Yellowstone National Park
September 2024
Well, I guess it's officially fall, although where we're currently camping, it feels more like summer. I think we hit 80 yesterday, and I was in shorts & flip flops again today, but I'll take it! We've seen a lot of beautiful fall colors on our road trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Park, but I don't mind the warmer temps. I'm sure when we get home to the Oregon Coast, it will be chilly and damp.
As is my normal routine, I probably won't blog about this trip until later in the year. As it is, I'm currently posting about our 2023 summer trip to Canada; that's how far behind I am with travel posts! But I will include a few favorite photos down below. If you want to see more (a lot more!), check out my Instagram or Facebook feeds. I've been updating daily, although I'm about a week behind our actual trip.
You won't be surprised to see that I only read two books in September, since I rarely get much read while on a road trip. However, both books are over 500 pages! September was a re-read and very enjoyable, but it was Billy Summers that stole my heart. I wanted to read it every chance I had, and when I wasn't reading, I was talking about it to Rod (who is now re-reading it). What a great novel!
Books Read (click on the title for my review):
September by Rosamunde Pilcher (4.5/5) - reread
Billy Summers by Stephen King (5/5)
In case you missed it, I wrapped up my summer reading challenge here.
In other news, my daughter's company (MAYSON the label) was mentioned in Oprah Daily, which was quite thrilling. You can read about her fashion brand in that article here.
Amy (aka Fashion Jackson)
In addition, our family suffered two losses in the span of four days. We got news that my cousin's wife passed away on the 25th. This past Sunday I received word that another cousin had died. Kris Kristofferson was my first cousin, once removed (his mom and my grandmother were sisters). What's so heartbreaking is that my cousin's wife (who died on the 25th) was married to Kris' brother. It was (and will continue to be) a rough time for the family. I've been reading all the beautiful tributes about Kris, and Rod & I have been singing a lot of his songs as we grieve.
Rod, Kris and me
Family Reunion 2016
Depoe Bay, Oregon
I'll leave you with a few of my favorite photos from our five-week road trip. Enjoy.
Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful
The Tetons & Jackson Lake, Wyoming
The beautiful aspens, willows
and cottonwoods of Wyoming
Schwabacher Landing, Wyoming
Schwabacher Landing
T.A. Moulton Barn, Moose, Wyoming
Our view at Gros Ventre Campground, Wyoming
Les, this is a great post. First of all, nice picture of you guys and Kris. We were sorry to learn of his passing and also your cousin's wife. Sigh. What lovely shots of your current travels. Look forward to hearing about that trip as time goes by. You guys take care and enjoy the rest of your time camping. Oh, also, beautiful picture of Amy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay. It's was a rough week losing both Kris and Gray.
DeleteWe have seen so many beautiful places on our current trip. I will try not to delay getting blogs posts up about them before too long.
You have had so much loss this month and I am sorry to hear that. Your mom will surely be happy to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteGood reading, two books whoch are excellent. Lovely photos too, Les.
Tina, you're right about my mom looking forward to seeing us. To lose two family members while we're away was difficult, but one of my brothers is currently visiting, so all is good. They'll be watching the Dodger-Padre game tonight (each rooting for the other team!).
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your losses in September, Les. It's so hard to lose those we love.
ReplyDeleteAre you really going to make us wait all these months for you to post about your Yellowstone/Teton trip?! lol I am looking forward to seeing all your lovely photos.
Deb, it really is hard to lose loved ones, even when it's expected. We knew Kris was failing, but Gray's death was quite a shock...
DeleteI will try not to make you wait too long for posts about this current trip. :) I can make it my winter project so you aren't waiting 18 months like with my Canada trip. Lol!
What a devastating week for your family, I am so sorry for your losses.
ReplyDeleteHelen, thank you for your kind words. We're doing better with each passing day.
DeleteI love your month in summary posts because they include both the highs and lows of life. I'm so sorry to hear about your family's losses this month... both difficult alone, but even tougher in such close proximity.
ReplyDeleteYour travel photos are gorgeous and I look forward to your instagram photos each day. It looks like another great trip for you and Rod! Two great reads for the month isn't too shabby either. Congratulations to your daughter... very exciting news!
You know, I never really realized that about my monthly summaries, JoAnn. Some might say I over-share, but I like to have these summaries as a written record of what we've done each month, in addition to the books I've read. This month was a tough one, but really more for those in my family who were especially close to my cousins. I used to babysit for Gray, and knew her much better than I knew Kris. She was such a sweet woman. I saw Kris less than a dozen times in my life, but he was such a part of our family history, and my heart aches for his wife and "kids."
DeleteGlad you're enjoying my current travel photos. It's been a great trip, and I'll be a little sad when we get home on Wednesday. It will be wonderful to see my mom after all these weeks, but the end of an RV adventure is always a bit of a letdown. I'll just have to start blogging about it... or start planning the next trip. :) Yes, very exciting news about Amy's mention in Oprah's online newsletter.
Thinking about your house on Sanibel and hoping it doesn't suffer any damage from Milton! Ugh!
I didn't realize how behind on your posts I am. And sorry for your family's losses. Very tough. I'm still thinking about my mother from April. I love these landscape shots and the one of Kris and you at top as well. Congrats to your daughter for her work & being in Oprah's mag. That's excellent. You have made me want to read Billy Summers. Thx for your recs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. I'm sure you'll be thinking of your mom for many years to come. I hope your dad is doing ok without her. So hard.
DeleteOoh, you should read Billy Summers! It's so good. I'm currently reading another by King (Holly) and it's keeping me reading late into the night. Another winner!