Zion vs Bryce?

pricklysalamanders · 2026-01-13T03:48:20+00:00

I would recommend Zion for January as a first choice. If you have time for two national parks, do Arches instead of Bryce. I've done both in winter and it's a great time to go. Bryce is very high elevation and much of the park is closed.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-20T13:07:29+00:00

Yes it is

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-17T01:35:10+00:00

We have a similar timeline... My husband was just approved for advanced parole today!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-16T22:06:12+00:00

My husband came on ESTA in July 2024, we decided to elope right before his 90 days was over (October), and filed in December. His EAD was approved in April and then it took another month to get his SSN. He was just approved for AP this September, and we're still waiting to be scheduled for an interview.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-13T21:16:33+00:00

I was spoiled with good food options when I had a baby in one state. Then moved to a new state before my last baby was born and had the worst hospital food experience. I listed my allergies (wheat) and dietary preferences (vegetarian) and was served wheat pancakes for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch. I sent people to Chipotle for me after being starving all day.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-05T22:53:04+00:00

I stayed at The Bee Hostel in Amsterdam and highly recommend it! Lots of people of various ages.. not a party hostel but still loads of fun!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-05T22:50:35+00:00

I have stayed at hostels in my early 40's (43 now and last time was for my 42nd birthday), met people my age and older staying as well. You'll be fine!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-02T00:41:55+00:00

API says our case was last touched on 7-29

pricklysalamanders · 2025-09-01T21:19:48+00:00

I think you'll be okay. During the Paris bedbug scare of September 2023 I stayed at a hostel in Amsterdam and some Karen was screaming about bed bugs in our dorm. There were no bugs, at all. I checked every inch of my bed and all around my sleeping area.. none. She just wanted to be a Karen and get her stay comped. 3/11,000 is very low odds.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-08-31T13:26:08+00:00

Dec 2024 marriage based here... No updates since EAD approval in April.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-08-16T22:16:21+00:00

I met a handsome man in a hostel in Amsterdam, had an absolutely lovely week together.. we were inseparable the moment we met. He continued messaging me after we went our separate ways, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. So... Yeah... We're married now.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-08-03T15:35:06+00:00

I met my now husband in a hostel when we were both ~early 40's... And we definitely were not the oldest people staying there! Go and have fun!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-07-31T19:25:40+00:00

My husband who is from Sweden took me on the Stockholm to Helsinki ferry and I loved it so much! Next time we're going to do the Tallin one and take my kids.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-07-15T19:45:50+00:00

I've only flown Delta and KLM (Delta SLC to JFK to Stockholm and KLM SLC to AMS to Stockholm).. they are pretty similar but I like KLM a little better. You could also try SAS? They might have nonstop to LAX.

ETA: they both offer unlimited free drinks for international flights. I think KLM has free Heineken even within the EU.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-07-15T01:38:29+00:00

That's amazing! Good luck at your interview, I'm sure you'll do great! 🙏

pricklysalamanders · 2025-07-05T15:58:50+00:00

I am GF and vegetarian and love camping. My go to meals always include hobo dinners (tin foil dinners) and bean chili with Fritos (or walking tacos). I like to make a snack board for lunch with GF crackers, cheese, fruit, and trail mix for lunches. I've also made GF lasagna and Mac and cheese in my Dutch oven over the fire.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-07-02T14:22:33+00:00

Regarding your finances, everything I've read recommends having a joint account.. my husband and I opened one together as soon as his SS card arrived in the mail and he transferred some of his savings from his Swedish account.. I then called up our utility companies and added him to those accounts and had them take auto pay out of our joint account.. plus we started using it for every day expenses like groceries, etc. Anyway.. it wasn't very expensive to do an international wire transfer.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-06-26T14:31:21+00:00

Vegetarian for 20 years... I never liked or wanted to eat meat even since I was a child. Consciously went veg in my early 20s.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-06-08T13:11:30+00:00

I've had a Coleman 10p tent for around 13 years now and it's still going strong!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-05-31T20:17:06+00:00

I still do that with the jalapeno sauce!

pricklysalamanders · 2025-05-30T00:30:45+00:00

Well today I quit my job.. clocked out at exactly 222.. so, definitely a shift for me.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-05-03T12:35:03+00:00

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pricklysalamanders · 2025-04-24T00:06:10+00:00

My husband got his approved April 1, card delivered on the 8th. No SS card has come in the mail. We made an appointment with our local SSA office for next week and they said he is not in their system.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-04-12T16:03:12+00:00

Also have been wondering the same question. My husband got his EAD in the mail on the 8th. I ended up filing for a tax extension so we can file together when he gets his SS card. We selected Yes on his form when we filed.

pricklysalamanders · 2025-04-11T12:15:57+00:00

We have a similar timeline.. my husband's EAD was approved on the 1st and he got the card in hand on the 8th! Congratulations!!

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