The highlight edition.

The animals...

Mama Grizzly Bear and her 3 cubs taking a stroll outside our motel room window. She walked right under our window. So close I could have touched her! The cubs took a tour of a crawl space under the building for a while. The rangers had it all under control and made sure people were in their rooms or getting to a building until she moved on her way. After they left, the crawl space openings were covered up with boards. 

A bull moose eating at Fishcap Lake. Two female cows were there, too. 

A mountain goat at Hidden lake. 

Going abroad...

I have never left the country before, so it was a thrill to visit Canada. We spent the day at Waterton. 

The beauty...

Hidden lake

Mountain meadow in full bloom near Iceberg Lake. 

Iceberg Lake. My favorite hike! When we came over the rise and saw the beautiful blue lake with the ice floating in it, the beauty took my breath away and I cried...

We attempted to hike up (and I mean up! 1800 foot elevation gain) to Grinnell Glacier. We were so close! We estimate about a mile or mile and a half away, but the trail changed into a cliff edge walk. I made the mistake of looking down and that was it for me. I have no regrets. I know if I had gone on I would have been in terror the whole time. Mistakes happen in that state of mind. 

Grinnell Lake

 Beautiful trails...

 And lots of waterfalls! This one is Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicines. In the spring it falls over the rocks. In the summer, it runs under the shelf and looks like it is coming out a hole, as it is now. 

We laughed when we realized my purple shoes matched the purple rocks in the mountains...

Tomorrow, my granddaughter Brooklyn arrives to spend a few days with us! Sewing is on the itinerary! 😁

The highlight edition.

The animals...

Mama Grizzly Bear and her 3 cubs taking a stroll outside our motel room window. She walked right under our window. So close I could have touched her! The cubs took a tour of a crawl space under the building for a while. The rangers had it all under control and made sure people were in their rooms or getting to a building until she moved on her way. After they left, the crawl space openings were covered up with boards. 

A bull moose eating at Fishcap Lake. Two female cows were there, too. 

A mountain goat at Hidden lake. 

Going abroad...

I have never left the country before, so it was a thrill to visit Canada. We spent the day at Waterton. 

The beauty...

Hidden lake

Mountain meadow in full bloom near Iceberg Lake. 

Iceberg Lake. My favorite hike! When we came over the rise and saw the beautiful blue lake with the ice floating in it, the beauty took my breath away and I cried...

We attempted to hike up (and I mean up! 1800 foot elevation gain) to Grinnell Glacier. We were so close! We estimate about a mile or mile and a half away, but the trail changed into a cliff edge walk. I made the mistake of looking down and that was it for me. I have no regrets. I know if I had gone on I would have been in terror the whole time. Mistakes happen in that state of mind. 

Grinnell Lake

 Beautiful trails...

 And lots of waterfalls! This one is Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicines. In the spring it falls over the rocks. In the summer, it runs under the shelf and looks like it is coming out a hole, as it is now. 

We laughed when we realized my purple shoes matched the purple rocks in the mountains...

Tomorrow, my granddaughter Brooklyn arrives to spend a few days with us! Sewing is on the itinerary! 😁

Yes, I am still here! 

There hasn't been any sewing happening since I posted last, and it will be weeks before I will be able to get into my sewing room again, but all is well! 

We have been very busy with the never-ending job of home maintenance...

replacing deck boards

painting the soffit

camping...

and travels.

Orange Beach

Very soon we are heading to Glacier National Park!!

At the beginning of this year, Russ and I changed how we were eating, partially to prepare for hiking at Glacier, as well as for our overall general health. I am proud to say that I have lost over 40 pounds and my husband has lost almost 50 so far!! We feel fantastic! 

Later this summer, my granddaughter, Brooklyn, will be visiting for a few days. I hope to do some sewing projects with her while she is here. That will be fun! 

Until next time!! 

Yes, I am still here! 

There hasn't been any sewing happening since I posted last, and it will be weeks before I will be able to get into my sewing room again, but all is well! 

We have been very busy with the never-ending job of home maintenance...

replacing deck boards

painting the soffit

camping...

and travels.

Orange Beach

Very soon we are heading to Glacier National Park!!

At the beginning of this year, Russ and I changed how we were eating, partially to prepare for hiking at Glacier, as well as for our overall general health. I am proud to say that I have lost over 40 pounds and my husband has lost almost 50 so far!! We feel fantastic! 

Later this summer, my granddaughter, Brooklyn, will be visiting for a few days. I hope to do some sewing projects with her while she is here. That will be fun! 

Until next time!! 

Last week, Russ and I spent a lovely week in Estes Park, Colorado to visit the Rocky Mountian National Park. This was my first trip to Colorado and it did not disappoint! 

The scenery was breathtaking! 

 We went on day hikes to Gem Lake, Emerald Lake and Ouzel Falls. We met such nice people! 

Ouzel Falls

We saw some very interesting plant life on our trip. I half expected to see a gnome near this mushroom!

Amanita Muscaria

As for wildlife, we saw a bear, many marmots, a snowshoe hare, bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk. Seeing wildlife is my favorite part! 

Alpine Visitors Center

We took a  drive up Trail Ridge Trail on one day. I do admit that I had a moment where I wasn't sure I could take the ride up the mountain. My fear of heights was getting the best of me and I was psyching myself out. The original plan was to go all the way up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then down the other side to Grand Lake, turn around and come back. I was afraid I would get to the other side of the mountain and be too afraid to come back home! We compromised by going up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then coming back down again. There was a section that was a bit scary, but overall it was easier than I expected. Since it went so well, on another day, we took a drive up the more rugged original road, the Old Fall River Road. That was a very beautiful drive!! 

Waterfalls everywhere! 

Snow, shorts, and sandals!! 

Enjoying the tundra!

My favorite hiking pal...

The rest of the time we relaxed and enjoyed the many shops in Estes Park. It's a beautiful town...

We are already planning our next summer vacation to Glacier Park!  

What National Parks have you visited? Do you have a favorite? 

On a sad note: While we were there, we were made aware of a missing hiker, Brian Perri. It appears his body was found earlier today. My prayers are with his family and friends...

Last week, Russ and I spent a lovely week in Estes Park, Colorado to visit the Rocky Mountian National Park. This was my first trip to Colorado and it did not disappoint! 

The scenery was breathtaking! 

 We went on day hikes to Gem Lake, Emerald Lake and Ouzel Falls. We met such nice people! 

Ouzel Falls

We saw some very interesting plant life on our trip. I half expected to see a gnome near this mushroom!

Amanita Muscaria

As for wildlife, we saw a bear, many marmots, a snowshoe hare, bighorn sheep, mule deer and elk. Seeing wildlife is my favorite part! 

Alpine Visitors Center

We took a  drive up Trail Ridge Trail on one day. I do admit that I had a moment where I wasn't sure I could take the ride up the mountain. My fear of heights was getting the best of me and I was psyching myself out. The original plan was to go all the way up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then down the other side to Grand Lake, turn around and come back. I was afraid I would get to the other side of the mountain and be too afraid to come back home! We compromised by going up to the Alpine Visitors Center and then coming back down again. There was a section that was a bit scary, but overall it was easier than I expected. Since it went so well, on another day, we took a drive up the more rugged original road, the Old Fall River Road. That was a very beautiful drive!! 

Waterfalls everywhere! 

Snow, shorts, and sandals!! 

Enjoying the tundra!

My favorite hiking pal...

The rest of the time we relaxed and enjoyed the many shops in Estes Park. It's a beautiful town...

We are already planning our next summer vacation to Glacier Park!  

What National Parks have you visited? Do you have a favorite? 

On a sad note: While we were there, we were made aware of a missing hiker, Brian Perri. It appears his body was found earlier today. My prayers are with his family and friends...

Warning! Vacation photos, but only a few. =)

We enjoyed the wildlife...(I was disappointed to miss seeing the wolves and bears. Next time!)

the colorful springs...

the exciting geysers...

the relaxation at Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch...

and breathtaking scenes and snow on Beartooth Pass. 

The very best part was being together...

On the trip home, we stopped to see Dignity in Chamberlain, South Dakota. So beautiful!

If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone, the Gypsy Guide app for Yellowstone is a must have!  Having our own "personal tour guide" made our trip more enjoyable and we saw things that we would have missed. I highly recommend it!

We also visited Devil's Tower, Battle of Little Bighorn, Buffalo Bill Cody Museum, and the Badlands. Aren't you glad I only shared a few pictures?! ;-) 

Have a happy Monday!! 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Warning! Vacation photos, but only a few. =)

We enjoyed the wildlife...(I was disappointed to miss seeing the wolves and bears. Next time!)

the colorful springs...

the exciting geysers...

the relaxation at Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch...

and breathtaking scenes and snow on Beartooth Pass. 

The very best part was being together...

On the trip home, we stopped to see Dignity in Chamberlain, South Dakota. So beautiful!

If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone, the Gypsy Guide app for Yellowstone is a must have!  Having our own "personal tour guide" made our trip more enjoyable and we saw things that we would have missed. I highly recommend it!

We also visited Devil's Tower, Battle of Little Bighorn, Buffalo Bill Cody Museum, and the Badlands. Aren't you glad I only shared a few pictures?! ;-) 

Have a happy Monday!! 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Friday morning, we took off on the bike to head to our favorite riding destination, Wisconsin. We love it there so much! Especially the south west side, which is called the Driftless Area. Because the glaciers didn't travel this area during the last glacial period, the area is full of high bluffs and deep valleys. It is beautiful! 

This time, we stayed in La Crosse. We rode up to the top of Grandad Bluff, which is a 600-ft high bluff that overlooks the city. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Pictures can never do the view justice. It was breathtakingly beautiful! It was the perfect setting to do our morning devotions as we gazed upon God's creation. 

Our next stop was to one of my most favorite quilt shops, Olive Juice Quilts in Onalaska. I have no pictures and I will explain why...

When we walked in to the shop (there are more than one entrances), I quickly realized a class was going on. I apologized and asked if they would rather I go in the other entrance. I was quickly assured that I was fine! Then, I looked in the center of the room and there she stood....Anna Graham aka: Noodlehead. Anna is very well known for her bag patterns and clothing patterns. Perhaps you have heard of the Open Wide Zippered Pouch? Or of her 241 Tote? Does the Divided Basket sound familiar? Trust me, you need to check out her website. 

So, here is where I made a total fool out of myself...I blurted out, totally interrupting the class (in my defense, people were sewing and she was observing, so I didn't interrupt her)

"Are YOU, Noodlehead?!" 

Open up floor and drop me in, please...NOW!

She was gracious and grinned at me calling her by her website name and not Anna and allowed me to shake her hand and gush over how much I loved her bags and what an inspiration she was. 

I was totally star stuck. 

I felt so foolish...But it was super cool, none the less. After that, I was very careful to not draw attention to myself as I grabbed up bolts of fabric from the room to take to the cutting table. Russ kept trying to get me to have my picture taken with her, but I refused. I was in my Harley tank shirt with major helmet hair. No way was I going to have my picture taken!!

Here are the goodies I brought home with me. Had to get me some Little Ruby and cotton linen blend yardage. 

Next up, at the recommendation of Judy @ Cranberry Morning, we traveled to Westby to eat at Borgen's Cafe. Judy is correct, the burgers are awesome! 

Riding + eating good food + quilt shops = a fun weekend! 

Have a happy week, everyone!

Friday morning, we took off on the bike to head to our favorite riding destination, Wisconsin. We love it there so much! Especially the south west side, which is called the Driftless Area. Because the glaciers didn't travel this area during the last glacial period, the area is full of high bluffs and deep valleys. It is beautiful! 

This time, we stayed in La Crosse. We rode up to the top of Grandad Bluff, which is a 600-ft high bluff that overlooks the city. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Pictures can never do the view justice. It was breathtakingly beautiful! It was the perfect setting to do our morning devotions as we gazed upon God's creation. 

Our next stop was to one of my most favorite quilt shops, Olive Juice Quilts in Onalaska. I have no pictures and I will explain why...

When we walked in to the shop (there are more than one entrances), I quickly realized a class was going on. I apologized and asked if they would rather I go in the other entrance. I was quickly assured that I was fine! Then, I looked in the center of the room and there she stood....Anna Graham aka: Noodlehead. Anna is very well known for her bag patterns and clothing patterns. Perhaps you have heard of the Open Wide Zippered Pouch? Or of her 241 Tote? Does the Divided Basket sound familiar? Trust me, you need to check out her website. 

So, here is where I made a total fool out of myself...I blurted out, totally interrupting the class (in my defense, people were sewing and she was observing, so I didn't interrupt her)

"Are YOU, Noodlehead?!" 

Open up floor and drop me in, please...NOW!

She was gracious and grinned at me calling her by her website name and not Anna and allowed me to shake her hand and gush over how much I loved her bags and what an inspiration she was. 

I was totally star stuck. 

I felt so foolish...But it was super cool, none the less. After that, I was very careful to not draw attention to myself as I grabbed up bolts of fabric from the room to take to the cutting table. Russ kept trying to get me to have my picture taken with her, but I refused. I was in my Harley tank shirt with major helmet hair. No way was I going to have my picture taken!!

Here are the goodies I brought home with me. Had to get me some Little Ruby and cotton linen blend yardage. 

Next up, at the recommendation of Judy @ Cranberry Morning, we traveled to Westby to eat at Borgen's Cafe. Judy is correct, the burgers are awesome! 

Riding + eating good food + quilt shops = a fun weekend! 

Have a happy week, everyone!