Quick trip Home and . . .beginning to look like Christmas!

Fun time at Death Valley but now time to be home. Lots on the calendar before we leave again in a week!  We started out before daylight and bombed home. Traded off driving and pulled into our garage by 4pm. Great day for driving and best part is it got warmer as we headed south--we have definitely missed Tucson weather.

  Good view of Lake Mead and then crossed into Arizona at Hoover Dam. Cannot get a view of the Dam as you cross the bridge, but didn't want to take the time to stop. That's another trip.

Put our tree up and Christmas lights outside. Looks nice if I do say so myself!!

Death Valley

Death Valley NP is as large as the state of Connecticut.  We stayed at "the Ranch" resort at Furnace Creek and explored the surrounding area. The Valley is a huge salt flat flanked by mountain ranges.

An early morning hike up Gold Canyon was the best. Morning sun on Red Cathedral rocks was a spectacular sight. Eons of earth processes with wind, water, volcanics has shaped these rocks into odd shapes, rainbow colors, towering pillars, eroded canyons.

Death Valley is consistently the hottest spot in US with summer temps up to 120F, and the driest with average rainfall at 2 inches a year. I can't imagine how this Coyote can survive.

"Bad Water Basin" is the lowest elevation in North America at 282 ft below sea level! It's normally a salt flat but an abnormal storm this past August turned it into a lake. Last time water collected here was 2005. The rain water dissolved the salt and now as water evaporates the minerals precipitate out and new crystals form on valley floor. And then it happens all over again.

Perfect place for a full day adventure. Everything that I enjoy--rocks, geology, hiking, warm sunshine, and "dinging around" with Will!

Last day in Reno

Some of us had time to drive thru the mountains to historic Virginia City and spend a few hours learning about the Comstock Mining Boom that made Virginia City one of the largest cities in the West--for a while-- now it's a funky tourist destination. The Fourth Ward school museum was the best. The candy shop was a disappointment.

Aeri had a show every day -- and we got to see her in 3 of them. I tear up each time I see her. Great job, Aeri!!

The hotel had a Bocce Ball court and Lia and I were THE best team! Best the guys handily!

Time to part--Lia and Doug returning to New Jersey. Worried about busy airports on busiest travel day but the left Reno a tad late but made their connection in Denver and home to New Jersey in good order.

We left also and drove as far as Death Valley National Park. Staying here two nights to check out the park.

  

Aeri had another show today and then Monday Tammy and Aeri will travel with troup to San Jose. 

Missing everyone already!!

Thanksgiving Friday

Day after Thanksgiving and Reno had its Christmas tree lighting right next to our hotel. Some one photo-bombed our selfie!

Aeri got to visit Santa right after today's performance.

Went to an indoor Bocci Ball court. We had to measure this one to see who was closest to get the score!

Happy Thanksgiving

Lake Tahoe is maybe 60 miles from Reno. We had time today as it's a day off for the Troup for Thanksgiving Day, so we took a morning drive over the mountain to get out of the city for a few hours.

Was a nice winter day but the summit of the pass over the mountain was foggy and snow covered!

Soon as we cleared the summit the sun peaked thru and made for some dramatic mountain scenery!! 

Bit startling to see gas prices when we crossed into California. Soon made a loop back to Reno to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Doug, Tammy and Aeri went to a Grinch sponsored dinner and holiday party. We were not invited so Will and I took Lia and drove across town to the highly recommended Atlantis Casino for a Turkey dinner.

Got a chuckle out of the Robot that delivered food in the restaurant. What a hoot.

And then some time in the Arcade room for more friendly competition between Grandpa and Lia.

Tammy and Lia made it complete!

Everybody is here in Reno now. Tammy and Lia flew in this morning for the Thanksgiving weekend. 

While Aeri was busy with Grinch stuff, Grandpa and Lia found an arcade nearby. Lia continued her legacy of beating her grandpa in "Connect 4"--arcade style!

And a rousing game of pingpong.

School continues on tour for Aeri but also keeping up with other activities--she participated in her weekly ballet classes via Zoom. 

Reno

Will made it to Reno, checked into hotel and then picked us up at the airport. Yea, We made it!!  We are downtown, just off  Virginia Street which is where the action is, with a River Walk along the Truckee River.

Went to catch some dinner at The Wild River Grill and besides the regular menu they had this Set menu that was so fun to see!  We were not hungry enough to do the whole thing but the server was kind enough to get us "Cindy Lou's Figgy Plum" pudding to share for desert!

 Will went to show tonight for first time.

In the hotel lobby. Reno is really welcoming the Grinch.

Seattle to Reno

We took advantage of Uncle Jay's hospitality and spent the night. Woke up to a glorious sunrise and the amazing view from Jay's home over Lake Whitman of Mt Rainier in the distance! What a thrilling view. That is Aeri's new friend/dog--Emmie. Actual name is M & M, named after the chocolate candy!

Then it was onto Seattle airport to catch our flight to next week's venue in Reno,  Nevada. Airport was crazy busy with Thanksgiving travelers but we made it through--with a bit of high anxiety on my part--and made it through for an on-time flight to Reno. 

 Will drove up from Tucson-- two days drive --and picked us up at airport to deliver us to our respective hotels. Whew!! We all made it!

Aeri's next performance tomorrow night!