Tag Archives: WY

Exact Change et al

On our trip one grocery purchase was $1.76 and I gave the checker $2.01. She stared at the penny, finally gave it back to me with the four pennies I did not want in my wallet. What are we teaching children these days besides how to use facebook and myspace?

If you’re headed to Jackson WY, south of there is a place called Blondies. We didn’t expect much out there, our first trip, but were pleasantly surprised with a good burger, service and we met a really nice trucker at the counter from NC. Hey there bud!

We stayed in Jackson one night, what a rip-off, hotel-wise. We went downtown to check out the place and restaurants and walked the town square. Then we looked at $38 steaks and buses started unloading patrons at 5:30 p.m. so we took a walk and found a place, Mountain High Pizza, that met our needs. Good, honest house-made thin whole wheat crust in a homey atmosphere with locals.

This past weekend we found out about Tommy’s Texas BBQ in Heber, UT. We’ll definitely check that out one of these days. If you’re ever in Kamas, UT you must go to Hi-Mountain Drug, a real drug store with camping and Mormon books and sheet music and outdoor artifacts. And the State’s best burger. Sit at the old fashioned counter and get a fresh-made lemonade or limeade for the full effect of ‘fifties dining.

We didn’t mention the places that disappointed us or tell you why we cut our trip short. We did drive through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and the Grand Targhee National Forest and we saw some wonderful sights. I drove the entire way so while in the car I took my role as driver seriously and looked out for the road, other cars and especially wildlife crossing the road. Jim got to see more but that’s good. We’ll come back, this was just a taste.

Since we came home early we started on our list of things yet to see in town, so that when guests come in, we can tailor a trip for them that meets their needs. It was the Zoo this time, a small Zoo that has smaller enclosures than I’d like but has evidently been re-done recently with both guests and animals in mind so would be excellent for children under ten.

One thing we need to mention, especially to Val the Vet, is that the young lady, age eight, who took care of Zoe is an excellent dog-sitter and wants to become a Vet. Our Zoe has a new friend and is happier for their few days together. Do you think she needs to go to A&M for her training? Thank you, everyone for reading and writing in.

Now I must plan menus for several upcoming social events. It’s a challenge because 99.5% of my kitchen is in storage half a country away! I can’t even sit on the bed surrounded by cookbooks and come up with a menu! Wish me well. Cheers! Dee

The National Weather Forecast

Picture a map of the US of A. OK if you’re under age 30 when geography was no longer taught in school, look at a map of the USA. Most weather comes in off the Pacific, sweeps across the western states with mostly rain, changes to snow in the mountains and if it’s a strong enough storm heads towards the midwest and beyond. This was taken May 2, this year.

Planters May 2, 2010

We hear “danger to the Oregon and California coasts.” Then two days after it blasted us, we hear “it’s threatening Chicago and Indianapolis and the East Coast.” Its as if the left coast is one ear and the east coast is the other and there’s nothing in between, which is a supremely arrogant position to take on what is supposed to be national news.

Is it just that so few people live out here that the weather can’t be reported? We got dumped on with rain or snow or sleet or hail and one requires chains to drive and heavy equipment to even get out of the driveway. But nationally, the only concern is California, Chicago and the East Coast. Texas and Louisiana only get play in hurricanes. Yes, we’ve lived through those, running from them and facing them head on. Still you didn’t get the story right on Ike.

It seems as if we’ve made a life of choosing second cities, which have so much potential and better livability than a 500 sf place in Manhattan with a Coleman stove and frying pan. Please, Mr. Al Roker who I admire so much, give a break to us in the mountain states and know that weather has to hit somewhere between California and Chicago. It hits us.

I must give my own weather report. Temperatures are plummeting from the low 60’s and snow is forecast for tomorrow morning. Yes, this is May. Hope your weather is less volatile and you can plant flowers and herbs. Cheers, Dee