A Texas Toast

John and I ventured to Texas because we missed the heat. (Right ...) And my new brothers- and sisters-in-law threw us a newlywed BBQ celebration Texas style. It was too cute and I got to meet all the aunts, uncles and cousins that I missed during my last visit.

It was complete with Western decor ...

Personalized cups

A rifle demonstration from John's nephew, Coley.

A dance routine from nieces Kate and Evy along with cousin Anyssa to Hannah Montana music.

Is there any other kind of music for a tween? I think not.

Then it was time for family and friends to leave and Coley helped blow out the candles. It was the sign that the party was over. Thanks so much for the warm welcome and marriage wishes!

Tour Time!

I got back Sunday from a tour of Washington, D.C., and NYC with a group of students from LA. We had a really nice tour, but very interesting. We had to send a kid home in the middle of the tour for attempting to shoplift in Walmart! There were a few other mishaps, but everyone had a great time. It was a flexible group, so all is well.

I was surprised at how light the crowds were in DC and NYC. At Arlington National Cemetery, I could get some decent shots of the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The soldier marching marches 21 steps, waits 21 seconds and then does it again. This is in honor of the 21-gun salute.


The Changing of the Guard includes inspecting the gun and the guard's uniform.





In NYC you may have heard about the city closing down parts of Broadway to make it more pedestrian friendly. Now they have lawn chairs in the middle of the streets to lounge about.

Here's me and some of my closest friends ... By the way, the weather was crazy! We about had heat strokes in D.C. and then it was cool in New York. That's spring for you!


I couldn't make it home the same day my tour ended, so I spent an extra night in NYC. I then had a lengthy layover in DC, so I went to take a closer look at some of the museums.

The magnolia trees were in bloom in DC as well, and I think they're absolutely gorgeous.

Happy Travels!

April Tour

I failed to blog about my tour in April that was with my most favorite school group. I had the same school last year, and these girls were fantastic. They did there home country of England proud. Our tour started in NYC, then DC, where the cherry blossoms were in bloom and gorgeous and ended with a drive up to NYC and a stop in Philly.

The teachers and me acting like fools in front of the White House. Obama is waving from the top floor, second window from the right.

I really liked this photo. I took it from the Lee Mansion, which is in the Arlington National Cemetery. You can see the Washington Monument and the Capitol in the distance.

Travel Option

I got to thinking, I've told you about my flying adventures, but I have never told you how may get in on the action. If you're in the area (Grand Junction and Rifle) and want to take flying lessons, you can check out the Colorado Flight Center (CFC). The CFC organized our breakfast fly out last weekend and it's the company where John earned his pilot's license.

However, if you are currently a pilot, you may be interested in taking a flight tour. Parkwest Air Tours is for you. You take your plane, along with your new-found friends, and travel the United States by air. The company offers tours to Alaska, the Southwest, Rockies and the "American Outback." Once you've arrived at these locations, you have time to explore and wonderful accommodations.

It looks like a lot of fun! Happy travels!

Hot Time

Thought I would share that this is the oddest spring for me. I'm used to many more rainy days than sunny in good ole KC. But in Grand Junction, we're setting records. It was 92 degrees yesterday and it's supposed to be just as hot today. I haven't seen rain it seems in ages, but they are calling for rain this week. And a lady at church put it best saying that it rains mud here. It doesn't rain enough to get the dirt completely out of the air, but just enough to make the dirt stick to your car. It's all new and different! And I do enjoy having sunshine.

Come Fly with Me

John and I flew away this morning to the air strip at the Gateway Canyons Resort. It was a beautiful day here. I know the Midwest is getting rained out, but the sun just won't stop here. I guess that's what I get for moving to the desert.

Anyway we flew there with some amazing aerial views ... but first, me posing at the airport. I know you're thinking that I should be an airplane model. It's a thought.

This is an aerial of the Colorado National Monument outside Grand Junction.

Here's the approach. At this moment John's talking to the planes already in the air and on the ground getting ready to land. The airstrip is the dirt strip at the right of the photo.

This is where we landed ... and took off. And, yes, Mom, I'm okay. John did a fantastic job. Once we were on the ground and walking to the resort for breakfast, we had to dodge cow pies. So I guess the cattle roamed to the air strip.

This is the plane that arrived shortly after us and the other planes that came into Gateway.

John flying the plane through the canyons.

The final approach into Grand Junction.