Heat and Optune Don't Mix

Readers note:  Darrell continues his blog streak by posting today.

Brain cancer is...

...battling heat alarms on the Optune unit.

In my new unit, the alarms are specific to the cause of the error.  Specifically, the heat alarm is a pattern of three beeps, followed a short pause, and then two beeps (beep, beep, beep, [pause], beep, beep). 

We heard that error way too many times today (above) since we slept in and tried to still walk in the park.  It was way too hot.

Although it helped, not even my talent for shade-seeking (above) could thwart the heat. 
We learned our lesson, but what was the lesson?  Was it...
A) Get up early to avoid the heat or, 
B) Sleep as much as possible, and then take the day off from walking?
We vote B!

Update on the egret: It was fishing quite nicely without those pesky human fishermen.

Today's Blooms

Roses were on sale today at Ralphs.  Perfect timing, Ralphs, because now we will wake up tomorrow morning to...

These beauties! They are the perfect way to welcome...Birthday Month!  Hurrah!  Get ready, everyone!

Non-Vacation Blues

Readers Note:  Darrell is out from behind the wheel and back in front of the keyboard for today's post.

Brain cancer is...

...accepting the fact that the vacation is over (for now).

Vacations rock and we are kind of bummed this one is over.  We love sleeping in a hotel bed and the no-responsibility feeling that goes with it (no home projects, no pressures).  

Sure, we had a highly productive day today.  Our completed to-do list proves it:  We walked, worked out, did laundry, went to two stores to stock up on essentials (see above), and Andi worked. 

But the reports of COVID in California are further disconcerting.  I guess that when one is on vacation, one can zip into a town, stay safe, and then zip out.  We cannot do that in our home town.  So, the answer is going on vacation permanently?  We will let you know how that goes.

Egrets are born to fish.  On our walk, we laughed at the bird watching the human fishermen and imagined that the egret was giving advice to the crowd (see above). 

We hope there's a bird out there with sound advice for you too, Team D!

Today's Bloom

You deserve an encore, hibiscus!  Great shapes!  (Yesterday's blossom is in the background.)

Now we can say we've seen Terribles.

Brain cancer is...

 ...home.

Darrell made good time driving today, and we gained an hour coming back, so we were home before we knew it.  Not being Vegas regulars, we didn't know about Terribles Roadhouse, outside Las Vegas, where we stopped for gas (above).  Now we have been to the largest Chevron station in the world.

Sue treated for our traditional post-vacation meal on Islands' patio, where we traded trip highlights.  There were so many highlights that lunch was long. We have one last evening together before Sue takes off tomorrow.

In case the idea of a road trip in the days of covid is new to some people, here are some of the things we did in efforts to protect safety.

• We chose less-traveled places (like Capitol Reef vs. a highly popular park)
• Maximized outdoor time
• Wore masks in all public areas 
• Engaged in serious social distancing (except we agreed to hug the kids and form our own "bubble" of five)
• We washed hands frequently and slathered on the hand sanitizer when we couldn't wash hands
• Packed a "decon" travel bag: Alcohol wipes, extra face masks, hand sanitizer
• Had no gatherings other than family
• Ate many "car," home or hotel room meals, and limited restaurant dining (restaurants had limited seating and we distanced)
• Hotels all were mindful, but they followed local guidelines that varied somewhat.  Here's our Greeley hotel as an example:  Enhanced sanitation of room; social distancing; no staff "ingress" into our room after we checked in (They don't enter to clean the room daily; you change rooms if you have an extended stay), masks in all public spaces; limited people in elevators; no glassware in rooms--needed to be ordered; special rules for fitness rooms, which we purposely avoided.

Basically we followed California rules and suggestions...away from home.  We were encouraged, too, by how careful Zach and Summer are being.  Covid definitely added an air of uncertainty to the trip.

Nonetheless, the trip filled our hearts and souls and made thriving in the next few months seem more possible.

Thinking of you and your hearts and souls too, Team D!

Today's Bloom

The backyard hibiscus greeted us with its typical cheer.

Lasts and Firsts

Brain cancer is...

 

 ...enjoying a last great meal outside California.

Cheers from (again) St. George, Utah.  We had a meal we declared our favorite at the Painted Pony.  Above you see us before we enjoyed such treats at trout cakes, carrot soup (yes), heirloom tomatoes, mussels, and lemon souffle.  Truly fine!  (Food friends: Of course I took pictures of every course.  Let me know which you'd like to see).  

Tonight is also a "last" for king sized begs and hotel rooms.  We roll home tomorrow morning.

We had "firsts" today too.  Although we had rain many days, today was our first rainbow.

We also had our first (and last) walk at Wyoming's Bear River State Park.

For Darrell and me, this was our first trip down the 15 through Utah.  Great scenery.

This was our first (and last) road trip of the season.  And it was our first road trip with Sue.  We don't plan to let it be the last.

Here's to your next first trip, Team D!

Today's Blooms
These are all from our Wyoming walk at Bear River Park.

Wahoo, Wyoming!

Brain cancer is...

...enjoying "the equality state."

We had a pleasant morning with Zach and Summer before hitting the road again.

For new sights, we took the northern route, through southern Wyoming.  Tonight we're staying in Green River, Wyoming.  Yes, it's the same Green River as in Green River, Utah, in our trip out.  Now we're near its headwaters.  Green River is a major tributary of the Colorado.

Speaking of rivers:  Our drive today took us over the Continental Divide, the point at which waters drain to different basins (here, the Pacific or the Atlantic).  We learned that every continent except Antarctica has a continental divide, and some have more than one.

We also think we discovered where the whole nation got its fireworks for this year's Independence Day's weeklong bootlegged fireworks displays. Kidding.  But we did see more fireworks stands--open year round!--than people today.

One last fun fact:  Did you know that Wyoming is the Equality State? The first woman in what is now the United States voted in Wyoming...50 years before women in the nation could vote.  When Wyoming was offered statehood, it was on the condition that it repeal women's right to vote.  The territory of Wyoming said no.  It would rather remain a territory for 100 years than join the nation without its women. (We learned this on a Wyoming map we picked up, but sites like this and this one verified and expanded the information.)

Darrell and I hiked some and then dinner was hosted by Sue at a local Mexican restaurant.  Tomorrow it's more of Wyoming and then northern Utah.  Here are a few pics of the lovely locale of  Wyoming.

Darrell is in this pic somewhere.  Find him?

We hope your week is off to a great start, friends!

Today's Blooms

Bittersweet

Brain cancer is...

  ...watching the sun set over Greeley.

Today was our final full day in Greeley.  We all built lots of memories to take with us...until next time we're together. 

We started with another hike and ended with a farewell party in our suite.  Fortunately we'll be together for doughnuts tomorrow morning before we say farewell.

Here are some moments from the day.

Breakfast on the patio we like to call our own:  "Our" Doubletree Hotel

Mousse time

Hike on!

Prairie Dog Territory

Sad faces, contemplating goodbyes

...But looking forward to next time.

Celebrating a great visit with a room service feast in our suite: Salud!

Today's Bloom