Sunday, December 4, 2011

Reminiscing of summer and fall, moving into Christmas


I didn't spend too much time at the computer this year - I mostly traveled with iPhone in hand!

After driving to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City last August, I decided to visit the four corners area before heading to Yellowstone to visit my aunt.



I visited and camped at several national monuments, parks and native american sites. Navajo National Monument, Hubble Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde were some of my favorites. When it is hot I found it best to pull in near dusk and leave before noon.





From Mesa Verde I headed to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone. I joined my aunt on an early morning "safari" and we were fortunate to see grizzly bears and a family of wolves in addition to the bison, deer and fantastic scenery.


As a tour guide I appreciated the knowledge and agenda. While I am a do-it-yourself kind of gal, I would highly recommend this tour.







Luckily I had a kayak course to look forward to in Florida.

After the course near Naples, I shot across the state to see The Adams Family in West Palm Beach and then toured the keys, accomplishing something I had always wanted to do - I got a certification in scuba! - I can stay under the water for long periods of time and keep company with the fish!

Amoray Dive Resort is one stop shopping for this. They were recommended by the local visitor's center as they had one of the last rooms (low-key with kitchenettes) available and it turns out one of their instructors, Dan, was available to work with me for two days. With his help I managed to plow through the text book, take the test and accomplish the pool and four dives.



Thursday, January 6, 2011

Salmon la Sac

I went with friends on a little cross country ski trip near Rolsyn - up the river, up the road and then onto a little trail along the Waptus River.

Overall it was a beautiful day in our own private snow globe. The Salmon la Sac seemed to glow an iridescent green under it's cover of snow and ice, an image that will remain with me for a long time.