Some Other Stuff We Did While in the U.S. of A.

Bob and Merilee were hosts extraordinaire. They didn't want us to think that they spent their retirement days doing nothing, so they made sure that we got to see all aspects of their life of leisure. Let me tell you that a life of leisure is a BUSY life!! There is much to do, and even more to see. So on Christmas morning, we leapt out of bed to discover that Santa HAD managed to find a way in (despite the lack of fireplaces).

The sun was beating down upon us, and it was pretty toasty in the sun. We had a moment of silence for our friends back home who were slogging away in the cold and rain....

And then, we got on with the task at hand (which was to make a Christmas breakfast already!!) I mean, we had to prepare for this:

(which occurs every day) (in case you can't see it, it's the sign that hangs in front of Bob 'n Merilee's trailer. And yes, it DOES say HAPPY HOUR.)

But, who WOULDN'T be happy knowing that breakfast would consist of this:

And this:

(The PBR or Pabst Blue Ribbon was Mister Man's idea)..... So Bob cooked the bacon and hash browns outside.

And then, we sat down and enjoyed our breakfast. Mister Man got this awesome t-shirt from Santa. His expression kind of matches the content of the shirt, but I guess that's what happens when you stand between a Mister Man and his breakfast..... (don't tell him, but this face always makes me giggle inside...)

And then we set out to see how people pass their time in the desert in winter. It turns out that some folks like to play on the sand dunes. And while it was a quiet day on the slopes, there were still a few folks who were vroom vrooming their way to the top.

It was kind of spectacular out there - all wide open and monochromatic.

And the glare from that big yellow glow-y thing in the sky made everyone pose like this:

Best of all, if Mister Man and Merilee ever decide to release an album, I've got the cover shot.

And then, we went exploring (after we paused to rest and worship that is!)

First we paused at a teeny-tiny chapel. In fact, it might be the smallest church in the world!

And then, we visited the bridge to nowhere. Seriously. Rumour has it that it was a model bridge that was built to test the construction for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Um. Yeah. I guess it's closed!! It doesn't even go to nowhere Alaska!! But it sure made for some great photo ops!

I couldn't quite figure out what this message meant....

And it was only a matter of time before Mister Man turned into Mountain Man.

But when you've got contrasting landscapes like this, who could blame him?

I'll tell you another thing. I could get used to this lack of white on the ground!! It was the most unique Christmas Day I'd ever experienced!!!!