Category: Uncategorized

Whither Weather?

We are on our way to Minneapolis, Minnesota. This morning we had breakfast in Omaha, Nebraska, just off I-80. Being creatures of habit that meant we would continue going east as far as Des Moines, Iowa, then turn to go north up I-35 crossing into Minnesota by Albert Lea. Like so:

Me, being me, I’ve researched the life out of this route so I know where are the good places to stay and where are the ones to avoid. I also know, where all the Flying J stations are, where all the WalMart Superstores are, where all the Cracker Barrel restaurants are, etc. all along this route.

But Dave, being Dave, looked at the weather map and said, “Hmmm.”

On my inquiry he said there appeared to be a storm traveling southeast across Minnesota and Iowa. It is due to go through Albert Lea this afternoon and through Des Moines tonight. The weather service has issued alerts that it could result in large hail and tornadoes.

So, we turned north instead, traveling I-29 to Sioux Falls with the intention of turning east there on I-90, then returning to our familiar I-35. Thus:

So, now we are in Sioux Falls and the weather maps look like, this:

We caught up to the trailing edge of the storm. So, we will stay in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, tonight where we were at least able to pick up our accumulating mail.

After all, hail and tornadoes trump research and familiar roads.

TTYL,

Linda

MNML List Part 2

I got called on having no toiletries on my list. So here’s the deal.

I finger comb my hair. If I comb it for real it lays too flat and looks too thin. There is a comb in the hair clipper kit we both use so I can comb my hair if I really need to. And Dave has one I can use if he’s not looking.

We share nail clippers although I do keep one fingernail clipper on my key chain to clean up the messes I make by biting my nails. Still, Dave uses that one, too, so I don’t have to count it, right?

I did put my hair dryer and electric shaver on the list. I no longer use razors and shaving cream.

I do have my own hand lotion because I’m allergic to all other brands of it and Dave prefers his own to sharing mine. So, it’s really him that has his own lotion, right?

Dave and I share soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.

I do have my own toothbrush, though.

So add toothbrush to my list.

TTYL,

Linda

Bryce Canyon National Park

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for any length of time know I like my history simple and amusing. When entering a national park they offer you a map and a newspaper. I usually read both of those, watch any films they offer, then search out children’s books in the gift shop. Then we take any scenic drives on offer but I send Dave out with the camera at most of the stops. If the park has a lodge with a restaurant we often eat there. Then I’m done with that park except for looking at the pictures Dave took and, maybe, writing a blog about the park.

After awhile the parks all start to seem alike to me. At least the ones in Utah do. After all how many ways are there to see the Colorado Plateau?

Bryce Canyon found a new way. I don’t know who writes their descriptions but check out this one from their website, http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm. “What is Bryce Canyon? Words confound when no comparable exist. A cave without a ceiling? A forest of stone? Even ‘canyon’ is misleading since Bryce is carved by freeze-thaw cycles, not a river. Yet, ‘world’s largest pothole’ is neither adequate nor flattering.”

And this one from page 4 of their newspaper, “Approximately (~) 200 million years ago (Ma), Earth’s crust was crinkling throughout Nevada, into southern Canada. A strong, dense Pacific seafloor had smashed into North America’s weaker continental crust. Much was at stake as the loser would be forced down and melted in Earth’s mantle. Although North America remained on top, it was shattered in the contest.” You can read the entire article at http://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/upload/2010_Summer_Hoodoo-web.pdf.

That’s my kind of history.

Oh, yeah, here’s some pictures for those of you who feel deprived if I don’t include some.

No, we didn’t walk that trail. This is the park where my blister broke while still in the visitor center. Not that we would have walked that trail, anyway. High desert means no oxygen in the air, you know. Besides it was HOT! See, I have lots of excuses for not getting more exercise. Valid excuses. Right?

TTYL,

Linda

Blister!

On the bottom of my right heel.

I didn’t feel the blister forming.

I didn’t feel it until it broke.

Then I felt it!

Walking became painful.

Now what?

Anyone for tiptoeing through the tulips?

Maybe we’ll go find a place we can hang out for a few days to give it a chance to heal.

Then I might catch up on the blogs of all the National Parks we’ve been visiting, hmmm?

TTYL,

Linda