Into the Grand Canyon!

Yesterday started early but well until I realised that I had been sent to the wrong hotel for my pick up to get to Grand Canyon. One minute of panic and then jumped in a taxi to the appropriate pick up! Got there in time to stop the bus from leaving but then did the 'walk of shame' all the way up the bus apologising to everyone. 

I forgot how awful bus trips are but when it's the only way to go you put up with it!

Our first stop was the Hoover dam and I actually walked across the bridge without my usual fear of heights!

The dam is only at 30% capacity as they are in a middle of a drought!

On arrival at the Grand Canyon it was straight to the helipad for those of us having a trip into the canyon. 

As we lifted off from the pad the pilot told us to check out the edge coming up - I think my stomach and helicopter dropped at the same time!! It was a little scary but you soon got over the nerves! We landed in the bottom of the canyon.

 

Once down we walk to the water an boarded a small boat for a short trip.

After the boat trip we had to wait for the helicopter to come back and then we were took the trip back out.

The 'cliff face' seemed very close but we made it!

A shuttle bus took us to a couple of different places and the views were amazing!

A good but tiring day!

Change of scene and weather.

After more cold weather Saturday turned into a beautiful day with sunshine and warmth. Ivy and Ben had some friends over to play and as it was so warm there were water balloons for them to have fun with. Stupidly I was out there watching when it was 'get Nanna Lesley'! Luckily Justin came along so there were now two targets! It was fun even though we were soaked to the skin!!

Sunday saw us watch Ben play football (soccer) in the rain and cold. Five year olds look so cute playing. Restarting after half time is always a problem as they tend to forget that they changed ends. Benny had some very good moments but like all young ones was a little distracted by others. The game had only been finished about 15 minutes when the heavens opened, luckily we were in the car!

With the weather so cold, hovering around 9C I decided it was time for some warmth and to give the family a break from me so booked a flight to the warmth of Las Vegas! Not a place I've ever really wanted visit but the thought of warm weather and a chance to see the Grand Canyon did the trick! Just before I left Ivy's wobbly tooth came out as we were playing! No I didn't do anything!!

When Justin dropped me at the airport it was 7C! Going through the airport was interesting with the walkways sending you, maybe on a trip before you left with this lighting!

A 4 hour plane ride later and I was in 30C - just a slight difference!

I am staying in a studio on 16th floor and can see the airport and other crazy things from the balcony.

It was 32C yesterday and I took the hop on/off bus to get the lie of the land.

This has a roller coaster on the outside at the top! I was feeling sick just looking up!

After the bus trip I went to have lunch. Luckily for me they have an Eataly restaurant near my accommodation as I hate burgers and not always keen on hot dogs. It  was good to get out of the heat for a while!

Following a rest and a read I had a swim in the pool which is at the top of the building. The water was only 3ft 9in deep but it was refreshing!

I had a wander up 'the Strip and reached the Bellagio in time to see the fountains start with accompanying music. All very peaceful.

There is some big draft, NFL I think, happening here for a couple of days so there was lots of security, media , camera etc.

Am just off to organise my trips to Grand Canyon 😊

 

Strange weather continues

 Good Friday was a day off for schools but not for most other workers and on Easter Monday only Catholic schools had the day off! 

On Saturday I went and had a massage - it was so relaxing that it took a walk and icy cold wind to get me back to a normal state!

My walk takes me across a couple of railway lines - one mainly for freight the other passenger trains. I arrived at the freight crossing as the barriers went down and decided to count the number of wagons as they passed. There were 143 plus the two engines! I was dizzy by the end!

The afternoon saw Ivy and Ben and a couple of their friends dyeing hard boiled eggs.

Sunday saw eggs hunts.

On Monday we woke to a layer of snow and it was seriously cold!

Lauren tells me that Illinois really doesn't have spring - it's just winter, winter, one warm day and then winter, winter and suddenly summer!

Yesterday I took the train into the centre of Chicago - the weather was fabulous and I walked 'miles'!  I went to The Bean, Cloud Gate, the usual crowds were missing. 

I went to check out a favourite spot - the John Handcock building. There was a great viewing spot with bar on 96th floor which was great for looking out over the city and Lake Michigan. Unfortunately during Covid that was closed and now it's very costly to get to that floor and you are given one drink! I didn't bother as I thought it was a rip off!

I found a place called Eataly which is an Italian market place on a couple of levels with restaurants, cafes, wine sales etc. I had lunch there and was rather taken aback by the sardines I ordered - see below:

I also had some delicious pasta! 

My feet were burning by the time I got back.

Today the weather has turned and it is now pouring with rain and thunder!

New family member!

I omitted to mention the newest member of the family because I was waiting for a good photo! He, named Rooster, is an Akita, very cute and fluffy although growing by the day!

 

He is still a puppy and likes to pick up things e.g socks, shoes etc. but doesn't like to give them back!! He is going to be a big dog but this breed is known to be very loyal. I have taken him for a walk and have found that I can run when he takes off 🤣 mind you that's because he's pulling me!! I also manage pirouettes as he homes in on a smell or spots a squirrel! Good for fitness!!!

As I walk around blocks I am constantly trying to remember which side of the the road drivers use! Crossing the road is even worse - it's like my head is on a swivel! The houses are on big blocks and most are not fenced which seems a little strange. There are some very large houses too!

The weather is really changeable one day it was and humid the next it's down to minus at night and about 8C in the day. We've had a major storm, the rain was torrential! When a storm is due a siren sounds to warn the public that it's about to happen!

Justin and Lauren have sold their house and are moving to South Carolina on 16th June. Today it's 8C here but 24C in South Carolina!! Life will be much better for everyone there.

I'm always amazed at the variety of fruit and veg in the supermarkets and how fresh it is. I spotted yellow cauliflowers yesterday - wonder what they taste like!

I think there might be rather a lot of chocolate in this house on Sunday!

Happy Easter everyone!

On to Chicago!

 After a couple of hours it was on to the plane which was relatively empty - an empty seat between myself and other passenger. Late take off as the airport had a staff shortage of luggage loaders! Covid I suppose! Rather a bumpy start to the journey but luckily that settled pretty quickly and the rest of the flight was smooth. We are still wearing masks for the duration of the flight!

I really dislike landing in Chicago as all you do is queue from the minute you leave the plane! You are herded into a single lane which loops backwards and forwards, seemingly for miles, until you get to passport control. As I was doing the finger/thumb prints the machine started playing up!!! Surprisingly  they allowed me in.

Luckily Justin was there to meet me! By the time we got home everyone was in bed!

Next morning it was lovely to see everyone. We couldn't catch up properly, as it was a school day, until the evening. I had gifts from England to give them and this was part of Benny's

Immediately he had it on he was off slaying dragons to save me, the Queen and my castle!

The snow started after lunch and became thicker during the day and with a heavy frost that night there was a light layer of snow by morning although the sun was making a good effort to get through.

By the time we took Ivy to her horse riding lesson it was warming up! As we went into the stables Ivy went straight up to the biggest horse and patted him with no concern - they scare me! She had a riding lessons and looked very comfortable on the horse named Cowboy. 

She rubbed him down and cleaned his hooves and was sad to leave but she has another lesson later this week!

Unfortunately Benny and Ivy had got it into their heads that I needed to give them knight training and there had to be 10 different activities!!! So knight training we did - it always ended up with me having to have a sword fight with Benny - if I don't get fit after this I never will! Rather stupidly I showed them a 'tag' game which they want to play after 'knight training' It even exhausted Justin! They get so giggly when playing - such a happy sound.

I started to read 'George's Marvellous Medicine' by Roald Dahl - they were able to tell me a lot of the items that went into the medicine!

The days start cool but then warm up and we've had blue skies and sunshine. Spring seems to be a month behind England with plenty of crocus flowers showing their colours and the daffodils just starting.

 

Last blog from England

 Had a few enjoyable days in London! My feet are aching from all the walk!

Wandered all over - even saw part of changing of the guard!

The spring flowers are beautiful!

Went to theatre and saw Mouse trap - was terrific!

Had to have Covid test for entry to USA - my first, cost a fortune.

My last night was spent on the Yacht Hotel at Victoria dock - all very fancy and something you only do once!

Thankfully I gave myself tons of time to reach the airport as initially I boarded the wrong train - heading in wrong direction! - finally made it to Paddington and picked up my case. Boarded Heathrow express which stopped half way as there was something on the line. Getting your ticket is a nightmare for USA because of all the paperwork. Eventually it was done and got through security. I then queued for a while to get a table at the Gordon Ramsay restaurant for lunch. He was there with his family - obviously heading to USA for the Beckham wedding!

Finally a quack update  - Jake was walking in the veggie garden when she heard a hissing sound and found a very well camouflaged nest containing 6 eggs with the male in  charge.I know what all that splashing was about! I await pictures of the new arrivals!