Nice to be home

Yesterday I hung out with my cousin Joe and met his in-laws...very nice people. Is nice to be close in proximity to my parents again too. Today I am dealing with switching insurance etc. and tomorrow I have my moral fitness interview with the Ohio Bar...:) Let's hope I pass. After that, I am headed south to KY to see my auntie Ruth. She is in her 80's but still a spit fire so we should have some fun pics and I will report on what we do. Lisa

Indy then Cincy...I'm home

I left Galesburg, Illinois and made it to Dona and Brad's house in Indy around 4:45 p.m. Was SOOO nice to see them...we had pork chops and veggie kabobs for dinner. I was going to spend the night but I got itchin' to see my pup so I motored on home last night and made it about 12:15 a.m. Emmitt was thrilled to see me and hasn't let me leave his sight today. I added some more goodbye pics (Shirley, Lindy, and Kelly) and a pictures of Dona fixing the veggies and I think I got the hello pic of Emmitt and my Dad up.

So the blog is not ending just b/c I am back. I am going this coming week to see my 83 year old Aunt Ruth in Kentucky...then July 8 I leave with my sister for India...so stay tuned and keep the comments coming.

If anyone wants me to email them the entire photo albumn from the trip let me know and I will. We had a thunder storm tonight. Was nice. I missed storms. LA was warm and sunny almost every day...which believe it or not...gets old to someone who was used to 4 seasons and interesting weather.

Many thanks to all the people who hosted me along the way. It was very kind of you and I loved seeing you all. It feels good to be home. And to all my cali friends...as soon as I get set up in a place to live and get settled....I EXPECT a visit so I can show you some of our nice mid-west hospitality. Robert and Richard...you must come to Ohio and Barbie and I will take you antiquing...she loved the Antiquies Road Show email (Robert...remember you met her in your office once.)

Call me anytime I am keeping the same cell and stay tuned for more to come. Lis

PS - that is the hillbilly gas station where I got gas in Minnesota when I almost ran out b/c I was talking to Mimi too long.

Illinois

So today I left South Dakota and drove through Minnesota, Iowa, and am now in Galesburg, Illinois (no place you want to be.) MN and Iowa are truely one big corn field. I will be at Dona's house tomorrow afternoon. For those of you who are TLC fans my friend Dona and her husband Brad were on trading spaces (does anyone remember when Doug put the foot on the wall of the couple's house where the wife didn't like feet?...that was Dona.) Anyway, the best western only had the honeymoon suite left b/c there are so many army corp of engineer folks here due to the flooding (I saw some of it) so I will be honeymooning tonight (will report tomorrow what the Best Western honeymoon suite looks like.) More later, lis

South Dakota...eeeehhh....ok?

See below...I got the buffalo pic up from Yellowstone. So this morning I left Wyoming and headed east toward South Dakota. I made an approxiamte 100 mile detour to see Devil's Tower...then stopped in Sturgis (where they have the annual motorcycle rally every August) for coffee...then went to Mt. Rushmore where it proceeded to rain cats and dogs...then hailed. I did see a mountain goat climb a rocky hillside (picture above) which almost made it worth it. Mt. Rushmore can be seen in pictures...no need for you guys to visit. Trust me.

Then I drove 7 hours through South Dakota. It was full of deer and cow and not much else. Nothing and I mean nothing is here. I would shoot myself if I lived here. I am spending the night in Mitchell, South Dakota (home of the corn palace) then headed toward Indy to Dona Schnelle's house. I would like to make it tomorrow but it is 12.5 hours away...we'll see how much stamina I have tomorrow. Can't wait to see Dona then to get home and see my little Emmitt puppy. More later and keep the comments coming I love them. Robert...you have been my best commenting blogger...when do you start trial? What case? Is it Prather?

So.........all in all, my opinion so far is that Jackson Hole, WY has been an excellent find. Yellowstone and the Tetons are AWESOME, and Wyoming in general has been a pleasant surprise for me. Miss you all, lis

Yellowstone and Wyoming.

So, Friday I drove into Yellowstone through the Teton National Park. I stayed alone Friday night at Lake Yellowstone Hotel. I saw the falls, and old faithful while I was there, along with tons of wildlife. Buffalo, two bears, a wolf, elk, a raven, a golden eagle, and another baby moose. I saw 2 baby buffalo also.

Saturday I met up with my friend John Mueller and his wife. We camped overnight at Norris campground in the park. I was afraid of the animals. As it turns out, I should be. About 20 minutes after we lied down in our tent, a buffalo came snorting around our tent. He did a circle around our tent. I was up almost all night.

When I woke up the next morning, John and his wife were on a hike. I grabbed my camera, and purse, unzipped the tent and stepped out. I was face to face with a buffalo. I gently walked backward then took a picture once I was at a safe distance to prove this frightful event in fact took place. Then all the people in campground who were watching the buffalo (there were in fact 3 by my tent) came to talk to me to see if I was frightened. Hell yes I was scared.

I left Yellowstone and headed east in Wyoming toward Mt. Rushmore. I drove through the ??? mountain range and then on to Cody. I stopped at Cody to watch a PowWow with the Plain Valley Indians (it was neat but a little freaky at the same time...all those cowboy and Indian movies made me feel like I was going to be attacked when they screamed eeiiiyiiiyiiiyiii...a little anyway.)

Then I drove through the Big Horns. I saw over 100 deer...darting to and fro. I almost hit 6 of them but more were in the road. Add that to the fact that I am petrified of heights and pretty much I need a valuum (still was a pretty drive though). At a hotel in Sheridan, Wyoming now. I am tired. Gonna eat then go to bed.

Went down the snake river on a raft

WOOW I had fun today. Woke and and did some minor hiking along the river...then went on a 10 mile raft trip. On the river we had a majestic view of the grand tetons...wow was that unreal. We saw 3 bald eagels, a beaver, a coyote, buffalo, elk, and some ducks on the water.

THEN. As I was driving back to Teton Village thru the Teton Park I saw THREE moose (the plural of moose is moose for those who were wondering). Two of which were a momma and her baby. The baby was SOOOO CUTE. The baby was feet from me and so was the momma. Crazy. Then I ate more buffalo for dinner. Then I went to a bar called the Million Dollar Cowboy...now I am hitting the hay as I am a tired girl. I can't get my pictures online but as soon as I can, I will. I am going to try to tomorrow because I want to delete and make room for my trip to Yellowstone tomorrow. Can't wait to see the park...everyone must come here before they die. I'm having a good time everyone.

Wyoming is my favorite so far

I left Pocatello today and stopped at Idaho Falls. Saw the falls and had a cup of coffee as I sat by the snake river at the falls. Then I headed east to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. That drive was something to see. I took the scenic route through the mountains rather than the highway. It was breathtaking.

I thought the Alps were pretty....the Tetons kick the Alps ass. I think Jackson is so far one of the prettiest places I have seen not in a picture. I am staying at a nice ski lodge two nights. Tonight, I went to the rodeo and watched bull riding, bucking broncos and brl racing...then went for dinner and had the buffalo brisket (was tasty.) Tomorrow I am going to hike then go to the snake river. There is still snow on the mountains and the wildflowers are in bloom. I really like it here...a must see.

Oh, I forgot, I also did a little hiking when I stopped at the south fork of the snake river outside Idaho Falls.

I'm beat...gotta go to sleep...pictures will be coming...I took some pretty ones today in the Tetons.

Pictures are coming....I'm still in Idaho

Yesterday I went hiking in Caribou National Park on the Mink trail with Andy. I saw lavendar butterflies, beautiful wildflowers, a hawk carrying a snake up in the air, and a dead deer carcus on the trail side. Idaho is really pretty and neat. I am glad I came here.

Last night, my friend Angela and I went to Lava, Idaho. Angela and I worked together at my last firm and she recently moved to an Indian reservation on the Idaho/Nevada border. Since I was in the area she came to Pocatello to stay with her Mom and visit while I am here. Last night we saw the hot springs in Lava and went to a ranch. We took a horse drawn wagon ride and had a BBQ with an open pit fire. It was REALLY fun and the retard I am, I forgot my camera. UGH. I was so disappointed but I will remember it in my head.

I think I am headed to Jackson Hole today, although I can't seem to find a hotel room...everything is booked...so plans may change.

Gotta run, Andy is gonna fill my MP3 player for me before I hit the road again. I suggest if you ever have a chance, take a little trip to Idaho.

I'm in Idaho

I got a MUCH later start outta Vegas than I had anticipated (the culprit was my belly against a poker table). I WAS leaving early, then I started playing poker at Santa Fe Station near Many's house and played 6.5 hours...but it was fun. Took off toward Pocatello, Idaho to see friends Angela, and also another friend Andy.

Driving out of Vegas looks like yuck desert to me...BUT...once you pass Mesquite and are on your way to St. George, you go through the Virgin River Gorge...and it is breathtaking. Then St. George Utah, gorgeous. When I moved to Cali I drove through Utah and drove through a different part than I did yesterday. I have always said I hate Utah (I don't like the desert look) but the part of Utah I drove through yesterday made me want to go back!!! Really pretty. I finally made it to Andy's place at 2:30 in the morning and I must say, my as is too old to be driving that long and late. But that was the longest planned drive of the trip.

Thanks to Lindy, Kathy, Darren, and others for calling me along the way. Again, still enjoying my random music treats...yesterday I caught "another one bites the dust" and Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.

Angela and I are going to a wagon ride tonight. I am excited for it. Miss you all!!

Planet Unicorn..heyyyyyyyyyyyy

So last night at my 'last night in LA' drinks we were chattin''bout planet unicorn (search it on you tube if you have never seen it...it is a must see) and I have had the theme song in my head all day. I arrived in Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah. At my friend Mandy's place from law school. I showed her planet unicorn and she didn't think it was as funny as I do...:) It grows on you.

Anyway.

The drive was quick and easy. Driving from LA to Vegas is always cool because you catch all kinds of bizarre radio stations along the way. You never know what songs you'll hear and you are guaranteed to hear something you forgot ever existed...I was most excited about Devil went down to Georgia and Paradise City (Guns & Roses). The sunset over the desert mountains was pretty even though I must admit...I am not a dsert lover. The highlight of the day however was when my friend Rhonda called me and said "Lisa...I am in a moment I thought you would appreciate...I am in an orange bridesmaid's dress holding a parasol." Lord have mercy.

Going to play poker in the a.m. then head up north on the 15 to Idaho...might stop at the Mesquite gun range on the way outta Nevada...

Darren, miss you!

Packing Sucks..............

Packing sucks but I did get my car serviced for free today so I am grateful. I took it to the Hyundai dealer to have it serviced for my trip. I told Wilmer (car guy) that I was leaving LA and moving to Ohio and that I needed the Tuscon to run right for me. He serviced the car and gave me an oil change and didn't charge me not one cent. It took me almost 10 years to find a nice service worker in LA...go figure. Anywho. Did I mention that packing sucks. Movers come Saturday...I leave Sunday...the blog will officially begin then. Also, more news on India...my sister might be coming for part of the trip with me. She is either going to meet me in India or the Maldives. Will see which one. I have my ticket booked for India...into Mumbai (formerly Bombay) July 8 - out July 30. I will fly down to the Maldives for a few days while I am there. I hear there are lots of dolphins there and one can swim off the beach with dolphins. I will keep you posted if this is true.

Emmitt is good. He has taken to my father and according to both of my parents he doesn't miss me, even a lick. Emmitt and his aunt Sophie (my parent's dog, see photo) play together all day long...he is happy.

Have I mentioned how wonderful Bridgette is for giving me the three roundtrip Delta flights? I tell her everytime we speak that she is making my dreams come true...:)

One week left!!!!

I added a picture from a few weeks ago of my friend Kelly...and also added pics of this past weeks' meetings. Roni, Barb, Miss Ruth, and Kathy Jo are all legal secretary Goddesses!! All have had my back and saved my ass over the years and all dear friends that will be missed. I also had lunch with Carmin and Wes, both former bosses at my previous firm. Hands down my two favorite lawyers in California. The coolest bosses I have ever had and both all around unique and interesting people. I will miss you all.

Hugh/Tom

Had dinner with Hugh/Tom last night...even though I will see him again before I leave...last night was just us without the usual crowd. H/T, I will miss you in a special way. You are very much my brother and have been the single most influential person to me in my adult life. Much love.

WE'RE ON FIRE/MORE GOODBYE'S

So I woke up this morning to helicopters and fire engines...I live within a spit of Universal Studios which apparently caught fire early this morning. When I went outside to find neighbor/gay boyfriend Darren, there was ash EVERYWHERE from the fire. Yuck. I found Darren, who is a slight hypochondriac (don't get mad you know it's true) with an allergy to everything under the sun, hauled up in his bedroom with all doors and windows closed, breathing from his air purifier. He feared the ash and smoke would cause a sinus disaster. We're leaving for the beach in one hour to escape the fumes.

Also, this weekend I got to see and say goodbye to Robert and Richard who I adore(!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and my love bug Matthew. Robert and I worked together and he is the most brilliant attorney and Richard is his partner (and soooo freaking hysterical!) Ask me sometime to tell you his funny American hulahoop rule. And Matthew, my favorite hoosier. I met Matthew when we were co-defense counsel on a case. We were instant friends and after our case was over he invited me to his house for dinner. He's been my gay boyfriend ever since (along with D).

Gotta go to the beach....................................