October 7, 2007

Our Westward Ho trip was winding down. After leaving the fun of Mitchell, South Dakota we headed into unknown lands in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The goal of stopping was to kayak in the state of Iowa. Constant winds and cool conditions kept us beached on the land. But the discovery of Spirit Lake was an amazing spread of lakes with many homes fronting on them.

We proved again that you can function on the road when it became necessary to see a veterinarian. Our greyhound Libby needed dental care for the fast approaching gingivitis. We were very impressed with the Spirit Lake All Pets Animal Clinic and the care we received. With antibiotics we were able to make it to TN to schedule a dental cleaning with our greyhound vet.

We spent September 26 through Sept. 30 in Amana, IA enjoying The Seven Amana Colonies while camped in the spacious Amana RV Campground. We have spent a great amount of time in Amana since 1999 when we accidentally discovered this German bred culture holding true to its roots while embracing technology.

A small group of Germans in the turbulent 18th century sought freedom from their religious persecution and eventually moved to the New York State Buffalo area. However, needing more room for their progressive and yet simple communal life they found land in Iowa near the now Cedar Rapids along the Iowa River. They established six villages a mile or two apart which was part of 25,000 acres. Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana and Middle Amana are small and vibrant towns today. In time they purchased the Homestead Village in 1861 and the Homestead railroad gave them a transport for their goods. Furniture and clocks, treasurers from the woolen mill, and the brewery became hallmarks of Amana.

This communal life style with communal kitchens continued until the brink of the Great Depressions in 1932. At this point in time Amana set aside its communal way of life. They wanted their since of belonging to continue so they gave each family its own home and released them to work outside the Amanas. Today many of these descents continue to live and work in the Amana companies. Two years after dissolving the communal ties Amana Refrigeration was born and continues now with its impressive factory.

We completely enjoy Amana each time we go. And our enjoyment was heightened by getting to spend time with Elaine and Frank VanderBroek from Monroe, IA and Mary Ann and Pat Mannell from Georgetown, ONT.

The VanderBroeks are graceful dancers and that is how we met watching them dance to the beautiful German music at an early Oktoberfest weekend. They came this year to spend some time with us before they were off to Festhalle to dance at the Oktoberfest activities. Their gracefulness has earned them a fan club.

Our love of greyhounds began in Amana in 2003 when we met Pat Mannell walking his greyhound, Argus on the campground. Fate played a part and we followed each other across South Dakota for three more rv parks. By this time we were attached to the beauty of the greyhound and were slowly becoming hooked. Our friendship with Mannells began and we have visited in Canada with them and they have hooked up with us in the US and even parked in our driveway.

To our delight they E mailed that they would end their September trip with a stop in Amana. We spent a grand 5 days with them and got to know their newly adopted greyhound, Susie. Sweet Susie is slightly larger than our Trixie and sports white “sox and bib” in contracts to her dark brindle markings to make her all too fetching.

So our excursion begun on July 12 came to an end on October 3, 2007 when we pulled into our driveway. We traveled through the center of the USA getting a sample of the intense heat as we rolled across Denver and into Salt Lake City, UT. We put our heads on the pillow at thirty six stops and from West TN to California and almost into Canada at Glacier National Park. In fact we were in MO, AR, KS, CO, UT, CA, OR, ID, WY, MT, SD, MN, IA, IL, KY, TN; that equals 16 states. We did not stop to sleep in KY and MN.

We are firm believers that you get to know a community from your feet and your seat. You sample their friendship in the grocery stores and on the streets. We spend as much time on our bikes and on our feet as we can gathering a feel for each community we visit.

On this jaunt we have seen an amazing amount of beautiful land. We did generator business in Denver, drove in The Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, CO; viewed the Morman Tabernacle and the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, UT and made our way to the impressive Redwoods in northern California. The Oregon coast was traveled for several days giving us views of impressive rocks glistening in the water and sunlight.

Labor Day was spent in West Glacier, MT and gave us a chance to drive the narrow roads into Glacier National Park and float on McDonald Lake in Glacier National Park.

We stopped for a second time in Yellowstone National Park and captured Old Faithful as it habitually releases hot water for a spectacular show. Heading south we arrived in Grand Teton National Park and were amazed by those rock mountains. Here we floated Jackson Lake just below their protective presence.

Our trip turned eastward as that was the way to eventually get home. Again we stopped in Hill City, SD and drove to Mount Rushmore to view the 4 presidents carved in the mid 1900s from the mountain. We spent a day driving in Custer State Park and time at Crazy Horse Museum. On across South Dakota we spent time enjoying the famous Wall Drug Store at Wall, SD and making sure the Badlands were as we had remembered them.

And…as you have read we journeyed into The Seven Amana Colonies.in Eastern Iowa.

Scrolling through this year’s trip you can get more web pages and details of each of these stops.

A lasting impression of our westward venture was the constant smell and views of the ravages of fire. While we were in Montana there were 23 reported wild fires on the local news. There were websites with constant updates and TV news to help us stay informed. We were not delayed once by the fires but we did drive past a huge firefighter encampment just outside Missoula, MT. We have a new respect for those men and women dedicating time and effort to gain control of the fires.

Thanks for coming along with us. It makes it very enjoyable to hear from you and even get your pictures from visits where we have stopped.

September 25, 2007

Mid September found us in South Dakota in horse country heavily influenced by our native American heritage. We spent two nights prior in Gillette, WY having a non-impending leaking surge tank replaced. Of course, the part was over nighted to us from Memphis and sent wrong! But Cummins Diesel alerted us to this and we were able to get the plastic-bottle tank locally and replaced.

For four days, September 15-18, we soaked up the beauty of South Dakota’s Black Hills. We repeated our 2002 stay at Rafter J Bar Ranch and Campground, Hill City,SD. The ranch is a resort with about 20 horses for trail rides. This large park had wonderful walking for us…one of our favorite activities with our pups.

Hill City, South Dakota was just 3 miles one way so we biked downhill to town and viewed the 1880s train area and museum. My spouse kept it quiet that we’d have a subtle up hill climb back to the campground. Our pedaling return just added 10 minutes to our thirty minute downhill flight.

This area is home to Mount Rushmore. While we saw The Presidents in 2002 they never fail to impress! We stood under the TN flag in the arch of state flags for a picture.

Those imposing faces were chosen for their contributions to the USA. Washington represents the birth of our country; Jefferson symbolizes expansion for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; Lincoln embodies the preservation of the Union of states in confronting the challenges of the Civil War. Roosevelt represents development with the construction of the Panama Canal. Major carvings ended in the summer of 1941. http://www.nps.gov/moru (Rushmore)

We spent time at Crazy Horse. This Indian Chief is quoted as saying “My lands are where my dead lie buried.” This private development honors the North American Indians. Besides the impressive mountain carving there are galleries, and museums of Indian heritage and artifacts.


The first shattering blast was on June 3, 1948. Crazy Horse’s head now shows. The horse head is 22 stories high. The sculptor, who lived from 1908-1982 was almost penniless when selected by an Indian chief to begin the tribute to their people. The sculptor’s wife, still residing at Crazy Horse, was18 years younger. They had 10 kids and all grew up working on the carving. These adult children continue to oversee this dream. The dream includes cultural center with university and a medical training center.

Crazy Horse died at age 35. He saw his peoples’ lives and their way of life ravaged and destroyed.

“As long as rivers run and grass grows and trees bear leaves, the Black Hills of SD will forever be the sacred land of the Sioux Indians.”

The government failed to bring required treaty guarantees such as meat, clothing, tents and necessities for existence which they were to receive for having given up their lands and gone to live on the reservations.
www.crazyhorsememorial.org


While in this area we repeated a drive through Custer State Park. We only saw one buffalo! However this state park has many buffaloes. We saw the corrals where they are herded in Oct.-Nov for females to be vaccinated and some bison are sold to other parks in the US and Canada. Some are sent to slaughter.

While we picnicked safely inside the car we were treated to Prairie Dog Town. These adorable little guys sit up on their mounds at the edge of their hole. We know to keep our distance. Snakes could be lurking just inside. Oh yes…we did see some Custer burros. As of this writing a portion of Custer is besieged by wild fire. These are lasting impressions of the west with us. http://www.sdgfp.info/parks/Regions/Custer/Index.htm

September 19 we moved east across South Dakota to Wall Drug Store in Wall. How Wall came to be in an interesting story.

A young pharmacist and his school teacher wife took his $3000 inheritance and began a search for a town that needed a druggist. His family proclaimed it a Godforsaken area and they all prayed about the move. The Husteads moved to Wall in 1931 and opened a drug store. No one came. Wall was off the beaten path. The wife suggested that they put out signs on the highways..."free water"....and people began to come. Rushmore would soon be opening.

Water is still free in Wall and they provide cups. The drug store grew into a block of drug store and this is many stores now. We were first in Wall in 2002. The town has grown in 5 years but it is still the Western Town, wooden store fronts and walkways that it has always had.

The Badlands of South Dakota begin just 7 miles from Wall. White River Badlands is a study of effects of erosion. For 30 million years layers of muds, sands, and gravels were laid down. Fossils of prehistoric animals have been found. Four million years ago erosion outpaced deposits leaving colorful spires resembling castles. The Badlands supports no plant life. Colors come from mineral deposits and are orange and tan.

This land was homesteaded. These descents are still there raising cattle and sheep just outside the Badlands National Park. They thrive on the native grasses. Wildlife in the badlands include prairie dogs, porcupines, mice, cottontails jackrabbits, bull snakes, racers, rattlers, antelope, deer, eagles, and coyotes. The area was named by French trappers 1800 because it was a “bad land to cross.”


The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD was our most recent visit. This area was surveyed by Lewis and Clark and in 1805 they deemed it the Great American Desert suitable for buffalo. They felt no man could survive making a living in Mitchell.

To prove Lewis and Clark wrong the Mitchell settlers built a corn palace to showcase their productivity. The first two wooden structures with dirt floors began to attract visitors and show off the fertility of the land. The outside of each of 3 palaces have always been covered with seeds and grasses to show a picture. The first Corn Palace was built in1892 and did attract visitors and residents to the area. There is a new theme each year.

Three buildings later the last steel and brick and is covered with seed and grass pictures each fall... The building is a convention center, a venue for graduations, and the circus. Admission is always free to view the many pictures inside. Pictures in the hallways tell the history of the Corn Palace. The outside scenes were not changed at in the fall of 2007 because the corn crop had been diminished by the drought. The salute to 2008 is in progress now and it salutes people of service such as teachers, firemen, doctors and nurses.

We must admit to spending time in Cabelas outfitter store in Mitchell, SD. We love these stores. While most of their clothing is inappropriate for our warmer winter climates we cannot resist going in to caress the articles of clothing. And we added to our freezer stash of bison to help us get through the winter.


Our westward ho excursion is coming to an end. We have made it back to Central Time…our own zone. We travel next eastward through Iowa and stop in the Seven Amana Colonies for 5 nights. We have friends from Georgetown, Ontario and Monroe, IA coming for a visit. This is Amana’s Oktoberfest weekend. It will attract thousands for beer, brats and dancing to German bands.

Our Canadian friends are totally responsible for our love of greyhounds. In fact, we first met them in Amana in 2002! Their first grey, Argus, has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. They are bringing their newly adopted Susie to meet her extended family. In typical greyhound style our girls are way too excited to meet Susie!

So…thanks for your notes and for tripping with us. We will arrive in our hometown the first of October. That surely is not far off.

We bid adieus’ to the Oregon coast and moved east into Idaho. The Spokane River at Coeur d’Alene, ID needed floating and it was conveniently located at the edge of our RV park. This progressive city demanded more of our attention but the days and miles were colliding so we moved right into…..

Big Sky Country! Montana showed off with its impressive mountain ranges and generous coverings of sleek and abundant evergreens.

On August 30, 2007 we were close to fires raging around Missoula, MT. We were unaware of their nearness except for the constant warnings to have no campfires or use a grill with charcoal. Propane grills were permitted in most of the fire prone states. As we left Missoula we saw a fire fighters’ encampment and gained a new appreciation for those men and women risking life to save life.

And…as we traveled towards West Glacier, MT we became aware of additional fires. These fires were updated on TV and websites which we could access. Once in West Glacier, MT the haze prevailed and smoke filled the air floating miles to reach us. At one point while we were in Montana it was the state with the most wild fires. The weather channel reported 13 at one time while at the same time local TV broadcast were saying 23!

Labor Day was spent two miles out of Glacier National Park at West Glacier, MT. Tiny West Glacier, MT was a designated mail drop from a friend at home.
We found West Glacier to be slightly touristy and shirt shops did not lure us. Not that we did not try.

Our trips into Glacier National part put us on the famous Highway to the Sun to Logan’s Pass…a summit of 6646 feet! And, we proved the T shirt staying “real men do not need guardrails” as we clung to a tiny strip of road with the magnificent gorges miles below. Leaning to the center of the car seemed to help my spouse stay on the road. We were treated with an occasional sighting of rams while keeping an eye out for bears! My spouse spotted two bears close to the visitor center at Logan’s Pass while I was safe in the powder room!

Rafting and helicopter companies were prolific in the area. One morning we kayaked on McDonald Lake in Glacier National Park. The water was crystal clear and we photographed river rocks 2 feet deep.

Leaving Glacier National Park we set our destination on Yellowstone National Park. We arrived in a thunderstorm in West Yellowstone, MT and felt the thunder claps hammering through the canyons.

From September 5 – 8 we drove into Yellowstone National Park. The entrance was just 4 blocks from our Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. As we wound our way on the first cloudy day we were treated to many buffalo and elk. The bears seemed to be on vacation. The ground is so amazing with the thermal geysers billowing and releasing white poufs into the air over the western part of the park. We had constant warnings about their intense heat and we respected the wishes to stay on the many wooden paths to view them closely.

There were many warnings to remain at a distance from all wildlife. The two to three thousand pound bison could be very quick. We did see many folks out of their cars and too close to the animals. With our zoom lens we were able to get many pictures for our physical memories, however.

The first day we drove the 33 miles into Yellowstone Old Faithful was not on stage at the time we had to spend there. But on day two we stayed through two of her wonderful eruptions. Benches surround Old Faithful and folks gather a long while before. The park service does post projected times for the show. As we drove through Yellowstone we saw much of the park that was devastated in the fire of 1988! The reforestations of pines was just amazing to see how crowded they had chosen to plant themselves for a come back. Most are still very small.

We spent time roaming through the famous Yellowstone Inn which was built in 1904. How amazing this structure is. It is currently undergoing some renovations. The Inn is within sight of Old Faithful.

Grizzly RV Park was right in West Yellowstone, MT. Morning walks could be to in front of the western appearing stores that lured us in. We found time to bike around and found the residential side of the small town with attractive homes. The town has two small grocery stores. One work-kamper at Grizzy RV Park told of driving 90 miles to a Walmart in Bozeman, MT to gather in essentials and get a hair cut. We determined that we loved to visit but did enjoy the conveniences of our home areas.

West Yellowstone was a major railroad town in the early 1900s. This elegant depot is now a museum. The trains got tourists to West Yellowstone and stagecoaches took them the 33 miles to Yellowstone Inn. The expansive dining room that serviced train riders is now a convention center or a place to hold a square dance gathering or a wedding. The museum curator told of going to an event there last winter and seeing snow drifting in and piling up on the floor. While that would be a pretty site we felt we’d rather not be in attendance.

We left Yellowstone and drove south through the park until we arrived at the Grand Teton National Park. The two parks are separated by just scant miles.

There are no words to describe the Tetons as they glisten in the morning sun pictured on this blog.
We camped right in the park at Colter Bay RV Village which has full hookups.
John Colter, a fur trapper, founded the area in 1804-1805. Lewis and Clark discovered the intensely rugged area in 1806-1807.

This is BEAR COUNTRY and home to black and grizzly bears. The warnings are intense and everywhere. We knew not to leave any hint of food out such a grill or garbage. Garbage cans are bear proof and almost impossible for ladies to open. We had lists of warnings: stay in groups, yell or make noise if sighting a bear, back away. I headed the warning to just avoid their presence. However, they did wander into the large campgrounds. The park service wants to be alerted and works hard to drive the bears back into their woods. Once a bear gets a taste of our food they like it and will return. “A fed bear is a dead bear” was posted for our information.

While at the Grand Tetons we floated on the Lake Jackson as the Tetons gave us a pivotal point and seemed to watch over us. The marina was shutting down and we did not see one boat afloat as we paddled.

During our stay at Grand Tetons we visited frequently with Allen and Pam Nash who are working in the park this summer. These folks are friends from our winter get away in Florida. Again, the drive to buy food in Jackson, WY is an hour away and Pam expressed a desire to be closer to conveniences.

Pam and Allen are spending 5 months working in Grand Teton National Park. Allen is a carpenter for the park and Pam is working with cabin registrations. Cabins are resettled homes from the early homesteading days. They number 167 and were moved when John D. Rockefeller bought the land to preserve it and run out the violent western atmosphere. Then Rockefeller donated his purchase of the land to the government. This place employs about 1000 workers each season. That season is winding down as the park officially closes on September 29.

If you are counting we have seen three national parks on this leg of our trip: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Tetons National Park.

Our pictures are permanent reminders that we really have seen these splendors!

We arrived in northern California at Crescent City on August 18, 2007. It did not take us long to drive into the Redwood National Park….our proposed goal of this jaunt of our trip. We wound through tree shaded gravel roads trying desperately to look to the tops of the trees. Their craggy bark looked impressive. At points we waited for an oncoming car to pass. These were trees that we could not embrace unless they were less than one thousand years old!

Our campground, Shoreline RV Park, was right on the Pacific Ocean. The park left a lot to be desired but it was convenient to the Redwoods. Within bicycling distance and in sight was a light house. When the tide is in the house is on a rock island. At low tide we could walk across and right up to the house. It is an active home. I wondered how it would be to be isolated from shopping for several hours in each twenty-four hour period! The house was open for tours just after our departing date.

Crescent City, Caleeeeeeeeeeefornia….acknowledging Governor Arnold S, was devastated in 1964 by four Tusami waves that wiped out the downtown. That was not so long ago. We brought a son into the world that year.

There was an abundance of street people all over town. The campground was making efforts to keep them out of the easily accessible park but walking alone outside the large park was out of the question. The reasonable climate of cool summer days and winter temperatures of 30-60 degrees likely makes this an attractive place to live on the street. We did not learn of any efforts to give these folks help. Yet….we had to be careful and guarded.

Most of the 4 days we were in Crescent City the wind blew very hard. On the only calm day we put on our life jackets and put the kayak into the ocean and paddled in a bay adjacent to the marina. As we floated more peacefully in the jetty protected marina we observed rugged sea boats rigged to deprive the ocean of fish for our tables. We had our own escort around the marina. A sea lion popped his head up, gave sigh and gulped air and disappeared. I only hoped he did not resurface under our green kayak. And, yes…we did get splashed generously launching and turning around to “un-launch!” Thank goodness it was fairly warm because we were drenched for the ride. And…no, the camera did not make the trip.

We departed northern California on August 22 and headed for the Oregon coast. Highway 101 skirts the impressive Pacific-Oregon coast. The views were continuous of foreboding rocks guarding the shoreline and giving a frame to towns along the way. Charles loved the roller coaster driving and I and the cat held on tight. Cat did not like it.

We arrived at the Port of Newport, OR, Marina and RV Park on August 22. Again on the Pacific we found ourselves in a brand new campground. Our views were of sea worthy pleasure craft as they came out of the water for a rinse off of sea water. We walked easily to the waters edge, biked out a quarter mile pier, and biked across the street to the Oregon State University School of Marine Science. While there the wind blew hard all day and harder in the late afternoon and early evening. To bike each evening we wore winter coats and hats!

We found two lighthouses in Newport, Oregon. The active lighthouse has been totally refurbished and is open to the public. My mate climbed the 110 steps to the top. I retreated to the car to get out of the cold wind!

Then by chance about a mile from the campground we found another lighthouse that was active only 3 years with people living there. That was 1871-1874. It was closed when it was determined that the light was too dim. Falling into disrepair it was saved by the people of Newport and refurbished and outfitted with appropriate furniture. It was beautiful and complete with a vegetable and flower garden.

August 25, 2007 we rode through the Columbia River Gorge and viewed the beautiful river all day. Such path is part of the Louis and Clark Expedition. No doubt our passage on I-84 was a bit smoother. We spent a night at Cascade Locks KOA, OR, on the river. By car we went the 2 miles into town to roam in a beautiful park and talk with the locals.

We are spending two nights at Boardman, OR as we continue our eastward pace back to TN! This beautiful campground is on the banks of the raging Columbia River. There is a 3 mile paved bike path covered with burrs released by the wind directly onto the path. Having already had burr induced flat bike tires in Salt Lake City, UT, we turned around, plucked out the few burrs and vowed to stay away. However, there is a lot of good biking inside the campground.

It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for coming out to recess with us.

August 17, 2007

Mid August has arrived and we have been to and left FMCA in Redmond, OR. This is our thirteenth Family Motor Coach Association convention from Maine to California and Kansas and Minnesota in between.

Prior to arriving in Redmond, OR we spent 5 delightful days at Big Pines RV Park in Crescent, OR. The campground of 13 manicured sites is owned by the landlord residing right on the property. The small town of Crescent did not support an adequate grocery store. So one of the days we drove 40 miles to Bend, OR to make a Walmart and grocery stop to prepare for a week of dry camping.

Once in Redmond, at FMCA, we had purchased generated power within twenty-four hours. We were lucky to find a daily shower at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. This made it easy to stretch our fresh water supply and have water left over!

The most lasting impression of central Oregon will long linger in our minds. The week before going in to the convention we spend several hours feasting our eyes on the amazing Crater Lake. This body of water is deep blue and was formed after volcanic eruptions. The lake is fed only from snow and rain. Tour boats take passengers on the lake which is six miles across. A road winds totally around it with generous pull off places for folks to say “wow” over and over. We took forty pictures to seal our memories.

With memories of the blue water we drove to Redmond, Oregon for our 13th FMCA convention. This year we went in as paid FMCA volunteers for the Youth Program. We were committed to forty hours per coach for the four and one half days of the convention. This left little time to enjoy the many seminars. On our two off mornings we did get to the indoor exhibits and collect some of our list of desired purchases. Charles got to morning exercise which focused on knee and shoulder concerns and got bolstered again to do the routines for himself. He got a posture check and was able to confirm that one shoulder is indeed higher than the other. Now he has confirmation that he either was not put back together evenly in ’99 after by-pass surgery or the cracking he heard early on was contributing to his misalignment! Always knew he was slightly askew!

After spending a week with those managing the FMCA youth program we concluded that our experiences of 67 years of teaching and being with students were in conflict with the system. We will explore another volunteer effort with FMCA. This may be Frustrated Maestros composed of instrumentalist and vocalist who play for morning coffee hour and some special events at conventions and area rallies.

As we ride today we are traveling south in Oregon. Tomorrow we will go to northern California to Crescent City. The Redwoods of California are scheduled for pictures within the next 5 days. However, they must wait until we have time to do a weeks worth of laundry and restock our groceries.

Write us via our E mail address and we will be most certain to answer you.

August 5, 2007

For four days at the end of July we soaked in the majesty of the Rocky Mountains National Park and the rustic town of Estes Park, Colorado. From our campground we were up close and personal with the rising terrain that seemed to have no end in sight. As we awoke each morning we were treated to fluffy clouds that dipped down into the valleys and touched the peaks. Our campground, Elk Meadows Lodge and RV Park was two miles from Estes Park.
www.elkmeadowrv.com. The campground and surrounding area was simply polluted with Hummingbirds. Campers caught the fever and placed feeders on their units to watch the little guys hover in, land and sip and spin away to have the adventure repeated.

On two days we drove into the national park. One excursion was on a one way cliff hanging dirt road and led to the observation building. Snow in winter turns to ice and accumulates over twenty feet. Every few yards the road had wooden poles or branches stuck in the ground to alert the snow removal folks of the road. We were happy to be doing in it in July. Once on top Charles felt he must be at the tip- top so he climbed steps to put himself 12,0004 feet above sea level.

Estes Park, CO is an interesting town. Estes Lake, in the center of town, is big enough to attract boaters and we succumbed and floated our kayak. Walking-biking on concrete paths wound around the lake and in and around the town. Unfortunately time ran out and we did not get to bike. However, we did find their large dog park and made 4 trips to let our girls experience the freedom of running. On Saturday afternoon a standard Poodle birthday party was in progress. Mother Poodle was there with 4 four of her nine one year off-spring and their caregivers.

We did normal things like grocery shop and eat a healthy sandwich at Subway! Our first mail, sent by a friend at home, was picked up in Estes Park.
Oh, should we mention that while we were there we enjoyed wonderfully cool nights and very tolerable days.

But our comfortable climate ended as we proceeded west toward Salt Lake City, UT. Just before arriving in Estes Park, CO our generator decided it had enough work and quit. We found service and a night at Denver Cummins Diesel. We were hopeful that we would be all well. But after Denver and our visit to Estes Park we discovered that our stop in Salt Lake City would also include another trip to Cummins Diesel. With a new thermostat we are hopeful we are finally all well.

Besides nursing the generator in Salt Lake City we had time to visit Temple Square and the Mormon Tabernacle. While this is not our belief we have a great respect for history and those who carved new paths. The entire grounds of Temple Square houses the Temple, Tabernacle, office buildings and their very large genealogy reference building. It was just amazing. And, fun for me was the several brides and grooms having their pictures taken on the grounds.

On a drizzly morning we rode out to view The Great Salt Lake. This lake produces 400,000 tons of table salt per year. At that site was a marker commemorating the 2002 Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City.

We have now arrived in Oregon, August 4, and put one more time zone between us and our home. For our Canadian friends we deal with a 4 hour gap when we wish to carry on an Internet text message using Skype. We function now on Pacific Daylight Savings Time as we move toward Redmond on August 10 for Family Motor Coach Association Convention. This will be our first venture into doing the youth program. We do not expect to see much of the convention this year. A friend from our park in FL, who is a national director for FMCA, has talked us into doing the youth program this year. Apparently as former teachers we may have some experience along these lines! Retirement?

As we rode today through Idaho and into Oregon it was apparent that the wild fires had slashed across the already barren ground. There is just enough scruffy grass to play with a wind swept fire. Suddenly the news of wild fires became real. All fires were out. Only their imprint lingered. If grass or crops grow in this part of the country they are generously irrigated.

So....we are off to polish up on our teacher skills and enjoy youth from across the country attending FMCA…Family Motor Coach Association…convening in Redmond, OR next week.

Thanks for coming with us.

July 28, 2007

As I write tonight we are at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. Our view from our campground could not be more spectacular.

But we need to tell you the events that led us here. We arrived in Abilene, KS on July 21, 2007 with a one track sniff…to be at the Greyhound Hall of Fame and the home of the National Greyhound Association.

This was a return trip for us. Our initial trip was in 2003 and we were greyhound-less. This first trip sealed the deal for us and we returned home to open our home and hearts to these wonderful pets. Greyhound racing is big business! There are impressive plaques and trophies displayed. Three resident greys live there and two of these were there in 2003 when we first visited. However, Trixie and Libby did not meet these three as they are very possessive of their home and must be confined to their comfortable beds in the office when other dogs arrive. Trixie and Libby wore their Therapy Dog vests to demonstrate their “position” in the working world.

We learned more of greyhound puppy-dom. There are many greyhound farms around the area and they are raised in small dog houses with long runs. Twice a year they are taken to the National Greyhound Association’s track and buyers come in, make their purchases based on predicted winners and these lovely animals are loaded into dog trailers and vans and hauled off to make rich betters richer. This is just the way they begin their lives that hopefully will land them in forever homes like Trixie and Libby have.

We planned two nights in Abilene and this time we investigated the very impressive Eisenhower Center directly across the street. The Center was planned around Ike’s boyhood home and you could feel the presence of Mother Eisenhower as she raised her boys. On the large acreage are the Library, Museum, the home, an information center, and The Peace Chapel where Ike and Mamie and a son are buried. There is a very life like bronze statue of the Commander with hands on his hips “commanding” those who stop to reflect. For us Ike was the first presidential campaign we remember.

Our campground was just three blocks from the Hall of Fame and Eisenhower Center and each of us took our dog friends and walked to both places each morning. Days were just oppressively hot so we could only ride in the car or stay home. But evenings were cool enough to bike to town, gaze at the fascinating architecture and reflect on the town of Abilene.

Before the turn of the century some wise person suggested that Abilene become a stockyard and arranged for cattle to be driven from Texas to Abilene along the Chisholm Trail for a train ride to the east that was starved for beef following the war. The town became a railroad hub with at least 5 major lines running through to pick up cattle. Each built their own depot and these architectural feasts are still standing. Some have become information centers. One large depot became a museum and the focal point for the creation of Old Abilene Town. This small town of 6500 has done an impressive job of bringing in old buildings, a school and its outhouse and filling the museum. We should mention that Abilene also became a place of renegades, bars and brawls between cowboys. Wild Bill Hickok sprang into action to rid the rouges.

We left Abilene with a great appreciation of the town that molded Dwight D Eisenhower and continues quietly and kindly to go about life.

We spent one night in Denver at Cummins Rocky Mountain Diesel getting a reluctant generator to work.

As I mentioned we are nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. We have driven a 40 mile loop much of which is a dirt road and one way. How amazing to ascend and view the ice in the mountains personally. Estes Park is full of log structures catering to the tourist with shops and motels. However, because people make this their home life includes schools, hospital, and a large fairground. We were delighted to find two large dog parks and our three girls raced happily around off leash meeting other canine friends. Elk roam freely in town. As we went to the dog park today we encountered about a dozen of them leisurely plodding across the street. We waited and the camera snapped away.

Estes Park has wonderful concrete trails. One follows Estes Lake where we floated the kayak. We have one more day and night before moving on July 30. We still hope to bike a trail.

So the saying is true…”Go West Young Man…and old folks.”….and we are on our way. Our next destination will be Salt Lake City for a 3 night visit. It is our desire to see the Mormon Tabernacle. The Internet tells us that the choir is away, however.

It is always fun to hear from you. Thanks for “going” with us.

The Fiftieth Class of ’57 Reunion for the lady of this family launched us on July 12, 2007. Our destination was Jackson, TN where 93 of the Class of 57 totaling 186 class members showed up for a weekend of hugging, reflecting, catching up and naturally eating. Of this amazing Class of 57 there have only been 26 deaths.

Each of these was remembered on Sunday morning as a candle was lit in their memory. This class is a tight knit group now scattered over the USA and Switzerland. The Jackson, TN nucleolus of members have now located every person…that is 183. Pretty amazing. The Internet keeps us well connected.

The weekend events were held at the high school and Holiday Inn. We sat in the same auditorium seats again. Gathered with us for brunch on Saturday were two of our teachers! Neither was much older than us fifty years ago. They come each time we have a reunion and we look forward to seeing Miss Worthy and Ms. Shelton.

Once again Charles participated in the small reunion band and cheers were heard for the fight song and alma mater. A classmate from our town provided transportation back of the trombone. We do not need it with us….

Because………we are off until the first week in October. Our ventures are taking us to Oregon and another Family Motor Coach Association convention at Redmond. This year we have signed on to work with the youth programs. At these events there are usually 3000 coaches. We do not know how many youth there will be. This ongoing youth program is for tots to tweens .

We spent 3 nights in Branson, MO and did not go to a show. The real show was Table Rock Lake State Park just ¼ mile from us. Our campground was not conducive to our daily walking so we drove to this park twice a day. Hot weather kept us inside most of the 3 days.

Before we end this journey we will spend time in Estes Park, Colorado, see the redwoods in Northern California, see Crater Lake in Oregon, be in Redmond, OR, Glacier National Park at West Glacier, MT, the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, South Dakota’s Badlands and Wall Drugstore and visit in Amana, IA at the Seven Amana Colonies.

So…come along with us. It is always nice to have friends drop in.

February 2, 2007 in the predawn hours tornados slashed across central FL. They began their devastation just ten miles from us! We knew that tornados were possible. We got torrential rains for about 3 hours and these waked us.

We look at the TV coverage and are just amazed that we have been so close and yet were so safe. Orlando TV stations were on live all day. The weather channel moved in and as of 2-2-07 they are still here.

Thanks for your many calls and E mails. And, we are most grateful to say we are fine. Many folks in central FL are hurting.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From central Florida

We want to wish each of you a fulfilling Christmas and New Year.

We have arrived in central Florida and do not plan to leave until the first of April. This is our 5th return to our park. This is an older park and we first camped here in 1978! We paid $7.20 for one night. And, that was extravagant. The paved roads are protected by large oaks and native trees providing us a canopy of comfort. Bicycling is great.

Now we are back to begin our fifth season. This is our fourth year on this site and we have friends and neighbors that we enjoy each time we come. The park has over 900 sites and about 700 of them are beautifully landscaped “permanents” with folks coming from 6-12 months. Our friends now number many from Ontario, CA.

With this many folks in one spot there is no shortage of activities and most run simultaneously. My spouse plays volley ball 7 days a week and helps with organizing that sport. During the peak of the season they field up to 5 teams each day!

I am busy with publicity for our very active computer club. We have weekly seminars and a designated day to come in with concerns and have help. During the peak of the season seventy may attend a seminar.

We can choose from activities: tennis, pickle ball, boating launching in our canal, choir, many card games, bingo, wood working and carving, quilting, creating for a local boys and girls group, line dancing, Fri. eve dances, an indoor and outdoor pool, theater groups, musical productions, golf, miles of paved walking and so much more. We are located just 2 miles from a town full of shopping and medical needs. The resort is so booked in Jan and Feb that there is just no need to call for a reservation then.

We had “front row” seats for the last shuttle night launch. What an impressive sight that was.

Our two greyhounds and newly adopted 10 year old small beagle spend a lot of time with 4 in the fresh air on their comfy beds inside. We still have our two cats that are definitely in charge of this world.

My hubby played in his 18th Merry Tuba Christmas here in FL. What a grand tradition.

We love to hear from you through this wonderful cyber collector. Please use our E mail address to get back to us.

Best wishes for a good 2007. Enjoy this card:

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

Recess is almost over! Oh me, we’d like to stay out and play but fall duties at our home call us. We have been away since August 7. Falling leaves are inevitable and their mulching must follow. Other home and life responsibilities are also calling.

We left you last biking with us along the Erie Canal near Verona, NY.

September 23, 2006 we headed for our last planned destination at Watkin’s Glen,NY. This Village is in the heart of the Finger Lakes and at the water’s edge of the longest lake. We actually camped across the street from the beautiful Seneca Lake right in Watkin’s Glen. Our rv park was an interesting municipal park with 50 amps, sewers on site and cable! It was not fancy and the service road to the city buildings was right in front of our motor home. And, would you believe that Super Walmart was just next door across the canal bridge? What luck.

Watkins Glen Sate Park is in the town of The Villages of Watkin’s Glen. This glacier formed miracle is breath taking. We climbed over 800 steps to the top and viewed deep water carved ravines and impressive waterfalls. The mile and three fourths climb took us about 2 hours. Roxie took many pictures along the way. Our reading of this area relates of many playing and partying at famous and now defunct hotels and restaurants. Much of this time was destroyed by a flood in 1935. But as we climbed we could fantasize about those venturesome folks. We did cheat and ride the shuttle back down to our car.

You may want to visit this park.
http://www.priweb.org/ed/finger_lakes/watkins_glen.html Watkins Glen State Park.

We found time in between rains to launch the kayak in the Seneca Lake and nose through the harbor in town to view gorgeous docked sail boats. The winds came up and we paddled hard back to the canal that was at the edge of our campground. Our screen saver pictures will refresh our memories.

We were within blocks of downtown Watkins Glen and biked to the shops one afternoon.

Our original plans mapped us to Lake Erie and Erie, PA for a day or two. But, plans change and as I pound out this blog we are riding through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia heading home.

As we roll life goes on with responsibilities. We picked up our forwarded mail in Concord, NH and Verona, NY and kept affairs in it up to date. We still shop for food, prepare it, clean up after it, do laundry, clean house and monitor our banking online. But when we put down our “anchor” for the night we do our home chores viewing different scenery. What a treat. We have dined out 4 times since August 7. That would be two meals at Ryan’s Buffet and two “good for you Subway sandwiches.”

We have stayed in touch with the world through our cell phones, satellite TV and the Internet. We have accessed the cyber streets via our Verizon aircard and have had almost constant connection. As we roll today the Verizon aircard is keeping us online. My how times have changed.

So we are getting lined up to go in. Our recess will end after two nights on the road. To get home we have rolled through the Allegheny Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains that frame the Shenandoah Valley and our Smoky Mountains. How magnificent it that? Hang around. We like recess. Always have. And…we will just have to get out again. Please come along.

Marstons: two calm greyhounds, one nosey beagle, and two laid back cats and us.

Do we ever love recess! And, we like having our friends with us. Makes playing more fun. Especially when we know you played where we have.

September 14, 2006 we arrived in Colchester, VT. Burlington, VT is just 10 miles away. And Burlington is on the banks of Lake Champlain. Now you know the true drawing card. We did launch the kayak in Lake Champlain in the town of Colchester. A front was approaching giving us some cooler temperatures. Since we are bank huggers we completely enjoyed skirting around sailing vessels of all sizes and shapes. Probably spent an hour on the lake.

While in Colchester we left a pound of hair at Lakeshore Hair and I got a much needed perm. We find that we can conduct all kinds of business on the road.

We enjoyed our Colchester campground that seemed to be home to summer birds as opposed to snowbirds. The campground was pretty and units nicely gardened. It is rare for a campground in the north lands to remain open past the middle of October. We did meet another greyhound, Jay, from Quebec. He was in town to see a grey doctor. You may recall that greyhound folks seem to have a magnetic attraction. We exchanged E mail addresses and may see these folks when they winter in FL.

On September 17 we stopped in Queensbury, NY (Glen Falls, NY) at Walmart to have about a 2 hour visit with Chuck and Mary Fuller. They are friends from our winter getaway. Then we drove on to the Schnectady area to visit with Elsa Sakacs., She and her late husband are neighbors of ours in FL. Elsa prepared a lunch for us and we enjoyed our afternoon with her. She played her new organ for us.

We are leaving The Villages @ Turning Stone RV Park in Verona, NY. This is the Oneida Indian Nation. We fell in love with this park in 1997! It is just a resort with beautiful landscaping and lakes and ponds. This has let us bike and walk to our hearts content. This is also the area where the Erie Canal was begun. We wanted to tour through The Village of Erie Canal, recreated with buildings moved to rebuild the village. However, it was closed to prepare for Halloween.

Lake effect rains are a true experience. The rains descend with force and are often followed by beautiful and bright sun. This is followed by a torrent of rain with mammoth drops. Not sure I ever want to be here for lake effect snows. One local told us this morning that it can drop to -40 and – 50. When he was a boy the family’s apple trees just split apart.

We watched several boats lock through the Erie Canal at Lock 21 close to Oneida. This smaller, single lock was manned by a friendly guy who loved spending time talking about his lock. Today we returned to try and launch our kayak in the Canal but the launch area was steep and the winds high. Instead we settled for an 8 mile bike ride along the canal.

Recess is not over just yet but we can see our “teachers” pacing. We will get in as much play as we can.

We are off to the Finger Lakes at Watson Glen, NY. Then we will stop at Lake City, PA which is on Lake Erie. We are watching weather at home and where we are going and it seems that maybe rains will be in our way. In TN. tornado warnings seem to be in the picture.

Take care. Catch a breath because we are not done yet.
Marstons

Looooooooog Recess! No need to line up just yet.

We arrived in Concord, NH on September 3, 2006 at the campus of the prestigious St. Paul’s School. This is a prep school for the wealthy where Charles’s brother Robin has worked for 20 years on the maintenance staff. The beautiful 150 year old campus, with stately buildings and trees, is a favorite for our for morning walks. Robin made arrangements for us to park on the maintenance property where we generated our electricity and had excellent security lights. We even had a pass code and key to the mlti-million dollar athletic center for our showers. This campus did suffer damage from flooding on Mother’s Day and repairs were still in progress. Go visit the school.
http://www.sps.edu/Default.asp?bhcp=1


We enjoyed time with Robin’s children. Andrew, 16, is playing football for Concord High. Rebecca, 15, is also attends Concord High. Mary is now 13 and Adam is 9. On Labor Day we hiked 3+ miles on the school property around the big Turkey Lake.

September 6 we said goodbye to Concord and drove a short distance to Freeport, Maine. This is home to LL Bean and a favorite of ours. Of course, we made a purchase or two in the 2 days we were there.

September 8 we arrived in Bar Harbor, Maine. This is our 4th trip here and we usually try to repeat our adventures. We spent some time on the Bar Harbor Pier and watched boats of all sizes come in. Some were for pleasure and some for working…lobsters and crabs and clams. Sunday afternoon we were treated to an Amsterdam cruise ship docking way off shore. The life boats of the ship were transporting passengers to and from shore and shops in Bar Harbor. By today it had simply vanished when we drove pass. Copy and paste the web address: http://usa.visitmaine.com/region/town_bar_harbor.php

This is home to Mt. Desert Island, a national park. High atop is Cadillac Mountain and this is the most eastern spot in the US. They boast that this is where the sun shines first in the US. We were there as a cold front had swept in and the air at that elevation was just plain “winter.” We also launched our Kayak in the crystal clear Jordan Pond. This beautiful lake was a treat. We saw no plastic cups or candy wrappers scarring the environment. The lake is big and blue and framed with towering trees and a hiking path. The trees are quietly hinting at fall with displays of red/

Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert Island was the playground of the very wealthy in the first have of the 1900s. Rockfeller had an elaborate carriage road system made. We captured a horse drawn wagon. Carriage roads go over car roads and are beautifully constructed of granite with impressive arches.

September 11 has been much on our minds. Flags over Bar Harbor are at half staff.

September 12 we will head west to Hanover, ME. This will be a stop over. From there we will go to Colchester, VT. We will enjoy and make photos of Lake Champlain.

We have plans to visit with Holiday Travel Resort friends we enjoy in FL. They live in around Schenectady, NY. It will be fun to see Elsa Sakacs and Mary and Chuck Fuller.

From there we will spend time in Verona, NY and be off to Watkins Glen, NY and the Finger Lakes. Generally we are headed west and will eventually fall south to TN. We plan to land there at the end of September.

Just love those days when the teacher lets us stay out a bit longer!
Glad you are here with us.

Marstons

September 2, 2006
Welcome back! Back to our recess.

We spent Friday, August 25 through August 27, 2006 near Richmond, VA where relatives live in McChanicsville and points beyond. Our campground was AmeriKamps at Ashland. Avoid it if you can. It so close to I-95 that you can tell what brand of cell phone the drivers are using. The noise is unreal only 24 hours a day.

These accommodations put us close to Marston relatives. We visited with Carolyn and Jim on Friday evening in our motor home. Saturday we spent the morning with Tim Marston and children at Sharon’s house. My how Ethan, Victoria and Travis have grown. Charles climbed into the fort and helped 4 year old Ethan pound more nails into the structure.

Saturday afternoon Chris, Susan, Megan and Samantha Marston arrived for the afternoon. The girls are now 15 and 13 and growing into lovely ladies. Sammy brought her Colonial dress and her American Girl Doll and matching dress to pose for a picture. We had the doll dress made in FL last winter to match her dress.

Sunday afternoon we went back to Sharon’s and spent the afternoon. We did a little more work on the Marston Manor webpage and sent information to the webmaster in California.

We traveled through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The scenery along the way is beautiful. On Aug. 30 we were in Milford, PA. Cookie and Bob Paul from our winter retreat in Leesburg, FL (Holiday Travel Resort) drove from their summer trailer to visit.

We travel along with our 5 pets: two greyhounds, one beagle and two cats. All get the daily good camper awards.

We are now rolling away from Durham-Middlefield, CT and right into the split apart Ernesto! What a break to be on dry roads. We enjoyed Allan and Evy Dean and Susie and Lloyd Blair while there. We met the Deans in 1981 while we spent a month in CT for Roxie to learn the Slingerland Multisensory Approach for teaching language disabled students. The Deans were camped next to us while building a house down the road. The Marstons played on the campground and Roxie indulged in a month of long sought training. Camping friends have a special bond that seems to last.

It is September 2 and we are traveling to Concord, NH. We will be dry camped on the campus of the exclusive St. Paul School where brother Robin Marston works. This is a prep school full of wealthy kids from around the world.

We stay in touch via Verizon phone and air card for our Internet access. And, we love having each of you with us. Please write to us at our regular E-mail address that you have.

Thanks for coming along with us,
Marstons