Spring Break

I had a wonderful opportunity for Spring Break.  I'm going on a cruise to Mexico with the Key Family.  I first got to go to Utah to see the beautiful city of Salt Lake.  Then I went to Catalina Island, California.  Then, it was on to MEXICO!

Memory Grove Park in Salt Lake City, Utah - to remember all those who serve/served in the military

National VFW Memorial Song

Utah's Korean War Memorial

State Capital Building from Memory Gate

Overlooking Salt Lake City Valley - Wasatch Mountain Range

State Capital Building

By reflection pool at Salt Lake Temple

Salt Lake Temple

Cool old clock says Salt Lake City est. 1847

train station in Salt Lake (you can ride for free!)

Riding the train through downtown Salt Lake

escalator  at outdoor mall - Salt Lake

Where friends are made

Energy Solutions Arena home of the Utah Jazz

bench used in one of the High School Musical movies

ready to go!

bus to Long Beach, CA from LAX

On the cruise ship participating in lifejacket drill

on the ferry boat going to Catalina Island

looking at the cruise ship

bird of paradise

hanging out with Kyle

on the truck used on the island

looking out portholes on semi-submersible fish feeding tour (Lover's Cover, CA)

looking out portholes on semi-submersible fish feeding tour (Lover's Cover, CA)

overlooking Ensenada Mexico from cruise ship

overlooking Ensenada Mexico from cruise ship

overlooking Ensenada Mexico from cruise ship

These are the towel animals on the cruise ship.  Every night when we came back from dinner, we had a new animal made from towels on the bed.

Wyoming's Capital Y'all

Although I go to places all over the world, there are still places within my home state that intrigue me.  Afterall, I do come from the Cowboy State and there is a lot of history here.  Kim Lau, a fellow They was so much fun to travel with.  I was able to see some very interesting places within the city.

Frontier Days is the world's biggest rodeo and it happens every year in Cheyenne.  Many big music acts come to play each year.  There is also a big carnival where you can buy cotton candy and go on the rides.

What a big Cowboy boot!  I wonder whose foot is big enough to fit in it?  It's really neat to see all the license plates Wyoming has had over the years and what a cool way to display them all!

I love making new friends!

Look at me!

I'm riding in a covered wagon.  Yeehaw!

Ride 'em Cowbear!

Uh oh!

La La La

York and London, England

Sarah has a friend, Carissa King, who is living in York, England who really wanted a chance to take me around her new home.  They had to twist my arm, but I went!  How exciting!  I packed my bags and was off the very next day.

It is seven hours later in England than it is in Wyoming so it was really hard to get used to the time change.  Jet lag didn't slow me down for long!  Before I knew it, I was getting to see many different historical places where Carissa lives.

Taking a break by the River Ouse in York

Due to England's small size, day trips to many parts of the country is as easy as hopping on a train.  I took the opportunity to do this as many times as possible!

What a view from the train!  I love day trips!

Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire

In Durham, which is north of York 

In Durham, north of York

Clifford's Tower, the only remaining part of York Castle

York City Walls near a medieval gate

York Minister

York Minister

These holes in the walls were used once upon a time to shoot arrows through at oncoming enemies.

I fit just perfectly in up here!

St. Mary's Abbey, another ruined abbey in York

It's time to head back towards the States.  However, I get to make a special stop in the capitol of England, London!  Here we go!

*     *     *     *      *

Our first stop was the London Eye, a huge ferris wheel.  It open in 2000 and is the most visited attraction in England.

We got to go in one of the capsules to the top.  It takes about 30 minutes to get all the way around the London Eye.  It sure was high when we got to the top!

The Tower Bridge

In 1894, the Tower Bridge was completed, after eight long years of construction.  Originally, the London Bridge was the only bridge that crossed the major river running through the city, the Thames River.  More bridges had to be built because of all the people using the port.  Most of these new bridges were built on the west side of London.  The London Bridge, being the only bridge on the east side of the city, became so busy that people had to wait hours to cross to the other side of the river.  Therefore, the city finally decided to build the Tower Bridge.

House of Parliament Building

This is London's version of the White House.

Sadly, it's time for me to go back to Casper for Christmas.  

I had such a fun time with Carissa and Chris.  Maybe they will let me come back again someday soon.  I sure did love England.

I can't help but wonder, where I will be going next...