Saturday, November 12, 2011

COME VACATION WITH ME, (part 1)... AND A SOUP.


We recently took a little vacation, more like a car-cation and it was lots of fun.
We went to 5 states, 4 National Parks and 2 National Monuments. It was so cool
because we bought a senior pass, so we got to go into all of them for just ten dollars.

This is a tunnel way up high in the Colorado mountains, it was so high, it made me
sick to look down off the road and it was getting dark. They were working on the
road too so it was a bit scary! I was so amazed at how high and how huge these big
mountains were..."Rocky Mountain High" for sure!


Another tunnel on that same mountain pass.


These mountains were so beautiful and so majestic and amazing!


There are still the remains of miners and their work all over these mountains.


A mining shack still there.


A darling house in the city of Silverton Colorado


The old train station in Silverton


Some old caboose trains that are parked there. It's a cute old town, It felt
like we had stepped way back in time, into the old west. The tracks are still
used though and people live there. The mountain pass is closed for the winter,
so I guess if you are going to stay there over the winter, you had better get a
winters supply in. I think I wouldn't want to stay there all winter long though.


I love the red rock formations, this was near Monument Valley.


We drove down into a little town and this sat right by their store. I guess
it is a Kiva-house, it looked like it had been there a long time.


A restaurant we ate at in Page, Arizona, wasn't that good though.


The big metal bridge that crosses over from Page, Ariz. you can park
and walk across it. WOW... it is high and quite the workmanship.


This if the Glen Canyon Dam...it is massive, it just took my breath!
It provides hydroelectricity for many cities. It is a concrete arch
dam that sits on the Colorado river just north of Page. It was started
in 1956 and finished in 1966. The reservoir of Lake Powell is created
with this dam, it is the second largest in the country and it extends way
up into Utah. Lake Powell winds in and out of deep canyons for miles
and miles....it is unbelievably gorgeous!



A beautiful, huge picture inside the visitors center at Glen Canyon dam.


A Marina on Lake Powell, right behind the dam.

A part of Lake Powell and a power plant in the back ground.

This is a place where a lot of the old Western movies were shot in
Kanab. There is a big gift shop there and in the back is a movie set
that was used in several movies.


My hubbie bought me this beautiful turquoise bracelet there, I just
love it! We had looked and looked, and when I saw this one I loved it.


Part of the movie set in the back...


The mountains here have been in many movies.


Down the road a ways we found this shop carved right into the mountain.


I loved this old pick up all decorated for Fall. It was sitting right
outside the gate at Zion's Park.


The drive through Zion National Park is so amazing! I have
been there before and every time it takes my breath away!


Around every turn, there are such amazing formations and mountains
It's easy to take a hundred pictures! This earth is quite the wonder to
behold... I think God and Jesus had fun creating it all.


We took our littles along with us and they sat right up, looking at
everything too...I think Zak is having a momentary siesta!


Love the color variations and majesty of the tall mountains rising up.


I loved tunnels...I am just like a little kid squealing as we go
through them! This one is long as it cuts through the mountain.


See the windows cut out of the rock on the side...when we were kids,
you could stop your car and look out of them...not now, no stopping
is allowed!


This is a picture of the window that is inside the tunnel. I took
this after we got out of the tunnel, from the road below.


And here is that same window from further down, quite the
mountain huh?!


As we headed out of Zion, there were lots of fun shops to stop at.
I loved this antique store, it was full of great stuff!


We stayed in St. George that night at this pretty place, and
of course we had to drive by the 1937 home that we have bought
there in St. George, people are still in it for now. (Pictures coming)


I loved this gorgeous pot, hand painted by a very nice Indian man
we met. (More photo's of our vacation next post.)


Sharing something yummy baked in my pot...
"CHICKEN AND CABBAGE SOUP"

Spray your crock pot with Pam, plus add 2 T. of Butter
Lay 4-5 chicken breasts in the bottom of pot.
Slice up an onion and lay it on chicken.
Next, layer in 1 lb. mini-carrots.
Next, 1 cabbage, sliced chunky
Pour in 2 cans of stewed tomatoes,
1 can of corn and 2 sliced potatoes
4 oz. of cut up and fried bacon
3 chicken bouellion cubes
Salt & Pepper to taste and
any other spices you love.

Cook for 6-7 hours
serve with grated cheese on top!

Perfect for these cold days and even
so good for leftovers! Make sure to
bake a batch of yummy homemade
bread to go along with it too! (recipe
for the easiest and best bread ever on
my side bar.)


~HUGS AND LOVE TO ALL~

63 comments:

Eileen @ My Evergreen Place said...

Your pictures brought back memories of when we lived in Arizona and then Colorado. Both states have such beautiful scenery! We have been to Bryce Canyon but not to Zion. I'll have to add that to our list of places to see.

I think I am going to try and make that soup soon! I have all the ingredients and it looks delicious!

Thanks for sharing all of this Julie! :0)

Deila said...

I love your roadtrips, I want to go too. I didn't know that about Kanab and the movie sets. Interesting. And thanks for the soup recipe, it looks good and healthy.

laurie said...

I must tell you I saved this post to my bookmarks to come back again and again.Of course you're on my blog list but thos post is one that needs to be read again again,, just amazing country.
I also saved the recipe,, really sounds good!Thankyou so much for this post!

Michael & Lindsey said...

See Mom, I read your blog! Love your pictures. :)

Isabelle Thornton said...

What a great vacation!
Your pictures are so good!

I want soup. This sounds good.
Hugs
Isabelle

NanaDiana said...

Julie- I was in Silveton in 1984 with my girls on a trip for their Senior/Junior year. I loved that little town. Your posts are always amazing...starting with the trip and ending with the soup! I LOVE YOUR BRACELET...when you get tired of that crummy old thing I will be most happy to dispose of it for you!;>) xo Diana

Becky~ said...

How enjoybale that must of been Julie.Im in love with the mountians.As you probably know Pennsylvania has lots and lots of them.Lol@ the littles.Cute!The black one looks so funny,he is really checking things out lol.


Thanks for visiting today Julie,Blessings!

Jacqueline said...

Oh, so many familiar sights! We even went to Silverton on our honeymoon although back then nothing was open in May so I think we stopped in a Christmas store and that was it! The soup looks perfect with the snow mountain tops. Brrrrr.... it is getting cold.

What a fun trip and great prices on the National parks.

Brandi said...

Such a beautiful road trip! Thanks for taking me along for the ride! Your soup recipe sounds amazing! I have red cabbage in the refrigerator do you think that would work?

Cheryl said...

Your pictures are so pretty, what a fun vacation.
Your soup looks delicious, will give it a try on a cold day soon.

Happy@Home said...

Thank you for taking us along on your trip. The sights were amazing and the little travelling companions are adorable. Someday I would like to visit the National Parks in person. They all look amazing to me. Love your new bracelet too.
This chicken soup recipe looks delish!! I WILL be making it. Love crockpot recipes at this time of year.
One more thing, I am looking forward to seeing your next house. Sounds like it will be charming.

Cherie said...

Love all your travel pictures - That southern Utah area I have been to once and it is simply stunning. I loved your picture of the window in the mountain - that is cool!
Your littles look so happy :-D

Ann said...

it was fun going along on your vacation. Loved all the sites.
That soup sounds delicious. I love cabbage but my husband doesn't I could have the whole pot all to myself :)

Kerin said...

Wow! It looks like you guys had a blast!
That old house in Silverton...ADORABLE!

What a pretty bracelet your hubby bought for you. A wonderful reminder of your fun trip together.

Can't wait to see those 'new' house pictures!!

p.s.
I had so much fun working with a mutual friend of ours (kitchen duty for the funeral)Karen S.
She's also my V.T! What a fun gal!! I just love her!!

Debbie Kay said...

What a lovely vacation, so many beautiful things to see. God's creation at its very best.

Thank you for stopping in to see me at my blog. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Smiles,

Debbie

Brenda said...

It looks like fun! I've crossed both of those bridges, yes they are scary and amazing!
Have a great week!

carolina nana said...

WOW !!! That is a beautiful area with all those majestic rock mountains. I hope one day to be able to visit out there.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

Mom of 12 said...

Wow! I think I need a vacation too. Love Zions. The soup looks amazing too.
Sandy

Anne Fannie said...

Hello Julie,
I haven't been by your blog in a while. To my surprise you are selling your beautiful ranch?? Oh my, where are you going??
Your trip must have been gorgeous. I enjoyed all the pictures and I felt like I was right along!
Hugs, Ann

bj said...

We used to live near there and have been to all the places you visited. Lake Powell is one of our favorites.
I, too, have some turquoise jewelry from that area....and, for awhile, we lived on the Navajo reservation..got some gorgeous jewelry, rugs and pottery while there. Mr. Sweet did commercial construction and before our kiddos were in school, we moved with him. Saw some amazing country. Loved Colorado the best of all, tho. Learned to snow ski there....:))

Vickie said...

I think we all love your trips, Julie! Beautiful countryside, and I guess I was just intrigued by the window carved into the rock where you could look out - plus - turquoise is my weakness. Just love your bracelet! - I'm looking forward to seeing your house in St. George!

Betsy said...

What a fun vacation! Utah and Colorado have got to be the most beautiful states! Oh my. :) Love the bracelet, too.

That soup looks so good and easy. I love homemade soups and don't know why anyone would buy one in a can. They are so much better made at home and not hard at all. Yum! I'm jotting down your recipe right now! :)

Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow said...

Wow! Y'all covered a lot of ground, Julie! Love the photos and I know you all had a wonderful time. I think that chicken soup with be in my crock pot before the weeked is over! Sounds great. Thank you. blessings ~ tanna

Cheryl @ The Farmer's Daughter said...

What a fun vacation filled with beautiful scenery! You got some great photos, Julie! I've been through all of these states, but haven't been to Zion. I've got in on my bucket list! Love your new bracelet, I've always liked turquoise too. The soup recipe sounds delish, I tried to copy and paste. Oops! I'll bookmark this page and come back to it later.
Enjoy the rest of the week!

Donna said...

the next time you go on vacation will you come by and get me? I am on a diet, so I don't eat much. I will carry your camera...

Connie said...

Julie,

What a fun trip you just took us on! Such beautiful scenery. I've been out of the loop for a while but I didn't know you had bought a home in St. George. Please tell us more!

Love the recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us. You're right, it is perfect for these cold nights!

renee @ Singing With Birds said...

Julie,

I can almost taste your yummy soup! Will be making it really soon. Your trip look like it was such fun too!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Julie you are so blessed! What beautiful sites. Your pups really do look like they were taking in all the sites. I know you must have had a wonderful time and your husband is so sweet to have bought you the beautiful turquoise bracelet. I love it! Can't wait to see more of your gorgeous photos from your trip! Thanks so much for sharing!

Julie said...

Beautiful Beautiful Country. I know you and your sweetheart just had a blast...I did just thinking about you two travelling and taking it all in and with two puppers to boot! Thank you for showing parts of the country I probably will never see. It IS amazing. I enjoyed my virtual tour! And thanks for that awesome sounding EASY recipe. I like that it is simple to fix and walk away! rah! Julie, I am sending up prayers for you to sell that house. Hugs to you dear bloggy sister. Grateful to know you.

Sharon said...

The vacation photos are so beautiful.
Thanks for taking us along.
Can't wait to see more.
How far is the house you bought from where you live now?
Can not wait to see it.
Hugs

My Journey With Candida said...

What a GREAT Car-Cation you had. Looks like you packed in a lot. Great photos.

C'est moi Claudette said...

WOW so glad you brought the pups with you.
Do you hold your breath when you go through a tunnel? That one looks long, not sure I could do that one holding my breath. I love tunnels too. Most don't I do.
We used to live in AZ. and WY. We drove and stopped at Lake Powell. It was beautiful.
LOVE YOUR BRACELET. Randy bought so much turquoise when we were in AZ.
Neve heard of Zion. I know I would have remembered that name.
So your new town will be called St. George? How sweet is that name?
I'll have some of your soup please and thank you.
YUMMY
Glad you had such a lovely time Julie.
Love You
Love Me
xoxooxoxo

Walking on Sunshine... said...

I loved all your pictures! What a beautiful country!!! Growing up in Queens, there was a tunnel near our house that we could go through on our way to church, not a direct route, but my dad would take it sometimes just we could all open the windows of the car and stick our heads out and yell and make funny noises to hear our echoes. It was always so much fun. The soup sounds good too! Glad you had a nice trip!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Looks like a wonderful car-cation! Truly beautiful scenery! Glad you had fun!

Gloria said...

Zion National Park is such a pretty place! Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I always loved going through those tunnels too! :)

I can't wait to see your new place. it sounds perfect!!!!

xoxo,,,Gloria

Garden of Egan said...

The tunnels freak me out a little bit.
Such beautiful scenery!
I can't believe that is part of the planet....my part is freezing right now.

Thanks for the soup recipe. It's a good one for sure if it's from you.

Cindy said...

Hello dear Julie,
WOW!!! You saw some amazing sights, lady, oh my I have got to go over and see all of the sights that you saw on this trip. The USA has such a varied landscape with natural attractions like I have never heard of anywhere else in the world.
Canada has very little in comparison to the USA. I love seeing natural sights, I have never been to Disney Land or a 6 Flags or such. When ever we have the chance to get away, we long to see more of God's creation and my oh my can he create!!!
Your soup sounds wonderful.
Love and hugs, Cindy

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Great post Julie, lovely trip!
I feel like I went along the journey with you and the soup looks yummy!
Hugs,
Cindy

Mimi Sue said...

Love Zion Natl park and the park pass for seniors is so great. We were just there last spring. Thanks for the soup recipe. I'm always looking for crockpot recipes and we are certainly having soup weather. Mimi

Sue said...

WOW, what a fun trip! I LOVE the window in the side of the mountain! Your soup looks perfect for fall.

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

I felt like I was on the road with you, Julie! Now if you could only share a blow of that delicious soup with me...guess I'll have to make some! :)

Diane Cayton-Hakey said...

What a great trip you had and tons of awesome photos.

I am in total love with your bracelet... I lived in Arizona for years, own very few pieces of Indian jewelry but your bracelet is da bomb and I'd totally wear that piece.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with all of us! I think I've been at that Marina.

Paula said...

What an amazing place, Miss Julie! And I LOVE the bracelet~ your hubby has GREAT taste!

Tracy F. said...

Enjoyed the road trip! We've made the drive from Denver to Aspen, through the mountains and across Independence Pass, many times. Spectacular scenery and breath-taking heights! I love that your little furry ones got to go with you. Important family members!

Lisa said...

What? A vacation, jewelry and a recipe? You are such an over achiever.:)
PS Love the bracelet and I'm making this soup! It sounds delish!

pollydove said...

Oh how I love road trips! What beautiful country you visited! You two have a lot of fun together - that is so great! And that soup looks yummy for my tummy right about NOW!

Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm said...

Wow, what a vacation, Julie! Oh I'm so glad the babies got to go with ya'll, they are both so cute! I am gonna have to try this soup, it sounds divine, and easy. I love the old truck with the pumpkins scattered all around it. Will have to show hubby this and see if he won't pull out one of his old trucks and scatter pumpkins everywhere next year.

Karen said...

wow Julie...what a wonderful time it looks like you and your hubby had (ops forgot to include the 2 pups) great pictues..as always..thanks for sharing them with us...

blessedmom's simple home said...

What gorgeous photos. I haven't been to Zion in a long time, but still remember how beautiful it is. The turquoise bracelet is wonderful too. I love turquoise and silver.

I buy the little marshmallow coconut cookies at Target. My mom used to get similar ones when I was growing up, but I hadn't seen them in a long time. We recently found these though, and they're very good.
Enjoy your weekend :)
Blessings,
Marcia

LDH said...

Pretty amazing trip with so many gorgeous views! The soup sounds like a delicious one ~ just look at that tempting, tummy warming photo! YUM!

René said...

What an exciting trip! I have always wanted toe explore the west. Thank you for leaving such sweet comments on my blog!

-René

Shelia said...

Hi Julie! Oh, what a wonderful road trip you had! Spectacular views! Your bracelet is gorgeous! We used to live in New Mexico and there was so much turquoise around.
Now your soup sounds wonderful. I'm still not back to par yet and this would be a yummy dinner and not a lot of trouble to make!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Catherine said...

Lovely vacations you had!thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures, it took me on vacations too!

Barb said...

Hi Julie!

Wow - so beautiful!! I love all the car-cation trips you take, it's like I'm along for the ride! You were in some of my favorite parts of the country! I love that bridge outside of Page, my kids always tried to hold their breath as we crossed it. I don't think they ever made it the entire way!

The recipe looks so good . . . comfort food!

Hugs,
Barb

Jessica Heights said...

What a lovely place to vacation! And a lovely bracelet too. :)

gigi said...

I've been that same trip before and I just loved it! We at at the Dam Bar and Grill in Page I think. We drove that Hyw. 89. all the way over to St. George and then went on up to SLC. Is that Frontier Plunder Antiques in Springdale right outside of Zion National Park? I think I have been in there. We spent the night in Springdale before and after hiking Orderville Canyon down into the Virgin river. I loved it! Took us 10 hours :) Your drive brought back so many memories. Thank you for sharing such gorgeous pictures.

Loved your bracelet! Love, love!

Jewls said...

Wow! Maybe we'll take a "local" trip for our five year anniversary...this looks amazing!

Jill said...

Looks like a wonderful time! that bracelet is gorgeous!! Have a wonderful week!

blessings,
Jill

Susan B said...

What a great vacation! You have some gorgeous photos. Thank you for sharing them. I enjoyed them very much! :)

Gypsy Heart said...

Colorado is a place I could live in a heartbeat! There's such majesty in the Rockies...and yes, some of those passes scare me to death! :-) AZ and NM both have beautiful areas to visit. So glad you had a wonderful trip! The photos are great.

Thanks also for the soup recipe! I will definitely try it.

xo
Pat

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

LOVE all the pictures you have taken for us to enjoy! I love your bracelet your hubby bought you too! Lucky girl! xox

Auntie Bliss said...

Cool trip!
I was thinking how fun it would be to make a home out of that mining shack or...hmmm was it a train station or something...I LOVE you turquoise!!!

happeningswithLana said...

Julie, wanted to let you know I tried the soup at deer camp yesterday and the guys loved it. I added salt and pepper (of course), Old Bay poultry seasoning, cajun seasoning and then poured in some jalapeno pepper juice. Normally I do chili and Dinty Moore stew on the Sunday but had this soup and chili.
Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Your trip looks like it was so much fun!