Oklahoma Bound

The big journey has come to an end and we must go our separate ways. We have traveled in excess of 6500 miles. Joan has put on more mileage as she left Florida the end of April and has been to Pennsylvania by way of Mississippi. She left Pennsylvania to meet up with Amye in Oklahoma, making stops in Ohio and Tennessee on the way. I left Brownsville, TX the middle of June to meet the other gals at Brownwood, TX, making a stop in Austin. Our official departure date was June 21, 2009. And have we ever seen a good portion of America! Starting with our first destination as Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico.

Carlsbad Caverns, N.M.

Our next stop was Silver City, N.M., then on to Benson, AZ and Old Tombstone, and then to Tucson,AZ and the Saguaro National Park which seems to be the starting place of most of our RV troubles. Joan's microwave/convention oven and then the dash air conditioning on her way to Phoenix to get the microwave replaced. Then Amye's flat tire on our way to meet up with Joan.

We thought all our troubles were over as we headed into the Joshua Tree National Park. But it was my turn. After spending a week in the hot desert town of Twentynine Palms, CA in 107 degree temperature, it was a relief to catch up with Joan and Amye who had gone ahead to keep appointments for getting the air conditioning repaired and new tires for Amye. But at least we started to enjoy ourselves. A trip to the Jelly Belly Factory and a tour of Napa Valley so graciously given by some special friends in Napa, CA. as well as the Giant Redwood Forest. Just wish one of our Rialtas would fit through the tree.

Overlooking Napa Valley

Our journey then took us into Oregon with the rocky coastline, seals, lighthouses and even a photo of two whales. It was spectacular scenery. And I must admit, more mountainous than I remembered. But Washington State is not to be outdone with mountains! And thanks to a daughter and her significant other, we didn't have to drive up the mountains! They did it for us! First Mount St. Helen's and then Mt. Rainier. We spent a day in Seattle at Pike's Market and the Locks with the fish ladder. We took the ferry to Friday Harbor for the day. And another daughter took us to Whidby Island and Deception Pass. The Hansons, the Barnhills and last, but certainly not least Sally and Karl took good care of us while visiting in their area. The trip across the North Cascade Highway took us over more mountains to Chief Joseph Dam and the Grand Coulee Dam. Heading for Idaho we met up with another lady who owned a Rialta and had lunch with her.

Mt. Rainer, Washington State

August found us in Montana in Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park with Old Faithful geyser and a chance to visit with the Caldwells (fellow Rialta owners) who were in Yellowstone at the same time. They gave us a grand tour! Next on to Cody, Wyoming where we visited one of the best museums, second only to the Smithsonian. A visit to Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming was also on the agenda.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The last state on our list was South Dakota. It had so much to offer! From Chief Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, The Black Hills, Wall Drug, The Badlands National Park, and Mitchel, S.D....home of the world's only Corn Palace. And not to be forgotten was the jaunt in to Sturgis and the motorcyclists friends we met from Houston, TX!

Mt. Rushmore National Monument

Time has come to bid adieu. We are all together at Amye's until Monday morning, when I head for North Carolina for a visit with my son. Joan will stay at Amye a while before heading East for a wedding, then to Florida for the winter. Amye is at home. It has been a great two months with many memories and great photos to help us remember in our "old age".

Farewell. TTT's

PS: We will be meeting again in February in Panama City, Florida. Watch out, Florida. Here comes the The Terrific Threesome!