I write from my room, 5th floor, (non-sprinklered) Zenit Hotel, Barcelona, Spain. It is a quiet, Sunday night. I have the room window swung open to bring in some cool, fresh air. This is the view down into the courtyard.
Leaving Jackson seems like such a long time ago, I hardly have energy to mention the delayed departure, the international flight almost missed due to the delayed departure, the long international flight, and the morning arrival.
Flying in was beautiful. Rugged countryside dotted with farms of wind generators. The air is hazy from, I'm guessing humidity. We banked around over the Mediterranean as we made our landing approach.
I still don't have any money! My ride was there, waiting for me, holding up my name. An old man who spoke no English, drove through the city streets like he had done it once or twice (harrowing would be the word I would use to describe the journey!), and happily accepted my US dollars for a tip. I got to the small, but very nice room, rinsed off the travel grudge, and slept.
As darkness fell over the city, I awoke to a growling belly and bravely took to the streets for a meal. Sunday night dinner is not so easy to find! Plus, one doesn't want to stray too far for fear of not finding one's way home!
I landed at a Japanese karaoke restaurant. Kid you not! Shiny black tables with plush velvet chairs, and loud, really bad Japanese karaoke going on in the room next to where I ate. The waiters kept bringing food to the loud room - bowls of gooey looking fresh tofu covered in thick brown sauce, plates of steaming won tons, platters of fish something, and bowls of noodles.
The waitress spoke both Japanese and Spanish. We didn't do that well, but she ended brining me a beef appetizer, some type of stir fried rice with seafood bits in it and a nice clam soup. I have no idea how one leaves a tip here. They took my Visa card (I checked first!), I paid, and found my way back home!!
Barcelona is like a Mexican Chicago with not quite as many people. Graffiti accents most first story facades. Residential high rises lined the horizon as we drove from the airport. Decks filled with plants, colored linens, and a Mexican flag bannered here and there. Grays, forest greens, maroons seem to be the paint colors of choice.
Now that I've made my night time stroll, the walking around is not uncomfortable. It feels like walking around Chicago - only, again, less people and they are all speaking Spanish, It would be really nice to know the language!!
Traveling tip: You will not get power in your room until you are smart enough to figure out that your room key goes in a box thing by the front door and then the power goes on. Who knew??
I'm going to work on jet lag now! Good night to all, near and far!
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Friday, January 27, 2017
In Case You Did Not Know
I will be doing something quite outside of my comfort zone, starting tomorrow as I board the plane for Barcelona, Spain. Heading to a conference on wildland fire which you an check out at Conference Info . Check out the venue!
As I try to think of everything I am forgetting, I am taking pause to hope you will check in often with the blog site. If all goes well, I should be making frequent entries in this foreign city. Over the course of my travel, I will skip ahead 8 hours - talk about time travel!!
There are palm trees in Barcelona. I am guessing it will be warmer and look quite different than it does here right now. Stay tuned!!
Looking out the back door toward the greenhouse.
Looking to the front of the house down the "dog run". No problem jumping over the fence now - it's buried!!
As I try to think of everything I am forgetting, I am taking pause to hope you will check in often with the blog site. If all goes well, I should be making frequent entries in this foreign city. Over the course of my travel, I will skip ahead 8 hours - talk about time travel!!
There are palm trees in Barcelona. I am guessing it will be warmer and look quite different than it does here right now. Stay tuned!!
Looking out the back door toward the greenhouse.
Looking to the front of the house down the "dog run". No problem jumping over the fence now - it's buried!!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
When No One Knows
This is what it looks like when you are not home, a fire starts, and no one is notified. We got there only because a neighbor noticed "an orange glow in the sky".
All is completely gone.
See this article House Fire Tuesday Morning
All is completely gone.
See this article House Fire Tuesday Morning
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Best Banana Bread Ever
Seriously. Banana bread has always been a baking quest of mine. Adding the element of gluten-free did not help until this recipe came along. Sooo, good! Give it a try next time you have four, really ripe bananas! A very easy recipe too!
Adapted from an Epicurious Recipe:
Heat oven to 350. Mash 4 very ripe bananas in a bowl. Add the following, mix, put in a spray-oiled pan, top with course sugar and bake an hour.
- 4 ripe, mashed bananas
-1/4 c melted butter
- 1 c sugar
- 1 1/2 c regular or GF flour
-1/4 t salt
-1 beaten egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 c toasted coarse chopped walnuts
Friday, January 20, 2017
The Members at Hoback Station #3
What a great Team picture! Shows you how much talent there is in this group! Thanks for all the time you give to this community in your service!! Way to go Nation Station!!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
The Winter of 2017
I picked a good week to be gone! Every time I called home, Michael was whining about all the snow. Plus the old red truck broke so he was using the snow blower to keep the road open. I got out today and got a look at it all, helped move some snow, and took a hike in snow shoes. Clearly he had reason to be unhappy!!
Munger Mountain, across the river and our view to the west, has giant swaths of avalanches. One wonders how many deer and elk were buried when the snow ran. Some paths go all the way to the river.
This will be a winter to remember. And we aren't even close to being done with it either. The wildlife are burrowed in and food is scarce. It is hard to watch them lunge through the deep snow, knowing the huge amount of energy that takes and how little there is to eat. A doe and her twin fawns were caught pruning my sour cherry trees this morning. They worked hard to get up the hill from our house. I imagine they will be back.
Here are some images. One ponders the flood potential, come spring.
Munger Mountain, across the river and our view to the west, has giant swaths of avalanches. One wonders how many deer and elk were buried when the snow ran. Some paths go all the way to the river.
This will be a winter to remember. And we aren't even close to being done with it either. The wildlife are burrowed in and food is scarce. It is hard to watch them lunge through the deep snow, knowing the huge amount of energy that takes and how little there is to eat. A doe and her twin fawns were caught pruning my sour cherry trees this morning. They worked hard to get up the hill from our house. I imagine they will be back.
Here are some images. One ponders the flood potential, come spring.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Happy Birthday Dad!
Today is your day
I wish I was there
To give you a hug
And a story or two to share.
Another year
Gone by so fast!
Ahead with another
So long to the last.
For your long life and good health
I am so glad
It is awesome to have you in my life,
My dear, ol' dad!!
Happy Birthday!!
(Pictures from last night's snow storm)
Almost buried hot tub and .....
Out the front door this morning!
Friday, January 6, 2017
Around the State
Perhaps I don't feel so cold afterall. Check out today's lows from around the Cowboy State!
Freakin' Cold!!
Freakin' Cold!!
Crazy Cold!
Although it is not supposed to last long, this morning is bitter, bitter cold here in the mountains!
Monday, January 2, 2017
Resolutions, Shared....
Thought you might find this amusing. Check out us "local officials'" resolutions. Can you tell who is running for office....!!!
2017 Resolutions
2017 Resolutions
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Happy New Year!
To start 2017, here is a look back! Take a moment and enjoy the images from last year's adventures. Mike & I do a good job of living a full life. Sometimes I feel frenzied rather than "full" but all the hustle, bustle, and frenziness is worth the wonderful things we get to do and experience.
A trip to Washington DC, the Jackson Lake Fishing Derby, the annual pack trip in July, fall hunting, and a wonderful Thanksgiving trip to Illinois and New York.
And the gift of a hot tub. A glorious, hot, and wonderful soaking tub. Again, we thank Bill & Gwen for not taking this tank of relaxation to the dump. There is now outside music, sounding oh-so-good, to soak to!! Life is so good!!
Here is a photo album, Best of 2016.
May 2017 bring us all a full and wonderous year.
Click on this link:
Best of 2016
A trip to Washington DC, the Jackson Lake Fishing Derby, the annual pack trip in July, fall hunting, and a wonderful Thanksgiving trip to Illinois and New York.
And the gift of a hot tub. A glorious, hot, and wonderful soaking tub. Again, we thank Bill & Gwen for not taking this tank of relaxation to the dump. There is now outside music, sounding oh-so-good, to soak to!! Life is so good!!
Here is a photo album, Best of 2016.
May 2017 bring us all a full and wonderous year.
Click on this link:
Best of 2016
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