Out West: Week 1

After a nice 3 week hiatus, Jim, Abby and I left on a jet plane for Salt Lake City, UT. I was really looking forward to these next two weeks...I missed them last year.They are two of our most scenic stops with great families to stay with too! Abby did wonderful (again) on the airplane. She really is such a good traveler!God knew we needed that kind of a baby. We stay with a wonderful family in SLC, actually the person responsible for getting me started on this blog thing!!!! Thanks Christine:)We enjoyed much warmer temperatures than we have in previous years here. Usually there is some kind of strange weather pattern that follows the tour. In fact, two years ago it actually snowed in the mountains, not too far from the course.But, this year it was just gorgeous. The trees on the mountain were just beginning to turn, leading everyone to yearn for fall. On Wednesday, we were treated to a very different and super cool ladies day! We were bussed to a Cutting Horse ranch where we received a tour, demonstration, lunch, and a mini country concert.I was a bit bummed because Jim was told that the ladies would be RIDING the horses, and for most of you who know me, well...right up my alley! We didn't in fact ride the beautiful creatures, but the experience was a great one.This ranch, or should I say, glorified horse barn, was the size of a small hotel. The ENTIRE facility was built for the horses. There are no lodgings and not even a shower in the building! Anyhow, it was amazing...boasting a trophy room of what I would call road-kill by gun, two huge indoor ringsabout 10-15 stalls, a horse shower, several bathrooms, and dining/conference facility. To add to an amazing building were the equally amazing views right outside. About an hours drive from the golf course, back in a canyon, and not another establishment in sight. As for the golf, well, it didn't go as we had hoped or planned. My two good friends'(Chastity and Kristina) husbands played together right in front of Jim, so basically, we all walked together (this NEVER happens)! We were also able to root on our good friends the Putnam's, to victory (from Idaho, of course)! Congrats again on your first NWT win Michael!!! With our week over on Friday, we planned our departure for Saturday. It was on to our next stop, Boise, ID!