Across America by His grace

We awoke on Thursday, 11/6, knowing we had only two more "wake-ups" and one more "set-up" before our long & wonderful Trip Across America would end.  So this day, we were a bit sluggish in moving.  I think we are happy to still be out on the road, yet a little anxious to get home as cooler, rainy weather is threatening to move into Ohio this coming weekend.  We set our GPS (otherwise called "Lucy-Never-Lost") for Beckley, WV, plugged in our book on tape, and headed north.  Even Molly seems to sense our pace has changed, but she settled into her crate in the car and enjoyed the ride, as she has done every other day.

Autumn colors are still visible, but more muted now.  I initially got mixed up somehow (probably too much leaf-peeping!) and found us heading north on I-81 to Roanoke, VA.  Don't know how I did that, but it was just another reminder to me to "pay attention" while driving.   "Lucy" directs my driving most of the time, but I do have to remember to keep her audible voice button turned on....  We enjoyed our 20 mile detour and got back onto I-77 N toward Charleston.

We made our one stop at Tamarack in Beckley, WV as planned.  We had visited once before years ago.  It houses an outlet for some of West Virginia's best artisans that specialize in all those Appalachian treasures: musical instruments (dulcimers, etc.), jams/jellies, candles, woodwork items and sculptures, painted artwork of all types, and fabulous fabric art (quilts, etc.).  We just enjoyed viewing & absorbing the massive amounts of creativity that just makes you say "I wish I could do that".  So many God-given talents on display here.

After enjoying lunch in the parking lot, giving Molly time to stretch her legs, we headed north again.  This time we went through hilly Charleston and ended up in Milton, WV at our final campground.  We had ended our long Across America venture with just enough KOA Value Points to get a nearly-free night of camping.  So we cashed in our points and had an evening in the Foxfire KOA.  The ground was covered with beautiful, crunchy leaves, and Molly had a great time playing in them.  We took a long walk to just enjoy the camping environment one last time, then ended the night early so we could get an early jump on tomorrow's final day of driving.  My only disappointment was that we were just outside the range of free WiFi that was promised, so I could not conclude our journal then.  Small matters in the larger picture.

We folded up the Trail Manor and headed home on Friday, 11/7.  We took the scenic byway, up Route 33, and were very satisfied to see how that highway has been improved.  And what a view of the Ohio River most of the way.  Southern Ohio is just so beautiful !  To keep things really interesting, we got to see a camper towing an airplane....of all things!  It was a private plane, small, with its wings off and alongside the fuselage, but still quite a sight.

When we pulled into our neighborhood and caught sight of home, Marlene & I both felt a surge of gratitude.  Not only had we just had an experience of a lifetime, but we also have the pleasure of returning to our roots....family & friends that await us.  It was wonderful to greet neighbors right away with smiles and hugs.  We felt so loved, missed, and welcomed home.  Our "home-on-wheels" had served us well, and we are grateful for that.  However, it is always satisfying to come back home.

We thank God first for His grace & protection.  We have experienced places & people that will stay with us forever.  We have seen His hand on this great country of ours, knowing He has it all planned & in control.  We have witnessed His great Creative Hand in mountains, canyons, sunsets, and animals.  Nature will always speak of His glory.  It is unmistakable.  And we saw His wisdom in so many of our "chance encounters" with people and circumstances.  He was there with us, protecting & guiding, and we are so grateful to Him.  It is humbling, indeed, to know He cares about us & our adventures when we saw so many urgent & priority needs along our path.  But, He is so able and merciful.

We also thank all our friends who emailed & kept in touch.  There were so many, and we hope we replied appropriately.  We thank all who kept us in their prayers;  we relied on that support, and love you for it.  And we thank all of you ahead of time who will have to hear us ramble on about this magnificent journey we have taken.  We will try not to bore....  But it has been a dream come true, and we thank all of you for going along with us.

Who knows what He has in store for us next.  Stay tuned...........

Tuesday, 11/4 -- Election Day.  We wanted to be on the road today, and land in a campground with cable TV so we could watch election returns this evening.  So we traveled only 70 miles north & stopped in Max Meadows, VA at a lovely Good Sam campground.  Sites were simple and just what we needed, with BEAUTIFUL bathrooms/showers.  There are cattle in the pastures next door, and the cows moo several times a day as they wander for feedings.

We watched election returns, and witnessed history being made. We pray that God's will be done with & for this country as citizens hunger for "change".  Let's continue to pray that each of us will change according to His plans & will.

Our time in Max Meadows was relaxing.  We met two different women who travel alone in larger RV's.  We shared stories, and found one of them to be from Gahanna, OH.  Small world, isn't it?  (No coincidences....)  Then we met "Sammy", a little Shitzu that lives in the RV next door.  Sammy & Molly played & ran until they just couldn't run anymore.  Very nice way to end the day seeing them play together.

Last day and more to follow tomorrow as we travel into West Virginia & make a stop at Tamarack.

Sunday morning, 11/2, started with "falling back" to Daylight Savings Time.  This was an easy transition for us since we never turned our clocks forward from the Central Time Zone when we passed Knoxville, TN.  We were quite confused for about 4 days, but we're in "sync" now with the rest of the world.  After morning devotions, we broke camp and headed east once again on I-40.  This was the most beautiful scenery yet.  All the hills & valleys were loaded with soft but vivid colors: golds, reds, yellows and shades of green.  It is every bit as beautiful as Vermont, which we both love.  We passed through Asheville, NC, slowing to stop at The Cove, Billy Graham's Training Center.  Unfortunately, it was closed on Sunday, but we had a pleasant conversation with the gate guard.  We also drove through the little town of Montreat, where Ruth & Billy Graham have called home and raised their family for so many years.  It is where he resides now in the sunset years of his life.  We just enjoyed seeing the community that they call their own.  Population: 661.  Quaint - an understatement.

By 2:30, we rolled into our campground.  While in a vast pasture-land filled with huge, colorful trees, we were disappointed in this campground because of the poor state of the BR's.  You know us.... we require clean, well-lit, "bug-less" BR's, and that wasn't what we got here.  So, we stayed at our campsite, again grateful for those places we have already enjoyed.  Molly was content because of the huge fields of grass.  With no where to run off, I let her go off lead & started throwing her ball.  Boy, did she run.  She just wouldn't  quit.  Then a boy came out to play with her.  I always say, every little dog needs a little boy to play with.  Well, his sister, and older brother joined us, as well as their grandma......and Molly just ran herself silly.  She had the time of her life, and after so many hours in the car-crate while we have traveled the last few hundred miles, it was a real gift for her.  I got plenty of photos of everyone, and this turned out to be the best time in this campground.

Later in the evening, Marlene saw the biggest cockroach she has ever encountered in the shower house.  Yecccchhh !

On Monday morning, we made the 60 mile trip to Charlotte, NC to see Billy Graham's boyhood home and new Library.  This has turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.  This Library/museum chronicles the life of Billy Graham and how God has used his gifts to reach millions of people around the world for Christ.  It was very informative, but mostly inspiring to see how one life lived out in obedience to God's calling can influence the world.  What a treat for both of us to be here.  We recommend it to all who come to this area.  Admission is free, and your life will be touched.

On returning to our campground, we realized that our trip across this great country is quickly coming to an end.  We spent a little time reflecting on past miles, and planning for our return home.  Of course we will be happy to see family & friends.....and our own beds.... but we will miss visiting a new place every week, and meeting strangers that each had their own story.  Well, we are resigned that it is coming to a close for this year.  But who knows what the coming years will bring in opportunity to travel.

We are starting to realize that we are doing less sight-seeing now, and just more traveling across the states toward home.  We are camping for the love of God's nature & scenery.  Tennessee was the state that we finally got to see some Autumn color changes.

On Tues, 10/28, we closed up our campsite and headed for a truck stop nearby to check the air in all the tires.  We have had some really cold weather, and the tires all looked low.  We had to pay for that air, just like in Ohio, which was disappointing, but we got all six tires up to standard and continued east on I-40.  Gas here was $2.45/gal, so it is a bit higher east of Texas.

We planned a one-night stop at a Good Sam Park, the Countryside Resort, in the small town of Lebanon, TN.  This area is so beautiful.  The campground is a gem hidden from the highway.  They have 3 areas of pasture that are set up for golfers to practice tee-shots.  So unique!  Lots of dog owners here, too.  Very friendly folk.  Mostly full-timers out camping in their big rigs.  We are a bit unusual for being out this late in the season in a smaller camper.  It's too chilly for a campfire in the evening, so we mostly met folks as they walk their dogs.  Conversations are usually about destinations and past trips.  There is always something to be shared & learned.  Politics are not discussed much, or the election, except in the vein that our country needs change -- for the better.  On that, everyone agrees.

Wed morning, we got up @ 6 am to get an earlier start.  We have a late morning appointment in Lake City, TN at the Trail Manor factory to have a "tune up" on our camper.  We had been there once before to tour the factory, so it was easy to find.  Got there at noon.  They will go over my short list of "tweeks" needed and we can come back at 3pm.  Before leaving the factory, we got to tour the new Trail Manor travel trailer that does not fold (like ours).  It is lightweight - only 2600 lbs. dry - and roomy.  While nice, it just makes us appreciate our pop-up all the more.

In town, we got gas for $2.48/gal. (up even higher).  Then we had lunch and took a walk with Molly.  We picked up the camper, with all repairs complete, and headed east on I-40 once again.  It was another 70 miles before we pulled into our KOA in Newport, TN, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

We stayed here for four days purposefully to just relax & enjoy Autumn.  This was a perfect place to do just that.  It is scenic, with spacious campsites, lots of falling leaves, and it is not crowded.  We enjoyed lazy mornings,  good omelet breakfasts, and warm sunshine outside.  Molly got a good haircut here, and we did laundry.  The camp owners were helpful and warm.  She shared with me about her tragic car accident years ago leaving her with chronic pain, now relieved with an indwelling Morphine pump.  Such relief for her, finally.  Thank God.

We met Christian friends next door, the Fischers from Chapin, SC who hosted their grandchildren for a good session of pumpkin carving.  Great fun for all.  Their little dog, JoJo, got to romp with Molly, tho' he is blind, deaf, & 15 yrs old.  

We enjoyed cable TV and got to READ!  So very relaxing.  On our last day there, we met Maria & Cor, owners of a KOA in Wyoming that are now vacationing themselves.  Had a great time with them as they shared their two beautiful boxer dogs and their Chinese scooter.  They invited us to visit their campground sometime in Greybull, WY.  The Lord willing, we will do that someday.

All in all, Tennessee shared with us many treasures & wonderful memories.  We hope to return someday, especially to the "quiet side of the mountain", west of Gatlinburg.  But for now, with Marlene's back &  shoulders starting to fuss, we will just head homeward.  We leave Tennessee rested and appreciating God's magnificent Smoky Mountains.

Saturday, Oct.25th, started with two early morning loads of laundry, breakfast, and then filling our propane tank.  The gas tank had run out during a cold night, and I had to get up @ 4am to switch over to the spare tank.  Sam, the owner of our campground in OKC taught me a few valuable lessons re: propane, and I will always be grateful to him.

Next stop:  Morrilton, AR, about 295 miles due east on I-40.  This long ride allowed us to really get into a new book on tape.  When we arrived at our campground at 4:30 pm, we had an experience that made us appreciate just how blessed we have been until now.  We found the office closed.  We had made reservations, so we just went ahead and set up camp in a site of our choice.  Then we found, there was no electricity in the bathhouse and no WiFi as advertised.  We quickly decided to take our showers, even though it was already dark outside, using a lantern and a flashlight to just help us see our bars of soap.  THEN, Marlene discovered that her shower drain did not drain.  The water slowly rose!  Marlene hurried....probably the fastest shower she has ever taken, to avoid flooding the BR.  And all that in the dark.  Wasn't so funny at the time, but we can sure laugh about it now.  We thanked God there were no huge spiders or other critters that hitched a ride on us from the bathhouse back to the camper.  The next day, the campground owner was sympathetic, but not very.  Lots of Southern understanding, but no effective resolve to the problems.  We store it up as an experience that made us appreciate when things do go well.

Needless to say, we only stayed there overnight.  Time to move on to Marion, AR (about 180 miles further east on I-40, just outside of Memphis, TN).  Neither of us had ever been to Graceland, and being this close, we decided to take it in.  We stayed at the nicest KOA campground.  It had a huge dog park, equipped with agility equipment and a doghouse.  Warm & friendly office staff that just couldn't have made us feel more welcome.  And a unique feature:  a large, walk-it chess/checker board that could be used for those life-size "tournament games".  This campground sure made up for the last one, and we enjoyed it immensely.  Met lots of dog owners and "full-timers" here.

On Monday, 10/27, we left the KOA to go into Memphis, just across the Mississippi River.  First stop was at the historic Peabody Hotel downtown.  This hotel has been providing Southern Hospitality to travelers since 1925.  It is famous for the Peabody Duck March, which began in 1932 as a prank between some hunters.  Since then, the hotel has rolled out its red carpet twice a day to greet ducks that stay up on the roof.  Today's 4 wood ducks marched off the elevator precisely at 11:00 am, onto their red carpet, and into the fountain in the Grand Lobby where they will spend the day swimming.  They return to the roof daily at 5 pm.  It's a tradition that is city famous, and we enjoyed all 20 seconds of it!

We then went on to Graceland.  What can I say?  Neither of us was an Elvis fan before our tour, and we came away more knowledgeable, but just a little more saddened by a life so changed by fame & fortune.  The whole tour is very well organized;  they move large numbers of people smoothly.  We were allowed to take photos, which surprised me.  The mansion is just that.  Elvis decorated it as he lived.  His show costumes were elaborate, but we enjoyed hearing their history-making moments.  We were awed by all his recording awards and honors, and especially interested in the Private Presley exhibit that showcased his military service.  What a talent!  What a life!  What a waste when he died from his excesses.  Most moving was his burial site with grandmother, parents, and baby twin brother that died at birth.  (I didn't know he had a twin!  Can you just imagine having two Elvis Presleys walking this planet at the same time?)

Arkansas (& Memphis) was "good ole boy" territory, and we were struck by folks' politeness & social grace.  We experienced Southern Hospitality and enjoyed it.  We were glad to experience some of Arkansa's best and "not so good" sides.

On Wed, 10/22, we chose to drive north into Oklahoma via Fort Worth instead of Dallas.  We had heard some scary stories of the traffic patterns in Dallas, so we opted to travel a few extra miles over potential traffic problems.  The Interstate system is very dependable, but those Texas drivers are definitely uninhibited.  What a racetrack on I-35!  We were happy to pull into Ardmore, OK for gas and slow down a bit.  (Gas was $2.47/gal.)

Arriving in Oklahoma City (pop. 530,000), we found a nice campground on the west end of town.  We connected right away with Anne in the office who gave us a few suggestions about sites to see in the city.  With temps cooling, we opted for hot soup for supper in the camper and a long walk with Molly before bed.

Thursday, we toured the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum all afternoon.  It is a magnificent memorial to all things "Western".  It included Western artwork, ornamental saddles & spurs, rodeo legends & rodeo-event explanations, Indian art of all types, Hollywood western stars known to most of us, and the most wonderful sculptures of wild animals from the West.  We spent about 5 hours there and still could not absorb it all, but enjoyed it so much.  We would recommend it to anyone interested in the "real" West.

Friday morning, we headed out early to visit Shepplers Western Store.  Marlene just had to check out the boots and some Western shirts.  They sure have some pretty things, and we both tried on several.  Had loads of fun!

Then it was on to the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial & Museum.  It's interesting that Oklahomans have been deeply impacted by this tragic event, but they do not make it the focus of the city.  They have chosen to honor the victims & their families, but not over-emphasize the event.  Oklahoma City is not defined by this event, but the people are notable for their remarkable reaction to it.  The bombing site is sacred ground and has been preserved in a most remarkable memorial.  The lighted chairs (one designated for each bombing victim), the Reflecting Pool (which occupies the entire street in front of the bombed Alfred F. Murrah Federal Building), & the Survivors Tree (an American Elm that stood right in front of the Murrah Building & took a direct hit from the bomb blast, but was not damaged even slightly by the explosion!) are all beautiful & symbolic.  The actual grounds & memorial are open 24 hrs/day and are free admission to all who come.

Adjacent to the site is a museum that actually takes visitors through that day in 1995, minute by minute.  It is so moving.  Though the bombing was horrific by its very nature, the citizens of OKC decided to focus on the community's spirit that was united from "minute one".  They chronicle so many local acts of heroism.  The community provided for one another in simple & practical ways, but also pulled together prayerfully to provide spiritual support that knit a new fabric of unity among all of OKC.  This museum is special for how it keeps the focus on individual stories...each person...each life that was changed that day.  At the end of our visit there, we learned that there is a plan to add to the museum some follow-up stories of how the survivors are faring today.  We lingered at this Memorial just as long as we could, and it still was not enough time.  We highly recommend this Memorial to anyone coming through Oklahoma.

We finished our stay in OKC with a visit to WalMart & Sam's Club.  Surprisingly, we found gas to be $2.08/gal.  WOW!!!

On Monday, 10/20, we headed North to Corsicana, TX.  Why? you ask.  Because for many years, Marlene  & her husband would order Collin Street Bakery Deluxe Fruitcakes as holiday gifts.  Marlene LOVED them and wanted to see the factory.  This turned out to be not only an informative stop, but a very tasty visit.

Corsicana is a town of about 25,000 people - very warm & friendly folks.  It was here that we adopted the famous "y'all" word.  Marlene had no idea that that comes from Texas, and she immediately adopted it into her own vocabulary.  Went right well with her now-customized black Western hat.  (I think she is really loving Texas, y'all!)

The campground here wasn't anything to brag about, but what the heck, we were safe and dry.  Many construction laborers live here in trailers, and leave for work early in the morning in their LOUD diesel pickup trucks.  Of course, we were right at the entrance of the park, so we heard each and every one leave at 6 a.m.  God bless 'em!  So glad we have earplugs.... In this campground, we saw and met owners of the Casita Trailer which is made in Rice, TX.  Had a chance to look inside, tool.  It is only 17 feet long, and is cute, but a little too small for our taste.

Our stop here was highlighted by a tour of the original Collin Street Bakery, where they bake all their goods.  Two employees led us on a one-stop tour of the factory.  It is in high gear now for the Holidays.  Over 600 staff are there now to fill the orders and ship worldwide.  In off-season, there are only 100 working there.  Each baked item is handmade and hand-decorated.  There is tremendous quality control to insure that each shipped item is perfect.  Each and every fruitcake has to meet specific requirements for numbers of fruit on top and the amount of pecans.  They grow all their own cherries, pineapple, and pecans in Costa Rica to insure quality.  It is no small matter that each baked item has to be perfect.  For so many years, Collin Street Bakery has relied solely on their mail order business.  However, now they are opening retail stores around the Dallas area.  The first is here in Corsicana, which we visited.  We had samples of a few of their cookies and muffins.  People stop here for sandwiches on their way to airports in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.  It has quite the reputation.  New retail stores will open soon in Waco and Canton.  All in all, it is much more than just a fruitcake outlet, and we really enjoyed our stop here.

Down the street was a Russell Stover chocolate factory.  We stopped there, but no factory tours were offered.  Also nearby, was a Pecan retail outlet.  Pecans are very big in Texas.  Enjoyed seeing both spots.

Corsicana was a lovely small town.  We wound up visiting a florist there, and the women couldn't have been nicer.  Property is available at good prices, too, for any of  you who are interested in relocating.  Not us....too hot.

One of the highlights of our trip was a planned week-long visit with Emily Reese.  We had known her for several years in Ohio, but she moved to Texas early in 2008.  We had planned our visit here to see her & her two children many months ago.  We have had a wonderful time here with her.

To begin with, we were able to get out of the camper and spend all week in a lovely home in the suburbs.  We had the most wonderful accommodations, and Molly actually had running room again.  She had two little ones - Anthony & Nicole - to "pester" before they went off to school each day @ 6:45 a.m., and to play with when they got home @ 4:00.  The children & Molly got along great, and I think they learned a thing or two from each other.

And it was wonderful to see Emily again.  Marlene & she have such a special relationship.  They were able to share their hearts & their faith once again.  Emily sends her greetings to all who know her in Ohio.  She is right where the Lord wants her to be, in a church where she gets lots of Christian support in raising the children.  And she is in a community that is warm and friendly, where she will have the bilingual support she needs to teach her children to speak both fluent English & Spanish.  She still hopes to start school for herself in the coming year, and we all know she will do very well in her endeavors, as the Lord leads her.

We spent hours just visiting.  We walked around her home development more than once for some sunshine & exercise.  We went to their community park where we played basketball & tennis with the children.  They have a gorgeous outdoor pool also, but it was just a bit too cool to swim in the evening.  Anthony turns out to be a real NBA expert, especially on those San Antonio Spurs & Houston Rockets.  That little guy could be a sportscaster some day, he's so smart.

During our time in San Antonio, Marlene got a new haircut, we had the oil changed in the car, and Anthony & I made a trip to fill his basketball with air.  We also toured the Alamo & did the Riverwalk Tour in the famous sightseeing boats in downtown San Antonio.  It was all very interesting, but I will say that the Alamo was a big disappointment, not for its historical importance, but for its presentation.  We were so confused by the site itself, because there was no good explanation of it until we reached the end of the site.  THEN, a docent explained all the parts of the Alamo that no longer exist, and explained the battle itself and its importance.  It all made sense at the very end, but we regretted that it wasn't made clear from the beginning.

The Riverwalk, on the other hand, was spectacular.  Miles of downtown river developed, decorated, explored, and enjoyed....and all by boat with a really funny tour guide who made it quite the experience.  A very nice time, and we recommend it to anyone who is going to that area.  I have loads of photos of our entire San Antonio tour.  If anyone wants some of them, please email me, and I will be glad to oblige.

One of the other highlights of our visit with Emily was our getting to visit her church in north San Antonio.  It is Cornerstone Church.  We knew of it well and had seen their Pastor preach often on TBN, Christian television.  We enjoyed being there in person for Sunday services, and that included the evening Praise & Worship service.  It was magnificent and "on fire".  So many people of all ages were there, but especially young folks.  It was"alive & joy-filled".   Marlene also had the opportunity to go with Emily to an Intercessory Prayer group on Wed morning that was truly an inspiring time.  So much prayer went up for our country and its leaders.  The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit was there.  This connecting with Cornerstone will remain one of Marlene's favorite memories.

Evenings at home were plenty of fun, too.  Anthony had a science project that was due this week.  I got to help him collect bugs and mount them on cardboard so he could look them up and write a few sentences about each one.  Now, I have to tell you, Texas has some mighty big bugs.  We found a cockroach that was every bit of 2" long.  Thankfully, he was already dead.  But he looked real nice on Anthony's display!  This project enabled us to also visit the local library for a few good "bug books".  That trip made me appreciate the marvelous Columbus Metropolitan Library System that we all enjoy back in Ohio.  In Texas, most children use their school libraries, so the Public Library isn't so expansive.  (In fact, it's pretty limited.)  But Anthony found what he needed, and he turned in a pretty nice little project that week.  By the way, we all learned that you kill bugs pretty easily by putting them into a jar and into the freezer.  Mom didn't mind that too much!

One night, Marlene made us all a terrific crock-pot roast.  This thrilled Emily who didn't have to cook.  One evening we had a Cathy's Burritos Night, followed by brownies mailed to us by Alice.  Yummmmmmm!   Emily is a fabulous cook, and we ate really healthy food every night (except when Cathy cooked).  We also ate out twice: once at Luciano's Ristorante on the Riverwalk.  (Had great lasagna & pasta there.)  And we also ate at the Gristmill River Restaurant in Gruene, TX.   This is an old town that is being developed as an Antique Peddlers' Paradise.  It is nice, but has a ways to go yet.  Our dinner there was served outdoors, overlooking a river, and we enjoyed salmon & sandwiches there.  Very nice.

We spent so many quiet moments at home with Emily & the children, too.  They just opened their hearts and their home to us, so we could just walk on in.  It was warm and wonderful.  One evening, Anthony showed us on the back patio how he has mastered his push scooter, and how he can do tricks on it.  That evening, Emily's neighbor brought over a freshly baked apple pie for us to enjoy for dessert.  Such warmth extended to us strangers.  The next day, Emily & I hit the yard work, mowing the grass and trimming some bushes that were overgrown.  Emily looks forward to the Autumn in her new home to see what color the large trees on the property will turn.  She has a corner lot, so there are many trees and a beautiful landscape.  Simple, but beautiful.  One of the little jobs I took on for her was to replace all the indoor & outdoor light bulbs that were not working.  When we were all done, the place was lit up oh so nicely.  She is a terrific homeowner that likes to keep things in working order, so we were quite the team.

When Monday morning, 10/20, came, we had to reluctantly say our goodbyes to the children early in the morning before school.  It was sad, but we all have new memories to cherish until we can visit one another again.  We will stay in touch with Emily, too.  She will always be welcome in our home to stay if she were to return to Ohio to visit.

If anyone wants photos of Emily & the children, please e-mail me, and I will send them.  I still haven't learned how to put photos on the web with this journal.

Oh, I can't believe time can pass so quickly.  It has been about 2 1/2 weeks since our last entry in Kerrville, TX.  WOW !   Time sure flies.  I guess that happens when you are just having too much fun "and you don't want to go inside".   We've had a couple of telephone calls this week, however, expressing concern for our whereabouts.  So for anyone that was the least bit worried about us, I apologize.  We are back on track now.

Our final night in Kerrville was marked by an all-night steady rain.  When we got up in the morning, it was obvious that it was going to be a drippy send-off.  We had a little trouble closing the camper.  It just wouldn't fold up easy like it usually does.  We think it might have partly been the moisture.  Both Marlene & I stepping on that stirrup wouldn't fold Miss T-Manor down completely.  We finally asked our neighbor, Rick from Dallas, to lend us his weight and down the camper went.  Thank God for willing friends when you need them.  We truly enjoyed our stay in Kerrville, and would like to visit there again, but for now.....it's on to San Antonio.

As we headed further south into Texas, our next surprise was that gas prices dropped further to $2.75/gal.  Wow... we're starting to think we can actually stay within budget on this trip.  Marlene took a Dramamine because there are more twists and rolls now in this part of Texas.  ("Hill Country", they call it.)  Well, Marlene took a nice long nap just as Molly does whenever she gets in the car, and before you knew it, we had covered 227 miles and were pulling into Kerrville, TX.  We were about to have one of our most enjoyable experiences yet....

We stayed at the Take-It-Easy RV Resort.  This campground was much more than a campground.  It is a real COMMUNITY, unlike any we have stayed in.  We had wonderful big trees, lots of beautiful lots & grass, cable TV, and free WIFI....BUT we also had a retirement community of residents, some of whom have lived here for 40 years.  Harold, (they call him the Mayor), has been here 41 years, before it was ever any type of close community.  He told us of the original owner of this land and how he had a mobile home park at first.  Then, he couldn't afford the taxes, so he gave the land back to the city and it became all kinds of things.  Now, it is a combination mobile home park, RV park, and retirement village.  This is the oldest RV park in Texas.  They have an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, and huge recreation hall that is used for sewing, piano playing, ping pong, and so much more.  They have a laundry room & a free lending library for books and videos.  There are  weekly events including bingo, ice cream socials, a pancake brunch on the first Thursdays, and a hamburger brunch on the third Thursdays.  The Red Hat Society Ladies meet here and there is line dancing.  And don't forget the water aerobics and water volleyball 3 times a week.  This park is a real gem off the highway.

Marlene & I enjoyed every minute here.  We had so many walks, and so many conversations with such lovely folks.  Then today, as I sit typing, I am being serenaded on the piano by a fella who retired from Houston.  He just loves to come in occasionally to "tickle the ivories".  Makes me think of my mother's piano-playing days.  We have enjoyed time with Rick & Barbara, from the Dallas area, who are now full- timers.  This is their first park to camp in, and they think they'll just stay a while.  I have told Rick about our Oasis Park in Amarillo, and he thinks he'll try it "sometime".  I went for a swim last evening, and sat in the jacuzzi a long time.  Today, Marlene takes a turn.

Molly has made so many friends just by being outside the camper and waving to everyone.  What a hit she makes with everyone!  She loves them all. 

There is still  the evening to enjoy.  Let's see what is yet to experience in Kerrville.

It took about 5 hrs to drive from ABQ to Amarillo.  First thing we noticed in Texas was the number of Wind Farms that were popping up.  The closer we got to the Texas Panhandle, the more windmills.  The terrain is flatter than flat.  Not much to watch while traveling, so we were very glad to have one more book on tape to keep our minds busy.  Gas in Amarillo was a surprising $3.24/gal.  Prices seem to be moving in the right direction now.

As we pulled into the Oasis RV Resort to register, we got nailed by a thunderstorm & wind storm.  Was so bad we couldn't get out of the car initially to set up the camper.  Finally, after waiting about an hour, it let up, and we had just enough time (about 30 mins) to get the camper & all utilities set up.  Had to store our picnic chairs in the car because that storm raised its ugly head again and lasted 2 more days.  Solid rain & forceful winds.  Thankfully, we were in a campground that had only cement slabs, asphalt roads, and rock gardens between each site.  There was a large clubhouse on the grounds that was surrounded by thick, luscious grass!  In spite of the pouring rain, we had no mud to contend with, and Molly had a great place to play.  There was an outdoor spa that was fenced, and she ran & played there.  This was a great place to be holed up for 4 days.  In fact, it was unusual because the laundry service here was FREE.  Never saw that before!  We did seven loads.  The owner explained that they have their own well, so water is unlimited.  That's how they can irrigate their lawns, keeping them so thick.

The second day here, (Sunday 10/5) I got a pretty bad head cold so stayed in bed.  We had cable TV, so Marlene had time to get caught up on news & her reading.  After working so hard doing laundry on Monday, turns out she had a reaction to the soap that didn't rinse out all together.  She was awake all that night itching.  So, Tuesday she had to re-rinse all her clothes.  We took a ride into Amarillo that afternoon and found it to be a very progressive town.  We stopped at a AAA office to get some Tour Books for future states.  Then we ended our day watching the Presidential debate.  Pretty simple living, but still way outside our usual routine.

Our experiences in Amarillo were pretty much determined by the weather, but it did give us a chance to relax after ABQ.

By the time we left Amarillo on Wed, 10/8, gas had dropped to $3.14/gal.  I was getting only 13.2 mpg with a strong headwind in this flat state.  We saw more Wind Farms as we headed south and pulled into Big Spring  around 3:30 pm.  The Texas RV Park of Big Spring was a story in itself.  The new owners had bought it 18 mos ago and had made significant improvements already, but there was quite a ways to go.  We got a nice site right next to the BR's & showers (which had been recently remodeled).  Very little grass here for Molly, however.  On our walk that evening, we discovered a clubhouse and its ping-pong table.  Then I discovered just how good Marlene is at ping pong!  She creamed me in a 2-game set.  I never knew what hit me!  Turns out she had played as a teenager and developed some pretty good skills.  What a whiz., and did we ever have fun.  We ended the day with some homemade burritos, and closed our eyes on another simple Texas day.

Thursday, 10/9, began with free pancakes provided by the campground at their office.  Had a wonderful visit with Christine, a camp worker who comes from New York and just arrived 2 days ago to work here.  We have learned all about the Camp Workers, usually "full timers" who move to a campground and exchange their employment for the right to stay free at the campground.  She was so interesting as she explained how she sold her 14-room home in NY and sold everything in it in 4 weeks!  She was anxious to get on the road with her husband and experience a new life of RV'ing.  So many we have met share similar stories.

On into Big Spring, we stopped at the local Post Office & WalMart.  This city is fairly depressed in its economy since the local military base closed.  Then the oil refinery had a mid-night explosion, and it has been months getting it running again.  Jobs here have been held mostly by migrant workers who are building the Windmill Farms.  But this area will soon see them completed, and all the workers are moving on to Corpus Christi, TX to do the same thing.  Big Spring's future is uncertain.  Time will tell how it develops.

Friday, 10/9, we again enjoyed the pancake breakfast, said goodbye to our Big Spring friends, then closed up our Miss-T Manor.  By 11:00, we headed down the road to our next Texas adventure.

Today is Sunday, Oct. 12th.  Time has passed since last writing.  Internet access has been limited for various reasons.  I started out to write early this morning, and the WiFi access suddenly disappeared.  Odd.... but here I am, 3 hrs later, trying again.

To pick up on our last days in ABQ:   Friday, 10/3, was a fun day for Marlene & me.  Early in the morning, I went to get a haircut @ Great Clips.  Then we spent the majority of the day walking around "Old Town" in downtown ABQ.  We saw a huge increase in tourist activity with many large tour buses coming in for the Balloon Fiesta.  We didn't care.  We walked with Molly in the central Plaza.  She made so many people smile with her Bichon "wave".  We looked at some of the jewelry set out on blankets by the local Indians, and we peeked in on the Mexican restaurants that have been there for so many years:  La Hacienda and La Placita.  Much is the same as I remember it, but some things are different.  They no longer sell my favorite sopapillas (bread that looks like puffy pillows), and there is no longer the large tree growing up through the roof at La Hacienda.  People were just as friendly as ever, though, and we enjoyed looking at all the balloon items on sale.  Like one shopkeeper said:  "This is our Christmas - 10 days of tourist influx".  We had a great time on the Square listening to the Pan Pipes player and acoustic guitarist from Bolivia.  Great sound...so relaxing.  At the end of the afternoon, however, we had to say goodbye to this rich Hispanic & Indian culture center and head East again to our KOA campground.  Molly had gotten a good bit of exercise as did we.  It was time to relax for the evening and get to bed early, because tomorrow morning, it's up at 5:00am for the Balloon Fiesta.

Saturday, 10/4, was the first of 10 days of Hot Air Balloon events in ABQ.  The very popular "Mass Ascensions" occur on Sat & Sun of both weekends.  The launch field is on the far north side of town.  Lift off starts at 7am and lasts for about 2 hours.  We arrived at 6am at the Sandia Casino in northern ABQ to sit outdoors in the parking lot to watch this.  We were not disappointed, and got lots of good photos of so many balloons.  There were supposed to be some 80 specialty balloons - those with special shapes.  We saw Smokey the Bear, Darth Vader, a strawberry, 2 bumble bees, a huge castle, a fish,  a beer stein, an elephant,  a kite, and several others.  I don't think there were 80, but what we did see were beautiful.  All together, there were to be 600+ balloons.  The weather was good, and all went off without problems.  One thing did surprise me... the balloons drifted North from their launch points this year.  This was because of a bad-weather front that was coming into the Southwest.  Usually the balloons drift South over the city.  If any residents were waiting for them to drift overhead, they were disappointed.  But then, there are other Mass Ascensions to come.

The Balloon Fiesta involves games & competitions throughout the week.  One of the favorite events is the "Key Grab".  Balloons drift by a 35 foot pole that holds a set of keys to a new pickup truck.  First one to grab the keys off the top, while keeping his feet flat in the bottom of the balloon basket, gets to keep the truck.  No hanging out of the basket is allowed.  Each Sat & Sun evening, all the balloons do what they call the "Glow Burn".  The balloons inflate, but never leave the ground.  After sunset, all the pilots ignite their burners at the same time to light up their balloons.  It appears as hundreds of illuminated Christmas ornaments from a distance.  We did not get to see this, but it must be a spectacular sight.

Marlene & I had to pull out of our campsite by 11:00 am, so we were quick to get back to tear down the camper & leave.  The KOA was completely sold out as of Friday, and for the next 2 weeks.  So we had to get on down the road.

Our ABQ experience was quite a memory-maker, connecting with relatives and places from the past.  The cultures are so different from what we know in Columbus, OH, that we come away richer for having had these contacts.

It was easy to see the change in landscape as we went from Arizona to New Mexico.  Brown remained the dominant color and sagebrush the dominant vegetation.  But everything dried and became less vivid, less alive.  There just wasn't anything to catch your attention....that is, until we approached the Sandia and Manzano Mountains.  These most beautiful stretches of mountains form the eastern ridge of the Rio Grande Valley that contains all of Albuquerque plus a few smaller communities.  There is nothing like those mountains.  As a child, I can remember thinking "I can never get lost, because the mountains are always East."  It is still true today.

We stayed 5 nights at the beautiful KOA Central Campground which is at the base of the Sandias.  We were near the freeway, I-40, so the nights were fairly noisy with traffic, but our earplugs helped us with that.  This campground had nearly 200 RV sights, and had wonderful facilities that helped us enjoy our stay there.  We found here the BEST dog park we have come across yet.  It had lots of grass...Yea!  There was agility equipment and lots of little dogs for Molly to play with.  She got to know some of them on a regular basis: Flame (the little dachsund), Baby (a chihuahua), Snorkle (a LlasoApso/Schitzu mix), and Zelda (the golden retriever that slammed Molly to the ground twice).  Wow, what a mix of pals, but Molly enjoyed greeting each one.  All in all, it was a great campground.

We arrived in ABQ Mon afternoon, 9/29.  Gas price: $3.28/gal.

On Tuesday, we started with a trip to WalMart for supplies and a Balloon Fiesta T-shirt.  That afternoon, we drove to Santa Fe, about 60 miles north so I could visit the graves of my parents in the National Cemetary there.  We had only been there once before, so this visit was special.  Also buried there is my cousin, Harold Conway.  Marlene & I were glad to pay our respects and offer a prayer at both sites.  (And, yes, we did leave two sticks of gum for Mom & Dad under their headstone; Mom's tradition carried on.)  We were disappointed to hear that the cemetary will no longer utilize stand-up markers like those seen in Arlington National Cemetary.  They will use flat markers to ease the burden of mowing & maintenance.  Marlene says whe doesn't care much for the Spanich-style architecture of Santa Fe either.  That brown adobe, hacienda-style just doesn't appeal to her.  But we both were impressed with the new Railway transportation that is going in for commuters from Belen to ABQ to Santa Fe.  This is going to help those who travel this route regularly, especially government employees.  Gas savings will be obvious with one-way fares of $8.  It is scheduled to open in early December.

Wed morning, we drove around the city to see some memorable sites: the house I was raised in, the Catholic parish & elementary school I attended, the old neighborhoods & parks where we hung out as kids, the Univ of New Mexico, & the ABQ airport.  It was a real step back in time for me and refreshing to see how it is all being maintained so well.  That is true of ABQ in general.  Renovated, painted, cleaned, expanded.  The new look to the freeways, I-40 & I-25, is fabulous.  Estimates are for ABQ's population to reach 1 million by 2012.  (And I thought Columbus was too big!)

Wed evening, Marlene & I joined my cousin, Bob Conway, & his wife, Virginia, at their home.  We met up there with another cousin, Pat Barron, and a distant relative, Nelle Conway.  After getting over how much we had all changed, we headed out to dinner at a local restaurant, Quarters.  It was a pleasant 2 hours getting re-acqainted with everyone.  We were surprised when Christine, Bob & Virginia's daughter, joined us.  The highlight of Marlene's evening was riding in Pat's new Lexus 330.  "Rides like a marshmallow".

Got up real early on Thursday, so I could meet Bob & Virginia for breakfast at "El Mariachi's" while Marlene slept in.  We had a great time talking about education in NM.  Virginia has recently retired as a 30+ yrs teacher in elementary grades.  What a career & what an impact she has made on new teachers.  My hat is off to you, Virginia!  We ended our time together by visiting Bob's State Farm Insurance office on Juan Tabo Rd.  His daughter is his receptionist, and she loves animals.  So I took Molly inside to give her the ole Bichon "wave".  They enjoyed each other while I got the office tour.  Bob isn't ready to retire yet, but he is not growing the business anymore.  He's "plateaued", he says.  I sure enjoyed stepping into their lives for these past two days.

After a little R&R back at the campground, I met up with Pat Barron for the rest of the evening.  I joined her at her Park Avenue condominium in downtown ABQ.  She resides on the 15th floor and has a gorgeous view of the Country Club & West Mesa from her balcony.  She took me on an extensive tour of downtown ABQ, and sites like Presbyterian & St. Joseph's Hospitals, the new Pius X High School on the West Mesa (where U of ABQ used to be), and the famous Nine Mile Hill.  It was overwhelming to see the new developments in ABQ.  Progress & growth are everywhere.  Pat & I ended the evening with a nice dinner in her home where we spent hours telling stories and capturing moments in our lives to share.  What a treat to spend time with her.

We enjoyed our stay in Williams because the KOA campground was nestled in huge pine trees.  It had very nice BR's & showers, and had the nicest dog park.  (Molly had a huge area to roam freely. It had small patches of grass, and there were a couple of tennis balls in there for her to play "fetch".  Her "good times", however, earned her a bath in the camper.)  We met some nice folks from Dayton while there in the campground, and we noticed that many campers there hailed from Germany.  The only downside was the freeway noise from I-40.  We had to use earplugs again.

The greatest thrill for us, of course, was seeing the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Thurs, 9/25.  It was a 58 mile drive from Williams to the Visitor Center, but from there we drove along the Canyon rim in both directions to see various views of the Canyon & the Colorado River.  In so many overlooks, there was no fence or railing to keep people from falling over the edge.  We held our breath as some folks climbed the rocks over the edge.  (thankfully, no one actually fell over).  We took so many wonderful pictures.  It is all just so overwhelming to the senses!  In one place, we were able to see the white water rapids of the River a mile down.  Spectacular!!  We ended the afternoon by attending a Ranger Talk on the California Condor.  Ranger Jessica taught and entertained all of us for over an hour on these gigantic birds that nearly became extinct after 12,000 years in existence.  She really left us all with great information and a huge respect for these magnificent birds.  Oh, yes, there was one in the canyon at the time of our visit, but he was perched on a tree way down in the canyon during the talk.  Didn't get to see one in flight....Darn!

On Friday morning, after talking with Californian, Gary, back at the KOA, I learned that I should be packing my camper wheel bearings about every 5,000 miles.  Oh-oh.  The camper is 4 years old, and I have NEVER had that done.  So..... off we went to Flagstaff (with the camper in tow) to have that maintenance done.  We found a place that fit us in to the schedule, and by 4:00 pm, it was done.  We had freshly packed wheel bearings and a full tank of propane.  Plus, we had been able to get some supplies at WalMart & a Sam's Club while the camper was serviced.  Yea!!  We also mailed our requests for absentee ballots from Ohio, and returned one of our books on tape to the Columbus Library by mail.  We filled the car with gas @ $3.55/gal. and figured that we had gotten 25.2mpg with this tank of gas.  All in all, it turned out to be quite a busy day spent in Flagstaff, and we were glad to return to KOA so we could shower & then watch the first Presidential debate.  By the end of this day, we were both exhausted.

Saturday, we left Williams.  Our drive to Holbrook, AZ was uneventful.  It was pure desert terrain, and a dusty, dry campground awaited us.  That has been pretty much the story here in Arizona.  A wind storm covered the car & camper with dirt and blew our patio chairs away.  (We did retrieve them.)  We stayed inside and just enjoyed cable TV while the storm blew by, then we went to a local community college, which is the only place we found that had some grass for Molly to play in.  She LOVED it.  She ran until she couldn't run anymore.  What a delight to watch her!  We celebrated with a Dairy Queen cone and called it a night.  Not many campers here to visit with, but there were plenty of Harley Davidson bikes and ATV's filling the quiet night hours with their rumble.

Sunday was a day of rest.  We caught up on some laundry and telephone visits.  My brother had a birthday today, so he got a call.  Marlene spent several hours planning our next set of campgrounds after we leave New Mexico this coming week.  It was a tiring afternoon for her, with a lot of thought put into our route, etc.  We paid another visit to the grassy-school so Molly could romp, and then we bought burgers for dinner.  Gas here was the cheapest yet:  $3.37/gal so we filled up.

All in all, we are ready to leave the dust & grime of Arizona and move on.  We take some colorful memories with us, but it's time to head East again.  We have traveled about 5800 miles so far, and have gone as far West as our trip allows.  We are heading home now, though it will be slowly.  Next stop, my home town, Albuquerque.

Words will fail me now as I describe our last week.  We had such a daily input of God's rich colors and earthly wonders.  There is just no way to express it adequately.  But, I'll try.

On Thursday, 9/18, we drove uneventfully from Grand Junction, CO into Richfield, UT.  The landscape around us took on a rich, red color.  Our KOA campground was beautiful, in spite of the fact there is little to no grass in the West.  It was packed with ATV's, in town for their annual gathering to roam surrounding hills together.  This turned out to be a HUGE event.  ATV's were everywhere.  This sport attracts all ages, but we were most surprised to see the grey-haired owners who eagerly anticipate this event every year.  They usually ride about 80-90 miles each day.  How they transport their ATV's is a story all itself; such creative ways to move these big toys!  We got such a kick out of talking to a few of these folks and sharing their interest.

Our 2-night stay in Richfield was pretty simple.  We had the car tires balanced & rotated.  We walked around in town, including a nice park where we met a home-schooling mom that shared with us some of the issues of a small, but growing town.  Paid $3.91/gal for gas.  Fixed terrific burritos on our electric cooker (thanks to you, Alice!)  Then ended the night with a wonderful PBS series on President Truman that Marlene had brought from home.

While it rained a bit here in the late afternoons, the cloudbursts were usually short and sweet.  One evening, we had the most exquisite double rainbow.  It was like a Divine "kiss" on the end of our visit here.

Saturday, 9/20, we traveled 75 miles south to Panguitch, UT.  Now here was a campground that was "basic".  It was like a huge gravel parking lot with a few trees on it.  We had utility hookups, but it was not at all what we were expecting.  Pretty dusty, dirty, crowded campsites.  Showers were out of order.  (Just shows you that when you camp, you sign up for a place, sight unseen.  It's always a surprise!)  We managed, however.  This little town of 1473 people is located between some of the rich, scenic National Forests & Parks, so it is an easy stopover for many tourists.  We spent our arrival afternoon, after setting up camp, driving through Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Ponderosa pine trees are everywhere.

On Sunday, we drove about 30 miles east to view Bryce Canyon.  This scenic tour involves many overlooks that you can stop and take photos.  It wasn't crowded.  Marlene's favorite place was Inspiration Point.  My favorite was all of it, start to finish.  We just couldn't get enough of the colorful views and unique "hoodoos", those stand-alone towers that are carved by years of wind & erosion.  There was also the red rock arch known as the Natural Bridge, which started out as a hollow, then opened into a window.  The most unusual site we saw was the controlled fire burn we came across.  It was an actual forest fire (with flames) among the pine trees that was started in spots to control growth.  Signs warned us of it.  The smoky smell was intense.  Bryce Canyon is a must see for anyone traveling in this area!

Monday, we moved on to Kanab, UT.  This quaint town of 3750 people was just what we needed for two days. The Good Sam campground, Kanab RV Corral was magnificent.  It hosted a grassy dog park for Molly (and other dogs), and all the sites were lined with lava rock & pea gravel that gave it a neat appearance.  The showers & BR's here were impeccable, and allowed us to  freshen up with shampoos and doo's.  We met Neal & Susie, from Phoenix, who had one of those Rialta's that our Reynoldsburg neighbors have admired.  We were able to get some photos and send them on to Ron & June.  I found  a ladies diamond watch in the shower one night, and hoped that the owner would inquire the next morning at the office.  I know how I feel when I leave something behind, and I know the owner would be glad it was found.

Our first outing here was to Zion National Park on Monday afternoon .  More scenic, breathtaking beauty, but this time it was an area that you actually drove through.  What a ride!  It included a 1.1 mile long tunnel carved through a mountain, with windows to let sunshine in.  It was so dark and curvy.  We held our breath at some points.  There were other parts of Zion, where the hills looked like great mounds of mashed potatoes.  They were white, pink, and coral.  Some looked as if there were swirls in them, like whipped cream.  Some had ripples like water.  God never runs out of ideas in how things will evolve and change.

On Tuesday, our big adventure was to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We bought gas for $3.65/gal and headed South.  Each time we entered a National Park, the entrance fee for a car was $25.  (But Marlene had purchased a Golden Age Passport Pass in 2005 which allowed us free entrance at each park.  She has saved us $150 in entrance fees for this trip!)  As we drove the 80+ miles, the landscape turned into huge grassy meadows, lined with white-bark birch & aspen trees.  What a site!  Of course the Ponderosa Pines loomed largely behind them, giving a dark green backdrop to the emerging yellow leaves of Autumn.  Didn't see any elk, but this area is full of them.

Grand Canyon on the North side views the South side of the Canyon, 10 miles away, and this is NOT the most scenic view.  There was a terrific display of the Grand Canyon at the Visitor Center that showed its entire 277 mile length.  The Colorado River has etched this magnificent place over the years, and now it lies in hidden gorges below.  The River can only be seen at a few overlooks as it lies one mile below the rim.  We enjoyed our time with Park Ranger, Jamie, who hails from Kentucky.  We met her at Angel's Window, and the Observation Rim there, where she told us all about the seasons, the wildlife, and her own journey to get to work here.  She actually has a Master's Degree in Education, and found she gets to use her love of the outdoors and her skills as a teacher here at Grand Canyon.  Her tales of lightning strikes had us captured.  "When the hair on your arms stand up, it's time to run and take cover, because the lightening is coming for sure."  She had such an easy way about her, and she had such a respect for this place and its beauty.  It sure left an impression on us.

On the way back to Kanab, I was pulled over by a city policeman for going 46 in a 35 mph zone.  Turns out he was from Cambridge,Ohio.   After checking my driving record, he gave me a warning instead of a ticket.  It was a good reminder for me to slow down, "especially in the small towns", he said.  Tourists are "revenue-makers".

Wednesday, we moved on to Williams, AZ, about  235 miles south.  This drive was through mostly Indian Reservations and magnificent landscapes.  We circumvented Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Recreation Area.  What a place for outdoor enthusiasts.  Boats galore surrounded the Dam & reservoir.  Then we went by Echo Cliffs, rocky red mountains sliced off to expose brilliant cliffs.  We realize that so many old cowboy movies have been made in southern Utah (Kane County) and northern Arizona.  We will probably recognize these areas when we next watch those films.

We passed through Flagstaff briefly on our way to the KOA campground here in Williams.  What a HUGE campground (135 RV sites, 65 tent sites, and 18 Kabins.)  It is shaped like a large wheel, and the facilities (pool, laundry, showers, game room, general store, etc) are all in the hub of the wheel.  Most unusual, and very nice.  It has a dog park that is larger than any we have seen.  It's brand new (3-weeks) and next year they plan to plant grass in it.  We going to enjoy our time here, to be sure.

On leaving Ridgway Monday, 9/15, Marlene & I headed north to Grand Junction.  We had a reservation at the KOA campground there.  What a surprise when we found such a wonderful plase to rest for a while.  We had a grassy spot for Molly, large, shady trees for sitting outdoors, and very modern showers & laundry that we would use frequently.  This was the first campground we had visited that had an ironing board and iron!  We were ready to stay for a few days and reflect on all the family encounters we had experienced recently.
 
Our first neighbor had two huge Samoyeds (big white hairy dogs).  They each weighed about 50 lbs.  That's a lot of dog in a motor home.  But they were very well behaved, and Molly enjoyed watching them out her window.  We eventually met lots of nice folks & nice dogs at this KOA.  One of our favorites were Alan & Linda from Montrose, CO.  Their big rig was also next to us, and their little Bichon, Spencer, had an "eye" for our Molly.  We let them sniff and play a few times, to everyone's delight.

Weather here was hot --- 90+ degrees.  I used that opportunity to set up a little table on Tuesday and gave Molly a full grooming outdoors.  She attracted a few curious visitors, and a few others asking if I would clip their dogs.  Needless to say, Molly was the only haircut given by me that day.  To celebrate a bit, Marlene also went into Grand Junction & had a haircut at Great Clips.  She got a "new look" that is easy to care for.  We bought gas for $3.79/gal, and stopped by WalMart & Sam's Club for a few groceries.  In the afternoon, Marlene did laundry, and I got to iron on something other than a pillow in the camper.   Whoopee!

Later in the evening, while having dinner outside, we were approached by a lady asking if we could possibly help them.  Seems they were having trouble with te fuel filter on their motor home, and they needed a ride to NAPA to get the new part before 8 p.m.  Well, you know us... we saw that as just another divine encounter that enabled us to serve.  While Marlene stayed at the camper visiting with Bob, this lady's son, I took Bob's wife and mother to NAPA using his GPS system.  What a riot.  None of us knew where we were going, but we were determined to get there.  And, we did.  We had that part in no time, and back at the campground, Bob had it installed in less than 15 mins.  Boy, were they happy.  Bob is a former mechanic and Viet Nam veteran.  There's really not much he cannot do on that RV.  We all swapped past camping stories, and I walked back to our camper with some Gratitude Banana Bread.  It was a wonderful encounter for all of us.

For some unknown reason, the next day, Marlene was extremely nauseated all day.  Didn't feel well at all.  (No, she hadn't had any of that banana bread.)  We took the day slowly.  We exchanged some winter & summer clothes from our storage suitcase, and  worked on some future campground reservations using the free WiFi.  At one point, I set Marlene's cervical traction up in the KOA restroom, so she could stretch her spine, thinking that might be the cause of her queasy feeling.  But nothing really helped.  She went to bed early and was snoring within 10 minutes.  I stayed up for a good movie ("Ladder 49") and then called it a day.

All in all, our time in Grand Junction was relaxing & refreshing.  It reminded me of what I love about the camping lifestyle.  Tomorrow, it is on to Utah and some beautiful scenery that neither of us have ever seen.

It was up & away on Saturday, 9/13, as we left Cherry Creek State Park.  We had such a good time there, but good weather has rolled in, and it's time to head into the Rockies.  We headed north on I-225 until we got to I-70.  Since it was Saturday, we figured it didn't matter if we drove through the center of Denver.  There was still plenty of traffic, however; can't imagine what it is like on a weekday!

This drive on I-70 west is definitely not for "sissies".  Altitudes varied from 5,500 to 12,000 feet.  Our ears popped, and sometimes we held our breath as the speed limit is still 75 mph.  We cracked up when we saw warning signs to "slow down to 70" for some of the curves.  Thank heavens there is always a slow lane, which we used most of the time.  We did pretty well going uphill, but had to slow to 45 mph at times.  The good news is that, with Marlene's coaching, I learned very well how to use the transmission for braking on the down-slopes.  Mileage improves considerably when not using that accelerator.  We got 25/mpg in this terrain, and that is towing the trailer.  Wow!  Sure beats that 11/mpg we had back in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  We enjoyed the Eisenhower Tunnel, which is about a mile & 1/2 right through the mountain.  And then there was Vail Pass, another tunnel and beautiful surroundings.  Yes, there was snow on the ground, but it was on the melt since temps were in the mid-60's.  We stopped for gas in Vail just to say we had been there.  If you are a skier, you would love it here.

At Grand Junction, it was obvious that we were on the western slopes of the Rockies, with much flatter terrain and fewer thrills.  We turned south toward Montrose where we called good friends of my sister, Alice.  We made plans to meet them in Ridgway.  At 4:30, we pulled into the little city park there and found them waiting for us & waving us down.  Jeanette & David invited us to stay on their property in the mountains for a couple of days, but my Toyota wasn't able to tow the camper up some of the mountain roads.  So, they brought their truck and towed it up for us.  This was the first time I was able to watch my camper from behind and see what it looks like.  Pretty neat.  It tows easily and makes turns smoothly.  I'm so glad we have it.  We were able to set it up in their driveway and get water & electricity for our "primitive camping experience in the Colorado high country".

Well, David & Jeanette turned out to be the most wonderful hosts.  They have been building & refining their new house in the mountains for a few years now.  To say the least, it is a custom design all their own, and they participate in much of the work themselves.  There is an entire room dedicated to Jeanette's daughter, killed tragically in a car accident.  Her memory is kept alive by the many lady bugs & toads (which she loved) incorporated into the decor.  From the hand-crafted concrete slabs for all the counter tops, to the climbing wall which borders both sides of the stairwell to the bedrooms upstairs, this home is "one of a kind".  Jeanette & David enjoy the outdoors more than most since they have climbed more than a dozen of the 14,000 ft. peaks in Colorado.  That is not an easy feat.  Their home is without TV, but has WiFi access and a wonderful outdoor patio with a brick bar-b-que area.  They are currently landscaping the backyard themselves so they can sit on their string chairs that hang from the ceiling and enjoy the wildlife that wander across their 10 acres.  In fact, we saw a mama deer with her baby stroll by one morning, just long enough to get a drink from the birdbath.  We found it interesting that all their bird feeders have had to be removed because the bears gather to eat the birdseed and create a "bit of a risk".  David has been working on their indoor fireplace, creating a mosaic of colored tiles that represents some of their favorite things, like a New Mexico zia symbol, flowers, a ladybug, stars, and a smiling sun face.  It is very time consuming work, since David cuts each piece of tile, but when finished, it will be a real conversation piece.  They are both so gifted in so many areas.  They introduced us to refreshing Smoothies and a new way to modify oatmeal.  David made a couple of "mean" pizzas & also grilled pork chops for some delicious dinners.  By far, this is the BEST campground we ever stayed in !

On Sunday, 9/14, we all went for a ride in their 4x4 truck into Ouray and up into the Sneffles Mountain range to view Box Canyon.  This covered a 17 mile run that David had done last week, and he wanted us to see the terrain.  I think it included 1,000 feet vertical climb.  He finished the race and was proud of his time.  Marlene & I marveled at running any distance in this area.  It is rugged, and you have to be very fit to endure the run.  We received the best tour around those mountains including old mining camps, tunnels, and seasonal ice climbing walls.  The views were just breathtaking.  The road on the other hand was gravel, bumpy, and very rough.  We learned that vehicles going "up" have the right of way, so the down-slope cars have to pull over & wait.  By the end of our 2 hr. tour, we we hungry, so we stopped in a burger bar in Ouray for a midday meal.  Then, what better way to end the day than 90 mins in the Hot Springs pool in Ouray.  We all enjoyed the 3 different pools there that have graduating temperatures.  The HOT pool was my favorite (104-106 degrees), but Marlene was satisfied with the middle-temp pool.  We enjoyed watching the infants that parents brought and floated in the warm waters.  Those tiny ones were very content there.  They only cried when taken out of the water.

On returning home to Ridgway, we paid a visit to meet Barry, who has been largely responsible for construction of Jeanette & David's home.  He lives on their property and is currently building & occupying the "Caretaker House".  It is a single-BR home that is also very unique.  He is an excellent carpenter and has incorporated much wood into the house, including a beautiful pine log bannister to the upstairs "turrett".  The windows provide exquisite views of the mountains, and the entire home is tucked neatly away in the Pinon Tree forest that makes up most of the property.  (Alice, if this is "your home", we are coming to visit often!)

We ended our Sunday with a call from my neighbor, Ron, telling us of the hurricane force winds that hit Ohio this afternoon.  We lost much of a pear tree in our backyard in Reynoldsburg, but thankfully that was all.  We thank God for such great neighbors that are watching over our place in our absence.  (Thank you, Ron & Ed, for cutting down and disposing of downed branches.  You are wonderful !!)

Before we left on Monday morning, Molly got a good bath and we did a load of laundry.  Jeanette had agreed to tow the camper down the hill while we did some window shopping back in Ouray.  We met up again about 2 p.m. at her office in Ridgway.  Got the grand tour of their office and met the office manager, Cliff.  What a delightful way to end our visit in with Jeanette & David.  This has been truly a highlight of our trip so far, meeting & making memories with new friends (and, oh yeah, delivering the chair from Alice to Jeanette.  Mission accomplished !)

We need time to absorb all the new sights & memories.  On to Grand Junction for a couple of days of "not much".

As we left Cheyenne on Tuesday, 9/9, Marlene & I decided to get the camper & car weighed at the Flying J Truck Stop just at the entry to I-25.  I had been wondering just how close I was to my Toyota Highlander's tow limit of 3500 lbs.  So, another "first time experience" for us.  Turns out it was a good report.  The camper, fully loaded, weighs 3260 lb.  I was so relieved to find that I have some weight margin.

So on to the Denver area via I-25 south.  Was only 100 miles to our destination, and the speed limit is 75 here (though I do not tow over 65 mph).  It didn't take long to remember why we were glad to get out of the "big city".  Denver traffic is awful.  It took us 3 hours to make that 100 mile trip.  When we finally found the Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, CO, we were so glad to get off the highways.  WOW...what a racetrack.

Our campground experience was fabulous.  This park is hundreds of acres of reserved grasslands, with a marina, swimming beach, and lots of places to fish or picnic.  Each campsite is flat, on a cement slab, with full hookup utilities.  Very nice.  Another welcome fact is that it is less than 10 minutes from here to my Uncle Hal's home.  Hal has unfortunately broken his hip, and is in a Rehab facility, also within 10 minutes of the park.  Each day here, I spent time with my uncle, and Marlene had a day alone to catch up on phone calls and reading.  It was a real treat for each of us.  Oh, and let's not forget Miss Molly who had Marlene all to herself for 2 days.

It has been 18 years since I last saw Uncle Hal.  At 87, he still has a youthful attitude, but endures multiple medical problems, including diabetes & blindness in one eye.  Nothing wrong with his "thinker", though, and we had wonderful times of reminiscing and generally sharing family stories.  I'll never remember all the updates on his 16 grandchildren, or any of the great grandchildren.  My cousins, his kids, are scattered all over the states, and I  have only maintained contact with 2 of them.  But in the end, we sure enjoyed getting "caught up".  I only can hope that I have as sharp a mind as he does when I am that age.  Of course, it's tough to be confined to this facility for now, but in another  4-5 weeks, he will be able to put some initial weight on his (R) leg, and then can speed up his mobility.  He had a really unusual fracture, and it is taking a delicate approach in resuming function.  But he assures me he's a patient man, and "won't cheat".

All day Tuesday, I had the joy of spending time with Hal's close friend, Genie Bloomquist.  They have been long-time friends, and it was nice for me to get to spend time with her alone.  She had been a long time resident in Castle Rock, CO, so we went down there to roam her old stomping grounds until her weekly hair & nail appointment.  I got to see her former ranch, where she & her husband raised horses.  He was a prominent neurologist in Castle Rock, and both of them gave years of their lives investing in the community and its residents.  I got to see her daughter, Linda's ranch, which is currently up for sale, in case any of you are interested.  Gorgeous home with 20 acres of land that includes barns, horse training corrals, and some farming equipment.  It provides the most beautiful view of the mountain valley below, and even includes the MANY hummingbirds that flew everywhere around us.  If I had an extra $750,000, I'd buy it myself!  Genie & I had a marvelous time together, and ended our day with a Mexican dinner that took me right back to my New Mexican roots.  Dee-licious!

During the time I was with Uncle Hal, I also got to visit with his son, Steve, who also lives here.  We had a ball getting caught up at "Old Chicago", where we enjoyed some excellent Italian food.  He's one of those computer-whiz guys that works on Defense Dept projects.  Seems we will have some new technology weather satellites soon, thanks to Steve (and a few thousand others).  After our dinner, Marlene & I stopped by to see Steve's wife, Colleen, who works the evening shift at Rite Aid Pharmacy.  what a treat for me to see both of them and get some photos.  Aren't reunions wonderful?

Well, after such a wonderful time in Aurora for 3 days, Marlene & I planned to pull out on Friday morning.  But the early news and weather reports told us we were about to change our plans.  I-70 going west is so snowed in up in "high country", that they are mandating chains.  Don't have to convince me to stay here another day.  We did, however, have to move to another campsite....in the pouring rain.  And we did it in about an hour, got all set up, and then the rain stopped.  Boy, did we laugh at ourselves.  We looked like two drowned rats!  We  dried off, warmed up, then had a free day here to enjoy this beautiful park and do a little planning for our future campgrounds.   When the sun finally came out, it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.  So, we'll try again tomorrow to head west.  Forecast is for temps in the 70's everywhere.  So as we say, stay tuned.

Sept. 6-8th (Sat/Sun/Mon) turned out to be more than a change for the better.  We started our drive toward Cheyenne and began a new book on tape, "Amethyst Heart".  It captured us right away.  The day was partly cloudy making for comfortable squint-free driving.  The Wyoming terrain offered wide plains filled with desert grasses and sage brushes.  Miles and miles of sandy plateaus decorated in various shades of desert colors stretched before us in every direction.

It was a relatively short drive of 222 miles, and we arrived at AB Campground around 2:15 p.m.  What a super place!  It has large trees, more grass than we'd seen for a while,  flat sites with a cement pad near each site.  No mud!   There is cable TV, free WiFi, and a laundry area that you could just sit & relax in.  This is run by a Christian family that also operates a full Bar-B-Q diner on site with dinner served every evening from 4:30-8:30.  What nice people.  Couldn't have been more helpful.  Their two dogs met Molly at the door and made her feel welcome.  We really liked this place.

Right off the bat, we switched our summer clothes for winter ones because we are now having a "cold snap" with temps in the 30's at night and in the 50's during the day.

The hallmark of our Cheyenne visit was Marlene seeing her nephew, Glenn Spangler, and his family.  Glenn works as an inspector for industrial air quality control for the State of Wyoming.  He & his wife, Cindy, have lived here since 1995.  They now have 3 children, Kari (12), Jarrod (9), and Danielle (2).  They haven't seen Marlene since 1990, and it was a real treat for Marlene to be called "Aunt" for a few days.  There were hours spent around the dining room table sharing memories, looking at beautiful scrapbooks created by Cindy, and generally getting caught up on each others' lives.

Additionally, we were able to go to church with Glenn on Sunday morning at his Calvary Chapel Church.  We felt right at home as it is contemporary, with casual dress and a worship-style that we were familiar with.  It was good to worship with "family" again.

Sunday afternoon, we all went to the annual Rib Fest downtown on the Square.  Was a delicious meal that we all enjoyed.  Back at the house, Marlene was surprised by a call from Glenn's parents, living in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She enjoyed a long phone call with them, getting updated after many years.  Marlene had quite a family weekend, to say the least.

Monday, we used the school day to do some errands:  get the oil changed in the car, take mail to the Post Office, and once again visit WalMart.  We rejoined the Spanglers for dinner, but only after Cathy was able to take a bicycle ride with Kari and Danielle.  That was fun!  We rode to the nicest park near their home.

Our final evening together was so enjoyable.  We took Molly who by now had warmed up to Danielle.  We took lots of photos and shared our dreams for the future.  Marlene has renewed a precious relationship, and I have made new friends.  We hope to see the Spanglers again in the future.  But for now, they have given us special Cheyenne memories that we will always cherish.

September 4th & 5th (Thurs & Fri) were spent in Casper, WY.  From the time we arrived at the Casper East RV Park, we had nothing but unfavorable experiences.  It was raining.  The campground was hard to find, and it was poorly laid out in rocks and sand.  The staff was less than helpful, and there was really nowhere to let Molly walk.  Bunnies were everywhere, and of course that means lots of bunny beads, Molly delicacies. Yuk!  Marlene & I were both a little rough around the edges ourselves as we did laundry as soon as we got there.  We just bumped into each other at every twist and turn.  (I post this to let you all know that things don't always run smoothly, so we are ever grateful when they do.)  After laundry was done and a late supper consumed, we settled down and listened to John McCain's speech at the Republican National Convention.  What a race is about to ensue in our country!  The differences are clear.  God help us.

On our second day here, we spent the day inside as it continued to rain.  We planned our route & next few stops for our trip, including our Albuquerque visit.  Later on we went to fill the gas tank @ $3.69/gal (getting 16.7 mpg) and then to WalMart for a few supplies.  There really isn't much about Casper that we liked;  maybe it was just us & out rainy mood.  We treated ourselves with a Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner which gave us the opportunity to use our little gas oven for the first time.  I didn't even know how to light it....but we figured it out.  Wasn't long before it set off smoke alarm though.  I guess this is how we learn that these appliances really work when you need them.

We ended our day with trimming Molly's nails which she doesn't enjoy.  I guess you could say we were all glad to leave Casper and its rainy day memories.
 

Our final day in the Yellowstone area was spent in Cody, 20 miles east of our campground.  We left Molly in the camper with the AC on and started the day with a Trolley Tour of town.  Our guides, Patty & Greg, made good on their promise to "give us an hour and we'll give you 100 years".  What a fabulous tour!  Buffalo Bill Cody and Annie Oakley came alive through their photo enlargements and tour descriptions.  We saw original buildings that have been maintained for over a hundred years, including Buffalo Bill's original hotel named after his daughter, Irma.  There were original log buildings that represented the earliest town dwellings.  We heard of the town development from saloons & brothels to a present day city of 9,000 that caters to tourists numbering 500,000 each year.  Buffalo Bill had the  early vision to lay out the city with very wide streets so he could turn his famous "Wild West Show" wagons around easily.  With no state income taxes, you'd think this beautiful city would grow, but it doesn't.  Winters can get pretty rough.  Great place for many to just visit, and for many "originals" to return after retiring.

Buffalo Bill is the focus here, so we spent several hours at the Buffalo Bill Museum where we learned about this colorful character.  All four of his children died before him.  His wife would see him for a couple of weeks, and then he'd be gone for a couple of years.  Her life was not easy.  However, he left an indelible mark on the developing world as he marketed the Wild West with his world famous traveling show.  He shared with folks out East and rulers everywhere just what the West represented.  He was the original marketer of the treasures held in this newest part of America.  It was a most interesting day where we got a real flavor of the early west.

We ended our day by crashing back to reality by visiting Cody's WalMart to stock up on supplies.  (Sometimes it is so hard to live in the present.)

Back at the Wapiti campground, I met a couple from Albuquerque, NM who were able to give us some tips for camping there before the Balloon Fiesta.   All along the way, God is providing folks who can help us with future stops.  We are grateful, but not surprised by His faithfulness to provide for us.

Wow !!!  Has it been over a week since last logging on to journal?  So much has happened... so many miles covered... so many lives encountered.  Let's see if I can remember a few things to share.


On Monday, Labor Day, we packed up the car, left the camper behind, and headed for Jackson, WY.  We drove through the south portion of Yellowstone to get there, then entered Grand Teton National Park.  Right away saw a Mama Moose and her baby having breakfast.  Everyone was out taking photos, but one young man started walking toward them.  Not smart!  Fortunately for him, Mama & baby ran the other way.  There are signs everywhere reminding us these are "wild" animals.  It's not a zoo.  That young man was very fortunate.

On this travel day, we encountered rain, hail, and snow flurries.  Hey, it's late summer in the high mountains!

We love GTNP most of all because of the superb scenery.  It is a perfect blend of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, & wildlife.  There is a new breathtaking view around every curve in the road.  Even the trees are as varied as any I've ever seen.  This is really God's finest of America's creation.  I could come here every year and never tire of it.  It was, of course, the right decision NOT to haul the camper along this route, however.  Pretty steep at times.

We arrived in Jackson around 5 p.m.  For some reason they upgraded us to a "suite" for the same price, and we got two queen beds, a sofa, fireplace, desk, refrigerator, microwave, and coffeemaker.  What a delightful surprise.  Molly had a great time jumping all over the place, and we could toss her toys for that "Fetch" game.  It was a perfect place for both of us to really settle into a larger space beside the camper.  We celebrated by having dinner at Wendy's.  (None of the counter helpers spoke English... made ordering very interesting!

Marlene had a rough night because we didn't plan well for her bones.  "Mattress was as hard as a rock", she said, so she didn't sleep well.  She is most comfortable when she sleeps in the camper.

Tuesday, up early for our continental breakfast, that was more than satisfying.  We then toured the city of Jackson.  This town is sometimes incorrectly called Jackson Hole, because it sits in a natural "basin" of mountain ranges.  But its real name is simply Jackson.  It's very touristy, filled with history of the old west.  But it's also big for skiing and other recreational sports.  We spent time in one city park giving Molly the joy of walking in grass again.  Very nice for all of us, until we noticed the NO DOGS IN PARK sign.  Oops!  We saw many new homes here being built with solar panels on the roof.  No windmills here, though.

Our time in Jackson was strictly as tourists.  Marlene says this is a "one of a kind town, with very unique items in their shops".  In most of the shops, there were on display multiple real animals that have visited the taxidermist.  Everything from polar bears, to pheasants, to grizzlies, to antelope... and all animals in between.  Of course the key signature for Jackson is the Antler Arch Square in the center of town, where the four corners of the park have huge arches made with antlers.  We enjoyed Jackson for the brief time we were here. 

Today we got 26.5 mpg when not towing the camper.

We made the trek home to Wapiti and again enjoyed the scenery of GTNP.  We would certainly return here again if the opportunity arose.

Next stop:  Cody, WY.

The past two days driving around Yellowstone have proven how limited my own words are.  God really never runs out of fresh ideas for decorating our world.  Colors  & color combinations here are indescribable.  Just when you can't imagine mountain peaks & rivers being more beautiful, He throws in the element of light & shadows to provide new accents & focal points.  Saturday was filled with sunshine, but yesterday's sky puffed with storm clouds all day, so the vistas changed constantly.  We drove many of these roads multiple times, but there was always something new in sight.  So far, we have seen bison herds, a bull elk, a mama moose, a coyote, many deer, and a black bear.  You usually can tell when an animal is in view because of the traffic jam ahead, and the brake lights going on.  Of course we all get out of our cars to ask, "What are we looking at?", and then the cameras begin to click.  Wonderful wildlife viewing here, and I wondered how THEY view US.

Saturday, we drove the North Loop in Yellowstone.  We took our time, parking in the "pullouts" to look, listen, and smell the beauty.  At one stop, we had just come out of the restroom, when a big buffalo ambled past the area, just as if no one was around.  What a massive animal.  We saw waterfalls, and twisting rivers.  Being a weekend, there were scattered fishermen standing in the riverbeds.

Saturday night, on returning to the camper, we decided to go to Cody so Marlene could see her very first RODEO.  This is a nightly event in a large outdoor grandstand/arena.  What a treat!  Marlene was not disappointed as she saw bucking broncos, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping (one cowboy ropes the horns, while the second ropes the hind feet), and bull riding.  There was even an event of "peewee" barrell racing where the cowpokes were under 12 years old.  One little guy (about 5 yrs.) couldn't reach his heels past the saddle to kick the horse.  The horse walked... and how we laughed. 

Sunday we drove the South Loop of Yellowstone.  This area was our favorite.  I think it was the water features that made the difference.  We circled the edges of Yellowstone Lake, and saw so many rivers & waterfalls.  The sights and sounds just magnified the beauty.  It was in this drive, that we saw the famous "thermals".  While remarkable in sight, these areas also smell SO BAD of sulfur (rotten eggs)!  For those of you that know Marlene's nose, well, they weren't our favorite places to be.  But Old Faithful, while sitting on a geological thermal, was different.  No noxious smell.  We arrived just after the Old Girl had blown her stack, but we waited around until her next spouting (about 90 minutes).  Marlene had developed some serious motion sickness Sunday morning from reading our devotions in the car.  Old Faithful became the spot that we got out of the car and just relaxed.  Met a Park Ranger in a wheelchair that had broken her ankle while hiking.  She was a wonderful resource as she talked to us about the Park while waiting for Old Faithful's eruption.  We also met so many dog owners, and Molly had a chance to meet and sniff a 7-month old Schnoodle from Florida.  They got along famously.

All in all, our Yellowstone touring has been very enjoyable.  It was also prime time to continue our latest book on tape.  We are both fully captured by our current book, "The Amber Photograph".  We'll probably finish it on our trip to Grand Teton National Park today.  Storms are in the forecast through Tuesday with a possibility of snow.  Whoopee!!!!  (Marlene is getting her winter clothes out as we speak.)  The furnace in our little camper and our electric blankets are keeping us toasty warm at night.  Of course, I have Molly as my bed warmer, too.

Gas in Wapiti:  $3.94/gal.   We got 27.5 mpg while touring around without the camper.

We both cannot believe that September begins today.  These last two weeks have been packed with so many new experiences.  We give God thanks for allowing it and for His guiding us to wonderful encounters with people and places.  Stay tuned.

We LOVE this state of Wyoming.  What a place!   Such warm & welcoming people, both in town and in the campground.

We rolled in early on Wed. afternoon.  Got the best campsite with lots of grass for Molly to play in.   Were welcomed by a "herd" of wild turkeys roaming about, and then later by a couple of baby deer (with Mama nearby). 

We used this stop in Buffalo to just "catch up" on travel matters.  We had free WiFi right in the camper. and that made a huge difference in keeping in touch with friends/family.  We cleaned the camper inside, first thing, to rid  the carpet and bench seats of all the sand from Rapid City.  Early on, we met Gar, a retired policeman from Calif, now living here & working as summer help at the campground.  He was our own personal docent.  He told us of all the area sites to see and the history behind them.  What a rich treasure we had in meeting him.

Later on we took our sight-seeing trip through town.  Buffalo is a city of 4200 residents relying primarily on the tourist trade and ranching.  There is rich history here regarding the Calvary, Indians, and rancher disputes.  The Occidental Hotel, dating back to 1880 has been completely restored and going inside is stepping back in time.  Currently it has 14 rooms rented nightly.  Their bar/lounge is a site to behold,with photos on the wall showing how it looked in the 1800's--just like it is now.  I bet there were more than a few bar-room brawls here...

We also saw the Cowboy Carousel & Gift Shop which has been around for many years.  Unfortunately the place is now up for sale.  It houses a unique western carousel that has a bucking bronco and various famous horses used by Indians and Calvary men.  It was carved by a NY artist and is "one of a kind".  Word in town is that there is a plan to place the carrousel in a new location in town, maybe outdoors, so it can return to service.

We walked inside the local Sport Lure, which is like the original ortdoor store from the Old West.  Fascinating place.  Very much like going into Connell's Hardware Store in Reynoldsburg, only with an outdoor theme.

We visited the local Post Office, an IGA store, and then the car wash to give Goldie a good bath and rid her of the billions of bug-stowaways.

Last task here was to refill our first propane tank.  Gar was very helpful in directing us to the local Co-Op, and then he helped me get it onto the camper again.

Our campground had a nightly Ice Cream Social.  We brought our own bowls and spoons, and for $1 enjoyed a double dip of the creamy treat.  Met some nice folks from California and Indiana.

This has been a most relaxing stop.  Now, on to Yellowstone.  Hope to bypass the forest fire that is between Cody and the Park entrance.  I called ahead to our next campground, and they say the fire is 5 miles north of it.  They are having just a bit of smoke hanging around when the wind dies down.  Otherwise, the air is blowing east toward Cody.  Well, this will be a "first" experience.  Stay turned!

Driving through the Bighorn Mountains with the camper in tow, we got a measley 10.6 mpg.  Gas in Ten Sleeps was $4.07/gal.  Ouch!   After reaching Cody, gas dropped to $3.97/gal. and we got 17.3 mpg.

On Monday, 8/25, we again left Molly in the camper.   Temps were to be in the low 90's, and  she has proven herself trustworthy.

We spent a day driving north from Rapid City to explore cities like Sturgis.  That's the place that bikers from all over the country gather for two weeks in August.  The town's population is 7,000, and for those 2 weeks, they entertain 500,000 visitors.  Can you imagine?  It's really a pretty "dinky" little town, with lots of bars and tattoo parlors.  But "Biker Marlene", who has a Honda Gold Wing  attitude, can now say she's been there & seen that.

We next stopped at Belle Fourche which is the geographical center of the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska).  We took our picture standing on that exact spot just for fun.

Next stop:  Spearfish, a beautiful college town, progressive, and very inviting with a population of 8600.

As we next travelled south into the Black Hills National Forrest, we passed through Lead (pop. 3000) and Deadwood (pop. 1300).  These areas are rich in Western history, including Gold Rush stories and Gunfighter tales, especially those of Wild Bill Hickock.  Deadwood itself, has been renovated because of the filming of "Dances with Wolves" here.  It is nice, but tailored toward "rich tourists", with emphasis on gambling in almost every building.  There are daily re-enactments of Wild West Poker Games and Main Street Shootouts, but we didn't get to see these.  

Tuesday, 8/26, we started the day with a tour of a factory that makes Black Hills Gold jewelry.  FANTASTIC place!  It is one of the four companies that makes BH Gold, and this company does it all by hand.  No machine tooling.  We now appreciate that fine jewelry so much more because we can picture the handcrafting given to each piece.  Turns out one of my rings was made right there in that place (evidenced by initials left inside each ring.)

Finally, we ended our South  Dakota touring by back-tracking east a bit and going through the Badlands on scenic loop SR240.  We are so glad we did this.  It is such an unusual environment, shaped by wind-weathering & erosion.  The fossil beds are some of the richest in the country.  There are also many opportunities to see wildlife and to hike if that appeals to you.  We are so glad to have seen this unique place, rich in natures own colors, changed every hour by shadows & sunlight.  It was a beautiful drive.

Gas price:  $3.69/gal.   Getting 23.5 mpg when not towing the camper.

Once back at our campground, we saw a peacock strolling right behind our site.  It was beautiful.  In the distance, we also heard wild burrows braying at the end of the day.  We shared our day's experiences with our neighbors, Ron & Jeannie, from Kansas City.  After 3 weeks on the road, they are ready to head home tomorrow.  Nice folks with two lively Jack Russel Terriers.

Before bed, we finished our book on tape....  Great story, Alice.  We loved it!

When we were to leave Rapid City on Wed, 8/27, I was so worried about getting the camper out of the campground.  The inside roads were all gravel, and the terrain very hilly.  But we prayed (a LOT), and used that low gear.  All went well.  We pulled Miss-T Manor out to the entrance just fine.  I breathed such a sigh of relief, and away we headed onto I-90 west toward Wyoming.

We arrived in the Black Hills on Friday, 8/22. The drive across the middle of the state was puncutated by vast fields of sunflowers. Acres upon acres of those huge faces, all pointing east. It was spectacular! Now we know where we get those tasty, oily seeds for our outdoor birdfeeders. Also dotting the landscape were the scattered masses of rolled up hay, being stored now for winter livestock feed. These look like tiny sections of Tootsie Rolls, South Dakota style. As we have learned out here, hay is for feeding; straw is for bedding animals.

As we pulled into Magic Mountain Campground, we suddenly knew why they called it "Magic Mountain". This is a gravel road only, steep incline entrance place. It was by pure "magic" that my 2-wheel drive, front wheel drive, Highlander got us in here. With the weight of the camper on the back, my front end is pretty light for traction. But, as God provided, there were four guys in the campsite next to us who helped me get in and leveled. They wound up a putting wood pile under one of the camper wheels to level us. To be honest, I am already planning to ask someone with a 4-wheeler to pull us out to the entrance when we leave on Wed. I laid awake that first night dreaming of us being pulled backward down the slope because I couldn't get traction. (Oh, well, who needs sleep anyway!)

Saturday was an exciting day for us. We spent the entire day at Mount Rushmore.  What a spectacular place.  To think that this was accomplished in 14 years by the work of common laborers and one brilliant sculptor.  Wow!  There is a fabulous museum below the observation area.  Marlene & I read every word, watched each video, and talked to the Park Rangers about so many aspects of this monument.  American history comes alive here...much more than the places, names, & dates that we all had to memorize in school.  One Ranger, Summer, told us that she is a chorus music teacher (K-12) 9 mos. out of the year, and spends her summers here.  She, too, commented on history coming alive for her as she researched the four faces on the mountain.  She had a wonderful skill at helping us to know the men on that mountain as people, with families, dreams, failings, and vision.  "None of them would have been a politician today", she commented.  "None of them really wanted to be in the spotlight.  They just wanted to get things done for this country." 
 
Sunday we first toured Custer State Park.  What a wonderful view of how the land was before "development".  We saw 2 herd of buffalo, some pronghorns, white tail deer, burros, and a flock of wild turkeys.  Those burros are not native to the area but were brought in for exploring the higher peaks.  They are so tame, they come right up to the car begging for food.  We didn't feed them.  The entire area was so beautiful.

Then on to Crazy Horse Memorial.   What a wonderful tribute to a nation of the earliest Americans.  We felt a certain level of frustration, however.  A fear that this dream of one man from Boston, Korczak Ziolkowski, would never be fulfilled.  He began alone, 60 years ago.  He died in 1982, and now his wife, Ruth, tries to continue the cause with 7 of her 10 children.  She is 82, and the "kids" in their 50-60's.  Only 2 of the 16 grandchildren are interested in the project and will even go up on the mountain.  How sad if this vision to highlight the heroes of the "red man" is lost due to lack of followup.  We asked if the Indians themselves could help in the work, and we were told emphatically, "That will never happen."  Time will tell.  We would like to return here someday to see the progress of this immense work.  It will be the world's largest sculpture if completed.

A Molly note:  Sunday, Molly successfully stayed in the camper alone with AC and soft music on.  There were no accidents and no damage from frustration.  She had full access to the camper, and that was a real success for all of us.  Can someone please tell me why anyone would want to take a WHITE dog camping in the West???  It's crazy.  But she is not itching/scratching as much here without all the grass.

We will be here another two days.  More exploring yet to come.

 

On Wed, 8/20, we arrived at Mitchell, SD.  Was only 194 traveling miles, so we left late & arrived early (about 2pm).  Stayed at a place called 
Famil-E-Fun Campground.   Large honey locust trees surrounded the campsites, so we had plenty of shade.  That won't always be the case, so we appreciate each place that has trees.  Temps were moderate, mid-80's, but the winds were very strong both days here.  Gusts were up to 35 mph.  So no awning out.

Spent the entire day in Mitchell on Thurs.  Two highlights of our visit.  Best of all was our first visit to Cabelas Outdoor Store.  This is a huge place noted in many states across the country, but none are in Ohio.  What an experience.  Not only into selling everything you could possible need to enjoy the great outdoors, but they also show you outdoor life up close & personal.  There were stuffed models of moose, elk, bighorn, elk horn, antelope, bear, muskrat, and many more.  Not to mention the 10,000 gallon aquarium that showcased most of the large fish that are caught here.  Wow!  What a display and education.  Marlene appreciated it most because she found a pair of Morrell sandals that fit her feet comfortably with plenty of arch support.  (She forgot her  own pair at home.)  AND, they were on a sale beyond comprehension.  God is blessing us, I'm telling you!

After Cabelas, we toured the city of Mitchell which was hosting its annual Corn Palace Festival.  I cannot describe this huge auditorium, so I will have to send photos (when I remember to bring my camera card).  The place is currently used to  host concerts, graduations, any big affair.  But it used to be a place that farmers could display their harvest  But, it's the outside of the buiding that is a-maizing.  The entire outside is covered with grains--corn cobs, split in half lengthwise, then nailed to the building.  The corn comes in 12 different colors.  An artist sketches out 12 murals to highlight an annual theme.  Last year it was:  "Everyday Heroes".  The murals  depicted professions such as teachers, police, fireman, EMT's, etc.  The display is put up in mid-September and last until August.  The coming 2008 theme will be "Discovering America".  The murals are drawn and the colors of corn are numbered on the drawing.  It's like doing a "corn by number" painting.  Each year it cost $130,000 to construct a new exterior on the Corn Palace.  Just a-maizing.

Back at the campgrounds, Molly got to meet & play with Sebastian, a HUGE chocolate Lab next door.  We continue to meet very nice folks along our way.  Today was John & Carolyn, on their way to Arizona, by way of Washington state, where they will stay the winter.

Gasoline here  was $3.69/gal.  And we are getting about 14 mpg while hauling the camper, and 15.8 mpg without it.  That is sure to change once we hit the mountains.

Next stop, Black Hills of South Dakota.  Stay tuned.

Greetings from the harvest-ready farmlands of Iowa.  The corn is prime for pickin' and the soybean fields are full and luscious with deep green texture.  To see the vast miles of farm fields, one has to appreciate our nations' farmers and the months of planning & sweat they invest for these crops.  They use the most modern technology for acreage of this magnitude.  A skilled & hard-working lot they are.

We stayed two days in Onawa, Iowa.  Population 3300; county seat of Monona County.  As it turned out, the owner of our campground is the town Mayor.  Becky was a wonderful hostess, and gave us background on the community and its values.  This area is rich in outdoor enjoyments because it is so close to the picturesque Loess Hills and Missouri River.  Cost of living is quite low here, but the quality of life is rich, with emphasis on children's education and community involvement.  It's a very safe community and a great place to raise a family.  The largest employers are the Burgess Health Center, the school district, and Westendorf Manufacturing (which makes farm tractor equipment-imagine that).

Our campground was filled with cottonwood trees -- great for shade, but constantly "snowing" its fuzzy cotton down on us.  It gets into everything!  Molly didn't know the difference; was just more fur for her.  She earned herself a bath here, though.  Was her first time in the camper shower.  Sloppy, to say the least, but we got through it.

Spent most of our time here using the convenient WiFi to set up our future campground reservations.  THANK YOU, Adam, (my very smart & generous nephew) for the wonderful set up on this laptop.  We were able to sit in the comfort of our camper and search for hours on-line.  What a convenience!   We realized that we were approaching the Labor Day Holiday, and thought best to get reservations in place.  We are now set through Cheyenne, WY.

We did a bit of touring and shopping in town.  Their Pomida is eqivalent to our K-Mart.  Also went to a farm/hardware store and bought a "Hail Mary Pin" safety clip for the camper.  (Those of you that camp will know what that is.)  And we ended the day sitting outside watching the sunset while eating a Dairy Queen ice cream cone.  (I remember getting these cones as a kid for 15 cents;  now $1.49.  Boy, am I out of touch!

Marlene is comfortable in her sleeping,.  She has padded that mattress with a fiber-filled tick and an additional comforter.  Night temps are perfect at 60-65 degrees.  So her bones are currently quiet and comfortable.  Keep praying for that.

We travelled 387 miles to get here from Illinois.  When we leave, we will have a shorter drive.  Next stop:  Mitchell, South Dakota.

Well, our journey started with a bang.  Early on Saturday morning, just a block from home, I realized very suddenly that I had done something very wrong.  We came to our first stop sign with a bang & a "thud".  I had forgotten to secure the lock on the top of the ball where trailer meets tow vehicle.  Ouch!  We were dead in the water, stuck with the ball jammed into the tongue.  Well, after several quick prayers & a call to Sam's Club Emergency Service, (and let's not forget lots & lots of beating myself up for doing something so stupid)..... we got to meet Troy with Rusty's Towing and Repair Service.  He assured me it was not a terminal mistake, and he had us up and connected properly within 10 minutes.  (I just love meeting "experts" at what they do..... and Troy was a 30-yr RV repair-expert.)  With a few words of wisdom & advice from him, we were finally on our way.

We actually enjoyed the 437 miles driven on Saturday.  My sister had recommended several books on tape, so we got into a long series that will probably carry us into Colorado.  Time sure goes by quickly when you are concentrating on a good novel.  Thanks Alice!

The highways were congested on Saturday.  We figured out parents were taking kids to college campuses.  Talked to one guy that was returning home to Missouri after dropping his son off in Vermont for school.

Gas price:  $3.79/gal.  Towing, we got 15.1 mpg on first fill-up, and 13.6 mpg on the second.

Weather could not be more pleasant.  Temps in mid-80's with mostly puffy clouds for occasional shade.  Nights are cool in the 50's--60's.  Perfect camping weather and not at all typical for August.

Our stay in Galesburg East, IL was oh so pleasant.  Stan & Judy were wonderful hosts at a campground which had lots of gigantic trees, plenty of grass, & empty fields for Molly to walk & play in.  It also had a beautiful outdoor pool that Marlene & I took advantage of on Sunday afternoon.  We hadn't been swimming in years, and it was so much fun.  We had the pool to ourselves.  Unfortunately, that fun in the pool cost Marlene a bit of comfort in her shoulders the next day.  She was pretty sore.  (Darned arthritis!)  Anticipating this, however, Marlene had both shoulders injected with cortisone before we left Columbus.  Today, they are beginning to reap the benefits of those injections.  She still must be careful, however.

Met fellow travelers from Peoria, IL, John & Sherri.  John, a professional "handyman", helped me mend a broken screen on MissTManor (that's a nickname for our camper -- a Trail Manor).   A simple job for him.  I am so thankful that the Lord sends me help when I need it.  I feel like the Lord is right here with us.  We are reminded constantly that it is by His grace that we are making this trip at all.  Even the glorious sunsets remind us of His daily gifts.

Also, we met Rita.  Such an interesting gal, a self-described "hobo".  Had lots of travel experience that she shared with me, especially with regard to the beautiful canyonlands of Utah.  She leads such an interesting life, living 6 months out of the year in both Illinois and Texas.  In each place, she works at campgrounds as the "maintenance crew-lady".  She gets free camping rights and the opportunity to meet lots of people along the way.  Not a bad way to spend some of her "seasoned-years."  She gets to share lots of wonderful experiences with her 16 grandchildren that live in Illinois.  She knows alot about hobo-culture and attends the National Hobo Convention.  What an interesting lady.  Rita, if you read this, it was a real delight meeting you.  Thanks again for all the helpful camping wisdom shared with me.

As we were about to leave Galesburg, we noticed that our electric brakes light was on constantly.  These brakes help to stop the camper behind us.  We had it checked out by Mike, whose RV repair service just happened to be next door to the campground.  (Coincidence?  Not)
He determined that all was working correctly; we had braking capability, but the light indicator was just not reliable.  So, off we went... down the highway.  Next stop Iowa.

 

The camper is packed.  Books on tape are on board.  The car is freshly checked:  tires rotated, oil changed, brakes checked & tightened.  Lists upon lists have been written, items highlighted, and all seems ready.  We have shorts & swimsuits,sweatshirts and coats.  We are packing for 3 months and two seasons.  This trip is a dream come true for both Marlene & me.  We are so grateful for the time available and our simultaneous good health.  The time is now and our destinations flexible.  Our goal is to cross areas of this wonderful country and see places that we have not yet seen.  We will see a few friends along the way and also visit some family members.  God is both Navigator and Pilot on this trip.  We have willing attitudes to go where He directs, and engage in yet unknown encounters as He determines.  Molly will delight us and it seems all the folks we will meet.  If only she could talk... she would surely have yet another perspective to share.

 What better to say now than "Thank You, Lord" for the opportunity you've given to us.  We have planned for months and packed for days.  What's left?  ...just to start out.  While not a journalist by any stretch of the imagination, I will try to share a few thoughts along the way of what we see and experience.  So as my dear neighbor, June, and I always say:  STAY TUNED.

CS