Our Trip Back East

July 11 we moved the RV to the vacant property owned by Grizzly RV Park. They are developing more of the park area but haven't gotten to that part yet so we were able to leave our rig there. We then drove down to Salt Lake City where we stayed at the Microtel near the airport. It was a good deal. We got a queen suite and parking for up to 14 days for about $75. While we were there, we drove through Joyce’s old neighborhood and marveled (at least Joyce did) at how big the trees are now. You can't even see Mt.Olympus anymore! We dropped in on Joyce’s old neighbors John and Gladys and had a nice visit.

The next morning we boarded a flight to Hartford, Connecticut. We stopped at Chicago Midway and Baltimore but didn't get off the plane in either place. After arriving we picked up the rental car. We had gone for the intermediate size vehicle because eight days’ rental was so little more for an intermediate than that for an economy car. Imagine our surprise and delight when our rental car was a Saturn SUV! It was just like driving our own car (except not as lovely because it wasn't orange and didn’t have the extra luxurious after-market thick leather on the seats). We drove to South Deerfield, Mass., where we stayed for seven nights at the Red Roof Inn (the last five of those nights in a King room that was a little suite).

While we were there we attended the New England Camera Club Convention at the University of Mass, Amherst -- two and a half days of sessions and exhibits. Very interesting and enjoyable. Cynthia, a friend of Ron's, met us each day and we went to many of the sessions together. We also visited with other friends of Ron's (Joyce has been thoroughly vetted now).

The highlight of the visit was meeting (for Joyce) Ron's son Aaron and his wife Becky and meeting (for both) Ron's granddaughter Abigail. What a cutie!

Ron thinks Abigail is good enough to eat!

We also visited the Bridge of Flowers. This foot bridge is heavily planted on both sides with beautiful flowers. It more-or-less parallels the auto bridge across the river. It was a very attractive stop while we traveled through a number of states for lunch with one group and dinner with another.

This sunrise brought to you by McDonalds (check the logo in the sky!).

Then it was back to Hartford where we spent the night at a Days Inn before our flight back to Salt Lake via Nashville (stayed on the plane) and Phoenix (got off for several hours and changed to another plane). That night we were again at the Microtel in Salt Lake.

The next morning we drove back to West Yellowstone and checked back into a site at Grizzly. We only stayed for two nights -- just long enough for laundry and making sure the RV was okay (it was fine).