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Ski Trip to Utah: Park City Mountain Resort

12 January 202020 September 2024

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Another beautiful day to ski with overcast skis that will soon clear up for a sunny day.  While I am a little sore from skiing yesterday, I am more excited to ski Park City Mountain Resort, which hosted the 2002 Olympic Games.  I am also excited to meet up with a high school friend whose husband works at the resort and I am looking forward to meeting her two boys.

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Leaving the house in Heber City, the view was absolutely spectacular.  The snow-capped mountains with their bluish grey highlights seemed at eye’s level as we descended down into town towards the slopes.

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This is four-wheel drive weather and we were setting out on steep terrain with lots of hills.  The roads were cleared early this morning, so we managed to stay within the tracks of vehicles that had previously made their way down the mountain.

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Several majestic homes were set into the side of the mountain where their large picture windows offered  spectacular views of peaks which could have been seen for miles.

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As we continued on towards Park City, we passed a large lake that had frozen over for the winter.  The stillness and solitude of the scenery was soothing as we prepared for another full day of skiing.

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We entered the park, picked up our skis and headed towards the slopes.  I decided only to ski for a couple of hours, realizing how sore I was from the previous day.  My muscles needed a little rest since we were planning on sledding event later that the evening.

Park City Mountain Resort is about a half an hour, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City.  The resort opened in 1963 under the name “Treasure Mountain” as it was once an active mining town.

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There are shops and restaurants where we rented our skis and a skating rink in the center.  We arrived early so it felt as if we had the park all to ourselves.   The sun was out as we took a seat on one of the benches to put on our boots.

There are over 3,000 acres of skiing with sixteen chairlifts.  It was exciting to think that there were several events that took place in this very spot during the 2002 Olympic Games. Park City Mountain Resort hosted the giant slalom events as well as the snowboarding competition.

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I managed to ski the beginner slopes (blue circles) a couple of times to warm up.  While skiing, there were other beginners as well as snowboarders, but I knew if I was going to ski the green slopes today, I would need to do it earlier in the day when I was not as tired.

Making my way to the end of the slope, I imagined what it would have been like to have close to 100,000 spectators for the Olympic Games.  I am most certain that none of the events were using the blues and greens that I’m skiing, but nonetheless, it was fascinating to think that the best talent in skiing and snowboarding were once here competing.

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After skiing the morning hours, I made it to the bottom of my last run and I was ready for lunch.  With over 314 trails here at Park City Mountain Resort, I skied only four.  I had a few minutes to check out the shops to see if I could find a hat or souvenir of my trip before making my way to the restaurant.

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The restaurant was lovely with outdoor seating where we could catch up over a glass of wine.  Surrounded by mountains and ski lifts, this picturesque scene also included large bear statues.

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After lunch, I joined Dawn’s son for a ride on the alpine roller coaster.  Bodi competes on a ski team and is quite talented, ranking high in the polls.  He has a great future ahead of him should he choose to continue in his training.

I hated to leave Dawn and the boys but it was time to take the shuttle to a neighboring slope to prepare for our evening of tubing and sledding.  I look forward to hearing about Bodi’s success and skiing and hope to visit Park City again.

Where is your favorite place to ski?  Have you been to Park City Mountain Resort?  I would love to hear about your experience, so leave your comments below!  Happy Travels!

Park City Mountain Resort is located at 1345 Lowell Avenue, Park City, Utah  84060.  During the ski season, the slopes and ski lifts are open from 9AM to 4PM.  Some of the trails are open later for night skiing.  For more information about the resort, ski lift tickets and rentals, ski instruction, etc., visit their website at www.parkcitymountain.com.

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My friend, Dawn, and her two boys

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The Amazing View of Park City from the Slopes

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Painted Moose on Skis

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Hike the Fairy Trail at Yellowstone for an Amazing View of Grand Prismatic Spring

8 December 201825 October 2024

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From the trailhead of Fairy Trail, I checked my backpack, tightened my boots and took out my water bottle in preparation for my hike.   I could see the steam coming off of the multiple springs to my right and would soon be able to climb above the Middle Geyser Basin for a spectacular view of Grand Prismatic Spring.  Distracted by my surroundings, I hadn’t notice the furry Bison standing within a few feet from me.  While he appeared to be docile and more interested in grazing, I quickly passed, giving him plenty of space.

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Within about twenty minutes, I reached a path leading upwards through the woods but I wasn’t quite sure if I was heading in the right direction.  The woods were thick with fir trees that had fallen and blocked the trail but I decided to push forward.  The climb was intense, but soon I noticed a small clearing and what seemed to be a natural bench of rock.  I took a seat and looking out towards the spring, I was not prepared for the beauty of one of the most surreal sights I had ever seen.

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One of the most surprising features of the Grand Prismatic Spring was the colorful rainbow of rings bordering the circular pool.  Not visible from ground level, the vibrant primary colors and the orange-flamed runoff radiated like the sun.

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I sat in amazement of the largest hot spring in the United States and realized I was looking down on a dormant volcano.  I watched the steam slowly leave the geyser, disappearing into the air.  Understanding that the mist is due to the boiling water reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, I also thought about how this silent volcano could explode at any moment.  What an eerie thought.

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Leaving this peaceful place on the hill, I returned back to the trailhead, curious to find the bison I saw at the start of my hike.  I was surprised to notice that he was standing in the midst of Middle Geyser Basin.  Concerned for his safety, I said a little prayer and hoped that he would escape from any harm and make it home safely.

Did you know that the Fairy Trail leads to a beautiful view of the Grand Prismatic  Spring?  Have you hiked the trail?  I would love to hear about your experience if  you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about my visit to Yellowstone!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone:  307 344 7381

  • Admission Fee:   Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry.  Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle:  $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20  which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc.    An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.  Check out their website for more information:  https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
  • Hours:  Open daily, 24 hours;  Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
  • Amenities:  camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
  • Scenic View:  Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead.  For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls:  Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes.  The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
  • Length of Visit:  Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate.   Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies.  When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park.  For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Where to Stay:

I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone.  I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.

Where to Eat:

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY  82190
Telephone:  307 344 7311

For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers.  It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.

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A Photographic View of Costa Rica, 2002

3 November 201431 August 2024

Amazing Costa Rican Beaches

Our neighbor cooking us up some Red Snapper

Our beach hut

Cheffy and David Ready to Surf

Costa Rican Beaches

Drinking Beers with our Neighbors

Amazing CR Beach

Roadside Signs

The Sunset from Quepos, Costa Rica

Cheeky Monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park

Sunset in Palo Seco Beach

Enjoying the Gorgeous Costa Rican Beaches

Flying into Quepos, Costa Rica

Entering Playa Palo Seco

The Gorgeous Costa Rican Countryside

The Diverse Geology of Costa Rica

Visiting the Falls

Melissa and Costa Rican boyfriend, Jeffrey

Dancing the Night Away at the Club

Hanging at the Neighbors’ House

The Costa Rican Coast

Beach Time

Preparing to Enter the Tunnel

Gorgeous Scenery from the Beach

Costa Rican Drive By

Can’t get enough of the scenery in Costa Rica

Getting our Car Stuck in the Sand

Rocky Beaches

Volcanic Beach of Costa Rica

Farmland for Miles

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

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Diamond Head, Hawai’i: What a View

22 September 201431 August 2024

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After we arrived on the island of Oahu, unpacked and settled in to the hotel, we could not help but notice Diamond Head majestically looming over the island in the distance.  We were ready to tackle the hike to its peak and to enjoy some much-needed time in the outdoors, so we loaded up the car, headed for the highway and made our way up the mountain.

Diamond Head is the remnants of a volcanic eruption that occurred over 150,000 years ago.  The British gave it the name Diamond Head as they mistakenly thought that the calcite crystals nearby were diamonds.  The Hawaiians know Diamond Head as Le’ahi, as to them, it resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin protruding from the ridgeline along its back.  Lucky for us, the volcano has been dormant for many years.  We began our ascent on this switchback trail, which is considered strenuous but only .8 miles in length.

Waiting for the Old Folks, Diamond Head Trail

The trail provided us with spectacular views of the Pacific.  We made the climb with several switchbacks before reaching a long flight of stairs.  The stairs brought us to a tunnel that lead us to the lower level of the Fire Control Station completed in 1911.  More stairs, and we then entered the third level knowing we would soon reach the Observation station.

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As we continued our ascent, we had the mountain to one side and a handrail on the other as we made our way to the first overlook.  The trail was built in 1908 reaching a height of 760 feet and the views of Diamond Head and Waikiki were breathtaking.

011008 Incredible View from Diamond Head

On the other side of the station was the volcanic tuff cone which makes up Diamond Head.  According to GeoLearning, a tuff (or ash) cone, is “formed by explosive (and therefore potentially hazardous) phreatomagmatic eruptions (the interaction of basaltic magma and water). Tuff cones thus tend to be found near the water’s edge or just offshore. Tuff is composed of extremely fine-grained cemented volcanic ash.”

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It took us a total of about an hour to reach the summit, with some stops along the way to admire our amazing surroundings.  Upon reaching the top, there was the Observation Station with a 360 degree view and a more stunning sight of Waikiki below.  On a clear day you could see for miles.  We took a few minutes to take in the moment and to catch our breath knowing it would probably only take about 30 minutes to return to the start of our journey.

As we finished the hike and reveled in our victorious climb with a view so spectacular and breathtaking, I realized that I would have been so disappointed if I had stayed back at the hotel or opted for a day at the beach.   I promised myself that even if it took a bit of effort on my part, I would not want to miss out on an experience of a lifetime such as this.

Have you hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii or maybe you have another hike that made a long lasting impression on you?  I would love to hear about your journey if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for taking this journey with me to Diamond Head and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Diamond Head State Monument
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  800 464 2924

  • Admission Fee: $5 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians, cash only
  • Hours:  Open daily from 6AM to 6PM. The last entrance to hike the trail is 4:30PM.
  • Amenities:  ADA Accessible, Snack Bar, Gift Shop, Picnic Pavilion and Tables, Restrooms and Water Fountains.
  • Scenic View:   Spectacular views of Waikiki from Diamond Head!
  • Length of the Hike:  1.5 to 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Please note that the entrance fee is cash only.   If hiking Diamond Head, wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Where to Stay:

Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
2885 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  808 922 1700

Where to Eat:

South Shore Grill
3114 Montsarrat Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  808 734 0229

Voted the best fish tacos on the island, I could not wait to order a couple and decided on the Grilled Cajun Ono Fish with Aioli….absolutely delicious!  The chips and homemade salsa was a hit as well!

What to Eat: 

  • Kalua Pig:  Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
  • Poi:  Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch.  This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
  • Poke:  Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.

What to Read: 

  • Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku by David Davis
  • The Tattoo by Chris McKinney

Photo Guide for Oahu:

  • Diamond Head Crater Hike:  360 degree views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean
  • Hanauma Bay:  underwater photos, photo of the bay from the parking lot
  • Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Park scenery
  • Kualoa Regional Park and Mokoli’l Island: Palm trees and the triangle island
  • The Pineapple Plantations:  Take the inland route from Waikiki to the North Shore and stop at Dole Plantation
  • Sunset Beach and Pipeline:  the North Shore is the perfect location for surfing, so you will find LOTS of surfers here.
  • Turtle Bay:  surfers and sunsets
  • Waikiki Wall and Beach:  palm trees, surfers and highrise buildings, sunrises and sunsets

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Bill and Dean on the Diamond BAck Trail, Hawaii

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I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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