June 30, 2009

Nashville, Tennessee
We had a pretty lazy day - went to Music Row just to see it.
Saw the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.
The traffic here is unbearable; you can only get to places by using Route 40 - it is awful.
The campground here offers a whole host of Grayline Tours - but we are not bus people. HA HA!
Today is the final day of our great escape - then we are on to other things.
We hope everyone has enjoyed our ramblings on of our adventures and hopefully next year we will be doing something just as fun - already have some ideas.
See everyone when we get home - somewhere around the 9th or 10th.
Happy 4th of July to all.

June 29, 2009

Well here we go again.

Another day of driving; but we are staying in Nashville a couple of days.

There really isn't anything interesting in Arkansas except it is the home of the plant for Remington's sporting ammunition.

Arrived in Tennessee late afternoon we drove past Memphis and the Mississippi River. Got to the campground about 6:00 PM. We also realized that Tennessee must have a lot of perverts - there is an adult book store at every exit.

Of course Nashville is the home of country music.
Tomorrow we are going to drive around and look for some interesting things to do - according to the brochures that the campground gave us there is plenty to do.

We also have hit the 1,000 song on our ipod. We only have about 985 more to go.

June 28, 2009

Texas heading into Oklahoma.

We drove on Route 66 for a little while, just to say that we did.

In Texas we passed the largest cross in the western hemisphere.(picture)It is 19 stories high and 110 ft wide. It took 25 million tons of steel and aluminum to construct. It was built by the Cross of Our Lord Ministries.

We were only in Texas for a short time then on to OK.

When you hit Oklahoma you will be amazed how many country stars were either born here or now live here-Garth Brooks lives here Carrie Underwood lives in Cheecotah and Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill, Toby Keith and many others have been born here. Toby Keith even has his own restaurant.

Woody Guthrie lives in the town of Okemah.

Troy Aikman lives in the town of Henryetta.

We crossed over the North Canadian River - WHAT?

We even saw an armidillo on the side of the road.

We passed Tinker Air Force base; which houses a retired Air Force One Jet - the base is so big it has 3 of their own exits on Route 40.

We have also realized that there is a Subway sandwich shop at every other exit.

We past many Indian Nations.(Navajo,Kickapoo,Sioux,Fox,Powawaton,Seminole,Muskogee)

We have seen many cattle ranches, stock yards and feed mills.

We even crossed the Chisholm Trail.

Oklahoma is also the home to the National Shrine of the Infant of Prague.

Who knew that Oklahoma had so much to offer.

June 27, 2009

We drove out of New Mexico this morning.
We were headed to Texas the weather in New Mexico was awesome in the 50's and not humid.
Here in Texas it is HOT HOT HOT and humid.
There are some thunder storms in the area; we thought about going out to dinner but it started to rain so we just stayed in.
These campgrounds are a joke - the are just a parking lot some paved - some not. This one here in Texas is not paved and it has an airport on one side and an airport on the other; boy is that interesting. (Neither one is very far - you can read the writing on the airplanes)
There is a steakhouse in town that offers a free limo (picture attached) if you can eat a seventy something steak. (Ewwwww) Even their golf carts have horns and not the kind you beep on them.
Passed a lot of ranches with no grass and wonder what the poor cattle eat.
Today we also passed the United States irrigation research center - exactly what do you think they do there.
We aren't here for anything in particular just a stopover.
Tomorrow we head to Oklahoma.

June 26, 2009

First we want to wish Allison a Happy Happy Birthday!!
Left Las Vegas in the morning headed to New Mexico - decided to make it a long day of driving.
Drove a total of 480 miles today; decided it is too long - yes we are getting old.
The trip was pretty uneventful-never seen so many trains in our lives and long doesn't even start to describe them. The train crosses the Rio Grande and is the longest East/West route in the U.S.
The scenery along the way is just amazing - we have been this way before (Route 40) but we were still in awe of it all.
Once again we have had a time change and we are totally confused, I guess one of these days we will arrive back in the right time zone.
We are staying in the little town of Grants, New Mexico about 30 miles west of Albuquerque; going to try get there in the morning.
The view from the motorhome is just something.(Picture on the left)

June 25, 2009

Here we are in Las Vegas.
Went to dinner last night at the Bellagio; boy was it good.
We don't think we are Vegas people - never saw so many people gambling away money they obviously can't afford to loose. We lost $60 and think we are nuts. Visitors here are all very rude.
We went for a ride today - that was exciting - just drive, don't stop, don't look, just drive.
We are staying at a KOA at Circus Circus - it really is only a parking lot with hook ups. Not the nicest campground we have ever been to. Also, not the cheapest either it cost $85.00 per night where most have cost around $38 per night. It served it's purpose for 1 day.
Tomorrow we head to New Mexico.

June 24, 2009

What a difference a day makes yesterday it was 30 in the AM today it was 75.

Headed out of Utah heading toward Las Vegas.

We have officially logged 4500 miles as of today.

The drive today was exciting - not so much about the scenery; but the roads - Oh My God!!

The hills were really something - Dorothy had white knuckles and she wasn't even driving.

We did pass a lavender farm which we have never seen - Robert wanted to know if there was any money in it - of course there is if you think of how many things have lavender in them.

Arizona is still the most beautiful place we have ever been - it has been quite a few years since we have been there; but it is still awesome.

Arrived in Nevada and lost another hour; Dorothy is having a really hard time dealing with it - don't know what time to go to bed - don't know what time to get up.

The time change was really hard in Montana and Utah it never got completely dark in Montana and in Utah it didn't get dark until about 11:30 PM.

We are staying at a campground attached to the casino Circus Circus.

Arrived here at 4:00 their time whatever that is EST DST MST who the H*ll knows,

Going out to dinner somewhere tonight and are going to do the strip after dark - who knows when that will be.

Staying here tomorrow and then leaving for parts unknown. Let you know when we get there.

June 23, 2009

WOW! We woke to a 30 degree cold morning - our last in West Yellowstone, Montana.
It was pack up and hit the road by 9 AM.
Left Montana and crossed over into Idaho; we weren't far from the border. We drove through the town of Ashton, Idaho which is the largest producer of seed potatoes in the US.
We noticed a great number of farms for sale - sign of the times unfortunately.
We then pass the town of Rexburg and a very impressive golf course.
We drove by hundreds and hundreds of acres of potato fields.
We also passed the town of Rigby "The Birthplace of Television".
The terrain changed from farms and fields and totally flat to rocky (lava formations) and forest in less than 1 mile; then after 6 miles of this it was back to flat and farms.

We then crossed over into Utah; there are still snow capped mountain ranges. A whole lot of nothing until Ogden and Salt Lake City. We decided everybody there is in a really big hurry and they drive like nuts.
Stopped for the night in the little town of Springville.
We are at the base of a mountain range and what a view.
We are just glad to be off the road for the day.

Look closely at the mountain on the right - guess they knew we were coming. HAHA!!
Tomorrow we head for Las Vegas.

June 22, 2009

Well here it is the last day here in West Yellowstone, Montana. We woke to 36 degrees and sleet.
So we decided to take one last trip into the park. It was around 42 when we got there.
We drove through some of the off shoot roads that we had missed, what a good choice. We saw some very interesting things along the way - these fireholes and the geysers that we saw were really worth the trip.
In total we have driven around 800 miles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I am sure we haven't seen it all, but we sure put a big dent in it.
Tomorrow we leave for Utah.

June 21, 2009

Today we headed to The Grand Teton National Park.
But first we had to drive back through Yellowstone to get to the entrance which included another 60 miles.
Upon entering Yellowstone we were fortunate enough to see a coyote; he was a little too far for our camera to catch so no pictures.
When we arrived in Grand Teton the sight of the mountains is breathtakingly beautiful - they really are larger than life. The bear activity there must be something; because on every building, bathroom, entrance to campground, entrance to lodges, and entrances to stores there are BEAR warnings. No we didn't get to see one - we were a little disappointed.
Robert decided to drive down a side road - finding out it was a dirt road did not deter him in the least; but to our enjoyment there were Buffalo right next to the road.
We drove around for about 150 miles and decided to start heading back - when low and behold a MOOSE walked right in front of us. We then proceeded back down the same road and about 18 miles later we saw a BULL MOOSE in the weeds, only got a glimpse of him - but quick with the camera we got a couple of head shots. He was huge.
We didn't realize the time when we were leaving the park it was already 8:00-so we decided to try a little (we mean little) Italian place we saw when we first got here. What a great choice food was amazing, it is family owned.
Then it was back to the motorhome and some much needed R&R.

June 19, 2009

Today was a trip back into Yellowstone Park.
We decided to try Old Faithful first and boy did we get lucky.
We got a parking space that was really close and there weren't many people - Dorothy got right up to the front to take pictures and Robert found a cool log chair to sit in (air here is very hard on him) and it erupted about 15 minutes after we got there; it was something.
The rangers said it has not been shooting very high in the cool weather they have been having here.
After that we drove to the northern part of the park and yes there was plenty of snow and it was pretty cold too.
Saw a petrified tree and a lot of remains of forest fires.
We have never seen so many fly fisherman in our lives.
In total it was a 200 mile day of driving round trip.
Saturday is supposed to be rainy so we are just going into the little town to check it out.
Once again we are having an awesome time.
P.S. Jeremy if you read this we found the perfect job for you - a park ranger who sits in a boat all day and fishes for non-native fish.

June 18, 2009

What a long day we had.
We spent 10 hours in Yellowstone National Park - didn't even make a dent in it.
We have seen a few things to cross off our "list" bald eagle, mule deer, bison, and red cranes.
One of us climbed to the top of the "Upper Falls" on the yellowstone river. It was 1/8 of a mile than about 75 steps - boy did Dorothy put that new knee to a test.
We also saw the grand canyon of yellowstone - one of us wouldn't get to close "he" was chicken. Probably because he saw the news and saw that a 20 year old fell in on Monday. We saw mud volcano's and geo thermal basins - and words can't describe them. Tried to get to Old Faithful, but the parking lot was full so we will try another day.
Everything here is so green and clean it is just amazing that we come from a place where there is not a square inch without something built on it.
Tomorrow we will go back to the park and try to see another section of it - We don't think in the 6 days we are here we will see all of it.

June 17, 2009

Today was spent driving West toward Yellowstone.
We drove about 350 miles - some of the roads we took ran next to (very close) the Gallatin River. We followed the river for a very long time and saw many white water rafters in our opinion crazy people. The river was really running fast, because the snow here is still melting.
We arrived late afternoon and shortly after had a wonderful hail storm. According to the local weather that is a common occurrence - wind, rain, hail and strong winds seem to happen just about every day.
In the information that the campground gave us they tell you to be prepared for drastic changes in weather, and to put your grill and all food away at night because they have bears.
Tomorrow we will head into Yellowstone Park.
Keep you all posted

June 16, 2009

Today was a day of doing absolutely nothing.
Went for a ride through Billings - quite interesting, that just sums it up.
Found a Cabella's - never been to the one in PA so we decided to check it out.
Pretty cool store - I don't think it would be worth the 2450 miles to see it, but I might go to the one at home.
Just going to read a book and look at the scenery for the rest of the day.
Tomorrow we leave for Yellowstone, Montana; should be about 325 miles - that seems to be the daily total. So far it has been a comfortable amount to do in a day and get to the campgrounds early.

June 15, 2009

Well here we are starting week three already - time has flown by so fast.
We left South Dakota early after filling the motorhome with propane; never thought we would need heat just about every night.
We headed West toward Wyoming - today's final destination was Billings, Montana.
The scenery along the way has been nothing short of spectacular.
Each state is more beautiful than the last.
Montana is a lot of "nothing"mountains, cattle, oil wells and green; when we arrived the first rest stop in the state was 60 miles from the border of Wyoming.
We drove to Billings and are staying at a very nice KOA campground.
Tomorrow we will be checking out what is around here to see.

June 14, 2009

Well here it is the last day in South Dakota.
We are just sitting around the campground today; we are a little tired from trying to fit everything in; but I think we did it.
We have had a great time here and the campground is just wonderful; couldn't ask for any more amenities.
Well hopefully you will hear from us tomorrow from Montana.

June 12, 2009

Today started with doing laundry and I think it is going to end the same way.

We rented an ATV (believe it or not) and went through miles and miles of unpaved forest service roads.
Needless to say we had a blast; the only mistake was Robert asking Dorothy if she wanted to drive. He ended up full of mud and she ended up with a full load of muddy laundry. But let me tell you it was so worth it.

Tonight we are going to the lighting of Mount Rushmore. Every night they do a program dedicated to the military and civil service. At the end they shine huge spotlights on the mountain; it has been too cloudy all week to do it so tonight's the night. (We hope)

June 11, 2009

We started the day off early again with a trip to Wyoming.

We decided to go to see the monument Devils Tower - another breathtaking experience.

Anybody who doesn't know the story it is about 7 Indian girls that were playing and a bear began to chase the girls; when the bear was about to catch them they jumped upon a rock about three feet high and they began to pray for the rock to save them. The rock heard their prayers and began to ascend upward. The bear then clawed and jumped at the sides of the rock. The bear continued until the girls were pushed up into the sky, where they are to this day as a group of seven little stars the (Pleiades).

The drive was around 250 miles round trip - our poor little jeep is going to need a nap.

In the late afternoon the sky was somewhat clear so we decided to try seeing Crazy Horse again.

We got there and it was a little foggy - but the fog lifted just enough for us to see it. The entire story and facility were so interesting.

Again another successful day of being tourists - you never know what tomorrow will bring.

June 10, 2009

Today the weather here was just awful - rainy and cold - it never got out of the 40s.
We decided to do something inside.
Found a winery called Prairie Berry. They have produced wines that have received 225 international awards.
Dorothy had to sample many, many wines. Then we decided to purchase the ones with the best names. 3Rednecks - Red Ass Rhubarb the names were good, but the wines were better - can't wait to share them.
The thing we have found the most interesting in such a tourist area is the lack of restaurants.
Sorry no pictures today.

June 9, 2009

Today we tried to see the Crazy Horse Monument, but it was too foggy so we will try that again another day.
In the afternoon we decided to take a train ride on a restored steam train. We rode upon engine #7. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1919. It was sold to and operated by the Caddo and Choctaw Railroad years later. The "seven" was sold to the Prescott and Northwestern in Northern Arkansas in 1938, and was acquired by the Black Hill Central Railroad in 1962.
We traveled through the Black Hills through several mining areas and viewed some unbelievable private homes. One home took 12 years to build. The train took us from Hill City to Keystone and back again the whole trip took 2 1/2 hours; it was a great last minute decision trip.

June 8, 2009

This morning we woke to 30 degrees.

Today we were up early and out to the Mount Rushmore National Monument; thank goodness we were. By 9:00 it was packed; we got there at 8:15 (yes even Dorothy was up and functional). It is just amazing - it really does take your breath away and to learn the story behind it and how the workers carved it was just something. We can't imagine workers today doing what they did and not complain - talk about just being glad you have a job. Picture sitting on a swing, hung by ratty looking ropes 4000 feet up and chiseling and blasting into a mountain. If anyone ever has a chance to come to South Dakota you must do it. After the monument we headed to the Presidential wax museum. It was pretty interesting; we learned a lot about the early presidents that we had forgotten. Then we headed back to the campground and just sat around the fire.

June 7, 2009

Today we just took a ride into Rapid City to go to wal mart; yes it is 50 miles to the nearest one.

The weather here is very unpredictable - we have had fog and rain today. Yesterday it was sunny and raining.

Caught a double rainbow at the campground.

It does get chilly (for Dorothy) at night; down around 40.

June 6, 2009

Today we visited Custer National Park - yes there are really buffalo in the streets; drove 100 miles through the park and didn't see it all - the park has the largest herd of buffalo anywhere at neraly 1600 - they roam free in the 7100 acre park.

Did you know that Belle Fourche, SD is the geographic center point of the nation.

Did you know that in the Black Hills there are 18 peaks that exceed 7,000 feet in elevation.

Did you know that of the 72 known calcite crystal caves in the world, 68 are in South Dakota.

Did you know that Sturgis, SD has the worlds largest motorcycle rally in August with 500,000 cycles.

We are having the time of our lives - we think we will need a vacation from our vacation.

June 5, 2009

Here it is Friday already

We spent the morning going back to the Badlands National Park and did the other side - it was more amazing then the side we did on Thursday.

We didn't know which direction to look afraid we would miss something.

Had lunch at the "world" famous Wall Drug; had buffalo burgers just like we were supposed to.

After lunch we packed up and headed to Rushmore; oh what an exciting ride that was. Robert was thanking Monaco that our motorhome has a low gear and engine brake - it was well used.

Arrived at the KOA in Rushmore and we are just staying in for the rest of today and going to start the day tomorrow with a fresh start. This campground has everything you could want - restaurant, store for groceries, store for camping supplies and souvenirs. Our poor little jeep has been and will continue getting a work out.

June 4, 2009

What a day we have had we started out in Minnesota and drove along route 90 going west - we crossed over the Missouri River when we did the entire topography of the land changed; it went from completely flat to hilly with cows everywhere to mountains on both sides of us.

We have passed some farms that are just unbelievable - they have given us a new respect for the million acre farmer. We passed a ranch that was established in 1890; just think of their life back then without all the conveniences that we have.

We stopped for the night in Wall, SD home of the famous Wall Drug - we will be going there in the morning. We think it is the western version of South of the Border.

When we arrived here we went to the Badlands National Park - words cannot describe the beauty of this untouched natural wonder.

Tomorrow we will head to Rushmore

Minnesota

Today was another great travel day
We have arrived in Fairmont, MN known as the city of lakes there are 5 lakes within the city limits which is funny because downtown is only 6 blocks long
The campground we are at is called Flying Goose it is on lake Imogene it is just beautiful
The weather is cool, but sunny
The most interesting things we saw today were "windmill farms" we have never seen them in person they were as far as the eye could see
We also crossed over the mighty Mississippi river that was pretty cool too - funny when we think of it we think of the south

Wisconsin

We have now arrived in lovely Wisconsin

We have figured the thing we liked most about today is "open road tolling" it is the best thing you can go through at 70 and never slow down

The thing we liked least was Chicago (sorry Husak family) it was hell going through - traffic was a nightmare and there was 40 miles of road construction - of course no one working

The campground we are at is just beautiful

Found a nice cheese shop too

Milan, Ohio

June 1, 2009

Hi Everybody:

We have stopped for the evening in Milan Ohio the birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison
We had a great first day of travel - traffic and weather were both on our side.