Have a lot of catching up to do so I guess I'll just try to pick up where I left off. We bid Kathy and Steve good-bye (it's easier to say good-bye knowing we will see them again in a month) on Friday morning, Feb 12 and made good time across Utah and Wyoming. Roads were good and there were no scenic byways to tempt us off our route as we traveled across vast expanses of "wide open spaces." As our friend, Rich Garry once said, "When these people leave town, they really leave town!" We made pretty good time and it's a good thing because the snow was really starting to come down and Mike was already out plowing snow when we reached Mike and Mary's cabin at Mountain Home, Wyoming. Mike and Mary did most of the work themselves on the cabin and it is beautiful and cozy--especially when it's snowing like crazy outside and a fire is roaring in the wood burning stove. After getting settled in, Dick and I had our first snowmobile rides as Mike and Mary took us to the nearby WyColo Lodge for dinner and to meet some friends. Again, I can't get over the beauty of the scenery here. Unfortunately, the remoteness of the area means no cell phone or internet access. We are so used to being connected to everyone all the time, but it is nice, in a way, to be "unconnected" for a bit.
The next morning it was still snowing as Mary and Mike got us outfitted to go snowmobiling. I was a little apprehensive when I realized that they had four snowmobiles and I was expected to drive one! I had only been on one once the night before and now they wanted me to drive one on my own!? But, their dog Molly loves to ride, so it must be good, right? And, part of my "anti-Alzheimer's agenda" is to learn to do new things, so I was game and it didn't take long before I was "hooked!" It was a little scary at times, but one of the most fun things I've ever done and I discovered a new part of me that I didn't know was there.
We snowmobiled again on Sunday, going on some of the most beautiful trails. We also went on some really bumpy ones which were great fun (arghhhhhhh!), but really tiring. I never realized how tired one could get riding a snowmobile. After a wonderful steak dinner, we cheered on the USA athletes in the Olympics before falling exhausted into bed for a good night's sleep. Thanks for great hospitality, Mike and Mary!
Monday, February 15: We headed east from Laramie to Rapid City where good friends, Ken and Kakie Dewell took us in for the night. We hadn't connected with them on our way West, so it was good to see them and have a chance to get caught up. Also gave Ken and Dick a chance to show their "Western" look.
On Tuesday morning, our friend and Native craft expert Dale Jahr helped us pick out some South Dakota gifts to take abroad. Then back on the road with a quick stop in Chamberlain to visit Terry and Sharon. We arrived home in Sioux Falls about 8 p.m. Seemed strange but really good to be back home again. We put on close to 5000 miles, had great times with good friends and family and feel very lucky to have had this opportunity, with good roads and weather for our travels.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent scurrying around to accomplish a long to-do list in a short amount of time. We swapped our ski things for warmer weather clothes and hopefully all that we need for our European travels-(I got the passports!) And Friday morning, we headed south in the Solara convertible bound for Austin, TX, and our kids and grandkids! Roads were not that great, so our travel was slowed somewhat. After an overnight in Emporia, Kansas, (Dick doesn't intend to return there anytime soon), we got into Austin on Saturday evening.
Sunday, was warm (seventies) and sunny in Austin. Dick and I went for a good hike in the afternoon and even drove with the top down. Ahhhhh-if I can't be skiing--this is my kind of winter!
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