Grand Canyon

We've been up since 4:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon (see photo above). Now we are at Monument Valley to watch the sunset. We were supposed to be at Burning Man today but instead we changed plans and are now in one of the most sacred lands of the Navajo. Burning Man would have been an adventure but these lands are probably a lot better for our souls.

Vegas, Baby! Kel and El

Kel and I had a great flight to Vegas. We actually had an empty seat between us! For the past few years, every flight we have been on has been packed like a can of sardines. But on this flight we could spread out and enjoy our overpriced snacks and drinks. Bob met us at the airport and then we headed out to see the town. It's not my favorite place. Saturday night it looked like a hooker convention. I've never seen so many cheeks exposed - and I'm not talking facial! Where are these people the rest of the time? Not in Northern Viriginia or D.C. K and I escaped to the Donnie and Marie Show where there were no hookers in attendance. K was definitely the youngest person in the room but she was thrilled with the show and Donnie and Marie really performed. I thought Donnie would have a heart attack trying to keep up with the young dancers. But Marie did great cardio and rarely had to catch her breath. They've been performing for 50 years!!! Yikes! Saw some great art in Vegas : Oldenburg, Henry Moore, Maya Lin. Citycenter where we stayed was built for 8 billion dollars and now it is worth $2 billion but it has some incredible sculptures, gardens and art installations with water and ice. Will try to post photos. Then we were off to the Grand Canyon.

Maine

4th of July in Havre de Grace

We had a great old fashioned 4th with family and friends. A great crabfeast in the garage, the parade, watching the fireworks on the Lantern Queen.

Austin Texas

Too much time has passed since we visited Austin for Andrea and Clint's wedding. But I wanted to make an entry for a wonderful trip. Bob and Kelly traveled to Texas via North Dakota. She has officially visited all 50 states by the age of 25! I flew into San Antonio (actually, got bussed from Austin - since San An airport was closed for bad weather.) My first day in Austin Andrea and Alicia were whisking me to Lady Byrd Johnson Wildflower Center and then to the spa. En route we saw a naked bicyclist riding around the lake. That should have been a hint of the surprises to come. They included Drag Queen Bingo at Joe's Coffee Shop, the Cowboy Hookah Bar across from UT, wonderful trailer park food, a chef at the Embassy Suites who treated Kelly like a queen, a night at Jenifer's beautiful home, great barbeque at the Salt Lick (the #1 bbq place in TX) for the rehearsal dinner, and a fabulous wedding and then a reception that concluded with a full mariachi band on a terrace overlooking the lit skyline of Austin. Great trip.