Road Trip 2007--Part Three

Tuesday

Originally, we were supposed to spend Tuesday night in Salt Lake, then drive to Twin Falls on Wednesday. We were ready to get moving, though, and decided to bump everything up one day. Thus we found ourselves making the 3-hour drive to Twin Falls a day early, eager to see the Idaho Coopers again.

But before we left, Dad kindly stopped at London Mart, because he knows I can't go long without a Jaffa Cake fix. I bought four boxes, a couple of Cadbury Crunchie bars, and a can of Heinz baked beans. Happy girl. I also took a few pictures of the store itself.







We also drove up into the hills above downtown Salt Lake City. Recent rain had cleared the sky and these are the best views I've ever seen of the valley:











As we left SLC, I took a couple of hasty pictures. First is State Street in downtown SLC, with its view up the hill to the state capitol building (and not bad, considering it was taken from a moving vehicle):



While at a stop, I got this picture of the Mormon Temple. The large office building is the world headquarters of the church:



Finally we were on our way north to Idaho. We drove through a brief hailstorm and our share of cloudy skies before hitting some sun.







Southern Idaho was windy as hell--and there were dust storms to prove it:





Aaron and Susanne live in Jerome, across the Snake River from Twin Falls. Our hotel was in Twin Falls. We had to drive over the Highway 93 Bridge to get to Jerome--complete with its gorgeous view of the river below. Unfortunately, on one side there were several police cars and some yellow evidence tape was being put up. According to Susanne, who is a social worker, the site is quite the popular place for jumpers.

By the time we arrived in Twin Falls, we still had a few hours before Aaron, Susanne and the kids would be home, so we rested at the hotel for a bit. Mom and I went out in search of ear plugs, post cards, and we stopped at JoAnn's for fun (Mom hasn't been able to find the fabric she uses for her crazy quilting in her local store).

Of course, I'm always on the lookout for funny or interesting signs. I was not disappointed in Twin Falls:



We went to Aaron and Susanne's place at about 5:30, and sat around chatting for a bit, and playing with a few of their six (yes, six!!) cats. I let the kids take pictures with my camera.

Tyson took one of Echo and I (the shirt she is wearing is one Mom and I picked out for her):


Then Echo took this one of Tyson, Mom and I (his shirt is the one I bought for him):


They love their kitties (Coopers seem to be big cat people). Here's the kids playing with Sonia (a chocolate Burmese) and Freddie, the newest member of the Cooper family:



This is Angel, who started his life as an orphan, left to fight off big dogs for what scraps of food he could find. Now he's a healthy big boy, and a sweet one at that:


Aaron and the kids playing with the cats:


Freddie, who purred for all of us, moments after our first meeting:


We drove to Twin Falls to a very good Mexican restaurant. Again, Tyson wanted to sit next to Aunt Megan. After a delicious dinner we all drove back to the hotel, where we said our goodbyes. I wish we could have spent more time getting to know the kids, but I'm sure that will come. Aaron and Susanne eventually want to bring them to California to visit. Aunt Meg will be ready!

Next update: Wednesday.

Road Trip 2007--Part Two

Monday

Monday was a day for Mom, Dad and I to bum around Salt Lake City. We started by driving up to Park City, about 30 miles east of Salt Lake City itself, and home to many of the skiing events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is also home to the Sundance Film Festival.

We didn't get out at Park City, except to buy a battery for Mom's watch and some eyeliner for me at WalMart. I didn't get too many pictures, except of some people snowboarding on what is left of the snow:



On the way back into Salt Lake City, we stopped at This Is The Place Monument, a site overlooking the Salt Lake Valley, where Brigham Young famously proclaimed that the Mormon journey had ended; this would be their Zion. Today we only stopped to take some pictures, as we've all been through the small park before. There are several old houses, some belonging to famous Mormons, that were moved to the site. Volunteers in costumes show the daily activities of the Mormon settlers, from farm work to weaving to a small schoolhouse. The site has some great views, when not hampered by smog:









The monument itself:


After this, we stopped at a couple of places Mom loves to go anytime she is in Utah: The Quilted Bear, and Gardner Village. The Quilted Bear is a handicraft store, where crafter sell their goods. There are also antiques and other interesting items. Mom and I happily spent a lot of money there.

Gardener Village is an old mill, with more old buildings relocated to one setting and turned into shops. Mom and I happily shopped here (I bought a gorgeous teacup and saucer, among other things) and I took lots of pictures, as the whole place is quite charming.





















After the Mill, we stopped at JoAnn's Crafts (for Mom) and a scrapbook store (for me) before heading over to visit my grandmother at her nursing home.

We spent an hour talking with Grandma, then saw her off to the dining room for dinner. We then met my aunt and uncle for a quick dinner out, then went back to the hotel to rest. We had another adventure lined up for the next day.

Next update: Tuesday.

Road Trip 2007--Part One

Here's Part One of our quick Spring Break road trip through Nevada, Utah and Idaho. I took over 100 pictures, many from the car, as we barrelled down the highway. : P

We had a good trip, but we're definitely glad to be home with privacy, our own beds and our furry friends.

Anyway, here's the story of our trip, starting with our departure on Saturday.

Saturday, April 7

My alarm went of at 3:45...yikes! I stayed in bed for another 15 minutes, cuddling with Millie and prying my eyes open. At 4:00, I got up and walked over to Mom and Dad's room.

"Dad?"

"Huh?"

"You 'wake?"

"Yeah."

"'K."

Brilliant conversationalists.

I stumbled off to the shower. By 5:15, we were loaded into our trusty Mazda MPV and on the road.

Dad took the first shift of driving, getting us from Lincoln into Nevada, to the ugliest rest stop in the ugliest place I've ever been. You would think a desert might be somewhat interesting, but this one is most definitely not.

Proof:







My friend Daryl said, "it can't be that bad!" Oh yes it can!! More proof:





After stopping at the dreary rest stop (the toilets were holes in the ground with seats over them...'nuff said), Dad drove on to Winnemucca. I developed a certain fondness for Winnemucca, because it is chuck full of kitschy old signs, and because of the name of the place. Alas, I didn't get too many sign pictures, because I took over the driving here.

Here's the pictures I took while we filled the car with gas:





So I drove for a couple of hours, until we finally reached the town of Elko. Here we stopped at a Port of Subs restaurant for lunch. Near the restaurant I found a great sign picture opportunity:



I also took a picture of a nearby hillside, with a big "E" etched on the side. Nevada towns seem to take a lot of pride in painting the initial of their town name on hillsides. Can't remember where you are? Look to the hills for a clue.



We didn't stay long, opting to eat in the car. Dad took over driving again because I don't like to eat and drive. Plus, I was getting mesmerized by the never-ending tedium that is the I-80 corridor through Nevada.

In this part of the state, things get a teensy, weensy bit more interesting.





Interstate 80 stretching on and on and on...




We stopped at Wendover, a small, last-chance-to-gamble town that straddles the Nevada-Utah border. The Nevada side houses casinos; the Utah side is decidedely vice-free.

Just before you reach Wendover, there is a terrific view of the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah:



We stopped for gas again, and I hopped out to use the loo and take more pictures.





The state line:


I took over the driving again (Mom did not drive at all on Saturday), taking us from Wendover all the way to Salt Lake City. It's a little over 100 miles, but fortunately, the speed limit is 75. We cruised along at 80 and made good time.

We pulled into our hotel at about 3:30. Aaron and Susanne were already there, in the room next to ours. They stayed one night and drove back to Idaho on Sunday night.

We were excited to meet my new niece and nephew, Echo and Tyson. They immediately struck me as being adorable, sweet kids. I was definitely not disappointed!

We all went to dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory, which was lots of fun. When we got there, Tyson said, "I want to sit next to Aunt Megan!" Echo did, too. My heart melted. It's so cool being Aunt Megan!!

Mom and I had brought gifts, and the kids loved the clothes and toys we bought them. They haven't been used to getting a lot of stuff in their lives before living with Aaron and Susanne, so they appreciated everything.

Sunday

Sunday was Easter, so all seven Coopers headed over to my Aunt Carolyn's house for a day of good eating, catching up, and Easter activities.

Mom, Dad, Tyson and I went to Kentucky Fried Chicken to get some food. Tyson loves to help, so he carried all three buckets of chicken to the car for us:



Meanwhile, I was off taking pictures of the nearby Wasatch Mountains:



Here's a darling one of Echo and Tyson:



My cousin's kids hunting for eggs:



Aaron, Susanne and the kids had to get on the road at about 3:00. They all had work and school the next day, so we said our goodbyes and they left.

A very, very, very proud Aunt Meg:



Echo with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Doug (Tyson was having a pout and didn't want to be in the picture, but I got him anyway!!).



Mom, Dad and I stayed at Carolyn's for a little while, then went back to the hotel to rest.

Next update: Monday.