Out of Hibernation

While many of you have been enjoying the outdoors the last few months, we've been hiding from the sun, careful to be safe inside before 9 am and stay put until after 9 pm unless absolutely necessary, i.e. the house is on fire and suddenly it is cooler outside.

But now we are enjoying the weather that gives Las Vegas its bragging rights, that is unless you like fall colors and snuggling by the fire during the first snow fall. Here, we are in the eighties and the morning and afternoons cool off nicely.

To celebrate, Hubby and I have been able to do bit of hiking the past couple of weekends.

This is a hike we did at Lake Meade. There is a new "trail" that we now know will make a better bike ride. Live and learn. No fall colors, in fact very few colors, but that's not important. What's important is that it's not 120+ degrees! In fact it's not even 100+ degrees, on this day it was in the 50's with about a 20 mph wind, hence Hubby's long sleeves and Brumbee's happy face below.

This past weekend we went to Mt Charleston, which at its peak is 11,000'+, we went hiking around 9,000'. Truth be told Mt Charleston is a popular summer location for Vegans because it is generally 20-30 degrees cooler, but it is particularly nice now because it gets "too cold" for many and the crowd thins.

Beautiful views, "just minutes from The Strip" like the ads point out. The weather was cool enough for the ninja to make an appearance....

We had a wonderful hike and there is even a smattering a aspen trees showing fall color (not pictured, for those tree identifiers out there and I know there are at least two)!

Poll results from the last blog? Chocolate cake by a narrow margin, but really, can you choose just one? This blog, what is your preferred vacation spot?

Visitors!

This weekend we were fortunate enough to be visited by Marianne, Reeder, and Hayes. Although the latter two have a combined weight of less than 60 lbs, they provide a ton combined cuteness!

Future Olympic gymnast demonstrates amazing "balance on bottom while eating" move. Perfect 10!


Reeder and I check out the guest bed!

In preparation for their visit, I decided a chocolate cake was in order. This being my first, Hubby's help was indispensable...


"Honey, of course I'd rather be here cooling the icing, than on the couch watching football."

Unfortunately, as with many of my first baking attempts, something goes awry...this time it was the icing, it never solidified beyond the consistency of milk. Fortunately, Betty Crocker has a solution, and icing was only a grocery store trip away.


Finished product...delish!

We throughly enjoyed their company and were happy to provide them a break from the car during their trip from Colorado back home to California.

Poll results from last blog....60% think the Pats will make the playoffs without quarterback Tom Brady! It will be interesting to see if Bellicheck's "genius" comes through. We certainly hope so.

This week, I've come up with a poll that has multiple answers....Nurse Horrible....

Finally, we'd like to say goodbye to Grandma Lucas, matriarch of the Lucas clan. Always wonderful to be around and a great wit.


We love you.