rajafacesbothways

How Does The Garden Grow?

The morning glories are showing off for my return--at least they are happy about it.

Cherry tomatoes--a gift that keeps on giving:

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

The Good:  Amtrak's trip through Glenwood Canyon, CO with soaring red canyon walls, 10 tunnels and the Frazier River. Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion Park were more impressive than I remembered. The sunset over Bryce combining two rainbows, lightning, the full spectrum of colored clouds was worth the trip.

The Bad:  Amtrak's problems due to flooding through IA and NE forces sharing tracks with Southern Pacific and other lines, causing major delays. And an accident involving a crane in CO caused the Zyphyr to go off the track and passengers bussed to Denver, causing a very long, unknown delay into Salt Lake City.

The Ugly:  Three feed lots in CO and NE had acres of cattle, standing in their own muck, listless from God-knows-what weight inducing drugs with nary a blade of grass in site. Sad to see--no Big Macs in my life.

Trip was lots of fun with mostly beautiful sites. After cutting it short, I realized I should never travel with anyone over 50.

Unless I hitch a ride with a trucker.

Back So Soon?!

Curses! Back in Georgeburg, having never gotten further west than Salt Lake City. Was it a ploy by Amtrak and the Mormons to hold me there until I found Jesus? Probably not, but God does work in strange ways.....

Anyway, all the drama with Irene kept news attention on the east coast. Amtrak has been dealing with HUGE delays-- forced to share their tracks (due to earlier flood damage) with Southern Pacific and other lines in Iowa and Nebraska; it faced even larger problems when a train collided with a tractor(?), cars were tipped over and passengers were bussed to Denver. The accident occurred after we arrived in Salt Lake but pushed our departure time to San Francisco back over 24 hours and counting.

Having been temporarily stranded in Bangkok and France, this was no big deal to me--but my 2 companions "had it" so we got last minute flights on Delta to Cincy Saturday afternoon. A wise decision executed. Not known for wise decisions I would have waited it out.

However--I could still be in Salt Lake City, contemplating becoming a Mormon.

The actual trip was fabulous--more on that coming up.

 

Riding the Rails

Leaving Cincy Amtrak station about 1:30 a. m. for Chicago--on to Salt Lake and renting a car there to explore Bryce and Zion National Parks for 5 days, then riding the rails to San Francisco to spend 3-4 days.

Will rent a car and drive up the coast with stops in Portland and Seattle where Patsy, Katy and I will catch Amtrak on 9/11 back to Cincy and home. We're due to arrive at 3:17 a.m. on 9/14. We aren't getting sleepers so won't arrive "refreshed". That's okay. The journey not the arrival is what counts.

Am not taking my laptop, but will try to blog occasionally from hotels or motels. I assume there is internect connection west of the Rockies!

Cleopatra and Me

Packing everything for almost a month of travel into 2 bags the size of backpacks is a real challenge, but one I am up for--I travel light, not bringing my Nikon and 2-3 lenses as I've done in the past. Am taking my small Olympus film camera and a boring cell phone. If you want to see what I see, you'll have to go there yourself.

Attended the excellent Cleopatra exhibit in Cincinnati. Learned a lot about the history of Egypt and the powerful little lady who made it all happen. She sure knew how to pick her lovers!

 

And They're Off

A very fun  visit ended after a few more delightful events that included food and drink--our main family focus wherever we are.

The Beer Trappe in Lexington has 8 taps of rare craft beers and hard to find bottled beers from all over the world. Kathryn had connected with a couple in Lexington on her blog and we met  there for some sipping. It was followed by a fabulous meal of Polish food at the home of my friend and her family who originally came from Poland.

After an airshow on the porch by show-off hummingbirds, Karen and Kathryn returned to Chicago. Hard to top exciting Georgetown, I bet?!

Drill Baby Drill

Final efforts assuring the banner will last for posterity....or at least through the winter.

 

Installation

To prepare for the visit by Karen and Kathryn, my good neighbor permanently installed the banner for their welcome. And put to the test with a big wind storm last night, the banner withstood the elements beautifully. When it comes to anything involving ladders, tools and engineering it's not what I know, it's who I know. And what who I know is willing to do!

Company Here

Karen and friend Kathryn arrived Thursday evening to live music from the square and the First Friday group on the rooftop, telling stories and anticipating their arrival. People from Chicago are considered celebrities here.

Yesterday  we had BLTs among the darting hummingbirds and then toured the Four Roses distilery, followed by the opening of the Sunny Sixteen photo exhibit. Weather has been delightful--finally!

Today began with Frickles (fried dill pickles) eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy at Favas, followed by a stop at Grannies Goodies to get another stash of pimento cheese and a new product to us--corn bread salad--a spicy combo of crumbled up corn bread, mayo and unknown ingredients that had no identity to salad. But one taste, and we were sold.

All Kentucky health foods.

A Victorian Touch

Birds have discovered the rooftop garden--several hummingbirds are tanking up for their trip south--I could reach out and touch them but of course they flit away after trying to stare me town. And the other birds are total gluttons. What great entertainment.

A new plant to me--Loves-Lies-Bleeding--has been around since Victorian times. Was it a titillating plant to Victorian ladies? Or maybe it's just my imagination!