Arches National Park, Moab, NV

In August I helped a friend move from Topeka, KS to Sequim (pronounced "skwim"), WA.  We both drove with packed cars, seeing some sights as we went, so it wasn't all work.  Our first tourist spot was Glenwood Springs, CO, where we soaked in the hot mineral waters in what is touted as the largest mineral pool in the country (maybe in the world?), arriving just in time to accept their late-arrival fare of only $11 for an hour. 

The next day we headed towards Arches National Park, via Grand Junction, CO where we had lunch.  Would love to go back to this sweet town with its art on about every block--lots of interesting sculptures.  At Moab, Nevada, it was hot, but it cools off at night, so wasn't bad at all.  We enjoyed climbing around on those beautiful red rocks.  A highlight was that we both took advantage of the bargain of a $10 lifetime card for senior citizens.  This allows us into any national park without paying again. 

After that, it was Lake Tahoe--what a gorgeous blue, from all sides.  Not prepared to participate in any water sports, we nevertheless enjoyed just gazing at the water, the boats, the hang-gliding, and everyone who was doing water sports.  A wonderful place to meditate.

After a brief visit with his sister in Sacramento, where we had some luscious gastronomic fare in outdoor restaurants and a tour of the state capitol and the Crocker Art Museum, we ventured forth to Mt. Shasta, seeing some beautiful water falls, and the spring which is the source of the Sacramento river--clear, clean, cool water gushing out of the rocks.  Filling our water jugs there was a pleasure, and we spent the day beside the babbling brook, meditating, taking walks beside the stream in the forested areas.

On to Sequim, where I saw my friend to his destination, temporarily staying with friends while he looks for permanent digs.  A nice little town, Sequim, between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Mt. Olympus, it has a very temperate climate, and they grow lots of lavendar.  mmmm..mm.., heavenly fragrance!  Needless to say, I bought lots of lavendar products home for family gifts.

My designated task accomplished, I drove home alone, with an empty car in which I could now spend my nights, stopping to see relatives and friends along the way.  In all, I chalked up over 5,000 miles on my car, plus some good memories of the beauty of our United States of America!