No matter how far I roam

There's no place like home.

We've been on vacation for the last two weeks. I've tried to keep up with everyone's blogs, but most of the time, it just wasn't possible because we didn't have much access to the Internet.

Our trip was interesting, fun, sometimes tiresome, traveled with some nice people, just about wore our eyes out looking at God's gorgeous creation, and I have lots of photos, but will only share bore you with a few.

First day we spent at the airport waiting - waiting for mechanical things to be done to our plane. I don't understand why in these instances they can't just bring out a new plane. Finally done and we were on our way to our first stop: Chicago and the Palmer House Hotel. What a relief! By the time we arrived, it was waaayyyy past our bedtime, so this was truly an inviting and welcome sight.

Palmer House lobby

What a beautiful hotel.

Next morning, a quick look around Chicago before we boarded our Amtrak headed for Salt Lake City. My advice to you: if you ever decide to take Amtrak for a 37 hour trip, get the bedroom! Don't settle for anything less. We were the envy of coach and roomette passengers. As Dear Heart said several times, "it's a good thing we didn't bring a cat, because there isn't enough room to swing one around that little bedroom." (And even less in the other accommodations.)

Two big bodies
two small beds
tiny little sink
tight squeeze in the bathroom.
Cozy.

Guess which big body got to sleep on the top bunk???

(Yes, that would be me ... the one who has to make 3 to 4 trips to the bathroom during the night.)

 

We departed Chicago on Monday, and arrived at our destination on Tuesday night around midnight! The Doubletree was ready for us, and we were sooooo glad to be there. (There are a lot of corn fields, deserts, and small towns between Chicago and Salt Lake City.)

First thing Wednesday morning, we had a tour of Salt Lake City, which was one of the nicest cities I've seen. Very clean, a profusion of flowers all over the city, and it looks like a great place to live. What a generous city it is, too. So much is free to the public, thanks to the generosity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! The history there is very interesting and we had a very knowledgeable guide, but I will let you visit and learn all about it! ;-)

Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City

We opted out of a visit to Temple Square, but had lunch at the Lion House Pantry. The Lion House was one of Brigham Young's homes.

 

See the lion statue over the entry to the house?
Brigham Young was known as the "Lion of the Lord."
photo credit

 

Flowers everywhere
I especially liked this:
"I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, and
I will have faith in His eternal plan
which centers on Jesus Christ, my Savior."

A group of very nice ladies known as "sisters" (serving on a mission) served up lunch featuring authentic recipes that have been passed down through generations. Best part of the meal? The rolls.

I promise you can't eat just one of these! 

 

Recipe can be found right here

On our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, we stopped to visit the Oregon/California trail Center, where we learned about this historic pioneer route and experienced a simulated wagon train ride and heard all about the life of the pioneer.

 Really thankful that this is no longer the mode of transportation. Can you imagine crossing the country in one of these? Our guide said that everybody over the age of 2 had to walk! If you were pregnant and had to deliver on the way, better make it fast so you can catch up with the group 'cause they're not waiting! Wow! Made the little bedroom on the train a very, very welcome and luxurious means of traveling.
 

 

Grand Tetons

Spectacular!

The Chapel of Transfiguration in the Grand Tetons

I like this view from the altar inside the Chapel

Lower Falls at Yellowstone

One of the many paint pots at Yellowstone

Old Faithful

Two bumps on a log

Christmas in August at Yellowstone

Christmas in August is a tradition at Yellowstone, which you can read about here

Glacier Park

Red Jammer

 The open air Red Jammers are a great and cool way to enjoy the beauty of Glacier Park.
The buses are called "reds" and the bus drivers are called jammers
because of the sound the gears made when shifting on the steep roads of the park.

(and part of the "coolness" comes from the fact that
Red Jammers have roll-back convertible tops ... 
blankets are provided for the passengers!!!)

View from our room at the Glacier Park Lodge

Dawn at Glacier Park Lodge
located on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana



This tree at Lake Mary reminded me of the trees in the forest
on the way to Emerald City of Oz

Sunset in North Dakota as we travel back to Chicago

Label on a water bottle
"As in life, chill for best results."

I like that little quote on the water bottle.

That is exactly what I have been doing since we've been home.

Chilling.

 

That's all!