tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30954461153437490652024-02-28T15:41:27.513-08:00The Traveling Hillbilly"You're getting older. Your journey's been etched on your skin." James Blunt & Mark Batson, 1973, All the Lost Souls.
The first time I heard this song, it made me stop and think about my life and my own journey. What all has been etched on my skin? What is still waiting to be etched? This blog is about the Traveling Hillbilly's journey. Please travel along and share your own journey. There's no better way to learn about life, about others, about ourselves, than by traveling the globe.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-4326534932768374922023-10-06T10:46:00.002-07:002023-10-06T10:50:20.268-07:00Day Trips<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cloudcroft is always a favorite. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old train trestle is a sight to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also lots of trails to explore in
the area, offering even more scenic views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s at an even higher elevation than Ruidoso,
so the temps are slightly cooler. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who like to shop, there are some small
shops along Burro Avenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noisy Water
also has a tasting room along the strip, if you need a little refreshment after
your exploration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the Traveling Hillbilly’s favorite stop is the
Cloudcroft Brewing Company, for some delicious wood fired pizza!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It never disappoints.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW0YszzxLPQgsV_5MdTgSDhasOxf-lCcPTYLNMNe_cKO9Nq-jiUObCXXr95gnelqBd9ejDb9RY4edV-o6MonKQGvfrQsmgKq8SY0BQxU-EKO6fI2DxVxRY9Bb-RJfEcsuq6tuHDq_Zf1HALPZ_ij6pAUd_Baf79tTx_i6MdCEci3R_WGKIRrID3xfJik/s4032/20231005_125326%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW0YszzxLPQgsV_5MdTgSDhasOxf-lCcPTYLNMNe_cKO9Nq-jiUObCXXr95gnelqBd9ejDb9RY4edV-o6MonKQGvfrQsmgKq8SY0BQxU-EKO6fI2DxVxRY9Bb-RJfEcsuq6tuHDq_Zf1HALPZ_ij6pAUd_Baf79tTx_i6MdCEci3R_WGKIRrID3xfJik/w320-h240/20231005_125326%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>White Sands National Park is another place worth your
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t think white sands dunes would be
all that extraordinary, but it is a site to see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
white sand dunes, with mountains as a backdrop make it a unique place to
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just be sure to check and make
sure they aren’t doing any missile testing before you go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise you can face an hour plus delay to
get to the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><p></p><div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Don't forget to stop at McGinn's PistachioLand for some delicious pistachio ice cream! You can also get a picture of the world's largest pistachio. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg_BwcbpkdHpamVuNaKV-docdgeWim6FoUNKVVTPJArchICoLXBJqdjGnu7Z_HSiWZb1yN2MaylZWRuVL-gvIdYJXrAq08Jen0A_TrUG2wYDb3biAmCIi8LOtdUd120yMC2zCbpNOXxyo7_M0-5_l-iUqion8Cv2j2oxxpY1fONfWWwiznkmcZhvikv4/s4032/20231005_145328%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg_BwcbpkdHpamVuNaKV-docdgeWim6FoUNKVVTPJArchICoLXBJqdjGnu7Z_HSiWZb1yN2MaylZWRuVL-gvIdYJXrAq08Jen0A_TrUG2wYDb3biAmCIi8LOtdUd120yMC2zCbpNOXxyo7_M0-5_l-iUqion8Cv2j2oxxpY1fONfWWwiznkmcZhvikv4/s320/20231005_145328%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-45760926086836093032023-10-06T10:40:00.001-07:002023-10-06T10:40:44.324-07:00Oh the Wildlife<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In addition to the beautiful scenery, there is lots of
wildlife to see as well.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s deer
and Elk roaming throughout the city.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s
not unusual to experience a Ruidoso traffic jam, as cars patiently wait for
deer or elk to cross the street.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guess
the grass is greener on the other side of the road.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you’re truly lucky, you’ll get the chance
to see the wild horses.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are a
couple of herds that live in the area that can often be spotted near the school
and golf course.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLqDEtSJXnOYMkCEkaAKAwUFx0QlqwtP3P6958iF_b-b90aFIEwV2carRLCDBqkp_5zDHjTAqDXbdbXWSVWNoFGFa9IG-CvLRXbKcglZ7zOJPztSmBONnA9bPi6qv9lHaq9TIi0pxG84CF09KIQPgMombbcB7U6H_PATdhRY8vqJ5TTu19Ii7quXn0I8/s4032/20231001_084909%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLqDEtSJXnOYMkCEkaAKAwUFx0QlqwtP3P6958iF_b-b90aFIEwV2carRLCDBqkp_5zDHjTAqDXbdbXWSVWNoFGFa9IG-CvLRXbKcglZ7zOJPztSmBONnA9bPi6qv9lHaq9TIi0pxG84CF09KIQPgMombbcB7U6H_PATdhRY8vqJ5TTu19Ii7quXn0I8/w200-h150/20231001_084909%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNDUcHccDns7FBSN7GCq4v0oAUSZ78vBY-r96YzO391t3W7Oqhq3taZPWo8dNIQwkozdWGSXr6kMCBsEPuuDCc6-2H27jkVLbhMzYXiYMC9JjDqaHoIqprp8L4OzMzVvCPRxNuake2kBuhCEm009TWhjgz-t-vYUNtfsOZXqvPUsBtqpGFlwUzz-LorQ/s4032/20231003_171007%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNDUcHccDns7FBSN7GCq4v0oAUSZ78vBY-r96YzO391t3W7Oqhq3taZPWo8dNIQwkozdWGSXr6kMCBsEPuuDCc6-2H27jkVLbhMzYXiYMC9JjDqaHoIqprp8L4OzMzVvCPRxNuake2kBuhCEm009TWhjgz-t-vYUNtfsOZXqvPUsBtqpGFlwUzz-LorQ/w200-h150/20231003_171007%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sRllSYeyy9mLePl91PT3gb2-NcRzmDd7HN4yOjMbbs7Y9yJo0i2LttknlLdXxS2ikzh3cfij25g3J3D5UkvS5dROZZa95GkQGJXGuuhhUR_k7CrpS4BtfLarmjuqx0eEt1i5Uyq5DeUMFRIbJp1cIn1HK_c2uUBUuqKStNijHpkxuvrL48BXtGMPl54/s4032/20231003_171732%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sRllSYeyy9mLePl91PT3gb2-NcRzmDd7HN4yOjMbbs7Y9yJo0i2LttknlLdXxS2ikzh3cfij25g3J3D5UkvS5dROZZa95GkQGJXGuuhhUR_k7CrpS4BtfLarmjuqx0eEt1i5Uyq5DeUMFRIbJp1cIn1HK_c2uUBUuqKStNijHpkxuvrL48BXtGMPl54/s320/20231003_171732%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_Nisc-cFpSOR1BofgHwOO11GnJCxfvteXfm4lz_ZrvsbOYzmxWBzip2jy3edmPn2yRHt1288iUVOdL9BtB_ZRvmA45LPxD_wgfRBDAUKNqmobDf23_mlRwUqp0oDl5N7A_dfTElFljT1zP0XbdPP_D1cK0aa0EJ0PGtjDHlJ2Zg7flBFx9qGfD0KI8s/s4032/20231003_113139%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_Nisc-cFpSOR1BofgHwOO11GnJCxfvteXfm4lz_ZrvsbOYzmxWBzip2jy3edmPn2yRHt1288iUVOdL9BtB_ZRvmA45LPxD_wgfRBDAUKNqmobDf23_mlRwUqp0oDl5N7A_dfTElFljT1zP0XbdPP_D1cK0aa0EJ0PGtjDHlJ2Zg7flBFx9qGfD0KI8s/w240-h320/20231003_113139%5B1%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-28793002279889391312023-10-06T10:23:00.002-07:002023-10-06T11:00:18.719-07:00No Rest for the Wicked<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1ax5YZretAAp5AFO83FjbB2un5OxTpC5FQ3McEcpwwmX7X0gnNj48e194kuxoI4dYCsPU3APrlwd2U_qZNhb5O-7bfNJ5nkAEjpPmR-gvT9_e6p3yExy6_1An4ZXheWH7-BEDxVxKjOxnxuCHhyphenhyphen2alrs2LViCzPKP5yf8l31RjGAEpE7ZEPxSgn2x94/s4032/20231004_101429%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1ax5YZretAAp5AFO83FjbB2un5OxTpC5FQ3McEcpwwmX7X0gnNj48e194kuxoI4dYCsPU3APrlwd2U_qZNhb5O-7bfNJ5nkAEjpPmR-gvT9_e6p3yExy6_1An4ZXheWH7-BEDxVxKjOxnxuCHhyphenhyphen2alrs2LViCzPKP5yf8l31RjGAEpE7ZEPxSgn2x94/w150-h200/20231004_101429%5B1%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Traveling Hillbilly wasn't back home from Colorado very long before
it was time to hit the road again. This time to Ruidoso, New
Mexico. Time to relax in the mountains, kick back and enjoy the
views. The cooler temperatures are a plus as well! It was tough
adjusting to the heat and humidity back home after the cool Colorado temps!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ruidoso is a small mountain town with so much scenic beauty to
offer. There's nothing like having your morning cup of coffee, or
evening glass a wine with a mountain view! Or going for a morning stroll
around the lake. Or when you’re feeling more energetic, a long hike in the
Lincoln National Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The grounds at Inn of the Mountain Gods are beautiful as well. If you’re not staying there, it’s a great
place to go have a drink or a meal and just enjoy the view.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreuJq2cbMmNn3d021xSCh424CElFIdjSLbPU6pW7RsJbfDIXq4vQzDwXL8VMGCaRu7EUW9CgOSeP69-l8Wl2PS8w-vbkwgkRn9BoHif-z7JwPgKuaGcXymlF8BvVss2DXyMWEF3lgE21ZJxCFfviTtFOQp-hLk2Sryfr8l8APF9U_kTb8Z6Xj-FUmvNg/s4032/20231004_132931%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreuJq2cbMmNn3d021xSCh424CElFIdjSLbPU6pW7RsJbfDIXq4vQzDwXL8VMGCaRu7EUW9CgOSeP69-l8Wl2PS8w-vbkwgkRn9BoHif-z7JwPgKuaGcXymlF8BvVss2DXyMWEF3lgE21ZJxCFfviTtFOQp-hLk2Sryfr8l8APF9U_kTb8Z6Xj-FUmvNg/s320/20231004_132931%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inn of the Mountain Gods</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If it’s not ski season, you may want to consider a drive up to the top of
Ski Apache for even more breathtaking views.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwcWEopEie19RTq00L4caGDJVQEWQ4BzsjFBb-7BybhqVhm_wEo48kwZ2rbmg9IAbPaSn0PgRy9yFNkzw8kFsZbQfvwSAMhTM2wE1zRzntoDqvC_YpIFu_w2l4rWPubIjW3nJPDR6TRpXC2msguUNCYUkiqAvt09IXTfQB4fpdVSUMeqD7ktuj3rsmT0/s4032/20231004_123042%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwcWEopEie19RTq00L4caGDJVQEWQ4BzsjFBb-7BybhqVhm_wEo48kwZ2rbmg9IAbPaSn0PgRy9yFNkzw8kFsZbQfvwSAMhTM2wE1zRzntoDqvC_YpIFu_w2l4rWPubIjW3nJPDR6TRpXC2msguUNCYUkiqAvt09IXTfQB4fpdVSUMeqD7ktuj3rsmT0/w200-h150/20231004_123042%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Ski Apache</td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are a couple of lookout points along the way. Just remember while it's only a few miles up the mountain, it will take about 45 minutes to get to the top.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ruidoso is a place the Traveling
Hillbilly visits often and enjoys the ability to instantly feel relaxed upon
arrival. It’s a place that is always
hard to leave. The only thing that makes
leaving bearable is the thought I’ll return again soon.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-12832554649232605422023-09-25T11:22:00.002-07:002023-09-25T11:48:26.514-07:00 Amazing Moose Sighting!<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHfnH9DiNMWY9NjFoY-La6NcaA4qIPgk4HUVeAZiIjPlpcc5W8Rxe7DK6b_UXMw5358E4P2DKqpHdfEgN2tHuVDQOkmVaMEg2XIPcvryJyfjGjewzJVGW_CksIxUOv6ZxX_75-f8aeWFpGJdDk5jk59oXMYW0iX_4nm9bSKxZOcQKmlrJPT3l45fVCw/s4608/Watch%20ya%20lookin%20at.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRHfnH9DiNMWY9NjFoY-La6NcaA4qIPgk4HUVeAZiIjPlpcc5W8Rxe7DK6b_UXMw5358E4P2DKqpHdfEgN2tHuVDQOkmVaMEg2XIPcvryJyfjGjewzJVGW_CksIxUOv6ZxX_75-f8aeWFpGJdDk5jk59oXMYW0iX_4nm9bSKxZOcQKmlrJPT3l45fVCw/w400-h300/Watch%20ya%20lookin%20at.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The Traveling Hillbilly lucked out and on the first morning exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, had the best moose sighting! It was such a great angle and the zoom lens on my simple camera allowed for some great shots. <br /><br /> <br /><br />It’s surprising that as big as they are, they are still quite difficult to spot. They like to hide deep in the bushes and seem to be able to blend right into nature. <br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1DHwzTXYAcHWC4BD-gRRNeBMbU5nfF2YbrQQJLpcANYM17nl_dAdCoyLNes1-6Cs922tHQg5nT5xUd2Qq-tjkRJ6-e2xhC0WRTk6Rek2_hBVh9ctfUkdqvk2CYl66NnopK4zzf1AqPUJpEQxxk6RWMHqtDAK2Csq3EVOXraSyiU50GMrQpUjwPKCbVU/s4608/Peek%20a%20boo.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1DHwzTXYAcHWC4BD-gRRNeBMbU5nfF2YbrQQJLpcANYM17nl_dAdCoyLNes1-6Cs922tHQg5nT5xUd2Qq-tjkRJ6-e2xhC0WRTk6Rek2_hBVh9ctfUkdqvk2CYl66NnopK4zzf1AqPUJpEQxxk6RWMHqtDAK2Csq3EVOXraSyiU50GMrQpUjwPKCbVU/w400-h300/Peek%20a%20boo.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek a boo</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We heard him first. You could hear the antlers brushing against the trees. The sound of branches breaking was right out of a movie. Sounded just like a dinosaur stomping through the woods. Then the trees started to sway. The antlers emerged first, then we get a glimpse of the snout as he munched on the trees.<div><br /></div><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;">As he continued to dine, more and more of him emerged from the trees, until we finally got to see all of him. What a huge and beautiful creature. While I think Elk are quite majestic, that is not a word I would use for a moose. They are remarkable creatures but seem more like a chocolate lab; big, gangly and kind of goofy. Don’t get me wrong, they are still wild animals and deserve our respect and fear. But being able to watch them from afar is a sight to see.</span></div><div><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 107%;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeMgJGSyMgtoSSc9yz-covNGQ_I8CUYk3PdM-l5EsQ0f9DMx8QY9MJgCT0Qs2ld6tkuiv-iWUKEZm0lUjdyiWd4KYo6PeNLqOg7Qvhua5qDY814jRjesuuDT9eq3AA1x9CaNsYLtwgXmTalJBbj7d7eaqzlT_KM3fZP1GJStzayvpRI2x9nWgdYP353o/w200-h150/Snacking.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nom, nom</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSOWiQLZoifgAM2IKZHisiypa3Ma1w0qebFS1QyTKVjv8K4Sot6J4NX16YHSf0ksi5DynqkPn5CBOm-QLQURLOOZ_5tQ4CnAtM2-6o5u7c0_tSYpdVK-puMXuAp2NZ7hfAhowRz5rlylUUwJB11fnx2CmULurXOad1MguA8XH61neZgA5OljZIYtuZl4/w200-h150/Nom%20Nom.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at my green teeth</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rAjeOycIugQWkfBVNkHfjFm9Wv8JQg8K5uQvOPuX9AL99KqngiIMGzRvWH2l01PF7u1lS0eBF23rylo109uUVRwom1AULvvvqrsv-_Sp9vihMAltWbLQWbXJu-jUEZqfqn80XGeV6FG_1z1X6X_XV5mxlBH6I54RnOxdU6TTE4HSJD1Yr9MyzC94nA/w200-h150/Munching.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just snackin'</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rAjeOycIugQWkfBVNkHfjFm9Wv8JQg8K5uQvOPuX9AL99KqngiIMGzRvWH2l01PF7u1lS0eBF23rylo109uUVRwom1AULvvvqrsv-_Sp9vihMAltWbLQWbXJu-jUEZqfqn80XGeV6FG_1z1X6X_XV5mxlBH6I54RnOxdU6TTE4HSJD1Yr9MyzC94nA/s4608/Munching.JPG" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Traveling Hillbilly could spend hours watching and admiring these great creatures. This particular one, we got to watch for at least an hour before he went back deep into woods. I guess he got tired of the paparazzi and wanted to finish his meal in peace.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1Y06AMmP03xK9D4Au636Y_FPMPs27ylBHjEBhElZC_fZFRI6eSaUIEXkSl5uXVMH5cqp5dQipiF5qoYFGGR5YCQuSiTkzlojvQcxka8OtMSSETb1heYpmiMvd3rdtgWPbNMrvgq72hvKB9kwhMM9u-21EiWBaNIMOo9c-sZee8M6r--duLi12x4tyfw/s4608/Damn%20Paparazzi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1Y06AMmP03xK9D4Au636Y_FPMPs27ylBHjEBhElZC_fZFRI6eSaUIEXkSl5uXVMH5cqp5dQipiF5qoYFGGR5YCQuSiTkzlojvQcxka8OtMSSETb1heYpmiMvd3rdtgWPbNMrvgq72hvKB9kwhMM9u-21EiWBaNIMOo9c-sZee8M6r--duLi12x4tyfw/s320/Damn%20Paparazzi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't a moose dine in peace?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><span style="color: #050505; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-78750910442251607242023-09-25T10:43:00.002-07:002023-09-25T11:48:37.180-07:00Estes Park, First Impressions<p>As many of you know, the Traveling Hillbilly loves Colorado.
Around every turn is a sight more scenic than the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending some time in Grand Lake, CO
back in May, I decided to head back to Rocky Mountain National Park on the
Estes Park side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping to see moose again, but this time with some antlers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had read that Estes Park is for those looking for a little
more hustle and bustle and Grand Lake is for those looking for something more
low-key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a great way to describe
it and hand’s down, I’m more of a Grand Lake person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived on Sunday evening, hoping a
weekday post labor day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stay would avoid
the crowds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was quite a bit of traffic
and people everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way more packed
and crowded than my trip to Grand Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was immediately worried about the crowds I would encounter at Rocky
Mountain National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the city was
this crowded, I expected the park to be crazy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6Ix-0O1aepU1nAaBl9SBS_oEvtt1GODHkVZLwD76Z5KrqNkLyR5AHzCZyvcXKlaaPaxUyEOl8TjujX6tDImMsO6JTKG9o_9gZ6jDA-UWXU-9bUEa53h2_aDUME7xO5ikcDTYnasUcupvx-60dca9vVvXuYreJVjn24UuRmDtcYfoxUUu-63jiy5dYPc/s4608/Storm%20Rolling%20In.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6Ix-0O1aepU1nAaBl9SBS_oEvtt1GODHkVZLwD76Z5KrqNkLyR5AHzCZyvcXKlaaPaxUyEOl8TjujX6tDImMsO6JTKG9o_9gZ6jDA-UWXU-9bUEa53h2_aDUME7xO5ikcDTYnasUcupvx-60dca9vVvXuYreJVjn24UuRmDtcYfoxUUu-63jiy5dYPc/s320/Storm%20Rolling%20In.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">storm rolling in</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lucky for me, I like to go to the park early and later in
the evenings, when I have a better chance of spotting and watching the
wildlife. This did help avoid some of
the crowds. Just about the time, I was
leaving the park in the morning, the crowds were coming in. It was still quite crowded when I returned in
the evening, but luckily the park is quite large so no one particular area was
too crowded. Well that is, unless some sort of wildlife was
spotted. You could usually tell
something had been spotted by the crowds standing in the road, cameras up. This is not a judgement, as I was in the park
for the same reason. But the crowds
sometimes made it difficult to watch the wildlife safely. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now maybe Grand Lake is just as crowded this time of year,
but when I come back to RMN Park again, I’ll choose Grand Lake.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-25111017625061948442023-07-03T13:33:00.000-07:002023-09-25T11:48:46.232-07:00Back in in the Land of Enchantment<p>Time to escape the miserable heat and humidity and head to the mountains of New Mexico. Nothing like getting to spend the 4th of July watching fireworks from the deck with temps in the 60s instead of the 90s!</p><p>Given the 4th is on a Tuesday this year, we arrived on the Saturday before and were quickly greeted with sightings of a bunch of elk and their baby calves. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYvENGOScAJNZECSrpKjix63YiYiAWkh6qsygfqzFOJx7xvThM0eCql9e5_qebO6zo93yCqs2eLhbwUXuezhhr34HqwPdMk2sfVWUoI7jqtWO8KGHnNPadN0cuSs8NU1E0NcEBi_fRrOjTryLewpg-7LWW1LYppUoUTqBLDvvCOQTN3gsmFNstDoyzu0/s4032/20230701_194612%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYvENGOScAJNZECSrpKjix63YiYiAWkh6qsygfqzFOJx7xvThM0eCql9e5_qebO6zo93yCqs2eLhbwUXuezhhr34HqwPdMk2sfVWUoI7jqtWO8KGHnNPadN0cuSs8NU1E0NcEBi_fRrOjTryLewpg-7LWW1LYppUoUTqBLDvvCOQTN3gsmFNstDoyzu0/s320/20230701_194612%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy_P30sadIehsiYnm5zRsYaOL9O9hpaF4ZJ-FGb7-ufSOsd1hXMLKX3nrhD_-Fo_xXUO5BPTftoAqXPScNckrSSxLXYM0Hm7jP7usYCs4NBHLBFl-Xg5fdnCM-ihABQQU6qeNl_l_qz5Y6RtwuU6g8iMVUeEVmqagpGmzLwYfDTGmjHBfGJCPq0jhDrc/s4032/20230701_194852%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy_P30sadIehsiYnm5zRsYaOL9O9hpaF4ZJ-FGb7-ufSOsd1hXMLKX3nrhD_-Fo_xXUO5BPTftoAqXPScNckrSSxLXYM0Hm7jP7usYCs4NBHLBFl-Xg5fdnCM-ihABQQU6qeNl_l_qz5Y6RtwuU6g8iMVUeEVmqagpGmzLwYfDTGmjHBfGJCPq0jhDrc/s320/20230701_194852%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the best thing about this trip, is getting to spend time with family and good friends. Even the dogs get to have fun meeting up with their cousins. The only thing that makes a vacation better, is being able to bring the 4-legged family members along.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jG1weqtXSTL0BgGo5uQfpeh7maYnDemFGVh2v3u2cqZRBUWkvDIeyJlUGyK6Izv0Ejpxy_1tVz8NEjQXoWZhBzx_zvUwjE86QNSAUZWWMupCFeD_7IgGaqy8R-vjd1KNjXHuZbbMz-HfzT5WZLh8krIEM188qtF5XlxuKFLzD2jAxLm_sfy69WFP7n0/s4032/20230702_131931%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jG1weqtXSTL0BgGo5uQfpeh7maYnDemFGVh2v3u2cqZRBUWkvDIeyJlUGyK6Izv0Ejpxy_1tVz8NEjQXoWZhBzx_zvUwjE86QNSAUZWWMupCFeD_7IgGaqy8R-vjd1KNjXHuZbbMz-HfzT5WZLh8krIEM188qtF5XlxuKFLzD2jAxLm_sfy69WFP7n0/w240-h320/20230702_131931%5B1%5D.jpg" title="Puppies on Vacation (3 of the 4 anyway)" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puppies on Vacation (3 of the 4 anyway)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-20956280142981484172023-07-03T13:17:00.003-07:002023-09-25T11:48:54.294-07:00Scenic Colorado<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Traveling Hillbilly was excited to see lots of the wildlife Rocky Mountain National Park had to offer and was happy to not run across any bears along the way. There were lots of elk, some moose and even a large rabbit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjRJZXTnrr1eZKhpDWqyEpDH0igKcUBrsnyJWa3DfbT5rM-yJYBi1qtdrk4JK6OvWt26SR0xuBmakDPhU5VfPNt7tiMPp-mcGueKWfjl9_kRMYK7AFZgeXbe6gSLbkr1Rs3taae6W4L5tyyoNlq1nwKhjGTBV3UeXv6ybllMHqkdxvZ92u1nryXaORb0/s4032/20230525_150633%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjRJZXTnrr1eZKhpDWqyEpDH0igKcUBrsnyJWa3DfbT5rM-yJYBi1qtdrk4JK6OvWt26SR0xuBmakDPhU5VfPNt7tiMPp-mcGueKWfjl9_kRMYK7AFZgeXbe6gSLbkr1Rs3taae6W4L5tyyoNlq1nwKhjGTBV3UeXv6ybllMHqkdxvZ92u1nryXaORb0/w200-h150/20230525_150633%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRtsVGsMW7UMkOaaZ104PYGayHBqEF5Kc0VrtoWFp-D_JFlIa7M4cSsLnwnSv1FmUxZkfJlmMBqXl_nQXGJEGTP7QMxxU-yr1EdaD7WgKRQfskdWb1J80lJugVAA_w8rXq8wKfpy0ISoZ7fjKhOv7tG0TErzVnRcGDGG4ry4SPPQjLLLJ1aUPa2Y1bvM/s4032/20230524_194209%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRtsVGsMW7UMkOaaZ104PYGayHBqEF5Kc0VrtoWFp-D_JFlIa7M4cSsLnwnSv1FmUxZkfJlmMBqXl_nQXGJEGTP7QMxxU-yr1EdaD7WgKRQfskdWb1J80lJugVAA_w8rXq8wKfpy0ISoZ7fjKhOv7tG0TErzVnRcGDGG4ry4SPPQjLLLJ1aUPa2Y1bvM/w200-h150/20230524_194209%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Rocky Mountain National Park is more than just wildlife
sightings.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The scenery does not
disappoint!</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">It lives up to the beauty
standards Colorado continues to deliver.</span><span style="text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">It’s simply stunning. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The beauty of Colorado never ceases to amaze the Traveling Hillbilly!</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippmprfp_tV1d4UW4UIJQu4tfgdyBkF5chu9nawCS7VcEhlY5u9VxX6uC4WeVyBFA-UzynV7pBX7X9OEhxBi_71I39JwC0wwJYUWtjLGk-uOzR3XyXBcg-6aXO2ZP9nU6v7Jhl6wOD8x7HnlMtngK0PiJYz9BQWjvhvR8IF_U3iNADe_oeRGWq_IAbjkM/s4032/20230523_080553%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippmprfp_tV1d4UW4UIJQu4tfgdyBkF5chu9nawCS7VcEhlY5u9VxX6uC4WeVyBFA-UzynV7pBX7X9OEhxBi_71I39JwC0wwJYUWtjLGk-uOzR3XyXBcg-6aXO2ZP9nU6v7Jhl6wOD8x7HnlMtngK0PiJYz9BQWjvhvR8IF_U3iNADe_oeRGWq_IAbjkM/w216-h162/20230523_080553%5B1%5D.jpg" width="216" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4aF0v4-EUus0FwWCLLdmAg-aAJ3nvmUu9icnuM908___xEfwhf99ylhUBp44-wby_QWR7pXHPktILV1k1FgimgE0gr62_dLogZRrJyb1ziM2OaCExQ4ovgTKEAQS-2fS9kO47R_9mU0nnvb0FqanaD2A5IEamAuoQEvDmPy1g_LilBbWHsmG7hvUfA/s4032/20230523_074633%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS4aF0v4-EUus0FwWCLLdmAg-aAJ3nvmUu9icnuM908___xEfwhf99ylhUBp44-wby_QWR7pXHPktILV1k1FgimgE0gr62_dLogZRrJyb1ziM2OaCExQ4ovgTKEAQS-2fS9kO47R_9mU0nnvb0FqanaD2A5IEamAuoQEvDmPy1g_LilBbWHsmG7hvUfA/w217-h163/20230523_074633%5B1%5D.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-11941749457389715512023-07-03T12:22:00.002-07:002023-09-25T11:49:06.851-07:00Rocky Mountain National Park - Moose Sighting!<p> After some brief research, the Traveling Hillbilly booked a
place in Grand Lake Colorado for a couple of nights. The hope was to see some moose! In all the Traveling Hillbilly’s adventures,
I have yet to see a moose. The place I
rented turned out to be perfect, it was less than 10 minutes from the
Kawuneeche entrance to the park, making it easy to come and go into the park
multiple times a day.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Traveling Hillbilly was in luck and spotted a moose just
minutes after entering the park early the next morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just a moose, but a mama moose and her
baby calf.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYiCcyrhY55_bLqLlccyrcniHoBpGRju3uyFqQ-EB5aswb8uMuyaBuHF0oYeXCw7LEUpIxAol3PoF61nfXDfBkcpjJlBDjHuK9vx-Pu62l1xPGrz_oJmHp9hhuEc9wu1BsIgEvNWjzao8T_99GBV8oDBRohdAo_DH6hAgGQwTw4dFDMUfaosKayJeXL4/s750/Moose%20and%20Calf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYiCcyrhY55_bLqLlccyrcniHoBpGRju3uyFqQ-EB5aswb8uMuyaBuHF0oYeXCw7LEUpIxAol3PoF61nfXDfBkcpjJlBDjHuK9vx-Pu62l1xPGrz_oJmHp9hhuEc9wu1BsIgEvNWjzao8T_99GBV8oDBRohdAo_DH6hAgGQwTw4dFDMUfaosKayJeXL4/s320/Moose%20and%20Calf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-65016818911541973612023-06-15T16:00:00.001-07:002023-09-25T11:49:35.450-07:00Time to Hit the Road<p class="MsoNormal">There’s nothing like a road trip with an open
itinerary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving yourself the
flexibility to stay in a place longer or going to an entirely unexpected
destination can be incredibly freeing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Traveling Hillbilly suddenly had a few open weeks and decided it was
time to hit the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
nightmare of the Christmas road trip, the Traveling Hillbilly needed some time
to recover, but recovery period over!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First stop, a little relaxation in the mountains of New
Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Morning walks around the lake,
wine on the deck in the evenings and overall, just slowing down the pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSjiI2PddeF91ESbRPwU5du89mkWNUYy3IWHxhVUYxAzcodEZ4e3f1DttiwKaER-eG-Nd2TxbPsFne7kKt24BEkiI-ot8ON2KEtGvtnXgRSWCGD4-xwr1pwMt1_Y4Msr8GGaXKLD96I-kyzdoyfmzsK_Fs_13DafDmkXWUQ2Nx-R3cHQilyxLg9pSS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="471" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSjiI2PddeF91ESbRPwU5du89mkWNUYy3IWHxhVUYxAzcodEZ4e3f1DttiwKaER-eG-Nd2TxbPsFne7kKt24BEkiI-ot8ON2KEtGvtnXgRSWCGD4-xwr1pwMt1_Y4Msr8GGaXKLD96I-kyzdoyfmzsK_Fs_13DafDmkXWUQ2Nx-R3cHQilyxLg9pSS" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">And of course, the wildlife sightings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Traveling Hillbilly never gets tired of
spotting the deer, elk and wild horses that roam around town. Ahhhh am already relaxed. The Land of Enchantment is good for the soul.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJXuFFUZ7pTJvDPZdbOu0ptzArtRgwN0IAw8mc3pZS_NHOLSqFrUlj4n9dVYrm_jf1yU0JrUl-88ELmefuh32osrpoyMplDZ-pqSHeD37I2fT0mzUHBqZGqaOviuHr3pEhd2KRRmm07BHB4x0mFiF-b4sBzJEWMXDqHXMMlQizLvSKc4mY1gIMKTlL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="975" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJXuFFUZ7pTJvDPZdbOu0ptzArtRgwN0IAw8mc3pZS_NHOLSqFrUlj4n9dVYrm_jf1yU0JrUl-88ELmefuh32osrpoyMplDZ-pqSHeD37I2fT0mzUHBqZGqaOviuHr3pEhd2KRRmm07BHB4x0mFiF-b4sBzJEWMXDqHXMMlQizLvSKc4mY1gIMKTlL=w602-h143" width="602" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLjrd3MJYtodawL-8zSIsH5EL2pSGLIFQ35GjflDth7hxWnLNQr6mGnj7JCiUPGZC95nwBtOjI3UxuYtiRTY1I3MuJVHCfE-iAyQsdI9MXWraRfeNvmFFdjXLvFcN6LsewQu2IWr_XNXAuscRyA13lnck7UPumr4mPbbDF6AL2GeTw5oicdqLLe1Fk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLjrd3MJYtodawL-8zSIsH5EL2pSGLIFQ35GjflDth7hxWnLNQr6mGnj7JCiUPGZC95nwBtOjI3UxuYtiRTY1I3MuJVHCfE-iAyQsdI9MXWraRfeNvmFFdjXLvFcN6LsewQu2IWr_XNXAuscRyA13lnck7UPumr4mPbbDF6AL2GeTw5oicdqLLe1Fk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-9570765544605775732023-01-17T18:30:00.000-08:002023-01-17T18:30:04.429-08:00Day 3 - White Knuckle Drive<p> I was relieved to have found a hotel, however, I wasn't sure I was even going to make it there. After not moving for 2 hours, I started thinking we might all be sleeping on the highway tonight. It didn't look like we were going to be going anywhere anytime soon. I started to think of the supplies I might need for a freezing night spent on the highway. Luckily I had the key things I might need to keep me and the dogs safe during the night; warm clothes, blankets, water. The longer we sat there, the more nervous and concerned I got. I believe the dogs sensed my fear and nervousness and remained calm and quiet the whole time. They stayed in the back seat, snuggled up together quietly. </p><p><br /></p><p>Finally after about 2 1/2 hours, we started to move, but very slowly. At this point, the highway was a sheet of ice and it was blowing snow. Visibility was limited. You couldn't see the lines on the highway or tell where the median or emergency lane were. We were basically moving about 10-15 miles an hour and keeping significant distance between the vehicle ahead. Unfortunately, we really had no option but to drive (I use that word loosely) to get to the next exit. I had less than 30 miles to get to that next exit but in these treacherous conditions, it took an hour and 45 minutes to get to there. It was definitely a white knuckle drive all the way! I've had a couple of scary instances on road trips before, but this tops the list. It was a long, scary and dangerous drive. There was more than one instance where I wondered if I would make it safely. </p><p>Finally after 21 hours on the road, we arrived at the hotel we booked while parked on the highway. I was never so happy to get to a hotel! The dogs sensed my relief as well and were more than happy to finally get out of the car.</p><p>After 21 hours, we should have been much closer to our destination, but unfortunately due to the delays, we still had another long day of driving ahead of us. But the important thing is, we made it and we made it safely. Time for a good night's rest for another long day of driving.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-80668286648400125172023-01-17T14:16:00.001-08:002023-01-17T14:16:13.213-08:00Day 2 - Feeling Better<p> Woke up feeling so much better than yesterday. Starting to think it was food poisoning, since it came on so fast and was gone in 24 hours. I so wanted to get on the road, but thought I should make sure I could keep food down before heading out. So saltines and Gatorade for the day. I got the car packed, thinking I might be able to get on the road late afternoon. But yesterday just wiped me out and I just didn't have the energy to start on this long journey. </p><p>So I went to bed early and woke up at 3am, loaded the hounds in the car and off we went. Things were going great. I was thinking, I won't arrive much later than I originally planned. It was a looooooonnnggg day, but we were making good time. Until we got just outside Gallup, New Mexico. Just outside Gallup, New Mexico, we came to a complete stop. We were basically parked on Highway 40! We sat there not moving for 2 1/2 hours and during this time, it started to snow and the temperature dropped! The road was basically becoming a sheet of ice! Unfortunately the nearest exit was almost 30 miles away (in either direction). Once the snow started and the roads became icy, I didn't think we'd be going much further for the night. I thought it might be a good time to find a hotel before they all get booked! After a few phone calls, I finally found a pet friendly place off the next exit. Now I just had to wait for traffic to start moving so I could get there.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-46351626511056075312023-01-17T14:03:00.003-08:002023-01-17T14:03:40.228-08:00Day 1 - Trip Delayed<p> The plan was to leave Monday afternoon, the day after Christmas and knock out 4 or 5 hours so I wouldn't have to be on the road 12+ hours two days in a row. But you know what they say about best laid plans.</p><p>I woke up Monday morning, feeling a little icky. I had a 6:45am appointment to get my car serviced, so I thought I better take a COVID test just in case. I didn't think it was COVID but I didn't want to risk sitting in the service department and potentially getting others sick. Before I could even take the COVID test, I became violently ill. In a matter of minutes, I'd gone from feeling kind of icky to completely nauseous. I had to call the dealership and cancel my appointment, I wouldn't be going anywhere for the day. On the plus side, when I finally did take the COVID test, it was negative, but I was down for the rest of the day. So my departure for Joshua Tree was delayed. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-33673304518646775222023-01-17T13:55:00.007-08:002023-01-17T13:55:51.553-08:00Time for Another Holiday Adventure!<p> As many of you know, the Traveling Hillbilly has a group of friends that go on a trip around the holidays every year. We've been doing this for more than a decade and it's become one of this hillbilly's favorite traditions. Now since the pandemic, we've been keeping the trips more local, less global. This year, we decided to spend some time in Joshua Tree, CA I've been in and around that area many times, but have never actually spent any time in Joshua Tree so am excited for some great hiking and chill time with friends.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-68818718236547807892021-09-06T10:32:00.001-07:002021-09-06T10:45:01.416-07:00Do We Really Want to Get Back to Normal?<p>I visited a small town in New Mexico back in March and the wildlife in town was abundant. There were wild horses at the golf course, Elk at the library and crossing busy streets (they even used the crosswalk). You couldn't drive a mile without coming across some amazing wildlife. Now I've been to Ruidoso, New Mexico many times and I've always seen deer and maybe an Elk once or twice, but it had never been like this. We've all seen the stories about animals coming in to towns during the pandemic when everything was shut down, but it was incredible to experience it first hand. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdTD08K9jyE-yBlnuSQ39HsN1uE_np36cZFGHKx7dNipGQ6Rc_zd4gNIKQA4EvcO1G160p1uH6NAosLELsJw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPoqBsomiQ5XhYighubZIhD6I0iPPJdUh1ZbqPirCMORV0om9KE8q_Q7iquEbOikPjDf-tL0vnM714j0MevuVsJQX1yWKB0CAVEYY_0mda4U9nk_lj5bi6JI69d5kP1o8_A-OmZeXxa4/s2880/20210320_184850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPoqBsomiQ5XhYighubZIhD6I0iPPJdUh1ZbqPirCMORV0om9KE8q_Q7iquEbOikPjDf-tL0vnM714j0MevuVsJQX1yWKB0CAVEYY_0mda4U9nk_lj5bi6JI69d5kP1o8_A-OmZeXxa4/w200-h150/20210320_184850.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>But now as the town is once again crowded with visitors, the wildlife is starting to retreat. Don't get me wrong, there is still wildlife in the area, it just isn't as abundant was it was just a few months ago. Ruidoso remains a beautiful little town, but this traveling hillbilly misses the Ruidoso where the animals seemed to live so casually with the town folk. Just not sure I'm ready for everything to get back to normal. <div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj35etHQtbAhaLDwOgwAHs1Xi5qh5ilsn7znjvzrzmpJqO-sR03Ty7RBOHx_HRB1pANMwdbKoNrVRkUBddc3uT3e-kwO_kLyKEcbBHKzPi7I_T9fM3SO1C_VpiqNqclq63M7a-NoKTOZA/s2880/20210326_121025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="2880" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj35etHQtbAhaLDwOgwAHs1Xi5qh5ilsn7znjvzrzmpJqO-sR03Ty7RBOHx_HRB1pANMwdbKoNrVRkUBddc3uT3e-kwO_kLyKEcbBHKzPi7I_T9fM3SO1C_VpiqNqclq63M7a-NoKTOZA/w200-h150/20210326_121025.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-16735829661235517272020-04-01T10:03:00.000-07:002020-04-01T10:03:15.896-07:00Lessons/Advice from Sheltering In<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those of you new to self-quarantine, sheltering at home,
or whatever you’re calling it during this pandemic, welcome to my world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been unemployed for several months
now so I’ve learned a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I
only have four-legged kids at home, so my experience may be a little less
stressful than those of you quarantining in a small space with multiple children!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here’s what I’ve learned, good and bad,
about being home day after day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, the day will go by much faster than you expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after months of this, I’m surprised how
it can suddenly be 3p and I haven’t even had lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You hop on the computer in the morning to
check email, and then for me, start looking for a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I
find something of interest, I customize my resume to the job description, draft
a cover letter and apply online for the job and suddenly 3 or 4 hours have gone
by!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now for those of you with kids, you may
have a different experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe time
will drag by and you’ll be like how can it only be 10am?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish you well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaeiKBfm2zisSR7NoA1X0vaJ8SGHNYeYmL5oJJkJm3j3rIkhPS3LH_coXnsYxZ96P2504W-wcA-Qs5Tdrp-lF6NJyS1y1asLqEwcpXeFG5iRtKAskPda_2oTyAx8JBPj0KYaVTPu-Z4/s1600/Wine+Glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIaeiKBfm2zisSR7NoA1X0vaJ8SGHNYeYmL5oJJkJm3j3rIkhPS3LH_coXnsYxZ96P2504W-wcA-Qs5Tdrp-lF6NJyS1y1asLqEwcpXeFG5iRtKAskPda_2oTyAx8JBPj0KYaVTPu-Z4/s320/Wine+Glasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->You can have a glass of wine with lunch,
or two, or three if it’s an especially tough day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not going anywhere, so why not? Let
yourself imagine you’re having a vacation day on occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know day drinking is completely
acceptable when on vacation.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So indulge ever so often.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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While you're drinking, you can get caught up on all that great<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>content – this could be the content that’s
been stored in your DVR for months that you haven’t had time to watch,
discovering a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>new show on your favorite
streaming service or finish binge watching the show you started a couple months
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can watch Tiger King with no
guilt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is there is a lot
of content to keep you occupied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad
news is, with the current halt on productions there may not be any new content
coming down the pike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, you may want
to limit your binging, so you’ll still have something good to watch when we
don’t have a slate of new content coming out in the fall (see post regarding suggestions
for new fall shows).<o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk1bP0l2F7q1dTHat4s8NgMAihlPMH2JC2tj9lvmXS06EesP4lCrxKSLg85IdyP8R4NLtLNcWiRXWfP5zMkPE1Kd0xlw-DrGiOesjJq242u910mZW562OmG_TPnqCYhoZ3jtCEgEV6OU/s1600/Dogs+Snoozing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk1bP0l2F7q1dTHat4s8NgMAihlPMH2JC2tj9lvmXS06EesP4lCrxKSLg85IdyP8R4NLtLNcWiRXWfP5zMkPE1Kd0xlw-DrGiOesjJq242u910mZW562OmG_TPnqCYhoZ3jtCEgEV6OU/s200/Dogs+Snoozing.jpg" width="200" /></a>You get to learn what your pets do all day
while you’re at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admit it, it has
always been a challenge to leave the dogs each morning to head out to work, especially on those raining, grey or cold days. Now you get to, even if it’s sunny and beautiful outside! As suspected, my dogs sleep most of the
day. However, they do follow me when
they see I’m heading to the kitchen.
I’m not sure what our dogs will do when we finally do go back to work. </div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKbLMUKH_KAKnIeOLV3aMGTIXQDWezd1mf8_EisVl5AOkVC52hoX4ciiUHQ_u5eQGYdFVd7CHEv20dbvBeFP331WnDaJf7z071292l-qVilfsKiCsfTgZCjzHE2LqbDXoxrUrzN-IjW8/s1600/To+Do+List.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKbLMUKH_KAKnIeOLV3aMGTIXQDWezd1mf8_EisVl5AOkVC52hoX4ciiUHQ_u5eQGYdFVd7CHEv20dbvBeFP331WnDaJf7z071292l-qVilfsKiCsfTgZCjzHE2LqbDXoxrUrzN-IjW8/s320/To+Do+List.jpg" width="213" /></a>Don’t create an unrealistic “To Do” list
that you’ll stress over daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
always talk about wanting more time, so take some time for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allow yourself to sleep in, or waste a day
watching TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying you should
be a slug everyday but give yourself a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will be over before you know it and you’ll quickly be back to that
crazy hectic pace and wishing you’d taken advantage of this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find a balance between being productive and
being a little self-indulgent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Snuggling in the bed with my pups while watching the early morning news
has become my favorite time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mornings have always been hectic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’ve always been a scramble trying to get out the door to get to work
on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I still wake up at the same
time but allow myself to stay in bed during the news, while the dogs have their
post breakfast nap.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easier to beat yourself up – tied to the above, it’s so
much easier to beat yourself up because you have more time to think about all
the things you should be doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
start asking yourself, why I haven’t I lost those 10-15 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why aren’t I cooking healthy meals every
day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the time now I should be
getting more done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember you’re only
human and just because you’re home now, doesn’t mean there are more hours in
the day!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reach out to friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we can’t all get together in
person, a nice long chat with your siblings, or if you are lucky, your Mom, Dad
or grandma is good for the soul!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
often go weeks without talking to our loved ones who are far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well take advantage of this time and catch up
with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re never know what pearls
of wisdom grandpa might offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if
you’re home with your kids, allow yourself to spend time baking with them,
watching a movie or putting puzzles together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make this quality time together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone I know always says, they wish they had more time! They are always complaining about being too busy. Well now we have time, and for those of us who are unemployed, we have even more time to stress, to worry. But don't spend all of your time stressing out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, you need to strike a balance between giving
yourself some ‘quality time” and getting some of those “projects” done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, you’ll feel completely
overwhelmed, you’ll totally stress yourself out, as well as your spouse, significant
other, kids etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you’ll go back to
work, completely exhausted and feeling like a failure because you didn’t do
those hundred things on your to do list!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember, just breathe. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-11843018093215441102020-04-01T09:34:00.001-07:002020-04-01T09:49:20.955-07:00The Traveling Hillbilly's Wings Have Been Clipped!<br />
This quarantine is tough on everybody. We are all grappling with this pandemic and are ready for our lives to get back to normal. For those of us with a passion for travel, we can't wait for our next adventure! A lot of us are probably spending this time, thinking of all the places we'll be going to when this is over. I have a feeling we'll have a new normal after all this, but truly hope it doesn't curtail our traveling expeditions. <br />
<br />
After spending a few months on multiple road trips traveling the US to see family and just enjoy this beautiful country, I feel as though my wings have been clipped. I'm itching to get back on the road but know that staying in is what is best for the country right now.<br />
<br />
As you shelter at home, what is the next place you're dreaming about? Where will your next adventure take you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-48237526431925315272020-01-03T08:29:00.001-08:002021-09-06T10:48:04.912-07:00The Safari Experience is Beyond Words
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8g44YPTDbNtF68fdn64q8HVWtA_0oqz8_uy6v3tsGcwY8efiFKbTDjbObv3gC1pbhFmKS7y7AA3mm2gPmeX-JPlApLehd0AhCC3qu7kT9Cr8CrTW0KEuhVhcxq5dimi4nBEmFQ6Nrv4/s1600/20191224_183255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8g44YPTDbNtF68fdn64q8HVWtA_0oqz8_uy6v3tsGcwY8efiFKbTDjbObv3gC1pbhFmKS7y7AA3mm2gPmeX-JPlApLehd0AhCC3qu7kT9Cr8CrTW0KEuhVhcxq5dimi4nBEmFQ6Nrv4/s320/20191224_183255.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do I even begin to express how amazing this part of the
trip has been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the great things
about travel is it allows you to learn and experience different cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives you a whole new appreciation for the
people in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with this trip
it is like we’re in a totally different world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think most of you can imagine what a safari would be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve seen movies, read books and/or seen
pictures, so you have this idyllic version of what it could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let me tell you, it really delivered on
that idyllic picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was everything
I thought it would be and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
driving on a dirt path in open air (not all safaris have open air vehicles)
all-terrain vehicle (in our case, a Toyota Land Cruiser) </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tMXchwQ4r1Hwz4sKD86vmhEXE-VyXc400JO_iVcdJD0C1fnj0NLNaGXPT9BvoOX9A0gPEUs49sFUI1tsQ07NCdg5ug4dgytjaoAiDeG7v3SehufndOLcP8mQ-z3GvIeUa4zUN6UmjnU/s1600/20191227_125818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tMXchwQ4r1Hwz4sKD86vmhEXE-VyXc400JO_iVcdJD0C1fnj0NLNaGXPT9BvoOX9A0gPEUs49sFUI1tsQ07NCdg5ug4dgytjaoAiDeG7v3SehufndOLcP8mQ-z3GvIeUa4zUN6UmjnU/s200/20191227_125818.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and turn a corner and there’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a giraffe, maybe two or three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You watch in amazement, excited like a little
kid, as this giraffe nibbles on the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After appreciating the beauty and goofiness of the giraffe, you continue
on and suddenly there’s a herd of elephants walking through the trees or
playing in a water hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you might
see a lion or a pride of lions napping in the afternoon sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s literally like a scene out of Jurassic
Park, but with animals that still exist! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mentioned before how this experience
brought me to tears and think it’s because I became so overcome with emotion
and excitement that tears were the only way to express what I was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just too hard to put into words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In just a few days, we saw lions, elephants, zebras,
giraffe’s rhinos, hippos, impala, buffalo, leopards, hyenas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was simply incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did we get to see and appreciate
these amazing animals, we got to see them in this beautiful land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were stunning vistas, beautiful
sunsets and amazing, warm people. The people of South Africa are inviting and
friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to make you happy
and go out of their way to ensure you are having a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a love and appreciation for nature
and conservation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that is not the
case at every lodge, but it certainly was at ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJKI9aXhh3JT1zbBaFko5btaPFAZKVYQFf5giEiRdMHwupFZgOzzQW873XZjXRgsJ91Gp3bRStIbz2HUlL76Tk9rF5Hkr3_ORxkayNulTSnfYNA01WiM1E95f7sP5nY63Evkslylyok0/s1600/20191224_175947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJKI9aXhh3JT1zbBaFko5btaPFAZKVYQFf5giEiRdMHwupFZgOzzQW873XZjXRgsJ91Gp3bRStIbz2HUlL76Tk9rF5Hkr3_ORxkayNulTSnfYNA01WiM1E95f7sP5nY63Evkslylyok0/s200/20191224_175947.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But this trip is about more than just the people and their
culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also about the
animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives you a whole new level
of appreciation for the animals on this planet and how they, just like people,
have adapted to different environments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You truly are in the wild and getting a chance
to witness animals in their natural habitat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While our guide wanted to make sure we had the adventure of a lifetime,
he was always very respectful of the animals and ensured we didn’t “overstay
our welcome” if they seemed to be bothered or agitated by our presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Traveling Hillbilly highly recommends taking that safari
trip you’ve been thinking about for a while, or adding to your bucket list if
it isn’t already on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubt you’d
regret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, one piece of
advice, don’t make it just about getting that perfect photo for your social
media accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, of course you are
going to want to take pictures (and lots of them), but don’t forget to put down
the camera for a bit and actually be in the moment and appreciate the amazing
experience you are having. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It truly is that epic adventure, you’ve imagined in your
head!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-15937798162910179472019-12-28T23:06:00.001-08:002021-09-06T10:47:33.848-07:00Our First Game Drive
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as we arrive, we grab lunch, then it’s off to check
out our rooms and get ready to go on our first game drive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve only been here 2 hours and we are
already going on a game drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do
two drives a day, one at 6am (with a 5am wake up call) and one at 4p.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both approximately 3 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We hop back in the Toyota Land Cruiser and are joined by a
very sweet couple on their honeymoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within just a short time we come across a small group of elephants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These really are magnificent creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s even a little baby in the bunch!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly thereafter we see a giraffe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also see an African buffalo and some wild
boar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s dark when we come across a
pride of lions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just lazing
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched them for quite some
time, until they decided they’d had enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of them starts to walk toward our vehicle and we slowly start to
back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One by one the lions form a
single file line behind the one in the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s like they are showing us who is boss and telling us to back
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was quite fascinating to
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just continued to back up
slowly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomCyx0vvmDddHx_TU1Qg3QvgKJWQKzFTZY8gyHB6yC7JrB4GRxvTsm13VuVg1cf4G169cSGB8xV93znpNmgWwOblG0yZTTp_aaUi1xbx0JkJaVWVdSJKMcEgz57ge2dEZPmuujsUr2VQ/s1600/20191224_175947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomCyx0vvmDddHx_TU1Qg3QvgKJWQKzFTZY8gyHB6yC7JrB4GRxvTsm13VuVg1cf4G169cSGB8xV93znpNmgWwOblG0yZTTp_aaUi1xbx0JkJaVWVdSJKMcEgz57ge2dEZPmuujsUr2VQ/s320/20191224_175947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are thrilled with our lion encounter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it was time to head back to camp for
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we came around a corner
shortly after seeing the lions, we saw two Zebra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we’d been at the camp for all of six hours and already
seen and experienced so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-25103054278752961262019-12-28T22:55:00.002-08:002021-09-06T10:48:30.635-07:00The Safari Begins
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we are flying in to the Hoedspruit airport, I become
overcome with emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe
I’m finally here and this bucket list trip is actually happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so excited and so filled with gratitude
to have this amazing opportunity and to share it with dear friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUswVGL9Zuco4yuQCW2us0Y-RqYcqL7VpHLJyTL4e6PHlT7Cd_yv-ao7wV18qMJlqOtiYXMQ1xceDn4VPmczMINo1zw5jKJuUzT6AatK3Smczd3KWb1TRELNntii6eNgZaajoPDGaV2Ns/s1600/20191224_183255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUswVGL9Zuco4yuQCW2us0Y-RqYcqL7VpHLJyTL4e6PHlT7Cd_yv-ao7wV18qMJlqOtiYXMQ1xceDn4VPmczMINo1zw5jKJuUzT6AatK3Smczd3KWb1TRELNntii6eNgZaajoPDGaV2Ns/s320/20191224_183255.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A guide from the camp we are staying at met us at the
airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our adventure started the
minute we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After grabbing our
luggage we went outside and were told to hop into the open air Toyota Land
Cruiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like something right
out of Jurassic Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entrance to
our camp is apparently across the street from the airport, but we still had a
ways to go in the reserve before arriving at the actual camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We are staying with Kapama at their Buffalo
Camp, which is a private reserve near Kruger National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were about 15 minutes inside the reserve
when we saw are first animal sighting, a bunch of Impala.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our adventure had already begun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now the Traveling Hillbilly will be honest, this is more of
a luxury camp vs. a traditional tenting camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are staying in tents, but they have air conditioning and running
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s more like a small tented
hotel room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-40996828053826553062019-12-28T22:43:00.001-08:002021-09-06T10:49:17.338-07:00Initial Thoughts on Cape Town
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So the first few days of our trip have been great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cape Town is a beautiful city and the weather
has been perfect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blue skies, not too
hot, not too cold, often with a cool breeze blowing, especially when near the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Old Biscuit Mill – This is an open-air market open until
3p on Saturdays and was a great way to spend our first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it’s fairly small (more like a
farmer’s market vs. a big flea market) there are shops, restaurants and a food
court offering just about any type of cuisine one might want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first stop was for coffee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d all had very long journeys to get here
and needed a jolt. There are shops offering anything from touristy trinkets to
higher end leather bags, from clothing to ceramics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a bit of window shopping, I headed over
to the Kambucha bar to get some ginger kambucha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a little bit of everything here, so
if you’re looking for gifts or something for yourself, you’re likely to find
something here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJz_EdCUREFfK5gYyOVpT_YmW9-MAURYYaGGt_zuZhrc8j1hQR6PWYvGJAdSE9g9oq6abqvMF2I1jWw7VxMtupHVMEqbPNsw14eOXqvAGHQ4ygJCfqcEwSJQTjQYzij-6xzhdcayYyR6g/s1600/20191221_215549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJz_EdCUREFfK5gYyOVpT_YmW9-MAURYYaGGt_zuZhrc8j1hQR6PWYvGJAdSE9g9oq6abqvMF2I1jWw7VxMtupHVMEqbPNsw14eOXqvAGHQ4ygJCfqcEwSJQTjQYzij-6xzhdcayYyR6g/s200/20191221_215549.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Riverine Rabbit – This was our first dinner together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We opted for the 5 course chef’s tasting menu
with wine pairing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was excited to see
there wasn’t a ton of fish on the tasting menu, which is often the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have to say, it wasn’t amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t
outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was very polite, but they didn’t do
the best job at explaining each dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now the Traveling Hillbilly doesn’t often have elaborate dinners like
this, but I have splurged on a few highly rated restaurants while on vacation
and they have been amazing experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe my expectations are too high but this did not live up to prior
experiences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hiking Table Mountain – George picked us up to take us to
table mountain at 7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It offered amazing
views, but was a truly challenging hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>See prior post for details on this beast of a hike!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Truth Coffee – after our exhaustive hike, we were ready for
some food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George told us we must go to Truth Coffee, a
coffee house that opened just a little over a year ago and is already rated as
the best coffee house in the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
could we not go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The menu is like an
old newspaper and most of it is dedicated to the wide variety of coffee they offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food options were limited but we all
found something to enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ambiance
and decor of the place were pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’re a coffee fanatic, this is a must place to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not a coffee fanatic, it’s still a
pretty interesting place to grab a quick bite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzJ6PFcyzYEcHetZSkol7kdMMiXtIODZJyxVJoMlMf6X-pq13g2NqOc4ODSPTrawl2AAqrrcwqNi_7b3mw6CJHxdkSIAaBZB_I2o4nICQI9O6G4vXg38Xm5rfMuQxSJsvJSz2CnvnikU/s1600/20191223_182343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzJ6PFcyzYEcHetZSkol7kdMMiXtIODZJyxVJoMlMf6X-pq13g2NqOc4ODSPTrawl2AAqrrcwqNi_7b3mw6CJHxdkSIAaBZB_I2o4nICQI9O6G4vXg38Xm5rfMuQxSJsvJSz2CnvnikU/s200/20191223_182343.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">V&A Waterfront – We were pleasantly surprised by the
V&A Waterfront area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
expecting it to be touristy, which it is, but it was nicer than we
expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming from California we are
used to touristy wharfs, boardwalks etc. along the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was nicer than a lot of similar areas
we’ve been to along the coast of California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’re looking to dine or shop with a view, you have plenty of
options here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if you want to take a
boat tour, a helicopter tour or sunset cruise, there is no shortage of
opportunity for that here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
top things we wanted to do here, was have drinks on the rooftop bar of The Silo
hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Silo Hotel – The rooftop bar offers beautiful views of
the city, the water and the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were excited to have a cocktail and some appetizers here while
enjoying the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our initial
thoughts on the cocktail menu, were hhmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Similar to a lot of cool bars, the drinks were mainly a unique spin on
traditional cocktails, but we weren’t sure the unique was in a good way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truffle infused gin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just doesn’t seem appealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we decided to try one of their
concoctions anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opted for the
signature silo, a vodka drink mixed with cucumber, watermelon and orange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While refreshing, it was a too sweet..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tasted like pink lemonade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was time for round 2, we switched to
wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was okay, but not
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While my instinct is to say, the
place is a little over-rated, if you’re looking for a place to relax with a
view, this should be on your list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a pretty popular place, so you may want to make reservations in advance to
ensure you can get in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all, a great first couple of days. Cape Town is great and I'm looking forward to spending New Year's in the city. But now it's time for the safari leg of our journey. Lions, Zebras, Elephants... here we come! </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-38438974617137699182019-12-25T02:59:00.002-08:002021-09-06T10:49:35.558-07:00Hiking the Relentless Table Mountain
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWOlbEgby4XUgUG9fq9wx8wHbnrOtXAw541MVSAsMxGPljcEznJWKcVa9mGCoFcOPs0-xAD5aiTuXThi85uE9GS93QiuifgtN_Gwm-YfS75VYLuBFeFdhj4QM_1rQ2HlQ2V1e6Th1CaM/s1600/DSCN4067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWOlbEgby4XUgUG9fq9wx8wHbnrOtXAw541MVSAsMxGPljcEznJWKcVa9mGCoFcOPs0-xAD5aiTuXThi85uE9GS93QiuifgtN_Gwm-YfS75VYLuBFeFdhj4QM_1rQ2HlQ2V1e6Th1CaM/s200/DSCN4067.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk6r4jW3jWMJefMLCRUwjZwXSaWAdqtc8r9zZCz5AsutLcsRUGHpn6y_UdGH-pHbSTQRq1GMTP9_tPbKwQYg46R25X0ZaH7Kdgrvv5LwYtdEa0D3vLG1-rvXbI7EACk3HVKJiX-BBfNM/s1600/DSCN4061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk6r4jW3jWMJefMLCRUwjZwXSaWAdqtc8r9zZCz5AsutLcsRUGHpn6y_UdGH-pHbSTQRq1GMTP9_tPbKwQYg46R25X0ZaH7Kdgrvv5LwYtdEa0D3vLG1-rvXbI7EACk3HVKJiX-BBfNM/s200/DSCN4061.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So on what was officially Day 2, we hiked Table
Mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was to hike to the
top and take the gondola down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Traveling Hillbilly spent the summer hiking in New Mexico and Colorado, so a
hike that promised amazing views of Cape Town seemed like a must do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well let me say, this hike is not for the
faint of heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a consistent
incline up rocky steep terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were NO flat parts. There was no trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was nothing but climbing up rocks, with no railing to hold onto to
pull yourself up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than once I had
to get on all fours to “scale” some of the steep rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One wrong slip and you could easily break an
arm or leg, crack your skull or fall over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slipped more than once so had to look
straight down the entire time to find the best footing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus it was quite crowded with people going
up and down, with very little room for passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was truly daunting and nerve-racking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While the hike offered amazing views, you have to stop and move aside to
the edge to enjoy the views on the way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was too concerned about tripping so there wasn’t much enjoying the
views during the hike itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were challenged and just about at our limits after going
through what they call “the punisher” part of the hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were feeling better knowing we had gotten
through the toughest part and were getting close to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then we were told we still had another 50
minutes to go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What how could this be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d been hiking already for what seemed like
forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly the “punisher part”
wasn’t the worst of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were far
more challenging climbs ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all it took us 3 hours and it was just relentless! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we finally got to the top, we all agreed
that had we been warned about how challenging the terrain and climb would be,
we may not have opted to hike up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now
that we were done, we were all glad we had conquered Table Mountain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all got in our steps for the day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Table Mountain is worth your time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the adventurous followers, I say go for
hiking it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be a great
challenge to cross off your list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the rest of you, I say take the gondola up and enjoy the amazing views while
sipping a cold beer or glass of wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
would be a much more civilized way to enjoy Table Mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-74417038752612526262019-12-20T16:42:00.001-08:002021-09-06T10:50:41.018-07:00TheWait is Almost Over
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally at the gate for the flight to Cape Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully we will board soon and get on our
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to my travel confirmation
this is almost a 6 hour flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
this is one of those flights where they’ve padded the travel time so they can
“arrive early” and keep their on-time record intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s already been almost 24 hours since I
left my hotel in NY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m truly exhausted
at this point, especially after this 6 hour wait in this airport with no water
and too much heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hot inside the
airport and I am so thirsty, but I dare not drink anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll bet the bathrooms on the plane will be
busy the entire flight when the seat belt sign is turned off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing the Traveling Hillbilly was
raised in similar conditions, making me better prepared to handle these travel
hiccups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also going to help
prepare me for those moments on safari when a “comfort break” might just be a
quick trip behind the bushes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m really missing that snow we had in Kansas City that
followed me to NY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t feel like
Christmas when it’s 80 degrees!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally arrived at the hotel and am ready for some sleep! The real adventures begin tomorrow.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-89706494511184207062019-12-20T16:39:00.003-08:002021-09-06T10:51:56.275-07:00The Good News and the Bad News<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So after writing a couple of postings for the blog, the
Traveling Hillbilly decided to see if I could get into the one lounge that’s
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping that given Kenya
Airways is a sky mile partner with Delta, they would honor the American Express
access.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it was a no go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My economy ticket certainly didn’t help
matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as I was on the hunt
for the lounge location, I came across, a sign that said Spa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so excited to think there might
actually be a spa at this little airport, even one of those “express spas” you
often see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out the “spa” is
actually right next to the lounge so after being turned down at the lounge, I
headed over to the spa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked more
like a nail salon, but they did have a massage room in the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After 14 hours on a plane, the Traveling
Hillbilly needed that massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
massage was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was after my massage that I was informed there was no
water at the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was
there currently no water in the airport but it was day 2 without any
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means, no washing hands, no
brushing teeth and most critical no bathroom break!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six hours in an airport without water, makes
you appreciate all the things we take for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there had been a major water shortage
in South Africa and residents had been severally limited on usage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have been wondering the longer term impact of the shortage. We truly do take so many things for granted
until something happens that reminds us how much we should appreciate things
like running water and electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-28653974692358360212019-12-20T16:33:00.001-08:002021-09-06T10:52:58.769-07:00A Long Journey for the Traveling Hillbilly
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I must say as excited as I am about this trip, I have been
dreading the actual travel part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
over 25 hours in travel time, more than 30 hours if you include time to/from
airports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 14 hour non-stop flight to Nairobi,
a 6 hour layover in Nairobi before taking off on my flight to Cape Town and all
in economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply brutal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been telling myself for months, just
accept it going to be awful, but it will be amazing once you get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I originally booked my flight it was
only 19 hours of total travel time, however, the changed the flight out of Nairobi
to a much later flight, leaving me in the airport for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s a small airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a lot to do for 6 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what’s a Traveling Hillbilly supposed to
do with all this time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get the blog
postings started!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So how was the flight from JFK to Narobi?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long, very long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service on Kenya Airways was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just a very long time to not be able
to get up and move about much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
probably need to spend the next 6 hours stretching!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got no sleep on the plane, maybe 15 -20
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just could not fall asleep,
even after taking some Nyquil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Traveling Hillbilly watched 3 movies, 2-3 episodes of some TV sitcoms and our
flight tracker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m still hours away from my final destination for the first
part of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to keep
myself awake <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so when I do finally get
to my hotel in Cape Town late this evening, I’ll be ready for what I hope will
be a good night’s sleep so I can have some fun tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3095446115343749065.post-67990244487822879812019-12-20T16:28:00.000-08:002019-12-20T16:29:00.271-08:00Embarking on 10 Years of Holiday Adventures!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A safari has been on the Traveling Hillbilly’s bucket list
for quite some time and I’ve been actively trying to plan one for the last 3
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better time than the 10
year anniversary of our friend’s holiday trip?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On our 8 year trip, we started talking about what we might do for our 10
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t sure at the time what
that might be, but we wanted it to be epic!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During last year’s trip we started to plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all wrote down our top couple of choices,
not surprisingly, we all had some of the same ones, surprisingly, a Safari was
not on everyone’s list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We narrowed it
down, agreed to each do some research and regroup after the first of the year
to make a final selection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our short
list included, Safari/Cape Town, Thailand/Vietnam, Galapagos Islands and
Morocco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All exciting destinations, but
I believed a trip to South Africa had all the things we wanted, adventure,
great food and wines, and warm welcoming people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some discussion, we all agreed Safari
and Cape Town would be the place to spend our 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> year holiday
trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0