Wyoming

Well, me and Tom just got back from our visit to see his sister in Lyman, Wyoming then up to Jackson Hole. That part of the trip was great. Our attempt to see the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks was not the best. It seems they had decided to tear up the road from around the Jackson Hole Airport to about the Grand Teton Park entrance which was 25 mph and gravel (very dusty). So much for the convertable we rented. So this took about an hour longer than it was supposed to. This was after the 4 hours we had already spent driving from Lyman to Jackson Hole. Then half way through Grand Teton they really tore the rodes ups. They had signs saying expect up to 30 min delay. They didn't tell you that there was 4 stops of up 30 min a piece. Down to one lane, all dirt. As you snaked your way through letting a few go north for a few miles, then you stop so the people leaving can use the road, once they passed it was our turn again. It was a nightmare. We had plans to make the loop around Yellowstone and see all the sites. But because of road conditions we only made it to Old Faithful.

But the main part of our vacation was to see Tom's sister Patty. Which was a great visit. We flew into Salt Lake City and drove up to Lyman which took just under 2 hours. It was a nice drive. the family includes Patty and Clair, her husband. Christina their daughter who lives in Billings Montana with her husband and 3 sons. Then (I hope I get this right) there is CJ, Jacob and Lilly (the twins), Joseph, Samuel, Benjamin, James, Adam and Amon. The first night we went to a dress rehearsal of a benefit for the Special Olympics that CJ was doing. CJ is 17 and a magician. He went to Las Vegas this year and won several awards. Here is an article the local paper wrote http://www.bridgervalleypioneer.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=77&story_id=774 Then Thursday night we went to a Boy Scouts thing where Adam was awarded the Order of the Arrow and he flew up to the next level of scouting after Weblows I think. On Friday was the drive mentioned above. Only good thing about it was eating at the Moondance Diner. Which was the one in Spiderman and a couple other movies. They bought the diner and moved it from New York to La Barge. But Saturday was great, we just stayed in Jackson Hole. Took a tram ride up to the top of one of the Tetons which is in the ski resort area, then went to the Snake River Brewery for lunch. After that we walked around the town of Jackson Hole and did some shopping (think small upscale Gatlinburg).

Then Sunday was travel home, and lunch/dinner with the family for Melissa's birthday. It is very nice to be home. Now it is time for bed. Oh yea, the pictures. First one is me, Clair, CJ and Jacob. They are preparing for the Order of the Arrow ceremony, Then Patty is sitting at the picnic table (thing on her head since she lost her hair to chemo) then surrounded by most of the kids. James in red wheelchair, Adam in blue wheelchair, Joseph, Samual and Benjamin sitting by Patty, Amon and Lilly on the other side. Last picture is the view from their front deck...they own about 10 acres and Clairs family owns as far as you can see.

Now bed.