HAERR TRIPPIN'

Day 1: Death Valley for an Overnight

While our daughter-in-law accompanies her mom to Italy for her very first time, we are fortunate to have as our traveling companions our younger son and his two kiddos. We are taking them on an RV trip where we will pick up a rental trailer and tow them in their own little home. How cool is that?

Interestingly, the closest rental trailer we could find is in Henderson, Nevada, a distance too far to make in one day with little ones in tow.

Night #1 was spent at Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley... a first.

Since this was only a waystation for us, we were only in the Park for a total of 17 hours. We did fit in some fun, however.

And Steve even prepared us all a delicious dinner (barbecued hot dogs).

My first desert sunrise did not disappoint!

𝅘𝅥𝅮Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again

Some trails are happy ones

Others are blue

It's the way you ride the trail that counts

Here's a happy one for you.𝆕

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On A Road Trip

For the next several days, we are on an adventure to see as much of America as we can. The farthest east we will travel is 750 miles, yet oh the stops along the way.

Here is a list of where we'll call home: Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Bryce National Park, Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon Caverns, and Red Rock Conservation Area. Our last night is yet to be determined. I promise to share it all when possible.

"The best things in life are the people you love, the places you’ve been and the memories you’ve made along the way."

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South Lake Tahoe's NEW Rec Center

Hundreds of us attended the Grand Opening of the City of South Lake Tahoe’s new 64,000-square-foot Recreation & Aquatics Center. I am surprised how much I love it. Wow.

This long-awaited, multi-generational facility offers a wide range of recreation, fitness, and aquatics amenities designed for all ages and abilities.

Mayor Cody Bass got the festivities started. Introductions of key players, enthusiastic cheerleading youth, a marching band that had us dancing in our seats, and a 'ribbon drop' filled our time as we awaited the tours.

Oh, did I mention friends were there, too?

Jenny won a free, private preview tour of this amazing place and Bob kindly shared his photos. It is cavernous without anyone there. I love these images.

As grandparents, I picture these being our seats as we watch the grands frolic in the Lazy River.

Today's celebration included a very prideful welcoming, tours of the new facility, along with demonstrations showcasing all the amenities the center has to offer. With what seemed like the entire town being there, Cyndi and I didn't get the opportunity to fully explore the entire $54.1 million project. We will definitely be back. We all expressed true delight at the successful completion of the Recreation & Aquatics Center. What's extra special for Steve and me is the fact that we can actually walk there. I know this will be a place we'll frequent. Well done to all who worked so hard to make this a reality. I am thoroughly impressed.

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The Safari Park for ELEPHANTS

Karen invited me to an afternoon of Pachyderm Pleasures!

I was so excited to experience Elephant Valley, the newest, massive exhibit at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park which officially opened on March 5th.

This 13-acre habitat allows visitors to walk alongside a herd of eight African elephants and observe them up close, featuring mud baths, watering holes, and expansive savanna.

The elephants follow their natural curiosity to engage with the intriguing world around them as they forage for food, navigate to find new resources such as water, and interact with one other.

The world’s largest land animal, African elephants, are a keystone species throughout the savanna, shaping their environment through their movements, diet, and behaviors.