Saturday, August 31, 2013

OUR FINAL DAYS - - -

- - -That is in Park City!!  It is soooo hard to believe that we have been here for two months and the old Bus will be pulling out of there Tuesday morning.  But - - all good things must come to an end and some things must be saved to savor in another year.

During the past three weeks we have watched Park City evolve from summer to fall!  It always surprises us how early the leaves – and therefore the mountainsides – become colorful.
Autumn in Park City always arrives before we expect it.
This year even the weather has changed from the clear blue skies to the cloudy skies filled with thunder storms that E loves;-)  It seems that this weather has even encouraged all the animals to come out and enjoy – especially on the golf courses –



Moose in the pond off the 4th tee at Mountain Dell GC.

Moose in the street in the Thaynes Canyon neighborhood.

Fawns with Mom on the Wasatch GC.

As I checked the calendar to see what all we had been up to for the last three weeks – I found we have been quite busy!!  There have been several concerts at Deer Valley including the Music of the Rolling Stones, Lyle Lovett, Jewel and One Republic.  There was also one of the “Full Moon Concerts” at our favorite indoor, intimate venue – Riff’s - that featured the Side Show Ramblers.

At a concert with Jane and Jack.
Our hikes with Sally continued seeing the sights of PC on Rob’s Trail and views of the Uintas on the Lofty Lake Trail.  



Views of the Uinta Mountains from the Lofty Lake Loop trail.





(We also helped Sally celebrate a BIG (number) b-day with a dinner at Adolphs).

And of course, there were more dinners at the Bus with friends, a Lobster feast at Nitka’s, and a Southern dinner at friends Cherie and John’s.  We also continued our golf with many friends including Rheta and Tom, the Harts, Sally, Robert AND enjoyed drinking, eating and playing various games with friends met here in the “Park”.

As said in the beginning – all good things must come to an end;-(  So, Tuesday morning the Bus will be packed and it will become “a horse headed for home” as we head to the home of Tiffin in Red Bay, AL.

Keep you posted on our travels to Red Bay.  Until then – E & G back on the road

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Hiking the Wasatch


Don’t know where the last couple of weeks have gone – but, we sure have been busy.

The concerts have continued – both at Deer Valley and at Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City.  Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Band performed with the Symphony with some of the best banjo playing by Martin – AND, a running comedy routine.  My cheeks actually hurt from laughing so much by the time we got to the car at the end of the nightJ  There was also an excellent production of Evita at the little local Egyptian Theater here in town.  AND – the iconic Merle Haggard (still with a good voice) at the Red Butte – 


Merle Haggard concert at Red Butte Gardens - a little fuzzy because you have had a couple of vodkas!!


The cardio activity for the past two weeks has been hiking the Wasatch instead of the bike in the gym.  A MUCH better choice as the wild flowers, berries and butterflies are BEAUTIFUL!!

The first hike was a 4-miler (round trip) with a 1700’ vertical in Lamb’s Canyon.  Lots of berries in vivid reds and yogurt looking white, along with many butterflies.  Our reward at the top of the hike was a view over the saddle of the Salt Lake Valley.

Lots of butterflies along the way.

The view down Mill Creek Canyon into the Salt Lake valley from the top of Lamb's Canyon trail.

Berries, berries...

..and more berries.

Next – Deer Valley provided the exercise via the Silver Lake 4 mile loop (1500’ vertical).  This time the reward (besides lunch at Royal Street Café) was views of Jordanelle Lake and the Kamas and Heber Valleys.


Jordanelle Reservoir and the Kamas Valley - and Sally and Elizabeth;-)

Albion Basin at Alta was the next to check off the list - a heavily travelled area this time of year for the beautiful and abundant wild flowers.  We were perhaps a week to 10 days late – but, still had a great hike amidst flower carpets.  The reward this hike – Cecret Lake hidden above the rock bluffs we climbed.  Also the fact that the storm held off just ‘til we got back to the car;-)  AND – the most beautiful butterfly of all –


Cecret Lake in the Albion Basin

The hiking Three Musketeers - G, E & Sally 

We only saw one of these.  Evidently they are around for only a few days a year.

Storm clouds heading in.  Time to head for the car.


In between all this activity, E had book club at the Bus, we scouted out the Art Fest AND G had Bus envy when a gorgeous Prevost pulled in next to us for four days ----


This gave Gary high levels of "coach envy" 

It is hard to believe that we are down to only three more weeks here in Park City before we head east to Red Bay, AL to take Magic ‘home’ for a check-up.

Hope all is well with all of you as the school year begins again and fall is upon us –

Lots of Love – E & G