Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier Natrional Park

Old Faithful.  

After visiting the three canyons, our Vacations by Rail tour had a two-day stay in Salt Lake City, and then continued on our trip to see more National Parks in the Southwest.

Our first stop was Jackson Hole in Wyoming that I found a bit touristy but where I had a wonderful meal of bison.

This was good.

These guys are big.

On to Yellowstone where we had two more days of wondrous sights.

One of the many beautifully colored steam pools.  

Old Faithful.  

While in Yellowstone, I remembered stories my grandmother and father told about their trip out west in 1929 (I'm not sure what season it would have been) .  My grandparents, my father and his sister traveled out west for three months while their house was being rebuilt.  A fire had destroyed their house and my grandfather left his older son in charge of supervising the rebuilding of their house and the others set out in their Model A Ford to tour the Southwest.   Old Faithful was erupting with regularity this summer just as it was many years ago when my father visited it.

All of these parks are beautiful in their own way, and I kept thinking "Oh this is the prettiest place we've been!" every time we moved on to a new park. Grand Teton Park certainly did not disappoint.

Pat and Gail my traveling companions.

Grand Teton National Park. 

But maybe the tour was designed to save the best for last, Glacier National Park.  It was breathtaking and a bit scary for those of us who are more than a little acrophobic.  We rode the historic red buses that date back to the 1930s along the famous Going to the Sun Road. 

The historic red bus.  

Glacier National Park along the Going to the Sun Road.

What a trip!  I'd like to do it all over again.

Canyons of the Southwest US Vacations by Rail

Bryce Canyon

Our tour of the National Parks of the Southwest sponsored by Vacations by Rail included three different canyons.  We transferred to a bus in Flagstaff and began our two week tour with 33 tourists aboard.  Our first stop was the Grand Canyon which I had seen before, but it is always breathtaking to behold, mainly because of its vastness.

With my friends Pat (in middle) and Gail with the Grand Canyon in the background.

After the Grand Canyon we moved on to Zion National Park.

The Three Patriarchs.  

The tour moved on to Bryce Canyon.  On the way to Bryce Canyon we saw a baby bighorn sheep crossing the road with its mother.

Baby bighorn sheep crossing the road to catch up with its mother. 

Of the three canyons, Bryce Canyon is my favorite.

Riding the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff

Union Station In Chicago.  

On Sunday morning we met the tour group at Union Station in Chicago to board the Southwest Chief Amtrak train for our trip to Flagstaff, Arizona where our tour of the National Parks would begin.

Jennifer, our Vacations by Rail Tour Director. 

Baggage with green tags ready to load on train. 

The Southwest Chief. 

We had several meals on the train.

My travelling companions, Gail on left and Pat. 

Gail in our tiny bedroom on the train.

In New Mexico.  

We arrived in Flagstaff around 10:00 pm Mountain Standard Time six hours late and after being on the train for some thirty plus hours.  Amtrak is certainly not like the Eurail in Europe or Britrail in England, but I'm glad to have made one train trip across the country. 

Gadding About in Chicago

The Bean Sculpture in Chicago. 

I flew to Chicago recently to take the Amtrak from Chicago to Flagstaff, Arizona to begin my trip to the southwest, and I had only a half day there.  I decided if I could see just one thing  I would venture out to Millennium Park to see the Cloud Gate sculpture known as "the Bean".  It is a large stainless steel work of art and is the most photographed attraction in Chicago.  I was not disappointed. 

Arriving at O Hare in Chicago.  

Me in front of The Bean. 

Millennium Park itself is beautiful to see.  

Millennium Park. 

Cannas in the Park. 

Butterfly on milkweed plant in Park. 

Chicago deep dish pizza.  Yum!

I did have a deep dish Chicago Pizza while in the city. 

Laura and Andy's Housewarming Party

Laura and Andy

My grandniece Laura (CeCe and Louie's daughter) and her husband Andy moved into a new house in Lexington where they both teach.  They have spent a lot of time fixing it up, redoing the kitchen cabinets and painting throughout.

The kitchen with the cabinets painted white with black accessories, the walls a pretty blue, and the island in the middle that Andy built. (Photo by CeCe Grigg.)

The dining room with a wall of shelves beside the windows.  Room for lots of pretty books, pottery, baskets, and knickknacks. (Photo by CeCe Grigg.)

On Sunday Aunt Kelly and the family planned a Housewarming Party for them.  It was fun seeing all the family and especially seeing the new baby in the family Lane Snellings.  My grandfather was James Lane and although none of his children were given the name Lane, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and now great, great grandchildren have been named Lane There's my sister Martha Lane, cousins Steven Lane, Thomas Lane,  my son Patrick Lane, my niece Kelly Lane, Kelly's daughter Allyson Lane, a cousin Lani, and now Lane. Lane is actually a great, great, great grandchild.

Lane Snellings

Grandmother Kelly and Lane

CeCe and Titan, Laura and Andy's puppy.

Lane's big sister Leila.

Leila's pretty sparkling blue eyes and blond curls.  She's beautiful. 

Titan.  

It was especially nice to see Lane who has grown a lot since I last saw him about a month ago.  Family gatherings are so much fun.  And here's hoping that Laura and Andy will have lots of joy and laughter in their new house.