Returning...

So, the day (June25th) finally arrived for us to leave paradise.  As this is being posted we are still on the road. Because driving is taking up a large part of our days this posting will be rather brief but will include links to my Flickr site where additional photos are arranged in sets that represent scenes from specific days. 

For example on day 1 of our travels we drove to Cedar City, Utah. On the way we passed through northwestern Arizona on the way to Utah. The above picture is just one from a set that can be seen at this link. This group of photos represents the first significant mountainous terrain encountered on the return trip.

After checking into our motel in Cedar City we grabbed a bite to eat then strolled through the campus of SUU (Southern Utah University). Additional photos are here. Some of the photos of the set show the founders memorial. Attached here is the link with the story behind the memorial and how the Cedar City citizenry of the late 1890's assured that their city would be the site of the university. It's quite an amazing story. 

Day 2 of our travels had us going up to Glenwood Springs, Colorado but Cedar City happened to be very close to two sites we couldn't pass up on seeing so we spent the morning visiting Kolob Canyons (a part of Zion National Park) and then...

Cedar Breaks, a place that many describe as being a smaller version of Bryce Canyon. 

On the way to Glenwood Springs there was still a lot of Utah canyon country to pass through that can be seen here.

Later that day we arrived in Glenwood Springs.

The view across the valley from our motel in Glenwood Springs. While there is quite a bit of skiing and outdoor activity in this area it is also known as the town where the historical figure Doc Holliday died at the age of 36 from tuberculosis. The Glenwood Springs photo set is here.

On day 3 we left Glenwood Springs for Boulder driving up some very steep roads that made the little four cylinder Vibe struggle very hard. Many times our speed couldn't get much beyond 40 mph on the inclines. Photos here. Unfortunately, our plan to stay in Boulder for the evening was affected by the wildfire evacuations as nearly every place was booked up already, so we moved on to Cheyenne, Wyoming after stopping to eat and look around. 

I can only describe Cheyenne as a forgettable place, it was a layover that didn't prompt us to explore it much. Staying at our motel was this couple who were part of a motorcycle group from Dallas, Texas that I met. They were on a 15 day trip that would take them into Canada on their way to Alaska. From there they would board a ferry to Washington state then ride back to Texas. From Wyoming we drove on day 4 to Omaha, Nebraska, photos are here.

From the Missouri River riverfront park in Omaha. This city seems to have a lot to offer. Photos here.

After an overnight stay in Omaha we headed out on day 5 to Minnesota. First we had to cross the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska to Iowa. Additional pictures of the Iowa countryside here.

Ahh, Minnesota. Along with a planned stay in Boulder, which didn't materialize, we also planned on visiting with old friends from the Northampton area now living in Minnesota. For me the experience was bittersweet. It was so nice to see them again and so difficult to move on, but move on we did. The photo set here represents the last of this posting. 

I'm closing this posting with the above picture of Ben, Erin and their daughter Allia. Wishing them much happiness and success in Minnesota. Looking forward to being home soon.