Thursday, March 11, 1999

1999 Vegas, baby!

 BAck in the days of going to timeshare presentations for entertainment, they used to give free trips away as incentive.   So we decided to try one of them.  It included airfare for 2 and accommodations at the Stratosphere.  So, in March of 1999, we made our first trip to Vegas.  Of course, I can't find where I might have blogged this trip and I can't find my photos of the trip--- other than these few low res scans.  So----

 

Having never been to the area before, we rented a car and went to see some surrounding areas, too.  Like Hoover Dam.  Was even able to tour the inside of the dam at that time.  Don't think that's allowed anymore (it's 2025 now)


and distant views of Lake Mead


Back in Vegas, we wandered around the Strip.
Enjoyed the water show at the Bellagio
Ken enjoyed the sculptures.

Checked out New York, New York


Loved all the neon and colors

and the outdoor shows, like the pirate show here at Treasure Island
Even took the bus to the older area of Freemont Street and enjoyed the Freemont Street Experience. 
Definitely a great walking town

I think we may have paid a little extra to get better flight times, but it was still a really cheap trip.  I really enjoyed it.  Surprised I can't find more pictures! 


Tuesday, June 23, 1998

1998 - Oregon with a side trip to Seattle (with Holly)

The summer before Angie started her senior year of high school!  Tim was still at the stage where he didn't want to vacation with his parents.  Understandable, now that he was 20.  So we let Angie invite a friend along again.  This year she asked Holly.  I think they both had a great time. 

We did our usual couple days on the coast.  Even though it was June, it was chilly.
 But it was still very beautiful
 The girls at the beach
 Holly taking pictures.

 Did I mention it was cold?!
 They even found an old sailor.
 boats in Newport Bay.
We often liked to go in June so we would get to celebrate Mom and Dad's anniversary with them.
 Celebrations often included a bar b q in my parents' back yard.
 with all the family.
 We even made a side trip to Seattle for a couple nights this year.  I love traveling on the trains!
Especially on the Starlight Express with it's 2nd level viewing car overlooking the amazing scenery of the West Coast.

 another view of the viewing car
 dinner on the marina in Seattle.
 Back then, you could ride the monorail for $1.  It was only a mile long, but a neat way to get to the Space Needle from near Pike's Market.
 Here the girls are on in the top of the needle.
 back on the streets of Seattle.  It's a very pretty city.
 Views of the city
 near the Space Needle
 just playing with contrast.
 Holly and Miss Space Needle.
 Views from the top of the Needle.
 There's a science center near the Space Needle, so we checked it out too.  Here the girls were getting a kick out of a book in the science center gift shop.
 one of the activities in the science center.
 odd creatures at the Science Center.

 love the clouds that day!
 so did the girls.
 Couldn't go to Seattle without checking out Pike's Market. 
 Would have liked to have gone to the aquarium while we were at the marina, but didn't have enough time.
 More Pike's Market finds.

 Love this sculpture on a table in park.
 We also went to the Art Museum in Seattle.  I didn't realize at the time how into Art Angie was--or would become.
 Interesting artwork!
 a view of the museum from the outside.
We had bought the City Pass tickets, which also included the zoo.  So we caught a bus and went to the zoo, too.  It's a small zoo compared to the ST. Louis Zoo, but it had it's own charm.  Lots of really pretty natural settings for the animals.
 all too soon it was time to get back on the train.  Love that they even had a dining car.
 Back in Oregon, we still had a few days before heading back to St. Louis.  So one day we took a day trip up into the mountains to Clear Lake.  Had to make a stop at Sahalie Falls since we were that close. 
 We really like going to Clear Lake.  Great place to rent a boat (no motor boats allowed) and fish around the lake.
 They also have a camp ground and little store/restaurant here.  Great home make pies! 
 Managed to catch a pretty nice sunset, too.
Even though we go to Oregon almost every year, it never gets old!

Friday, June 20, 1997

1997 Oregon summer vacation (yurt and Crater Lake)

This was the summer Tim graduated from high school and told us he didn't want to go.  I don't know if it was Oregon he was tired of or going on vacation with us, but we let him stay home.  So we let Angie ask a friend to come along.  She chose Shannon and she was a delight to have along.

We did our usual 2 night trip away from Dallas, but did it a little differently this time.  Instead of staying in a hotel, we stayed in a yurt.


I had tried to get one on the coast, but reservations for those were gone well before summer.  But I did get one in southern Oregon between Crater Lake and the coast.  It was much more comfortable then camping, but it isn't a resort!   It was cheaper then a hotel, but not much.  It was a unique experience, though.


There was a bunk bed for 4 and a double fouton.  It was clean and I liked that there are real floors in it unlike camping.