March 10th, 2015

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Taking the Journey Within

Hey folks,
Yesterday was a rough day - had to keep Gianna home because she had gotten NO sleep on Sunday night. As a result of her being upset, I didn't get any sleep.

In any case, I was able to talk to the principal alone yesterday and we will be having a meeting to discuss the best way to deal with the bullying. I also had a very long talk with Gianna about how she needs to come out of her comfort zone and cultivate relationships with a few of the girls with which she has traditionally had a nice relationship.

My last choice would be to change her schools, so 
I am hoping we can work this out so she is happy.  Having said that, if things cannot be resolved so Gianna is happy and content, I will change schools and not look back, if it is the best thing for my daughter.

Thank goodness,  this morning me, Tedd and Gianna were able to meet with the principal.  It was a great meeting.  She was very sensitive and understanding and at the same time, gave her some good coping suggestions.  I'm looking forward to seeing how her day went when she gets home from school.

I'm sorry folks, I'm having a real philosophical week.  Going through my own emotional issues.  Ever wish you could have a do over on certain things in your life?  It really is a terrible feeling. 

Sometimes when we struggle within ourselves, it can cause us to become demanding or expect things from people that are unrealistic or inappropriate.  

We appear to other people quite differently than who we really are and most likely the person they liked and were attracted to.  And sometimes, as a result, they may decide to pull away in the very way you need them not to.  Of course, they have good reason because we can be demanding and suck the fun and enjoyment out of being with us.  

What I've learned is that usually when this happens, it is a sign that we are under tremendous emotional stress or going through a very profound period in our lives - perhaps at a crossroads or transition from one phase to another.

If any of this resonates with you, remember, 
"This too shall pass."  I find that my inclination is to beat myself up, or feel compelled to apologize at nauseum for what might have been a bad patch.  


If people are meant to be in your life, they will not be lost forever.  If they were there for a brief period, or a long time, there's always a life lesson on your journey. And while a loss may be painful now, it may very well be a new beginning in disguise.

I'm afraid I've run out of space, so I'm going to let Tanya focus on our Travelin' Tuesday segment - so please read her Daily Scoop today!

As for me, I thank you for indulging some Travelin' Cousin philosophizing today as I work through an emotional rough patch these past few weeks. 
 
And while my Daily scoop doesn't have to do with visiting far off places, it is about the journey of life.

Hope your journey is a blessed one!


-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop

I've been bitten..

Hey Hey Hey!
It's another Travelin' Tuesday and the spotlight is on!
I've been waiting for this day all week! 
Last Tuesday I was Road Trippin' it to Lake Tahoe and this Tuesday I'm gonna talk some travel!!!

Let's start with upcoming trips:

In a mere 10 days, I will be off for my 
Azores Trip!
How incredibly exciting!! (insert me jumping up and down here) 
And to think that the Azores weren't even on my "list" or on my radar even a half a year ago!

This trip all started with seeing a photo that was pointed out to me!
Isn't that amazing at how the inspiration of a photo can create a master piece vacation???

Makes me wonder and I hope that some of my photos might inspire you!!! 
Please let me know if they do!

SIDE NOTE: Think of what you can do when you follow your dreams and inspirations?!

The next trip on the calendar is a trip that really needs some attention: 
Cousins Yellowstone Road Trip which departs for me in 36 days.

I've decided to make a longer road trip of it and take the kids through our beloved San Francisco and up through Portland - both full of amazing vegan treats that we'll take along on the rest of our journey! 
Then once we arrive to Jackson Hole Wyoming we'll be meeting Elisa who flies in that night, and from there on out we'll be touring the breath taking surroundings of the Grand Tetons National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. 

This week I'll go over our visit to Grand Teton
National Park:

One thing is for sure, that we'll be on the lookout for the richly diverse wildlife that is so abundant in both of these parks! 

As noted by National Geographic, at the Grand Tetons we'll find fish, pelicans, muskrats, and other mammals at Oxbow Bend, one mile east of Jackson Lake Junction. And to catch sight of quick-footed elk and pronghorn antelope, we'll visit Timbered Island near Jenny Lake. Where Cascade Canyon, west of Jenny Lake, is home to smaller creatures, like pikas, yellow-bellied marmots, pine martens, and ground squirrels.

"I'm thinking that we should have a check list to mark off all of the animals found!"

Another thing for the Grand Tetons that I'm planning for us is hiking the popular Hidden Falls trail. 
Aside from the gorgeous scenery that we'll gaze upon during the 5 mile round trip hike, once we reach the top of the trail, we'll be rewarded with dipping our toes in the cold and refreshing waters of the beautiful 200-foot-high waterfall.

While it's not a huge park and we are only spending one day touring it, the Scenic Park Loop Road is a perfect way to catch a glimpse at several lovely scenic viewpoints. The drive is 42 miles long and takes around one to two hours to complete.

Here are some of the lovely scenic viewpoints that we'll be stoping at:

• Cathedral Group Viewpoint
  
• Mount Moran Viewpoint
  
• Snake River Overlook
  
• Oxbow Bend
  
• Signal Mountain
  

15 for '15 Grand Teton Facts:

1. Grand Teton National Park was created in 1929 and greatly expanded in 1950 due to the determined efforts of John D. Rockefeller, who purchased and then donated over 30,000 acres.
2. The Shoshoni called the mountain range Teewinot, which translates as “many pinnacles,” and called the Grand Teton a name meaning “hoary headed fathers.” French fur trappers in the early 1800s called the range Les Trois Tetons or “The Three Breasts;” the three peaks being the South Teton, Middle Teton, and Grand Teton. Grand Teton translates as “big teat.” 
3. The Grand Teton was renamed Mount Hayden by the Hayden Expedition in 1872, but most people continued to call it Grand Teton Peak. In 1931, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names recognized that name and then shortened it to Grand Teton in 1970.
4. An average of almost 180 inches of snowfall each year has contributed to the mountain glaciers.
5. Total area: 310,516 acres (485 square miles)
6. The Teton Range has more than twelve peaks at elevations greater than 12,000 feet.
7. Its highest peak, the Grand Teton, reaches 13,770 feet. 
8. The first woman to climb the Grand Teton was Colorado climber Eleanor Davis, accompanied by Albert Ellingwood, on August 27, 1923
9. Seven moraine lakes run along the base of the range. 
10. Jackson Lake is the largest at more than 25,540 acres and 438 feet deep.
11. More than 100 alpine lakes can be found in the backcountry.
12. Over 200 miles of trails traverse through the mountainous terrain.
13. 61 species of mammals call this park home. 
14. This area is also home to more than 300 species of birds and 16 species of freshwater fish.
15. The Grand Teton Range is considered a semi-arid mountainous climate. In the summer, temperatures can reach on average in the low 90s. During the winter months, it can be several degrees below zero.

Well that's about all I can squeeze in for now.

Back to the daily grind today, although it's not really much of a grind. Just have some regular errands to take care of. 
How very domestic of me! LOL
Hopefully I can sneak in a booking or two while I'm at it!

Catch y'all tomorrow,
-T