Here I am, Back in Las Vegas

Well it took me awhile, but I finally finished my stories about our fantastic month long trip this past April "Driving the Great Northwest"!

As you may or may not know, this trip was inspired and began with a 2 week home exchange in Vancouver Washington. Just click here if you would like to read about how it all started and all the adventures we had from hiking to the top of waterfalls and into lava tubes, to watching mermaids swim in Montana and seeing buffalo covered in snow in Yellowstone.

This was our home while we explored the area of Washington and Oregon.

I have been doing this for 4 years now bringing the total of home exchanges to over 10!  Because of home exchanging I have been able to visit places like Australia twice,  (Click here for the story on my second one),

Provence France (story),

Florida twice, (story of the second one),

And also places like Copenhagen, England and Playa del Carmen Mexico!

I know it probably sounds like I'm the Poster Child for home exchanging, but if not for home exchanging, I certainly would not have been able to see such beautiful places or meet so many wonderful people!

So get ready for some more stories on home exchanging! My next series of posts will be about our home exchange this past February to the Algarve, the beautiful south coast of Portugal!

Driving the Great Northwest - Yellowstone in the Snow

Yellowstone National Park is our last stop before we head back home to Las Vegas.  I have been to Yellowstone several times in years past, always during the summer months, and each time I was in awe of this beautiful National Park.  And this time was no exception.

We left Billings the morning of April 27 headed West on I-90 to Bozeman.  However, we made a detour  to Helena to have some lunch at the "Brewhouse Pub and Grill" with my long time friend of 36 years, Tina and her daughter Ria.

We then made our way back down to Bozeman and headed to West Yellowstone via highway 191.  It seemed that our next day here would be very promising because we had already seen a buffalo!

 

We woke up to snow the next morning!  Certain that the park would be closed today, we took a chance and drove to the entrance,  and much to our surprise, it was open!  Some road closures of course, but not where we wanted to go today.  We decided we would drive the 49 miles to the Mammoth area and along the way we did see some beautiful sites.

As well as a few herds of Bison foraging for grass under the newly fallen snow.

The snow continued to fall and when we came upon a highway crew giving us the option to continue on to Mammoth or turn back because of heavy snow fall in that area, we decided that returning in the direction we came from to see "Old Faithful" was a better idea.

While standing around like fools in the snow waiting for Old Faithful to do her thing, we were informed that we needed to leave as soon as possible or we would all have to spend the night right there!  And it wasn't going to be in the lodge!

We were able to get a couple of pictures, not good ones, but pictures nonetheless.

The next morning we woke up to this............

It was a long day and 743 miles later, we were back home in sunny Las Vegas.

If you would like to see more pictures of our day in Yellowstone just click here, and then the album titled "Yellowstone"

Driving the Great Northwest - Western Hospitality, Montana Style

After some sightseeing along the Missouri River in Great Falls (click here to read the story), and dinner at the Cattleman's Cut Supper Club, Stijn's buddies showed us some more Western hospitality by taking us out on the town. 

So off to the "O'Haire Motor Inn"  we went to have a few drinks and listen to some music.  It just so happens that the World famous "Sip'n Dip Tiki Lounge!"  is located upstairs just off of the lobby.

Now let me tell you, this place was standing room only!  It took us a little while before we could even get a seat.  I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What is the attraction that makes the Sip'n Dip so popular?"  Well let me tell you.....while your sipp'in on your fancy little drink with the umbrella in it you can watch the mermaid swim behind the bar and listen to "Piano Pat" sing a few of your favorite songs!

I'm not kidding!!

The best way for me to express just how popular this place is, is to let you see this video I took.  Just try to endure it for a little while.  The music in the background is "Piano Pat" playing her keyboard and singing away!


Okay stop laughing!

I do have a video of Piano Pat, but I won't do that to you.  But here is a picture!

I felt quite honored to have been able to experience this World famous entertainment.  I know, I 've said it twice now "World Famous".  Well in my research it seems that GQ magazine listed the Sip'n Dip among the top 10 bars in the World!  It's true!  You can read about it here.

For Stijn, it sure was  a great place to have a drink and share some laughs and reminisce about good times with good friends!

Driving the Great Northwest - A Day in Great Falls

During our stay in Billings this past April we took the drive up to "Great Falls" to visit a couple of Stijn's high school buddies from when he was an exchange student in Billings.

It was a beautiful drive through this part of the State on Hwy 191 and Hwy 87 to Great Falls.  I love seeing wildlife and we saw plenty of Pronghorn Antelope along the way.  Sorry no pictures, but Click here if you're curious about these beautiful animals.

After we arrived Cliff and Jared took us out to see the "Great Falls" of which this city is named for when Lewis and Clark arrived here on June 13, 1805.

There are five falls along this portion of the Missouri River.  Today we were were able to see a few sites while following the Lewis & Clark Trail along the Missouri River.

The first stop we made was at "Black Eagle Memorial Island". 

This is actually a man made island and is located downstream from "Black Eagle Dam".   It opened to the public in the summer of 2005 and has a 1,500 foot path that links to a viewing area at the tip of the island.

When then headed downstream to "Giant Springs Heritage Park".

Rather then me trying to explain the beauty of this place, I will let you read what William Clark wrote  when he first laid eyes on this spring.

.......the largest fountain or spring I have ever Saw, and doubt if it is not the largest in America ever known, this water boils up from under the rocks near the edge of the river and falls immediately into the river 8 feet and keeps it's colour for a mile which is immensely Clear and of Bluish Cast....

......William Clark

There is a concrete walkway in which you can take a stroll right between the Giant Spring and the Missouri River.   

  

Here you will also see the shortest river in the country.  The Roe River ranks as one of the shortest rivers at 201 feet in length, flowing into the longest river in the country.  The Missouri River is  2,540 miles long, 200 miles longer than the Mississippi River.

It is entirely way to cold and windy on this day to endure too much more.  But we did get a glimpse of one more site along the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail.  This folks "Is" the Great Falls!

 

I can just imagine what ol' Lewis and Clark thought when they saw the waterfalls in Oregon!

If you would like to see more pictures of our day just Click here and then click the album "Great Falls"

Driving the Great Northwest - "B" is for Billings. Or is it Beer, Maybe it's Breweries?

While visiting our friends in Billings, Ron knew that Stijn would love the chance to try some Montana beers.  Stijn being from Belgium, who regards himself as a "beer connoisseur" if you will, jumps at this opportunity to see if Montana's beer can even come close to the World renowned beers of Belgium.  And it just so happens that Billings has a few breweries where Stijn can do a few taste comparisons.

It seems Montana has developed quite a reputation for producing great beer. They do grow some of the finest grains in the nation and location is everything. In an area situated just off the Rocky Mountains that produces barley that is used throughout the country to produce fine beers, domestic and craft. And Montana breweries pride themselves in using Montana grown grain to make their beer.

Now we did draw this out over a two day period, starting with visiting the "Montana Brewing Company" located at 113 N. Broadway.  Why did this brewery get picked first?  Well it was Sunday and it was the only one open, that's why.

I must make a confession here.....because this event actually took place this past April, neither Stijn or I can remember which beers we tasted.  But as Stijn says "It was beer, it was good!"

On Monday afternoon we hit the other 3 breweries in town.  First stop, "Angry Hanks Brewery".

I just love how most breweries that we've been to since we've started this trip are in places that have been re purposed if you will.  The building that Angry Hanks is in was once an old gas station located at 2405 First Ave. North.

 

It was a nice sunny afternoon, so we ordered up our beers and headed out front to the patio!

Okay, let's get moving, we have two more breweries to hit before dinner!  Next stop "Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company"  This brewery is referred to as the "Garage Pub".   Why?  Because it is  located in what used to be an old automotive repair garage.  Here is where Stijn got to chat with the brew master and discuss the intricacies of brewing beer.  And of course along with this came several samples of the brew masters favorites. 

So after much talk over several tastings, it was difficult to decide which brews Stijn would be leaving with from this brewery.

Last stop, "Carter's Brewing" 

Located on Historic Montana Ave. right along the train tracks, Carter's Brewing has been serving up their specialty brews since their business began in July 2007.  An extensive brew list made it hard to decide which beer would be our last of the day.

Well, I'm about beered out!  Aren't there any wineries in the area?

There are a few more pictures of our two days "Pub Crawling".  Click here to see the album "Billings Breweries"

Driving the Great Northwest - One Laugh after Another

Stop laughing!

So I'm sure that you are asking yourself, "Why in the world is Billings Montana one of your destinations while traveling the Great Northwest?"

I say "Why Not!"

Well actually Stijn was an exchange student here about 10 years ago or so, and while he is here in America on his extended visa he wanted to visit his host family.

We arrived on April 22 in plenty of time to settle in, get reacquainted and enjoy a fabulous meal with the Bough family!

One of the many things I didn't know about Billings is that they have some great comedian acts.  In fact our first night here we headed on over to "The Carlin Martini Bar and Nightclub" and laughed ourselves silly to the improv act of "Projectile".

We had so much fun here that the next night we went to "The R Club" at the Billings Hotel to see Alvin Williams and Morgan Preston.  Alvin was the opening act and was entertaining, but I have to tell you, when Morgan Preston hit the stage, my cheeks were hurting from laughing so hard!  A lot of what made him so funny to me was his style of in your face comedy.  But, when he mentioned a little town in the middle of no-where Nevada called "Tonopah", I absolutely lost it!

Of course when he mentioned Tonopah I had to blurt out "I used to live there!"  Which he replied "What the #?*! for?"  He then continued his story leaving out details to which I knew I needed to fill in....like the Mizpah Hotel where he got off of the Greyhound bus.

(photo courtesy of TonopahNevada.com)

Needless to say he continued to heckle me a little bit more throughout his performance. But he really was a nice guy and even let me have my picture taken with him.

 

I certainly never expected to be in Billings Montana and be listening to a comedian making jokes about Tonopah!

Who Knew?

Click here if you would like to see a few more pictures

Driving the Great Northwest - Off to Montana

Sorry this post is soooooo late!  I have been met with the challenge of Melanoma and it has set me back even more than I already am with my posts about our fantastic trip through the great northwest!  So I figured it's time to catch up a little bit more before I have some surgery and start treatments.

Let's go back in time a little bit to April 21, and put ourselves on the road leaving from Vancouver Washington and making our way to Billings Montana.  First stop, Missoula Montana.  Our route takes us through the magnificent "Columbia River Gorge".  I never tire of traveling this portion of I-84 that travels along the second largest river in North America. It is so beautiful with the waterfalls of Oregon on my right.......

 and the Columbia River on my left which creates the border between Oregon and Washington.

We arrived in Missoula just in time for dinner, so we decided to check out what "Historic Downtown Missoula" had to offer.  With a recommendation from a very nice lady we met while parking our car, we took the short walk to "The Iron Horse Brew Pub" located at 501 N. Higgins.  This place had a typical Western feel to it with it's wood beams and rustic decor.  They had a nice side patio, where of course we needed to be!  The food was nothing to exciting and the only thing I really have to comment on is the Sweet Potato fries!  Remember I had some great Sweet Potato fries at "Casa Nyranja" in Portland, and I was thinking that everyone made them that way.....WRONG!  These were so skinny, and quite flavorless.

Well it had been a long day so we headed back to our room at the "Mountain Valley Inn", which by the way is really within walking distance to Historic Downtown.  After a good nights sleep, and some breakfast in the lobby of our hotel, we were on the road again!

Next stop, Billings Montana!

Driving The Great Northwest - One Last Happy Hour

Our home exchange has come to an end in Vancouver Washington and I can't believe how fast 2 weeks has gone by!  April actually turned out to be a great time of year to be in the Great Northwest with mild tempetures and very little rain.

Now it's time to head to Montana, but not before we hit just one more happy hour before we leave!

We had seen this great restaurant on the water when we rode our bikes along the Willamette River on April 18th and I thought what a great place to have a drink.  So on April 20th, the evening before we leave, we decided to drive over the Columbia River into Portland and stop in at the "Newport Seafood Grill".  

This is Portland's only floating restaurant!  Which seems sort of odd based on all the river's around here. 

We probably parked to far away, but we enjoyed walking the waterfront on our way there.

Happy hour here is from 3pm til 6pm and then again at 9pm until closing, every single day!  The place was pretty much empty when we arrived so we were able to pick our table at a window with a great view.  Actually the whole place is nothing but windows, so no matter where you sit, you will have a great view!

We actually ended up ordering off of the regular menu as the prices weren't that bad and everything looked really good.  I had the Mahi Mahi Baja style tacos with grilled mahi mahi, mango tomatillo salsa, cilantro lime sour cream, in corn tortillas for $10.95.  If you want three it's $13.95.  Two was plenty!  Stijn had the Alaksan Halibut Sandwich with seasoned grilled halibut, lemon caper tartar, sun-dried tomato pesto, dressed sweet greens and cucumber on a toasted brioche bun for $11.95.  Sorry no pictures of these fantastic dishes, we were too busy eating!

Stijn did have a beer and I had a glass of wine and we toasted to another fabulous home exchange, thanks to Terri, our exchanger in Vancouver Washington! 

You can also see these pictures at "Where's Debbie".  Just click on the album "One Last Happy Hour"

Driving The Great Northwest - On The Road Again

Just a quick note to let you know that we are leaving tomorrow for Montana.  Our home exchange has come to an end and I still have a few more stories to write about during our time here.

So I will have some more posts of our adventure very soon and I hope you have enjoyed reading about what we have been doing since we started "Driving The Great Northwest".

Driving The Great Northwest

I've been back from a 2 month trip to Europe since February 27th 2010.  And if you've been following this blog you can see that I'm still trying to catch up with writing about what a wonderful time I had, from enjoying everyday life in Brussels to a home exchange in Ferragudo Portugal.

But as of this moment I am on another trip.  This time a whole lot closer to home too!

Stijn returned to America with me and he will be here for 6 months.  So of course we need to see some of the beautiful places in America while he's here.

Some of my favorite places to visit are the Northwestern States.  From the unmatched beauty of the Oregon Coast to Pike Place Market in Seattle and the Big Sky country of Montana to the majestic Teton Mountains of Wyoming.  The georgous National Parks like the California Redwoods, Montana Glacier Park and of course Yellowstone.  What better places to visit to show off what a beautiful Country America is.

So I'm anxious to start sharing with you our road trip and what we will be seeing and doing along the way while "Driving the Great Northwest"!

Who Knew?

I really want you to get to know me.

So what you need to know first and foremost is that I love to travel.

Growing up we never took a family vacation. We never went anywhere actually. I grew up in Los Angeles California and a "vacation" for us was to load up the station wagon and make the drive down to Salton Sea to visit my grandparents little getaway they had down there for the weekend. And this wasn't very often. I remember how excited I would be knowing we were going "somewhere"! I was thrilled to stay in my grandparents great little 1950's silver camp trailer and help my grandmother sell hot dogs and snow cones from her little portable food stand while my grandfather fished all day for corvina from the pier. I can remember at night sitting outside and looking up at the stars and pointing out the Milky Way and both "Dipper's".
When we had the opportunity to move to Nevada in the early 1970's, I had my mother packed and renting a UHaul "To go where no Smith has gone before". Out of the State of California! Now this was only to the neighboring State of Nevada in a little town called "Tonopah" but at the age of 14 I thought, what a great adventure!

When I was raising my family I made sure we took family vacations nearly every summer. I would get ideas of places to visit from magazines, television or even just talking with co-workers and friends. But most importantly from my children. One year my daughter learned in school that there was a place where she could stand in one spot and be in four States at the same time. So I planned a whole vacation around her curiosity. I would always figure out how to see and do as much as possible in a two week period.

During these 23 years we were able to explore so many beautiful places. Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and even back to California. And then finally.....the airplane ride! My first airplane ride at the age of 37 to Nashville Tennessee to see Christmas in the Park. I remember getting there, parking the car and walking through the parking lot and I just started to cry. I was so overwhelmed with the thought that I was actually experiencing such a beautiful place. I get that way. I can't tell you how many times I have had to fight the tears when I get somewhere.

The past 12 years I have had the opportunity to visit just about every State now and about 23 countries.

I look back now and think to myself that I have always had a desire to get out and explore new and different places.

Who knew?