Dallas

Howdy Ya'll!

Greetings from Texas. We had the wonderful opportunity to spend nearly a week in Dallas with our dear friends and family, the Bloms.

         

Leah, Hank, Daisy, Ethan, Catherine and Jorik 

Our time hear was wonderful as we got to do so many cool things like eat some Texas BBQ where we walked up to a giant grill and said, "I'll have several slices of brisket, two ribs, a chicken leg, maybe some corn and...." then went to a buffet to pick our sides of potato salad, mac and cheese, macaroni salad, etc. BBQ is bigger in Texas.

We went to a water park with the kiddos and spent a day in the lazy river and some fun water slides. Please visit this site for a water park video...
                                                   
                                              http://vimeo.com/104543155


Ethan celebrated his birthday just a few days early so we could enjoy some delicious Oreo cake.

And found Sponge Bob Mail Box

Cat and Jorik are managing the coolest coffee shop we've ever been to. Very industrial/relaxed theme and delicious chai lattes. So proud of these two!

                                                    These are our leaving sad faces....

Cat and Daisy went to "freeze." We got in a machine where they literally make you freeze by surrounding your body in liquid nitrogen. The idea is that it reboots your system and can help with a multitude of things from depression to healing scars on your skin. All I know is that it wasn't terrible but it did get cold. More information on this process that I don't fully understand at: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/15/141336088/cryotherapy-why-pro-athletes-like-it-chilly

Hank and Jorik went to a shooting range. Yay, guns.  

  And "shooting" of another kind....

Or visiting yet another kind...

                       

                                                             The fatal spot....


Mostly, we rested at the house enjoying the pool, the food, and best of all- the Bloms.

Next stop..,.New Orleans!

Love, Hank, Daisy and Chato





 

Arizona and New Mexico

Aloha All!
          Leaving San Diego, we made our first long drive. We left early in the morning and drove straight through Arizona. Our destination being Las Cruces, New Mexico. A mere 10 1/2 hour drive. Chato did excellent!

          Once we got to Las Cruces, we went to White Sands National Monument. This white sand dessert made the skiers in us jones for snow! This is an amazing  place to visit. Next time we visit, we plan on being there for either sunrise or sunset because it would make for amazing pictures. They also have rangers that will take you on a moonlight walk at night. If given the chance, don't miss this park!

Gotta practice our ski turns...

         We then continued on to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Here, we visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We went in the evening for their "bat flight." Sitting near the entrance to the caves we sat in awe as 300,000-400,000 bats left the cave at dusk to hunt insects. Unfortunately, they do not allow any electronics in use during this so we don't have photos. However, it was one of the most powerful encounters we have had. The watchers sat in complete silence as the dessert became cool, listening only to the wings flap and smelling the musty smell of air being pushed out of the caverns with the bats departure. The bats leave the cave in a spiral to help each other gain altitude. It was 35 minutes of a steady stream swirling above us. They kept going but it was getting dark and I had a few questions for the ranger... These bats come from Mexico between March and October to give birth. They are mammals that have one live birth per year and produce milk for their young. They are the size of your palm and consume 1,000 insects an hour and can consume their body weight in one evening.



         After my ranger interrogation, we turned around to face a beautiful lightning storm. We watched the lightning for thirty minutes and just sat in awe as the lighting struck at least 5 or 6 times per minute. It was beautiful!

         The next day we went back to the caverns to explore the caves. We spent a few hours touring this massive cave. The pictures don't do it justice in beauty and size. We descended in the caverns 1.25 miles and the largest room (there are multiple) is the same square footage as 14 football fields.  The dessert was 90 degrees but the temperature dropped within the cave to 56 degrees. As we descended, Daisy began shivering and Mountain Man Hank was still sweating. The cool thing about the caverns is that they have a kennel for dogs so travels can bring their buddy and not worry about the dog in the hot car.

     

Fun fact: The difference between a monument and national park is that a monument is signed in by a president. A national park requires an act of congress.

Carlsbad Cavern Road

                                       Cavern Entrance. Also where the bats leave from.

Daisy in the cavern. 

                                             People help show the scale of the cavern.

               
                                                                  Cave diver...

                                                          Biggest bat at the caves.

This column is 65 feet tall.

Here are a few extra fun pics....

                                                              New Mexico Moth.

One hot pepper...

                                               New Mexicans sure like their chilies...

We stumbled upon this missile museum. The White Sands Park was closed for a few hours due to missile testing....

Hope you enjoyed this update. Next stop- Dallas!

Love,
Hank, Daisy and Chato

San Diego

Hey Ya'll!

This post is dedicated to the fun we had with wonderful people in San Diego. We were so fortunate to spend a few days with family and friends doing some exciting things.

 Deep sea fishing with Dick and Greg Dale. Thanks to these guys, we had a wonderful last voyage on the Pacific.

 We caught many yellow tale and Greg caught the beautiful Dorado that matched my sunglasses.

 
Dinner at the Dale's was delicious. Greg cooked the Dorado and Lenore made lava cakes.

                           

                                          Pool party at Grandma Betty's with the Ketelsens.

                                             Chato and cousin Shawna boogie boarding.

                                                      Granny. She's just too cute.

                                                                  The Arbaughs.

                                               Granny, Uncle Bill, Aunty Jan and Hank.


                Thanks to Aunty Jan and Uncle Bill, we enjoyed a day at the San Diego Zoo.

San Diego was a great time with family and friends. Thanks to all those we saw, we have wonderful memories to think upon while far away.

Love to all, next stop Arizona and New Mexico!

Hank, Daisy and Chato