Sunflower Growth

After an evening of questioning the validity of this trip, where it's taken us and where we're headed, we awake to a forwarded picture from our dear friend, Susan. Finally, a documented sprouting!
(This is from Ohio!)

You've gotta love life! Thank you, Susan!!!

Are there any others out there?!?

Montana Bound

Celeste plants one of our sunflower seeds along this beautiful basin area as we bid our final farewell. We can't imagine a more perfect finish.







Yet, as we head out the west entrance of this grand park toward Montana, one more magic moment is bestowed. A bald eagle sitting on her nest bids us well as we literally are just a few miles from the exit. We are no longer surprised at the gifts we're receiving, just incredibly grateful.




















Signs welcoming us to Montana blaze and the beauty that is looming amazing. How can it keep getting just so much more beautiful?!










We find what we consider to be the perfect lunch spot at Bear Claws Bar and Grill, a random sighting and it delivers just as we imagine it should. The lone server is adorable and efficiently runs her busy dining area with a constant smile, presenting huge portions of delicious fare.





Our long drive today is being rewarded with vistas around every curve such that we can't even miss magnificent Yellowstone.






We are indeed really liking Montana!

Mankato

We have a full day's travel ahead today as we leave this beautiful Wisconsin countryside and make our way to its neighbor, Minnesota. Our stop is Mankato, as it promises a pretty waterfall (one important option) and a great place for rest. The Hilton Garden Inn has a wonderful location on the Minnesota River in downtown and a great little restaurant. Our room is quite large and has incredibly comfortable beds - these are important points for full time travelers, needless to say.




As we settle in, we enjoy a great dinner at Olives, chef John Massad has great ideas that deliver beautifully. The Caprese Salad is better than any, including mine. All ingredients very fresh and the seasoning quite perfect. Celeste's BBQ ribs are fall off the bone scrumptious and my chicken and beef kabobs with couscous and hummus are amazing. The great service and delicious food is just what we need after a long day of driving.












Rain at the start of day does not detour as we use the time for much needed chores. Utilizing the great fitness facilities is yet another benefit of the inclement weather and just as neededl.



















A later venture along the river and into Old Town before returning to downtown showcases some interesting scenery.





Minneopa State Park is much prettier than we had imagined. The falls are quite impressive and a trail leading above, along and behind them is very nice. The park receptionist is more than helpful in suggesting another option as we head to South Dakota.





















Blue Mounds State Park is home to a buffalo range and and, of course, we are able to spot the grazing bison after a very short hike. Yes, those are buffalo in that meadow! A sunflower planting seems a very good idea here as it is a preview of the great west we're about to explore!




Note to Minnesota - we really didn't allow much time or activity in your little state so we apologize. We're just really excited to get out west!

Reconnecting in Ohio

Niagara is filling quickly as the Memorial Weekend is approaching, we have timed our trip perfectly. Today we head to Ohio to stay at Casa Connelly (my dear friends, Susan and Jack, who have just recently retired in Medina, southeast of Cleveland). Our journey takes us back through New York and Pennsylvania, skirting the Eerie as we come into Ohio. Despite the weekend travel, we have a pleasant and easy trip and find their beautiful home with no problems.

It has been too many years since we've last visited, Susan and I have known each other since college! Their home is beautiful and so are they - and the welcome is just what we need for the holiday weekend. As with all good friends, time is quickly dismissed as we settle in to enjoy our time here. Dakota, their beautiful lab, also is happy to see us and the weekend begins with cocktails and snacks on the outside deck overlooking a gorgeous ravine and we begin the catching up process. Jack grills baby lamb chops and veggies and we embark on a delicious feast yet keep in our new healthy mode - it doesn't get any better!












We settle into our luxurious accommodations and sleep very well, needless to say. As both Susans are fighting spring respiratory issues, we have decided to opt for a low key weekend and it's perfect. Celeste finds a plethora of hummingbird photo options in the back yard and has much fun capturing their habits.

We manage to have a birthday celebration intended for all, as we've each had momentous ones this year and the past three but not together. Mrs. C manages to prepare the beautiful cake even though she's not at her best. Despite our coughs, we enjoy!


Our visiting is the highlight of our trip but we do sneak in a little excursion on Memorial Day. A trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a unique viewing of the blue heron nesting and babies hatching - an amazing sight as dozens of nests are located in just a couple of trees along the outskirts of the river. We enjoy the mothers flocking to attend and the little ones readying for their impending release into the world. It is an incredible peek into the efficient world of nature and we thoroughly enjoy!

A little trek on a tow path along the river is very inviting and it is lovely to see so many families enjoying the gorgeous spring holiday amidst this beauty. As the weekend winds down, we can't miss the sunflower planting. Jack, Susan and Dakota aid Celeste in finding the perfect spot for our ritual. It is the ideal closing for a marvelous reconnection in Ohio!

Our thanks and love to all three of you - we had a wonderful time!!!

Group Planting and Farewell

Our camp retreat has come to a blissful end and our wonderful group all gathers to wish us a fond farewell, each taking a sunflower to plant. Some will plant today on their various hikes, a few gather for a group plant outside New Life's base, some will carry and plant at their own special spot. It is a grand finale to our time.















We take with us a renewed well being, and contacts for future interactions. It is a wealth of goodness we carry forward and we are feeling pretty lucky that we've been able to experience such a wonderful time!

Thanks to all of our New Life friends for giving us so much love and support - we are incredibly grateful! And, here's to grand times ahead for all!!!

Making Friends and Carriage Roads

Our evening after touring and hiking Acadia lands us at a wonderful little pub, McKay's Public House, for dinner. As they are having a large party, seating is limited, but the option for dinner at the bar is one we decide to take. Boy, are we glad we did.


Service and food are excellent but the interactions we have with fellow "bar diners" is the real treat. We met several interesting folk, in particular, Judy and Rick from Charlotte, NC, who we just completely loved. Before leaving, we make arrangements to meet for dinner the following evening.














On this second Acadia day, upon the advise of our ranger, we find a really beautiful carriage road, taking us to a little waterfall off of one of the 17 stone bridges. A delightful hike, meandering through woods with enveloping mountain and water views



The road to Cadillac Summit is spectacular and much chillier and windy. We circle on the 360 degree top path before veering off onto the North Ridge trail. As we head down, we continue to remind ourselves there is going to be the return back up. But, it is so beautiful! After about a mile, we reluctantly begin the retreating climb. So worth the effort!!




We find yet another carriage road that takes us by a beaver dam haven. Signs of the little guys abound but an actual sighting does not occur. The only hikers, we do encounter several bikers also enjoying the beautiful trail. The 4 mile hike winds us down for the afternoon - we are true fans of these carriage roads. Wish we had time to do them all. A return trip seems likely.



Finding the Wild Gardens of Acadia seems to be the perfect setting for our sunflower planting. What a little gem we find here, as well. Blooming is just starting, another two weeks and the color here will be amazing. As we exit this national park, we take with us an incredible sense of wonder. There is still such beauty out there and taking the time to find and explore is essential!




Our final evening in Bar Harbor is delightful as we join our new friends for a lovely dinner. Wine. lobster, laughter and an incredible view makes for the most appropriate ending for our time here. We could easily spend another week, but there is still so much to see out there. We've managed to encompass quite a bit in these few days and we are eternally grateful for the gifts we received here!