Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Andy wants to go camping, so Terry agrees to drive up to Sequoia Park to spend a limited amount of time in the wilderness.


First they camp out near a raging river. Terry really likes the water. She wants to go in the river, but Andy says it's too cold and the current is too swift.

The next day they drive higher into the mountains, and they climb Morro Rock on top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, not an easy ascent.


On their final day in the mountains, Andy takes Terry down far into the Sierras to a beautiful valley called Cedar Grove, not a lot of people down here in this beautiful place.


After a few days of roughing it, they decide it's time to return home to their soft bed, cable TV, and internet access. There is no place like home.


Below are some of the photos they brought back to share:

Trip to Las Vegas

In March, Terry and Andy took a long drive to Las Vegas for a couple of days. The Cajon Pass was full of snow, but they had no trouble getting through.

First they visited the Silverton Resort in South Las Vegas. They had a very nice buffet there.

... and a very large aquarium...

Andy liked the Bass Pro Sporting Goods store. It is huge.

Later, they drove over to the Venetian Hotel. It was like being in Italy (only cleaner).

They had a pretty good time. 

Terry won some money and she can't wait to come back again. 

See you next time.

Carnival Inspiration Cruise

Terry and Andy have just returned from a 5 day cruise from Long Beach, Ca. to Catalina Island, and Ensenada, Mexico aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines ship, Inspiration. 


They had a great time, ate too much, and had too much fun. It's good to be back in the real world again where you are not surrounded by food all day long. 


Below are some of their vacations photos they'd like to share with you. Hope you enjoy them.

Pismo Beach and Solvang, California

Terry and Andy decide to take a quick trip out of town during the week. 


They choose to visit the California Central Coast - Pismo Beach, and the Danish village of Solvang. 


They had a nice time traveling down some back roads they had never been on before. 


During this "off season" time there were few crowds to spoil their fun. 


Here are some photos to share with you:

Paul Anka II

It's been almost a year since Andy and Terry saw Paul Anka in concert at Buffalo Bill's Resort in Nevada. 


Terry liked the performance so much that she decided she had to go again. So when Andy saw that Paul Anka was returning to Buffalo Bill's he made the reservations right away. 


On Friday they set out for the Nevada state line. The freeway had to be shut down because of a brush fire. Luckily Terry and Andy passed by the area a few hours before the fire began.


On Saturday, September 3, they enjoyed another Paul Anka show and it was very enjoyable. They headed home early on Sunday morning to avoid the heavy Labor Day traffic returning from Las Vegas.

Seeing Neil and Chuck

Andy and Terry have gone off again to Buffalo Bill's in Nevada. 


They have a chance to see Neil Sedaka in concert, and Terry has a chance to play with the slot machines. 


They get a very nice renovated room in the Primm Valley Hotel with a new, comfortable bed and a new flat screen TV.


Terry makes a nice profit on the slot machines... until the last night when she gives most of it back.


The concert was a lot of fun. Neil Sedaka's voice is as good as it was way back in the 60's.


A few hours before the concert, Andy took Terry to the Taco Bell/KFC restaurant outside the Primm Outlet Mall for a little snack. 


As they ate, Terry says that the tall guy at the next table looks familiar. 


She figures out that he is Chuck Finley, the former star pitcher for the Anaheim Angels. 

Andy makes her wait until Chuck has finished eating, and then Terry stops him and asks for his autograph. They all have a nice little chat. 


Chuck says he's a Neil Sedaka fan, too. 


Terry is pretty good at spotting celebrities.

Mt. Rushmore? Not Exactly... Change of Plans

Andy and Terry want to go on a road trip to see some new scenery. Terry says Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota is a great place to see, and they have not been there for many years. 

So off they go toward Mt. Rushmore to see the presidents' heads carved in the mountain.

Their first night is spent in St. George, Utah where Andy watches the Weather Channel on TV.

It seems there is very bad weather in the Dakotas where they intend to go. Severe thunderstorm warnings and flood warnings are the prediction for the Mt. Rushmore area.

This bad news necessitates a change in plans. Andy decides to go elsewhere, some place where the weather is more stable.

So Plan B is to drive east through Utah and Colorado, though Indian country.

Their first stop is one of their favorite places, nearby Zion Park, where they camp out and see a little of the scenery along the Virgin RIver.

 

From Zion they continue on to Kanab, Utah and through Page, Arizona, home of the Glen Canyon Dam.

Further down the road is Monument Valley where many western films have been shot.

The following day they are in Colorado to see Mesa Verde National Park.

They drive on to Durango, Colorado and they turn north to follow the tracks of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad through the mountains to Silverton, Colorado.

Finally it's time to turn toward home. They make a detour to follow the Colorado River to Moab, in the red rock country of Utah.

Their final stop is to visit Arches National Park where they hike to one of the huge arches.

Well, they never made it to Mt. Rushmore, but after one week on the road they did manage to stay safe and dry, away from most of the storms. Terry hasn't given up. She says, "Next time" for Mt. Rushmore.