I never knew Idaho was so beautiful! I just thought it was potato fields. I guess I never realized that it also has mountains and borders Yellowstone National Park. But day 6 of our trip led us to Harriman State Park in Island Park, Idaho where we went on a trail ride and saw four moose in the wild! Harriman State Park was only about 40 minutes from West Yellowstone and is an 11,000 acre working ranch, wildlife refuge and park. It was gifted to the state by the Harriman family of the Union Pacific railroad empire and is full of quiet lakes, rivers, meadows, and abundant wildlife. Before arriving at the barn we stopped to photograph the peaceful Silver Lake, which serves as a bird sanctuary.
Silver Lake
I want to give a shout out to Dry Ridge Outfitters www.dryridge.com who took us on an awesome 2-hour horseback ride. The horses were well-trained, good-natured, and sure-footed. The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. We saw four moose in the woods -two cows, a calf, and a bull. I wasn’t able to get a good picture while my horse was moving, but it was a really cool experience.
Richard and “Tex” got along just fine.
After our horse ride we took the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway and stopped at two recreation areas: Upper Mesa Falls and Lower Mesa Falls. This was only about 15 miles from Harriman State Park, so if you are there I recommend taking the time to view these beautiful falls.
Insider Tip: There was a small parking fee at the state park, but save your stub because this fee is also good for Mesa Falls.
Near Mesa Falls
According to a brochure put out by the Forest Service, approximately 1.3 million years ago, a huge volcanic eruption created an ash layer hundreds of feet deep. This layer was compressed into rock known as Mesa Falls Tuff. Later eruptions filled the area with basalt lava flows, and the Snake River keeps carving the canyon. The Mesa Falls Tuff is the rock ledge that the falls cascade over. The upper one is 114 feet high, and the lower one is 65 feet high.
Upper Mesa FallsAbove Upper Mesa FallsMesa FallsUpper Mesa FallsLeaving Idaho heading back to West Yellowstone, MTBack at our home base of West Yellowstone we saw this random groundhog in a parking lot of a restaurant. It looks like someone has been feeding him carrots.
Sadly, our Wild West Adventure came to an end on Day 7, when we headed back to the airport to go home. We decided to get up super early in the morning and drive through the Lamar Valley on our way out of the park back to Billings, in hopes of seeing some active wildlife. However, genius here (that would be me) accidentally set her alarm for P.M. instead of A.M. causing us to oversleep. But even with the late start we still saw some animals – no wolves or grizzlies though.
Lamar ValleyLamar ValleyLamar Valley
Going back to Billings we went over the mountain pass on the Bear Tooth Highway back to Red Lodge again. If you make this drive all the way over the pass be aware that it takes almost two hours and is super steep. You will also need to make sure you have enough gas and that your brakes work well. The view is breathtaking though!
This was the view from our truck.A View from the Bear Tooth Highway
This was one of the best vacations, and I hope you have enjoyed my daily trip reports. Please let me know your thoughts by commenting below, and be sure to follow me on social media. Below is a short video of Days 6 & 7:
Want to see our entire trip? Here is a video summary of our entire seven day Wild West Adventure:
Day 5 was our big hiking day in Yellowstone National Park. On the way to Biscuit Basin we stopped at the popular Painted Pots exhibit – but not before we stopped to watch a black bear look for fish in the river.
Black BearOn the way to Fountain PotsFountain Paint Pots
According to the informational sign at the entrance, this vat of bubbling mud contains the perfect ingredients to create mud pots: heat, gases, water, volcanic rock, minerals, acid, and even living microorganisms! Heat loving “thermophiles” consume some of the gases and help convert them into sulfuric acid. The acid breaks down rock to form clay – clay that mixes with water in mudpots.
I would not recommend trying to get a facial in this!The coloring is caused by minerals and bacteria.Fountain Painted Pots
After our stop at the Painted Pots we parked at Biscuit Basic and enjoyed looking at even more geological wonders on our way to the back of Biscuit Basin where our trail head was for our hike to Mystic Falls.
At Biscuit Basin
The Mystic Falls trail is categorized as an easy 2.4 mile out and back trail with a waterfall view. That sounded harmless enough, but what we didn’t know is that there is another Mystic Falls trail that is a much longer and MUCH steeper loop. Guess which one we did on accident? Yep. And living below sea level did not prepare us for the altitude either. So we ended up doing a 3.5 mile loop up a very steep mountain. But we had fun, and the views were spectacular!
Insider Tip: When hiking in Yellowstone always bring water, bear spray, and wear lots of sun screen and bug spray – unless you really like mosquitoes.
We hiked pretty high up but saw some awesome views!One of the Views From Our HikeMountain Wildflowers
When we finally saw the waterfall it made the hike worthwhile. So magnificent! And the river below was so beautiful and peaceful. We took our shoes and socks off and soaked our feet in the cool water. There is nothing more peaceful than hearing a rushing stream, feeling the light breeze, and seeing spectacular beauty everywhere you look.
Mystic FallsView of Mystic Falls from the River Below
Back in West Yellowstone we cleaned up from our hike and hit the town for all of the Fourth of July celebrations. This little mountain town goes all out to celebrate with activities all day, ending with fireworks. There were fundraisers, kid’s games, food, live music, and the cutest parade ever! Fundraisers included the Fire Department Benefit BBQ, Pie on the Porch, and even the Seventh Annual Buffalo Chip Chuck (I cannot make stuff like this up)! I was expecting a few kids with their parents on bicycles for the parade, but wow! It seemed like the entire town was in that parade! They handed out American flags to all of us watching, and people on the floats threw candy out to the crowd – yes, they actually had floats. It was an iconic piece of Americana to be sure.
To see some of the parade live watch here:
What are your favorite travel memories during the week of July 4?
This day was our trek to another national park, The Grand Tetons. We got an early start, since we were driving several hours south to Jackson, Wyoming (better know as Jackson Hole). We had to take the same lower loop road like we did yesterday when we saw Old Faithful, but this time we stopped at the Grand Prismatic Spring and walked around Excelsior Geyser. It was pretty cool. Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the nation – 300 feet in diameter and a ridiculously hot temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. It is in the Midway Geyser Basin. The center is this deep azure blue that really stands out because of the contrasting colors of the outer edges. Many of the colors are caused by minerals or bacteria. You definitely don’t want to fall in! There are lots of signs warning visitors to stay on the boardwalk.
Minerals cause the odd coloring.
Another stop on the way was Lewis Falls. It might be easy to miss this beautiful set of waterfalls. It is between the South Entrance to the park and Grant Village at West Thumb on the Lewis River. The falls drop about 30 feet and can be seen from the road.
Lewis Falls
We drove out the South Entrance (still in Wyoming) and into the Grand Teton National Park. The drive provided some beautiful views of wildlife, rivers, Jackson Lake, and the Grand Teton Mountains.
We had planned on going white water rafting on the Snake River, but we decided to do a float trip instead so that we could bring our cameras and take pictures without getting wet. Shout out to Barker-Ewing Whitewater for doing a fabulous job!
View of the Grand Tetons From our Boat
We saw two bald eagles on our float trip. So cool! We also met some cool people and learned a lot about wildlife from our guide.
EagleWildflowers Along the ShoreThe Grand Tetons
Jackson is a town in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole valley near the border of Idaho and is home to 3 ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee Resort. It is a very cool town. Although many of the stores and restaurants were high-end in price, there are also your typical T-Shirt and souvenir shops. The Town Square’s entrance has an arch made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge. There are also a lot of art galleries and shops. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe.
The town is Jackson, and the Valley is called Jackson Hole. The term “hole” was used by early trappers or mountain men, who mostly entered the valley from the north and east and had to descend along relatively steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole. These low-lying valleys surrounded by mountains and containing rivers and streams are good habitat for beaver and other fur-bearing animals.
Lots of Shops and Restaurants in JacksonI Like All of the Cute Alleys.
Have you ever been to Jackson Hole? Have any good stories? I’d love to hear from you. Check out a short video of Day 4 of Our Trip Here:
Our third day of our journey started out rainy, but we were still determined to see the most famous geyser: Old Faithful. The Upper Geyser Basin, home of Old Faithful, holds the majority of the world’s active geysers. So many hydrothermal features concentrated in one area is evidence of Yellowstone’s active volcano.
Insider Tip: Plan to arrive early to the major attractions, as the crowds get larger later in the day.
Partially molten rock, or magma, from this volcano is said to be as close as 3-8 miles below your feet. Magma provides the first key ingredient in creating these thermal features, which is heat. The second ingredient is water, provided by rain and snow. The water seeps down several thousand feet below the surface where it is heated. Underground cracks and earthquake faults form the third ingredient: a natural “plumbing” system. Water that is heated to a super high temperature rises through this plumbing to produce hot springs and geysers.
People line the boardwalk encircling the geyser waiting for Old Faithful to erupt.
Insider Tip: Forcasted eruption times are posted on a board in the Visitor Education Center and in many of the area facilities.
Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any of the other big geysers, although it is not the largest or most regular geyser in the park. It is very cool to see though. The water shoots up very high and lasts several minutes.
Old Faithful is starting to erupt. See my video at the end of this post to watch this spectacular event in action. You can see the hot spots in front of Yellowstone Lake.
From Old Faithful Village and the Upper Geyser Basin we drove to the Canyon area, stopping at Isa Lake on the way. Isa Lake straddles the Continental Divide at Craig Pass. Isa Lake is believed to be one of only two natural lakes in the world which drain to two different oceans, the other one being Wollaston Lake. The east side of the lake drains by way of Lewis River to the Pacific Ocean and the west side drains through Firehole River to the Gulf of Mexico. The lake is easy to find. It is next to the road that connects the Old Faithful and West Thumb geysers basins. This road is called the “Lower Loop.”
Lily Pads on Isa Lake
We continued on to the Canyon area passing on the way one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen, Yellowstone Lake. The water was a deep blue, and the views were extraordinary. Every pull-over area was an awesome photo opp. `
Our picnic spot at Yellowstone lake
Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake (above 7,000 feet) in North America. It covers 286 square miles and has an average depth of 138 feet. The only outlet of the lake is at Fishing Bridge, where the Yellowstone River flows north. This lake is covered by ice from mid-December to May or June. Cold! The central basin and ragged shores were carved from glacial activity and volcanic events. In fact, many of the area’s 1,000 to 3,000 annual earthquakes occur under Yellowstone Lake, causing the water’s edge to continue to be reshaped. Yellowstone Lake is also the site of one of the most extensive conservation efforts in the National Park Service. The park staff is trying to reduce the impact of invasive lake trout on the survival of the native population of cutthroat trout.
Yellowstone LakeYellowstone Lake
After passing Yellowstone Lake we went through Hayden Valley on our way to the Canyon Area. Very early in the morning is a great time to see active wildlife in this valley. Professional photographers set up their cameras and wait super early. But even later in the day we were able to see a few animals and stopped to take some photos.
Hayden ValleyHayden Valley There are lots of elk and bison in Hayden Valley
Passing through Hayden Valley we arrived at the Canyon area, housing Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This Grand Canyon is full of dramatic geological shapes and colors, and the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River are breathtaking.
The canyon formed when hydrothermal activity changed and weakened the bedrock, making the stone softer. Then the Yellowstone River eroded the weakened rocks, which deepened and widened the canyon further. The 308-foot Lower Falls marks the point where the volcanic bedrock beneath the river changes from hard rock, which is resistant to erosion, to the hydrothermally altered rocks found common downstream. The 109-foot Upper Falls marks a similar shift. Near the river you can see dark orange, brown, and green areas where there are still-active hydrothermal features, which along with water, wind, and earthquakes continue to sculpt the canyon today. There are several places to view both falls and get some great photos.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is known for the Upper and Lower Falls.
Insider Tip: You will be driving a lot in the large park to see everything, and you don’t want to run out of gas. Make sure to check the map you get when you enter the park your first day so that you will no where gas stations are (there are not very many in the park). Canyon Village is one place we got gas.
Please leave me your comments below. Check out a short video of Day 3 here:
On Day 2 we drove from Billings to Red Lodge to Cook City then into Yellowstone National Park via the Northeast entrance. Yellowstone park is huge! It covers three states (Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho) and has five entrances.
Insider Tip: We had to pay a $35 fee to enter the
park, but it was good for 7 days. You just have to show your receipt and
driver’s license at the gate each time to enter the park through any entrance.
Cook City is a cute little town. Great lunch spot in Cook CityCook CityAs a teacher, I thought this display was so interesting.
We traveled from the Northeast Entrance to Tower-Roosevelt to Mammoth Hot Springs, both of which are in Wyoming. Hotels and campgrounds fill up quickly, so make sure you have secured lodging in or near the park before planning your trip. Also, we learned that we could not get anywhere quickly in the park. Plan a minimum of 40 minutes travel time between junctions or visitor service areas on the Grand Loop Road.
The speed limit in Yellowstone is 45 mph except where posted slower, but it was crowded when we were there (July 4 holiday week) and people frequently pull over to the side of the road or slow down to view or photograph wildlife. One of my biggest regrets is not having a good camera with a zoom lens. All of the shots in this blog post were taken with my i-phone, and so many times the animals were just too far away for me to really get a good photo with my phone. From all of the research and ratings I have read this is the sort of camera I would get:
On this trip my husband actually did all of the driving, and I would look for animals and have him stop or pull over frequently so I could take a picture, but he said he didn’t mind. The views were so spectacular that driving was actually pleasant. Be prepared for a lot of driving in order to see the park. Even though we were just there a week, we still felt like we got to see what we wanted to see in that amount of time. The best thing to do is to visit early in the day to avoid crowds. Park entrance gates are open 24-hours. Wildlife are most active at sunrise and sunset, so arriving early gives you the best chance to observe animals.
We saw a lot of elk.The views driving were gorgeous!Real cowboys in action
Another thing we learned is that cell phone service is very
limited (almost none) in the park and surrounding areas. During peak hours the
cellular network is very slow and your provider may not roam on networks in
Yellowstone. Wi-Fi is available at the Mammoth Hotel, the Old Faithful Snow
lodge, Lake Lodge cafeteria, and the Canyon and Grant Lodges for a fee. The
Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs has free Wi-Fi. Data speeds are very
limited outside of that area through. Very frustrating if you are a blogger!
Elk were everywhere around the Mammoth Hot Springs Visitor Center.
Our first tourist stop in the park was Mammoth Hot Springs, which is made up of all of these rock terraces shaped by water over time. The water concentration and vents change quickly and constantly. Water follows the path of least resistance, whether it is above or under the ground, so it is almost like rocks are forming before your eyes. There are wooden boardwalks that we walked on throughout the rock and water features, making it easy to see everything without having to walk in the mud or hot earth.
Mammoth Hot SpringsThis waterfall is near Mammoth Hot Springs.
From there we went back out of the park through the West Entrance to West Yellowstone, MT. We stayed about 5 minutes from the west entrance at West Yellowstone Bed and Breakfast (https://www.westyellowstonebandb.com), where Deborah was a wonderful hostess.
West Yellowstone, Montana is a cool little town. West Yellowstone was incorporated in 1966 but has existed as a gateway community to Yellowstone National Park since the early 1900s. Although it is a small community with a population of approximately 1300 people, visitation to West Yellowstone tops 4 million people per year. The winters can be extreme, so there are fewer visitors in the colder months. When we were there in July the weather was perfect! Low humidity, mid 70’s in temperature, clean air. Having had allergies all my life and especially during pollen season in Memphis, I was so excited to be able to breathe through both sides of my nose for once! There are several restaurants, gift shops, and ice cream or taco trucks.
Everyone was so friendly!
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center http://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org is pretty cool to walk through. There is sort of a mini zoo at the end with real wolves and bears. There is also the Yellowstone Historic Center in an old train depot with some history exhibits if that’s your thing. See my Day 5 report for some pics and video of an awesome Fourth of July parade right down the center of town. Tomorrow we will go see Old Faithful! Stay tuned for my Day 3 post.
We would love to read your comments!
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Day 1 of our Wild West Adventure – Flying from Memphis, Tennessee to Billings, Montana provided incredible views of the majestic Rocky Mountains, abundant rivers, canyons, and so much green everywhere. I always prefer the window seat on an airplane for this very reason. We were so excited to be away from the heat and humidity we are used to and to explore Big Sky country where you can see for miles and miles. It is absolutely gorgeous!
My window seat view from airplaneView From Bear Tooth Highway
We spent our first night in Billings and found the town to be quite charming. The city’s tag line is “Montana’s Trailhead,” and although we did not hike that day we could see that there are many trails in the shadows of the Rimrocks and along the rivers and streams. Billings has hundreds of acres of city parks and 47 miles of walking and biking trails that surround the city. Seven miles of these trails are along the beautiful Yellowstone River. You can get a complete map of Billings’ trail systems at VisitBillings.com/goplay.
Montana is known for fly fishing, so we saw lots of fishermen and women in the many creeks and rivers all throughout Montana and Wyoming. Remember the movie “A River Runs Through It?” Call the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (406-247-2940) for information about fishing access sites and licenses. There are many other outdoor activities, a zoo, shopping, restaurants, and more. If you are a beer drinker there is even Montana’s only walkable Brewery Trail in the heart of downtown Billings. In fact, almost every town near Yellowstone has several micro-breweries.
Mountain Streams like this one are all throughout Montana.
Insider Tip: You
can even stop by the Visitor Information Center to borrow a bike for the day or
find a bike rental location close by. You can borrow the bike for free, but a
credit card is required to guarantee the return of the undamaged bike.
Jack Daniels Steak Bites – Filet Mignon sauteed with peppers and onions, glazed with Jack Daniels Brown Sugar Sauce and topped with Skinny Onion Rings. What?!!
Montana has a lot of Native American culture, which is
really cool. The Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations are located near
Billings. How did the Crow get their name? The Crow reservation, established in
1851, originally had the tribal name of “Apsaalooke,” which in their native
tongue means “children of the large beaked bird.” Over time this name was
misinterpreted, turning the tribe into the “Crow.” The Northern Cheyenne
Reservation, established in 1884, has some tourist attractions such as a
historical buffalo jump, burial sites of Indian Chiefs, Custer’s last camp
before the Battle of Little Big Horn and St. Labre Indian School. There are
also cultural centers and three museums.
Insider Tip: When in a reservation always ask before
taking a picture, since some cultural traditions may not welcome this in all
areas.
The Yellowstone Kelly interpretive Site is at the top of
Sword’s Rimrock Park and overlooks downtown Billings. Luther Sage “Yellowstone”
Kelly was one of the most notable frontiersman, American veteran, and warriors
of his time. You can visit YellowstoneKelly.org to check out the 24-hour live
stream video. Probably the most famous of all Western explorer/settler stories
is the story of Lewis and Clark (1804-1806). Captain William Clark spent three
years with Lewis exploring this region. Clark and his men passed through Billings
in July 1806 on their way to Pompeys Pillar, where his signature remains carved
into the pillar to this day. Other notable people of history include Preston
Boyd Moss, who started the Billings Gazette and Billings Utility Company,
Frederick Billings, who made a name for himself during the gold rush and ended
up getting this town named after him, and my favorite “Calamity Jane.” Martha
Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, was known for chewing tobacco, heavy
drinking, and acting out in general. She spent a lot of time in Billings at a
log cabin on Canyon Creek from 1893 – 1902.
Motorcycle enthusiast? The number one motorcycling road in
America, according to American Motorcyclist magazine is about 60 miles
from Billings: U.S. Highway 212, better known as the BearTooth Highway. Many
hotels even have bike washing stations. We tried to drive up to see the views
the day we stayed in Billings, but when we got near the top it started hailing!
Yes, in July. We don’t see hail in July in Memphis; that’s for sure. So even
though we decided to turn back early that day we went back over the mountain
pass on our way back to the Billings airport from West Yellowstone at the end
of our trip and were amazed at how high up we were (it climbs to 10,947 feet
above sea level) and how beautiful the scenery is. Over 950 alpine and glacial
lakes, the snowed covered Beartooth Mountains, green valleys. These mountains
boast 20 peaks over 12,000 feet in elevation (including Granite Peak, Montana’s
highest at 12,799 feet). There really are no words. I have climbed 14,000 +
footers in Colorado, skied the Swiss Alps, and been on the Italian Riviera, but
the views from the BearTooth Highway might outweigh them all. Named “the most
beautiful roadway in America” by On the Road correspondent Charles
Kuralt, it is definitely worth the drive!
Insider Tip: If you are renting a car, get one with four-wheel drive built for climbing steep hills. A small economy car won’t cut it. Also make sure the brakes work!
Our view going over the mountain pass on the Bear Tooth HighwayBear Tooth Highway
Red Lodge: To get up to the mountain pass from
Billings on the BearTooth Highway you have to go through a quaint little town
at the foot of the mountain called Red Lodge (elevation 5,555). The main street
downtown, called Broadway, is lined with cute locally owned gift shops, art
galleries, antique shops, boutiques, a bookstore, a candy store, and over
twenty eateries. It sort of felt like we were walking around a movie set.
Red Lodge, MT
Insider Tip: Plan on at least two ½ hours driving time to get from Red Lodge to Yellowstone – more if you plan on stopping a lot. The road is very steep and winding.
Lots of Antiques in Red LodgeAnd candy!!The pictures on the wall on the left are of veterans – World War II I think.Wow! He must have been moving really fast when he hit that wall! Ha Ha 🙂Liver Eating Johnston’s CabinThe View from Red LodgeA River in Red Lodge, MTRed Lodge, Montana
Stay Tuned for Part 2: Our first day in Yellowstone National Park! I would love to read your comments below!
Our vacuum cleaner broke recently, and when we looked for a new one we wanted to make sure that it would do a good job of picking up the dog hair from our two pups. After looking at Consumer Reports, we decided on the Kenmoor Elite 31150 Pet Friendly Bagged Upright Beltless Vacuum w/Pet Handi-Mate, Triple HEPA, 3D Inducer Motor, Telescoping Wand, 5-Position Height Adjustment, and 3 Cleaning Tools.
It is awesome! The Pet Handi-Mate piece is so cool! You can use it to get dog hair off of curtains, furniture, and other fabric. Below are the features as described by the company:
BAGGED UPRIGHT VACUUM: Remove pet hair, dust and more with this multifloor, multi-surface designed vacuum for use in your home, den, or kitchen with a wide sweeper path
PET HANDIMATE: Air driven turbine spins roller brush to high RPM easily removing dander, stubborn pet hair and other debris off furniture, stairs, car and van seats and out of your vehicle
TRIPLE HEPA FILTER SYSTEM-AAFA CERTIFIED: Enhanced HEPA filter system traps 99.7% of debris, trapping dander and dust inside the vacuum reducing allergy-induced pollutants in the room
POWERFUL CLEANING: 3D Inducer Motor combines power of 3 motors that give you 20% more air power than a conventional vacuum while never loosing suction. The Beltless Agitator reduces maintenance and repairs
3 ATTACHMENTS-EXTENDED REACH: Flexible hose and lightweight aluminum wand lengthen to reach 10′. Dusting brush, crevice tool and second bare floor tool for convenient cleaning transitions
SAVE TIME: 35′ cord, cleaning width of 12.75″, 5 height adjustments
Well, I don’t know about all that. I just know it is super easy to use, works GREAT, and we like it so much my husband even wants to vacuum! He jokes that his wife lets him run things around here…….like the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, lawn mower, etc. Ha! Ha! It is like a fun toy to him, and since we got this vacuum he has done all the vacuuming every week. You gotta love that!
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We just adopted a new puppy from a local rescue group, and we love her to pieces. We were very sad to lose our beloved 15 year old chow mix, Lucy, last summer. But Banjo was also grieving. We got Banjo when he was a puppy (he is 10 now), and all he has ever known is life with Lucy. He used to follow her everywhere and do whatever she did. When he was alone he was just lost. He didn’t want to play anymore and just slept all day. So we decided to get him a new friend. And now they both have a website named after them! Are you thinking about getting a new puppy? Well, here is a list from the American Kennel Club of things you will need.
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Treats for training such as Milkbone treats. I always try to buy food or treats made in the U.S.A.
Food and water dishes – I like to use the aluminum ones. Some have rubber on the bottom, and this keeps your puppy from pushing the bowl across the floor when eating.
Crate (may be replaced by a bigger one as she grows) – A sturdy metal one is best.
Bedding (at least two sets) – We have the bed in this link in Layla’s crate. I like it because it is super soft and is also machine washable. It also comes in several different sizes.
Dog Gate(s) – There are lots of different kinds (even a baby gate might work), but we like the one in this link because it looks better in the house and covers a wide area.
When I think of New Orleans I think of food, culture, jazz, and the people. My church here in Memphis hosted a shelter for folks from New Orleans who had come to us after Hurricane Katrina, and I will say that the people I met were some of the most friendly, resilient, and grateful people ever. Recently my husband and I spent some time there on our way to a cruise, and we had a fabulous visit. The city of New Orleans has been called many nicknames: The Big Easy, The Crescent City, Most Interesting City in America, and several more. It sits right in a crescent of the Mississippi River, and even though we could feel the humidity in the air there was always a slight breeze to offset it. We did find it indeed a very interesting city full of art, music, culture, and delicious cuisine.
You have to try the Beignets at the famous Cafe’ du Monde in the French Quarter!
Folks here in Memphis like to think of our city as the real music city (even though Nashville tries to claim that), but New Orleans has it’s fair share of a variety of American music. Whether you’re into jazz, rock, or even classical, there is something for everybody. We enjoyed live Cajun music and food at a family style place called Mulato’s.
Fun Family Restaurant with Live MusicShopping is abundant. There is an outlet mall at Riverwalk, but we liked window shopping at quaint little shops like this one.
New Orleans has evidence of French, Spanish, Haitian, and Cuban influence. There is a lot of tradition, such as their famous Creole cuisine served in restaurants made of century-old architecture and in its wild and crazy, traffic-stopping parades where I am told marchers scale rooftops to dance. I have never seen this, but Mardi Gras is a big deal in this city. New Orleans people are strong. This city has endured tremendous tragedy, yet it still celebrates with style and flair.
Mardi Gras anyone?Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, because it is the site where the 1803 Louisiana Purchase took place. Today a thriving open-air artist colony exists, with artists painting and displaying their work just outside of the iron fence.
Next time you are craving some Cajun cooking, drop on by the Bayou in NOLA, and see why New Orleans truly is a most interesting city. Have you been to New Orleans? Drop me a comment and tell me what your favorite part of your visit was.
This past December my husband and I had the chance to cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, and I got to do something I’ve always wanted to do – swim with the dolphins! Knowing that my friends back home were in the middle of winter made it even more fun to enjoy the warm ocean breezes and sunshine. Although there were lots of vendors near the port, they did not act too pushy or make us uncomfortable. Bring some cash, and always be ready to negotiate. Most vendors will take a lower amount than what they initially ask for.
There were so many colorful homemade souvenirs!
There is something for everybody there. Whether you want to relax on the beach, snorkel, take a tour by catamaran or jeep, see a show, or just go shopping. Because it is a popular cruise ship destination, our ship and another ship were on different ship times since they came from different ports. This caused some confusion with the departure times of some of the excursions, and we were told that our VIP package had been canceled. We rebooked on a different tour but saw someone holding up the sign for our first one when we arrived. When I asked about it, the vendor said it was not canceled after all and that we could pay the difference and upgrade to our original booking. The great thing about that was that no one else knew about this, so we got a private excursion! We got to interact with the dolphins as much as we wanted and then watch a wonderful sea lion show!
Richard takes commandStar of the Show
What a showoff!
After the sea lion show we walked around a park called Chankanaab. There were so many cool things to see – even animals and birds. We snorkeled near the reef and saw some beautiful brightly colored fish. It was awesome! Don’t miss this popular vacation spot. It is worth the trip!
