the.arys - gary and mary

First week of December: a quick trip to Florida

Because of our detour to Missouri, we had to cancel our earlier plans for California / Arizona, and still had timeshare points to use or lose. Could not find anything within driving distance of Missouri (we were supposed to be in California in December, where more opportunities exist), so we opted for Florida. Fortunately, my sister Lori held down the fort in Missouri while we were gone!

In Daytona, we met up once again with our RVing friends Brett and Olivia (who happened to be spending the winter near St Petersburg). We had a great time exploring the area, trying out local cuisine, and of course, playing mexican train dominos. (Finally finished up the game we'd started in Colorado back in July!)

Gary on the beach just behind the resort

shipwreck? can we snorkel here?

Gary driving on the famous Daytona Beach

terns were in abundance

on the jetty at Ponce de Leon Inlet

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse

Ponce de Leon boardwalks to explore

i could live here

Portuguese Man-of-War were everywhere - glad to stay
out of the water! Their tentacles can dangle 50-200 feet.

at the pool

Olivia Brett and Gary enjoying "free beer" night at our resort

who's up for a game of dominos?

it was very cold - the birds had to fluff their feathers

on the Daytona boardwalk

view from our room

November: family time in Seneca, MO

My sister Lori and her daughter Sami came out for a couple of months, and Tyler aslo flew out for a long weekend mid-November, so we had a Thanksgiving dinner and everyone feasted.

Dad, Tyler, and Lori filling their plates

Sami is already digging in!

me, mom, tyler and gary

me, mom, tyler and dad

tyler (holding tutti the killer yorkie) and lori

sami showing grandpa how well she is eating!

Gary and Dad putting away the swing chair for winter

Early October: North Rim of the Grand Canyon

It was terribly HOT in Zion in September - record breaking heat. So on our days off, we were really looking forward to escaping that heat at the North Rim. Unfortunately, the earliest we could get reservations in the campground was October. Sure enough, a cold front and huge storm rolled in, so we camped in freezing rain. Plus the canyon was completely shrowded in clouds, so we only got a slight glimpse of it - once - and without the camera. We spent the night in the back seat of the truck with sleeping bags, rather than set up a tent in the freezing rain. Still, we had a fun trip and it was beautiful.

Note to fellow RVers: disregard the 27' max on the North Rim campground guidelines; nearly every site would accommodate a 40' RV. Many sites are right on the rim and fantastic!

Looking north towards Kodachrome and Bryce - the pink cliffs in the distance are Bryce Canyon NP, with Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument in between

Trying to outrun the storm - there were tornados from this storm!

Fall colors on the road to the North Rim

Storm clouds still threatening

the fall colors made the trip worthwhile

National Park entrance for the North Rim

Thank goodness Gary got a good fire started!

A beautiful place, even when you can't see the canyon!

Late September: Fall colors on Kolob Terrace

We enjoyed a bit of fall colors on Kolob Terrace road out of Virgin, UT...this area offers a very different view of Zion and also an escape from hot weather, as it is much cooler at this higher elevation. So glad we got to see it. Did not have an opportunity to hike the Subway; that will have to be for another trip.
Click here for more info on Kolob Terrace

September: The Zion Narrows - a fantastic experience

Though I had two blow-outs on the way (soles of my old boots finally gave out; had to improvise by tying soles on with my shoelaces).....this is one of those hikes you shouldn't miss. The canyons get more narrow as you go up, and wow, it is beautiful. But you will get wet; we went on a 100+ degree day, and loved being in the Narrows where the water was 50 degrees (often much cooler than that!) and the air was naturally air-conditioned.

We explored "Wall Street" but passed Orderville Canyon, saving it for another day. Unfortunately did not get a chance to do that. Someday, we'll be back. Great place, and defintely on my favorites list.