Star Beacon expands in 2012 -- But here's December's update

The December 2011 Star Beacon features "Spirituality in a Visual Culture" by Vipin Mehta.

Our Reader's Forum includes offerings from Willy Whitefeather and Doug Davis. You can read their letters ON LINE.

T. Stokes tells a true ghost story from England in "The Christmas Ghost of Eton Manor."

Owen Waters describes the 12 distinct stages in the evolution of human consciousness in "The Spiritual Age."

Tom T. Moore is back with his new column, "The Gentle Way," a Q & A with news on chemtrails and advice on 401K's and the sun's activity.

In DISC-ussion Ann Ulrich Miller talks about a submerged UFO encountered by the USS Kirk Naval ship, and how the White House says there has been no alien vists or UFO coverups... oh yeah? Read it ON LINE.

"The Medicine Cabinet in Your Kitchen" gives the top 10 common healing herbs and spices, by Tony Isaacs.

In Commander's Star Base: Ask an ET, Sanni answers questions from readers about past lives, humans and Grays, and ascension. Read her column ON LINE.

Jelaila Starr offers "Signs of the New Reality" and tells how we are healing, along with our families, and Planet Earth.

Krsanna gives an explanation on the unusual earthquakes that occurred in the U.S. in August 2011 in her article, "Renegades, Elenin, Sun and Starships."

If you'd like to read the December Star Beacon in its entirety, consider purchasing the PDF full-color issue for just one dollar through PayPal. You'll find the link on Earth Star's Home Page.

Or... get the print issue mailed to you for just $2.50. Starting in February the issue prices will increase to $2.00 for the PDF and $4.50 for print. Subscription prices will remain the same ($27/year US, $30/yr Canada and $36 foreign). To subscribe to The Star Beacon, please go to our Subscription Page.

You might want to check out our JANUARY BOOK SALE going on now with low prices on most all of our titles. Go there!

We have 25 years of BACK ISSUES to The Star Beacon (first published in April 1987) which are available for sale at $2.00 apiece. Visit our Subject Index (parts are still under construction) and e-mail me if you'd like any back issues.

May you have a blessed year. Remember... Keep the light on the Truth... read The Star Beacon.

Namaste,
Ann

What's in the November Star Beacon

Reptilians living underground?

That's the feature article in the November Star Beacon. J.W. tells his story about an encounter with Reptilians in a cave in Missouri back in 2004.

Also in the November Star Beacon... the new Reader's Forum has offerings from Suzanne
Ward on Nathan Twining Jr., plus musings from Al Fry, Cary Dickey and Michael Guest. Willy Whitefeather gives new names to hurricanes.

The Pleiadian Light discusses Opening Contact with Pleiadian Animal Consciousness.

"A God of Hatred" is the topics of John Cali's Conversations with Spirit.

Ann Ulrich Miller tells "Why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday" in The Meaning of It All.

In Teotwawki Living, Carol Elek's topic is "The United States of China, the Zombie Apocalypse and a Lost Generation."

In Radio Waves Ray Larsen explains why "Smart Meters are dangerous."

Commander Sanni Ceto has plenty of Q & A in Commander's Star Base: Ask an ET.

Tom T. Moore has some interesting tidbits in "The Gentle Way."

The big news...

The Star Beacon plans to expand in 2012. Instead of being published every month, like it has for the last 25 years, the newsletter will come out six times a year and will increase in size. After the December 2011 issue, The Star Beacon will come out again in February 2012. Same format, same price... just MORE pages.

Survey winners are announced in this issue, along with results.

So check out the current issue at http://earthstar.tripod.com/TSB_dir/whatsnew.html


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Not all of the articles are available for free. If you'd like to see this issue in its entirety, please pay $1.00 for the PDF issue by going to our home page.


Or you can sign up for a year's PDF subscription for just $12.00.


Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!


Ann
starbeacon@gmail.com

Why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday

It’s that time of year again. Spring and summer have passed us by like a speeding train... as they do every year. Autumn abruptly jumped into the year and now we are facing winter. (Of course those of you in the Southern Hemisphere are looking forward to summer.)

The holidays are a joyous time to celebrate love, family ties and preparing for the new year ahead. And this time the new year is 2012! Many people are eagerly anticipating a big change and nobody really knows what lies ahead. In my opinion I think we will see more of what occurred in 2011, and perhaps a couple of “surprises” thrown in.

Thanksgiving has been a theme in two of my novels. In 1999 I published Night of the November Moon, a romance/mystery about the haunted Pelton Manor in southern Michigan. This year (in fact, this month) Earth Star is releasing the fourth young adult novel in the Annette Vetter adventure series, The Legend of the Lantern, which takes place over Thanksgiving weekend in rural Jackson County Wisconsin (set in the late Sixties). Coincidentally (or not) a ghost is a matter of concern in this novel too.

In my own life Thanksgiving has had an impact. My son Scott was born a couple of days before Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, 1985, and my two stepsons’ birthdays fall on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26. (My oldest brother’s birthday is also Nov. 26.)

When it comes down to it, I feel I have a lot to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to reflect on our lives and express gratitude for everything we have experienced, good and bad. I’m starting my list right now with this column.

Thank You, God, For...

• My life on planet Earth at this glorious time!
• My parents, who gave me life, a loving home and guidance and security for many years.
• My children, who turned out to be pretty special people and have brought me much happiness.
• My grandson Vorian, who at 3 years old is a delight to all.
• “MyDoug,” who has become Number One in my life and brings me happiness I never thought I’d find again in this lifetime.
• The Star Beacon and the wonderful readers over the years, many of whom have become my friends if only through correspondence and e-mail.
• My Guardian Angel and spirit guides, always watching out for me and ever close by.
• The teachers (from all walks of life) who influenced me in thousands of ways.
• UFOs and ETs who influenced me from an early age and continue to live among us.
• Music and the gift to make it, for the joy and serenity it has placed in my life.
• Nature and her splendid gifts, from trees and plants to birds and all other animals who walk, crawl or fly upon the earth.
• The jobs (good and bad) I’ve held and the employers who hired me so that I could achieve balance and help my soul evolve.
• My failed marriage and the man who fathered my children and taught me to mature, to let go, and to forgive.
• My years with Ethan in which I felt unfettered to pursue my mission as a lightworker and fulfill my destiny, ending in life’s greatest challenge... having to let go of someone close to you.
• Struggling through financial insecurity in order to learn frugality, humility, but ... more importantly ... trust, knowing that all my needs are met... regardless.
• Being introduced to the “dark side” of myself and realizing the importance of becoming balanced.
• A near-death experience that tested my faith and made me appreciate the preciousness of my life.
• Many unforgettable memories to look back on and bask in the comfort they bring.
• Realization that life here on Earth is only an illusion and we are all playing this Game and the roles we choose are for our highest good.
• Challenges, because without these in our lives, we could not grow or evolve into light beings.
• People who inspire me and whose tidbits of wisdom have made a big difference in my view of the universe and how everything works, including but not limited to... Suzanne Ward and Matthew, Neale Donald Walsch, Lucille McNames (Sari), Mark Kimmel and Heidi Moller, The Moody Blues, Arda Golden Eagle Woman, Ruth Montgomery, Claude Debussy, Ludwig von Beethoven, Chief Joseph, Enya, Ryan, Marty and Scott... and Frank D. Elmore Jr.

October Star Beacon gives preparations for 2012

Yes, I know... I'm late getting the update out this month. Doug and I just returned from a second trip to the Pacific Northwest, to have another look at the Olympic Peninsula as a possible place to move. The decision is up in the air.

This months' Star Beacon feature is "2012 is two months away -- are you prepared?" Tips from the University of Metaphysical Sciences on things you can do to prepare, particularly during the transition stage when life might be a bit challenging.

Something new is the Reader's Forum... writings from readers of The Star Beacon commenting on all sorts of topics. This month Bob Huth talks about the "Reality of The Presence" and Sara Hockenbery writes about "The real Christmas." Rick Case shares his "Druid Vision." You are invited to contribute letters and share your thoughts. Send them via e-mail to starbeacon@gmail.com.

Carol Elek's "Teotwawki Living" (survival) column focuses on "Waiting for the other shoe to drop" this month, and we have Hannah Beaconsfield back with The Pleiadian Light, channeling Oceanna, a Pleiadian priestess, on "Living on the Edge of Overwhelm." I know many of you can relate... I can!

"Radio Waves" by Ray Larsen is all about "Two-way radios and UFO communication." John Cali writes about "A Death in the Family" in his column "Conversations with Spirit and John Cali." (Available to read free on line.)

In DISC-ussion this month I talk about "Planet orbits two suns" and report on Victoria Liljenquist's presentation on the "Light ships filmed over Pagosa Springs, Colorado" in June of this year. (Available to read free on line.)

"Commander's Star Base: Ask an ET" is full of Q & A's about space. This month Sanni discusses Hollow Earth, human hybrids, ET and human DNA, and lightning. (Available to read free on line.)


In the October issue we started a NEW COLUMN from Tom T. Moore, "The Gentle Way," with selections from his weekly newsletter with the same name. Tom channels Theo and Gaia (Mother Earth) and answers readers' questions on various topics. This month we've included "Elenin, S4 Linear, Brown Dwarf" and "Massive UFO Sightings" (from Carmichael, Calif.).

Finally, in "The Meaning of It All" the subject is "The Shifting has begun." (Available to read free on line.)

You can see all the articles available by going to WHAT'S NEW at Earth Star's Web site. Not all articles are free, but a PDF subscription, which lands each issue in your e-mail inbox the first of the month, is available worldwide for just $12 (USD). To subscribe to the print issue ($27 US/ $30 CAN/ $36FOR) go to our subscription sign-up page. Or... if you just want a single PDF issue, you can get that as well.

The currently running ads are always free to view (with some real bargains) and be sure to check out our free classified pages at Bargain Billboard. If you have something to sell, want or announce... the Billboard is the place to post it. Also, don't forget to check out Conferences.

Congratulations to the winners of the Survey Drawing. Carol Gorman in San Luis Obispo, Calif. and Sally Finch from Colorado Springs have prizes coming their way. Many thanks to all who filled out the Star Beacon Reader Survey in September and October.

Coming up...

In the November issue I will announce a big change coming with regard to the newsletter. Also in November... my new young adult mystery novel will be out... THE LEGEND OF THE LANTERN, Number Four in the '60s era Annette Vetter Adventure Series. Time travel with me back to the Sixties for this thrilling story about the Man with the Lantern, an attic ghost and poachers in rural Wisconsin. For more information, check out http://anncarolulrich.tripod.com/Lantern.html

Until next month...

Namaste,
Ann

UFOs: Evolution of a True Believer, September 2011

September's issue of The Star Beacon features James Parsons, who writes about his experiences with UFOs in "UFOs -- Evolution of a True Believer." Parsons is an art dealer near Taos, N.M. and his story is interesting and full of references to other researchers and well known authors in the UFO field. You can read this article LIVE on Earth Star's Web site.

What else is in the September issue? An inmate has his say about being a "light worker" in prison and the pitfalls he's up against.

Ray Larsen talks about "Radar and the 1952 Washington, DC UFO Flap" in his column, RADIO WAVES. The July UFO flap over DC happened in the month and year of my birth, so it has always been a fascination to me.

John Cali and Spirit tell "The Secret to Manifesting Your Dreams" in Conversations With Spirit and John Cali. There's nothing difficult about the process of manifesting... as long as you know when to get out of the way.

In this months' Cosmic Book Review we feature Red Eagle Speaks, A Book of Wisdom, by Riz Mirza as told to Oriah Miller. The color is gorgeous and the writing offers powerful insights and teachings.

In "The Meaning of It All" my "Illusion Bubble has burst" -- prompted by my experience of having a bear break into my garbage dumpster when I thought my back yard was safe because of the fence. Read about how disillusionment got me to where I am now -- LIVE on Earth Star's Web site.

DISC-ussion tells about the "Massive UFOs over Carmichael, Calif." in August, and "Budd Hopkins' transition" on Aug. 21. It also discusses the "Quakes in areas that don't shake" (Colorado and Virginia), and mention of the "US Navy Space Command and Elenin." Read DISC-ussion LIVE.

Commander Sanni Ceto answers lots of questions this month in "Commander's Star Base: Ask an ET," the Q & A about space, ETs and so much more. Read it LIVE on Earth Star's Web site.

Sanni's book STRANDED ON EARTH, The Story of a Roswell Survivor, has just come out as an ebook at Amazon Kindle (and for just $6.95). Check it out! I love my Kindle and take it along with me when I have to sit in waiting rooms. It easily fits into my purse. Ebooks are the rage right now. Most of my books are already up as ebooks, either at Amazon or at Barnes and Noble. If you're interested in getting any of my ebooks, just go to my Author Page for the direct links.

The energies have accelerated in the last week or so. Have you noticed? My God! It's exciting, but it can also be a little disconcerting. Just remember to let go of all fear and embrace Love and Light. Know that all is happening just as it should and you, as a Light Worker, are an important part of the unfolding New Age.

Until next month...

Namaste,

Ann

August Star Beacon

The August Star Beacon features "Our Trip to the Olympic Peninsula" (The Meaning of It All). You can read all about it in the blog below this one, or you can surf over to Earth Star's Web site and read it there. We had a great time and will be relocating to that part of the country as soon as we can sell our homes here in beautiful Pagosa Springs. If you're looking for a great spot to live that is SAFE as well as BEAUTIFUL... and teeming with loving energy and plenty of light workers, contact me, or have a look at our two homes for sale at this Web site.

Now that my "commercial" is over, let's see what else is in the August issue...

In "Letters from Readers" we have correspondence from Sophia Whitefeather ("Honoring the sacred within"), from Bob Huth ("Magnificent possibilities"), from Patrick ("Questions answered") and from Sara Hockenbery ("Called to duty").

Hannah Beaconsfield channels an important message from Oceanna, a Pleiadian Christed woman, in "The day that nothing happened."

"Sasquatch: Hairy tales of the Northwest's mythic being" by Tanya Davidson, gives a close look at the so-called legend of Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest.

Ray Larsen's "Radio Waves" begins with the UFO sighting of October 2010, when the USAF lost control of 50 ICBMs. Read it ON LINE at Earth Star's Web site.

In this month's DISC-ussion is a reprint of the Huffington Post's article on how General Ramey lied over the Roswell Incident of July 1947. You can read it ON LINE at Earth Star's Web site.

Could humanity survive a "Falling Skies" invasion? A new book, Apocalpyse: How to Survive a Global Crisis, by Dan Martin, talks about it. Martin is an expert who compares real life living off-the-grid to fictional tales of disaster.

Commander's Star Base: Ask an ET, by Commander Sanni Ceto, answers questions about space and ETs. This month she comments on an Australian reader's alleged abduction and time warp experience, plus other questions. Read it ON LINE at Earth Star's Web site.

Be sure to check out our latest ads at the Web site. And if you'd like to receive the full issue in color PDF, there is a link for PayPal on the Home Page (it's just a dollar).

You can subscribe to the full year PDF issue for just $12, or get a print subscription that is mailed to your home for $27. To sign up, go to the Subscription Web Page.

Don't forget to visit the BARGAIN BILLBOARD, Earth Star's on line classified publication. You can list things for sale (including services or things you are looking for) for FREE. How much better is that? Check out the Billboard.

Until next month... hope you are enjoying a beautiful summer. We always have fantastic, cool summers here in southwestern Colorado. If you're feeling the nudge to relocate anytime soon, contact me about our two homes for sale.

Namaste!

Ann

Our trip to the Olympic Peninsula

THE MEANING OF IT ALL

from the August Star Beacon

In June my partner Doug and I embarked on a month-long road trip to Washington state. Both of us felt the urge to move about a year ago. The northwestern part of Washington was an option we needed to check out. I had never set foot in the state of Washington before, although I had lived for 10 months in the Pacific Northwest in 1984-'85. I remembered that Corvallis, Ore., was green and appealing.
 
 Our little 2004 Subaru Outback was packed to the hilt as we headed west through Durango on Monday, June 6. Passing through towns where Star Beacon subscribers reside became a game for me. Ursula Mayer lives near Bayfield, Colo., and Anne Carter lives in Durango. We cruised through Cortez, home to Claudia Sanderson and Aileen Garrouté, and northwest into Utah, catching a small portion of Monument Valley and passing through Moab and Green River.
 
 Since we never seem to get a very early start anywhere we go, I didn’t expect us to get very far our first day. I left the driving to Doug, who is a skilled and experienced operator behind the wheel. Doug drove non-stop through Salt Lake City, Ogden and Brigham City before I begged him to stop for the night in Trementon, a town not far from the Idaho border.
 
 Kaye Studstrup lives in SLC, and my son Scott Ulrich spent a couple of years there after graduating from college. (He’s now in St. Paul, Minn.) Thad Brown lives near Sandy, which we cruised by in Doug’s rush to put big city traffic behind him. Doug never drove through Denver, which I think has worse city traffic than SLC, and I’m convinced now that he won’t be wanting to go to our state’s capital anytime soon.
 
 On our second day, June 7, we took I-84 all the way across southern Idaho into Oregon. We took the route through the Malheur National Forest, which was gorgeous. We ended up in Redmond, Ore., that night, home of Carol Elek, who writes Teotwawki Living. I was unable to reach Carol, who apparently was working that night. Our most memorable breakfast was in Redmond on June 8, at the Black Bear Café. We then continued west through the beautiful, lush Cascade Mountains into Corvallis, so I could have another look at that one place I lived. Much of it seemed to be the same.
 
 We reached Newport and the coast by mid afternoon. What a delight it was for me to see the ocean once again. And for Doug, who lived at sea for so many years during his Navy and Coast Guard career, this was the first time in almost three decades for him as well. We just couldn’t resist going to the Coast Guard station. There we were given a tour and I boarded my very first USCG search and rescue boat, the 52 ft. Victory.
 
 That night we had seafood (fish and chips) at Tillamook, Ore. -- only about 50 miles from where subscriber Gayle Walker lives, in Beaverton. Then Doug drove, hoping to get to Astoria, along Highway 101 up the coast in the dark. Finally, without my nudging, he pulled over at Seaside where we got a motel and a good night’s rest.
 
 The next morning, June 8, we had breakfast in Astoria, Ore., and then crossed the bridge into Washington state. Astoria is an interesting old city and the morning was damp and foggy. Doug wanted to stop at Cape Disappointment, where he’d gone to heavy weather school at the beginning of his Coast Guard career. We stopped at the US Coast Guard station there, but they were too busy to give us a tour, so we continued on north with a stop at Ruby Beach near Queets. In my opinion this was the most beautiful beach in western Washington. At that point I took over the wheel and drove through Forks and east toward Port Angeles, where we had a vacation rental waiting for us.
 
 Our hosts, the Ellefsons, live outside Port Angeles on 23 acres, with a breathtaking view of the Straits from their house and from the upstairs apartment over their garage, which is where we stayed. Our initial fear of staying in a place too small for the two of us to get along for 30 days was soon dissolved when we saw how cute the place was. The little apartment reminded us of a doll’s house. The bed was very comfortable and we enjoyed drinking our coffee in the mornings while cruising the Straits with our binoculars on the balcony. Port Angeles is an international harbor at which all kinds of ships come in and out at any given time of day or night. Unfortunately, some tall red cedar trees blocked our view of the Coast Guard station out on Ediz Hook. But we had plenty of chances to go visit the station during our stay.
 
 Friday, June 10 we got to tour the US Cuttyhunk, a 110 ft. Coast Guard cutter. There are three others plus a medium endurance cutter at the PA station. It was fun checking out the PX and getting acquainted with the town of Port Angeles. Our host and hostess had a barbecue for us that evening with freshly caught salmon and halibut. What a treat!
 
 On Sunday, the 12th, we drove up to Hurricane Ridge, part of the Olympic National Park, and it was an overcast day to begin with. The higher we climbed, the snowier and foggier it became. There was snow at the visitor’s center and it reminded us of being in the Colorado mountains.
 
 On Tuesday, June 14 we drove to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery, which is the most northwestern point in the mainland United States. We loved the drive. We stopped along beaches on the way and noted the quaint little community of Joyce, just west of PA. We saw whales spouting near Shipwreck Point, but we never actually saw the whales. Cape Flattery was more beautiful than we had imagined. Doug was surprised to discover another Coast Guard station at Neah Bay.
 
 We walked the mile-and-a-half trail through a mossy, wet rainforest so that we could view Tatoosh Island, where there is a lighthouse station (automated nowadays). Doug was impressed and said this was the first time he had seen Tatoosh from the land side. I was impressed by the orange colored starfish clinging to the caves as the surf crashed against the rocks.
 
 On the way back to PA, we stopped at a park called Salt Creek, outside Joyce, to eat our picnic supper, and discovered coastal artillery concrete bunkers used in World War II. You can drive and walk through the bunkers, and they have a display board in the park, telling about the history and showing photographs of the soldiers who were stationed there. It turns out that Doug’s father was most likely one of the men in the pictures taken in 1944 or 1945, when he was stationed there. We had to come back the next day and explore more and walk along the beach.
 
 After a few days, we decided to check out Forks, a small town about 20 minutes from La Push and the western coast. Forks is the setting for the Twilight series of novels by Stephenie Meyer and the popular teeny-bopper movies. The chamber of commerce in Forks has promoted Twilight for the benefit of the town’s merchants. There are tours in the area for Twilight fans, who arrive in droves. We liked what we saw of Forks, for the most part, and checked out a couple of properties that were listed with a real estate agency. We ended up going back again to look some more. Nothing was decided, of course.
 
 We drove out to La Push, which is on the Quillayute Indian Reservation, and we stopped briefly at the Coast Guard station there. Then we drove over to Rialto Beach, north of La Push, and enjoyed that beach so much that we came back a couple of more times during the week. I miss Rialto Beach and the smell of the salt air, the crash of the waves, the multi-shaded gray skies and the rock formations along the shoreline. While we were there, I saw a seal and some porpoises in the ocean.
 
 During our final days in Washington, we visited Lake Ozette and then the Hoh Rain Forest southeast of Forks, part of the Olympic National Park, which -- as you can imagine -- is huge and wild. There are very few roads into this park, and it would be a challenge to hike anywhere. Lake Ozette was different. Maybe the reason I wasn’t impressed with Lake Ozette was because of the mosquitoes and the fact that you couldn’t really see anything unless you were a backpacker and took a day to hike to the coastline. I did get some video footage of a river otter that day.
 
 We loved Hoh Rain Forest. It was overcast and drizzly when we were there, but we never minded the climate -- which is quite different from the sunny Four Corners area. We took a walk in the Hall of Mosses and stopped to take pictures of some Roosevelt elk, including a nice bull along the road on our way out of the park.
 
 Emma O’Brian, another reader, lives in Port Angeles, and we connected by phone but I was unable to go see her this time around. We drove out to Sequim, the town just east of Port Angeles, a couple of times, where subscriber Helen Pacheco lives. There are several TSB subscribers who live in Washington state, most of them in the Seattle vicinity. Kanai Callow lives north in Bellingham, and Rod Dyke resides in Bainbridge Island. Then there are Ken and Jackie Rebane in Shoreline, Wash., along with DJ Welch (in Sumas), and Suzanne Ward, near Vancouver. I would have loved to have met Suzy, who channels the Matthew Messages and is the author of the Matthew Books and the beloved Amusing to Profound — My Conversations with Animals, which was excerpted in the July Star Beacon. We did drive close to her town on our way home, along the Columbia River Gorge, but for many reasons just could not stop. Perhaps our next trip.
 
 We left Washington on Friday, July 1, and headed east, then south along the Hood Canal and through Olympia, where Lilian Mustelier (a woman of “high strangeness”) lives. We felt we needed to check out other parts of Washington state, because we have decided we definitely want to live there. So far the Olympic Peninsula has won our favor.
 
 The Columbia River Gorge was spectacular, but the appeal didn’t last long. Soon we found ourselves in the desolate eastern part of Washington. Powerlines and wind turbines were everywhere and I felt tired and slightly nauseous. We ended up in Kennewick that evening and almost didn’t find an available motel because of the holiday weekend.
 
 The next day, Saturday, we drove into Lewiston, Idaho, and had lunch at a great restaurant (Shari’s). I took over the wheel for the second time on the whole trip and drove most of the way across mid Idaho, following the course of the Clearwater River, which was beautiful. Of course we had to stop several times to take pictures. Near Lolo Pass we saw a mother black bear with two cubs along the roadside.
 
 When we reached Missoula, Mont. -- what a surprise! We were impressed with Missoula, and almost wanted to change our minds and move there. However, we remembered that Montana has some bitterly cold winters, and that’s one thing we’re trying to get away from, not to mention being at sea level (I fell in love with the ocean).
 
 From Missoula we headed west toward Bozeman and decided to try to get a room at Livingston and then head south into Yellowstone the next morning. When we arrived in Livingston, there was a thunderstorm in full force and the motels were filling up fast with tourists. We decided to go back to Bozeman after we found out the price of motels on the Fourth of July weekend. It was worth going back and then seeing all that beautiful scenery of the Absaroka mountain range again the next day. Subscriber Louise Bowman resides outside Livingston.
 
 Monday, the Fourth of July, we drove through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Not far away is where Star Beacon columnist John Cali lives in Cody, and subscriber Sheri Gould in Buffalo. We stopped to take video of wild buffalo with the Grand Tetons as a back drop. Then we spent the night in Jackson. Motels were gouging people there as well, but we had to pay the price like everyone else. We did get to see some fireworks from the parking lot.
 
 The next morning, July 5, we headed south through Pinedale and Rock Springs. We then discovered the beauty of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area before you drive into Utah. Perhaps one day we can spend some time enjoying these natural beauties on Mother Earth.
 
 The drive into Vernal, Utah and eastward into Dinosaur, Colo., and Rangely was uneventful. We drove over Douglas Pass and finally reached Grand Junction, where we rested that night before taking the final leg of our journey home. Subscriber and handwriting analyst Polly Cady resides in Grand Junction.
 
 The next morning we drove over Red Mountain Pass and home to Pagosa Springs. Our vacation was wonderful. We saw a lot and drove more than 6,100 miles (with 98 percent of the driving done by Doug). The Subaru was the perfect car for this long trip and it kept us safe and comfortable, along with our guides and angels -- thanks, guys!
 
 A special thank you goes to two people who helped keep our gardens and our house plants alive, along with Jessica, my black cat. Thank you, Dan McCamman and Heidi Moller, both subscribers, and also to Iwetta Luckhaus, who collected my mail for me. It’s a comfort to know you can go away for a whole month and rely on good friends.
 
 Really, there wasn’t anything paranormal about our trip. The only strange thing I noticed was that daylight came around 4:30 in the morning in Port Angeles and lasted until 10:00 at night. Because the location is so far north, it all has to do with the position of the sun at the time of year.
 
 We didn’t find Bigfoot, but I did buy one of his T-shirts in the Hoh Rain Forest. Again... maybe next time we’ll be able to visit him (or her). And yes, there will be another trip to the Olympic Peninsula. Perhaps the next time we go there, we’ll stay.