BUSY BUSY

Today was spent packing and preparing for our annual Brewer tailgate party that we host tomorrow:) Lots of work but thank goodness my nephew, Marco has stepped up and helped out this summer. His twin brother Mario was here for the spring and early summer helping with our lawncare and providing an extra pair of hands in the garage for the guys.

Marco enjoys the office better and doesn't like to get his hands dirty so I reaped the benefits of having him around for the past 6 weeks. He has even played "tour director" on a Sunday Brunch outing and answers our phones from time to time. I will definitely miss him when he goes back in a few weeks. But they both are headed home to Tampa to start their second year at college.

Well, hope the rain holds off tomorrow and the weather cooperates for our party and game..Go Brewers!!

Tracy

HOME SWEET HOME

Well we arrived safe and sound after a wonderful 15-day tour to the Canadian Rockies. Highlights were the Calgary Stampede, The Bow River Raft trip in Banff, The Columbia Icefields, and Maligne Lake boat cruise near Jasper. Glacier National Park was spectacular...the only time we weren't happy was a 20-minute window during a HORRIBLE hail storm in Wyoming...everyone felt sorry for John's coach:(

Glad to be back to work (well the back part is right - the work part, not so much). Have a great weekend, it sounds like it will be a good one weather wise...

Tracy

HEADING HOME

Yesterday we spent a glorious day exploring Montana - a state that most people on the coach haven't been to before. The smoke jumpers (aerial fire fighters) was very interesting and we all enjoyed that stop. In Butte we explored the Berkeley Pit (open mine) and continued through Bozeman and along the scenic route of 93 (191). We arrived in West Yellowstone late afternoon and had a very exciting dinner last night at Bullwinkles. (The owner is from Green Bay, WI)

Eda, Jeff, and I laughed so hard we couldn't finish our dinner...must be the altitude or lack of sleep. The group is getting slap happy and we even laugh at the dropping of the candy basket...

Today we explore Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful. Looking forward to the scenery, films, and stops along the way. Again the weather is cooperating with sunny skies and 80 degrees but almost NO humidity:)

Our final destination tonight is Cody, Wyoming. Only 3 nights to go....the group is sad to see it end.

Tracy

IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!

Our overnight in St Mary Lodge was a real treat. Delicious dinner and great accommodations along the St Mary River. We had an absolutely wonderful day with weather in the 80's and full of sunshine. Our jammer tour (red restored buses) was full of scenery and even a mountain goat sighting:) Glacier National Park is celebrating their 100th year so it was special. A quick (not by choice) lunch and a perfect day to be on the Lake McDonald.

We got all settled in at the hotel in Missoula, MT - had a get together for our group and we laughed til we cried. (And the only beverage was lemonade and milk for our cookies) The jokes got better and better and a lady from another tour group joined us cause we were more fun than her group. (They were out of Salt Lake City and heading back tomorrow).

Finished day #10 with only 5 left to go! Really hate to see this tour end - small group that gets along so well and alot of fun. Oh well I guess I'll just have to sell them another tour!!

Tracy

THE BEST DAY EVER!

Wow we had a great two-days in Banff with rafting, shopping, dining, and a wonderful dinner theatre - Oh Canada, Eh. Jeff Palo was our "stud muffin" but I can't tell you why...cause "WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BUS STAYS ON THE BUS". Today was the most spectacular scenery ever. We departed Banff at 7:30a and traveled through Banff & Jasper National Parks along the Columbia Parkway. The sun was shining the snow capped mountains were outstanding and we saw lots of elk and even a black bear. Bill & Pat DeGuire were in the front seats and I think between them they took over 200 pictures. It doesn't get any better than this.

We rode the Sno Coaches at the Glacier and arrived in Jasper after several stops at scenic vistas and waterfalls. Looking forward to a nice dinner with the group tonight and another beautiful day tomorrow. Maligne Canyon boat cruise starts our day and then we head down the parkway for a totally different view of the glaciers. Tomorrow night finds us back in the United States with a stay at St Mary lodge in Montana.

Tracy

YEE HAW!

I have never seen so many cowboy hats and boots in one place as last night at the Stampede.

What a great time we have in store for us today. The weather is comfortable - 68 degrees (about 15 degrees short of my favorite temperature) and we are having a local Calgary guide show us this city during the rodeo's excitement. Brunch in the Clagary Tower with a fabulous view and then it is off to the live rodeo...fairgrounds for great exhibits and delicious Canadian fare. Ya gotta love the entertainment...some said last night's show was the best they had ever seen - WOW!

Tomorrow we pack our bags and head further north to Banff for a two-night stay...so looking forward to the scenery. River rafting, gondola ride and more await us...

ANOTHER GREAT DAY!

We entered Canada today and visited the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) museum in Regina, SK. A great day with fabulous weather and lots of laughs. Last night we saw the spectacular show in Medora, The Medora Musical with a very funny comedian and very talented cast. We have seen Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope, Buffalo and lots of Prairie Dogs.

Looking forward to heading to Calgary tomorrow for a two night stay with rodeo, stampede, and chuckwagon races....if you haven't been to the Canadian Rockies you sure are missing a great trip...and we just started...

Tracy

Canada Here We Come

We left Wisconsin in the pouring rain...glad we are heading west. A small but fun group of travelers onboard this tour - all looking forward to some spectacular scenery in the Canadian Rockies. We travel through Minnesota and into Fargo, North Dakota for our first overnight stay. The Hampton Inn welcomes us with wine, beer, and Pat DeGuire supplies the cheese and sausage...yum yum. Rae T enjoys the pool and hot tub, Eda and I are catching up on facebook and my blog, John and Jeff are washing the coach...and others are enjoying the 75 degree weather:) Now time for a walk before heading back to the room for a good night's rest...short night last night.

Tracy