Chihuahuan Desert (04.09)

After the 2009 Bataan Memorial Death March and a day in Las Cruces, NM, Lisa had to return home to work on taxes. Kellisa and I headed east through the Chihuahuan Desert towards Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We pulled onto the shoulder about 10 minutes after Lisa's flight was scheduled to take-off and saw only one plane in the sky. It was passing directly overhead, which happened to be the same direction as Jacksonville. Lisa later confirmed that her flight left on time, so we are fairly certain that her plane is in the picture bellow:

We were greeted with 55+MPH winds:

Guadalupe Peak 8,749ft. (Highpoint of Texas):


Always the patriot when she sees an American Flag:

Kellisa enjoying the wind with Guadalupe Peak in the background:

Almost hurricane force gusts:

We were planning on camping, but the cold and wind forced us into a hotel that had indoor mini-golf (which Kellisa loved):

The next morning, we entered Carlsbad Caverns:

In front of the "bat cave" where approximately 400,000 bats live during the summer:

Kellisa receiving her Junior Ranger Badge:

Above ground scenery:

The following day we arrived at Big Bend National Park:

Looking into Mexico across the Rio Grande:

Along the drive back to El Paso, we made several scenic stops:

The Davis Mountains:

Beyond Chicago (10.09)

What can be done in 5 1/2 days?

A day in South Bend:

Aunt Courtney with Kellisa

Abby, Drew, Mark and Kellisa

Drew not liking my offer to remove his tonsils with a spoon for free

Two evenings at Tom and Andrea's Manor:

Kellisa, Lilly and Max (Tom in background)

Lilly, Andrea, Kellisa and Lisa

Tom and Chris spent an evening with Moonspell:

Lisa had lunch with Angie and Lisa from high school:

Kellisa visited Rolling Stones for the first time:

Lisa attended her 20 year high school reunion:

A day and most of a night was spent with three of Lisa's sisters:

Lisa throwing axes in Bob and Cindy's backyard

It's all good until Uncle Steve's nose is banged by Kellisa's head

Dom, Zoe, Kellisa and Cassie

Lisa had lunch with Lori, a college friend:

We visited Kellisa's Great-Grandma Kain:

We ended the trip with a Miley Cyrus concert at the United Center:

Kellisa using sign language to say "MORE!"