Blogs from North America - page 7988

We left the hotel at 8am, and after a rest stop, we arrived at the Tulum ruins a bit after 11am. After Lisa got our tickets and my video pass for a fee of 35 Pesos, we had about an hour and a half to stroll around the ruins of Tulum and the gift shops before we'd have to reboard the bus for our lunch stop. Tulum wasn't as large as Tikal or as elaborate as Copan, but it had it's own beauty being on the ocean and of course, the iguanas! The buildings were fairly simple and the site wasn't very large, so we had little problem seeing pretty much the whole thing in the time allotted. You can swim in a small lagoon right there at the ruins, but it was fairly crowded ... read more

We got off work early today because the premier (think: governor) is coming. The guys had to get the auditorium cleaned up, and we sure can’t work if they’re not! He’s coming for graduation (more commonly known as grad up here...grad is not the person, but the ceremony), but also to check up on some grant requests. It’s interesting to see all the preparations that are made for this. Bob and I went golfing this afternoon, and then drove to Red Deer to look around. ... read more

we left chico last night nearing midnight. with masterful arrangement our smart little party neatly tucked a months supply of clothes, gear, and five bodies ranging from slight to handsomely substantial into a fifteen passenger van. the drive stretched all night, and we found ourselves, some ten largely sleepless hours later, outside the skull valley gas station. these pictures occured. we smiled. the current band just sang something about their sweetheart's silky smile. tonight we plan to search for a pleasant salt lake city field willing to politely embrace our haggard sleeping bags and weary bodies. ... read more

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of planning, alas, we have made some of our reservations, but have yet to still do one very important thing: PACK. Ha. I have been blogging on this very subject, yet every time I stress the importance of packing to my husband, or remind myself, I find ....something else to do. These things to do are not necessary for our trip. I usually end up unpacking a new box or find something to re-organize around the house. :) Ah, the joys of procrastination. On Monday, Chet and I had a lovely breakfast at Egg's N Things in Ventura. There is something to be said about sitting in a little breakfast nook restaurant, drinking house coffee, eating Eggs Benedict and finalizing all the places we would like to visit. Somehow ... read more

I am leaving for Madrid tomorrow. If you know me, chances are I've spoken to you about how utterly unprepared I am for this trip. I will be out of the country for five weeks. How many outfits do I have? About four. This is not good. Today is shopping day. Needless to say, I feel like I'm caving. Because shopping for Madrid means I'm going to be in Madrid very soon. It's all denial, all of it. And denial is so unnecessary. I don't have much all to say here. There are a lot of things going on in my head (as is painfully obvious by my clunky, rambling title), only a few of which might have to do with leaving. Or, maybe they all have to do with leaving, but my fear is just ... read more