WELCOME BACK!

Well,  it's you folks again!

 The youngsters frolicked with joy when they saw there were humans to entertain them!

The fires are out, but were virtually across the 2 lane road! This area has only one road in and out, so everyone was evacuated. This was, thankfully,  before our arrival... 

From Laramie, WY to Tremonton, UT

 Tried a whole new hotel brand, due to the stair/elevator issue-- AmericInn. Who knew? It's nice, clean, and most of all, heavily soundproofed! Nice.

 I admire this lovely new church every time I come through Laramie. Can I get a decent photo of it? NO.

 Here we go, over the Continental Divide. Highest altitude signed was 8980. Fred and I were both panting.

 Tremonton, UT. North of Salt Lake City and Ogden UT (big speed trap in Ogden today)

 Kind of in the middle of nowhere.. across the street, and

 next door

 Fred's ready  to get back on the road???!!

Haha. JKLOL! 

The Problem with Middle Aged Dogs

Is that they develop quirks.

Last time on the road we discovered a new, er, quirk.....Freddy can/will no  longer go up hotel stairs or elevators.... and there's no way I can force a slightly overweight 76 lb Lab to do something he is determined not to do. When this discovery was made last spring, a GBI guy at a seminar had to help me get him out of the top floor.

So, here we are,  traveling cross country again, trying to find hotels that are dog friendly, not TOTAL flea bags, and have a first floor room that allows pets.  On I-80 in the middle of nowhere

SO, first night out: a B&B in Lincoln, NE. Here is the lovely view

Bedroom, wow.

 Kitchen rocks

 Exterior, modified from its days as a Poorhouse in the 1800's

 Treats

 Walk down the drive at dusk

 Breakfast

 YUM Totally totally delish!

Well, definitely not a Ritz, or even a Hampton, and I would have thrown most of the stuff on the walls and surfaces out in 1987, but there was quiet, (except outside, which sounded like sitting out on the doorstep ca. 1959--cicadas, bugs, moths!)  lots of snacks, and I might even return to the 80's on my way back!

HOPSCOTCH!!!

It's been many years since I have drawn the Hopscotch squares. 

We warmed up a little with shapes 

 Jump in the green triangle

And land...

 Twirl and Hop!

Leap and skip

 And WHIP YOUR HAIR!!

Whew.  Break time. This could be a Trader Joe's commercial..

99 Years Ago, this month

My new project is going through my Great Grandfather's photo albums....he kept amazing scrapbooks and photo albums for many years, roughly from about 1904- 1920 something.   This photo prompted me to find out more about this day...

I don't know if the name shows clearly, but this is a Dirigible , the first passenger carrrying dirigible in America. This particular airship was originally built for service as a passenger airship carrying passengers from Pasadena to LA, Santa Monica and Long Beach during 1912 and 1913.

By 1914, Roy Knabenshue, owner, had moved his dirigible to Chicago Changed the name from "Pasadena" to "WHITE CITY" and began offering rides at the White City Amusement Park. The gondola which carried passengers is below the inflatable portion...can't imagine riding in that!

RRRRrribbbittt

 One of the three frogs living in my pond- NO FEAR AT ALL

Two Like-Minded Boys

Hangin by the Barbecue 

BRATWURST?????

Sticks will do for now.

with a side of drool

Why Naperville Wins the Awards...

What to do when you have a 2 1/2 year old for 3 hours??

Why, of course, you start at the lollipop store! (Naper Nuts and Sweets-- been going there for oh, maybe 30 years..)

 Then you sit down and enjoy that lollipop with Grandpappy

 Then we have Fountain #1, lollipop still in hand

 Now it's time to check out the ducks at the Riverwalk....this is where we reached the chocolatey center of the lollipop ..

Whoa! What have we here? Live music at the Pavillion! Great rendition of Amazing Grace ( Including a violin, not pictured) 

 Back to Naperville in a Fountain, Naperville's quintessential fountain

 2 1/2 year old almost outruns the 60+ year old...

 Dick Tracy???? First time I've seen this!

 Gorgeous Riverwalk. Not bad for an iPhone camera.

 We're getting a bit more comfy around those ducks now.

Of course, on the way back to the car, we hit the Naperville Nichols Library.

And being a really good Grandma, I sealed the deal with a Happy Meal at McDonalds. I have to say, perhaps the perfect day!

From Eaglets to Fawns!

Guess I am just one lucky gal....I  knew we had a fawn living in our midst, but twins???!!!!

I saw a fawn and mom a couple of weeks ago, and had been getting little glimpses of the babies.

 They have even come up to my breakfast room window

 but never tarried

 It doesn't look like they are eating the Salvia (It really does not smell good)

 But Oh My, Salvia makes a beautiful frame

 I'm glad I haven't pulled weeds yet, since they seem to be yummy.

 Mom hasn't been seen lately.

 Here is the fawn version of Where's Waldo? The other baby is in the upper left.

 What a sweet scene.

 I have trouble with those stones too!

 Look how small....

 They do seem to be managing.  

And Fred doesn't even notice them....