We live fifty miles from Yellowstone National Park. And, as if that wasn't enough reason for visiting, my oldest, Alex who has autism tends to get a little stuck on topics of interest. Currently we are stuck on National Parks, (I know it could be worst, like stuck on the origins of diseases, maybe that will be next month) nevertheless, Alex knows EVERYTHING anyone would ever want to know about National Parks. Thus, I know A LOT about National Parks too, I learn by osmosis apparently. (Or perhaps, I have just listened to Alex talked about the wonders of Mammoth Hot Springs, and the many routes around Fishing Bridge and the Grand Canyon, and Old Faithful, that I could repeat a travel brochure verbatim in my sleep-oh, I have skills.) Anyway, we go when we can, this trip was a Sunday afternoon, and truth be told, often in the rush of life, a trip to Yellowstone feels like one more thing, and I am grumbling while I am grabbing gold fish crackers and water bottles and jackets, and then as we drive and start winding through the trees, and pushing past the lakes and the waterfalls, I feel like a complete smuck, because it is amazing. It is beautiful, and I think I should listen to Alex more often. By the time we leave, I am almost weepy, absorbed in the beauty of the night, longing for a few more moments of light, a few more instances of quiet, of stillness. (Usually, you must know I have walked ahead of my boys for these moments of insight.) These pictures are from Old Faithful and Yellowstone lake. For tourist information, just call Alex, I'll set him loose on you, and you'll start to wonder why your not here right now.

Spring Break 2009

Along with all the beautiful trees (you know, the ones that feed my soul, --so tasty! Still hungry!) the breathtaking mountains and the streams that run through our back yard, in Jackson, there's snow. Lots of snow. So much snow that theratically you could go outside to let the cat in (actually, in Jackson everyone has dogs) and slip on the ice and be covered for three weeks. They'd find you in June. We had about 36 inches over Christmas Eve and Christmas day, the snow was up to Spencer and Logan's heads. No lies. Thus, by April, we are often a little desperate for something other than...snow. We are all desperate for sand, and sun and fifty degrees, -we'd settle for thirty- (we're not asking for much!) This year we went to San Diego, a favorite since our days in Yuma when it was only a mere two hours away. The boys have all their favorite places to go -Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, the Ocean- and I love to wear flip flops and sunscrean, and feel the waves rush over my feet, and watch the sun sink into the sea. Here are a few shots from our trip, featuring sand, not snow! (Apparently, sand also feeds the soul.)