I went to Denver with Tracy Bank!!

Later that evening, after a harrowing drive back down the mountains, I met a terrific group of Surfing Sisters at the Applebees in Denver. What a treat! I got to meet Caryl from Hawaii, Babs, Becky, and said husbands, too!! Here I am with Wayne and Caryl, who get the prize for "furthest traveled". Aloha!

Before heading to bed after a long day, I got our picture snapped with the gorgeous group. There's Tracy, Caryl ,Babs, Laura (who should join Surfing Sisters, really!) and Becky.

The next day, Tracy took me to the Denver Surfing Sisters Reunion. What a blast! I was seated next to Spuds, the Idaho Potato, who came down with Babs from Idaho Falls.

It's always good to meet up with the "girls" on my various travels. This one was pretty stiff...I promised to help her loosen up with a party at the Rho house later that afternoon.

I went to Denver with Tracy Bank!!

Before the ghost tour, we dined in in the Century old Cascades Restaurant. I felt right at home next to the Trout aquarium.

Overlooking the lake, and in the mini-series, this front lawn was the location for the creepy animated hedge animals!

Colorado Rocky Mountain Hiiiiiiiiggghhhh!

This is Tracy, right before the pouring rain chased us all inside. Perfect weather for a hauntingly good time.

I went to CA to visit Meredith Simpson!!

I played with the little people, napped with Reagan (their dog), lunched with Grayson and even survived her taste test by Grayson. This visit wore me out. I am one tired turtle!!

I went to CA to visit Meredith Simpson!!

I was busy with the Meredith's kids while I visited. I like poeple that are closer to my size. The highlight of my trip was a pink/green themed fairy party. Connor and Grayson wore green, and Grayson even had some wings. I had a great time.

I went to CA to visit Meredith Simpson!!

I visited Meredith's DH at work (even though he wouldn't pose in the picture with her!). I did not have fun on the obstacle course with DH! Now one should have to exercise that much!

I got to spend some time with Susan Anderson!!

The Klingon would not allow me in the picture - said she would had to be the only alien in the picture - even though she was standing next to a 14 year old!! :) I loved traveling the Strip & seeing all of the hotels. I loved riding the roller coaster over at NY, NY. I saw Phantom over at the Ventian. I was concerned about her attending the street party for Buffet. Susan almost lost me in the crowd. I was really jamming with cheeseburgers & the margaritas!! After the HUGE block party, I hit the pool at the MGM. She loved the various pools to include the Lazy River. Here is a shot of me riding down the river with inner tubes. Okay - so I over did it & grabbed several with the help of Zach. I was trying to get the attention of the really great looking cabana boys!!

I got to spend some time with Susan Anderson!!

This shows my viewing of Shiprock - famous landmark in NM & heading towards Durango CO. The waterfall is just outside of Durango. After having some pretty wild adventures in AZ & NM, I am really looked forward to staying in Durango. Because of hmy celebrity status, we got the Executive Suite at the Doubletree Hotel in Durango. I had never stayed in a 4 room hotel suite before. Everyone had to keep a strong watch over me so I didn't go crazy with room service. I loved the pink roses that were in the dining room. I am really getting use to the champagne that keeps showing up!! Even though I am getting use to champagne - Susan drew the line on my using her Waterford tumblers!!

Okay after traveling CO - NM - AZ (with a brief fling to Kearney, NE), I am off to Las Vegas & a Jimmy Buffet concert at the MGM Grand. In the previous set - The Andersons had to track me down over at Hooters. I thought Jimmy was over there, but they did convince me to hang around the MGM. Here I is at the Hilton - well known to some of the DZ's on list & at Quark's.

I got to spend some time with Susan Anderson!!

I got to ride the Grand Canyon Train. Here I am with Zach & Jonathan, friend of the family. I loved the train ride around the GC & thought the champagne was the best part. The group shot are the losers who hiked all the way from rim to rim with me & forgot to take one stinkin' picture. Shown are Gus & Mona, Jonathan's folks, Alan (in the hat - my DH) & Becky, my Pi Phi DD. Also is a shot of Four Corners. I loved standing in all four states but because of the high wind, I didn't want a photo showing my hair all messed up.

I got to spend some time with Susan Anderson!!

I started out from CO traveling down through NM & heading over to the Grand Canyon. The old car is part of the Old Route 66 that runs through the Painted Desert & The Petrified Forest. I wanted to help drive, so Susan said I could drive that car. Can't see me behind the steering wheel, but I was having a blast!! :) These pics also show the painted desert & the TPF. We crossed the Colorado River into Indian territory - hence my photo op with my youngest son Zach. There is also a shot of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon where my hike was going to begin. I would be hiking rim to rim - 23 miles of the Grand Canyon....oh that one picture - I became part of the Wild West show at the Grand Canyon Hotel. I have to say, I was fabulous....

I went to a Phillies game with Inez Apgar!!

I went to Citizens Bank Ballpark to watch the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Saint Louis Cardinals with Inez. I enjoyed some awesome crab fries from Chickie's & Pete's.

Once the game started, TI was thrilled with how close we was to the players, especially the reigning MVP of the National League, Ryan Howard.

The Phillies annihilated the Cardinals! Look at that score!

I really enjoyed it when the Phillies hit home runs, because the big Citizens Bank Park Bell would ring!

Inez and I were so happy to have seen such a great win by the Phillies!

I am in NJ to visit Inez Apgar!!

Inez's DS, Ryan, was happy to share his snacks with me.

Ryan thought I was pretty cute, so he gave me a big kiss.

Ryan thought I would enjoy some down time, so we watched Thomas the Tank Engine together.

I went to PA with Michele Driscoll!!

I spent the Fourth of July with Michele Driscoll in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. There is a small community just outside the city known as Bellevue Park, and they have a “Sillybration” every Independence Day – I just couldn’t resist joining in! The day started with a parade through the area, including floats, a fire truck, a band, and various individual entries (designed for the entertainment of the viewing public!). I loved watching everything go by and enjoyed the parade immensely. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the driveway of one of the residents of Bellevue Park for an oratorical competition. Various people gave speeches on whatever interested them and I was entertained by the “Steppettes,” a group of women who create new songs (old music, new lyrics) that address timely issues, specifically for Sillybration every year. Afterwards, everyone headed over to the community building for lunch. It’s a potluck affair, and I helped Michele make mini-turkey meatloaves as her contribution. They were quite popular, and the 25 that were made vanished within 10 minutes! Lots of salads, sandwiches, and desserts were happily consumed. They even had the makings for ice cream sundaes, so I was more than happy to help herself to the chocolate syrup, sprinkles, and other toppings. While everyone was enjoying their holiday lunch, the entire group was led in a sing-a-long of old songs and patriotic favorites.

Sillybration always has a few themes going on every year, in order to help people with ideas for the parade as well as decorations. This year was Bellevue Park’s 100th anniversary, so that was the major theme, but it was also the 50th anniversary of bubble wrap! Various residents of the Park created some interesting displays using bubble wrap (the Steppettes were all wearing bubble wrap wings to accompany their song about Gypsy Moths). I particularly liked the bubble wrap ice cream cone, and got her picture taken with it!

It was a very busy holiday, but I had a fantastic time in Pennsylvania to celebrate our nation’s birthday! Where to Next??