"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Sister, and Twins.

This is the train we took into the Grand Canyon National Forest - similar to the one I took when I was in Alaska.



My daughter and her son (my GS).

We were serenaded by this man, okay to be honest - he wasn't all that great, but it was fun.

He did try.

Held up by this man - he had my grandson in his clutches!!!!

Grandpa and GS.

The train ride was a couple of hours. They gave us free cokes and snacks. My GS brought back a HUGE plate of them. We saw the scenery, but there was no narration or explanation of what we were seeing. Met a couple of nice people on the train.


Happy Birthday Princess Diane - Biography -

British royalty. Born Diana Spencer on July 1st, 1961, near Sandringham, England. Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the most adored members of the British royal family.

She became Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer in 1975. Although she was known for her shyness growing up, she did show an interest in music and dancing. Diana also had a great fondness for children.

Diana was no stranger to the British royal family, having reportedly played with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as a child while her family rented Park House, an estate owned by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1977, she became reacquainted with their older brother, Prince Charles, who was 13 years her senior.

As the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles was usually the subject of media attention and his courtship of Diana was no exception. The press and the public were fascinated by this seemingly odd couple — the reserved, garden-loving prince and the shy young woman with an interest in fashion and popular culture. When the couple married on July 29, 1981, the ceremony was broadcast on television around the world, with millions of people tuning in to see what many considered to be the wedding of the century.

On June 21, 1982, Diana and Charles had their first child: Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. He was joined by a brother, Prince Henry Charles Albert David — known widely as "Prince Harry" — more than two years later on September 15, 1984. Initially overwhelmed by her royal duties and the intense media coverage of nearly every aspect of her life, she began to develop and pursue her own interests. Diana served a strong supporter of many charities and worked to help the homeless, people living with HIV and AIDS, and children in need.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles did not lead to a happily-ever-after marriage. The two became estranged over the years, and there were reports of infidelities from both parties. During their union, Diana struggled with depression and bulimia. The couple's separation was announced in December 1992 by British Prime Minister John Major, who read a statement from the royal family to the House of Commons. The divorce was finalized in 1996.

Even after the divorce, Diana maintained a high level of popularity. She devoted herself to her sons and to such charitable efforts as the battle against the use of land mines. Diana used her international celebrity to help raise awareness about this issue. She also continued to experience the negative aspects of fame — her 1997 romance with Egyptian film producer and playboy Dodi Al-Fayed caused quite a stir and created a media frenzy. While visiting Paris, the couple was involved in a car crash after trying to escape from the paparazzi on the night of August 30, 1997.


22 comments:

Jojo said...

What a fun train ride that must have been! A hold-up no less!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Sandie, your grandson has the absolute cutest smile, and he is always smiling in pictures. I love that! What a sweetheart he is. Looks like a fun train ride, too.

I loved Princess Diana. I think I read every book about her life and also about Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, and even Fergie, and I can't wait for her son to be king. I'm excited again about the Royal Family (at least the young portion and the senior, his grandmother). I got to meet Princess Diana's brother once, and he is so handsome and so regal with the most beautiful and elegant voice! While he was understandly reserved, he was warm and funny, too. I know what the press says about him, but he was very kind and the soul of politeness to a couple of American rubes... Mr. Magpie and me. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

hope they let your grandson go-unharmed. looks like fun.
oh how i loved diana! she just had it all, the fairy tale life, or so we thought way back when!

Melanie said...

Looks like you had a very interesting train ride!!

I remember the night Princess Diana passed away. It was so sad.

Jane said...

What fun to be held at gun point on a train ride!

Jane

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Sounds like fun, I had wanted to take the 4 day train trip while we were in Montana but it was too expensive and all the short ones were booked up. I'd love to go to Alaska, hope to do that next year on our 50th. not holding my breath though...lol...
Sorry I haven't been around much lately got a lot going on and can't seem to find time to get to computer. I have Marissa for the summer and she is having great days, good days and very bad days...lol..I'm too old for this.
Will try to fire off an email tonight when she goes home for the week.
Molly

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Sandie Sweetie...
What fun you are having. I am sorry you are so close, but still a ways away from me. Darnnit. I am really disappointed that they didn't narrate the train ride. I have been wanting to take that myself, and it is ashame that someone does not let you know what you are seeing, where you are at, I mean at least the vacinity. Did you comment on that to them? Someone should.

What a precious daughter and grandson. Looks like you all are having a great time touring and visiting. Love the pictures you have shared.

I too loved Princess Di. She went through so much with Charles and through it all, held her head up high and smiled. She deserved so much better. I hope they don't ruin the boys. Thanks for sharing that portion. You always have such a nice history lesson.

Hope you have a wonderful 4th. I am so thrilled you are sharing your vacation. Country hugs sweetie and so much love, Sherry

Susan said...

Dear Sandie....Ohhhh, looks like you had SOOOO much fun. Is that your hubby in the last shot? Have a wonderful day. Susan

betty said...

GS doesn't look too worried about being held up and in the "bad man's" clutches!! You are right, it would have been nice if there was some narrative about what you were passing through. It wouldn't have had to be a constant naration but little here and there since I'm sure there was a lot of history and stories about the area.

I think this might have been the first picture I saw of your husband; nice looking man!!!

betty

Katie said...

Looks like the train ride was pretty fun!

Deb said...

Where's the dam hotdog?

ClassyChassy said...

I love the hold ups and re-enactments on tourist attractions! Looks like Andy does too - he sure is a great kid for picture taking drama! Hold on tight for more adventures!

Together We Save said...

This trip just looks amazing!! I am loving all these pictures!

Angela said...

Hey Sandie!

The train ride looks cool! I'm sure my kids would have loved it!

Hugs,
Angela

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie that looks like a lot of fun!! GS looks like he enjoyed it. I loved Princess Diana!

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Your daughter is beautiful and also the grandchildren. What an exciting trip!! And you are lovely enough to share it with all your friends on here. Bless you.
I loved Princess Diana, she was a real lady and held much hurt inside due to the Prince caring for another woman. Hugs

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I just love that you love life and fun things,
I love that you have close family and do things together, yes, I think your special.
I loved Diana too, and never ever get over all that happened to her.
Something about her- just drew people. I think of where she is burried on that island all by herself- what a lonely grave.
I wonder why I think that is so sad.
love
tweedles

Jane said...

Good moring Sandie - To follow, scroll to the bottom of the blog. I guess I need to move the followers section closer to the top. Have a great weekend,

Jane

Unknown said...

I wonder if that is a different train than the one I remember seeing? For I could swear that it was one from the 1800's running on a narrow-gauge track.

ocmist said...

Sounds interesting... A couple of hours on a train, though... maybe if I took some Bonine for motion sickness I could do it. I know it is something that Mike would LOVE! Looks like your hubby and GS loved it, and I'm sure the hold up was fun for him too!

My Kody LOVES trains, too!

Joyce said...

Too bad they did not tell you what was outside the windows as you rolled past the sites:-( Now Princess Di was a beauty in so many ways besides her appearance. I was in London after the funeral and they still had thousands of flowers by the palace gates and people were crying for days...me included.
Joyce

Jenny said...

I love train rides!!

It seems like this was quite an adventure!!!!