Okay, okay, I'm posting...

I'm still here.

I've been enjoying my vacation, once it began on June 27.

Yes, I said June 27. I was stupid and volunteered for extra duties once school ended. (Why, you ask? Umm... can you say gas money? Milk that costs $4.05 per gallon?)

Anyway, on June 27, it was out to the West.

When one lives two hours away from the airport, it is not wise to leave for your flight 2 hours and 10 minutes before it is to depart. My husband drove up to the airport like a madman. (It took us less than two hours to get there-- it was more like 1:15...) When we were approaching the airport, I called Southwest. I explained that we had three seats and that I didn't think we'd get to the airport in time. The nice lady said that there were seats available on the next flight-- until I explained that two of the tickets were Rapid Rewards award seats. (Not so good when her voice drops and she says, "Oh... Try your best to make your current flight. There are no award seats available on the next flight.") Got to the airport, parked in hourly, ran to curbside check-in, and actually made the flight because the incoming plane was late. (Whew!)

We had a good time in the Black Hills. Mark's grandparents (aka my folks) took him to Storybook Island. We truly, seriously, had more fun at Storybook Island than we did at Walt Disney World at Easter. (Mary, we LOVED seeing the two of you. We did not love our mouse-related experience.) It makes me sad that vandals stole two of the storybook characters since we returned.

It was off to the Big Horn Mountains for the July 4th weekend. On July 4th, we played in the snow. (Seriously, I smacked DH some good ones with snowballs. ) There were no chin quivers from Mark, but it was a great time. We also went for a hike to the Medicine Wheel and to Bucking Mule Falls. It was on the way to the falls that I thought about how mountain lions have been more and more active out west. Got a little freaked. Decided to sing the ABC song to my child and came upon three irritated-looking fishermen who weren't able to get away from it all. Oh, well-- public land, ya know!

When DH and I were dating, my dad took the two of us and my sister down to Rocky Mountain National Park. (Just occurred to me, how weird it must have been for him to sleep in a bed with my dad when we were dating. Poor guy.) DH wanted to go back, so that was our next stop. We took a spectacular drive, and it went from bright sunlight to sleet within 20 minutes once we got to the top. We then drove toward Granby out of the park, and we were shocked by the number of beetle trees. I really hope that there are no fires in this area, because it won't be pretty.

Then it was down to Vail. And sticker shock. We went to a little grocery in the Lionshead area and spent $30 on what would have cost about $18 at home. DH threw a tantrum that lasted a full day. It was pretty crazy. Here we were in Vail, in a suite at a wonderful hotel, overlooking the slopes. And my DH was throwing a hissy regarding overpriced groceries. He warmed up once we went to the hot springs, took a drive through Aspen, and a drive over the mountains.

Umm... I've been tele-netting, and I'm watching the Tour de France. (LOVE the l'Alpe d'Huez segment!) I have watched the Tour de France for years now. The scenery is absolutely spectacular, but I forget every year the number of guys that moon the camera as the peloton goes by. And I must admit that I haven't seen an ugly tush. Am I horrible for actually enjoying the backsides of those young males who dare to moon an international audience?

Late night temper tantrum-ing has commenced, and I must go.

I will complete this novel at a later time.