We Really DOUG Wyoming!

Can you see who's winning? You better believe it's me! This was a winner of a visit and, just like in the photo, it's all because Doug makes sure it turns out that way.

You know you're in really good hands when someone arranges for an overcast day to suddenly turn clear in time for stargazing. And when you find you have your own room, kitchen, bathrobe, heat, and pretty much anything else. That's how it is to stay at Doug Henry's and I strongly suggest you get started inviting yourself there.

But only we got to enjoy the spectacular meteor shower with him. What a night! Doug had prepared everything -- mats out in front of the house, blankets for each of us, and extra jackets for those silly easterners who arrive thinking a sweatshirt will be warm enough. The show began after dark and almost immediately two huge meteors streaked across the sky to welcome us. I think we lasted about an hour and a half, during which time we saw at least a dozen meteors. Not to mention the milky way, several satellites, more stars than I ever knew existed, and perhaps even the space station.

I've waited a year for this. Planned a year for this. And it was more than I could ever have hoped it would be. Thank you Doug. Thank you Wyoming for producing such a perfect evening. I guess the only thing to say is that I thank my lucky stars!!

This morning it was time to address some travel chores. I did some laundry and Doug and I took the car to have the oil changed. Mostly, though, I relaxed and took it easy, knowing we had a relatively short drive ahead of us.

Lunch was BLTs on the porch. Words really fail to convey what Doug's place is like, how serene and inviting the Star Valley area is. You gaze up the hill to the mountains (which include a piece of the Oregon Trail), across wide swaths of sagebrush, hay, and alfalfa. The air smells clean and feels oh so refreshing.

We really had to tear ourselves away to set off on our zigzag route to Park City. (A modification to the itinerary because, after all, who really wants to stay in Salt Lake City?) Doug directed us in a way that enabled Debra to shoot the following pictures as we drove along.

Utah wasn't so attractive at first but we found one thing pretty neat -- their beehive state route signs.

Once we were ten miles or so onto the interstate portion, things got a lot more attractive.

Now the rocks have more red color. The blue that was so present in South Dakota is gone, replaced by yellow and brown going to red. There is still a lot of green. The I-80 through this stretch takes you through craggy outcroppings and undulating, grass- and sage-covered hills, sometimes so close you think you can reach out and touch them.

We arrived in Park City, found our hotel, and struck out for the historic downtown area. What a place! I think Debra's already planning her next ski trip here. There are a number of old buildings housing stores, restaurants, and offices that stretch along a hilly avenue (Main Street, of course). Just very charming and old west feeling. We found a wonderful place for tri-tip and pulled pork (can't seem to eat enough of this delicious meat out here), strolled around, and then walked back to the hotel in the perhaps vain belief that we might burn off a bite or two of our delicious last meal.

Tomorrow I bid adieu to my very fun travel companion of the last week. (Man, did that fly by!!) I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing sister. She's insatiably curious about places, doggedly tracks down information, tidbits, good places to eat, and spots where we can crash for the night. She's game for absolutely anything, has become quite the accomplished car photographer, and just seems to know everything without being any sort of know-it-all. Being in such wide open spaces brought out every expansive aspect of her personality and I was the lucky beneficiary. Her only disappointment will be that the internet connection here is too lousy for me to upload her video of the quaking aspen trees, something that transfixed her. I'm sorry to have to say good bye to her in the morning.