End of 2020

By Jen.

Dates: 12/17/2020 to 12/31/2020

We only had 5 days before we needed to be back in Tulsa, so we made a beeline back to Oklahoma, but we tried to keep things interesting along the way.

We saw a quail!

Kingman Wash on Lake Mead provided an interesting place to stay the night.

We walked the Sandys Cyn trail in Flagstaff for a short break.

In Albuquerque, we checked out Rinconada Canyon’s petroglyphs.

Some were quite elaborate, even taking advantage of the rock’s shape to add dimension to their drawing.

This is a more modern one, since sheep didn’t arrive until 1600s in the area.

We also got to see the Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction in the clear skies of Kansas.

 

We did stop in Kansas to see my family for 2 nights before we made it to Tulsa. It was good to see my parents and brother for Christmas. In Tulsa, we got a few chores done, hung out with friends and family, and had a good time.

 

In Tulsa, we finally got to open up our kayak and make sure it arrived in 1 piece.

We made a visit to Oxley Nature Center to get some walking in before filling up on all that food for Christmas.

It was a little surprising to see all those pelicans there.

Our sister-in-law does elaborate table settings for fun.

We received many thoughtful and useful gifts, one of which our sister-in-law made for us a plaque with the van’s name on it. She does great work; check out her store: https://britandcompany.com/.

 

One last visit for the year placed us in Missouri to see my grandparents.

 

We made zucchini noodles for dinner, but no one told us we needed to cut the occasionally, otherwise you end up with mile-long strings, haha!

On The Road, West Again

After a brief layover to handle some housekeeping and maintenance, we went west through AR, MO, KS, and CO.

The falls on Coy Bald Trail in Mark Twain National Forest, MO.

The plains in Kansas were interrupted by Castle Rock Badlands.

 Colorado's peaks were already capped with snow. 

 

Gunnison Bluffs in Colorado. 

Next Stop Capitol Reef NP.

Minor Adventures

By Jen.

After months of being basically housebound, we were ready to get out and travel some as we were still willfully unemployed. Unfortunately, it was spring break for many students, so everything was packed. So, instead of going out and seeing the sights, we visited family and friends. We did get some hiking in though. After months of being housebound, I was thrilled to be out and taking pictures again, even if the sights were filled with dormant trees and weren’t that impressive.

Ozark Highlands Trail, Sylamore Section, in Arkansas. 

We kept walking. And, while Jonathan had kept fit during our break, I had not. I was surprised to find I could do 3.75 miles with only sore feet.

In Missouri, we did high to the highest point in Missouri: Taum Sauk Mountain. The area had recently experienced a prescribed burn, but it did have a bit of a waterfall.

Mina Sauk Falls.

The highest point in Missouri.

Much less colorful than Kansas' high point, but a bit more dignified. 

 We then came back for a couple of birthdays.