tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32547380191694055892024-02-18T21:01:06.860-07:00The Road RunnerSusan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-39605272781792981802010-02-14T14:52:00.003-07:002010-02-14T18:36:19.319-07:00IT'S CHILLY IN FLORIDA!My daughter, Sally, asked me to continue with the blog as the Road Runner is in motion again. It really started out in November when I took the Road Runner to Houston. I parked her at a friend's house while I flew to Seattle to surprise this daughter for her 50th birthday (courtesy of my son-in-law). And was she ever surprised!!! I haven't downloaded the pictures off the camera yet, but promise myself I will do it soon! Great party, great friends, but a short visit..as I was back in the air heading for North Carolina for Thanksgiving with my son and his family.<br /><br />Thanksgiving was spent on the Outer Banks. Weather wasn't the greatest, but the company and food made up for it. My son got in some desperately needed fishing..rain or shine! And he didn't do to bad some days.<br /><br />Back to Seattle on Dec. 3 and a visit with my other daughter, Karen for a couple of weeks. I can say one thing for sure...the fireplace got a workout! I then went back to Sally's to house, cat and bird sit while they head out in their truck camper for Christmas on the South Carolina-Georgia border in N. Augusta. But before they left, old man winter paid a visit bringing enough sleet/snow combo. It made driving a bit tricky as they could not make the short grade up their street in their Toyota. They had to back down the road and get the truck (already loaded with the camper) in order to get to work. Sally posted on Facebook so I could keep up with their travel. Christmas Day and night was spent at Karen's. It was a quiet two weeks alone in a good size house, but I found plenty to keep me busy. I had two elves come by and help me move furniture and assemble Sally's birthday present - a big, heavy NordicTrak treadmill. Hope you are using it daily, Sally!<br /><br />I flew back to Houston mid-January and found I had a slight problem with the Road Runner. Guess she got lonely and paying me back for leaving her. First it was the coach batteries...dead er than dead! Replaced them. The next time I started the Road Runner up, I heard a ticking noise similar to the hazards lights, but much faster pace. The guy across the street from my friend's is a chief mechanic for a major airlines and also owns two Vokswagens....Whoa...what could be better! He thought it was the relay switch, but we couldn't find it. He went home to research it and I did the same thing. We both found out at the same time from different sources, that the switch is built into the hazard button. An all-in-one deal. So we took part of the dash apart to get to the dang thing! When the fuse was remove, of course the ticking would stop. When we removed the flasher, it stopped. So we thought we found the problem, I ordered a new switch and Voila! Not such luck! The wrong switch was shipped so I was delayed two more days. I was to meet Amye at the Hollywood Casino in Gulfport, MS and I had to cancel. We were going to meet Joan in Panama City Beach, Florida on the 10th of Feb. Well, the new switch came in, we installed it and tick, tick, tick. NO CHANGE. Problem is still there. So I said the "H" with it. I'm leaving this afternoon, noise or no noise. After an hour of driving with the stupid noise, I turned my CD player on, inserted a book on CD and drowned out the tick, tick, tick. I was beginning to feel like someone had a timed bomb already to go off on a certain tick. Rained all the way into Jenning, Louisiana where I stopped for the night. It was still raining when I got up in the morning.<br /><br />Never, ever buy Crocs with holes in the front! Because if you think they will keep your feet dry, think again...especially if you step into a mud hole. Oh, yes I did!!! Trying to unplug the electrical cord from the post. Not only were the Crocs wet and muddy...add my soaked socks. So a change in footwear was warranted....as well as a foot bath.<br /><br />When I got back on to I-10 heading Eastbound and Down (under the speed limit due to rain) I thought I was seeing some big, thick snowflakes. Can't be! This is southern LA! Wrong. Sticking to the Road Runner, clogging the wipers, coming down the windshield...big, big flakes! Sure slowed me down more. If one has ever been on I-10 through LA, one knows there is an 18 mile drive OVER the bayous. Road sure can be treacherous...especially when the snow become sleet. By the time I got to Baton Rouge the snow/sleet was back to rain. Whew!!! The weather continued to be cold, wet and windy through Mississippi. But watch out Alabama! 25 miles west of Mobile, road warning signs were flashing and telling one to turn your radio on. I didn't need to. Within a one mile stretch five cars had slide into the medium strip..3 westbound and 2 eastbound. Traffic westbound was backed up with State Troopers directing traffic. Why? The white stuff was coming down agin. Wait a minute!!! This is suppose to be the SUNNY SOUTH where the snowbirds head to! And all this time I had a tick, tick, tick! Not a good day! I arrived in Panama City Beach at 4PM..10 hours since I left Jennings. <br /><br />Good thing...I was in time for Pot Luck! I bought the fixing for pineapple cole slaw thinking it would go good with the pulled pork BBQ the campground provided. Yummy. One tends to eat too much at these. Diet starts Monday as we have another Pot Luck Saturday night (campground providing the pork chops and more pulled pork BBQ. They also serve a full breakfast on the weekends, and I do mean full! from O.J. and coffee, to homemade biscuits,sausage gravy, hashbrowns, 2 sausage patties, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pancakes and eggs scrambled or fixed the way you want them..all for $5. See why I said diet begins Monday.<br /><br />Oh, I missed telling you, the temperature Saturday morning at 7AM...32 degrees F. Brrr...and this is the SUNSHINE STATE!!<br /><br />There are 46 units here at our gathering. Some of the guys are working on small problems with rigs (sure hope somebody comes by and stops this tick, tick tick!). The ladies had a Red Hat Tea Party yesterday as well as two craft projects, The guys had a tech-talk session. Guess tomorrow is will be raining AGAIN! Some plan on doing laundry, some may go to the mall and then some of us may hibernated with a good book. Time will tell. Guess I'll let you know tomorrow. As I sit here with a small box of Valentine candy given to me by a male friend in Houston, I hope you all had a Happy Lover's Day.Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-66711940391653253142009-08-15T20:24:00.003-06:002009-08-16T20:32:28.858-06:00Oklahoma BoundThe 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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7PZ3PFlDo4hFjFkWe06SdyMwTAuPFv7FmW493fdFmGhjnk-BpyCqiwRxi8W94Dp7aVPUB5WZGdEW5cIGDztigWWNoWcoDLZNvlpPcK-3BO-SMJfC81bpvlFlYhRj7vyM74Y0qb0gk63s/s1600-h/000_0062_02.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370689366202389474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7PZ3PFlDo4hFjFkWe06SdyMwTAuPFv7FmW493fdFmGhjnk-BpyCqiwRxi8W94Dp7aVPUB5WZGdEW5cIGDztigWWNoWcoDLZNvlpPcK-3BO-SMJfC81bpvlFlYhRj7vyM74Y0qb0gk63s/s320/000_0062_02.jpg" /></a> <em>Carlsbad Caverns, N.M.</em></div><br /><br /><p>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.</p><br /><br /><p>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.</p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkicPb7Tk5XA1nLwiKzxcubf6KHK2uQLldHYbYuX3t6YIlYqQbAq-6RmSvFkbX6CWiL49nvUp3WWsf4otBcxoupp8LPgQfRUScKXNyedAhwpRgq11UrwFS_XAQveu2fSmqNfXlijpXKl8z/s1600-h/Napa+Valley+%26+Giant+Redwoods+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370689355531408162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkicPb7Tk5XA1nLwiKzxcubf6KHK2uQLldHYbYuX3t6YIlYqQbAq-6RmSvFkbX6CWiL49nvUp3WWsf4otBcxoupp8LPgQfRUScKXNyedAhwpRgq11UrwFS_XAQveu2fSmqNfXlijpXKl8z/s320/Napa+Valley+%26+Giant+Redwoods+003.JPG" /></a><em>Overlooking Napa</em> <em>Valley </em></div><div align="center"><em></em><br /><br /> </div><div align="left">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.</div><p><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWurDWjg4ixXsjApTZyT2lUSA65VLZGqBfcrzwxxKPlqU5DmLoSkgPBzZLUprCHEmiFvwiumBZTpLwiqgwzCqSeCczsCYEIfED2bsPC2wq76U8MLBaMp8zdKJyIb5nqKxxbLIGu3bZeRh-/s1600-h/Mt.+Rainier+013.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370689348845527010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWurDWjg4ixXsjApTZyT2lUSA65VLZGqBfcrzwxxKPlqU5DmLoSkgPBzZLUprCHEmiFvwiumBZTpLwiqgwzCqSeCczsCYEIfED2bsPC2wq76U8MLBaMp8zdKJyIb5nqKxxbLIGu3bZeRh-/s320/Mt.+Rainier+013.JPG" /></em></a><em>Mt. Rainer, Washington State</em></div><p><br /> </p><div align="left">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.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><p> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpZXFsYjMmdROj_kWhzpKzBUVWI9Y0lvgLpc4qjUMrpFVgvHoYWcPvoljp7-KVco-rYRGNE3-JhZ4hEa8vIsSI5bBgxhlK8bjYAegAsnn7U9GB0ySqPvhwytLEhRt1iK5My1dSte6SUuR/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+060.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370689332492980818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpZXFsYjMmdROj_kWhzpKzBUVWI9Y0lvgLpc4qjUMrpFVgvHoYWcPvoljp7-KVco-rYRGNE3-JhZ4hEa8vIsSI5bBgxhlK8bjYAegAsnn7U9GB0ySqPvhwytLEhRt1iK5My1dSte6SUuR/s320/Glacier+National+Park+060.JPG" /></em></a><em>Glacier National Park, Montana</em></p><p><br /> </p>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!<br /><br /><div align="left"></div><p> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KabxSgIyBVEnCp7CWP2K3AlgDaCZoeLIxlEwRBGsa15eX1O-1cn_z-qHGMqb4WzZVFDmeQXhy8SuKdMnjpX9h_xl8vAMu0NxJ_xYrdwoibT7OyAi4N4tbWAhnWDtuBiA-tVoiDiLBsT-/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+027.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370689330558734818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KabxSgIyBVEnCp7CWP2K3AlgDaCZoeLIxlEwRBGsa15eX1O-1cn_z-qHGMqb4WzZVFDmeQXhy8SuKdMnjpX9h_xl8vAMu0NxJ_xYrdwoibT7OyAi4N4tbWAhnWDtuBiA-tVoiDiLBsT-/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+027.JPG" /></em></a><em> Mt. Rushmore National Monument</em></p><p> </p><p>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". </p><br /><p>Farewell. TTT's</p><br /><p>PS: We will be meeting again in February in Panama City, Florida. Watch out, Florida. Here comes the The Terrific Threesome!</p><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-89571109861153655052009-08-13T19:07:00.002-06:002009-08-13T19:37:19.239-06:00Casino NightSorry I don't have a picture to post of the Prairie Band Casino & Resort where we stayed last night. The Prairie Band has a great campground and is very reasonable. It even included <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">wi</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fi</span>. And <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">chauffuer</span> service to and from the Casino.<br /><br />We had eaten a big lunch at a Cracker Barrel about 2 PM, so we didn't partake of the dinner specials. We do plan on taking advantage of the breakfast buffet special in the morning.<br /><br />As for the casino, I won enough to pay for camping and breakfast. I am not sure how Amye did. Seem like Joan is in a slump. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">She'll</span> be out of it soon<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">TTT's</span> are homeward bound........ and I think we are ready for it!Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-6927148190796366072009-08-13T14:55:00.004-06:002009-08-13T19:06:23.104-06:00The Corn Palace<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-8oPzWItJL37Ivi0SGqiiUfkHmptCOb0OTZS3hJI6Xwb7y8NQknMgHOgL_VfkRWzk9As7q8kijUiSh_2UMRtkVi3HkhFDEY8maYNwd28wEYnBXVsTG_skmV06EYvKps5ODf7VUmWH4K/s1600-h/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369555693976618162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz-8oPzWItJL37Ivi0SGqiiUfkHmptCOb0OTZS3hJI6Xwb7y8NQknMgHOgL_VfkRWzk9As7q8kijUiSh_2UMRtkVi3HkhFDEY8maYNwd28wEYnBXVsTG_skmV06EYvKps5ODf7VUmWH4K/s320/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+010.JPG" /></a> <em>We Did It Again!</em></div><br /><div align="left"><em></em></div><br /><div align="left">Sometimes, especially without reservations, we have difficulty getting three camp sites together. Such was the case last night. We called ahead to the R&R Campground in Mitchell, South Dakota. They said to come on in and they would see what they could do for us. Yes, they could give us three sites, but they were not near each other. Since we share food, it would kind of pose a hardship. The staff was so accommodating, they said they would try to work something out. Sure enough they did! They had an 80 ft. site and the TTT's said " No Problem!" We are only 22 ft. each and we could piggy-back on electricity. Two of us were given a ride to the site prior to registering to make sure it was long enough. We would fit! We each even ended up with our own electricity as there was a 50 amp., a 30 amp. and 20 amp. Don't we look sharp?! The staff even had to come and take pictures. They said it was a "first" for them. What delightful people. They even told us about a pizza special, ordered it for us and hand-delivered it to our site. Of course we did pay for it! All you campers out there that are following our blog and ever in Mitchell, S.D, area, stop there! Nice clean place with a great staff!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br />Since the Corn Place, which by the way is the only one in the world, opened at 8 AM, we were almost the first visitors of the day.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmljfoCOSzTATk-QhPO76wegnYrLu0iMLIFZxvrumR5WcqwlyyFcuJjBOBM0QH6YLUr-Q5PW9Z7ZMSH2jYpipdlIfS-O8BkyE5b9XR3bs1mEKfbLqL24qmr5lKtZVVTxNEFJyouJ8Xzip9/s1600-h/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369555683625047474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmljfoCOSzTATk-QhPO76wegnYrLu0iMLIFZxvrumR5WcqwlyyFcuJjBOBM0QH6YLUr-Q5PW9Z7ZMSH2jYpipdlIfS-O8BkyE5b9XR3bs1mEKfbLqL24qmr5lKtZVVTxNEFJyouJ8Xzip9/s320/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+027.JPG" /></a> <em>The Corn Palace, Mitchell, S.D.</em></div><br /><p>It is quite an amazing place. There have been three palaces. The first one was built in 1892, the second in 1905 and the current one in 1921. Photos of every Corn Palace since 1892 line the walls of the interior of the building. There are also permanent interior corn murals. </p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1uLqc_mqxHWWKntWrBFJCp0n3dNzEWVqya-m2AF0S_0N3FjKj8PePNdvp1IQT92AHGZnRwbr87oLKhPI_0jYoAUuIaSjJEC0MhBYN-ZJlzo7KJDfbQU_GbQwiqquEJ7CROsgqa8I1cRb/s1600-h/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369555676876744642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1uLqc_mqxHWWKntWrBFJCp0n3dNzEWVqya-m2AF0S_0N3FjKj8PePNdvp1IQT92AHGZnRwbr87oLKhPI_0jYoAUuIaSjJEC0MhBYN-ZJlzo7KJDfbQU_GbQwiqquEJ7CROsgqa8I1cRb/s320/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+022.JPG" /></a> <em>Display showing how a design comes to reality</em></div><em></em><br /><div align="left"><br />To me the most amazing thing was how and what they used to decorate the outside of the Corn Palace yearly. Each year local artists submit their ideas and one is chosen. The outside of the Corn Palace is stripped and redecorated with new corn and grains.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The design is drawn on tar paper and the artist will note what color corn or grain goes where. In early summer the process of removing the "old" and "on with the new". After stripping away the old, the grains are first tied in bundles and attached. These grains, all 3,000 bushels, consist of milo, rye, oat heads and sour dock. The murals containing corn have to wait until late summer when the corn crop is ready. Over half million ears are sawed in half length-wise and nailed to the building following those tar paper patterns. What is the cost do to this annually? Around $130,000. This is quite a feat every year. So again, if you are near Mitchell, stop by and see the people working!<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv8tETrxwZqOSGjimiffHRFalFpGkMZvL3oq99tDH6J4BcP9hyphenhyphenLhG2anYnVns8d5s6tSTT_BqGPZgHg-6hiFYIW9WQPco-q2T6gNxrrNv-_sLJkto-QLxd8RV4UIm0hkOInSmQ7eFMyic/s1600-h/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369555668419191106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv8tETrxwZqOSGjimiffHRFalFpGkMZvL3oq99tDH6J4BcP9hyphenhyphenLhG2anYnVns8d5s6tSTT_BqGPZgHg-6hiFYIW9WQPco-q2T6gNxrrNv-_sLJkto-QLxd8RV4UIm0hkOInSmQ7eFMyic/s320/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+024.JPG" /></a><em>Outside Mural<br /></em><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left">And so our journey through South Dakota comes to an end. We are headed for a casino in Kansas for the night. Cheap entertainment, if we keep our money in the rigs!</div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_K-Vhfi5um6gknYkJMNt7NXjAD7vEPp8D41xRfcFTwwvcKpaCa0donaxoMaRbtSMdOFIBuv1pMwWhRmIjL-S9zUvHjnxAB4lziJdzmcZAZ5QcZTjAAi9wqQpwe3iwtIq9EPe4tZKe02m/s1600-h/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369555660645047186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_K-Vhfi5um6gknYkJMNt7NXjAD7vEPp8D41xRfcFTwwvcKpaCa0donaxoMaRbtSMdOFIBuv1pMwWhRmIjL-S9zUvHjnxAB4lziJdzmcZAZ5QcZTjAAi9wqQpwe3iwtIq9EPe4tZKe02m/s320/Corn+Palace,+Mitchell,+SD+029.JPG" /></a> Clock in a Park across from the Corn Palace.<br />Time to Leave.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left">The TTT's.....heading home.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-10297450525072223052009-08-11T18:36:00.005-06:002009-08-13T15:45:21.187-06:00More of South DakotaTuesday, August 11<br /><br />We started out early this morning, not knowing what traffic we would encounter in the Badlands.<br />Our first stop was at the infamous Wall Drug, home of the nickel coffee and free cold water! Really a #1 tourist trap. They have changed it since I was last here. We spent little time here.<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VvDvW7ylz4lGOmTy5VgtZcDp1Q5Bb0O0cZr1bnUlpnstDJ7rLR8K6d69KwqPFm4QG8EtY-BWcpNgX9rr-uICR53W4JVlnohNfgJcDNHzZ1oRK_ACibLyB5sGhQU3rw9YfMQOJoR5x1RB/s1600-h/Wall+Drug+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368891499278005746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VvDvW7ylz4lGOmTy5VgtZcDp1Q5Bb0O0cZr1bnUlpnstDJ7rLR8K6d69KwqPFm4QG8EtY-BWcpNgX9rr-uICR53W4JVlnohNfgJcDNHzZ1oRK_ACibLyB5sGhQU3rw9YfMQOJoR5x1RB/s320/Wall+Drug+001.JPG" /></a> <em>Wall Drug, Wall, S.D.</em></div><p><em></em></p><p>So off we headed to the Badlands National Park. As Joan said: "How could anyone have survived living here?" But people di<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">d! Bot</span>h the Lak<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ota </span>Indians and the homesteaders shaped this land. The Park consists of three units. The North Unit is the best known and it includes 64,000 wilderness acres of the 240,000 total acres. There really is no way to describe it. So look at some of the pictures I have taken and enjoy!<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rqrKIaen_4rLKoOeFqxbvGYQBS32LXhXLkQj3DWr-9OSRpzw8XhTd-Hss2g0P5V6v0DNw3bN-p42s7_khKli1pp5wByn7R3-NAwd0Qi-D42voKgkIytPygCIxQ51q99bjOrCeAS6jBHy/s1600-h/The+Badlands,+S.D+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368891493604864594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rqrKIaen_4rLKoOeFqxbvGYQBS32LXhXLkQj3DWr-9OSRpzw8XhTd-Hss2g0P5V6v0DNw3bN-p42s7_khKli1pp5wByn7R3-NAwd0Qi-D42voKgkIytPygCIxQ51q99bjOrCeAS6jBHy/s320/The+Badlands,+S.D+009.JPG" /></a><em>Entrance Sign to the Badlands N.P.<br /></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAHpgxj6YzRQb2wTi2Ahl24wh5ivL41ZIUdoludx97V0M7nsWgvsHi7nMlIlA2aOj2ymPqaKwH6itCYSj-fTdEl-60AA4jzwMPflsFSIKnLMtagDeHtcHd8t7b73ezc-yd1Sg7P83uDTY/s1600-h/Wall+Drug+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368891484417009042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAHpgxj6YzRQb2wTi2Ahl24wh5ivL41ZIUdoludx97V0M7nsWgvsHi7nMlIlA2aOj2ymPqaKwH6itCYSj-fTdEl-60AA4jzwMPflsFSIKnLMtagDeHtcHd8t7b73ezc-yd1Sg7P83uDTY/s320/Wall+Drug+011.JPG" /></a><em>The Badlands<br /><br /></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZY6JoNY-FbsGwxBIK6gLf5UciPE-2YBc7y6z6Og-zzjY3nLUbq5h7RQON5QkTk51kzqGs0eYDXUNUAcEuR2jI-gJf27dLqQb7SlnRgOtipaaEoBrIYF_bOGAJ6h8O0jrJTZsWb-gRawc/s1600-h/Wall+Drug+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368891477971877458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZY6JoNY-FbsGwxBIK6gLf5UciPE-2YBc7y6z6Og-zzjY3nLUbq5h7RQON5QkTk51kzqGs0eYDXUNUAcEuR2jI-gJf27dLqQb7SlnRgOtipaaEoBrIYF_bOGAJ6h8O0jrJTZsWb-gRawc/s320/Wall+Drug+018.JPG" /></a><em>Cedar Pass, Badlands N.P.<br /></em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2nA8zz1zxwyu9kelh4u_8yRlfA6PG8xU2Jizl18syvwe6i0SDWn4xKNNgi_BOF3G6gEmjBkEKrNLskGEOigyEHVLbwaM1tBnBBIAbPVIBRG_PcJ9ep4x1-xBekoDXme5KAH7oWBgk16I/s1600-h/Wall+Drug+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368891472493825186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2nA8zz1zxwyu9kelh4u_8yRlfA6PG8xU2Jizl18syvwe6i0SDWn4xKNNgi_BOF3G6gEmjBkEKrNLskGEOigyEHVLbwaM1tBnBBIAbPVIBRG_PcJ9ep4x1-xBekoDXme5KAH7oWBgk16I/s320/Wall+Drug+027.JPG" /></a><em>Yellow Mounds, Badlands N.P.<br /></em></div><em></em></div><em></em><br /><em></em></div><p><em></em></p><p align="left">So tomorrow brings us to the last scheduled stop on our journey. One may continue on East ward to visit friends and family. One has a wedding to attend in the near fut<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">ure. </span>And the third is just going home.</p><p align="left">The TTT's .......hoping the rats don't eat the Corn Palace until we have seen it.</p><p align="left"></p><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-15384483889245069512009-08-10T21:23:00.002-06:002009-08-11T06:17:59.372-06:00Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IcmkD0yZ-cOfrSlLXXpTGqYuQXmhyphenhyphen_VnYsZz49FyJD7OdoJ8K-b8KOzet3GkPN8sU8xx74M0MH9HxZrEdQCYqUatLVJ42R1pu60DnmTcoNmkUJr-rSMO0XLaPn2-xEQeTGBlEn2V230P/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368669458160175810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IcmkD0yZ-cOfrSlLXXpTGqYuQXmhyphenhyphen_VnYsZz49FyJD7OdoJ8K-b8KOzet3GkPN8sU8xx74M0MH9HxZrEdQCYqUatLVJ42R1pu60DnmTcoNmkUJr-rSMO0XLaPn2-xEQeTGBlEn2V230P/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+001.JPG" /></a><em>Mule Deer</em> </div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">We left our campsite around 10 in the morning headed for Custer State Park. A beautiful sunny day for a wonderful drive. Joan was the chauffeur this morning. Almost immediately after paying the entrance fee, a mule deer was standing right on the side of the road. Great photo opportunity.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6jX9-OT10nhzs_UpvRfLGc1iFBmzTg8X3b4OUafxZQcz57BxMDygz5zJKt8PuyAs-cXjNRD5fAgyT-8of-9IgG16uLVb_m6nIZXU-mVMxZhYwEncKkHlLNjF43-XU8Jg2dfKSWGHp-3g/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368669451195659874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6jX9-OT10nhzs_UpvRfLGc1iFBmzTg8X3b4OUafxZQcz57BxMDygz5zJKt8PuyAs-cXjNRD5fAgyT-8of-9IgG16uLVb_m6nIZXU-mVMxZhYwEncKkHlLNjF43-XU8Jg2dfKSWGHp-3g/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+007.JPG" /></a><em>Bison</em></div><br /><br /><em><div align="center"><br /></em>Talk about being near the road, this big fellow thought it was the perfect place to sit and watch the humans go by. We were almost to the Wild Animal Loop when we spotted a big herd of buffalo off to our right. So we took that road and got to watch the bison in their daily activities. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAdljx9crvChp7cHcdSw1N9lGP9n8cU4rDnIFb9LuiAQYp3o5-lXzZBr_px8Zmg4N3oImXFvs9E8Xq0EbTO7csftVkf8eHAKEAg2HTo3wpEXXrsZT9Ue9TKrNHuHwos09GCnSHNQlixta/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+015.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368669445241859154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAdljx9crvChp7cHcdSw1N9lGP9n8cU4rDnIFb9LuiAQYp3o5-lXzZBr_px8Zmg4N3oImXFvs9E8Xq0EbTO7csftVkf8eHAKEAg2HTo3wpEXXrsZT9Ue9TKrNHuHwos09GCnSHNQlixta/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+015.JPG" /> <p align="center"> </em></a>M<em>om and Baby Burro</em><br /><br /></p><p align="left">Back on the Wild Animal Loop we did see several species of animals. From prairie dogs, pronghorns (aka antelope), more bison, and the really traffic stoppers......the Burros! They are not native to the Black Hills. They were first used to transport people to the lodges in the area. After the invention of the automobile, the burros were turned loose in the park. These are descendents living here today. </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkT0K2u5GF5CfAvFTinKYc_OuNkdyjS_3oPqHdu5qM3FtidyrGaf8omHWJ68zUNGVWiRlAHPSNYe2gSD5bEwGsgmdm9jijxLRQZcd70qWIFfJ-kjnvo_Ve_bb8T6IV84yvz9FOA7FJcKK/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+020.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368669440360799746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkT0K2u5GF5CfAvFTinKYc_OuNkdyjS_3oPqHdu5qM3FtidyrGaf8omHWJ68zUNGVWiRlAHPSNYe2gSD5bEwGsgmdm9jijxLRQZcd70qWIFfJ-kjnvo_Ve_bb8T6IV84yvz9FOA7FJcKK/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+020.JPG" /></em></a><em> Great Place to have Lunch!</em></p><br /><p><em></em></p><p align="left">People would feed them, although it is illegal according to the Park Regulations. They were so tame, one could pet them. In fact they would come up to your car windows. Amye said if one left the car door open, the burro would probably get into the car. I saw one follow a man to his van, and while the man was trying to get something from the van, the burro was pulling at his T-shirt. The best photo was when a baby decided to have lunch in the middle of the road! Cars were literally at a stand-still.</p><br /><p align="left">We had our lunch along the roadside before heading to Mount Rushmore. Do you want to drive a mountainous road with switchbacks (10 mph warning signs), three narrow one lane tunnels, and a section called the "Pig Tail"? Then drive Rt. 16A between Custer State Park and Rt. 244 going to Mount Rushmore! Almost better than a roller coaster!<br /></p><p align="left">If you look closely at the picture of Mount Rushmore, you will see two tiny figures standing on President Roosevelt's head. Don't know what was going on, but there was a rope from the top of his head to the ground below. We saw one guy climb up the President's face. This is a great Memorial to four great Presidents. </p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v8jvRH-9YMuu7GNMNljkNWEPJLL1uaIdJWcg6HbQbkZpOVocpYIHGujBOuRlLl1ez9thIh26-mePhKAl_apPKglpGYvc5YqC4vNZ6hCW6xom3ASXzJkcD_D5Kog4QpQvZSEYR-62KVsc/s1600-h/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+026.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368669437209403922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v8jvRH-9YMuu7GNMNljkNWEPJLL1uaIdJWcg6HbQbkZpOVocpYIHGujBOuRlLl1ez9thIh26-mePhKAl_apPKglpGYvc5YqC4vNZ6hCW6xom3ASXzJkcD_D5Kog4QpQvZSEYR-62KVsc/s320/Custer+State+Park+%26+Mt+Rushmore+026.JPG" /></em></a><em> Mount Rushmore</em></div><p align="left"><br />And so, another great day comes to an end. On to the Badlands tomorrow.</p><div align="left">The TTT's ......heading East!</div><br /><br /><p><em></em></p><br /><br /><p><em></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></em><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-76213456635923616172009-08-10T18:03:00.004-06:002009-08-10T21:06:37.152-06:00Sturgis, South Dakota<div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">It was raining when we left Devil's Tower KOA this morning. We kept our speed between 60-65mph on the I-90. For the past two weeks we have seen thousands of motorcycles. No wonder! It was Rally Week in Sturgis. We heard reports that there were 400,000 in attendance. We just had to go into Sturgis and see what it was all about. Amye's brother was there, but he had already left. MacDonald's lot was so full of motorcycles, we had to park across the street at a business. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir0TtoJByi5VI8rUojN_0KMhnx0lKufYZ541qfTYDwaeu40W-pEJBdoUN8_8l9BKBasMgEc-51VP2J6GzwGGpkamMm8GL05-N2xui98KunRdFi5hxM0i65VrRwW6dg3tjHVHB6Ewg7zlt/s1600-h/IMG_3240.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368494198839350258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir0TtoJByi5VI8rUojN_0KMhnx0lKufYZ541qfTYDwaeu40W-pEJBdoUN8_8l9BKBasMgEc-51VP2J6GzwGGpkamMm8GL05-N2xui98KunRdFi5hxM0i65VrRwW6dg3tjHVHB6Ewg7zlt/s320/IMG_3240.jpg" /></a> <em>Proof We Were There!</em></div><br /><p align="center">Sitting under cover from the rain were four motorcyclists. They told us they were from Houston, TX. We had a wonderful time exchanging stories. They wanted to see the inside of our rigs, so we invited them into the Happy Turtle and The Road Runner to have a peek at motor home living. One of the guys called his wife in Houston and was telling her all about us. She told him she wanted to join us! There were also two younger couples from Colorado sitting under cover also. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHiAEfDX9AAOVf5kYw4UwzTqKTS5A7eNH5nxFN41ioirjQppilZdzbLLitS87bQa7cW6-MJbNM65ZuY9kMTavj-0-MnzpFopKm_UmLoeHWNyxRLXb2BnrvXNFJcOQjoNjLx0byiXmOG3/s1600-h/IMG_3242.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368494187215613010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksHiAEfDX9AAOVf5kYw4UwzTqKTS5A7eNH5nxFN41ioirjQppilZdzbLLitS87bQa7cW6-MJbNM65ZuY9kMTavj-0-MnzpFopKm_UmLoeHWNyxRLXb2BnrvXNFJcOQjoNjLx0byiXmOG3/s320/IMG_3242.jpg" /></a><em> The TTT's having fun with our Motorcycle Friends!</em></p><br /><p align="left">Vickie, and I am sorry to say I didn't get all your names, took the above picture. Wish she were in it, too. She was so cute! We wished them a safe and happy travels on their bikes as they head to Yellowstone National Park. We are headed for the KOA at Mt. Rushmore.</p><br /><p align="left">I did a dumb thing today. I charged the camera battery to make sure I could get some pictures at the Crazy Horse Monument. We signed up to take the shuttle bus from the campground to the monument to see the night laser show. Guess who forgot to put the battery in the camera? So I don't have any pictures to post. It was very cool sitting out on the viewing veranda! I can tell you there have been changes at the monument, but not so much on the carving since I last saw it 6 years ago. The changes are all in the buildings, entrance and parking lot. Since it is not support be neither the federal or state governments, all funds come from public donations, admission, sales in the gift shop and food concessions. The Memorial contains an orientation center with twin theaters, the Indian Museum of North America, Education & Conference Center, Tipi-Museum, Native American Culture Center, Sculptor's Log-Studio Home and Workshop, Crazy Horse 1/34th Model and a veranda for viewing the laser lighting show. Quite a place. The future plans include an Indian University of North America and Medical Training Center and Avenues of the Chiefs. It's a remarkable place.</p><br /><p align="left">They are currently working on the 22-story-high horse's head. The painted outline shows the 45-foot ear and the 16-foot-wide eye, some 260 feet below the head of Crazy Horse. When finished, it will be the world's largest sculpture. Mt. Rushmore would fit in Crazy Horse's head!</p><br /><p align="left">Tomorrow our plans include Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.</p><br /><p align="left">To our motorcycle friends...Thanks for a fun morning!</p><br /><p align="left">The TTT's ...we keep on going.</p>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-51829421347370575082009-08-08T16:56:00.002-06:002009-08-08T19:56:14.840-06:00Devil's Tower, Wyoming<div align="center">We departed from Cody at 6:30 this morning as we have a good drive ahead of us. In spite of a mountain climb from 5016 feet to 9568 ft, the scenery was beautiful. Part way up the mountain we pulled into an overlook area to give our babies a breather and to cool down. I am positive I heard the Road Runner say: " I think I can, I think I can!" Under my breathe I could hear myself say: "I'll be glad to get over the mountains!" It seems like that is all we have been in since Joshua Tree National Park. Yes, that was sometime before the 4Th of July! We have done our share of mountains and are ready for the Plains. But first we have some good hills in the Black Hills of South Dakota!</div><p align="center"><br /> </p><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzfYIvpuoMFPbfL0BUB5GBRzzF0E8b7yRnz3yz_zFnQxBCxl7UordzYkSIlG02TT3UgC8yIoUHvOsuZxxmi4xlQuWEKPo_tLl56xxMgbP_VgGUCSEDJlMyu-_GeUo9p_8qUlg_fdJsu-I/s1600-h/Devil's+Tower+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367731612930455106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzfYIvpuoMFPbfL0BUB5GBRzzF0E8b7yRnz3yz_zFnQxBCxl7UordzYkSIlG02TT3UgC8yIoUHvOsuZxxmi4xlQuWEKPo_tLl56xxMgbP_VgGUCSEDJlMyu-_GeUo9p_8qUlg_fdJsu-I/s320/Devil's+Tower+001.JPG" /></a> <em>Lake View from Mountain Overpass</em></div><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center"><em></em></p><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center">Coming through Buffalo, WY we had a small detour. Seems they were having a parade. We did see some fancy horse units that had already finished the route. We are now in Devil's Tower, WY in a KOA. Shortly after the Tilton Hilton and The Happy Turtle were hooked up to landlines (electricity that is), we took the Road Runner up to Devil's Tower National Monument. </p><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center">For those followers who have never seen Devil's Tower, let me give you some statistics. The Tower rises 867 feet from its base and stands 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and is 5,112 feet above sea level. The area of its teardrop-shaped top is 1.5 acres. The diameter of its base is 1,000 ft. It is also the first national monument, so designated by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. That's your history lesson for today.</p><p align="center"><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U2ixGcH7yMzspB_4PqPn-ZJdeJSMzCkPOywRW8IncVuKcWCH5hVXLLTlwgqIzfnSzC-YXCqvT6a7q42eU6cK2UVRXJuUXfzR7_t7Fih_Z7LYhsWrKhML_Rp9hfwcRaiQbeswY2ySXb99/s1600-h/Devil's+Tower+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367731606671530306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U2ixGcH7yMzspB_4PqPn-ZJdeJSMzCkPOywRW8IncVuKcWCH5hVXLLTlwgqIzfnSzC-YXCqvT6a7q42eU6cK2UVRXJuUXfzR7_t7Fih_Z7LYhsWrKhML_Rp9hfwcRaiQbeswY2ySXb99/s320/Devil's+Tower+002.JPG" /></a><em>Devil's</em> <em>Tower</em> -<em>West</em> <em>Side</em></div><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center">Several Indian nations of the Great Plains share similar legends on the origin of this prominent butte. The Kiowa Indians say: "Eight children were there at play, seven sisters and their brother. Suddenly the lad was stuck dumb, he trembled and began to run upon his hands and feet. His fingers became claws, and his body was covered with fur. Where the boy had stood was now standing a bear. The sisters were terrified; they ran and the bear ran after them. They came to a stump of a great tree and the tree spoke to them. It told the sisters to climb upon it, and as they did so, the stump began to rise into the air. The bear came to kill them, but they were just beyond it's reach. It reared against the tree and scored the bark all around with it's claws. The seven sisters were borne into the sky and they became the stars of the Big Dipper.</p><p align="left">If one saw the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", directed by Steven Speilberg and starring Richard Dreyfus and Teri Carr, right away one would remember Devil's Tower played a big part in the movie.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviQrytZmC2stm1EG0g5AkLndS7TJIRLsUOfp5xdEGVqOMZJEODntQe3ZQiLJyp2Ua81VMfoB8saGM7nsA3Ci16HzZwjdRh-YNA2BgdJXhoDMTnzBOV8h7aYis4cFaDNcxm3xIlRwcCBJ5/s1600-h/Devil's+Tower+008.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367731596767576978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviQrytZmC2stm1EG0g5AkLndS7TJIRLsUOfp5xdEGVqOMZJEODntQe3ZQiLJyp2Ua81VMfoB8saGM7nsA3Ci16HzZwjdRh-YNA2BgdJXhoDMTnzBOV8h7aYis4cFaDNcxm3xIlRwcCBJ5/s320/Devil's+Tower+008.JPG" /></em></a><em>Devil's Tower -South side</em></p><p align="left"><br />Located in the park is a Prairie Dog Town. A sign says "DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS". Well to look at them, I would say they eat very well. Chubby little fellows. If one comes too close, they start this chattering to warn other prairie dogs , and down in their burrows they go.<br /><br /></p><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367731592262054178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiini3GgTXWGFi15FU11WIMBfJTGyyHMok7eJOBL9hCMLoSX5FJ0URLUHUCny0CJkiPqOQWIz8cdMccP3W8ql3wxNzqH_qmFS1R-0zy3zSJWOpyAIJRKmTGEG8DuliJc09mCJBwsGsSq28K/s320/Devil's+Tower+005.JPG" /></em> <p align="center"><em>I'll sit and pose if you take my picture, but don't come too close.</em></p><p align="left">So back to camp, Our chef made spaghetti and sausage with garlic bread for dinner and just as we were about to sit down to eat, a rain storm with hail chased us indoors. We are heading for the Black Hills of South Dakota tomorrow. I hope they are hills, and NOT mountains.</p><p align="left">The Terrific Threesome....rolling down the roads.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-20493468088399940622009-08-07T17:07:00.003-06:002009-08-07T20:56:21.968-06:00Buffalo Bill Historical Center - Part 2Friday, August 7. After showers and laundry, Joan fixed us an egg and sausage omelet for breakfast, along with strawberries. Amye toasted the bread. Me, I showed up to eat! Then it was off in the Tilton Hilton for a second day at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. We had three more museums on the schedule as well as two gardens.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN6S7LFibqS8ov8HoBvnDQ7yORNeueXLriiSPo0OmJKTc9nngDq3aF4ELzkXAT5y8iW8i6H5ukFF76DOHnkRusrXW8pIKCC8phRlk8DaF7NojnHYmo8MZRNznrS-WVsf-fGCD0I09-EzW/s1600-h/Cody.+WY+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367364086446486450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN6S7LFibqS8ov8HoBvnDQ7yORNeueXLriiSPo0OmJKTc9nngDq3aF4ELzkXAT5y8iW8i6H5ukFF76DOHnkRusrXW8pIKCC8phRlk8DaF7NojnHYmo8MZRNznrS-WVsf-fGCD0I09-EzW/s320/Cody.+WY+002.JPG" /></a>Sacagawea Statute </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We started in the CODY FIREARMS MUSEUM. I have never seen such a collection of firearms! I didn't know there were so many manufacturers of guns. And after walking through the museum, if one didn't have enough, they could take an elevator to the floor below were there was an additional exhibit of 1200 more! </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><br /><div align="left">From there we went into the WHITNEY GALLERY OF WESTERN ART. This area even had a replica of Remington's art studio. I'm sure you are familiar with the bronze statutes that Remington created of horses and cowboys. Again, the museum was very child friendly. From a drawing area to an area where they could create postcards to send to family and friends.<br /></div><p> </p><p><br /> </p><div align="left">We saw the Cashman Greever Garden that contained several statutes including Sacagawea and the boyhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody. It had been moved to Cody from Iowa where he was born. The Braun Garden also had statutes, but it also had bird houses and a play area for children.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The last museum, PLAINS INDIAN MUSEUM, was fascinating! </div><div align="left"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5stG_m4MccDAHqIcF8acf2ev1cvdynfHdagiXpYpnr20CWi_3Giy4enAA2nLH-SXQlTsXJZBwri6dcUQmiXXRF4-3R14PahNwOI1Ew7mR0Iz907R9GBEzaAZC8yz47QVw6Ik_vBH8Smp/s1600-h/Cody.+WY+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367364081201198466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5stG_m4MccDAHqIcF8acf2ev1cvdynfHdagiXpYpnr20CWi_3Giy4enAA2nLH-SXQlTsXJZBwri6dcUQmiXXRF4-3R14PahNwOI1Ew7mR0Iz907R9GBEzaAZC8yz47QVw6Ik_vBH8Smp/s320/Cody.+WY+013.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a><em>Young Indian Maiden with Dog</em></p><br /><p align="left">For thousands of years, dogs served as guardians, hunters and companions to Native people of the Plains. A large dog could drag a load of about 75 pounds of family belongings on a travois. After horses came to the plains, dogs continued to carry lighter loads.</p><br /><p align="left">As one might expect, the Plains Indians were very crafty. The picture below addresses this with the beaded Child's Vest and Pants.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_1wvTnV1hAWv9Obdor2qwfdfq3tUKKXkFTZqYCGznYB1qE6i77p0GV6-HzgWBdzygkfnv1Gkmu2KYhTkDr-pOOZlArb9ez7Iq5h38LbjUDimVYOT34JnM5Ev27RYgyQWioTBY6qMewV-/s1600-h/Cody.+WY+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367364069915925106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_1wvTnV1hAWv9Obdor2qwfdfq3tUKKXkFTZqYCGznYB1qE6i77p0GV6-HzgWBdzygkfnv1Gkmu2KYhTkDr-pOOZlArb9ez7Iq5h38LbjUDimVYOT34JnM5Ev27RYgyQWioTBY6qMewV-/s320/Cody.+WY+024.JPG" /></a> <em>Child's beaded vest and pants.</em></p><br /><br /><p align="left">After our tour was over, we headed to the museum restaurant for a light lunch. From there, Amye drove us out to the Old Trail Town. This area contains historic buildings and artifacts that were preserved from old Cody and moved out by the Stampede Grounds, which by the way there is a nightly rodeo from June through August.</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhlvqLGkYFNCrzg24lTwaWvPG5wDcYa0oL346KEOTfrZqU_13YTICHCTNLmKBG14WoDrExH8EyRUpRAACnO_9dXnbsh4JS35rZSAID1r20kAt3O911SVYoBDPSWHdw-DEyieO3mKNYNfj/s1600-h/Cody.+WY+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367364064039553154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhlvqLGkYFNCrzg24lTwaWvPG5wDcYa0oL346KEOTfrZqU_13YTICHCTNLmKBG14WoDrExH8EyRUpRAACnO_9dXnbsh4JS35rZSAID1r20kAt3O911SVYoBDPSWHdw-DEyieO3mKNYNfj/s320/Cody.+WY+030.JPG" /></a><em>Old Trail Town<br /></em></div><div align="center">Across the road from the Old Trail Town, we checked on another museum...Tecumseh's Miniature Village and Museum. They boasted of having the West's largest model train layout, amazing western diorama and a museum.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Z8hqPNhXsLKm9PNQERL-kgu8NFNrxqYNlWKMtfiuqvB5stWI0jr9EAD_kV1y7liL1NlXRVm3QYnApddGVzL5g0clPJlk5AmlZfQx5zY8-SbsWUO3_EoWUbbWF2LNPo3nOVess2lqkLu/s1600-h/Cody.+WY+039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367364057877953746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Z8hqPNhXsLKm9PNQERL-kgu8NFNrxqYNlWKMtfiuqvB5stWI0jr9EAD_kV1y7liL1NlXRVm3QYnApddGVzL5g0clPJlk5AmlZfQx5zY8-SbsWUO3_EoWUbbWF2LNPo3nOVess2lqkLu/s320/Cody.+WY+039.JPG" /></a>Bar and Dining Room - Irma Hotel, Cody, WY</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">And last but certainly least, we visited the Irma Hotel. It has to be oldest in Wyoming. It was from the porch that we watch the Cody Gunfighter win a street gunfight two nights ago.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">And so it goes.....We leave wonderful Cody, WY in the morning for Devil's Tower, WY. We have a 9585 ft mountain pass to cross tomorrow. Not looking forward to it!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">The Terrific Threesome...living the good life!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-65444593748442028462009-08-06T20:47:00.004-06:002009-08-07T16:43:46.154-06:00Cody, WyomingThursday, August 6th and all is well. What a surprise Cody, Wyoming is! So much so, we are going to spend another night. After getting two of the three rigs set up and eating left overs for supper, Joan and the Happy Turtle drove us down into town last night for the 7 PM re-enactment of a "Good Guys vs Bad Guys" skit. It is performed Monday through Saturday in front of the historic Irma Hotel. All proceeds from selling seating to posters, etc. go to charities.<br /><br /><br /><br />Joan took the Happy Turtle to an RV repair shop this morning to see if she could get the plumbing problem fixed. Amye and I spent the morning cleaning, emptying holding tanks, taking on fresh water and doing some battery maintenance. My LP gas detector went off three times last night. I finally disconnected it so I could get some sleep!<br /><br /><br /><br />This afternoon we went into town in the Road Runner for a visit to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Let me say this.....there are five museums in one! And it is well worth it for the price. Our ticket gives us two days to see it. It takes that long!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcaPFv2dprp4odhjL_ruDBKLx6Cov5c4zoQsto_SBnRrN8L57Ijx4TiBfSkfephio1FkAvHGsLsqJYx1yC7_pLqIXcGy_c99EJ6hoKTRe88yULObAgtq5n3xyLhiknk_4lxyqH3Dmfx-y/s1600-h/Cody,+WY+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367049533646870226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcaPFv2dprp4odhjL_ruDBKLx6Cov5c4zoQsto_SBnRrN8L57Ijx4TiBfSkfephio1FkAvHGsLsqJYx1yC7_pLqIXcGy_c99EJ6hoKTRe88yULObAgtq5n3xyLhiknk_4lxyqH3Dmfx-y/s320/Cody,+WY+003.JPG" /></a> <em>Title says it all</em></div><br /><p>The five museums include (1) The Draper Museum of Natural History, (2) Buffalo Bill Museum, (3) The Plains Indian Museum, (4) Whitney Gallery of Western Art, and (5) The Cody Firearm Museum. There was also a special art exhibit on paintings about the Lewis & Clark Expedition and Buffalo Bill's boyhood home is also on the grounds of the museum. There is an extensive gift shop as well as restaurant. This is quite a museum!</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81bYnCpAbKLqXas-RF1Q0Em38U-Uh7uhX-8bolVAYGUShnzsauQqhCYbZvaJQnkxmxDDho71U5nG9llR9U59pFP9BdE_j2GhrfYkOn-L6WF_aEWx2VbGjh24KRscRhoAQb943KOdErVAo/s1600-h/Cody,+WY+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367049530630476098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81bYnCpAbKLqXas-RF1Q0Em38U-Uh7uhX-8bolVAYGUShnzsauQqhCYbZvaJQnkxmxDDho71U5nG9llR9U59pFP9BdE_j2GhrfYkOn-L6WF_aEWx2VbGjh24KRscRhoAQb943KOdErVAo/s320/Cody,+WY+028.JPG" /></a><em>Wells Fargo Stagecoach</em><br /></p><br /><p align="left">The Buffalo Bill Museum contains many artifacts of W. F Cody and his family. One thing that caught my eye was a silver coin "Billie's" mother had been saving. His dad was deceased at the time. Billie took the coin and accidently dropped it into a river. He was 5 years old at the time. He engaged some older lads to search for the coin in the river's bottom. One of the boys went to Billie's mother and told her what had happend. With switch in hand and ready to give a beating, Mrs. Cody went down to the river and wanted to know just what was he thinking in taking the coin. He had a quick answer for her. He was teaching the boys how to mine for gold. I am happy to say the coin was found.</p><br /><p align="left">One of the most interesting museum was the Draper Museum of Natural History. It was certainly "child-friendly". The exhibits were amazing. And so many "hands-on" exhibits. Children can get a "Greater Yellowstone Adventure Passport" and the "Explorer's Guide for Families". There are 6 areas in this museum and the children can emboss a stamp on the passport for each area they visit. The Museum is filled with sights and sounds of the natural world. The Explorer's Guide allows the child to record what they see and hear. I have posted some pictures from this museum.</p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEsBdXIxbiHC9VUqCeU5xOMcBc8OsCBvhueEDxY4B_EswnUPAfJPXGx6f8yGHKeFLSVRNmP5ALT98FrDMxKllQcdv-MbD0yF71rZ3X_9ZJMSWA9QDop8i8SlQXaN9n_obL6Tu7BCKjt5q/s1600-h/Cody,+WY+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367049526423117458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEsBdXIxbiHC9VUqCeU5xOMcBc8OsCBvhueEDxY4B_EswnUPAfJPXGx6f8yGHKeFLSVRNmP5ALT98FrDMxKllQcdv-MbD0yF71rZ3X_9ZJMSWA9QDop8i8SlQXaN9n_obL6Tu7BCKjt5q/s320/Cody,+WY+009.JPG" /></a><em>Black Bear<br /></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sJ3HDs9lQHDWn1MvB9_z7FKdMAW5H0YyCf-WV_yfiuVrBw6BdJLT87X1U0gVelgZ-BstxqEH5OILr0kHxk2gJyWw61_DLk0tkNechzoSRsdN4jXPAnv4PSYQJim-y3X8P7bRC3iD9C_i/s1600-h/Cody,+WY+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367049519602159618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9sJ3HDs9lQHDWn1MvB9_z7FKdMAW5H0YyCf-WV_yfiuVrBw6BdJLT87X1U0gVelgZ-BstxqEH5OILr0kHxk2gJyWw61_DLk0tkNechzoSRsdN4jXPAnv4PSYQJim-y3X8P7bRC3iD9C_i/s320/Cody,+WY+010.JPG" /></a><em>Moose</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aM1J1BhlHPL9ak0SPptDBZWX2dxkeH_-h0nHjOEUIWXsLqut7xbn_iN_41yErg93Q3gySS9Cp9hO8yAHaaaUkBWbSgWAQ88f-6h0LTjv02EgZYlfzRUq8A4Q8mWBYjWMoljx8V47vZLz/s1600-h/Cody,+WY+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367049512788175346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aM1J1BhlHPL9ak0SPptDBZWX2dxkeH_-h0nHjOEUIWXsLqut7xbn_iN_41yErg93Q3gySS9Cp9hO8yAHaaaUkBWbSgWAQ88f-6h0LTjv02EgZYlfzRUq8A4Q8mWBYjWMoljx8V47vZLz/s320/Cody,+WY+019.JPG" /></a><em>A Greater Sage Grouse</em><br />I think he is showing off or trying to impress his mate!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Tomorrow we are going back and see what we missed today! If you are ever in this area, please put this museum on your list of things to do in Cody, Wyoming! By the way, we had rain tonight. This is the first substantial rain we have left since we started out on our journey.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The Terrific Threesome...enjoying the sights.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-67487702154856270052009-08-06T10:16:00.004-06:002009-08-06T11:03:13.869-06:00More of Yellowstone NP<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fiZy3zrpOL7F6ykzmRbhvQXo5mw-tEZc-8RQeZxzrU0jatJeOoj66J0mYUq4dO8GAUOGenHgWl1r5iGfRYG2mJhUkvc93SGo7qv6UCBi3PtuqGcMCDaG9GO5CddBdyJRIwkrl4tQMqrS/s1600-h/YELLOWSTONE+NP+036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366890299739092946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fiZy3zrpOL7F6ykzmRbhvQXo5mw-tEZc-8RQeZxzrU0jatJeOoj66J0mYUq4dO8GAUOGenHgWl1r5iGfRYG2mJhUkvc93SGo7qv6UCBi3PtuqGcMCDaG9GO5CddBdyJRIwkrl4tQMqrS/s320/YELLOWSTONE+NP+036.JPG" /></a> <em>Grand Canyon of Yellowstone</em></div><br /><div align="left"><br />In order to do Yellowstone Park justice, one almost needs 4 to 5 days here. There is so much to take in. In one day (12 hours!) we only got to see the lower loop of the Park. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is breath-taking! The falls, colors in the rocks and great photo opportunities.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG8buBrOpHwLJxQ-ycnxIw7VjXuvcv5W8I3xQXIdK5wJVlRpZLwwG3vQSVD20gNXo2y0awCm74USGJSRHFCO1hzxt9Xn7p30on_lSe2x4dTAItZ790vzYpdJ3Z_LAHACHYBhvVe_F_SZQ/s1600-h/YELLOWSTONE+NP+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366890290854841874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG8buBrOpHwLJxQ-ycnxIw7VjXuvcv5W8I3xQXIdK5wJVlRpZLwwG3vQSVD20gNXo2y0awCm74USGJSRHFCO1hzxt9Xn7p30on_lSe2x4dTAItZ790vzYpdJ3Z_LAHACHYBhvVe_F_SZQ/s320/YELLOWSTONE+NP+022.JPG" /></a> <em>Momma Buffalo with her Baby</em></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center">Our timing was perfect in the earlier evening at the Sulfur Caldron! We got to see two female buffalo with their babies. Later, as we drove farther down the road, many buffalo could be seen.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK-p_Wj0oNP2qeMgtzRdLpXILUvQYDmIZTZpvLkM-0GHwQN7xc61DOmMuk8INxOdFYA0sNPOv3ZSOGp5lFGd0F4kg5HIEtIqFEKoEk-NvYhsqw7DQeIZy1cKsMFL1-R8wREOcsrSr0oGm/s1600-h/YELLOWSTONE+NP+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366890279228114034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOK-p_Wj0oNP2qeMgtzRdLpXILUvQYDmIZTZpvLkM-0GHwQN7xc61DOmMuk8INxOdFYA0sNPOv3ZSOGp5lFGd0F4kg5HIEtIqFEKoEk-NvYhsqw7DQeIZy1cKsMFL1-R8wREOcsrSr0oGm/s320/YELLOWSTONE+NP+021.JPG" /></a><em>Sulfur Caldron</em> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The Sulfur Caldron is ten times more acidic than lemon juice. The Caldron sits on the edge of one of the most active areas of Yellowstone's buried volcano. Sulfur-rich gases rise furiously here, filling Sulfur Caldron with sulfuric acid. Incredibly, this muddy pool is teeming with life. Billions of termacidophiles thrive here. They convert the pool's hydrogen sulfide gas into sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid breaks rock and soil into mud, making this spring a very muddy home.<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kV1myebyxkDYPaCzgyGqrpGog1kee2IdH590uiNZOWxTxmJ7x54gPo2WtometEWiILjecUOAZ1EEEJx9mMUKaibSIGgCvpmkrnNCkub57il6hzKxshKfE7Z_W9qEqq-CD_8a2v2GN14C/s1600-h/YELLOWSTONE+NP+015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366890270117765586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kV1myebyxkDYPaCzgyGqrpGog1kee2IdH590uiNZOWxTxmJ7x54gPo2WtometEWiILjecUOAZ1EEEJx9mMUKaibSIGgCvpmkrnNCkub57il6hzKxshKfE7Z_W9qEqq-CD_8a2v2GN14C/s320/YELLOWSTONE+NP+015.JPG" /></a> <em>Mud Volcano</em></div><br /><div align="left"><br />In 1870, explorers stood in awe as Mud Volcano spewed mud into the treetops, shaking the ground with each eruption. Two years later it was a pool of bubbling, muddy water. Mud Volcano has blown itself apart. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmbrHd_zECElwchqWW_6JwlAHfHWTuhf1iekinzWYvSgHv8edXbfyQkM_DGSD3ehJAJFat3Mru8hMoZN8vrCTrZ_6lt9TiQNQMFqsONB8AdG6xqLDtCY8XCHDr_2ErtLCEWcGgUmp01UA/s1600-h/YELLOWSTONE+NP+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366890258426051682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmbrHd_zECElwchqWW_6JwlAHfHWTuhf1iekinzWYvSgHv8edXbfyQkM_DGSD3ehJAJFat3Mru8hMoZN8vrCTrZ_6lt9TiQNQMFqsONB8AdG6xqLDtCY8XCHDr_2ErtLCEWcGgUmp01UA/s320/YELLOWSTONE+NP+014.JPG" /></a><em>Dragon's Mouth Spring </em></div><br /><p align="left">One of the most interesting geysers in Yellowstone NP is the Dragon's Mouth Spring. Every few seconds, this geyser will spew water from the hole along with steam, rising up in the sky. I would say someone needs to give him some mouthwash! It was fun to watch this guy.</p><br /><p>So there you have some of our adventure in Yellowstone National Park. An absolutely beautiful place! But remember, one needs more than two days here! </p><br /><p>The Terrific Three on our quest to see many National Parks. On to Cody, WY.</p><br /><p align="left"></p><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-6234669959883522762009-08-05T23:40:00.002-06:002009-08-06T00:30:01.477-06:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4inogsQEGmHfuCsjR3Uxs6OpqaJ4Nexy0v8eKaAKNTgBQ5_w7NVM9vf1gVP-xlmikyKTpl2m8SpFrydo4L-PbV_TNbEiHMBWx61RvVIMXn9SweLGggx5JWSvl4Ycv1lH1cz9bTWGjO-Si/s1600-h/Yellowstone+NP+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366722603023194370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4inogsQEGmHfuCsjR3Uxs6OpqaJ4Nexy0v8eKaAKNTgBQ5_w7NVM9vf1gVP-xlmikyKTpl2m8SpFrydo4L-PbV_TNbEiHMBWx61RvVIMXn9SweLGggx5JWSvl4Ycv1lH1cz9bTWGjO-Si/s320/Yellowstone+NP+004.JPG" /></a> <em>Old Faithful - Right on Time</em></div><br /><div align="left"><em></em></div><br /><p>Our day started off by having two other Rialta owners, Fay and Gene, pick us up at the KOA and treated us to a wonderful and knowledgeable tour of Yellowstone National Park. And what a day it was! We entered from West Yellowstone at about 8:30 AM and within a few miles there was a traffic jam. A female bald eagle was sitting in a tree watching over her nest and a young'un. Farther down the road was a few of the elk from the Madison Herd. Yes, I know you want animal pictures, but today I am going to focus on geysers.</p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg6qzULXUnRLMvjfARNb5_FXqbmd6CTICXWkg7cs6sCoRKTrMUoO9U0QaNjFXWPB1Yuf7y9sMiglGGM7Hvk_moVGAntLNzLZVbYmwQDW5chevRxmTzVuw2lE19gitev4V-p8HgPDsTIyD/s1600-h/Yellowstone+NP+089.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366722587957860626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg6qzULXUnRLMvjfARNb5_FXqbmd6CTICXWkg7cs6sCoRKTrMUoO9U0QaNjFXWPB1Yuf7y9sMiglGGM7Hvk_moVGAntLNzLZVbYmwQDW5chevRxmTzVuw2lE19gitev4V-p8HgPDsTIyD/s320/Yellowstone+NP+089.JPG" /></a><em>Old Faithful - After showing off.</em></div><br /><div align="left"><br />Our first geyser stop was at the Lower Geyser Basin. We walked the whole loop. Because there were so many, I will limited this to the most spectacular ones. The photos below were taken at the Excelisor Geyser. The first two are of the Grand Presmatic Spring. The colors were beautiful. There were several other ones at this location...like The Opal and The Turquoise. I wish I could post all of the pictures.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI_8fBeqzjqOtYZkx24ytnXhzQ1DPlILJ4S2OZDXZiq99KaG5xDwAH4McFgzSTaXpkkNjBxaaFIF5R3wl8F04Nrop-0lYph3tt0wDeHs1SaevAJKQxzQ-jVsmg_qsjQFxbYuX2IDozT__/s1600-h/Yellowstone+NP+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366722582397337666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI_8fBeqzjqOtYZkx24ytnXhzQ1DPlILJ4S2OZDXZiq99KaG5xDwAH4McFgzSTaXpkkNjBxaaFIF5R3wl8F04Nrop-0lYph3tt0wDeHs1SaevAJKQxzQ-jVsmg_qsjQFxbYuX2IDozT__/s320/Yellowstone+NP+081.JPG" /></a> <em>The Grand Presmatic Spring</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr0bnOBNJn2j4vSmIRDjcJiYMtOurgZQJd1dKsD-8ZnKDp8YpmOKUvbEpwKCZqa92sZCAxosmU1JqdQqGVTos1L2CUCzQkID-mVOabHEFKSER-W1Ci_JeNECsnhPEf8AcH-PgqmOBEa9I/s1600-h/Yellowstone+NP+080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366722569924101586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr0bnOBNJn2j4vSmIRDjcJiYMtOurgZQJd1dKsD-8ZnKDp8YpmOKUvbEpwKCZqa92sZCAxosmU1JqdQqGVTos1L2CUCzQkID-mVOabHEFKSER-W1Ci_JeNECsnhPEf8AcH-PgqmOBEa9I/s320/Yellowstone+NP+080.JPG" /></a><em>Another shot of the Grand Presmatic Spring</em> </div><br /><div align="left"><br />Aren't the colors remarkable? The Excelsior Geyser is also exceptional. After leaving this area, we did a couple of side-road drives where we saw more geysers and a beautiful river in the Park. </div><br /><div align="left">When we got to "Old Faithful" we had about a 30 minute wait before "She" erupted again. And she is always on time...every 92 minutes. We enjoyed Trout Almondine in the Yellowstone Old Faithful Lodge cafeteria. Yummy! After lunch we strolled over to the Yellowstone Inn where we took an informative tour of the Inn. We even got to see one of the original guest rooms of the Inn. This one had no bath, as many of them don't. The guest share bathrooms down the hall or around the corner. Yes, some of the rooms did have the luxury of having an adjoining bath.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">The afternoon found us taking a drive around the rest of the lower loop. Yellowstone is divided into basically two loops. I was so surprised to see the enormous Yellowstone Lake. We stopped at several more geyser locations and at the last one, we got to see TWO! Not ONE! Female buffalo with young'uns. Then we saw a hugh male Elk. What a rack he was supporting! After the buffalo siting, we were taken to this stunning waterfalls. I Promise: I WILL POST MORE PICTURES tomorrow.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">On to Cody, WY tomorrow...</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We returned to West Yellowstone about 12 hours from when we began. We enjoyed dinner together, said our goodbyes and I believe the TTT's went to bed.<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-9734130774135193072009-08-03T22:08:00.003-06:002009-08-05T06:39:24.631-06:00Deer Lodge, MT<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDd1TsExSrJEJbKxva-efniV9ljlx6HJpIJI30B0Ip9Of1Yk4H2xWShAZdrVF9-7PUVQZ3nJ01hNvCDklY5TojCe0wqaLQR9gphRhjGvj147DrMc0tZ4IYdE8-YDRSgAP56RyzHPatVdm/s1600-h/Deer+Lodge+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366342223214098994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDd1TsExSrJEJbKxva-efniV9ljlx6HJpIJI30B0Ip9Of1Yk4H2xWShAZdrVF9-7PUVQZ3nJ01hNvCDklY5TojCe0wqaLQR9gphRhjGvj147DrMc0tZ4IYdE8-YDRSgAP56RyzHPatVdm/s320/Deer+Lodge+002.JPG" /></a> <em>Montana Territorial Prison</em></div><br /><br /><p>We rolled into the Deer Lodge KOA around 3 PM. Deer Lodge, MT is a very small town and the KOA is located just on the south side of town. Can't really say much about the town, except it is the home of the Old Montana Territorial Prison. Today there is a museum next to the prison. I can't give you any history on it, but I thought it was kind of neat! </p><br /><p>As we were standing outside talking with other campers, this cute Model T Ford Station Wagon drove by. We went over to ask about it. The gentleman was from North Puyallup, Washington and belonged to the Carbonado, WA Antique Car Club. The man said the car really belongs to his wife and she wanted something to drive the grandchildren around. I thought it was kind of neat.</p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2lUBqb_0qHPmJPcbTwcSGsqBxjfJcOFt4wIfL7x6nAK3q9WmR7BHmwPsCu_oxujIR2Xz_WutpbxqkgEeAg1ryUhMHXC3lQYY_07lXHkYjr62I8QeQxHzaxTT3DHy_ws-tVZoqSTy3M7k/s1600-h/Deer+Lodge+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366342212065395426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2lUBqb_0qHPmJPcbTwcSGsqBxjfJcOFt4wIfL7x6nAK3q9WmR7BHmwPsCu_oxujIR2Xz_WutpbxqkgEeAg1ryUhMHXC3lQYY_07lXHkYjr62I8QeQxHzaxTT3DHy_ws-tVZoqSTy3M7k/s320/Deer+Lodge+001.JPG" /></a><em>Model T Ford Station Wagon</em><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Since we had eaten a late and big lunch at a Cracker Barrel, we won't worry about supper tonight. Laundry and planning our trip to Yellowstone are on the agenda. Heading for Old Faithful in the morning.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM_TPpToIoXelXUP8I2HTnHVU__mI7ZQwpQm2byPQXaHUCdhj8yII30z1JGsrb4nAoMfjl-33fKLBsmvigsQln9g1hqOtwBkokTmnspew9lZC1YUwKLMwWSp6d5abDT8FQVFI0G11LDgv/s1600-h/Deer+Lodge+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366342210698284514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM_TPpToIoXelXUP8I2HTnHVU__mI7ZQwpQm2byPQXaHUCdhj8yII30z1JGsrb4nAoMfjl-33fKLBsmvigsQln9g1hqOtwBkokTmnspew9lZC1YUwKLMwWSp6d5abDT8FQVFI0G11LDgv/s320/Deer+Lodge+006.JPG" /></a><em>Do you know me? </em><br /><em><div align="left"><br /></em>This little critter landed on the Road Runner? Sure has long black & white tentacles! It is some sort of beetle.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-7602483969546410972009-08-02T18:10:00.004-06:002009-08-02T18:46:35.165-06:00On The Road Again<div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8uuCwDpXYagstlifnpAoJKUI91_4xV-KkFU99hfzcNOgqOB06bstxPMFY9M6T6pdt8x8GmZU77OWQ12KTtiTc1C5p5zjLGXQ_fvoqExikhGYjmlrcu950n-h2B00TorkyO3qmBIYed55/s1600-h/Mountain+Goat.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365530732196313698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8uuCwDpXYagstlifnpAoJKUI91_4xV-KkFU99hfzcNOgqOB06bstxPMFY9M6T6pdt8x8GmZU77OWQ12KTtiTc1C5p5zjLGXQ_fvoqExikhGYjmlrcu950n-h2B00TorkyO3qmBIYed55/s320/Mountain+Goat.bmp" /></a> <em>Mountain Goat (courtesy of Joan)</em><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ_7j_-CaGYMrD9vJwaKdy83EQDhPYGYAUF1Y_HPfNDvxGV239bsB7agu_mH5fvHGFE9gAa4TOhoyp_hebhZhEAjA1JnBMTrXesW6q_fa9Lj00yHSiNwGKDr_OaGcdlYEHtDz2oqxy9ZB/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526977586042226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQ_7j_-CaGYMrD9vJwaKdy83EQDhPYGYAUF1Y_HPfNDvxGV239bsB7agu_mH5fvHGFE9gAa4TOhoyp_hebhZhEAjA1JnBMTrXesW6q_fa9Lj00yHSiNwGKDr_OaGcdlYEHtDz2oqxy9ZB/s320/Glacier+National+Park+037.JPG" /></a> <em>The "Red <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jammers</span>"</em></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><em>Sunday:</em> Today was a travel day from West Glacier, MT to Deer Lodge, MT. The road was good except the last 10 miles before we got on I-90. The Montana DOT is widening Rt 93 to 4 lanes. Road crews were not working today, but a lot of the time we traveled dirt road! It was like an old wash board. Joan got stuck behind a U-haul doing about 10mph in a 35 mph zone. We are settled in at a campground and doing laundry. So I thought I would just post more pictures of Glacier National Park.</p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jGubklGcZFUf0BZiqQAbhA2k4aOhZkSG3_JVo4-q91pHpXnv-XTLmIBjPX1kejgzNp9oTGVDUGU0ZrBGmExm_SeQJPLXqDN3zqco3O7WAd1dQKc4lNJBCwXmoTqQcqIbm5vAbr8n4U6u/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526970758042786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jGubklGcZFUf0BZiqQAbhA2k4aOhZkSG3_JVo4-q91pHpXnv-XTLmIBjPX1kejgzNp9oTGVDUGU0ZrBGmExm_SeQJPLXqDN3zqco3O7WAd1dQKc4lNJBCwXmoTqQcqIbm5vAbr8n4U6u/s320/Glacier+National+Park+086.JPG" /></a><em>Rapids in a Creek</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xckrYRUVP_dFm9W7QcT_VMShoSBUZX0oKmGZGsUWUquI5tvNtNVJyxRNGymLY7fKNYcEA3OPPFKVb26Q_mtaOmntWcD-J7_q0r17cDY-iVdYgEUztMiLIwi_hfpOuEF-LBbqLKsTdVCj/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526963155051698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xckrYRUVP_dFm9W7QcT_VMShoSBUZX0oKmGZGsUWUquI5tvNtNVJyxRNGymLY7fKNYcEA3OPPFKVb26Q_mtaOmntWcD-J7_q0r17cDY-iVdYgEUztMiLIwi_hfpOuEF-LBbqLKsTdVCj/s320/Glacier+National+Park+047.JPG" /></a><em>Another mountain stream<br /><br /></em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jFQvJrUHA46ZgudIp66IlCdIEfMVXm2wD99vtEFlIJpkWYxDoEEzAF8uEkfPnGexAEsb4UFC9QeNvTYeKcOufAaNyZioeHwrYIBKjmgW56dHNMc-2fnRQ18TI4pdwC_3ygRI_cb-sp5U/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526958546947538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jFQvJrUHA46ZgudIp66IlCdIEfMVXm2wD99vtEFlIJpkWYxDoEEzAF8uEkfPnGexAEsb4UFC9QeNvTYeKcOufAaNyZioeHwrYIBKjmgW56dHNMc-2fnRQ18TI4pdwC_3ygRI_cb-sp5U/s320/Glacier+National+Park+043.JPG" /></a><em>Waterfalls<br /><br /></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpowMjNQkXd81A1ZPMA-ZOiU3ohmEldYej7xE1eTgfM7EFESHmlO7hyphenhyphenUPcH_hU8D3TF2tEjeUfR8hgST5FLHNK0zzcstjhgFIXN2oNZblIjmx8v3QOvH0pQkFUiFu8j7GV7Leq4Eyuw3SP/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+028.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526951970305026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpowMjNQkXd81A1ZPMA-ZOiU3ohmEldYej7xE1eTgfM7EFESHmlO7hyphenhyphenUPcH_hU8D3TF2tEjeUfR8hgST5FLHNK0zzcstjhgFIXN2oNZblIjmx8v3QOvH0pQkFUiFu8j7GV7Leq4Eyuw3SP/s320/Glacier+National+Park+028.JPG" /></em></a><em>Bishop's Hat</em></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Tomorrow it is on to Yellowstone and "Old Faithful". I tried to buy a second battery for my camera, but WalMart was out of the one that would fit. Oh, well! I will charge it up again tonight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-1659180425186977002009-08-02T07:14:00.004-06:002009-08-02T08:30:46.875-06:00Cold and Hot!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXb8naZ2cx_FidpVYdaxgjXFqVU77mx4-mmjF-2LYg-U-tKZwopn_Ks8wJDoyeQiHK-Bue8TSDToimqcUtPnZeNv1kD2zq7otB6IUrPISNW9mcvyQKCTijuh5iL4Y_TWpo6pNU5l2Mq8f/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365356326634860322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXb8naZ2cx_FidpVYdaxgjXFqVU77mx4-mmjF-2LYg-U-tKZwopn_Ks8wJDoyeQiHK-Bue8TSDToimqcUtPnZeNv1kD2zq7otB6IUrPISNW9mcvyQKCTijuh5iL4Y_TWpo6pNU5l2Mq8f/s320/Glacier+National+Park+002.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"><em>Amye & Joan's Arrival at West Glacier KOA</em></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Friday's departure from Post Falls, ID was uneventful until later in the day. On our way to West Glacier, we stopped in a Visitor's Information Center in St. Regis, MT. We got lots of information about Glacier National Park as well as a free sample sample of Wild Huckleberry Coffee. Since Amye doesn't drink coffee, she received a package of hot chocolate. Around one o'clock, Joan said her muffler had come loose. She had it installed in Pennsylvania just before she left her daughter's. Joan checked her GPS and found a Midas Muffler shop in Kalispell, not far from where we were. They could not help her, but gave her the name and address of a shop nearby that could. We had to leave her rig for a short spell and went to find some lunch. On Joan's suggestion, I left them behind and headed for the campground to check us in. They didn't expect to be out of the shop for a couple of hours and being Friday, with heavy traffic in the area, we figured they would be in by 6 P.M. I set up the Road Runner and when Amye called to say they were almost there, I went to the gate to greet them. Joan was extremely pleased with the muffler service! It's early to bed tonight as we have signed up for "The Red Bus Tour" of Glacier National Park.</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD2RIv45Lb0zUJ7rThi7xjlQCknz-gkEuQWsU1JzroVXuwTeecLVT623PBS_n4XyIWrKQ_X-ONATAmyW4u0KBWzviY4owY8NV-df9ZSMLIPpX-ucFJUeH-z13liHXXt6-YPiHrxVbvHb3/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365356320845798258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD2RIv45Lb0zUJ7rThi7xjlQCknz-gkEuQWsU1JzroVXuwTeecLVT623PBS_n4XyIWrKQ_X-ONATAmyW4u0KBWzviY4owY8NV-df9ZSMLIPpX-ucFJUeH-z13liHXXt6-YPiHrxVbvHb3/s320/Glacier+National+Park+018.JPG" /></a><em>Approaching one of two tunnels in Glacier N.P.</em><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">It's a chilly morning! We aren't used to this! Our "Red Bus" arrives and we board it. The KOA campground is the first pick-up of the morning, so we chose seats close to windows. One has to sit four across in the tour bus. Let me tell you a little bit about the buses that are used. They date back to the 1930's, they have a canvas roof that can be rolled back so one can stand up and take pictures (when the bus is stopped, of course) and the drivers are called "Gear Jammers". One can understand the terminology after seeing them drive up and down the mountains. Thanks to the Ford Motor Company, in 2002 they completely overhauled each of the 33 buses so they are much improved. Now back to today's adventure.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We pick up our remaining passengers at two more stops before our trek up the mountain. Only the driver's portion of the roof is opened at this point. It is a good thing as we are all cold. But not to worry, the driver offers blankets to help keep us warm. As we start around Lake MacDonald, the driver stops and with the help of a male passenger, the roof is rolled back. Now it really is cold! Not to worry! As we start to climb the mountains on "GO TO THE SUN ROAD" and we come into clearings, the sun is out and it begins to warm us. Off with the blankets! The road is narrow and very winding, but the scenery is beyond words. Wild flowers are blooming, some snow on some mountains, waterfalls, place where an avalanche happened over the winter can be seen, and believe it or not, ROAD WORK! I cannot look down at times as we are right on the edge of the road with a very little low stone wall as a guard rail. At the top of Logan Pass, we stop at an interpretive center for about twenty minutes. It is beautiful here. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNyHMuQFqgdYKicRSG2qT3dz-UlpgoRfIxM5vGVnEUMeCjk1OT1rr9WeyF_Nsd_YsFHHq1JoRhdL8wLxkfkWw0kkUcKNzj0xl0qkglY62l89ZyYnFj0QJGUms7_qWDx-bwTBrg1rIDOnX/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365356316963623458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNyHMuQFqgdYKicRSG2qT3dz-UlpgoRfIxM5vGVnEUMeCjk1OT1rr9WeyF_Nsd_YsFHHq1JoRhdL8wLxkfkWw0kkUcKNzj0xl0qkglY62l89ZyYnFj0QJGUms7_qWDx-bwTBrg1rIDOnX/s320/Glacier+National+Park+059.JPG" /></a><em>Lake St. Mary's</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><div align="justify">We continue our journey down the east side of Logan's pass to St. Mary's where we enjoy lunch in the Two Dogs Restaurant. Climbing back aboard the Red Bus, we are now ready for our return trip back across Logan's Pass. This gives us a different view of the mountains. At the Wailing Wall our driver steers a little to the right almost under the water falling from the rocks. It sure was cooling, even though some of us got slightly wet. Coming off the summit a mountain several mountain goats come into view. Our driver accommodates us by finding a place to pull over so we can get pictures. My battery has just died on my camera. Joan emailed me a picture of the goat, but I haven't found out how to get it from my email to my picture file. I will tonight though. There are so many things to see here in the park I just can't describe them all, from the rapids in some creeks, the numerous waterfalls,etc., etc. One must plan to put this on their "Bucket List"! Our tour lasted about 7.5 hours. Well worth the money and I would recommend it to everyone. As Greyhound Bus Line would say: "Leave the driving to us". This way Amye, Joan and I got to see everything without worries.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBGO5tl0xbof9weWT4x_ggi9uolc2uY1OSfB0fivhhlJYuwoVeowUW_v1rV1G62E3dWyBDB26u3AAGuPn9nR7dhw1-yp-X6F0w_d50GtQ0IX03bkMoDaTyR3RWqAvZ__Hbwztz_k6o15F/s1600-h/Glacier+National+Park+051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365356313124271490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBGO5tl0xbof9weWT4x_ggi9uolc2uY1OSfB0fivhhlJYuwoVeowUW_v1rV1G62E3dWyBDB26u3AAGuPn9nR7dhw1-yp-X6F0w_d50GtQ0IX03bkMoDaTyR3RWqAvZ__Hbwztz_k6o15F/s320/Glacier+National+Park+051.JPG" /></a><em>Glacier in Glacier N.P.</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><div align="left">I wish I could post all the pictures we took. It was a rewarding day! After dinner our Chef Joan cooked, we planned our travel for tomorrow. We decided several days ago to not do the 400+ miles between here and Yellowstone National Park in one day. We are going to split it up. SO tomorrow to Deer Lodge, MT. hoping to meet up with the Caldwells who are heading to Glacier in their Rialta. Old Faithful, here we come!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Note: We found out after making our reservations on the Red Bus, that Glacier has a free shuttle service that runs through the Park. One can get off and on at many stops. I don't know what information about the Park the drivers give but I do know that on the east side time waits for the bus may be half hour between buses. It runs more frequently on the west side. Cheap way to see the Park and it is FREE!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-22001240936471799502009-08-01T22:33:00.003-06:002009-08-02T07:14:17.503-06:00North Cascades Highway and Points East<div align="center"><em></em><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDBMxSRKgh-O_PZqASIMd-MV8RN5CrRZeC47iiHUNaI_hg7TRLOCkh1MlecuThD8AUS-PgQtq1uQH01Rh87A7kNsmJZ8vuF1s_T7VkKh4-U78qiOhkCYR8YVEnrvg3nhqTmo6gaLW9iQz/s1600-h/North+Cascades+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365221076798696530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDBMxSRKgh-O_PZqASIMd-MV8RN5CrRZeC47iiHUNaI_hg7TRLOCkh1MlecuThD8AUS-PgQtq1uQH01Rh87A7kNsmJZ8vuF1s_T7VkKh4-U78qiOhkCYR8YVEnrvg3nhqTmo6gaLW9iQz/s320/North+Cascades+011.JPG" /></a> <em>Lake Diablo on the North Cascades Hwy.</em></div><br /><br /><p>Wednesday morning: We departed Camano Island heading East across the North Cascades Highway on recommendations from my daughter and friends. They were right! It is more spectacular than I-90 over Snoqualamie Pass. There were lots of places to pull off and take pictures. The prettiest was at the overlook for Lake Diablo. The color of the water is this beautiful blue-green. I could have added more pictures, but space is limited. Our destination for the night was Carlton, WA. It's basically a one-man town. He owns the country store, a restaurant and the small campground. It would take all of three words to describe it...unlevel, antiquated (old fuses on the electric boxes, not circuit breakers) and unclean! It's a good thing we didn't have to pay full rate!<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnAwpprFe66G5chts2TrFoSDIYYsxDo62hvoZWwNJ7ltFCxCeIubENLYdxNKqvlbfXCjoNRfaUOoIEUBxEw0pFvMkyR0PLyVhLNnZsRnrYMwUpdV0GxYVkd2JWBV_peruEfMZv5NYHjEl/s1600-h/North+Cascades+026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365221065775748930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnAwpprFe66G5chts2TrFoSDIYYsxDo62hvoZWwNJ7ltFCxCeIubENLYdxNKqvlbfXCjoNRfaUOoIEUBxEw0pFvMkyR0PLyVhLNnZsRnrYMwUpdV0GxYVkd2JWBV_peruEfMZv5NYHjEl/s320/North+Cascades+026.JPG" /></a>Grand Coulee Dam</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Thursday: Off and running early continuing eastbound and down. Our destination today is Post Falls, Idaho. All the campgrounds in Coeur D'alene, ID were booked solid due to an Arts/Crafts Festival, so we opted for Post Falls. Not much option, really. On or way we stopped at two huge dams. The first was Chief Joseph's Dam and the second was the Grand Coulee Dam. Both were enormous dams. Roosevelt Lake can be seen on the southern end of the dam.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Continuing southeast towards Spokane, we ran into some traffic and another Rialta! A single lady was driving this one, too. We all passed Reta and at the first rest area we all pulled in, hoping the other Rialta would stop. We introduced ourselves to Reta and gave her many suggestions. Her problem was quite different from ours. So we spent a little time evaluating her problem and called one of our club members (Gene) to see if he could offer some assistance. Since the dreaded red light had not come on and her rig was running okay, Gene saw no reason for not going on to her destination. She wanted to join up with us for lunch before going on to her destination in Idaho. After a light lunch in the campground, we went shopping at Cabelo's, one of Amye's favorite things. Tomorrow we hope to be in West Glacier, MT.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawclhe8u6pXukiXK2TbD1yXqNwHr6A9fJxS80PRVPwuiUBWnXMttAQmcZmnTOibWmJ6iEBcYMN4BOSJbnFDWeJJeX4UVUPbH2GNAXLn0XjpNrtXkQwnvZEsiLR5g5OHTIZivTcaJWUmrC/s1600-h/North+Cascades+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365221061014234162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawclhe8u6pXukiXK2TbD1yXqNwHr6A9fJxS80PRVPwuiUBWnXMttAQmcZmnTOibWmJ6iEBcYMN4BOSJbnFDWeJJeX4UVUPbH2GNAXLn0XjpNrtXkQwnvZEsiLR5g5OHTIZivTcaJWUmrC/s320/North+Cascades+030.JPG" /></a><em> 4 Rialtas heading East.<br /><br /></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-82170930726932024592009-07-27T22:59:00.004-06:002009-07-27T23:33:47.348-06:00Non-Productive Day<div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvHCWAUNZwJoYALf6dOoD-fxaxtC1elkc1F6acseJTsjz6oykrm3803RKsy5nmvscTmi1OArOH8ARELuruyJP9mWWRaZYVKInOOKjK1Hqj8dOdiYWr18nPITpp46OEf_vCFxW1y9-yU_T/s1600-h/Eagle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363374084615067714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvHCWAUNZwJoYALf6dOoD-fxaxtC1elkc1F6acseJTsjz6oykrm3803RKsy5nmvscTmi1OArOH8ARELuruyJP9mWWRaZYVKInOOKjK1Hqj8dOdiYWr18nPITpp46OEf_vCFxW1y9-yU_T/s320/Eagle.jpg" /></a> <em>Bald Eagle</em></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">Today was not really a productive day as the radiator hose assembly did not come in! Around 9 A.M. we headed into town to check at the post office to see if the part was in. Alas, NO! We then went to the repair shop and they hadn't seen it yet. USPS tracking showed it being received at the Federal Way Postal Service Center and it was on its way to Stanwood. It must be coming by snail mail! Maybe tomorrow will be better.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">I posted the picture of the Bald Eagle that Amye took when we were at the wildlife sanctuary yesterday. Magnificent sight to behold.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">After a stop at the local bookstore, we needed to go to Costco for tonight's menu planning. Since Karl, Sally, Tim and Patti have so graciously cooked us dinner the last several nights, we wanted to return the favor. We bought enough steaks for the seven of us as well as broccoli and rolls. Sally will bring the potato salad. Chef Karl did a superb done cooking the steaks on the grill. There was plenty to go around. If that wasn't enough, Tim brought out some homemade ice cream with dark fudge sauce for dessert.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WCgR60qdvyGi41Kukp0bGtEGUIInhILeYtLSD0GgSeSesTWtyykOMUtNM910AnVeeaGfqNbnxo5FZbL3FkEz3AejkYqHxlTC4LpBgEOrZbY_Q_4Tx1nHcIrususgfmb5P4afwRACMrsH/s1600-h/Seattle+025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363374079027795474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WCgR60qdvyGi41Kukp0bGtEGUIInhILeYtLSD0GgSeSesTWtyykOMUtNM910AnVeeaGfqNbnxo5FZbL3FkEz3AejkYqHxlTC4LpBgEOrZbY_Q_4Tx1nHcIrususgfmb5P4afwRACMrsH/s320/Seattle+025.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>Care to guess the name of this plant?</em><br /><br /><em></em><br /><br /><div align="left">We saw the above plant at the Locks the other day and have no idea what they are? Do you know?</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">Before we went to Costco, we made a quick trip to the Tulalip Casino. Today, I came away with a plus $16.25 ahead of the game. Amye and Joan weren't so lucky. Tomorrow will be another wait and see game! Wish us luck!!!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Rx4toXdyY5kVoPuKy4sIxPr1XIIKnZa-mu9ehRM2HKy6MtHM_5vWAcQQa9SaxNBCzO44OZ5pgNAFH6_Ejg6J8QUO-qN1PkbgNZBAfrWlIlURRHswOTlpZTGVpZxCtPrg-5bbFJHCKJh-/s1600-h/Eagle.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-23234081938850402832009-07-27T08:06:00.003-06:002009-07-27T08:44:10.945-06:00Deception Pass and more WOES!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOPnzENktbnAVxN71SJePg_eSEMu8-3sigDUyx64iWpGIwO0oSdmMC1Nup32Zl6sbnJfWn3ecXC88TlT3th-5QM8MaMFab-HLSRRDxamm5f2PZGgWQbRrohC-AQAfw_eS_quvx2zVbOZh/s1600-h/Stanwood,+WA+026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363143070509961410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOPnzENktbnAVxN71SJePg_eSEMu8-3sigDUyx64iWpGIwO0oSdmMC1Nup32Zl6sbnJfWn3ecXC88TlT3th-5QM8MaMFab-HLSRRDxamm5f2PZGgWQbRrohC-AQAfw_eS_quvx2zVbOZh/s320/Stanwood,+WA+026.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><em>Mt. Erie </em></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Sunday morning. The sun is shining and it is warming up. My daughter is going to be our chauffeur today. We head northwest out of Stanwood. Sally makes a quick stop in Skagit Wildlife Management area hoping to see birds. Oh, did we! A beautiful female eagle keeping watch over an offspring that apparently has just learned to fly. My camera just couldn't get a good close up shot. What an enormous nest they build! We spent considerable time watching the birds.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Another surprise is in store! I haven't seen my grandson in two years and with the help of the cell phones we make connections. He has just passed the intersection where we are waiting for a light to turn on to the same highway, but in a different direction. Gregg, if you are reading this, Thanks so much for your lovely post meeting text message. I love you!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Sally decides we need to see the view from atop Mt. Erie. The above picture was taken from the road, looking up to the mountain. The picture below shows the road we traveled. It was kind of hazy on top so many of the pictures did not do the view justice,</div><div align="center"><em></em><br /></div><div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHcWSynYxyXd_HNAJpc_XbOEYBliE9PM0BCt6SYth3z7BbXG8aQhCANOS2CeuO2zbNWFzjjZUEvR1WyQoC2oaYZuQsdX9hRmHIALfTaQ45RyqVAkA2FQMrSw8YaVDqpTpk86R7knILOkO/s1600-h/Stanwood,+WA+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363143069011426178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHcWSynYxyXd_HNAJpc_XbOEYBliE9PM0BCt6SYth3z7BbXG8aQhCANOS2CeuO2zbNWFzjjZUEvR1WyQoC2oaYZuQsdX9hRmHIALfTaQ45RyqVAkA2FQMrSw8YaVDqpTpk86R7knILOkO/s320/Stanwood,+WA+027.JPG" /></a><em>Lake Campbell from atop Mt. Erie</em></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Our next stop is Deception Pass. This is probably one of the most photographed places in Washington State. Due to four tides a day, this pass used by boaters to get out to the Straits is very dangerous and must be attempted at high tide. If one has a fear of heights, this is not the bridge to be standing on. We just happened to be there at high tide and got to see a lot of water traffic, from a tug boat, pleasure craft, and kayaks, that use the narrower, calmer channel through the pass. My son-in-law vouches for the danger of going through the pass at low tide!</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVqKEPmb6mWecuMOTcex_51hCeEbr1Kh1TwYP-HiUxLeL2UF4pG3H8uk1-O4IOdNI1vrNy1I92al8JAgf0v04ZwWKEzQ4tIWker6oVYbI6-bt_vqYRf2KmyJUxNA2TtsuT908Q75X9xbO/s1600-h/Stanwood,+WA+038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363143057535774018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVqKEPmb6mWecuMOTcex_51hCeEbr1Kh1TwYP-HiUxLeL2UF4pG3H8uk1-O4IOdNI1vrNy1I92al8JAgf0v04ZwWKEzQ4tIWker6oVYbI6-bt_vqYRf2KmyJUxNA2TtsuT908Q75X9xbO/s320/Stanwood,+WA+038.JPG" /></a> <em>Deception Pass and Bridge</em></div><p align="left">On our way home we stopped at the Snow Goose Produce to have one of their homemade ice cream on homemade waffle cones. Way too much for a single cone! I should have taken a picture!</p><p align="left">And now for the woe! Friends drove the "Road Runner" to a repair shop to have them pressurize the cooling system to see why I had to keep adding antifreeze. They found a hole in the upper hose assembly. We ordered the part through our trusted supplier in San Diego for overnight shipment. The service repair gave the wrong part number, so I again am waiting for the right part to arrive on Monday. I will have both hoses changed out while I am at it. Many more mountains to cross as we head east in the next day or two.</p><p align="left"> </p><p><em></em> </p><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-2845996865511015592009-07-27T07:13:00.002-06:002009-07-27T08:06:50.901-06:00San Juan Islands<div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMoHGxA8JIOgjhTqjo4T9yMK1KZ3RjMGhSMW8-NYpH-qIZ5obv2X3h0TAWVVSKSwx50DgoT387AraP3T_naJVY3NkY0R3PB8MMEeRoUPb4j4xCTOQpKixLA8n4vOT_xP79rY3n68eovj/s1600-h/The+TTTs+at+Mt.+Rainier.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363128344679187890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMoHGxA8JIOgjhTqjo4T9yMK1KZ3RjMGhSMW8-NYpH-qIZ5obv2X3h0TAWVVSKSwx50DgoT387AraP3T_naJVY3NkY0R3PB8MMEeRoUPb4j4xCTOQpKixLA8n4vOT_xP79rY3n68eovj/s320/The+TTTs+at+Mt.+Rainier.jpg" /></a> <em>The TTT's at Mt. Rainier</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="left">Amye sent the above picture to me so you can see at "Sunrise" at MT. Rainier. We are so close to the mountain that it looks so much smaller when you see it from Seattle. Some remaining snow can be seen behind us.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">We are staying at my daughter's friends on Camano Island which is about an hour north of Seattle. The first morning out, we headed to the Camano Island State Park. We walked the stony beach where Joan was leaving "no stone unturned". She found several pretty colorful small shells, but managed to lose some between to large driftwood logs. Amy found some "Goldfish" there. (The kind from Pepperidge Farms!) She also found her version of a new shell..aka plastic water bottle cap! What a great sense of humor and imagination!!! The island is is rather small so it didn't take us long to tour it. It is amazing how many people live here though and what fantastic views of the San Juan Islands they have.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">We ventured off to the local Costco in Smokey Point before heading back to the island and a cocktail party in Stanwood at another of my daughter's friends. Their home sits high on hill and overlooks a valley and out to Port Susan. The valley is mostly farms. One can hear a train from miles away coming through the valley. It kind of reminds one of a toy training running under one's Christmas tree as it looks so small from where we were enjoying a pit fire, a margarita and smoked salmon (done by my son-in-law). Yummy!</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">It is now Friday and we are taking one of the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. We have to be there 1-1/2 to 2 hours ahead of a scheduled sail at 8:45 am. So it was early to bed last night as we had approximately an hour drive to Anacortes.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmEtCGjcRunYGH03iDqXEUTOcy_OERS6fvJYuCMF3yUGRyzhVRteu3ybg78n1g-YXUXv7TlR1mOkWMhRHEqbLiIZIIm_jB2rjsj-aw_F4DUuyC5iKvVGiDV44ymahp5O0vpNHn6OOCIaM/s1600-h/Stanwood,+WA+012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363128338684365522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmEtCGjcRunYGH03iDqXEUTOcy_OERS6fvJYuCMF3yUGRyzhVRteu3ybg78n1g-YXUXv7TlR1mOkWMhRHEqbLiIZIIm_jB2rjsj-aw_F4DUuyC5iKvVGiDV44ymahp5O0vpNHn6OOCIaM/s320/Stanwood,+WA+012.JPG" /></a> <em>Sign Noting the British Camp</em></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="left"> The ride over to the island was somewhat overcast and foggy, but we still enjoyed it. Getting off the ferry into Friday Harbor , right in the business district, kept one on their toes to find the right street to get out of town. All traffic when the ferry docks is one-way. We find our turn and head out into the country. We find a neat winery and across the road in a field is a camel! Who would have "thunk it?!" We found a fawn eating foliage on some one's front lawn in a quest to find a beach. Our map noted a British Encampment, so down the road we headed. An American soldier had killed a pig belonging to a Brit and it started a war. Tomorrow (Saturday) they are doing a re-enactment of the battle. While at the encampment we viewed an Osprey and her nest through a telescope the Park had set up.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Our next stop was at the Lime Kiln Lighthouse and a place to watch for Orca whales.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyrRmI4TGBaziRmu8SCCyvGTDmLYr8tRwhwD8Hqe2jCpB56jukqdIJyfmx_t9yJ6yX7KGA5AIuxhtRMC6bx4sJj8OxgDxdgUfYi6hyL86KGRqVxBtgEV3sAVv0rGGELow6EeSdZNWljde/s1600-h/Stanwood,+WA+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363128329815808722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyrRmI4TGBaziRmu8SCCyvGTDmLYr8tRwhwD8Hqe2jCpB56jukqdIJyfmx_t9yJ6yX7KGA5AIuxhtRMC6bx4sJj8OxgDxdgUfYi6hyL86KGRqVxBtgEV3sAVv0rGGELow6EeSdZNWljde/s320/Stanwood,+WA+022.JPG" /></a> <em>Limekiln Lighthouse.</em></div><div align="left"><br />No whales today! We did see trees that really amazed us. Their bark was really red. My daughter said they are called Medrone (sic) Trees. We went back to the booming metropolis of Friday Harbor for lunch. Restaurants were so busy that we waited an hour AFTER ORDERING for our meals to be served. And because we had to be in line for the ferry two hours ahead of sail, we moved the car to the loading lines, locked it up and headed for some shopping. I don't think any of us bought a thing. Except...for the ice cream cones! The sail back to the mainland was bright and sunny. When we got back to Camano Island, my daughter and son-in-law cooked us a scrumptious dinner of broiled salmon, corn on the cob, potato and tossed salad. If one didn't like salmon, one ate baked chicken. Great two days!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-19946056202944082342009-07-23T18:10:00.003-06:002009-07-24T00:24:06.828-06:00Seattle<div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rnTFQviAANCHd83PCrRWgduU5g4bvibod_ga1ai2O2BL6Idx-h0uXkBKDRo77Lm2x5IOpMCEjDNsXsEzNaKY_3NpX_5DKlPpSFeyRlA6VDLQZngScin8Q1WS7ucubb1TlRE-P9aPqeQv/s1600-h/Seattle+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361900781760062914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rnTFQviAANCHd83PCrRWgduU5g4bvibod_ga1ai2O2BL6Idx-h0uXkBKDRo77Lm2x5IOpMCEjDNsXsEzNaKY_3NpX_5DKlPpSFeyRlA6VDLQZngScin8Q1WS7ucubb1TlRE-P9aPqeQv/s320/Seattle+002.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>Puget Sound from Seattle Waterfront</em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left">While we were in Enumclaw, we spent a day visiting Seattle. We found parking along the waterfront after we finally figured out how to buy a parking ticket from a machine. This was not the usual parking lot, but a city street. We walked the waterfront for about three blocks to get to the famous Pike's Place Public Farmers Market. It was quite an experience, especially if one has never seen the fish vendors throw the fish from an iced area in the front of the booth to another guy who does whatever to it and packages it up for travel. Travel being short (one's trip to a home in Washington or long term (air flight to Washington, D.C. that is!) Joan purchased what if I can think of it was a salmon belly? Jump in and comment as I am still not sure what it was.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU81xT5YCkl14cK6AZKLCmMgNfv_t7z16j6CusJDa5Cn9rxphwg10smhyphenhyphennbbnw8Goe_vN8_i_tFHcPRJ52y5wrAH_0KCnSr_q4U3DLmlPk7AfVK313rw5kkU1jYGhuzS3WbWgdNH8dkMG/s1600-h/Seattle+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361900776543902274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPU81xT5YCkl14cK6AZKLCmMgNfv_t7z16j6CusJDa5Cn9rxphwg10smhyphenhyphennbbnw8Goe_vN8_i_tFHcPRJ52y5wrAH_0KCnSr_q4U3DLmlPk7AfVK313rw5kkU1jYGhuzS3WbWgdNH8dkMG/s320/Seattle+014.JPG" /></a> <em>Pike's Place Public Market</em></p><p align="center">It was a fun place to visit. Leaving the market and heading North-West, we stopped at one of the locks that allow boats of all size and shapes to go from Puget Sound into Lake Washington. It was so busy!. The locks are in operation 24 hours a day! While there we crossed the locks and went down into a "Fish Ladder". This ladder allows the salmon to get through the locks to go upstream to spawn. Although we saw some salmon, we were told that in August the activity would increase. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegPW1mSMMs4VRz3lturNWVLrGuTBWtYV2Jms7TYWoxSIcMH83KvJrfBKBDihTtB21ecO6KqBH6IRZpOpuPPv1ARCa8FJiNJiIfhaTBNnRPuQZhAcOOdkbY7jwN9hkPfwGirVM9foOJVOl/s1600-h/Seattle+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361900770447291426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegPW1mSMMs4VRz3lturNWVLrGuTBWtYV2Jms7TYWoxSIcMH83KvJrfBKBDihTtB21ecO6KqBH6IRZpOpuPPv1ARCa8FJiNJiIfhaTBNnRPuQZhAcOOdkbY7jwN9hkPfwGirVM9foOJVOl/s320/Seattle+031.JPG" /></a> <em>Tug Boat entering a lock</em></p><p align="left">We ate lunch in a quaint seafood restaurant across the street from the locks before we started our trek back to the fairground. Today we spent the day driving around Camano Island. I won't tattle on someone, but some gal in the car lost several beautiful shells she had gathered. Busy day planned for tomorrow. We are taking the ferry to Friday Harbor. I better get some shut-eye as 6 a.m. comes early and we have an hour's drive, plus we have to be in line at least 1-1/2 hour before boarding the ferry. Nitey-Nitey!</p>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-17301702565447366702009-07-23T17:39:00.002-06:002009-07-23T18:08:56.107-06:00Mt. Rainier High!<div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1SHW9wO_oyuZ7tI3LDT-MVy0MVhOBqHJmovh9-B-DCJdDErzTL_qbPFxazYu4TgMUzZtAlSGCIlpWPK2QASTS8FH1kJiO1xtTCghnyTCFvGGleuN918lPKu6yLKzn9kgGFpQnjbyG92n/s1600-h/Mt.+Rainier+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805096843379730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1SHW9wO_oyuZ7tI3LDT-MVy0MVhOBqHJmovh9-B-DCJdDErzTL_qbPFxazYu4TgMUzZtAlSGCIlpWPK2QASTS8FH1kJiO1xtTCghnyTCFvGGleuN918lPKu6yLKzn9kgGFpQnjbyG92n/s320/Mt.+Rainier+024.JPG" /></a> <em>Mt. Rainier</em></div><br /><p>Our journey the past several days has taken us into Enumclaw, WA and Mt. Rainier National Park. What a magnificent site! My daughter's significant other, Jim, took us up to Sunrise. It is the closet one can get to the peak of the mountain by a motorized vehicle. On our way up the mountains, Jim took us in to Crystal Village hoping we could see some elk, as they stay in the village year around. We were not disappointed! A small herd of females with their young'ens were sunning in the community park area.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6_rjYYNzLR2nk0g8OLetGyBdSERGrNKoPEF3EqNxYmNSkR9i5i6tiK8WLlBpB39FKvhL1p7l6GSnXUI0jMz3PCgUERDMUyvce5cFp9C9ehEIW9sXEYlqYAH8mplC1WmrRymAWK6R9DuM/s1600-h/Mt.+Rainier+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805082585858130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6_rjYYNzLR2nk0g8OLetGyBdSERGrNKoPEF3EqNxYmNSkR9i5i6tiK8WLlBpB39FKvhL1p7l6GSnXUI0jMz3PCgUERDMUyvce5cFp9C9ehEIW9sXEYlqYAH8mplC1WmrRymAWK6R9DuM/s320/Mt.+Rainier+002.JPG" /></a> <em>Momma Elks and Babies</em></p><br /><p align="left">Up and up and round and round mountains we went. There was one beautiful overlook before reaching the summit. Here we took some memorable pictures of what was below us. A meadow and a couple of lakes, the road we had already traveled and a view of another mountain, Mt. Adams. We could also capture picture of Mt. Rainier from a different perspectrum. At Sunrise, the wildflowers were in full bloom adding to the colors of the green meadows. We at lunch in the gift shop/restaurant and enjoyed time in the Visitors Center. </p><br /><div align="center"><em></em><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0INpdmqLYli_lSteN0HcCV8SoMPcemYo7Xf31vtGswoFjmk6sNeuiE3bvcAGDO8p7_55js9VeBeejuIdRIeiyDkhZCtEqWirdsg_Hsl0JyXFBGbme9miTJKZQrQG7TC3PoGoNgl1XMnh/s1600-h/Mt.+Rainier+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805062161391762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0INpdmqLYli_lSteN0HcCV8SoMPcemYo7Xf31vtGswoFjmk6sNeuiE3bvcAGDO8p7_55js9VeBeejuIdRIeiyDkhZCtEqWirdsg_Hsl0JyXFBGbme9miTJKZQrQG7TC3PoGoNgl1XMnh/s320/Mt.+Rainier+004.JPG" /></a> <em>A View of Mt. Rainier from our campsite</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OmLyNv_c07_HHlfIjWYK5ym3p-Pf27hXxG5riXRIXmtPT72ypGjJHn2nPwKZU58HaNu9vi6FdowRx4H7dnoljzuZQK9t8sn5UWnJuILoMoN_ajEArR0G5ITgM4ykG7Rpv7uOslwVUgON/s1600-h/Mt.+Rainier+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361805054269765410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OmLyNv_c07_HHlfIjWYK5ym3p-Pf27hXxG5riXRIXmtPT72ypGjJHn2nPwKZU58HaNu9vi6FdowRx4H7dnoljzuZQK9t8sn5UWnJuILoMoN_ajEArR0G5ITgM4ykG7Rpv7uOslwVUgON/s320/Mt.+Rainier+003.JPG" /></a> The TTT's parked on a farm, courtsey of Steve with a fantastic view. While in Enumclaw, Amye was able to get her sunglasses fixed. No more squinting! We also went to the Muckleshoot Casino. We all came out a little bit ahead...and I do mean "a little bit". At least we didn't leave any of our money.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-4077787940673948862009-07-18T22:29:00.003-06:002009-07-18T22:43:09.975-06:00Wi-Fi IFFY!Sorry friends and family, no pictures today. We were having trouble finding a place to camp near Enumclaw, WA so we could be near Karen's home. Karen found a nice place at a farm just west of Enumclaw. The view was top rated! We were hoping to get into the campground at the King County Fairgrounds, but the fair is going on through tonight. Karen and I checked it yesterday and the manager said we should be able to get three sites today after two or three o'clock. Well, we are in the campground hooked up to electricity and staying cool. But, we are not in our assigned campsites, We think the manager made a mistake on the departure date for the people on our sites, as it is 9 PM and they are still there! That's okay, we are happy campers! We had our monthly haircuts and we look beautiful! Amye's tailpipe on the generator is straight again and we went to WalMart for the first time in a week.<br /><br />We are heading back to the campground for the night. I will upload the pictures I took yesterday and today and post here tomorrow. We are going up to get a closer look at Mt. Rainier tomorrow and Seattle is on our agenda for Monday. Stay tuned in!!!<br /><br />The TTT'sSusan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-47403945131823588482009-07-16T20:08:00.002-06:002009-07-16T21:01:44.865-06:00Oh! What A Beautiful Day!<div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="left">We left our lovely campground at 6 AM for Castle Rock, WA to meet up with Karen, my daughter, who was going to be our chauffeur and tour guide today. The day started out very foggy in areas. Lucky for us, it was too early for the tourists! We caught very few glimpses of the Pacific Ocean today. When we got to Astoria, OR most of the fog had lifted and we should have shout: "Good Morning, Miss Merry Sunshine!" We arrived at the Mt. St. Helen's RV Park ahead of Karen, giving us the opportunity to empty holding tanks, and Joan was able to get one washer load of soiled clothes taken care of. We could not have asked for a better day! Temperature was in the low 80's and NO HUMIDITY! This is another place of "things to see" in one's lifetime.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh4QvrsYN1udTQjKG6DWfNFFcsznBAt9YgT3apkzm0OLRUfVDQEcgeb1Kk_1S6WIn9Eb9cMuIKrLJI9Xx1cOSVFrpnkEhq7JHUkJ-AxR58n2aW9l-9QHK-FTtEeSfnIpw4IxwnUqAbcRI/s1600-h/Mt.+St.+Helene%27s+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359248319582064450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh4QvrsYN1udTQjKG6DWfNFFcsznBAt9YgT3apkzm0OLRUfVDQEcgeb1Kk_1S6WIn9Eb9cMuIKrLJI9Xx1cOSVFrpnkEhq7JHUkJ-AxR58n2aW9l-9QHK-FTtEeSfnIpw4IxwnUqAbcRI/s320/Mt.+St.+Helene%27s+006.JPG" /></a><em>Mt. St. Helen's, Washington</em></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">We started our 45 mile journey up the mountain. Up and up we went, switching back at times. It was such a gorgeous day! We sat through the movie about the eruption of the mountain in 1980, toured the Visitor's Center which included watching an actual seismograph of the current activity occurring in the volcano, a 3-D display depicting the eruption and seeing the magnificent Volcano. The Johnson Observatory is approximately 5 miles from the crater. The picture above was taken at one of the view points along the road leading up to the Observatory.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCJWVxrgGvPlyl6Ly_w9JkM4cw76mba4HPIxZYm0uNhV5hhnDx0IvD7vHyB7Zan5boHD6ZVS2W4eoEXtuUsw-VrVDgKnQ-jYQE8MFfZhbn1_XPYVssnc8amtCRHmFFohvp90q4Yv-X3ht/s1600-h/Mt.+St.+Helene%27s+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359248315697646626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCJWVxrgGvPlyl6Ly_w9JkM4cw76mba4HPIxZYm0uNhV5hhnDx0IvD7vHyB7Zan5boHD6ZVS2W4eoEXtuUsw-VrVDgKnQ-jYQE8MFfZhbn1_XPYVssnc8amtCRHmFFohvp90q4Yv-X3ht/s320/Mt.+St.+Helene%27s+017.JPG" /></a><em> Coldwater Lake</em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><br /><div align="justify">We stopped at one of the lakes that occurred as a result of the eruption. This one offered a boat ramp and fishing. We were disappointed that we didn't see any elk. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">We are back at our campsites after dinner in a nearby restaurant. Amye is doing her laundry. I'll wait until morning. She said it was crowded in there. I'm headed out to visit with the TTT's.</div><br /><div align="justify">We may not have wi-fi tomorrow night. Sure hope so!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The TTT's have had a good day!</div><br /><p><em></em></p><br /><p><em></p><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></em><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-34124464408746850422009-07-15T19:22:00.002-06:002009-07-15T20:28:51.189-06:00ALMOST HEAVEN!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuePviJ-9PnkIxOxYveJpqF7atSkdBWmj4N5YO7_FcK5wACTVwxt5-o66ZmWy51ENhxshif7A-RaLnhIAdEPjemZYOUH8gtQ6kzTk2UI2W-CTJplMsAhWYft09qVG-YWAOyMe5BKkrKXD/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358862719892437202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuePviJ-9PnkIxOxYveJpqF7atSkdBWmj4N5YO7_FcK5wACTVwxt5-o66ZmWy51ENhxshif7A-RaLnhIAdEPjemZYOUH8gtQ6kzTk2UI2W-CTJplMsAhWYft09qVG-YWAOyMe5BKkrKXD/s320/Oregon+Coast+057.JPG" /></a> <em>Siletz River, Lincoln City, OR</em></div><br /><p>This place is so beautiful. What a campground should truly be! The Coyote Rock R.V. Resort and Marina is situated about 2 miles east of Hwy. 101 at the south end of Lincoln City, OR. What a gem we found, enough to stay an extra day. Joan was out taking pictures and got one of a seal in the river. We really didn't know what it was. Fishing for salmon is excellent. We saw some pictures of trophies won here. The largest salmon weighed in at 47 pounds. Most seem to between 20 and 30 pounds each. Of course, there are the smaller ones. too. They have two docks and there must be close to 68 spaces to tie one's boat to when not in use.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PR3bRC5yiUI7P4FhGFbaXx8-Iqo0RPwmm63iqQhbCylWeJbkHRNgEvEfHIcZz8iBoOwA9sSaqN5dfsoEA10cijp_yw_QWmGzYuw7w-npEcd0gkoEwWRn2d-w0aOcGA7iQsSSP3dRULBx/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358862718311420466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PR3bRC5yiUI7P4FhGFbaXx8-Iqo0RPwmm63iqQhbCylWeJbkHRNgEvEfHIcZz8iBoOwA9sSaqN5dfsoEA10cijp_yw_QWmGzYuw7w-npEcd0gkoEwWRn2d-w0aOcGA7iQsSSP3dRULBx/s320/Oregon+Coast+052.JPG" /></a> <em>The Happy Turtle and 'Tilton Hilton at Coyote RV Resort</em></p><br /><p align="center">We spent the day seeing what was around Lincoln City. Aha, Casino! Joan was the $$$ winner today, Amye $ and me -$$. Lunch was enjoyed at Jay's Fish & Chips where we ate either Cod, Halibut or combination with shrimp. The dinner included slaw, choice of potato and a drink for a reasonable price. We should be well rested for our trek to Castle Rock, WA where we have reservations at the Mt. St. Helene's RV Park. My daughter Karen will meet us there tomorrow and take us up to the volcano by car. Our babies need a rest from mountain driving. Early to bed tonight. Until tomorrow (no promises as we don't know how good our wi-fi will be.)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIskgMLSt84zM_Wz7l66xRujNZmBifFME_faC2J4pbo5N6SYuKiVAtz5AMiRf_mFbEPwJnpFz6gT6d1v-wLB1YFSzJxvOOCOVFcIK8K2uclTNKQCzDEyPzuPzPEHnanvRSy1d8F0R0Kvm/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358862709004996722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIskgMLSt84zM_Wz7l66xRujNZmBifFME_faC2J4pbo5N6SYuKiVAtz5AMiRf_mFbEPwJnpFz6gT6d1v-wLB1YFSzJxvOOCOVFcIK8K2uclTNKQCzDEyPzuPzPEHnanvRSy1d8F0R0Kvm/s320/Oregon+Coast+053.JPG" /></a><em>The Road Runner at Coyote Rock</em><br /><br /><br /></p>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3254738019169405589.post-51995763521427757122009-07-14T17:35:00.004-06:002009-07-15T20:31:21.368-06:00FAR CRY FROM TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA!Get a load of the picture on the right! The TTT's o<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj3dNxgr17U3jqtknbhuvkH7Fcj0QaxBx_TE0lNq3t5KGxko3uYtMxQAqUsftSwKU_otEdBiJ-MMz-JDS3H4JpjAV6elisDo38VxiKlvZpN9bioVY8z5E-sPeR8xsaduyiU1M_7yrLkcE/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+089.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 324px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358491535513574434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj3dNxgr17U3jqtknbhuvkH7Fcj0QaxBx_TE0lNq3t5KGxko3uYtMxQAqUsftSwKU_otEdBiJ-MMz-JDS3H4JpjAV6elisDo38VxiKlvZpN9bioVY8z5E-sPeR8xsaduyiU1M_7yrLkcE/s320/Oregon+Coast+089.JPG" /></a>n one campsite! And all with electric hookups!<br />The 'Tilton Hilton was on the 20 amp. service, The Road Runner on 30 amp. service and The Happy Turtle was on the 50 amp. service. Did we blow a circuit breaker? Not in your life! This was one of the few campgrounds where we got good wi-fi service. The best part...we were only charged for one rig! So splitting the cost was $12.33 each. Can't beat that! Oh, the name of the campground that was so accommodating.. The Redwoods RV Resort north of Crescent City, CA. The staff was great to deal with. Joan couldn't believe we were still in California.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We left about 8:30 am for Eureka, Oregon where we visited Old Town Eureka. They have put a lot of effort into restorations and it shows. The waterfront was beautiful. Even though it was Sunday morning, many of the quaint shops were opened for business and a horse-drawn Carriage was ready to take one for a ride. We saw one fabulous Victorian House that is now a Private Men's Club! The two pictures below show one of the restored buildings and I couldn't resist the picture of the door on a bead establishment!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn75ovtuaxuVZlsgK6OgPF4g-B-hsZ2kFhYU9wcSkFUm1V7vlYRyVMFj7Izq2QHxQnyPJUuHl8RILfNbIreh92H3thY9NBoyDADV86YagPnS_K4KS_XvKIyMupKjjQG2djLobARmBI-P7o/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+081.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358490464409070610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn75ovtuaxuVZlsgK6OgPF4g-B-hsZ2kFhYU9wcSkFUm1V7vlYRyVMFj7Izq2QHxQnyPJUuHl8RILfNbIreh92H3thY9NBoyDADV86YagPnS_K4KS_XvKIyMupKjjQG2djLobARmBI-P7o/s320/Oregon+Coast+081.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuj-qs-ORnDpLHtHwooZ9KYVja0SS8sS60cOPq64kUITiqXeuogadgSNmcjU5bPG1fXaxHrlz2XIoBpxMBhjajvmN5jwEKyhzBUfjXlhSLv7FSnDPuZ-0RQ3AGzPD0U9JPXDZPhsiaIlu/s1600-h/Oregon+Coast+085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358490466958144978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuj-qs-ORnDpLHtHwooZ9KYVja0SS8sS60cOPq64kUITiqXeuogadgSNmcjU5bPG1fXaxHrlz2XIoBpxMBhjajvmN5jwEKyhzBUfjXlhSLv7FSnDPuZ-0RQ3AGzPD0U9JPXDZPhsiaIlu/s320/Oregon+Coast+085.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><em></em></div><br /><br /><div align="left">After our visit we headed up the coast stopping at several overlook points along the Oregon Coastal Highway (aka US 101) The views were spectacular! If you have never seen the Oregon Coast, put it on your list of things to see before you die! It was a challenge for three motorhomes to cross the Southbound lane to get into the parking areas. Oh, but did we have fun. Our stop for the night....well... Not so enjoyable. Stay out of this campground unless you like to fish. I had to change campsites 3 times and Amye and Joan twice. The electric outlet on my site was shorted out, so I was moved across the road. Wi-fi was non-existence unless one went to the office and even there it was iffy. Joan's sight was fifthy from animal droppings where no one cleaned up after their pets. This campground was really a fish-camp with a big fish cleaning area and the campground smelled like it, too. I won't post the name. If you want it, I will tell you this. It is north of Winchester Bay before one gets to Reedsport on the right hand side of the highway going north. We left this morning at 8am to continue our trek north. One of the first things we did was backtrack to the Umpqua Lighthouse. We had stopped at several yesterday and had 4 more to do today. The highlight of the day was stopping at an overlook near the Sea Lion Cave. Not only was the sight of the Heceta Lighthouse stunning, but we got to watch two gray whales in the area and several sea lions on the rocks below the viewpoint. The whales didn't seem to be migrating north, but staying in the same area. I felt that it must have been a good place for breakfast for them. I am tired so I will post more pictures tomorrow. Until then.... (snoring sounds)</div></div>Susan, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07495713215684711769noreply@blogger.com2