Us? The man is outside of his mind at times. Not enough that I am visiting these places wearing those ugly gym shoes and no make up, wrinkled and stained blouses and who knew black pants could get dirty, eating dry sandwiches out of the trunk, drinking cheap wine from a water bottle....and now he wants us to work here in the summer. Buba, that ship has sailed honey.

Day 37 and 38 Death Valley and Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Death Valley National Park: A Land of Extremes

Hottest, Driest, Lowest: A desert of streaming sand dunes, grey mountains and mounds, rocks and more rocks, dry gulch canyons.- 3.4 million acres of stone wilderness. And we made this a National Park because?? Home to the Timbisha Shoshone and to plants and animals unique to the harshest deserts located in California and Nevada. It is the largest national park south of Alaska-established in 1994-receiving over 1 million visitors per year. Huh. I don't think so. So where did such a forbidding name come from? The 2" a year rain or the up to 134 degrees heat-driest and hottest spot. This place has the highest mean temperature on earth. I can see why they named the visitor center Furnace Creek. The park is 140 miles long. Rock art indicates humans were here 9000 years ago. The American Indians called the valley "Tomesha"- the land where the ground is on fire. Boy you got that right. If you haven't been here. don't. It was only 108 here today....the other 5 cars made for a lively venue....talk about the opposite of Zion and it's Disneyland appeal. Why is this a National Park??? Grey, gritty and dismal....remote beyond remote and lots of flies to boot. This place is named appropriately. Perhaps to the uninitiated eco girl this looks like a vast, empty wasteland. And we can thank Bill Clinton in signing it into being a National Park in 1994- geez, who did he owe that favor to and for?

Do you remember the TV show "Death Valley" in the 50's? Ronald Regan hosted the show-a western about Death Valley and the area-come on you remember 20 Mule Team Borax. Keith had the 20 Mule Team Model Kit that you put together-from the laundry detergent. 2 wagons, 2 little guys that drove the wagons, 20 mules and harnesses (he remembers the harnesses getting all tangled up). In the 1880's wagon teams hauled powdery white borax from mines since fallen to ruin (from Gold Rush days). Gold mining? Hey I am sure there has to be a little something somethin left behind...."Pam, can't you read, no going in the mineshafts or messing with the prospect holes! And for gosh sakes, keep out of the abandoned tunnels!". Mr. Grumpy Pants.

I do love the tail of Death Valley Scotty and The Castle-the would be miner, beloved charlatan and sometime performer in buffalo bill's Wild West Show liked to tell visitors that his wealth lay in a secret gold mine. That "mine" was, in fact, his friend Albert Johnson a Chicago insurance exec, who paid for a castle where Scott lived until he died in 1954. This Moorish castle is now owned by the park and open for tours...While Scott never owned the building and Johnson paid all the bills Johnson claimed "Scott repays me in laughs". Located in Grapevine Canyon. Hey, where do I get that gig?

Backcountry camping permitted....yeah right. And we are protecting this national treasure because? Things to know before you go-DON'T. The best time to visit? NEVER.Per Keith "once is more than enough."

If you feel compelled feel free to check out the parks website for more details. www.nps.gov/deva

I must say this drive in the desert has been interesting. Lots of military bases, sites and such....bombing ranges out here. My first siting of a drone! Buba does like to take the back roads. Head out of Vegas north on 95 and it looks like picturesque Afghanistan. We are talking China Lakes (huh) Weapon Center, Fort Irwin National Training Center not far from the Mojave Desert and the Marine Air Ground Combat Center. Lots of bombing sites...maybe that will improve the terrain and look. Oy. Hey, I get it maybe Clinton had to buy it to have a place for the boys to cowboy up and get training for those pain in the keester Taliban and somc such vermin.

Day 38 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia

Did you know Sequoia is our second oldest Park? (right after Yellowstone). Established 1890.

Here on the rugged flanks of the highest mountains in the forty-eight contiguous states, grow the largest living things of our planet—the incomparable giant sequoias. And surrounding them is a land of enormous scenic and biological fascination, a land that has captured the imagination and spirit of uncountable numbers of people. Today, the two national parks of the southern Sierra Nevada are know as Sequoia and Kings Canyon. In 1890, when the U.S. Congress first set them aside as the second and fourth parks of the system, they were known as Sequoia and General Grant national parks. A century has now passed since that event. The park encompasses 865,257 acres.

These two parks testify to nature's size, beauty, and diversity: Immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees! The parks lie in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Elevation ranges from 1300' to 14,494'-meaning Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the US (outside of Alaska). We are talking backpackers paradise with over 800 miles of trails-whew. Too late to sign up for an advanced trail walk....the 70 mile trek across the park. The star attraction is the General Sherman Tree-about 2100 years old, 275 ft high and 103 ft circumference. A 13 story building would fit under it! Buba, where did they get that name? A pioneer cattleman who had served under Gen. Sherman picked it.

Kings Canyon

30 miles up the road and attached is Kings Canyon Park-what a beautiful high country "valley". Cedar, ponderososa pine, black oak, live oak, white fir and sugar pine all over the place. Again, the drive was a bit hairy for us Florida Flat Liners but well worth it. Buba said it was his favorite...not many folks up that road. We even got to see a "prescribed fire"- eerie but fascinating at the same time. Of course I viewed it as a photo op...such cute fireman...I mean the choreography of it. Years ago they banished fire thinking it was destructive. Now they light the fires! The old method of suppression blocked important ecological processes and caused many problem....trees not reproducing and dead wood everywhere making a natural fire huge and uncontrollable. So there ya go...Buba always says "let nature take it's course. Glad to see all those tree huggers finally figured that out."

I did ask Oh Ranger Boy the difference between a Park, Forest and a Monument? All Federal, but with a different purpose. National Parks strive to keep landscapes unimpaired for future generations. They protect natural and historic features and at the same time offer light on the land recreation. These Rangers work for the National Park Service (Dept. of the Interior). The National Forests, managed under a "multiple use" concept provides services and commodities that may include lumber, cattle gazing, minerals as well as recreation. These guys work for the U.S. Forest Svs. (Dept of Agriculture).....so I am still digging to figure out the distinctions....

And all those signs for "active" black bears....we kept leaving our food out. Not a one. I think Bocahontas is becoming quite the Park Babe...who knew!!

For more detailed info: www.nps.gov/seki

Day 36 LAS VEGAS-ENTERTAINMENT CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!

Viva Las Vegas!

Gambling, shopping, fine dining and loads of entertainment. 1,836,333 people live in "Sin City". From space it is the brightest metropolitan area on earth. Las Vegas Blvd (also known as The Strip) runs 4 miles in the city and now way out to the "burbs". We experienced how far out last night....a visit to the new hotel, resort and spa "M". Way cool- very hip and modern. The pool area was truly an oasis in the desert. But our favorite was the unique wine bar "Hostile Grape"-you fill up yourself. Meaning the thousands of bottles are displayed upside down on dispensers with the price per once and you get yourself an M credit card and punch and pour...it dispenses and you pay by the ounce. The selection was mind boggling and a gal could get into to trouble in this venue in a hurry. Buba is "grapeful" we don't live close as this has Pam's name all over it. He kept heading her off at the pass at the $25 an once bottle....

We have been staying with my "cousin" Karen...we came for one night and ended up staying 4. Lots of chores for Buba to do. Sadly, Karen and my blood cousin Teddy have divorced after 18 years of marriage. They have a talented son, Teddy Jr, who is a great baseball player (catcher). We watched him play ball last night-they won both games! I know several of you have gone down this D road....always heart breaking. Can you be friends with both? Or do we still live in a world of "choosing sides"? Do the kids have to choose sides? Most importantly, who gets the maid! Poor Karen, it was like a world wind hit her new home. Oh my, Pam said, "What are you doing with those "lambrequins" from the 80's on your windows....Buba, get those down! " So God bless Buba, he has been working his knuckles bloody doing those "honey do" chores around the house. And while she has ruined the curve by waiting on Buba with her delicious sandwiches and treats and more it really was a pleasure as Karen is a wonderful person and easy to do something for....thank you Karen and TJ for such a great visit (Pam used her hairstylist-got rid of those pesky roots finally and her amazing facialist....this lady scrapes your face with a scalpel!!). And don't forget the new Red Rock Resort right down the street from Karen's...awesome (9 miles from the strip on the 215- yes they are building these mega casino/hotel/spa resorts all over the place). No that's not Buba after to much grape...he wrestling putting that new lawn furniture together for K!

Anyway, this city has grown leaps and bounds since our last visit. Have you been on the 215 loop which circumvents the city? Do it once so you get the picture with your own eyes of all the growth. Did you know Las Vegas means The Meadows? In 1855 good old Brigham Young (Mormon Founder) sent 30 missionaries here to convert the locals (American Indians) to Mormonism. And this area was/is part of the Mormon corridor....

Well so much for that old college try by the Mormons....gambling was legalized in 1931 and the first Casino/Hotel opened in 1946- The Flamingo (thank you Bugsy Seigal). Did you know Maucau (Hong Kong) gambling surpassed Vegas gambling in 2006? When we were in Singapore in Feb we saw what they claimed to be the BIGGEST casino being built right before our eyes (on the waterfront). They were working 24/7 so it was interesting to watch from our hotel room in the middle of the night, the work they were doing to make the opening day goal...."GO TO BED HONEY AND SHUT THOSE BLINDS IN THE BATHROOM...THOSE GUYS DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU TAKING A TUB". Kill joy.

Another thing I love about Vegas is that it may be 94-104 during the day, those cool nites (unlike Florida) get down to the 60"s. Amen. Our favorite fun in LV are the shows so time to do one more show...

THE SHOW GIRL MUST GO ON- BETTE MIDLER

Can you believe she is 63!!! The last time I saw her was in 1972 at Armadillo World Headquarters while in college at University of Texas/Austin. The Divine Miss M. The consummate entertainer and I love the work she has done in NYC with the park. In spite of the concert she held at Cesar's last nite to raise money for Harry Reid (and yes the President was there doing his political favors for Harry and the unions) she is A plus to me. My favorite song is "You've Got To Have Friends". What is yours? Check out this clip of her from the show singing - From A Distance. P.S. Way hotter than Cher!

Day 35 Las Vegas....speaking of Entertainment....Morale Entertainment

MORALE ENTERTAINMENT, LLC. in association with Armed Forces Entertainment is sponsoring the second annual Coaches Tour to the Middle East. The tour runs from May 27th - June 4th. The 2009 tour will be led by Tommy Tuberville (Coach Emeritus, pictured on the right) and will include six active NCAA FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) coaches, including the 2008 Coach of the Year Mack Brown (Texas), Jim Tressel (Ohio State), Troy Calhoun (Air Force), Jim Grobe (Wake Forest), Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) and Houston Nutt (Ole Miss). This year's tour will launch from McConnell Air Force base near Wichita, Kansas, the home of the 22nd Aerial Refueling Wing. The majority of the air transportation will be handled by a KC-135R, four engine transcontinental aircraft. The tour is expected to visit U.S. military installations in Germany, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Djibouti and Spain.

This wonderful group has invited Nick Collins along to help with the tour and do some filming. He arrived in Wichita yesterday and has already found 5 Citadel Grads on the base. This opportunity (thank you dear family friend Tom Lee!) affords Nick to be around 3 of his loves...football, military guys and filming. Looking forward to hearing how this tour unfolds.

Check out this year's tour: http://www.coachestour2009.com/


OCMC DEDICATES NEW BUILDING IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS AND ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

The new Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building was dedicated during the two-day festivities of May 20-21. Archbishop Anastasios brought as a gift, a small silver reliquary containing relics of Saint Kosmas Aitolos, known for his missionary work in the 18th Century. Metropolitan Jonah of the OCA also brought a small container with relics of Saint Innocent of Alaska. Archbishop Demetrios presented to the OCMC board an icon of Saints Cyril and Methodios. The new 12,000 square foot building, which is now the headquarters of OCMC, is located near Interstate 95 just north of St. Augustine, on a wooded twenty-acre site. It has two floors which include space for worship, training and meeting rooms, overnight accommodations for visiting missionaries and mission team members, a kitchen, and administrative offices and work areas. State of the art technology infrastructure is installed throughout, to support communications with OCMC’s Missionaries around the world. The facility is the first permanent building designed, constructed, owned and operated by a SCOBA agency.

One of the things I love about this "venture" is the coming together of all the ethnic Orthodox. Since immigrating to the US the various ethnic Orthodox have pretty much stuck to themselves along with their ethnic customs, interpretation of liturgy, culture and yes superstitions! It is beautiful to see the vision for the Missionary work bringing us together rather than just a Greek Festival! Keith and I are so privileged to a be a part of the group in some small way. I am stressing a bit about the upcoming 2 week mission in Alaska. We will repair a church during the day and in the evening teach classes (Sunday School type class). I am in charge of the Arts and Crafts. Hahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahaha! All ideas are certainly welcome. Am I worthy to do this type of work? Am I prepared? Will I make a difference? CAN I SLEEP IN A SLEEPING BAG FOR 2 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We wish we were able to attend the OCMC Dedication. Our family dedicated a "room" in the center in my Dad's- Chris Gousetis' honor. Chris was a strong Believer and loved his church. His humility and generosity were a role model for us. Chris' kindness and optimistic way in helping others was second to none. We are thankful Chris was able to travel to Mount Athos (with my cousin Bob Pavich) to make the holy pilgramge-shortly before he passed away. While I know he would not want his name on any plaque, I also know he would be pleased with the new OCMC Training Center. MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

Check out press release: http://www.goarch.org/news/ocmcbuilding-2009-05-25

For photos of this event visit: http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=2636

Day 34 - MEMORIAL DAY

Many of you know I am a supporter of ACT ( www. actforamerica.org ). I think the founder and leader Brigitte did a super job of a wonderful thanks to our Military and their families this Memorial Day. For the fallen-MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE ETERNAL!

On behalf of ACT for America staff and I , we honor you this Memorial Day
A note of thanks to our military
By Brigitte Gabriel

Words tremble on my lips and emotions swell in my heart in my attempt to humbly thank you for all the things you do to protect America and the world. Words cannot express my depth of gratitude to your service, to your sacrifice, to all that you leave behind to go forth into the world and protect America’s interests around the globe.

Let my grateful tears thank you for the nights you slept freezing in a tent or sweating in the desert, for the lonely days you spent missing your loved ones, for the hours you spent sick in pain and without someone holding your hand, for the moments of sheer fright in the heart of battle, for the wounds you have suffered fighting evil, for the endless days in hospitals undergoing painful surgeries, for the precious occasions you have missed back at home. For all of these sacrifices I thank you on behalf of millions of Americans who are so grateful for you. We truly appreciate these sacrifices.

A special thank-you is in order to your families, to the parents who raised you and made you be the man or woman you are today. I thank your wives, husbands, and your loved ones who stand by you and support you with their love and dedication.

And for those who returned in eternal sleep, may your legacy be honored for generations to come, may the tears shed over your coffins fertilize the fields of patriotism in our nation to raise a new generation built on strength and honor, able and willing to follow in your footsteps when duty calls to defend America. May your blood not have been shed in vain. May we prove worthy of your sacrifice. May we always honor your parents so they will always know that they are the parents of an American hero.

You are our brave ones, our heroes, and our national treasures. You are the pride of our nation, our strength and our foundation. Thanks to you, millions have been freed around the world. Thanks to you, those who criticize our country, burn our precious flag, and speak ill of you, are able to do so because their freedom is built upon your blood and your sacrifice.

I salute you one and all. I bow before you in respect and humility. May God bless you and bless America, land of the free and home of the brave, and the dream that became my address.

Day 33 What A Day...talk about Yin and Yang -from Mormons to Cher!

MORMONS

St. George, Utah....it looks mostly brand new....housing developments from mid to high end, new shopping centers, strip malls, schools, churches, restaurants, hotels.... right down the road from Zion and less than 2 hrs to Vegas. What is this town? They claim to be the fastest growing area in the US (doesn't take much to claim that these past couple of years) - it sure seems like it, but how and why? Lots of retirees moving here, people from Calif and commuters to Vegas

The front page of their local paper, The Spectrum "Polygamous talks Hit Snag"...remember the guy on 60 mins. Warren Jeffs-(old mister I love 12 year olds)Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (splinter group from the regular RLDS) well there he was...I begged to stop by Colorado City....no soap. Troy stopped there on his way to canyon something and was asked "You don't live around here, do you? What is it you are looking for so I can help you find it so you can be on your way?" Gee, this guy Warren gives the "regular" Mormons bad press.....

So I ask what about the "regular" Mormon's? I was corrected and told RLDS (Revised Latter Day Saints) is the accurate name. We attended "chapel" at St. George 4th Ward. We were not allowed in the Temple where they do their sacred covenants (nothing associated with death). A family friend's daughter married a Mormon (last year) and they were not able to attend the wedding in the Temple. If you are not a member in good standing you are not allowed in The Temple...only the chapel. There are 145 Temples world wide. They only build after they have the funds to do so...very different than us! And a good idea I might add.....

They have a beautiful Visitors Center which gives a very thorough explanation of the Mormon Faith. Keith liked several of the "beliefs", for example they do not believe in welfare. They believe helping people help themselves-they have a Desert Industry Store which will provide plenty of food but a person must work there to be eligible for the food. Hip Hip Hooray. Needless to say they are quite conservative politically (another plus for Buba), have a very, very clean town and the young people are required to do 2 years of missionary work. As a matter of fact there was a full page article with pictures explaining who went where and what they did for their missionary work. We heard a young man talk about his missionary work in Texas. Of particular note i.e. politically, in the newspaper they interviewed the loacals about Obama's stimulus package and all 6 interviewed were 100% not in support of the stimulus package....back to that old no public welfare thought. Keith is looking for a vacation home....

RLDS emphasizes the importance of family relationships-we are talking long term here. As in your family relationship is not limited by death-the marriage is eternal! I hear some of you groaning right now...hence the big genealogy program. It was really interesting to attend the service an learn first hand about the Religion and beliefs.

Check it out: familysearch.org and www.mormon.org

Cher - still rocking!

Saw the Queen of Glitz tonight- at the last min. we bought best available and got lucky-4th row at Caesars. This up close and personal seat enabled me to check out her "work". I chided Buba with "hey, she's your age!" Now he thinks we need to find out who is doing Cher's plastic surgery work. I said great, if you can guarantee me you'll look as ripped as the Julius Caesar statue in the lobby. He replied that would be fine if I would guarantee to fit into Cher's clothes when my surgery is done. Yes, that's me standing next to her show outfits.

We hadn't been to Vegas since my 5oth Birthday party in 2002 (yikes). Wow this place grown....looks like an explosion....more hotels, new housing developments, shopping centers and more shopping centers. We tried to do a birthday bash for Buba's 60th and he chose to get 2 new knees. Looks like another birthday party is needed to get the old gang back together. All ideas and dates are welcome. We're not much for the gambling side but love to watch people loose I mean play with their money, see the shows and the outstanding people watching. What recession?

What was really amazing....I wore the same outfit to the Mormon church as I did to see Cher. Jewish JC and Roman JC...it all works!

Day 32 "Zion A Place Regarded As Devoted to God: A Sacred City"

A great way to kick off Memorial Weekend with my favorite Vet. Zion was established in 1919 on 146,592 acres. We are talking Master Sculptor chiseling out Zion Canyon and its massive stone formations. And like inspired artists this sculptor continually refines HIS work....erosion, wind, rain. I think the 19th century Mormons who saw the "natural temples of God" calling the area Little Zion after the celestial city and naming the venues/sites sacred names....West Temple, Alter of Sacrifice,The Great White Throne, Angels Landing, Temple of Sinawava, Weeping River and the Three Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to name a few.

The scale is immense with cliffs dropping 3000 feet- we are talking deep alcoves here. A million years of flowing water has cut through the red and white beds of Navajo sandstone that form these sheer walls. The geologic heart of the canyon began as a vast desert millions of years ago (here we go again) with loads of wind blowing one dune on top of another reaching depths of 2000 ft and unlike the Grand Canyon where we viewed from the top, at Zion we look up. I can see why 2.5 million folks visit every year...never mind there is an outlet mall and several Starbucks and Vegas down the road.... and lucky us, today was the busiest day in Zion's history. Actually it was so organized (no driving in the park, tour buses take you around) I felt like I was at Disney half the time. Tip- don't show up on a holiday weekend. Don't these people know there is a "REPRESSION" going on?

I didn't realize there were 3 separate and distinct entrances to Zion- that are not connected. This carved landscape offers more ooing and ahing... The shuttle bus making it easy peasy for Boca Babe. Zion is celebrating it's 100th birthday...meaning in 1909 it was declared a Naitonal Monument (called Mukuntuweap) and 10 years later a National Park. And speaking of celebrating- the earliest evidence of human occupation in and around Zion comes from a time known as the Archaic Period-whose scarce remnants have been dated to about 7000 B.C....folks there till when the Mormans settled the area in the 1850's- to grow Cotton- no longer available due to the Civil War. And now I understand why they call this "Utah's Dixie" (and Dixie National Forest). John Muir suggests: "Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."

Yep, Celebrating A Century of Sanctuary! I get it.

May your spirit be renewed and soar as high as the highest cliffs we've seen. May you visit some of these spectacular parks for your own remarkable experience...and if you've been before, time to come back. We look forward to a happy return ourselves.

And I like these Mormon's....very neat and tidy, polite and very Patriotic....loads of huge American Flags everywhere hmmmmmmmmmm must check them out......

One last note.....

Are we well provisioned or what? We'd read a lot of stories about people getting caught without enough provisions and wanted to make certain we didn't end up like the Alfred Packer party. Chef Boyardi fixes our lunch daily in the park. Mighty tasty. He informed me that pickles are not vegetables and were fattening. Never mind what he said about the chips I smuggled in. Lovely stand up lunches. He enjoys using his switchblade or as he refers to it...the Mercedes of self-openers. Huh? I begged him to buy a jar of Mayo and he said "we" don't need it. So when he went to McDonald's for his coffee (complaining about the no Starbucks in the Canyonville) I copped a few packs of mayo. Shhhhhhhhhh. He can be such a buzz kill sometimes....

Have a wonderful Memorial Weekend. Have fun and stay safe!

Day 31 Arches and Canyonland- Utah Rocks!

Arches National Park-Off the Pavement for Boca....

You guessed it...over 2000 arches located on 76,518 acres-established in 1971. More astounding geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarfed Bocahantas and Buba...no easy feat. Hikers , Hikers and more Hikers....yes Buba even had me on a trail or two.....walking along the road side is a trail, right? Water and ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement are responsible for this magnificent sculptured scenery.....we are talking 100 million years of erosion. I don't know about you but out here they talk in millions. I just can't get my head wrapped around that yet but it is everywhere! Of course I see GOD's handwork....but millions of years ago....dinosaurs roamed this area and the US was in two pieces. American Indians (yep that is the preferred description not Native Americans (listen up you PC folks) used this area for thousands of years. The last time a rock slab fell (60 ft long, 11 ft wide and 4 ft thick) from the undersides of an arch was 1991, so I figured it was time for another. Wouldn't that be too cool to see! Never mind for the past week I kept yelling at Buba-WATCH OUT....I SEE LOOSE ROCKS ON THE ROAD! Doesn't this Park Ranger know about OSHA and Safety Standards! And again, very few railing for cars or people....it's amazing we don't loose more people out here. I saw one fellow (college age) climb a huge rock....in gym shoes it looked like he walked right up it....hard to believe i saw it...thank you Buba for verifying the sight. Didn't use a tool, rope or even his hands....wild! I spoke to him after his unlawful "walk up"...yep, testosterone fueled thrill seeker. Lots of them out this way.

This Utah's extended canyon country is awesome....think 300 million years ago inland seas covered this large basin that formed this region....I can see why there are so many foreign visitors. Buba did make a comment today....well those Europeans finally caught up with us, they now dress as tacky as we do". Good eye Mr. Buba Blackwell. This park gets about 700,000 visitors per year and being Memorial Weekend the locals started to come out today. I thought rednecks were only found in the South?? Buba felt quite at home today.

Buba still eyes with envy all the RV's. "Honey, that coulda been us". I bite my tongue. Then he laments on "better yet we could be at the campground". Ok, that's it. I remark "Darling, perhaps you and your next wife will enjoy the ground." Is that what they mean by an "interpretive talk"?

A must see but in the mean time www.nps.gov/arch

Lunch out of the trunk again....ran out of "glasses" Buba had to pour my wine into a water bottle...he said don't let anyone see that or they'll think you"re a Gandhi wannabe.

On ward to CANYONLANDS

Established in 1964 covering 357,598 acres known as the Island In The Sky. This ravens view of endless canyons and mesas is breathtaking (not an overused word around here). The 34 mile round trip drive is lots of oooing and ahhing. The rock spires favored a males anatomy so it made for an interesting conversation....would that be considered natural history or geology? Check out The Needles section.

Yearly rainfall is about 8" and we had about half of that today....really it was a blessing. This island in the sky is right up there next to the clouds and brings new meaning to lightening. It was peculiar if you looked to one side of the "island" it was sunny and the other side cloudy and here comes the rain and LIGHTENING. Yes lightening is an issue and some folks do get hit and die. Throughout the area you can see thousands of trees that were hit by lightening and in many instances causing fires. Hello people, do not go under a tree in a thunderstorm. Duh. So the lightening came and it felt like I could reach out and touch it being up so high....Buba wasn't nearly as intrigued and yelled "Get your butt moving to the car and fast!".

I did use one of the Pit Potties....again Buba didn't mention the technology. In I go and discover IT'S AN OUTHOUSE!!! With a good breeze,oooo....no sinks, just hand gel on the wall. It just looked modern on the outside. I loved the sign "Don't throw any waste down there". Are you kidding? And they call the truck that "services" these spots the Honey Wagon. Oy. That will be a first and only experience for Boca...timing is everything.

So enough of the canyons, onward to Green River where we are staying the night. Yes, Motel 6. Well a step up from last night....Buba what about these B and B's people talk about? Oh no he says, you don't know what kind of people live there. I don't want to meet them, talk to them, have coffee with them, use their shower......yeah right. and Motel 6 is picnic? Ya gotta love that man. He has done all of the driving so far. I offered once to drive and he barked "I will never be that tired". And now I learn about Moab....better bet than Green River. And speaking of Green River, did any of you drink those in the 60's? Next time I will email Oh Ranger.com for insider scoop. Oh Buba!

I do want to chat about American Indians and the Mormans....both a key part of this neck of the woods or canyon so to speak.

Another must see.... www.nps.gov/cany

Day 30 Bryce Canyon/Grand Staircase Escalante/Capital Reef

Hoodoos Cast Their Spell on Bocahontas and Buba! Bryce Canyon, Utah

Hoodo- a pillar of rock of fantastic shape, left by erosion for millions (10) of years. We are talking Psychedelic Neon Orange! Bryce was established as a National Park in 1928 on 35,835 acres.

Fins, pinnacles, spires...people have lived on this Colorado Plateau region for over 12,000 years. Local Paiute Indians explain the Hoodoos as legend-once there lived animal like creatures that changed themselves to people. But they were bad, so coyote turned them into rocks of various configurations. The spellbound creatures still huddle together here with faces painted just as they were before being turned to stone. I recognized several faces.

This is a geologists dream...sedimentation, uplift and erosion. I can relate. Talk about Sunrise-Sunset...and yes we arrived at the park at 6:00 a.m. Buba really wants to get some use out of that Senior Pass. Buba read up on accidents and noted over exertion wouldn't be a problem for me but having no "lug traction" on my sneakers he insisted I borrow a pair of his for the time being...memo to Pam get proper lug traction. Buba wants to come back for the "COWBOYS AIN'T DEAD FESTIVAL". He Haw! And while it was fantabulous, no High Plateaus Institute for me. He did start up an old habit again....get a T shirt at every park. But Buba you were running marathons when you wore those kind of t-shirts....not a problem, they make them for the average American Manly Man-you go XX!

Check it out www.nps.gov/brca

CANYONEERING AND MORE BOULDERING

Next Highway 12 through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Driving highway 12 was more "breathtaking" but up on the ridge was hairiest ride ever and Buba wished he had some Depends on.....of course TODAY he says it was no big deal. Men. It really was an exquisite ride-a series of great geological steps descending. More than 6000 feet of alternating cliffs, slopes and terraces which extends from the north rim of the Grand Canyon to the top of the Paunsagunt Plateau (about 150 miles). A masterpiece of geological and biological beauty-chocolate, greens, white, gray, pinks, oranges and more. We had a great pit stop for "coffee" at the Kiva Koffeehouse. A fun throw back to the 60's for sure. I couldn't stop humming Simmon and Garfunkle. Half of the patrons looked like them....speaking of looks. Yes hair still grows and roots still show when you're in the woods. Not only are my "outfits" hideous but I fit in. Buba is actually a fashion statement out here.

And for gosh sakes don't tip toe on the Crypto! Cryptobiotic soils...not a problem Buba my boots won't touch the ground...let's do a drive by! I am learning about LEAVE NO TRACE (lipstick on my teeth again?) and TREAD LIGHTLY ON LAND AND WATER (staying in the car as much as possible to do my fair share of lightly) AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS (well not so much) PACK IN-PACK OUT (that garbage bag in the back of the car is starting to smell-where do we dispose of it buba?) LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND (as if I want a bunch of sand, stones and weeds). So Bochahontas is turning into a regular girl scout. Hoo-knew!

Check it out http://www.gsenm.org/

Oh yeah, so what's the difference between a Monument and a National Park? Did you know there are 58 National Parks? How many have you been to? Enjoyed it? why? not? Did you know that 6 National Parks have been disbanded? huh? 76 Monuments? and 11 Disbanded? Geeze, what do you have to do or not to get disbanded? What's a National Preserve? National Historical Parks? National Historic Sites? National Military Parks? National Battlefield Parks? National Battlefields? National Memorials? National Recreational Areas? National Seashores? Naitonal Lakeshores? National Rivers? National Reserves? National Parkways? National Historic and Scenic Trails? National Cemeteries? and other...NPS Protected Areas? What is your flavor for fun? I really forgot how beautiful and fun it is to visit a National Park. Bochahontas is reminded of the beauty of nature and how inspirational and spiritual a visit can be. Seeing the handprint and footprint of GOD is humbling.

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM-CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK

This rugged landscape is a maze of brightly colored cliffs and canyons that the Paiute Indians called "The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow"....but it was the pioneers who named it as the dome shaped rock formation reminded them of the country's Capitol. This park was established in 1971 and covers 241,904 acres. I felt like I covered every one of them...thank you Buba. Pleep and I kept trying to hide but no soap. The closest traffic light is 78 miles away. Talk about being off the grid.... because it is still light up to 8:30 ish Buba said let's try out this dirt road, we've got time....bump bump dust dust....the car looked like an orange pumpkin. I am considering entering Buba in the Cowboy Poetry Contest.

And all those bicycle riders...are ya kidding? What kind of shape does one have to be into bike those hills, mountains, cliffs????? Must be the Peyote.

And did you know this is the former outlaw hideaway for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch? Buba it's got your name all over it.....

Please check it out www.nps.gov/care a must see!

NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR BUBA'S HONEY

To top off the day......dirty, tired, hungry and THIRSTY (again) Buba found Utah's version of The Bates Motel. We had to sign in at the grocery store across the street, the yard art (yes a ringer wash machine in front of our room), a velvet painting of Hawaii (I couldn't make this up), a percolator coffee pot (Buba enjoyed a full pot), the fly swatter on a nail on the wall, the chocolate sheets (yes dark brown, have you ever)....I could go on but when I got up in the middle of the night Buba had a chair cocked against the door. I must say that is a first. Buba did like the full size 30 year old refrigerator in the room though....

We were up and otta there at 5:30 a.m........nuff said.

Days 27-29 HELLO GRAND CANYON!

I am absolutely filthy, tired and hungry....Buba has dragged me over every square inch of (at least it seems) this magnificent wonder of the world. We have been here 2x before but never to the North Rim. Well it was worth the extra 203 miles to get to the other side of the 10-18 miles wide canyon. It is higher, more remote, cooler and a lot less congested with tourists like us!

And speaking of tourists it "seemed" like every other tourist was a German, Italian, Dutch...or some such foreign visitor. Nearly 5 million people visit every year! Of course most folks make reservations for the big Grand Canyon Lodge a year in advance but I thought with the economy the way it is we could get lucky...not. So we did get the last room 3 months in advance at the "other" lodge right out side the park. Brings new meaning to rustic....they did sell John Wayne Toilet Paper that I had to get for Buba- It's Rough It's Tough It Doesn't Take Crap Off of Anyone! And some Rattlesnake Eggs that I had to get for LM Peanut

and a pair of boxers for Nick with a Skunk painted on the bottom "It Wasn't Me!"

It gets light here at 4:30 a.m.- for some reasons the Arizonans don't believe in daylight savings time while all the neighboring states get with the program? It made for fun watching the deer out our front door getting their breakfast. Believe me, Buba was drooling himself. He kept repeating - if only I had my rifle.

Established in 1919 on over 1,217,403 aces...Buba said it "this big hole is more fun to watch than a blue tooth high def truck pull any day of the week". Rocks that date back more than 1.8 billion years ago-but most of the artwork was done recently...in the last 5 million years. It is truly the handprint of God. Buba did beg for a mule ride...I guess that elephant in Thailand wasn't enough....thank you for the weight restriction! I did pick up a book on the history of deaths at the Grand Canyon....yes mainly males 15-30 showing off their testosterone. Amazingly, the place is wide open for the loonies to do crazy stunts....few railings and lots of temptations....700 died since it opened and many saved from their loonisy! Topping off at 8000 elevated feet there is much opportunity...

oh and one more tidbit....the only time the park ever closed was in 1995 when Congress and President Clinton deadlocked over the Federal Budget-Of course it was George Bush's fault. :)