I have pictures

We are back (yea), and most people would probably say I am daft, I just spent $650 on ribbons (a lady was getting rid of her stock so it was like .17 a yard)

I took pictures of the road(s) that are now on our sweet neighbor's property (petty man), and is out easement into out property.

This is at the entrance, just after the cattle guard.  The road used to go more straight, but he has now made two roads.  His is clearly marked!  Our property (obviously) is to the left in the picture.

The patch of weeds in the middle is where the road was originally.  Parts are still fairly visible as being the road (the ONLY) road.

This is the part that worries me a lot.  It is basically dirt.  Now when it rains - the dirt and water make mud.  There is a lot of rock just under most of the dirt, but this dirt had been undisturbed for probably a century - since the fence was erected.

Now you can see even more of the reason I am concerned.  This is a pretty steep hill - at least for a DIRT road.  If you look closely at the bottom - just a little past the tree on the right is OUR cattle guard into our property.  AND this will wash out!

And his road goes to the right, ours to the left, and Reggie's straight.  What a dweeb.  

Aftermath

That sounds very ominous doesn't it?   Sounds like it was a terrible experience yet again this year - even though last year wasn't completely terrible.

This year was really good.  The guide, as usual it seems, was a delight.  She has been a teacher, but now works in administration.  She taught middle school science!  She raises bird dogs.  Some sort of Spaniel - I haven't done my homework yet to read up on breeds of Spaniels.  This is one I don't know anything about.  She also would like to hurt animal abusers.  Needless to say we had a LOT to talk about.  Very interesting time.

The girl was a sweet girl.  She is from the town where my SIL spent his youth.  She is pretty far from home living in a home for children.  Just from what she said, I really think her father is the reason.  She talked extensively about her mom, her sister, her aunt and uncle, her cousins.  The only time she mentioned her father was when G was filling out the tag for the deer.  She gave her last name, but said "that's my father's name" in a very derisive tone.  So...

It's really sad the kids have to pay.  Last year, I think that girl was out of control.  She was probably taken by the courts to try to straighten her out.  At one point she was talking about having taken her mother's car.  She was 13.  This girl is 15.  I have worked with children this age for a long time, and she may be a really good actress.  But she presented herself so well.  Cute kid!

At the very end of the day - it was right at sun down, we heard a shot.  So she did get a deer.  I( was so glad because she was a real trooper about being out there.  I think she did have a good time.

Yesterday instead of going to Doss to church (which is MY family's church) or Hilda to G's family Methodist church, we went into Mason to the Lutheran church there.  It was Reformation lySunday - the day we observe as the day Martin Luther  posted his 95 thesis on the door in his effort to reform the Catholic church.  We all know that didn't work out - he was excommunicated, and the newly invented printing press (like the internet of today) made those go "viral."  He picked up followers, and now we have the different Christian churches today - including the Lutheran.

The service was very nice - completely traditional.  Loved it!  And, of course, there were relatives from both of our families that we met there!!!  Lunch was at the newest restaurant in town, and it was good.  I just think I had heard too much about how great it was.  But then - we are city folks!

Thought we might be able to go back early.  G developed a floater in his eye.  This one isn't something serious, but I was so tempted to make it sound like it was really an emergency.  So I am here until Wednesday.  Between now and then I will get the house ready for the possible influx of 10 people and an undetermined number of dogs!

A few quick words

Or as quick as they can be here on this sloooooooowwwww internet.

Yesterday it was off to Fredericksburg to gather food.  We have the girl from Operation Orphan coming tomorrow for her hunt, and I really don't know what to expect.  The last one (and I hope is isn't the same one!!) was quite a large girl with an appetite to match.

I am a bit nervous about it.  The time from when they come in from the hunt (about 10:30/11:00) to going out again (about 3) is a long time.  We only will have the one girl.  My BIL and SIL have boys later in the year, and they usually have 2-3 boys.  They entertain each other.

I am waiting for G to finish his morning rituals (takes him longer than me) so we can go out while it's still cool to fill the "house" feeder.  This is where I get to watch the deer in the evenings.  He wanted to "go out early" and I was feeling guilty because I slept in until 9.  I have really bad allergies.  My right ear is completely stopped up and drainage is killing me.

It is now after 10:30, and he has finally come out.  He read his book until almost 10.  That is his normal behavior these days.  Head stuck in a book.  Period.

So now off into the pasture to pour candy (corn) into the feeder!

Just words today

Don't think I will post any pictures.  It worries me when I do - especially when I look at my blog and the pictures are distorted.  I guess they really aren't, but on this computer they are.  But then things are getting a little wonky with this baby.  I think she needs a check-up!

I am tired today - but I really shouldn't complain.  SIL is in Minneapolis today and tomorrow at least.  We were supposed to be on the way to the SSB.  My daughter's work has meetings way south of here today.  She was at wits end.  It seems every time Steve is out of town - so are we.

She didn't know how she was gong to handle getting the kids to and from school.  So we stayed for a day (you KNOW I am so disappointed).   Katie has practice at 6:30 (AM!!) and the other kids don't have to get on the bus until about 7:30.  So I went over at 5:50 so she could take Katie without having to wake the other two.

Would have been no problem - except Shadow decided it was time to play in the bed at 4!  I have never been a morning person, but all my working life I had to be at school at 7.  Since retiring, I sleep in until about 8 (8:30 if I am lucky).  So I am dragging a bit today.

I don't know how my daughter does it - with the exception she is young still.  I would imagine she got up and worked out this morning before I was even up.  I am pretty sure she didn't fall asleep until about midnight.  But about her age, I was part time organist at a church 25 miles from here, began a craft business, and taught middle school.  You can do things when you are young!  I forget.

So we are off tomorrow morning.  This is so that we can host the orphan (or whatever) girl on a deer hunt.  Mixed feelings here.  Happy to help get someone out and doing something different.  I just hope the one this year is a better person than the last.  I know all my electronics will be put away.  No computers out, no Kindle, no phone.  The last one used my Kindle to get on Facebook.  This is after she lied about looking for a book.  Live and learn.

Pictures and WOW!

I just looked at my stats when I opened the site.  Today is the 1500 post.  Now I looked further and saw that I have written more, but they didn't get published (???).  But today is 1500!  WOW!

OK, so Saturday when I went with my daughter to put on Karrington's late Tea Party Birthday, I took both of my cameras.  I had not used the Kodak since September when we were in the north.  There were some very unique pictures on there.  So if the good Lord is willing, Blogger is willing, the computer is willing I will post some pictures today - you lucky, lucky people!

Now this looks like an engine.  And as we are train buffs, it wouldn't be unusual for us to have pictures of trains in our photos.  I have taken most of those out.  But this is NOT just an engine.  This is at least one motel room.  This is a place just outside of Glacier, and one of their more "unusual" rooms.

Pretty sure this is one room.  And really it isn't so unusual for folks to take old cabooses and make them into some kind of living quarters.  But still...

The view across the street.  Really pretty.  I think this is where the Empire Builder stopped to let off a passenger  (about midnight since we were sooooo late!!!)

The main part - but who would really want to stay in here??

 Now for the birthday party.  We held it at the church.  You have to remember, we are a "store front church" since we are in a strip center. Out spot used to be a coffee house, so it lends itself so greatly for parties too!  I have decorated it for a baby shower we give for pregnant teens, a Mardi Gras party, and a fund raising dinner so we could have our wonderful Vicar for a year.  It makes for a great party.  Steve even decorated it for Krissi's 40th birthday party.  And being Lutheran - beer and wine may be consumed if you want that type of party.

We have the tea sandwiches.  I think something was taken off to be served to the kiddos here.

The sweets.  We had a LOT!!  And most weren't eaten.  The flower "cake" was what they ate mostly.  It is really a group of cupcakes,.

Here they are being served their meal.  (I was worried - if you look carefully at the lower right corner of the table, that is one of my antique glass plates that was being used.  The boy next to the plate is the only boy.  He is the one who caused about 3 other boys to be invited.  He is part of triplets, and his mom didn't want to leave him out.  The girl standing with the BIG black polka dots is Karrington.  The curly head is Katie.  She was such a great help.  Krissi is in black with her back turned.  The boy is green at the counter (with more food!!!) is Reagan (grandson).  My son in law is behind him.  The young man to everyone's right is a water polo player friend of Katie.

One of the crafts they made (on the altar of all places) were picture frames.  Katie took pictures of all those present, and they will print them and send them to each child. They also decorated pieces of a little play tea set with paints that came with it. All in all it was fun couple of hours, and I went home with a splitting headache!!!!!

Run! Hide! Here comes more pictures!

These aren't pretty places.  These are some of my "handiwork" upstairs, slaving at a hot embroidery machine!

I don't think I will post all of them.  I have three or four of the ones for granddaughters.  The others are going on pages to sell.   I will put them here - probably tomorrow.

This is like the one I made for Katie.  It is the middle school colors and mascot.  I promised little sister (in this case the real little sister - Karrington) I would make her one.  I still have the high school mascot to make for both girls.

This is the hair bow I made for Katie and her 7th grade "little sister."  They give gifts to one another each week.  The only difference is Katie is 15 instead of 25.

   There was supposed to be one more.  It was the slider hair band I did as a joke for my daughter.  But Blogger doesn't like to cooperate.  They were so torn apart at first, I deleted it.  I will post it tomorrow.  Maybe!

Turned out ok

The nurse/practitioner came.  I passed with flying colors except my blood pressure was high!  Very high.  In fact, I almost expected her to call an ambulance and contact the doctor.  But I have done everything else ok.  I have done my screenings, taken my immunizations, all that jazz.

She left with the instructions for me to continue taking my blood pressure.  Well - this rattled me, and my blood pressure stayed high.  It would go down a bit, then jump back up.

I remember that taking naproxen will raise blood pressure in addition to the stomach problems and so on.  I have been taking two a day for a while.  It helps the back pain.  I really do not want to go back to hydrocodone.  I do not want to be drugged like I was with the hydrocodone.  It is dangerous.

So a while ago, I took one of my evening tablets.  I think it is beginning to work, because the numbers are going down.  Of course, when I get this worked up over something - it makes it all worse.  My nerves make my blood pressure go up.  And my nerves are going at full tilt.

Needless to say - the naproxen is out now.  I know I should take my blood pressure regularly.   I don't I will keep an eye on it for the next several days, and I will use some other pain med.  If things don't get better - I will call the cardio doc - ASAP!

Another broken promise to myself

The promise?  To be up-beat.  To now whine and moan.  Well - so much for that. 

I hate insurance.  Hate. Hate. Hate.  But you have to have it.  If your home burns down, and you can prove that it wasn't an act of God that the neighbor's fire didn't sent a spark to your roof.  That the car that totaled your car was running a red light. and the driver had no insurance.  That you are a reasonable person who is careful about what medications you take, and don't ask for every medical procedure known to man.

Well - the last is the one I am dealing with now.  I have to meet with a nurse/practitioner from my stupid medicare advantage plan (which I hate) tomorrow to assess my health and the medications I am taking.  It will take an hour, she comes here, yada, yada.  I. Do. Not. Want. Nor. Need. This. Service.

This is a busy time of year.  I am one person with a home based business.  When my machine isn't running its slow little self - there is no product to hopefully sell.  Plus I am not a housekeeper to begin with.  My arthritis is killing me.  I don't want/can't clean as I should.  So now - today I have to do what I can.  More wasted time.

I do not pursue all the tests in the book.  I seldom have some test done.  So they don't have to use their crystal ball from this visit when I am perfectly healthy to glean from the future what test I need so that the approval will come more rapidly.  Horse manure.  It won't and they won't.

I have ONE doctor manage my prescriptions.  He writes them, approves their refills, and is my cardiologist for pete's sake.  I believe I trust him more than the person from the insurance company.  They would probably say I shouldn't take anything.  Then I could use my pre-paid cremation service soon - and they wouldn't be paying their co-pays.

I told the guy that called this morning I wasn't interested in doing this.  His comment "this is as important to us as your annual physical is to your doctor."  Well - my doctor doesn't do an annual physical.  We do blood work and a check each six months.

Am I upset?  You might say so!  I hate insurance - but you gotta have it.

Answering a question

I am finding posting comments on blogs to be somewhat of a trial.  Some are easy and straight forward, but some aren't.  Mine should be easy, but I was in a bit of a hurry.  It wasn't.  Also with my macular degeneration, small cataracts, and glaucoma my vision is compromised.  I don't see light colors well.

Anyway, that being said, I want to answer Pudge's question - and perhaps some of yours too.  We inherited property in the Texas Hill Country.  It has been in the family since 1845, and with the exception of one family it is still all in the family.

The country is rough.  It is semi-arid.  We are in a transition ecologically from the hill country to the desert.  So we have lots of prickly pear and other assorted cacti.  We have a member of the legume (pea) family that is called cat claw, and for good reason.  It is mostly thorns, and once it catches you it is hard to get out of.  It will literally tear your clothing.  We have lots of snakes - including the Western Diamondback Rattle Snake.  Knock on wood - haven't seen and killed any on our property, but those around us have both - lots of both.  And we have lots of bugs.  Many, many of those sting.

So when I was thinking about naming the place, I came up with Stings, Sticks, or Bites because that is what almost everything there does one of those three things.  When I write about it, the name becomes SSB.  G doesn't think that is a good name or even abbreviation, but I like it.

For years, I worried a little about someone hacking me here, and getting information I didn't particularly want just hanging about out there.  I would use anything but names.  I still use G for my husband.  It's just easy.  But I am beginning to use names.  I don't know why I was so secretive, but there is very little privacy these days (yeah - like G's credit card has been hacked twice in a year).

To give you an idea of where the SSB is, I could make it really clear - if you are from the Hill Country.  Our mailing address is Doss, but the community we belong to is Hilda.  For most, this is meaningless.  To give you a bigger location, we are between Fredericksburg and San Angelo. Almost right in the middle, but to the south off dirt (mud and rock right now) roads.  The largest city around is San Antonio, but that is about 2 hours away, as is Austin.

So that my friends is my home away from home.  At the end of the earth (only one person beyond us on the main road), surrounded by things that sting, stick, or bite!

Where did the weekend go?

I was so looking forward to yesterday.  G and Steve (and Reagan) left for the SSB.  Steve wanted to fill his feeder and so on.  He hasn't been there in about a year.  G is a little miffed at him.

We really don't like for him to go without one of us.  He isn't diligent about things.  Once he was there with a friend (about 10 years ago - and a looonnng story).  When they left, they left out my good cloth folding chairs out in the weather, didn't close the blinds (and our sun is unrelenting), and the thermostat turned down to 70 (in the mid of summer).  He CONSTANTLY puts plastics in the burn barrel.  Leaves trash all around.  So we try to make sure we are there to keep things doing well.

I just remembered  - he did go without us last year (we came later).  My DVD is broken now.  The reader won't read the disc.  It always has been finicky - having to have s disc in it to open easily.   I believe they didn't look and plopped another disc in it thus damaging the part that reads.

Anyway - I was looking forward to my time here - by myself.  But there was church yesterday, then the congregational meeting work session.  The budget was one of a church that had all the money in the world.  G had already tried to talk to the pastor about it.  So I went.  All in all, the council people realized they needed to look at that budget and do more cutting.  Other things we have a problem will never change.  So.

But now they are on their way home.  I never had time to relish my time alone!  I said I would do this - I have the girls.  It wouldn't be a problem except we are getting the front with cooler, drier weather.  That means thunder storms, and I don't want to take them up to work upstairs.  But I do love those girls!

Things go back to "normal" in about another hour or so.  Boo.

Love/hate with Firefox

Firefox is the browser I prefer.  Chrome is second, but a far second.  Explorer doesn't even make the list - anywhere!

But my love affair with Firefox is beginning to fade. It is fighting me - a lot.  It is hanging up terribly.  It takes me twice as long to do the things I want to do.  I have "fixed" it twice, and still...  That was the problem today.  So I am over here on Chrome.

I was going to post yesterday, but the day just disappeared.  That happens a lot these days.  I don't know where it goes except that I have joined several (probably too many) Facebook group pages.  Facebook does them a "favor" by posting the new entries to the regular news feed.   So if you go to the group, you have already read the new adds.  I don't think I like that much.  I would drop out of the groups, but they give me information that is mostly useful.  Like freebies, sales, and hints to make the work easier.

I was going to be sure to post a picture of the head band I made for Katie, but I was so intent on getting to her game WITH the head band that I didn't take a picture.  The batteries in my good camera are dead, and I didn't take the time to replace them.  But I will be making Karrington one today or so, and I will get a picture of that one.  Plus I will add the volleyball bow then,

Her game - well let's just say it would have been just as well had I stayed home.  They lost, but it was fairly close.  It seems to me they have the worst coach in the district.  The girls do not communicate on the court.

Hopefully I didn't bore you to death with the marathon pictures.  It was a nice trip.  All in all, I would have been happy to stay home however.  He already is planning two trips for next year.  One in the spring to the San Francisco area.  I am trying to get him to put that one together with the trip to the Anaheim area when Katie goes back for Junior Olympics in July.  Then there is a trip to the East Coast for the fall color.

I sound terrible I guess.  This travelling is getting hard on me.  When we had pedicures last week the one doing my feet said "travel while you can."  Well ok. Honestly, I would rather save that money!  I don't think I will live all that much longer.  At one time I thought I was invincible, but God has a great sense of humor.  Yeah - well here, take this cancer.  Got that one - here is a good case of arthritis all through your body.  But I really am afraid of not having the funds we need when we really get old.  At 69 and 70 we are not quite there, but SO close.

Enough of that,  Hope you have a great weekend.  As one of the fellows on the news would say (BTW - he was the inspiration for the movie and play The Best Little Whore House)   "good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy!"

Trouble with posting

Yesterday, Blogger was being very temperamental.  I know I posted more than four pictures, but I was patient - waiting for each one to load completely.  I was being "very gentle" with the old crotchety girl.  But they didn't want to load.  The blog posted - but with pictures that were pixulated.  I think that's the way the word is spelled.  Don't really know, and spell check is out of the question.

Anyway, we are on the trip home - last two days.  What?  Is that cheering I hear?  Well for the one of you - I will complete the journey.  I have to get this done because I will be shutting the computer down in a bit.  I will finally get to go to one of Katie's volleyball games.  If she has played at home, we were gone - and the others were away games.  I am pretty sure they will lose.  The 8th grade "A" team isn't very good this year.  They are meeting teams whose girls play "club ball" all year around.  We don't have any.  'Nuff said there!

So - here we go:

This was someplace after leaving Missoula.  All of Montana is this way it seems - didn't know the reservations were this large. I just couldn't help think - what could go wrong here.  Liquor and casino.  In a gas station. 

There was snow!!  Now - you know a Southeast (grew up in Southwest) Texas girl HAS to have a fascination with the white stuff.  Here it is September 14 and there is snow on the ground.  I believe this is Wyoming, and I wonder what this may mean for this winter!!!

This is the view from our hotel room.  Just getting to this one was a "trip."  From the time we made reservations to getting there - it changed names.  And it is in the middle of no where.  In a tiny town.  This part of Wyoming is not my favorite.

And here we are back in Texas.  We crossed the New Mexico line a while back.  So I certainly shouldn't complain about Wyoming.  I couldn't live in this part of Texas.  No way.  I know some (Marti) really appreciate this part, but me, not so much.  After this we spent a night in Childress , and then made it back to Houston - on a freeway that was torn up in at least two places and a blinding rain storm.  We moved at about 15-20MPH for a long time.  Ah, welcome home.  Maybe this isn't so bad after all!!!

Squeeking in - and yes, MORE pictures

After taking the truck to the shop for new breaks, having breakfast out (I so love to have breakfast out!), and getting new designs downloaded to make hair pretties for my granddaughters, I am back here on the computer.

It was a rather busy day, and I made a really cute head band for Katie.  I will take a picture of it and the others I plan to do this weekend (yes, MORE pictures ahead).  I also am in the process of making one of those deco-mesh wreaths with a football (that I also downloaded and embroidered) for my grandson's football team.  I already know what my daughter will say - the blue is Houston Oiler Blue, not the Colt blue.  Oh well.

So in the pictures today - we leave Seattle, heading back down through Montana and Colorado.  I don't know how far I will get.

What a change in scenery! 

This is the Columbia River. 

This is the area of the "Dry Falls."  The last ice age caused the river to change courses, leaving these falls dry.  They are said to be taller than Niagra Falls.  And no - I don't know who photo bombed me.  Or actually I guess I just didn't work hard enough to not include them,

This is to my right.  I guess more of what the falls were.  The water under this one really looks nasty.  I wasn't going to include that.  Obviously these coulies collect rainwater only.

I would have passed this little restaurant up.  There was one across the street, and I was surprised we didn't go there.  Well - it was closed.  This place was amazing.  It was so clean you literally could have eaten off the floor.  A little mom and pop place that took no credit cards.  You had to go down the street to the grocery or bank to get to an ATM if you had to.  The food was so good, and very quick.  I was really glad we stopped!

Running from allergies - or a cold!

This was yesterday's post!  Blogger decided it didn't like the pictures I was trying to upload, so it quit.  Just flat quit.  So I logged out, then got busy.  With any luck, it will post today!  There are more than usual - since I basically missed a day!

Annnnnnd, I had the cursor in the wrong place, so surprise.  Pictures first today.  I am not going to fight again today.  The words are at the end!  With a picture between paragraphs.  I amaze myself with my ability to master Blogger!

Our mode of transportation.  I don't know if this is the one we were on - but going/coming I am sure it was one. 

I am fascinated by a ferry - especially one that takes cars.  When we went to Nova Scotia, we took the BIG cat across to Halifax from Bar Harbor.  Talk about fancy.  This one is pretty plain Jane, but still.  This thing takes buses, semis, and tractors!  Huge amount of vehicles, but you aren't really crammed together below.  Neat.

I have looked for the name of this body of water.  I think you are aware now that I am fascinated by water. Water falls, lakes, rivers.  All of it.  I have looked on the maps, and it is called a river, a bay, etc.  So since I am not sure exactly WHERE this is, I have no idea what the name is.  It is on the way to Olympia National Park.  It goes on and on!

We kept looking for the entrance to the park.  We were about to give up when we took this one.  This is a neat  little information place.  But I was amazed at the FERN in the center of the picture.  I am fully aware of the fact this is a rain forest, but still!  I imagine it gets cold here.  We are between the Pacific and Seattle.  Just south of Canada!

As I said - rain forest biome!  Thick, thick forest.  Really pretty.

When we got to the end of the road - literally, it was a resort.  They have hot springs - which was no surprise when we opened the car door!  This is a resort that has a bunch of little cabins scattered around.  Seems to be very popular. Looks like they "treat" the water from the hot springs. 

Couldn't resist another picture of the water with the mountains around it.  We were returning to the ferry here.

I stayed in the car this time.  If you look carefully ahead, you can see this is a piece of heavy equipment ahead of us.  You can't see them but on the left, there are two school buses taking kids home from school.

Allergens abound in this area presently.  I take my antihistamine daily (probably over a greater period than I should), but I have that sometimes itchy throat which is now a little sore at the junction point of the nasal cavity and upper throat.  That symptom could either be a cold or allergy.  Even after all these years, I can't tell!

Delaney's party was nice.  I didn't get caught with Christina's dad this time.  Every other party, he attaches himself to us like glue.  I guess when we said he couldn't do a "day hunt" with his kids (all adults but one plus MY son) on our property, he doesn't like us.  Ah, too bad.  I referred him to a neighbor who had stocked his place with exotics.  The least Chris could get by with to hunt there was about $2000 a gun!  But he always brags about having so much money.   I guess free deer would be better for him.

OK - today we go across the sound to Olympic National Park.  Let me just say, G really didn't know where we were going.  We drove and drove looking for the entrance.  We finally decided we would pull into the next gate we found.  Their entrances are not like any other park we have visited,  After getting home we believe this was the main gate.

By the way - we have a senior pass that we got when we took the grands to Alpine, Texas.  We went to Ft Davis when we were there - and now we get into the National Parks FREE!  Free is always good.

On the horizon, blending in with the sky and haze is Mt Rainer.  I took about six pictures to try to get it - this is the best.  You still can't see it!!!!  But it is there!

Busy Day

First it was church. Yes, we are still going, but I really don't know how much longer.  We were greeted so warmly by our friends.  Pastor - rather cool, but then so was I to a great extent!

This afternoon, Delaney's birthday party.  She turned 4 on the 30th.  The party will be at a restaurant that has lots of things for the kids (including a horse to ride - lucky horse), and things adults like to do.  So it won't be bad.  It's at 3, so I would imagine we will just get something to drink.  It's a dutch treat thing.  It's ok.  I got her several Barbie things.

Don't groan, but here are some pictures!  (and at this point it is easy to leave)

This was part of us just driving around.  We went to Peugeot Sound to find information about the ferry.  We stopped to look here.  It was a beautiful place in it's own, but G's attention was below the cliff.  If you look closely, there is a track and far, far to the left there is a train coming!!

This is the same place looking the other way.  There are lovely homes to the right.  I can only imagine how great their view is all the time. 

This is a view from the little bar and grill where we ate lunch.  It had an outside deck.  We sat out there even though it was a little chilly.  Good view of the crossing - if the bus had not been there.  There was a train coming, but the bus got in the way.

To

Tomorrow - another National Park!

What a day!

I don't know where my stamina has gone.  I thought I could get a lot more things done today - like the second really important one of getting my four year old granddaughter's birthday present.  But after a pedicure, lunch, and the first important thing of grocery shopping, I am done in!  Yes grocery shopping was number one - remember I basically have been gone for a month - therefore no real food in the house (perishables anyway).

When we finally got home it was 1:30.  Going to Target would have put me out until the "witching hour" of 2:30 when the middle schools and high schools let out.  By then, AND it being Friday, the traffic in our little corner of the world would be horrible.  Especially since the main freeway out this way is completely torn up so they can add four lanes.  All feeder roads are a mess - usually one lane.  Just too much traffic.  So I will rise early tomorrow and head out.  Party on Sunday!

So -- we have left Glacier, and the trip will head to Seattle.  I thought Los Angeles had bad traffic - same with here, Dallas, and Austin.  Seattle is HORRIBLE!!  We got there about 6pm.  There was complete grid lock everywhere.  Two different highways - both gridlocked.  I think it was Highway 5 headed to Canada was a nightmare.  There would be 4-6 lanes that would suddenly become 2-3.  Horrid driving.  And we had been driving from Whitefish, Montana to Seattle.  Ugh.  But here goes with the next pics.

Oh - look !  A gap to our right!!  We were traveling about 15 mph.  This little stretch is right after there used to be 5 lanes.  Horrible, horrible!!!!!

Close as I got.  But I did see it!

I has SAID this was one place I really wanted to visit in Seattle.  I wanted to see them throwing the fish and all that.  When we got there, I figured there are plenty of festivals and flea markets around here.  I don't do crowds well.  Plus I didn't want to hear more cussin' at the traffic and finding a parking place.  I thought that little 4 cylinder Corolla wasn't going to climb the hill that we turned on to after this picture either!

This is looking into the old downtown section of Seattle.  Seems like they built a whole new town on top of the old one that was made up of saloons and whore houses.  There is still a perfect town under the street level.  This was a compromise.  I didn't get to the market, G didn't get to take the underground tour.  For the same reason.  Plus we didn't want to get back on the highway since we were staying outside Seattle during rush hour - whenever that might be (all the time??

Lost time

Just spent a lot of time on something that turned out terrible!  I want to embroider "footballs" to go in the net wreaths that are so popular.  I wanted to use vinyl, but the digitizer used a very loosely woven fabric.  So I followed instructions, like a good little stitcher.  Used a backing fabric and padding.  TOO THICK!!!  It was a mess, but I shall try again tomorrow - my way.

So here is Glacier Part III

SNOW!  A big deal to those of us from Southeast Texas,

Cold, wet day - especially for G.  He is so cold natured,

This is the spot where we had to turn around because Logan's Pass was closed.  This is named the "weeping wall" but this day it had icicles.

Another waterfall!  I just love them.

Home and Glacier, part 2

After our over five hour drive from the SSB, I just don't have the umph to do a post here!!  It seems right after we get home, it's unload the ice chest (every trip!!), the animals, and other odds and ends.  If I didn't have the foresight to make sure I had left overs, that means cooking dinner.  So by them I collapse and fall into bed!

I am so glad to be home and will be here about three (!!!!) weeks, then it's back.  We will have a girl come up to hunt on that last weekend of October.  Here in Texas, it is youth only hunt.  There is a group - Operation Orphan - that brings these kids up to hunt ranches up there.  They have to do well in school, have no behavior problems and either be orphan or in a home for other reasons.  So we will do that again this year.  She will come with a trained guide who will take her out.

Anyway.  Here goes:

We had just begin the climb, but this shows how overcast it was that day.  We didn't realize there was fresh snow until we got higher.

Still higher.  That's where we were.

One of the reasons Glacier has become my absolute favorite parks.  This is just awe inspiring!

Just love waterfalls.  Sorry it's blurry - but I had to grab it in a big hurry.  I guess I could say that with my vision, or lack of it, that it looks fine to me!