Saturday, July 14, 2012

Betty in the Wild

I'd like to go on record that I love my in-laws.  I really do.  There's just one little problem with them.   They live 900-ish miles from us - and nowhere near a major airport.  That means we usually take at least one week a year and drive to North/Central Wyoming.  I'd like a raise of hands for those of you who have been to Byron, Wyoming.  Anyone? Anyone?  I thought not.  That isn't to say that this small town doesn't have its charms...and I would probably be able to appreciate them more if it wasn't hotter than the surface of the sun a bit on the warm side for me. To help me cope with the fact that there is very little to do in town, I plan a vacation within a vacation.  This year two (!!!) of my sisters joined us for half of the week while we explored bits of Wyoming and South Dakota.  I took lots of Betty in the Wild pictures...here goes:

Betty goes through Wind River Canyon below Thermopolis, Wyoming.

Betty debates the merits of car travel vs. covered wagon (with special thanks to my niece Ana for posing with her brothers and aunt (Betty Marcy).

By the time we decided that taking a Betty in the Wild picture with a scary rattlesnake was a good idea, the snake had gone, leaving Betty Marcy to wonder: "Where did it go?" as she frantically searched her immediate area before beating a hasty retreat.

Betty at Independence Rock.  Alas, we could find no record of her etched anywhere (at least not anywhere we were willing to look - this was the place we encountered two (TWO!!) rattlesnakes).

Handcart Betty at Martin's Cove. The handcart pioneers could only take 17 pounds worth of personal gear (per adult).  I doubt if light reading would have made the cut. If only they had had access to electronic books - then they could have taken the whole library of Neels.
Since we weren't allowed to take things into Jewel Caves, Ana posed (with her brothers) in front of a display of vintage caving gear.


I had such a great idea for Mt. Rushmore...I would print up a picture of Betty Neels face, cut it out and tape it to a stick, then we could hold it up right next to the presidents. Unfortunately I didn't come up with this brilliant idea when I was at home and had the resources.  You'll just have to imagine how awesome that would have been.

Betty Marcy once again poses with a Betty book - this time at Devil's Tower National Monument.
Only one more day to go...then we're heading back to beautiful (and much much cooler) Washington.  And my very own bed.
Posted by at

24 comments:

  1. KeiraJuly 14, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    I can't wait for you to come home! I miss you so much! Exclamation point!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barb in MarylandJuly 14, 2012 at 7:12 AM

    Betty Barbara here-
    Thank you, Betty Debbie, for the pics and for bringing back fond memories of one of our cross country trips--Mt Rushmore is so impressive! And of course we had to go to Devil's Tower (but, alas, no alien space craft appeared). We also did Ft Laramie and the site that has ruts from the Oregon Trail wagon trains.
    Have a safe journey home.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 15, 2012 at 1:03 AM

    Thanks for sharing!

    Love Mt. Rushmore. The next Betty who travels there must do the Betty on a Stick! Devil's Tower is really impressive.

    Betty AnoninTX

    ReplyDelete
  4. BettyMaryJuly 15, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    And was the whole trip spent "Waiting for Deborah"?
    I know when I was do my BitW shots I had to sneak away to avoid
    the usual groans and complaints. Especially Betty Megan complaining of being embarrassed in public.

    I love the Betty on Rushmore idea, but wouldn't it be more appropriate on the Cliffs of Dover. Anyone going there?

    ReplyDelete
  5. DebbieJuly 15, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    No one has to wait for this 'Deborah' - I am usually the first one ready to go!

    My family is totally cool with holding a Betty book for me - in fact they volunteer (with the exception of my 17 year old son who hates having his picture taken - let alone holding a romance novel).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Betty AnonymousJuly 16, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Rattlesnakes!!! Pioneers, covered wagons, gorgeous children, and a Betty cover that goes really well with the great scenery! I have always loved to look at pictures of Mount Rushmore. Awesome. And you've actually been there. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
    Betty Anonymous

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 16, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Everyone needs to visit Mt. Rushmore! The lighting ceremony at night is very moving. We stayed in Keystone. There is quite a bit to do in the area. Wall Drug is close, too! I love Wall Drug.

    Some wonderful UK reader needs to do a Betty on a Stick, as opposed to Betty in the Wild, project.

    Betty AnoninTX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty LuluJuly 16, 2012 at 9:12 PM

      Betty AnoninTX, I loved my time in the vicinity of Mt. Rushmore! The Badlands, the drive through the tunnels, the needle rocks, Crazy Horse.... My family rented a cottage in the foothills. It was a good and inexpensive base whence we can start our daily jaunts.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 9:24 PM

      We went to the Badlands too. Very interesting. Did you go to the old homestead? We found that huge concrete prairiedog and posed with it. I'm a sucker for roadside attractions. I think that trip we went to Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave, the Badlands, Deadwood, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and then got bad news (with a happy ending) and cut the trip short.

      Betty AnoninTX

      Delete
  8. Betty LuluJuly 16, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Regarding a picture of Betty on a stick, I like that idea very much! I want to use it on my next vacation, but I don't want to break the law. Does anyone know if it would be copyright infringement if we post it without permission?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DebbieJuly 16, 2012 at 9:33 PM

      Betty Magdalen???

      Delete
    2. Betty van den BetsyJuly 17, 2012 at 8:47 PM

      She cannot hear you -- she is in her final fittings for the evening gown with which she will accept her Golden Heart award next week.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 9:41 PM

      I have seen the same Betty pics in multiple places. I googled Betty Neels and clicked images. It brought up the three pics I've seen of Betty, plus a million book covers. ha I love the one where she is wearing the blue print dress (Liberty?) and pearls. I would love to see a formal nursing photograph of Betty. I am not a copyright person at all, but I'm guessing it wouldn't break copyright laws because it would be a personal picture, not anything printed for profit. Maybe Betty Magdalen will let us know after she WINS!

      Betty AnoninTX

      Delete
    4. AnonymousJuly 18, 2012 at 8:35 AM

      Oh, okay, I gotcha. No, that's almost certainly not copyright infringement, particularly if you cut out Betty's head, attach it to a stick, etc., etc. I'd argue fair use but it could be a parody and maybe a derivative use. Doesn't matter: the copyright holder (Mills & Boon, so therefore Harlequin?) simply won't care. Don't disrespect Betty (as if any of you would!) and you're good.
      (The preceding is not legal advice. Please consult your own attorney before attempting any sticky photo calls.)

      P.S. The dress is sublime. Really. It's a Barbie dress in my size. I'm very lucky and happy. I still won't win...

      Delete
    5. Betty JoDeeJuly 18, 2012 at 9:23 AM

      Hey, your headshot on the RWA website looks great! (This is where I would put in a link had I not failed your Linking Class....)

      Delete
    6. Betty AnonymousJuly 18, 2012 at 10:20 AM

      Our Betty Magdalen. Gorgeous!

      Delete
    7. Betty DebbieJuly 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM

      Great picture!

      If only your fellow Bettys could vote for you - you'd be a shoe-in.

      Delete
    8. Betty LuluJuly 18, 2012 at 7:09 PM

      Thanks for the expert opinion, Betty Magdalen. Have fun at the awards ceremony. We want a cozy gossip when you get back!

      Delete
  9. Betty JoDeeJuly 17, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    EMERGENCY: I'm headed to Scotland and England (yeah!)--I have a couple of Scottish ones, but is there a Betty set in Yorkshire? I can't remember....help!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty van den BetsyJuly 17, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Winter of Change/Surgeon in Charge (1973) has Yorkshire and Cumberland.

      Never the Time and the Place (1985) has a honeymoon in York.

      Always and Forever (2001) has lots of Yorkshire.

      And don't forget Betty Magdalen's favorite: Betty's Cafe Tea Rooms. They have two locations in the city of York.

      Let me know if you want to wander over to the Lake District or Cumbria, and have a MARVELOUS trip!

      Delete
  10. Betty AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Betty JoDee, have a great trip!
    (I saw you, Betty van den Betsy, so luckily before posting I checked to see if you had been before me. You had.)
    In A Suitable Match the orphans’ bad grandparents live in Yorkshire. And the boys run away when staying with them for a few days...
    Yorkshire in A Suitable Match

    In Always And Forever Amabel goes to Yorkshire to stay with an aunt in Bolton Percy, a small village near York. And the hero goes after her not really knowing why...

    York in Never the Time and the Place

    And I hope there will be some Betty in the Wild pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Betty JoDeeJuly 17, 2012 at 10:39 PM

      Thanks a ton--We'll look for the Bettys Tea Rooms. Alas, I don't possess Winter of Change, but I've now tucked in Always and Forever and Never the Time and the Place. I'll try for some Betty in the Wild photos.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 18, 2012 at 8:36 AM

      Have a wonderful trip. My in-laws live just outside York. And of course I got married at Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.

      Delete
  11. opramumJuly 18, 2012 at 10:00 PM

    Lovely, lovely, picture, Betty Magdalen!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)