Madison, Wisconsin Day One

 After the craziness of VBS followed immediately by Biennial Convention, the start up of Bible Study and the Chosen  study, we took a couple of days and drove down to Madison, Wisconsin as a Plan C. The weather and World Cup screwed up our previous plans. We got rained out of any camping scenarios and God graciously lead me to discover that Kansas City was hosting World Cup the very weekend we planned to visit. It didn't really appeal since we really aren't giant mobs of crazed soccer fans kind of people. 😜

An early start meant I was up in time to see the sunrise...

The first evening we visited Monona Terrace on Lake Monona. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 but not constructed until the1990s. We didn't get to stay long because they were setting up for the summer concert series kick-off and we didn't have tickets...

We were pretty hungry after an 8 hour trip and a bit of wandering around downtown Madison. Our first stop was Great Dane Brewing for a flight and Bavarian burger since we're totally beer and burger people... 😍

Since we had two more food stops planned for the first day, we made some space by wandering around the Madison Museum of Modern Art. We confirmed that we really aren't modern art kind of people, but it was free. And we are cheap, so it was okay.😜 (Not many pics because they weren't allowed inside but we did snap a few from the roof...)

After the museum was pierogi and then the much-anticipated Old Fashioned, the restaurant that has been serving old fashioneds and cheese curds for years and is touted as the "Best Cheese Curds in Wisconsin". We HAD to find out for ourselves, we are, after all, cheese people. I have an entire cheese drawer in our fridge. And we're also old fashioned kind of people... 😋

Then before hitting the sack, we took a dip in the hotel pool and soaked in the hot tub. We are totally pool and hot tub kind of people. 😍

PNW With Family

 This trip was really just to see family. And because we stayed healthy, we did get to see almost everyone. But Frank, Amy and the kids were sick this time, so we missed them again... :( 

We left Fargo and had a 4 hour layover in Chicago which allowed time for all the Chicago treats: popcorn, hot dog and pizza. Our flight to Portland had a bit of a detour thanks to a super powerful storm cell that gave us quite a lightning storm out of Chris' side of the plane and quite a bit of air traffic out of my window... 

It meant we got into Portland even later than we had expected but we just went straight to Mom and Dad's and went right to sleep. The next morning we rented our car, did a bit of shopping and then drove south to Zack and Tatum's. We ate some delicious foods, played games, watched a bit of TV. But the next day we drove out to the Newport Aquarium... 

The weather was very nice, and we got to see lots of animals! 

After checking out the sealion dock and having a delicious seafood dinner, we stopped at Depot Bay and saw gray whales! Unfortunately they were too far out for a good picture...

Before heading back to the house, we made a quick stop at D River to walk along the beach...

After church on Sunday, we went to the creek and had lunch with family. Unfortunately no one took any pictures. I guess we were just too busy enjoying the company...

Monday was Zack's birthday and we went bowling with Ester and Bree at a really cool place in Sherwood!

Tuesday was back at my parents' and then dinner with the Cummings...

Wednesday we took a drive to see Silver Falls State Park with Mom & Dad and then dinner at Wyatt's grandparents' German restaurant...

Thursday we drove up to see Leslie and Tom. Unfortunately we ended up spending the entire day in the ER with Leslie but we did find out what was going on and she was able to get the meds she needed. The next morning we all went to breakfast at IHOP. I forgot to take a picture but Tom was able to create one with Chat GPT. It looks great if you don't look too close... LOL

Then we flew the redeye to Dallas and then back to Fargo by Saturday afternoon. Glad we went and hoping to see everyone again soon!

Desert Hiking - Day Four

We got to the Visitors' Center in Twentynine Palms just before they opened, so we had to wait a bit. I bought our souvenir magnet and we got our map and a warning to be done hiking by noon, before temperatures got too hot. It seemed a bit extreme since the high was only supposed to get to 83. 

We hiked several trails for a total of about seven miles. The signage wasn't great, nor was the map/info, but we figured them out eventually and saw quite a few of the sites. Joshua Tree isn't as visually interesting or colorful as other desert parks but the trails weren't as challenging, which we did appreciate. But the sky was brilliantly blue streaked with wispy clouds that made for very nice pictures.😎 I think our favorite trail was the Barker Dam loop.😍 While Keys View would probably have been much more enjoyable if the wind hadn't been so severe! 😕The greatest disappointment was the the Fortynine Palms Oasis trail was closed. 😞

Split Rock

Arch Rock

 Face Rock

these little lizards were pretty camera shy (and fast)

Skull Rock

Elephant Rock

Ryan Ranch was an interesting place to explore...

The lookout at Keys View was so windy that we only stayed long enough to snap a few quick shots... 

If I could have gone on only one trail, Barker Dam Loop would be the one...

We got to see a chuckwalla! 

Barker Dam was built by ranchers in order to water their herds...

We overheard that a rancher painted over the petroglyphs so they could be better seen...

An easier day of hiking meant we had plenty of time to go to Pioneertown for an early BBQ dinner at Pappy & Harriet's and to check out the "town"... 

Pioneertown was built as a set for Westerns in the 1940s because it was so close to Hollywood. Now it houses little shops and restaurants and a small museum...

Our waitress suggested getting dessert at The Copper Room at the airport in Yucca Valley. I wish we had gotten pictures but the place was PACKED and we were fortunate to get in at all! But the mid-century vibe, live music and exquisite desserts were AMAZING! We'll most likely never be back there but that place would be worth a stop... 😍😋