McKittrick Canyon

Today, Dave and I enjoyed a beautiful hike through McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  The trail was 6.8 miles round trip and the weather was PERFECT!


Along the trail we stopped to see a cabin built in the 1930s.  







A mule deer is the only animal we saw while hiking, but driving to the park we saw a coyote and roadrunner.



We enjoyed a picnic lunch before turning back down the trail.


As you can see, the fall leaves were GORGEOUS!!

Guadalupe Peak

Over Labor Day weekend, Dave and I climbed to the top of Guadalupe Peak...the tallest peak in Texas! Friday night we drove to Carlsbad, NM. We stayed at the Stephens Inn which is the same hotel that Dave's parents stayed at for their honeymoon. This was just a random coincidence. Saturday we got up early for our 8.5 mile round trip hike. Within the first twenty minutes of our hike, I saw a LONG black-tailed rattlesnake crossing the trail. I was walking in front and stayed calm long enough to move behind Dave. I actually stayed pretty calm until I heard the rattle. Dave, of course, wasn't scared and was able to get some great photos. We think it was a little longer than three feet and from zooming in on pictures we counted eleven rattles.

Beautiful sites along the hike

Here you can see the backside of El Capitan in the background.

We made it!!! 8,750 feet

The views along the trail and at the top were absolutely beautiful. I recommend that all Texans hike this rewarding trail!

Our New House!!

In June, Dave and I bought a new house. It is only one mile away from our old house, but it is in a quieter area and it is a little bit bigger. We have been moving some things, but we haven't moved in. In the next few weeks, we will probably make the move. Dave is going to finish tiling his shower here before we put the house on the market. The new house is in great shape, but it needs a little updating. I will hopefully post pictures as we make changes. I am starting my first project at the new house tomorrow. I am taking down the popcorn on the ceiling and wallpaper. Anyone want to help?! :)

Back porch - I can't wait to sit out here in the peace and quiet!

Behind the bushes on the right is a carport and storage shed. I love that the bushes hide the shed.

Jack-n-Jill style master bath, but it doesn't have a tub. We plan to make lots of changes in order to add a tub.

Master bedroom - It has a sliding glass door opening to the back porch.

Living room - My favorite part of the house is this large window and glass doors. Great lighting and I enjoy looking out to the yard. I also like the fireplace. The paneling is coming down.

And the gun cabinet is coming out.

Front door and entry

Guest bathroom

Storage room for now

Guest bedroom

Formal living and formal dining in the back

We were amazed that all the original appliances work after 30 years

Kitchen nook

Hopefully, I will keep you updated on the changes we make. Also, I hope to post pictures from Spain soon. We took 2,000 pictures so it is taking me awhile to pick out my favorites.

Baby Shower

School is out and life is great!! Dave has been working on the house (he is doing a great job), and I have been preparing for a baby shower for my friend Teri. My mom and I are hosting the shower so I have been busy making the invitations and we also made a diaper cake.

Paradise in Rapa Nui

Dave and I spent Spring Break on Easter Island, the most remote spot on Earth. Easter Island is owned by Chile and is located in the South Pacific Ocean - 2,500 miles from the nearest city. Easter Island is very small and in four days we traveled all over the beautiful island. The first day we took a bus tour and really learned a lot of the history. As you can see in some of the pictures it was raining most of the day. We enjoyed the day anyway and didn't mind standing in the rain to take pictures. Rano Raraku is a volcanic crater and was the quarry were the moais (statues) were built. Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu (platform) on the island. It holds 15 moais. The rain stopped right before we went to Anakena Beach. The sand was pink!

Here is a completed moai with a pukao (topknot) and eyes (these are replicas).

The second day on the island we hiked to Rano Kau - a volcano crater.

We stayed in a guest house where "Michigan" lives. He is the smartest dog I have ever met. He went hiking with us for six hours. He scared off stray dogs and made sure we didn't get lost.

Day three, we rented a quad. It rained off and on all day which made for a wet and muddy ride...it was a blast! We were able to see some new sights as well as traveling back to the spots we saw in the rain on the first day. Here I am laying on our bed and taking a photo of the ocean. With windows open, we slept to the breeze and sound of the ocean. However, we did wake up a few times to the sound of stray dogs fighting. Needless to say, we stayed at a perfect place. It was a guest house owned by Sharon from Canada. Thanks Sharon for a great time!

Weekend with Ty

Last weekend, my brother and I got to hang out with Ty! My mom brought him to Abilene, while she helped out with a funeral in Albany. We had so much fun together. We went to Prime Time (bowling, games, lazer tag, bumper cars, and Nascar driving), swam at the Marriot indoor pool, and watched two movies. It was so great seeing him!

Climbing a tree behind Scott's house...
These are all the toys Ty won at Prime Time. He gave me a cool ring!Future Nascar driver...Ty began bowling without bumpers and got a spare on his first time up to bowl. Beginners luck so we had to add the bumpers soon after.

Christmas Time in New York City

Better late than never...Dave, my Mom, and I went to NYC December 20th - 22nd. Dave and I headed to Egypt from NYC while my mom headed back to Texas. It was extremely cold, but fun!

Mom buying M&Ms!! These M&Ms were greatly appreciated in Egypt. White Christmas! Can you see the snow?My mom and I went to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. This will always be one of the best memories I have with my mom.The show was absolutely beautiful! My mom bought us matching rag dolls that looked like the dancers below.Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center...this is rain now, not snow!My mom and I can't go to NYC without stopping at Sabon. Dave saw his first Broadway show...Avenue Q. The show was hilarious!Carriage ride through Central ParkDave loves his steak!! Peter Luger has been voted the #1 steakhouse in NYC for 24 years in a row. Also, voted #1 steakhouse in the world.This was by far the most tender steak we have ever eaten. However, the flavor didn't come close to a Texas mesquite grilled steak. Don't worry though, Dave and I finished off the entire porterhouse. Mom thought it was too rare for her. Thanks mom for a great trip to NYC!! We had a great time.