Main Destination

Our main destination for this vacation was North Dakota. Once we arrived there, it made the 50th state for my husband to visit. On the agenda was the Medora Musical program presented in the Burning Hills Amphitheatre. It consisted of many groups of western singers – The Coal Diggers, Job Christenson, and Buffalo Dale with The Burning Hills Singers.

I’m always impressed with a good presentation of the flag – The Medora Trail Riders rode in with flags of all the neighboring states as well as the USA.

The featured attraction for the night was The Peking Acrobats. They performed daring maneuvers on top of a pagoda of chairs. I couldn’t believe my eyes, how would anyone have the courage to stand atop so many chairs? I loved watching two acrobats dressed as a dog as they tumbled and did all sorts of somersaults. Some of the performers did juggling and balancing acts as well as all types of gymnastics.

Then the other performers gave a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt played by Jim France, and the grand finale presentation was “Proud to be an American.” This was a very impressive program.

Vacation Continues

The following day we travelled to a beautiful valley north of Joliet, Montana, where along highway 212 is a grotto-style rock environment called Pathway Through the Bible. It’s a rock garden illustrating famous Biblical characters. The path starts in the Garden of Eden and it ends at the empty tomb.

I spent lots of time taking pictures and wandering around the garden. It would take too long to post all the pictures, but thought you might want to see a few of them.

Adam & Eve

Abraham & Isaac

Jacob

Mary’s well

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Joseph’s Granary

John the Baptist

That's all I'm going to show - I guess if you are interested you should go visit this unique place along the roadside.

Third Day

Early the morning of our third day in Yellowstone, we headed towards the North entrance. The first place we stopped was Norris Geyser Basin. I was anxious to see the Steamboat Geyser.


After watching this geyser for awhile, I noticed a sign that pointed down a trail that said it would take you to the museum without having to climb all the steps. That’s where we were headed, so why not? My husband was waiting for us there. I honestly thought it would be a good idea. Wow, was I wrong. No, I didn’t have to climb any steps, but I sure had to walk a lot farther than if I had just climbed up those steps. That hike was much longer than I had anticipated.

Next, we drove to Mammoth Hot Springs. On our drive up the canyon to see the Undine Falls, we also saw elk along side the road. I think if I had put my hand out the window I could have touched him.














Before leaving the park, we stopped along the roadway in town to see some mule deer.


We completed the day by going to a barbeque and great entertainment by the Bridger Creek Boys at the park in Gardiner Montana.

Second Day in Yellowstone

I took all the photographs I'm posting myself. With a notebook in my hand I carefully wrote the name of each place as soon as I was done snapping the pictures. If any of them are messed up, it wasn't my fault, and my memory isn't as good as it used to be.

On our second day in the National Park, we saw the Black Sand Basin geyser area.

West Thumb area





One of the fun things we did that day was cruise on Yellowstone Lake. We sailed around Stevenson Island, where a bald eagle was hanging out in a tree.

Then we saw the Lake Hotel and the Conoco roof on the general store at Fishing Bridge. (above)

Our next stop was at the LeHardys Rapids. I stood in wonder watching the water cut a path as the impressive swift water rushed by. I certainly wouldn’t want to get in its way.

I had almost forgotten how breathtaking the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is. Even though I took lots of pictures of it and the lower and upper falls, they didn’t begin to capture the beauty I saw.

Finally we are back at Old Faithful and finally have time to sit and watch.

First Day in Yellowstone

I guess I should tell you about our first day in Yellowstone National Park. After we saw the Firehole Fall’s we stopped at all the geyser and pool sights along the way to Old Faithful.

Clepsydra Geyser

Midway Geyser Basin

Turquois Pool

These are only a few of the things we saw. After checking into the Inn there was still plenty of time to sightsee, except it was raining and it didn’t appear that it would stop anytime soon. After eating we visited the souvenir shop, and that was the end of day one.

Contest Winner Is -

Today is the big day to announce the winner in the contest to win a free book of Loyalty's Web. Next time I shall use the random method instead of my favorite response. I didn't think this would be so hard. I can relate to Cheri because she said she needs something to read. It's awful when you run out of things to read. I think everyone needs a copy of the book and Rachelle that's a good reason to want it. To my twin sister Cindy, you are right we should read the same things so if you don't get one soon I'll go buy you one. Ronda is such a good sister and I hope you are able to get this book for your sister.

The response I loved the very most was from Bonnie. She listed three reasons why she wanted the book, but it was number three that hooked me. I am working on becoming a published author myself and I love to see how other people write. That is one of the reason I read. That, and the fact that I love reading. Bonnie will you please respond to me within the next week with your mailing address, or I will use the random method to choose another winner. My eamil address is connie.c.hall@comcast.net.

Summer Is Almost Gone

I can't believe that's it's almost fall. Where did the summer go? It went real quick and I didn't get many blogs written. It's not that I didn't have anything to write about because I had lots to tell you.


In June my husband, and two fifteen-year-old granddaughter went with me on a two-week vacation. On our 2nd day we drove from Rupert to Yellowstone. Our first stop there was to see some waterfalls.

Also that day we saw our first bison/buffalo - we obeyed the signs and stayed near the car while we took the pictures.

We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn, but it took us until late the following day to get any pictures of the geyser. It started raining almost the very minute that we checked in to our room. Saturday we left early to sightsight and we were just never around when it was errupting.

Next time I'll share some pictures of some of the other things we saw.

KREATIV AWARD

Thanks Nichole – (Random-ish by Nichole at nicholegiles.blogspot.com) for nominating me for the Kreativ Award.

You are an inspiration to me and I can’t begin to tell you how much you have influenced me in my writing. You are the best.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this ward. (Thanks Nichole)
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated your for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might not know.
5. Nominate 7 Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate. (Links are on my blog page)
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

Following are 7 things that you may not know about me.

1. When I was a young girl in the 3rd grade I was almost kidnapped. It happened as I was waiting at a bus stop. To get away from the man I ran across a street almost getting hit by an oncoming car. I hid in a store until I saw my bus coming. No, I never told anyone. I felt lucky to be riding the bus because my parents were very protective of me. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be allowed to ever ride the bus again and I was sure my violin lessons would stop. Many times since then I’ve wondered if some other unsuspecting girl was kidnapped in my place.

2. When I’m trying to concentrate I require complete silence. I don’t listen to music as I write – I enjoy hearing nothing. Now, some of you are wondering about my fairy fountain – yes, sometimes when I write I sit next to it and gather my thoughts as ideas twirl around in my head, but after awhile it too has to go off. I’m not saying that I don’t like music, because I do. Just not when I’m trying to concentrate. I LOVE QUIET.

3. I hate going out for dinner. I would rather stay home where it is quiet and peaceful. The noise in a restaurant drives me crazy. The only time I enjoy a restaurant is when I am meeting friends. It’s not the food I enjoy, it’s the company.

4. Shopping is my least favorite activity. It doesn’t matter what kind of shopping – grocery, clothing, or furniture. I hate it all. If you don’t want me to go somewhere with you, just say we’re going shopping. I will always find an excuse as to why I can’t go.

5. If you want me to go somewhere with you tell me we are going someplace I’ve never been. I will move a mountain to go with you. I love seeing new things. I don’t have any preference, just somewhere different.

6. I’m not a traditional person. Some people like family traditions, but I like doing unusual things. My philosophy is – If we did that last year or the year before let’s do something different this year.

7. I love to cook. I don’t do a lot of it, because it’s not as easy to cook for two especially when one of them hates all the good stuff such as dessert.

I’m supposed to pass this award on to seven other deserving bloggers. And the winners are –

Darvel Hunt
Daron Farley
Marsha Ward
Joyce DiPastena
Cathy Wetbeck
Gaynell Parker
Karen Hoover

This was hard to choose only seven because many people have helped me so much. Each one of the people listed above have pushed me hard and encouraged me with their actions. They are talented, unique people, and I appreciate them. Some people that have also helped me have already received this award.

Good luck with this gang – I’ll be anxious to see seven things about each of you that I don’t already know. It’s fun learning about the people you care for.

I'm Having a Contest

I just finished reading a book review by Rachelle called Illuminations of the Heart by Joyce DiPastena. After reading Joyce's last book, I'm anxious to get this one. Rachelle is having a contest on her blog at http://www.rachellewrites.blogspot.com/. If I don't win this book, I'm planning on buying it because it's one that is on my list to read.

I'm also going to have a contest for someone to read Joyce's other book Loyalty's Web that I reviewed. I didn't want to give up my copy, but then decided I was being a little bit selfish and that I should pass it on to someone deserving and anxious to read the wonderful story. To win this contest you need to become a follower of my blog and give me one good reason why you, instead of someone else, should win the book.

This contest ends August 22, 2009. Be sure to check back and see if you won! I will announce the winner on August 25. Anonymous comments are not eligible, you must leave your name, how else will I know who you are. If you win, email me: connie.s.hall@comcast.net with your mailing address by the end of August, or another winner will be selected.

Good luck!