We know it's been a long time since we posted but finally a bit of time to catch you all up. As we mentioned in the last post, we spent some time with John's family. Some of that time was going to soccor games and school plays. I wanted to include some pic's of Kai, 7 years old, and Mia who is 3.5, both children of John's niece next door to his sister. Kai is the dark haired boy about to kick the ball. That's Mia cheering from the sidelines!
From Boise we headed east making a little town called Lava Hot Springs , Idaho, our first stop. We wanted a last dip before getting too far east, as hot springs really thin out. We picked out a motel and walked in to the front office to inquire about an available room for that night. The owner was at the desk and we struck up a conversation which revealed that john and I were Massage therapist and also that John was a carpenter. She offered us jobs on the spot. (We had just been talking about looking for work when we got back to Phoenix). So the next morning we met with her to talk more, look at an apartment and to check out the town. She gave us a week to decide. Later that day we continued on our way. Wyoming was quietly beautiful and we saw many groups of 3-5 prong horned Antelope grazing on the side of the road. The mid west is pretty flat, and we passed through before spring planting. Pretty boring and not much to tell, except about this time we came down with colds which got into our sinus's and lungs. Nothing like a bad cold to screw up a trip home. It stayed with us until we got back to Phoenix.
We headed somewhat south to West Virginia to see John's oldest son, Ian. Had a few days in the mountains which was really great after all the desert of the west and then the flats of the mid west. Wonderful to be in a tree canapy again!!!
Onward to Maine, where we spent most of our time resting and trying to get rid of the cold. Mine (S.) developed into Pnumonia. We did have a few visits with some friends and family, which was great, but we missed so many people we had planned on seeing. :(
Getting back to Phoenix we found Dave had another medical emergency. His son was there and well in charge of things. We stayed in Phoenix 3-4 days and then had to head north to start our new jobs by June 1st. On the way north we had many stops. The first was at the Wapuki Ruins, having just finished reading a book on the first caretakers of the ruins back in the 30's.
One of our next stops was the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Quieter and more serene than the south rim, and alot less tourists. Being mid day the colors were washed out, but they are there...
From there we headed towards St. George to see one of John's brother's, Roger, and his wife Barbara. Had a very pleasant afternoon with them. To get to their house we had to go through Zion National Park. Amazing beauty and a few tunnels for which we had to wait to go through single file. The bus, and most RV's, are too tall for the tunnels.
The next day we headed for Bryce Canyon, camping out on BLM land the night before. We actually woke up to corn snow falling on us. Not quite hail, but loud enough to wake us up! So an early start to Bryce! It's really cool to see all the different formations the earth has produced, and Bryce did not disappoint. Views from above and we also hiked down into one of the canyons.
After the beauty of Zion and Bryce we headed for Salt Lake City. This is where John grew up. We passed many mountain ranges still covered with snow. We got there in time to have lunch with Mac, another of John's brothers. He graced us with a couple of jackets - warm fleece - that he picked up at his last FBI convention. Recently retired, he seems much more relaxed, zipping around in his two seater red convertible!
And the visor he wears while while driving...OMG!!
That afternoon we managed to catch up with an old friend of John's from way back, and then spent the evening with his nephew Chris, wife Missy, and son Ian. Fun cookout that night at friends of theirs down the street. Thanks guys!
The next day we headed off to Lava Hot Springs, just a few hours north and east of Salt Lake. We moved into our apartment that night, and spent the next 3-4 days getting to know the town. It seems with a town this small ( 500 pop.) not much happens without everyone knowing. Many times someone would come up to us and say " Aren't you the guys on the red bus? Welcome to Lava! We have met many friendly, wonderful, and very helpful people here. And good cooks! Should be a good summer!
Friends coming for dinner, so it's time to start cooking myself.
'Til next time my friends. Miss you all!!!!!
Johnney and Scott
