Salt Lake City trip part 1

This weekends trip was definitely better than last weekends. No snow so far and unfamiliar scenery made for a pleasant start. Four hours in we stopped at the Jack in the Box in Idaho Falls on the recommendation of a coworker.

The food was typical of a fast food restaurant. My diet coke did have a trace of cherry flavoring to it and the fries were bland but that had nothing on the bathroom. Not very often I want to take a full shower and decontamination shower after using a restroom that has plumbing (we won't discuss my feelings on outhouses in this blog), but I did after this one. Yuck!

I thought it would take a lot to beat the earlier rest area that had the seat-less toilets and air conditioning to boot. A bit chilly,  I must say, but it was clean and fresh smelling. Not so the restaurant!

The rest of our trip was uneventful,  the last rest area had toilet seats, soap, hand dryers and was clean smelling. We went through a lot of rain and watched a lot of backed up traffic heading north, but made it to our motel safe and sound. A quick run to the grocery store and a bite with one of Dizzy's teammates and we're off to bed for the meet tomorrow.

The next morning was a nice change from what we are used to with meets.   For a change we were not the early group competing and were able to have a lazy morning (and horrid breakfast selection) and Dizzy and her teammates were able to blow off steam before we headed to the meet.  Unfortunately, the map on my tablet was off a little, showing me we had to go under the freeway to head to the meet and we headed in the wrong direction....

We arrived a few minutes late, paid to get in (holy cow, was that pricey!  I won`t complain about Montana prices again) and sent Dizzy on her way.  Thankfully we always plan to be there thirty minutes before her warm up time, so we were in plenty of time for the meet.  The seating was horrid, folding chairs with the beam right in front of us, and we struggled to see anything, but enjoyed watching the different teams warm up for the beam.

This experience was very eye-opening.  Our girls always have fun, laugh and enjoy the competition experience, while other groups spend a lot more time perfecting body position and are very focused.  The one team was not allowed to watch their teammates compete, standing in a line with their backs to the apparatus.  This particular team was very young and had incredible scores.  I was told they spend 30 hours a week at the gym and are home schooled.  These little girls will go a long way, but I wonder at what cost?

Next week, the meet, how we did and the rest of our time in Salt Lake City.    Two weeks from now, the state meet will be over and we`ll be looking at soccer and softball and Bean will be home from his trip to Florida.

Stay happy, stay healthy and (in honor of the flooding around here) stay dry!

No more whining about winter

Bean is out of his cast and in a brace and each and every day is walking a little more without the dreaded crutches.

He was entertained by the drawings on his leg from the surgery that were still there 6 weeks later.

Weather was bad last week, the Missoula area was shut down for a couple days, roads were closed due to accidents and horrible conditions.  What do we do?  We drive across the state to a gymnastics meet.  Took nearly twice the amount of time it usually does and The Boss was ready to stuff me in the trunk, but we made it. (The picture does not give justice to the solid ice we were on, but does show how much blowing snow we were dealing with)

We left early, so were at the meet in plenty of time.  Not our best meet of the year, but she had another good one and 4 solid routines. (Dizzy is in the back, a full head taller than the rest of the girls)

The drive home on Sunday, after time with family and a little shopping, was much better and reminded me why I love living in Montana.

I loved the steam rising from the road, although visibility was a bit hampered, I didn't get sent to the trunk for the drive home (amazing what clearer roads will do!).

Today's forecast is 50 and the sun is shining brightly. My shoes may not have dried out after stepping on some snow that was hiding a good sized puddle yesterday, but that's what my backup pair is for.  We're off tomorrow to Salt Lake City for the final meet of the regular season, Bean is again staying home to not miss school (so proud of him!) with Gramma.  Two and a half weeks from now, the season is over and we jump right into soccer for Tater and softball for Dizzy.  If not for the skier meets tree incident, we'd have track season as well.  Ah well, this should be enough for me to stay busy and out of trouble.  60 degrees tomorrow for a Salt Lake City forecast.  I think I'll take my capris!

Stay healthy, stay happy and stay dry!

Winter

(I wrote this post last week and for some reason it will not post from my tablet...at least now I can add the pictures!)

Winter can be hard and this winter is definitely no exception.

We have had more snow in a month than we have had the last couple of winters combined, I believe.  I can't find the official snowfall for last month, but I haven't pushed snow with my car for years, nor have I gotten stuck ever...

The green and yellow in the background is the kiddie picnic table and yes, it is buried almost to the top.  The Boss and I have spent considerable time shoveling in the past week.  My back did not like me much!

It is pretty, once I am safe at home and everything is nicely shoveled, but I am excited for spring and my happy little spring flowers to start peaking out of the ground.  Yes, I'm ahead of things.

Stay Happy, stay healthy and stay warm!