Monday, May 30, 2016

Familiarization Tour

Hi All,

We toured the park today to see what had changed and refresh our memories on all the place names.

The mountain view from Cottonwood Creek picnic area is still stunning even if the top of Grand Teton is hidden in the clouds.


The Jenny Lake area is undergoing a major renovation. This is the temporary Visitor Center.

Signal Mountain Lodge still has a great view of Mt Moran.

We heard about an eagle nest near Oxbow Bend. With our spotting scope we saw the nest and a nearby bald eagle but very far away. Then this beautiful mountain bluebird landed close by.

It was a great day and as we relaxed in the coach in the evening, we saw this great sunset with the top of Grand Teton peeking through.
We are soooooo lucky.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Saturday, May 28, 2016

Grand Teton National Park

Hi All,

We arrived safely after a seven hour drive from Meeker. Feels like home. We have not yet taken photos this year but to get you in the mood, here are some paintings from the Wildlife Museum.




and a recent APOD image.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Friday, May 27, 2016

Wild Horses & Wild Weather

Hi All,

Late morning we headed into the high country. High is relative since the Grady's place is already at 6,200 ft. We climbed higher along a bewildering array of gravel roads and dirt tracks in search of wild horses. It was bewildering to us but the Grady's have lived here for over 50 years.

The first horse was pretty far away but it was exciting to see.


For our picnic spot, Mike drove to a hilltop with a gorgeous view and a memorial to a lost hunter. The monument was erected by the family of Clyde Dillon who died nearby when caught in a storm in 1941.
Mary, Mike & Sandy at the memorial.

On the way down we spotted more horses and it looks like they spotted us as well.
See that black patch of sky on the left? As we continued down the mountain the outside temperature dropped from 57 to 43!

We had rain then sleet then hail. Fortunately we were back on pavement before it got really bad. Plus it is easier to see the hailstones bounce on the blacktop.

One last look at the wild horses.

What a great day. Scenic vistas, wild horses, local history and time with good friends. Thank you Mary & Mike.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Grady's in Meeker

Hi All,

Mike & Mary Grady are volunteer friends who live on a ranch in Meeker, CO. In the past we have seen them at their winter place south of Tucson but this time we visited them in CO.

We parked next to their house and Ginger had this magnificent view.


While we were there, Mike & Mary had another visitor at their window-this long-tailed weasel.
Tomorrow we go to see wild horses!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Catching Up

Hi All,

Since we left Mary Ellen we have driven across Iowa, South Dakota and into SE Wyoming. 

Our campground in Audubon, IA was Albert the Bull. At the entrance to the site is a 33' long concrete steer. His horn spread is 15' and he weighs 90,000. He was built in the 60's as a tourist attraction to honor the local beef industry.


Next stop was Sioux Falls, SD to see the Grand Teton bears that were brought here in lieu of being euthanized for repeatedly stealing human food. For us it was a case of Good news-Bad timing. We spoke to a zoo official who said "our" two bears were doing very well. 

However, they are not on exhibit every day. They alternate with a big male black bear named Charles who has been there many years. Sadly, we visited on Charles' day.

This is their new home. The black lump on the platform is Charles.

The rest of the zoo is pretty nice. This Alaskan brown bear is from Kenai.

They also have a rare black rhino.

and these stunning scarlet ibis.

Tomorrow we will visit friends in NW Colorado. We will get to Grand Teton on Saturday.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, May 21, 2016

Meeting ME at Last

Hi All,

Jan & Phyl apparently enjoy our emails so much that they forward them to about 25 of their friends and family. We would occasionally get replies from some of these people. One person in particular signed her emails "ME". We soon learned that ME was Phyllis' 95 year old aunt! We began sending our emails directly to Mary Ellen and her replies included enthusiasm, encouragement and reminiscences of her travels with her husband Harvey. It was always a joy to get ME's emails so we made plans to visit her, about 90 miles south of Jan & Phyl. What an incredible lady; living alone at 95, drives, quite mobile and sharp as a tack. We had a wonderful visit.

Her daughter Alice came by and took all of us on a tour of Audubon, IA. We saw the farms where ME, Phyllis and other family members grew up. We saw the high school where ME's great grandson will graduate tomorrow. Did we mention ME has 17 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren!

One stop on the tour was the plaque the family got to honor ME. Pretty neat.

Back at the house, ME showed us how she makes greeting cards on her computer using Greeting Card Maker.
We went out to dinner and when we brought ME back home we were prepared to leave, not wanting to wear her out. We need not have worried, ME was going strong and we spent more time chatting and she taught us a new card game, Quiddler. 

When we finally departed it was like we had a new family member - lucky us😃.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Visiting Jan & Phyl

Hi All,

Six years ago when we volunteered at Ocala National Forest we met Jan & Phyllis Wilson, a neat couple from Fort Dodge, IA with a wonderful volunteer spirit.

Though we have not seen them in five years we have kept in touch so, as we planned this year's trip west, we drew the route through Fort Dodge.

Jan & Phyl were wonderful hosts. We got a tour of the town, a delicious dinner, a fun evening at a local winery with music and wine and a delightful bird walk through Kennedy Park. A wonderful visit.
During our tour we noticed many of the local parks and municipal buildings had beautiful landscaping. Turns out, 15 years ago Jan & Phyl created a community volunteer organization called PICA, Pride in Community Appearance. They now coordinate a team of about 25 volunteers and also volunteer four hours a week beautifying the public spaces of Fort Dodge. Their efforts really show. That wonderful volunteer spirt coming through again.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Thursday, May 19, 2016

Magee Marsh

Hi All,

Magee Marsh on the south shore of Lake Erie is a spring magnet for migrating birds and birders. It rarely disappoints.

This year there was a bald eagle nest with two large chicks right on the edge of the parking lot.

We walked the boardwalk primarily in search of warblers. These quarter ounce birds winter in South and Central America and fly north, in some cases 3,000 miles non stop. They stop at Magee to refuel before crossing the big lake.

The big festival was last week but there were still lots of birders here.

Sandy's telephoto zoom lens got these photos. Cape May warbler.

Blackburnian

Chestnut sided.
Lots of very colorful little birds. During the day we spotted a total of 51 species including 17 different warbler species.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Sunday, May 15, 2016

What's That Smell ?

Hi All,

Sometimes Living Our Dream is interrupted by some minor nightmares. Got home safely to find no electricity at our campsite. Campground staff accidentally shut off our power and never noticed. Lost everything in the freezer and refrigerator (including all the Mayport shrimp we hoped to eat in Wyoming) . Mold started growing on the shelves and the stench is awful. Still smelled after 3 scrub downs. Campground brought in a disaster recovery company that recleaned everything then set up this big fan and "Hydroxyl Odor Processor"

We need to let it run all night; hopefully it will be effective.

On a more upbeat note, we noticed a robin had built a nest on the awning frame of our bedroom window. We'll move it to a nearby tree when we leave.

We still hope to head west tomorrow but it depends on the fridge situation. Time will tell.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, May 14, 2016

Trip Summary

Hi All,

As we sit in the Madrid airport waiting for our delayed flight we thought we'd wrap up our trip reports.


Islands Visited
Hvar
Vis
Korcula
Venice

Total miles driven. 2,418 miles

Time on Ferries - 6.5 hours

Cities & Towns where we stayed, visited or caught a ferry:

Ljubljana
Postojnska
Predjamski
Plitvice Lakes National Park 
Podaca
Ploce
Makarska
Dubrovnik
Split
Drvenik
Sucuraj
Hvar
Stari Grad
Mostar
Blagaj
Pocitelj
Skradin
Krka National Park 
Vis
Ston
Oribec
Korcula
Trogir
Zadar
Opatija
Pula
Rovinj
Venice

So the sun sets on our latest adventure.

Stay tuned for Carl & Sandy's return to the Wildlife Brigade at Grand Teton National Park .

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Roberta & Elliot
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Friday, May 13, 2016

Vaporettos & Veggies

Hi All,

As expected in a city of canals, boats fill the roles of trucks. In addition to the many gondolas and taxis, Vaporettos are the water busses.


There are also Police boats

Fire boats

and boats that deliver packages.
We also saw but did not photograph ambulance boats and a hearse boat with a coffin.

The market near the Rialto bridge had lots of interesting veggies


including some we had never seen.

Yes, this is mostly fruit but there is some lettuce in the back left😃.

There was also a fish market.
Arrivederci Venezia.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Roberta & Elliot
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Thursday, May 12, 2016

Goodbye Croatia-Hello Giorgio

Hi All,

We drove from Croatia through Slovenia into Italy. Our goal was to find this man in Venice.

Giorgio Nason is an incredibly gifted creator of blown glass jewelry. The photo is from September 2005. We found his shop in the same spot, had a wonderful chat and both Roberta and Sandy added beautiful glass pendants to their collections.

Venice still charms visitors with churches like the Basilica di Santa Maria


tiny arched bridges over canals

Gondolas

and, of course, St Mark's Square.

The Basilica di San Marco glitters as ever.

As we crossed a small canal behind the Basilica, we spotted newlyweds enjoying a gondola ride.
We have one more day in Venice and then we head home.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Roberta & Elliot
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Pula and Rovinj: Our Last City Pair

Hi All,

Pula is the site of extensive Roman ruins including this huge Ampitheater .


This first century BCE structure has held up remarkably well.

Some sections have been restored but an amazing amount of original structure remains.

This is the Arch of the Sergi, built by a private Roman family in 20 BCE to honor their family members.

Much of the old city consists of weathered limestone walls with air conditioners, in this case with a beautiful rose bush.

Next stop was Rovinj, another fortified town on the Istrian peninsula. The town had great scenic potential but a steady rain limited our sightseeing. Carl took this picture while Roberta & Sandy were jewelry shopping.

We have resisted the temptation to include "tourist brochure" photos but this image of Rovinj is stunning.

From back in the US, we got word that Grand Teton's iconic Grizzly Bear 399 has come out of hibernation with another cub. Carl & Sandy can't wait to get out there and see them.
Goodbye Croatia. After two nights in Venice and we are on the way home.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Roberta & Elliot
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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