One  more stop before the mad dash home – The Shoe Crew in Lemoore, CA;-)  There was always lots of activity here with Heather and Haley.  AND, it has tripled with the addition of two new granddaughters – Olivia and Kira (and son-in-law, Christian).  The playground is a good place to work off lots of energy – –

Haley tackled rope climbing.

While Gramma, Olivia and Kira rode the rings.

Remember when you danced around the living room singing to the stereo?  Then created a ‘show’ for the whole family?  Well, we enjoyed a guitar performance complete with looooong line to get in, tickets and front row seats;-)

Haley provided the entertainment.

The concert came after a rousing round of Guestures followed by a photo op – –

Gramma provided the photo bombing.

A staple activity for our visit this time of year is a trip to the Pumpkin Patch;-)  It is sooo much fun to search for that perfect pumpkin, take it home and decorate it while baking pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Sooo, let’s go find some pumpkins.

Olivia, Kira and Haley riding the pumpkin train.

Heather, Christian and the girls.

Okay, time to decorate these babies.

Mother Nature’s own decorations are hard to match.

And so – our ‘Summer of 2016 Magic Bus Trip’ ends;-(

It has been a wonderful summer filled with activities enjoyed with terrific family and friends.    We are very grateful to have such warm, sharing people in our lives.  Thank you all for the generosity and caring that you extend to us as we pass your way (or going out of your way to meet us or join us on our scheduled path).

The sights and sounds of our journeys are pictures here and in our minds, but, it is always the people that make our journeys so memorable.

Thank you to all for another great summer and safe return home – –

Elizabeth and Gary from our Magic Bus

So many golf courses and so little time;-)  Travels will take us to out-of-the-way places when ‘rumor has it’ there might be a great course to play.  So – off to Logan, UT and it’s Birch Creek Golf Course.  Only to be rained off the course – –

Maybe next year?!?!?

OK – so, let’s keep moving and try Quail Hollow in Boise, ID.  Blown off the course there;-)   Well then – let’s just head to Bend.  And – how beautiful could it be!?!  Found a wonderful campground in Sisters – Bend Sisters Garden RV Resort.  In our top 10 parks – –

 A beautiful, inviting, well maintained facility.  Love it;-)

The good weather and happy camping make for good days on the course.  Found another great course with incredible views of The Three Sisters – Aspen Lakes Golf Course.

G with two of the three Sisters.

Tetherow Golf Course is a typical links course on the southwest side of Bend.  It was calling us for a round to get us ready for ‘the golf mecca – Bandon Dunes’.  We even got to try out the golf board as our caddie managed our clubs;-)

We just HAD to check out the golf boards at Tetherow GC. 

There is life outside of golf – so, we were off for a little hike at Smith Rock just north of Bend.  Interesting topography and a major climbing area.

Smith Rock – where are you Brian?

One more stop before Bandon Dunes.  Off to see Priscilla and Steve at their Saltmarsh Ranch in Jacksonville, OR – and to check on all the sheep and associated animals.  It always amazes that after a year of absence, we always pick up just where we left off as though our last visit was last week;-)

 Checking out the irrigation pump that draws water from Applegate Creek onto the Ranch.

Guard Llama Lucy keeping close track of her charges.

The Ranch keeps Priscilla and Steve fairly busy, but they always have time for OSF – the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  So much so that they acquired a cute little condo in Ashland to avoid the treacherous drive home to the Ranch for those late nights at the theater.  Of course, we always benefit from this love of theirs by joining them at morning Coffees with producers, directors and cast members of current productions AND sometimes even get to a play.  This Saturday was a full day of a Coffee, a quick lunch and a fabulous, thought provoking play – VietGone (a must see if in your area).

E made the mistake of asking a question during lunch;-(  Who can get the answer first?

The playwright introducing his play.  See it!!

This was a wonderful couple of days – and we thank Priscilla and Steve for all their efforts to include us in the activities.  We hope to spend a few more days here next year and take in more plays, as next years line-up looks great.

Now – off to Bandon Dunes to play Pacific Dunes, Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails with friends Rebecca and Jim.  We are all sooooo excited as this is a golfer’s Disneyland – the only downer is the weather forecast;-(!  But – as they say – the round must go on (ugh!)  So, layer up and get out there – –

Trying to figure out the greens (without much luck) at Pacific Dunes with dark clouds looming in the background.

The views from the course were spectacular – AND that rain never came:-)

One day down and ready for day 2 at Bandon Dunes.  More clouds, but this is to be the BEST day as far as weather.  Layer up again and hope for the best.

Day 2 was windy, a little soggy, and a lot of fun. We all managed to clear the ‘grand canyon’ here with our tee shots.

YEAH!  We survived day 2 and are now on to day 3 at Bandon Trails.  What will the weather bring today??

Our rain gear kept us warm and dry during the cloudburst on the 2nd hole.  Good from there on;-) 

Brandon Trails was one of the original courses, wanders a little more inland and contains the highest points on the property.  Including the spot below where Keiser stood and determined ‘this was the place’ where he would build his golfing mecca.  Thank you Mr. Keiser;-)

Taking a brief break at the highest elevation on the golf courses.

It was another great year at Bandon.  The weather was much better than expected (Yes, that windstopper sweater that E wore EVERY day DID stop the wind and kept her quite warm), the caddies made the rounds fun, the company was perfect AND that new knee that G has performed admirably as we walked 18 holes 3 consecutive days.  Thank you Rebecca and Jim for a special few days – see you same time next year!

LIFE IS TRULY GRAND:-)!!!!

On the road home – E & G

One  more quick trip to AZ for E.  Never think of Scottsdale as having a shoulder season – but, there it was right before my very eyes!  None of the snowbirds are here yet – the golf courses are getting their aeration and overseeding – and the restaurants and shops are getting their facelifts for “the season”.   AND – the weather was fantastic (even the little drizzles felt wonderful as they kept the temps down).

The Kierland golf course, one of our favorite courses (and just out our backdoor – literally) is in the process of getting ready for the winter and all the visitors our great winter weather bring to the valley – –

Soon this will be a beautiful emerald green;-)

Apparently the local Tommy Bahama also felt it was time for a ‘redo’ – –

WOW – what are you doing to this place??

BUT – for those addicted to Tommy Bahama’s fish tacos – never fear for there is a new Taco Truck in the ‘hood’,  right where the valet used to be!

And, that old Bobby’s is still in the conversion stage to the Old Town Scottsdale fav – The Mission.  Doesn’t look like a lot has been accomplished since the beginning of the summer.  Going to have to hurry to be open by fall – –

Can’t wait for this one to open!

One doesn’t have to wait for these places to complete their construction as the ‘hood’ new addition IS open for business – The Shake Shack – –

Looks like fun – even if it did take the place of the ‘fountain’.

And, of course, the old favorites are still there and calling your name – P. F. Chang’s, Starbucks and Snooze.

It was a fun couple of days – checking out the changes in the ‘hood’ this time of year and the progress being made to get ready for another winter in wonderland;-)  It was especially nice since the weather was beautiful!!

For those of you we have invited down – you should know that all of these great places are a short 15 minute walk from our house;-)

E is back to G and we are off to Oregon – More soon

Our ‘Last Two Weeks’ (in Park City) – and what a way to end!  It is always hard to say good-bye, especially to such wonderful friends.  So – there were 14 days packed full of those ‘last’ rounds of golf, ‘last’ dinners, ‘last’ hikes and two special events with all the special people in our lives here.

Not only did these last two weeks signify the cycle of seasons – summer to fall – BUT, we had a special event that reminded us of the cycle of life and where we, along with so many of our friends, are right now.  After spending another couple of days on the phone with insurance companies – G & E are now signed up for Medicare, Medicare Supp Plans and Part D insurance!!;-)!!  This, of course, is necessitated by E turning 65 (YIKES!!!!!) this November and Gary turning 70 in April!  We, however, are NOT alone.  EVERYONE is celebrating a similar event – some just do it in greater ‘style’ like our friend Steve, who had a real ‘Barn Burner’ of an event – –

Steve and Marla show that even at their age they can still ‘cut a rug’;-)

Of course, we had to join in.

Line dancing and a riding exhibition kept everyone engaged.

And then the event we stayed in Park City for – Autumn Aloft.  What a wonderful way to end our stay – –

We had the pleasure of a ride in our friends’, Mark and Dianne, balloon.

Up, up and away.

High in the air is a great vantage point for photos.

Kachina and the Moon over Park City on a wonderful still autumn day.

Pilot Mark and his copilot, Dianne.

Hopper T Frog and Gizzmo get prepped for flight. It takes an army to get them off the ground!

They are ready to go.

It was hard to select photos as there were so many beautiful shapes and colors.

As you know –  we can’t go too long without a shadow shot.

A great weekend of ballooning comes to a close.

AND – so does our summer in Park City.

See you back on the road again soon – E & G on our way;-(

As if the scenery, golf, concerts and dinners with friends were not enough in Park City –  we ventured up to Sun Valley, ID for more of the same;-)  Magic stayed parked in PC as our gracious hosts for the week were Eileen and Tom in their new home.

Full disclosure was made before we ventured up and they were fully informed that we would go anywhere and do anything to see Vince Gill – who just happened to be performing at the SV Pavilion during our stay!  Not sure E & T were as enthralled as we were – but, we had a fantastic time at the concert in this fabulous venue – –

Vince Gill and Amy Grant at this wonderful amphitheater.

They even endured playing golf with us – providing the ski resort backdrop and perfect weather for the day.

Eileen and Elizabeth on the Trail Creek Golf Course.

Just to be sure we did NOT get too lazy while visiting – a 4 mile hike to Titus Lake was in order.  Titus Lake sits at the junction of four of Idaho’s wildest mountain ranges – the Sawtooth, White Cloud, Smoky and Boulder mountains – the junction called The Cross!  It is also the headwaters of the Salmon and Big Wood rivers.  The trail was mainly through the forest – until the trees opened up and there was the Lake.  A good time was had by all – including Parker and Roxy – the Raney ‘children’;-)

Plenty of photo ops and photographers on our hike to Titus Lake.

Parker and Roxy led the way, with Tom and Eileen not far behind.

Gary, Eileen and Tom with views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Where’s the treehouse?

Finally – a view of Titus Lake.

Very calm and quiet.

A quick break before we head back to the trailhead.

Beautiful views all along the way.

All good visits must come to an end – and the best way is with a lovely dinner in a lovely garden.

 Knob Hill – GREAT views and GREAT food.

We really enjoyed our visit and are very grateful to E & T for opening their new home to us. Thank you, again;-)

Back in PC – we discovered that the Muni course has new Tee markers – –

The colors of these cranes have changed from rust to grey over the past several weeks.

Not only the cranes are changing colors.  In the three days of absence – the colors in PC changed significantly – –

Autumn is HERE!!

It is hard to believe that we have been in PC for 2 1/2 months and have only 2 weeks left before Magic is closed up and the road opens before us once again.  But – before we go – there is another round of dinners and several golf games left to be played here.

So – enjoy the cooler weather, football and colors if you are lucky enough to live where you get them.  We’ll be back in touch soon – E & G;-)

Hope you all are not getting tired of the almost weekly updates that say “more dinners with friends, more golf, more concerts and another hike or two!”  But, this is our summer in Park City – AND WE LOVE IT!!

The rounds of golf provide great 5 mile walks and almost always give us something interesting to talk about.  Two rounds highlighted here are no exception.  The first was a wonderful round in Salt Lake with friends Rheta and Tom – where E managed to tie her personal best;-)!!

An 87!!   YEAH!

We were part of ‘the Dawn Patrol’ this past week, along with friend Betsey, at Soldier Hollow in Midway.  The autumn temperatures have set in reminding us that perhaps a tee time before 8AM is no longer appropriate – we froze and the sun is no longer coming up so early;-(  But, the wildlife is out hunting for breakfast – –

One of the great things about early morning golf….

….is the wildlife you run into….

….along the way.

This was our last weekend of concerts – so we ‘soaked up’ every last song.  Especially Trace Atkins, who put on quite a show (in all aspects!!).

Trace Atkins and his band in a terrific performance at the Deer Valley Amphitheater.

Andy Garcia and the Cineson Allstars provided a wonderful evening of Cuban music – –

G especially enjoyed the percussionists.

Sundance has always been a favorite day excursion – but, it just hadn’t been put into the schedule yet this year and time was growing short.  So – a good time to kill two birds with one stone and make this week’s hike Stewart Falls near Sundance followed by lunch at The Foundry Grill.  32 KBUS was off early to spend the day with our hiking partner this week – Jane —

Stewart Falls.  Amazing there is still water!

This hike is a real favorite as it provides beautiful views of Mt. Timp, the Falls – and this time of year – Fall Colors;-)

Beautiful views!

Really!  Everywhere we go and look there is Absolute Beauty!!

Falling into Autumn – E & G

Another week – another day – another hike;-)  This week, the Brighton Lakes Trail was the ‘plan of attack’.  Early Wednesday morning E, G and hiking buddy Sally were off to Big Cottonwood Canyon to begin their weekly hike from the base of the Brighton Ski Resort.  Tucked up into the steep (1100′ vertical in 2 miles) rocky terrain sits a chain of four sparkling alpine lakes like steps on a  giant staircase – Dog, Mary, Martha and Catherine Lakes.  The trail to these lakes takes one thru the ski slopes, forest, talus fields, around a dam and under towering mountain peaks.  The scenery is magnificent – and the day’s weather cooperated perfectly;-)!!

Grizzled old tree stands watch over the Catherine Lakes Trail.

Stopping for a snack at the almost dry Lake Mary.

Rain appeared to be falling all around us but is was still dry as we climbed above Lake Martha.

Lake Catherine –  our planned destination and turnaround spot for today’s hike.

Even with all the beauty all around – the ‘promised‘ moose at Lake Martha did not show itself.  AND – E was not leaving until the obligatory moose was sighted!  So – voila – just before the trail opened up at the ski resort again – there she was – –

I’m lunching.  Don’t BUG me!

This hike will definitely go into our repertoire for the future as it is now on our short list of favorites.  It was beautiful!  (And maybe next time we will even give you a picture of Dog Lake.)

It is hard to believe that two months have passed since our arrival in Park City and there are only 4 short weeks left to our visit here.  But, there are reminders all around of the passing of time.  As is always true here – mid-August brings the beginning of fall colors and this year is no exception.

The first ‘red’ tree on the slopes of the resort above the Muni course.

August also brings to UT those same monsoons that douse AZ.  E loves them – with the thunder, lightening shows and of course the rainbows – –

Beautiful rainbows over our ‘parking spot’.

What a beautiful way to end this post – Much Love from E & G

As you were reading the last posting, Park City was getting ready for the Tour of Utah.  It was a “schizo” day as it started with a HUGE thunder and lighting storm (which we got caught in on our way to breakfast!!) and then cleared to a beautiful day for a bike ride for the competitors.

Jane, Steve and Elizabeth en route to a wet breakfast.

Often many of the Tour de France participants are here for this race – but, this year those guys were all down in Rio competing for gold medals;-(  That did NOT dampen the excitement up on Main Street, though, where the final stage begins and ends.  Just like during the Olympics – the street is closed (except for the racers) and it becomes a real party!!

Looking up Main Street Park City to the start of this day’s leg of the Tour of Utah.

Two laps through old town before the next 100+ miles and the finish line at the top of Main.

The photographer at “work” while E and Jane drink champagne!

Again the week was filled with many more dinners, rounds of golf, gym visits and bike rides as well as the more mundane tasks like a Medicare webinar;-)!!  But – what we were really looking forward to was the little ‘break’ at the end of the week where the weekend would be spent at the Balloon Festival in Eden, UT.  Why this Balloon Fest you ask???  Well, some friends here in Park City have several balloons that they fly in these events and we had never really investigated the area around Eden/Huntsville – so why not??

Friday the car was packed with everything we owned (this reminded us why we have the Bus for such events – but all the ‘parking’ spaces for Magic were full by the time the decision was made to do this – so it was a car trip) and we were off to Huntsville and the Atomic Chalet B&B.

Interesting – no information about the Balloon Fest anywhere – AND no signs of the morning events!!  It was lunch time, though, so off to check out Eden, the festival park and find lunch.  Information in Eden – WHAT, NO BALLOON FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND???  IT’S NEXT WEEKEND??  NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Well, we have our room and nothing else to do – so let’s check out the area.  First up – wander downtown Huntsville – –

The Town Hall complete with ballot box on the front porch.

Not sure how this is monitored? Ripe for Trump complaints of cheating;-(

This scene reminded Gary of his Texas farming roots.

After this lengthly walk (not) through Huntsville it was dinner time.  The Shooting Star – the oldest continuously operating saloon in the state of Utah – was the destination for the BEST burgers – at the BEST prices!!

The Shooting Star Saloon, where you can still get a great cheeseburger for $5 – –

– – and a Beer!!

And another moose sighting!

Huntsville is the ‘entry point’ for two of the more local ski areas in UT – Snow Basin (which was completely upgraded for the 2002 Olympics as it was used for the Downhill) and Powder Mountain (a more rustic, local ski area).  Since neither E nor G had ever been to Powder Mt – it needed to be checked out.  After a scary drive up several thousand feet we were rewarded with some incredible views – –

A view from the top of the Powder Mountain Ski Area above Eden, Utah.

Well, since there were no balloons to be seen – we returned to Park City to check out the Art Festival there.  As usual, Main St. was packed with artists displaying their wares and all the buyers shopping for their special ‘something’ on a crystal clear blue sky day.

The Kimball Art Festival was in full bloom on Park City Main Street.

As were the flowers and the “hotties”.

Another week packed full of fun activities (happening or not!!) in and around Park City;-)  Just more evidence of why it is loved here in the summer time.

E & G  taking a break for a morning;-)

More of the same activities during the last two weeks – 5 dinners with friends, 5 rounds of golf, 1 concert and 1 more quick trip to AZ for E.  However – these ‘routine’ activities have finally provided some exciting times and wonderful pictures.

A perfect, beautiful night was spent up at DV listening to Bela Fleck and his wife, Abigail Washburn.  If you have never heard their songs and you like banjos and ‘hillbilly’ music – look them up and enjoy.  In fact, this performance led us to a wonderful movie – “The Songcatcher” – about Appalachian music (can be purchased on Amazon).

Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn – real favorites!

During a brief break, E was off to AZ for a couple of days to check on Mom.  This trip was actually looked forward to, as G had more work to do on the Bus AND the highs were only to be in the 90’s in AZ thanks to the monsoons.  The only thing is – those temps were accompanied by 90% humidity, which made it worse than the 120 degrees of a few weeks ago – –

Where am I??  Hawaii??

Ahhhhh!  But, it was those rounds of golf that finally provided the sights we look for.  The Park City Muni Course is a regular of ours – and the sandhill cranes – –

Here they are!

And – we always see moose at Mt. Dell.  But, after a month of no sightings we were beginning to wonder if they were avoiding us.  Then – last Monday morning – there was a BIG guy stopping by to say Hi!

What are you lookin’ at?

I’m here for breakfast – why are you here?

They are truly AWESOME animals!

Just for fun – we keep checking on our old house to see how much more they can tear down before it starts going the other way.  Apparently – A LOT!!!

Our old “Big House” is undergoing minor changes.

In between the above activities, G hits the gym almost every morning we don’t play golf and E rides her bike.  However, this past week E spent a lot of time investigating Med Sup insurance plans, as she signed up for Medicare on the 4th;-(!!!!

E & G – Loving the moose and ignoring the aging

The last two and one half weeks have been filled with the activities that keep us busy during our time in Park City – there have been 3 hikes, 4 concerts, 6 rounds of golf, 7 dinners with friends and 1 quick trip to AZ for E!  All have been wonderful adventures and outings – but, do not provide a lot of pictures to share (well – maybe a few a little later!).

BUT – we did receive a FUN email that we would like to share.  Many of our ‘faithful’ followers know that the coach we travel in is manufactured by Tiffin in Red Bay, AL.  Many may have also heard our stories of our stays in Red Bay while waiting for service work to be done on our Bus.  Red Bay has a population of approximately 3,000 – many of whom work for Tiffin – so, as you might guess, the town is quite small.  One ‘searches’ for things to do while waiting there for two to three weeks!  We have visited Tupelo and the Elvis home, Ole Miss, the Natchez Trace Trail and played golf in Florence on two of the courses on the Robert Trent Jones Trail while waiting for work to be done.  One of the more interesting sights is described below (we especially LOVE the quote) – – –

Tiffin Side Roads posted the following on their blog a few days ago.

Coon Dog Cemetery – an interesting stop near Red Bay, AL by mtrroughingit Guests visit Red Bay for numerous reasons – #1 taking the Tiffin plant tour, but also to receive service work or watch their new coach travel down the assembly line. While you’re here, we encourage you to visit our surrounding area. One of the most unique and talked about attractions in the area is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard aka Coondog Cemetery. More information can be found at http://coondogcemetery.com . This is the only cemetery of its kind in the world. Only Coon Hounds are allowed to be buried here. To qualify for burial, where over 185 coon dogs have been laid to rest, it has been said that three requirements must be met: The owner must claim their pet is an authentic coon dog. A witness must declare the deceased is a coon dog. A member of the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, Inc. must be allowed to view the coonhound and declare it as such. “We have stipulations on this thing,” said the late O’Neal Bolton, former caretaker of the Coon Dog Graveyard. “A dog can’t run no deer, possum—nothing like that. He’s got to be a straight coon dog, and he’s got to be full hound. Couldn’t be a mixed up breed dog, a house dog.”   Each Labor Day, the Friends of the Coondog Cemetery host a celebration at the cemetery. Entertainment includes music, dancing, food and a liar’s contest.   Pictures courtesy of Tiffin owner, John Mitchell.

 

Of the four concerts we attended in the last two weeks, two were our very favorite entertainers – Lyle Lovett and Chris Botte.

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band put on a terrific show, as they always do.

Chris Botte wandered through the crowd, shook hands with Elizabeth…

 

…and went back to playing his horn.

Then there was a really FUN evening sponsored by Bill Ligety and Mary Leader.  After those bourbon shots at intermission a GOOD time was had by all;-)!!

Funky glasses at the David Bowie Tribute performed with the Utah Symphony.

 

Elizabeth and Marla stopped dancing long enough for a quick pic.

A couple of G’s pictures from our hikes had to be included.  We really enjoy the more difficult hike to the top of Lamb’s Canyon where, when one gets to the saddle, they are rewarded with the views into Salt Lake – –

The view gets harder to see each year as the trees continue to grow.

This little beauty stopped to say hi along the trail.

So – that is our last couple of weeks;-)  (OH – forgot to mention that my handyman/plumber also fixed/replaced the toilet and got the rear slide working!!)  The next couple of weeks will probably be more of the same – but, we’ll keep you ‘posted’.

E & G Having fun in Park City