M&R's Vacation Stories

Link to Album Day 1 Feb 15, 2024 HOU-BZN This is the year that Rebe turns 40, and just like for my 40th we thought it would be a good idea to do a trip to somewhere nice or fun.  Last year I picked San Diego as it was one of the largest cities in the US that we had yet to visit, and being such a lovely place it was definitely worth the visit. This year it was Rebe’s turn to pick place and of course she couldn’t make her mind up so I suggested Yosemite National Park, now sure it was her decision but she couldn’t decide and I thought I would assist with a favorite of my own.  Well Rebe was on to my antics and countered with Yellowstone National Park, which was actually on our list of things to do in a winter, just this time in happened to coincide with her birthday. We took off on Thursday the 15 for Bozeman, Montana with a layover in Denver.  Landed around 330pm, got our bag and SUV and headed south to West Yellowstone, Montana. West Yellowstone is the gateway to the west ...

Photo Album Thursday (14th) Because we’re diehard Southwest Airlines addicts right now and are proficient users of the Companion Pass (Southwest’s buy one get one free program) we thought it would be a good idea to fly into Pittsburgh instead of the DC area because it is closer.  But it’s still 3.5 hours away, so when our flight landed at 830 this still meant we couldn’t get to our hotel until after midnight. That’s how the trip started… I guess a little backstory is needed, while I was at my previous company one of my coworkers (shout out to Jim Wetzel), who was originally from the midwest was telling me about this awesome river in West Virginia called the Gauley.  Apparently it is one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the world, and since that conversation and others with friend’s who actually grew up a few hours from this river (talking about you Melanie) this river/area had been on our radar. Friday (15th) After our late night we were up for breakfast before 8 so we...

Photo Album Pacific Coast, a few hours north of San Francisco Day 1 - June 15th  If you have not figured it out by now, I (Rebe too) really enjoy national parks and not just the US ones.  All of these places have been set aside for the environment or their specialness, and all of this started back in 2012 when Rebe and I used to ride roller coasters.  We were going on a weeklong trip with American Coaster Enthusiasts  (yes, it’s a real thing) out to the San Francisco area, this was back in 2012 when I was a budding photographer and had discovered the wonder of Yosemite National Park.  San Fran being nearish, I convinced Rebe that a day and a half to see it would be nice, Rebe still thinking beauty only resided on beaches was highly skeptical of this idea.  We only spent 1.5 days in Yosemite, not enough time to really see all of it and in 2021 I was plotting to get back to Yosemite with a plan to make a reservation for a room in 2022 so we could go in 2023....