Saturday, February 28, 2015

Feburary 2015 Scavenger Hunt ~ Transitions!



This has been a big month in our household!
My husband retired on the 20th,
I applied for Medicare,
and we have abandoned winter
for a vacation in the tropical sun.
So the pictures for this post
have been picked up 
all over the place.




February's List

1.  
Flowers

King Soopers Gears up for Valentine's Day!






Hibiscus, Honolulu



2.  Love
A Valentine's Day Tradition

We always exchange valentines and maybe a bit of chocolate!
We're not big on valentine splurges.
We'd rather spend the money on other things.




3.  Number
32   Thirty-Two   XXXII


A little over thirty-two years ago,
I sat on this bench and was slammed 
with such a premonition that I fled to my car,
making a choice that changed my life forever.

I suddenly knew that if I rented
an apartment here, I would take
the WRONG fork in my road
and miss out on something critical.

Some days later I rented a place
in a different part of the city
and met my future husband.
Our paths would never have crossed,
if I hadn't listened to that premonition.
  



4.  Something Beautiful
Waikiki, Late Afternoon


On our arrival day in Honolulu,
we raced to Waikiki to walk in the sand.





5.  Your Favorite Color
Red:  Fremont Street, Las Vegas






6.  Bird
Macaws Waiting at the Crosswalk


You never know what you'll see along Waikiki!





7.  On the Road
Tiny Vehicles on the Road


Liftoff from Denver International Airport
took us over this cloverleaf exchange
filled with late afternoon traffic.






8.  Tap
The Snowpack Along the Front Range




Many millions of people, 
east and west,
depend on Colorado's snowpack
for water to flow from
their taps.  







9.  Price
The Price of Flying




Such a small price 
to fly SlotZilla,
the world's largest
slot machine:

Shoot out the bottom 
below the logo for $20
to zip halfway
down Fremont Street.

Or shoot out the top
above the white reels
over 10 stories high for $40
to zip all the way
under the canopy.



Now if I could just work up the courage!

I rode the precursor to SlotZilla,
but this is a whole different animal! 



10:  Heart
Heart, Street Art
East Fremont Street, Las Vegas





11.  A Corner of Your Home
Favorites of Mine



In one corner of my home 
are three of my most favorite things:

A basket beautifully woven
by an Iban woman in Sarawak, Borneo
(whom my husband and I met when we
stayed at her tribe's jungle longhouse).

and two Indonesian puppets
that my brother and his wife gave us.
The puppets are about 20 inches 
or 51 centimeters high.





12.  Whatever You Want
Rescuing a Stalled Flyer 


Sometimes high flyers get stalled near the end
of the zip lines under the Fremont Street canopy.
Here the front flyer is zipping along,
but the second one is being rescued 
by the man in green.
He quickly hauls the flyer back 
using some kind of equipment
that pulls them along the line.

March's List:
Circle,  Card,  Window,  Art,  Skyline,  a Favorite Word,
Movement,  Bathroom,  Car,  Plate
Something You Made, Whatever you want 


Thanks to Jill (Greenthumb) 
and her Made with Love blog 
for setting up the scavenger hunt.

62 comments:

  1. number 1 on my bucket list..go back to Hawaii...that was what we did when we got to Hawaii..went to Waikiki, where I got stung by a jelly fish..my first thought? this would never have happened in Texas..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, Jackiesue! Hawaii is Heavenly, for sure! I do hope that you get back! Take care!

      Delete
  2. Congrats to your hubby on his retirement. It's wonderful to enjoy this special time in your life. And bravo to you for traveling where it's warm. Your pictures are always so interesting. That little peek into a corner of your room tells a lot about you. You are truly adventurous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank, you, Peggy! I'm sending warm, sunshiny thoughts to all my blogging friends buried in snowy cold! I do love to travel to far away places! Hope you, Don, and Sadie are surviving and thriving!

      Delete
  3. What? You ran away from winter and didn't take the cat? How rude is that lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! So sorry, cat! I know there are sand kitties where my brother lives in Kuwait, but I didn't think the cat was into sand! I did think of Cassie and Orlin last night when we watched "Hawaii 5-0" in Hawaii ~ first time ever for that! The episode had a cute white kitty named Mr. Pickles. Take care!

      Delete
  4. I would not want to be that stalled flyer.
    Dig the snow scenes. That interstate interchange is amazing from the air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Alex! So far SlotZilla has had to get the fire and rescue people in one time to reduce one really stalled flyer on the top lines where you fly Superman style. But shorter rescues aren't too unusual. The employees really get them installed very quickly. I've seen it several times, and they move along those wires like monkeys. I will do it the next time I'm in Vegas for 4 or 5 days. I really enjoyed capturing that photo of the Front Range with the snowy mountains running into the distance. Whenever I can, I get a window seat because you see so many fascinating things from the air ~ like the cloverleaf. Enjoy your weekend, Alex!

      Delete
  5. I've always wanted to visit Las Vegas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vegas is a blast, Adam. I've been there many, many times! Have a great weekend with Daisy!

      Delete
  6. I think I've been to the Bird Intersection.

    My kid was stalled on the zipline when he was about seven. The zipline helper told him he should have had a bigger breakfast that day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, Susie! Poor kid! I'm sure that it was no fun stalled on the zip line! Have a good one!

      Delete
  7. Beautiful choices! Happy retirement to the Ever-Patient One and enjoy Honolulu!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debra! I will pass along your wishes. And I will do my best to enjoy! Have a good one!

      Delete
  8. Great shots, Louise! I love that story of your premonition. I have a similar one on how I met my husband that I'll post about soon. And we have the same Valentines' exchange. A nice card, a small gift, perhaps a dinner out, but no big splurges. Congratulations to your husband on his retirement. I hope the two of you get to enjoy many adventures!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thanks, Martha! After a lot of angst leading up to retirement, my hubby has taken to it with enthusiasm ~ Hawaii might have something to do with that! Have a great Sunday!

      Delete
  9. Louise, your photos are gorgeous! I love Hibiscus, I do see some in the summer here in Montreal, and they seem to survive our very humid conditions quite well. Another flower that does well here is the lily. But lilacs and many others wilt and die in the heat and humidity here. Your photos have brought me much joy this morning, thank you so much for sharing them. Congratulations to your husband on his retirement, and I hope you both get to enjoy many lovely experiences and places. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Linda! I was taking pictures of more hibiscus today and thinking of you, wishing you could be here to see them for real. Take care!

      Delete
  10. Super scavenges, my favourite, and I can see a quilting design there is the cloverleaf exchange, outlined against the snow. Retirement. how soon will your man say? "How did I find time to go to work?" Enjoy days together, and lots of fun outings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jean!!! Terry is already saying it! I'll bet that would make a pretty quilt. Quilting is on my list of things to do, when I find some time. I come from a line of master quilters! Take care!

      Delete
  11. Glad to see you having so much fun! And glad you sat on that bench!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Monica! Sitting on that bench made my life! Have a good one!

      Delete
  12. Such a lovely post. Congratulations to your husband and I hope he enjoys his retirement to the full!. Your Valentines cards are so cute.. and I love the story of your premonition , and how you followed your gut instinct. Wow you always post lovely pictures Fundy, and the beach looks beautiful .. enjoy enjoy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dawna! We are so enjoying being here! We walked for miles today. Because we're here longer, and we're both retired now, we don't have that pressure to do everything NOW! Take care!

      Delete
  13. God gave you a shove in the right direction, and you paid attention.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi JJ! I have learned to pay attention to those nudges! Hope all is well with you in Florida!

      Delete
  14. How could you leave snowy CO for the beaches and sunshine of Hawaii? (My best friend has been there for 3 months - she periodically FaceTimes me so I can pretend I'm at a virtual beach. I have a woven bag from Thailand in a pattern very similar to your basket. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barb! We have NO regrets ~ LOL! I love Colorado, but I love Hawaii almost as much! Hope you aren't too buried in Breck!

      Delete
  15. Thanks for taking part in this months scavenger hunt. What a great a vastly different photos you have taken this month. Greenthumb. Ps I hope you are enjoy Hawaii.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am loving Hawaii, GT! It's always such fun to hunt for the items listed each month. It has become a visual diary for me! Take care, Jill!

      Delete
  16. Thank you for your comments on my blog. I've enjoyed you photos immensely, those Macaw parrots are huge. What an experience for you and your husband to have stayed in Borneo. The basket is exquisite.
    Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anne! I wanted to visit the headhunters of Borneo from the time I was a small child. Our visit was one of the highlights in my life! The inside of the basket was woven with a different pattern. It's amazing! Have a great week!

      Delete
  17. Great set of photos , hawaii.five-0 is one of my favourite programs, so a little jealous you are there.. We might not get it as cold as you here in the UK, but I wouldn't mind a little warm sun at the moment.
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sun is always good, Amanda! It was so fun to be here in Hawaii and to watch Hawaii 5-0 at the same time. We see a lot in the shows that we recognize, which is fun too! I hope you warm up soon!

      Delete
  18. Wonderful photos especially like the beach photo, the roads from the plane and the snow capped peaks. What a wonderful story about your premonition of not staying where you had intended:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rosie. I love taking photos from a plane, but I can't always wangle a window seat. Not staying and renting an apartment from the owner who was on his way was The Best Decision of my life! Have a happy week!

      Delete
  19. Your Hawaiian seascape is fantastic and what a gorgeous Macaw but I do hope there isn't a baby in that pushchair?
    The heart photo is brilliant...well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Fiona! There was no baby with the tree birds. I think the woman makes some money by having tourists pose with her birds. Although, I didn't actually see her with a customer, just pushing the birds around! Have a good one!

      Delete
  20. Great and some amazing photos, love them all. Suzy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suzy! I have a lot of fun hunting for the scavenger items!

      Delete
  21. You always come up with such varied and interesting collections! What a great story with the photo for number!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Louise! That bench literally changed my life, made my life. I went back to it a couple of weeks ago quite by accident. There has been a lot of development in the 32 years since I had last seen it, including a whole Social Security complex of offices across the seat. I went to social security and immediately spotted the bench ~ and went back and sat on it. It was a strange and amazing moment! Have a happy week!

      Delete
  22. Wow - amazing photos and stories. Love the one about renting a different apartment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, JoAnn! It's such fun to participate in the hunt! All the best to you!

      Delete
  23. You always have such original entries and great stories around them - loved number especially. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie. Finding original entries helps when I'm on the move a lot. I hope all is well in your corner of the world!

      Delete
  24. Wow! Incredible pictures Louise and fab stories too - the one about the bench would be a great starter for a Raymond Carver style novel! Great to meet you x Jane

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for your uplifting comment, Jane! It's great to meet you! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations to your hubby on his retirement!! I hope you guys have a wonderful time from here on out :)

    Beautiful photos. Someday soon I hope that my Aussie family & Canadian family will be meeting up for Christmas in Hawaii. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christmas in Hawaii sounds wonderful, Trisha! I hope it happens very soon! So far, retirement is great for my hubby! How could it not be! Take care!

      Delete
  27. Love this list. Hope March will be as exciting for you. Or more. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Superlux! March is awesome!
      we've had fun in the sun and surf today! I'm not sure I'll make it to 8:00 pm! LOL! Have a great week!

      Delete
  28. I've flown in and out of DEN so many times I recognized that cloverleaf as soon as I saw it!

    The Front Range. *sigh*

    Such a fun post - thank you for taking us along. Congrats to the E-P and may he never be bored. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the well wishes, Sue! I've been retired almost three years, and I have yet to be bored! I'm hopeful it will go the same for the E-P. Have a lovely week!

      Delete
  29. Most fun collection to see. I, too, recognize that cloverleaf flying out of Denver. Lived there twice and still have family there. Oh so jealous of your tropical respite. I'm so tired of winter's ugly. So glad I found this Scavenger Hunt. Been a most fun hunt of finding new blog friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julie! I'm so happy to get a break from winter's ugly too! The scavenger hunt is a lot of fun. I've been doing it for well over a year now, coming up on two. Finding new blog friends is always fun! Take care!

      Delete
  30. Those eyes of yours, Louise, never miss a thing! I LOVE what you see.
    I like that basket and those puppets......no wonder they have a place of honour.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jim! But I missed something yesterday! The Target Dog was standing at a crosswalk with a Target employee, and I was so surprised and delighted, that I didn't get my camera out quickly enough to get them. Rats! I'm looking all over for that dog now! LOL! One of these days I hope to get some Oahu pics up on FB, but I'm scrambling just to post my required posts! Let alone get around and comment! I'm beginning to suspect, just a week or two away from 65, that I'll always be chasing my tail! LOL! Take care my friend!

      Delete
  31. Awesome news that your husband retired!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. It is awesome, Keith, and it's so much fun having him full time! We've gotten off to a good start by traveling to Honolulu! Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your wayang golek are beautiful! I sometimes wish I bought some back from Indonesia with me! Ah, if I had known I'd be a teacher now....
    Your photos really are incredibly creative this month- the twisty runways, the flowers in their glory, the mountains, the parrots, the knowledge that you might not have met your husband!
    I am well Louise, thanks. I hope you are well too and it was lovely to hear from you xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kezzie! It's lovely to hear from you! And thanks for the Indonesian words! I have a niece who is teaching in Surabaya right now. She wants Terry and me to come to Indonesia and see her. We weren't able to make the trip when my brother was in Jakarta, nor when Terry's sister was in Jakarta. Maaybe the third time is the charm! xxx!

      Delete

Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.