Road Trip 7/31/07 to 8/12/07

Leaving home is never a problem when your headed somewhere new. We left our house early July 31 and headed towards Montana. We covered 3300 miles in two weeks we made the most out of this trip. Camping, staying in hotels and with family. Road Trips Rock!
Every time we passed by Hay Chris would say " Hay" yeah it kinda wore on me after a week of passing "hay"
Oh yeah the best part of road trips road snacks. This is from a little taco stand just near Goose Lake Oregon
a dogs gotta pee and so do we..
a little more road snacks. Easy Cheese. A good friend of mine has a better idea of what he would like to do with Easy Cheese,

Driving into Idaho. One fantastic view after another
Great Open Spaces
We camped here along the river for 6 bucks. One of the best nights sleep we have had in a long time.
The perfect dinner.
A quick stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

The whole reason why we took the road trip in the first place was for this. A shaffer/ Cunningham/Birthday/ Family Reunion. We had two 30 year old birthdays to celebrate my brother Jason and my cousin Marco. Aunt Sharon did the best she could to gather the family for a reunion. So many were missing but thoses who came we had a great time. I noticed that I was not able to get great photos of everyone so I just used what I could. Family, it is one of those things in life that make you who you are. I am so blessed to be part of this family and my Dad's family and of course Chris's family. I find it strange when I meet people who have tiny families. I have told them to join mine. What is one more family member anyway? Family to us is not just blood related oh no it is far more than that. Family to me is love, friendship, and truly being there when needed. Okay and let's not forget to mention family should be different, spread all over the country and well, know how to have a good time
Cousin Chris Shaffer, Aunt Sharon, Cousin Marco and Cousin Olivia
Cousin Pam and Andy
Chris and my brother Jason out for a little Four wheeling fun.

Cousins: Kayson and Dante
Jason with Chloe. Hanging out on the back porch.
Chloe in the Swan River
Because of forest fires my cousin James needed to wet down all areas around the cabin. Well, maybe it was really just a way to stay cool and have fun.
A view of the back of the Surrena's cabin.

We made our way into Yellowstone National Park. We only had a day to drive around. Problem traveling with a dog in a National Park is you can't take her with you on hikes. Big bummer. So we did our best to see what we could from the road. Here we are at a very hot spring. The sulfur is in the air and the ground boils under you.
We did manage to leave Chloe in the car for an hour so we could walk to these Falls.
Yellowstones Famous Buffalo's.
Here we are waiting for Old Faithful to blow.
Oh boy there it goes. I was not really so into this. It was really crowded and well so this is all that happens. the ground does not shake, no sirens ring. Just a burst of steam and then it is over. It sure does bring in the people.

OH MY WYOMING!!! oh how beautiful you are.
Grand Tetons before sunset.
Really we don't mind, we can share the road. No problem.
We stayed only one night at Turpin Meadow Ranch $148 dollars for a very clean cute cabin. We made a salad and ate next to the river. We watched swallows catch bugs, and we listened to nature sing us to sleep. Not before Chris cleaned my clock at a game of Gin...

The Grand Tetons at Morning
In the town of Jackson Hole Wyoming.
I bellied up at the Million Dollar Bar.
Entering into Utah what a view!

After leaving Wyoming we headed to have a short visit with Chris's Uncle Jim. When we arrived we had been on the the road for 8 hours. We arrived to a beautiful feast.
wild flowers
the rocks formations near his cabin.
Look at these handsome men.
Our way around the mountains.

Uncle Jim's cabin is in a section of Utah that is hard to explain. Just a peaceful little nook that is surrounded by these giant rock formations. It was amazing.
on our morning look about.
wood damaged by fire, leaving natural art in it's path.
Ooo a little something something for our yard!

Here we are in Provo Utah. We had a few days to visit with Chris's Grandma Darleen. It was nice to catch up on our lives and what we all have been up to.
One afternoon we went sailing on Provo Lake with Chris's Aunt Cindy and Uncle John. We had a great afternoon. We shared stories listened to music and laughed. We felt so comfortable with them like good old friends. Here you see Cindy and I dipping our toes in the cool water.
The three sailers

Driving through Utah and into Nevada. We stoped at a rest stop just before Nevada.
Just a perfect place to hoop it up and stretch the legs

Underwater Swimming

The kids came for a swim and dinner a few weeks ago. I had not been able to post these photos yet so here they are.
They took turns with the underwater camera. These are my favorite shots.
Your a beautiful young lady Jessica. I am so proud of you and was so happy we could have you over even if it was just for a little bit.
Zack, you crack Uncle Chris and I up. You are so funny. We love you very much. I hope you had a great summer. See you soon buddy!