Packed the car and started driving...Here are the key players that were in the car. Clockwise from left; Angela, Matrix, Maltese Kat, Shelby, Claudine and Ella.
Our first stop was in Verdi, NV where we gassed up, let the dogs run and ate fish sandwiches at Jack in the Box. We decided we would gamble at all the stops in NV. We won $8.25 on a dollar at this place. We didn't even know what we were doing, which made it more fun.
We stopped for the night in Elko, NV. It is a small mining town with lots of vintage motels and casinos. It seemed like a destination spot for some folks - gold miners? We stayed at the High Desert Inn, the dogs were pooped, we all slept really well that night. 
Day 2
Morning in Elko, NV - we drove around, took some photos and asked a woman on the street where the best breakfast in town is (Rachael Ray style). We found our way to The Coffee Mug, and it was pretty darn good. Luckily, no dietary rules apply when you are on a road trip - so we went all out.
We left Elko at about Noon or so and headed to Salt Lake City. We fueled up and played some slots once more before heading over the Great Salt Desert. Our stop was in West Wendover, NV, we were welcomed to town by Wendover Will. He was waving us down to the Rainbow Casino. Since we were traveling with an old mayonnaise jar full of change, Ang decided to take it into the casino and cash it out. When we walked into the casino, Angela was in front of me and all I could see over her shoulder was mirrors and neon - I was dieing laughing, I couldn't even talk. I grabbed her and pulled her back into the vestibule before we made our entrance. We had a really good laugh and then upon entering we decided it was best to take a couple photos of the place - WRONG. The manager came over to us within like 30 seconds and told us that we couldn't take photos, etc. first reason was the Mormons wouldn't want to be photographed in there (then why are they in there in the first place?) and second, no photos in casinos period. Who knew? So, I deleted the photos in front of him and we went and cashed out the change. We played with $10 and made $17 and change. Again, we had no idea what we were doing. After the casino, we drove across the Great Salt Desert - a giant long straight away with constant mirages in front of you. No services, just vast amounts of nothingness. 
We arrived in Salt Lake City, UT late in the afternoon. We checked into the old Peery Hotel downtown. It was a really nice old hotel. Our room was pretty small compared to the two beds we had the night before. We had a full size bed for the 5 of us! Ha ha! The animals were going to have to sleep on the floor this time. We unloaded the car and the dogs and got everything in the room. Now for operation Claudine. The hotel did not know we had a cat with us. I think people are scared a cat is going to make a mess, spray (boy cats) or pee all over. Not our traveling champ. Since we had to go through the lobby of the hotel we decided to put Claudine in my little backpack. In she went and right as I approached the door of the hotel her little head came right out of the backpack. She had pushed her nose between the tiny space where the two zippers met and decided to see what in the heck was going on. I turned around so fast and was laughing so hard as I shoved her back in and zipped her back up. We got to the room and set up her little potty box and she acted like she owned the place, like the night before at the other hotel. We had some places checked off of our AAA book that we wanted to check out so we took the dogs for an urban hike to Temple Square (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) to check out the temple, tabernacle, etc. When we approached the square and walked through the gates we got stopped and were told we could not bring the dogs in unless we could carry them in. Seriously? They were on leashes and are so well behaved. So weird. So, we walked around outside. The offices of LDS have some beautiful gardens with millions of tulips and daffodils. It was beautiful.
After we got banned from the square - ha ha, we walked down to the The Cathedral of the Madeleine. More our speed, Catholic, open like the churches in Europe and they let us walk in and check it out. I went in first and attempted to take photos, but like in Malta, I didn't want to use the flash. So, my photos are not that great. But believe me, it was INCREDIBLE. Click on the link to check it out (Mom, that means, click on the name of the church above so you can see the photos). Here are some that I took...
After our walk around town we went back to the hotel before going to dinner at the Red Rocks Brewing Company. Our meals were terrific - so were the cocktails!
I had a smoked trout sandwich on pumpernickel with red onion, tomato, cucumber and dill cream cheese on the side I got carrot chips which were raw carrots sliced waffle style on a mandolin (very thin) with ranch dressing to dip in. Angela got eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti noodles with olive oil and cheese and garlic bread! Oh, did I mention we started the meal with calamari? Good thing we had to walk back to the hotel.
This is what we found when we got back to our room. Look at Claudine's glowing eyes in the background on the chair!
We had a nice night sleep and headed out at 9:30 AM for the long haul to CO. We changed our route due to a sign we saw on the 80 in Utah stating that the 80 was closed in part of Wyoming due to snow. We decided to drive down to the 70 and enter CO from the west side and we were so glad that we did, it was gorgeous! We went through so many mountains, it was incredible. Before we left Utah, we stopped in Price at a place called Big Moe's for lunch. It was like we were eating in someones small bakery. They had all kinds of home made baked goods and tables set up inside to eat at. We split some rings and each had sandwiches on home made bread that were deelish. We rook the dogs for a little walk and got back on the road.
We stopped at about 10,000 feet at a Starbucks to get some coffee for the remainder of the ride. The ride was just breathtaking. I don't know how to describe it. We saw long horned sheep, elk and buffalo. It was hard to take photos in the car, but we did the best we could. It was fun to see the dogs playing the snow when we stopped. Ella loved it more than Shelby which was unusual, Ang said that Shelby usually loves it. I think they were ready to settle for a while and just wanted to get to Angela's Mom's house. We arrived in Thornton at about 6:30 PM. Cheryl (Angela's Mom) and Bobby (her husband) were outside with Frankie waiting for us. We unloaded the car, animals, etc. and set up in the basement. Cheryl had made spaghetti and home made sauce, salad and garlic bread which was so yummy. We were so tired and it was starting to set in that I had to leave the next day and leave my best friend there. I was sad, but held it in until the next day. We had a good sleep that night and so did the animals however, I think Ella was sad that I was leaving - look at her...
Day 4Sunday, woke up, took the dogs out, hung out with Frankie before leaving for the airport. I had a good cry before we left, I didn't want to make a scene at the airport - too much of an audience there. I am still sad that my friend is not here. But I know she is a phone call away and I can get her anytime I need to. I will miss Frankie growing up before my eyes like he has over the last year.
My flight was uneventful, I slept the entire time. When I arrived in San Francisco, our tradition continued where Tim and I go to Celia's for a Mexican dinner. I was happy to see Tim and I think he was happy to have me back at home. After all, I am the entertainment.
It was a wonderful trip that I will never forget. We laughed so hard at times, it was a great release for me. The timing was perfect, a nice escape from the adoption stuff going on in my life. We talked about it, but not too much. It was a conscious effort on my part, I needed a break.Angela, I love you so much! You are a sister to me, you know that. I will miss you so much but I know distance will not change our friendship. I cant wait to see you in a few months.
After my sugary start to the day I just hung out. It was so nice to have a day to myself, no plans, nothing to do. Well, I take that back, my place is a wreck, but I wanted to relax, not clean and work around the house. So I watched TV, read magazines and had some fun with Tim at home. Hope you all had a mellow 
Once upon a time a hare saw a tortoise walking slowly along and began to laugh and mock him. The tortoise challenged the hare to a race and the hare, thinking himself the fastest animal around, accepted. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he'd sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing the race.
I also have to share my first major baking disaster, while making these 
We hung out and enjoyed the sun and had a BBQ dinner, it was incredible! It reminded me of Birthday's at my parent's house. It also made me sad, because, I am not sure if I mentioned it before, but, maybe it is because I don't want to deal with it, but, Angela, Brian and Frankie are moving in three weeks to Colorado. My one friend here with a baby, my friend that I have had the longest out here (we met before I was married), she is literally like a sister to me and she is moving. Ugh, I honestly, don't want to talk about it. Call it denial, that is fine, I can deal with that. I am sure I will approach the subject at another time about how much this girl means to me. We had such a nice day. We left when it was time for Frankie's bath time as to keep him on schedule. We drove home listening to a Dead show from 1991, which was cool. It was hot so we had the windows open the entire way, I loved it! I love driving and listening to music. Which I should also mention, I am driving to CO with Angela and her 2 dogs and 2 cats the first weekend in May. Her husband is driving with his friend and her Mom is coming to get the baby and fly with him. It should be fun, I am looking forward to it actually, can you tell how bad I want a vacation?
I have an OK week ahead of me, not too much going on, which is nice.
Thursday 
So cute, I have him on my desk next to my pink hedgehog paperclip holder!
Ballet class on Saturday was great and challenging. Now that everything from my past has come back into my memory, it is all about fine tuning things, which can be a bit frustrating. We did a lot of jumping at the end of class, which was fun and exhilarating - I made it through an entire jump combination in center without getting winded. We are getting ready for turns, etc. This month is going to be pretty cool since I have ballet every Saturday instead of every other like it has been. I think next month I am going to start other classes during the week in addition to the weekend class. I am so grateful for 
Progress will continue as lunch breaks allow. I will keep you all updated, but so far, I love the felting!
I am a little 
I didn't get the pink boots, I wanted them and they were my size, but I showed restraint with the help of Angela.
