I should apologise for the lack of posting on my part. We have been BUSY.
We shot thru IL like a rocket and made it to Missouri fine. We were just outside of St. Louis when the sky turned BLACK. I knew what was coming when I saw all of the cars heading the other direction with their lights on. The heavens opened up. Rain like you wouldn't believe. It was blowing like a banshee. I couldn't see twenty feet in front of the truck. I pulled to the side of the interstate, along with most of the traffic and waited for the tornado to take us to Kansas. It never came. The sky parted and the blue came back. I was so relieved. Back on the road thru Missouri with no more problems. We hit Kansas City for fuel and when I got out of the truck I realized I was wearing my Denver Broncos cap. I told Tres that this could be fun and went in to get some coolant from the store. The Chiefs fans in the store shot some pretty sweet looks my way, but nothing was said. We headed for Lawrence KS for the night.
We boondocked in Lawrence on the night of the 12th. The humidity was still with us but not as bad as it had been. We woke on the 13th ready for the final push into Denver. I had been keeping an eye on a wearing trailer tire for a few days and thought that we could limp into CO with it. We headed out and made it as far as Hays KS, it was like 150+/- miles away. One look at the tire and I was done trying to limp anywhere. Time for a new one. The heat of the highway and the holes we hit did it in. Another 20 miles and I would have been changing a blow out. Once the two and a half hour tire change was done we were back looking for the friendly CO border. Not so fast Mr. Hendricks, lets give you a mean head wind and a steady climb up to the mile high city. We did about 40-45 mph for several hours before the road changed directions and I could use the trailer as a sail. I was actually able to do 60+mph without my foot on the gas or at least barely on the gas for about a half hour. It was sweet. We made it into the Denver area ready to see the Storey family again and crash.
The Storey family was awesome, they let us park the rig at their house and stay with them. It was another few days to enjoy Jess' cooking and friendship. Our kids play so well with hers. They really have a blast doing what kids are supposed to do. We went out to Red Rocks on Sunday the 14th. We were feeling the elevation and the dry heat. Not complaining, it was great to feel the comforts of the west. The kids ran stairs and us adults sat and watched. Monday was the day I was looking for. DENVER BRONCOS training camp. We hit the afternoon session and were amazed to see just how close we were to the players. We sat on a small hill about six feet from the sidelines. We had a great time watching all of the players, coaches and staff doing their thing. We must have taken two hundred pictures. It was fantastic. I would have been fine with just the practice, but after practice we were able to stay and get autographs from selected players. Some of the more notable players were:Knowshon Moreno, D.J. Williams, Robert Ayers, Brandon Lloyd, Demaryius Thomas and Eddie Royal. SOOOO COOL!! We had been informed during the practice that if we wanted to stick around, we could watch the John Elway sports show taping from the facility. Well needless to say we stayed. I was able to see my favorite person outside of my family. The legend himself. Brian Dawkins was the guest and it was a super time. After the taping, Mr. Elway walked right up to where we were standing and I got a picture with him as well as an autograph. Now I was definitely in shock. Special thanks to my beautiful wife for ensuring that this all happened. I was so excited I didn't even ask for a picture. She loves me! We headed back on Tuesday for one more practice session and enjoyed it as well. We finished the visit with Jess and the kids on Wed., with a semi down day. Swimming and the kids running all over the neighborhood. Thursday was the day to head towards Boise. With the projected weather we opted to go north thru WY instead of over the Rockies. To hot and to steep. Up thru Cheyenne and over to Rock Springs for the night. Parts of WY are beautiful, but I still hate the wind! It really kills a drive. I fought it all day and was ready for a good nights sleep.
We have been boondocking at Walmart
Saturday the 20th, Tres and the kids went over to visit her family and I headed out to the Boise State fall scrimmage with my parents and my sister and her family. It was probably the only time this year I will get to see them live, so I took it. We had a great time and the team does look pretty good. Bring it UGA!!!!!
Sunday was a special day. My niece Em was baptised in the Boise river. It was great to see her take that big step in her life. Beautiful. We were blessed to be able to be here to see it.
I woke up early today and took my Dad fishing. We have not been in a long time, so I felt that it was time to get it done. I made him a bamboo spinning rod before we left on this trip and he was able to hook a few rainbows on it today. We had a great time enjoying a quiet river and time to just be.
We have a few things to tie up before we head out again on the 24th. Probably won't get to hang with the friends but we will have plenty of time to catch up when we are back for good. I know everyone will understand.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
The End of the first East Coast swing
We finished up our week in the East with a bang. Sunday saw us in Frederick, MD touring the local sights. The age of the communities around us here is still something we are coming to grips with. The places we visit seem so much older than what we see back home. The fact really hit home when we walked thru a graveyard that had a grave from 1797. We in the west just don't have that depth of community history that the folks in the East do. Not the Anglo communities, the native communities do. We did the walking tour of Frederick and enjoyed the architecture. One thing that we noticed was that most of the old houses have signs on them that read, so and so slept here once or so and so lived here for a short time. I guess it makes it more attractive for the tourists if honest Abe bedded down here once way back when. It was interesting none the less. We took the back roads home and toured the last three covered bridges in MD.
Monday the 8th was the big day for D.C.. We woke early for the 40ish mile drive into the city, we were commuters for the day. Traffic is amazing thru the older parts of the suburbs, tiny lanes with all sorts of vehicles crammed in. We drove around the city for about 15 minutes trying to find a place to park, it sounds harder than it was. Once we found the lot we were golden. Not a bad price either, $15 for the entire day. We dropped the truck and hit the streets. Our first stop was the Smithsonian museum of natural history. A huge museum with just about every kind of natural life you could want to see. Mummies, birds, stuffed animals of all kinds. We found the items that the kids wanted to see and headed out to the capital mall. Off to the Washington monument. Holy Moses that thing is tall. Something like 555 feet tall. From the monument we hoofed it out to the Lincoln monument. Again, that thing is giant. Seeing the pictures just doesn't do it justice. It was a wonderful feeling to be standing where so much has happened. From the Lincoln monument we had about an hour and a half until our tour of National Geographic so we swung by the white house and said "whats up" to Obama. I don't think he liked any of my ideas on how to fix the country. By this time my beautiful little girl was looking like she was going to pass out from the heat and hunger. I mean she had the look. It was either get her into a cool place or she was going to bonk! We cooled her off and fed her so she was now good to go. Now off to the highlight of the day. Mr. Carroll had been nice enough to hook us up with Mark Theisson, an incredibly gifted and quite famous photographer with Nat. Geo.. We met him at his office and got to spend a bit of time checking out his studio and getting a glimpse into what it takes to get the shots for the magazine and the channel. It was a really interesting visit. We were all floored. Definitely the top! From our visit we had enough energy to hit one more museum before crashing. Back to the mall and into the Smithsonian museum of American history. Floor upon floor of American history. More than we wanted to see at that point. We were pooped! Hit the road and enjoy a cold one back up in the hills
Tuesday the 9th was a prep day. Got the trailer and our personal things lined out for the trip West.
We headed out around noon on the 10th back thru the panhandle of MD and down thru the hills of WV. I have described the hills to a couple of folks this way. It is like standing on a boat and looking out at the rollers in the ocean. Just picture BIG rollers covered with hardwood trees, as far as the eye can see. You get to the top of one, only to drop back down into the belly and have to get back to the top again. It was beautiful and maddening all at the same time.
Today was trucking thru KY and right on into IN again. We are shooting for Denver for the weekend. We would love to see the Broncos training camp. Keep your fingers crossed.
Monday the 8th was the big day for D.C.. We woke early for the 40ish mile drive into the city, we were commuters for the day. Traffic is amazing thru the older parts of the suburbs, tiny lanes with all sorts of vehicles crammed in. We drove around the city for about 15 minutes trying to find a place to park, it sounds harder than it was. Once we found the lot we were golden. Not a bad price either, $15 for the entire day. We dropped the truck and hit the streets. Our first stop was the Smithsonian museum of natural history. A huge museum with just about every kind of natural life you could want to see. Mummies, birds, stuffed animals of all kinds. We found the items that the kids wanted to see and headed out to the capital mall. Off to the Washington monument. Holy Moses that thing is tall. Something like 555 feet tall. From the monument we hoofed it out to the Lincoln monument. Again, that thing is giant. Seeing the pictures just doesn't do it justice. It was a wonderful feeling to be standing where so much has happened. From the Lincoln monument we had about an hour and a half until our tour of National Geographic so we swung by the white house and said "whats up" to Obama. I don't think he liked any of my ideas on how to fix the country. By this time my beautiful little girl was looking like she was going to pass out from the heat and hunger. I mean she had the look. It was either get her into a cool place or she was going to bonk! We cooled her off and fed her so she was now good to go. Now off to the highlight of the day. Mr. Carroll had been nice enough to hook us up with Mark Theisson, an incredibly gifted and quite famous photographer with Nat. Geo.. We met him at his office and got to spend a bit of time checking out his studio and getting a glimpse into what it takes to get the shots for the magazine and the channel. It was a really interesting visit. We were all floored. Definitely the top! From our visit we had enough energy to hit one more museum before crashing. Back to the mall and into the Smithsonian museum of American history. Floor upon floor of American history. More than we wanted to see at that point. We were pooped! Hit the road and enjoy a cold one back up in the hills
Tuesday the 9th was a prep day. Got the trailer and our personal things lined out for the trip West.
We headed out around noon on the 10th back thru the panhandle of MD and down thru the hills of WV. I have described the hills to a couple of folks this way. It is like standing on a boat and looking out at the rollers in the ocean. Just picture BIG rollers covered with hardwood trees, as far as the eye can see. You get to the top of one, only to drop back down into the belly and have to get back to the top again. It was beautiful and maddening all at the same time.
Today was trucking thru KY and right on into IN again. We are shooting for Denver for the weekend. We would love to see the Broncos training camp. Keep your fingers crossed.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
August 6th
I think that the homesickness bug is going around the trailer today. We are having a wonderful time on our journey, it just isn't as good as it could be without the rest of the family. We really miss the west. We are a western U.S. family and that will never change.
We spent the day on Thurs. the 4th at Gettysburg PA. The National Military Park is a fantastic trip thru time. We started the day by watching our children enlist in the Union army and be instructed in the ways of the Army. Lowman ended up being a lieutenant and Hailey was a Private. It was a great learning tool that the park service uses to get the kids into what they are about to learn. They served honorably and were discharged after their battle. Once they had finished their tour we headed out on the self guided driving tour of the battlefield. It was much larger that I had imagined. The sheer size of the field and the number of soldiers that took part was humbling. I would read the signs that explained what had taken place in a specific location and I was transported back in time and could see the battle right before my eyes. It was a fascinating and sad slide show in my mind. It was a day that we will not forget for years to come.
Friday the 5th saw us at the Smithsonian air and space museum in VA. Lowman was like a kid in a candy store. He is way into all things military, so the planes he was able to get up close to blew his mind. It is unbelievable the size and amount of aircraft under one roof. The concord, SR-71, a Boeing jet, the space shuttle Enterprise, the enola gay, missiles, helicopters, balloon baskets, I could go on for days. Lets just say that it was a bunch. Again, most of this day was spent here.
Today was another trip back to the Civil War, this time it was Antitum. Again, humbling to say the least. The tour was wonderful. This trip had volunteers that were stationed around the park and would give you an in depth speech on what went on at that particular location. These people are good at what they do. Between the photos, boards with descriptions of the battle and the volunteers, you get a very good idea of the horror that was Antitum. An unimaginable loss of American lives in a single day. We learned more in the two days of battlefield tours than ever before. The country that these men fought in was beautiful. Farm fields surrounded by hardwood forests that take your breath away. We were able to see a firearms demonstration that was pretty cool in itself. Union soldiers showed how they fought with the musket and the Union sharpshooters with their sharps rifle. Period clothes and all.
Another note about the location we are in and why we miss the west. Most of the day was around 80 degrees, an off and on again drizzle. Darn Humidity!!!
We spent the day on Thurs. the 4th at Gettysburg PA. The National Military Park is a fantastic trip thru time. We started the day by watching our children enlist in the Union army and be instructed in the ways of the Army. Lowman ended up being a lieutenant and Hailey was a Private. It was a great learning tool that the park service uses to get the kids into what they are about to learn. They served honorably and were discharged after their battle. Once they had finished their tour we headed out on the self guided driving tour of the battlefield. It was much larger that I had imagined. The sheer size of the field and the number of soldiers that took part was humbling. I would read the signs that explained what had taken place in a specific location and I was transported back in time and could see the battle right before my eyes. It was a fascinating and sad slide show in my mind. It was a day that we will not forget for years to come.
Friday the 5th saw us at the Smithsonian air and space museum in VA. Lowman was like a kid in a candy store. He is way into all things military, so the planes he was able to get up close to blew his mind. It is unbelievable the size and amount of aircraft under one roof. The concord, SR-71, a Boeing jet, the space shuttle Enterprise, the enola gay, missiles, helicopters, balloon baskets, I could go on for days. Lets just say that it was a bunch. Again, most of this day was spent here.
Today was another trip back to the Civil War, this time it was Antitum. Again, humbling to say the least. The tour was wonderful. This trip had volunteers that were stationed around the park and would give you an in depth speech on what went on at that particular location. These people are good at what they do. Between the photos, boards with descriptions of the battle and the volunteers, you get a very good idea of the horror that was Antitum. An unimaginable loss of American lives in a single day. We learned more in the two days of battlefield tours than ever before. The country that these men fought in was beautiful. Farm fields surrounded by hardwood forests that take your breath away. We were able to see a firearms demonstration that was pretty cool in itself. Union soldiers showed how they fought with the musket and the Union sharpshooters with their sharps rifle. Period clothes and all.
Another note about the location we are in and why we miss the west. Most of the day was around 80 degrees, an off and on again drizzle. Darn Humidity!!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
August 3rd
We woke up Sunday the 31st to another hot humid day in IL. Plan was made to get some relief and see some nature around Kankakee. Becca took us out to the Kankakee River State Park. We walked up a side creek for a bit, criss-crossing from shallow hole to rock bar wading thru the cool water. We had a gang with us that day. Tres and I with our two children and Becca with her six. We had a ball. The oldest boys were intent on finding all of the cool things in and around the water, the three younger boys were just down for play. It was like a western expedition. The older girls were so sweet with Hailey. They really made her feel like one of the them. It was a cool time to watch. We finished our hike at a nice waterfall that spilled into a few deep holes. Just big enough to jump into and really cool off. I had a great "father" moment with Lowman that day. Matt, Becca's oldest, wanted to jump off of a small rock ledge into the pool. He did it perfectly. Lowman decided that it looked like fun, so off he went to try it out. Those of you that know Lowman, know that he has not been the one to take chances. I watched as he climbed the rocks and tried to get his footing right. Well it was not meant to be...he fell. Right on the waterfall. He hit the left side of his body on the rocks, knocking his ribs and hip, leaving some small cuts and a really nice black and blue bruise. The look on his face when I grabbed him in the water was awesome. He was actually smiling. He had that nervous giggle and said he was good. Back he went jumping of the smaller rocks in the falls. It was a precious moment for me as a father, my boy was becoming a daring young man in front of my eyes. We had a wonderful time the rest of the way back to the rigs. That evening we enjoyed cake and ice cream for Hailey's birthday.
Monday was a big work day for Tres, almost nine hours of work. That meant that I needed to get things ready for our departure the next morning. Not bad under normal circumstances, but when it is as hot as the sun and the air is saturated with moisture, anything done outdoors is a chore. To top it off the generator providing power for our A/C took a crap. Great, a brand new generator with maybe three hours on it is now a lead weight. I called the manufacturer and did some trouble shooting but it would not give the juice. We decided to make a stop by Camping World on the drive east the next day. The night would have to be a hot one (and it was).
We said our good-byes tuesday morning. Again, it was bitter sweet. We had grown pretty fond of the family we have in IL. They are a very genuine bunch of folks. Down to earth and just really good people. They showed us around and made us feel right at home. We enjoyed the kids, I even got to teach the boys how to cast a fly rod. Hopefully it is something that they can continue and find their own joy in it. Watch out IL, those kids are going to do some great things. Artists one and all, each in their own right. From photography to drawing. The thirst for knowledge to the curiosity to see what is out there. Amazing group of youth. Once the tears were shed, we headed south thru IL and then east into IN, headed for Indy. We hit the Camping World like a tornado. Four sweaty, stinky travelers that wanted to get the generator issue handled and be back on the road. I spoke with the sales manager and he called his people who said lets fix it. I said you give me the part and I will fix it. I fixed my generator right in the Camping World store, about twenty feet inside the front door. Five minutes later we hooked it up to the trailer to double check and we were out. East thru the rest of IN and right into OH. We are on a mission to be in Gettysburg. No time for most of OH right now. We boondocked in a town, St.Clairsvill, just inside the OH border with WV. It was comical to see the want to be studs cruisiung the Walmart parking lot. Really?? Small towm americal at its best.
Happy Birthday to Hailey today!!!! My little girl is 10 today. We woke her up with some gifts and a breakfest on the go. Still trying to get to where we want to be for the next week. As we have been driving these last few days it has been a cool sight to see, the country changing with each mile. It was the flat farm fields of IL and IN, then into the gradually rolling hills of OH, now it is the tree covered hardwood hills of WV, PA and MD. What a glorious transformation. We chose a park that was out of the way for our base for the next week. Centrally located so we can get to all of the great battlefields of the civil war and drive easily into our nations capital. Well we found it. We are in the sticks now. We took the trailer up roads I never would have dreamed of before this trip. Narrow and steep. Hopefully the drive out in a week will be boring. Our park is nice, it is just not an easy place to get into. Nothing ventured nothing gained. We dropped the trailer and headed back into town for laundry and a birthday meal for the little sis. We ate in a neat old diner in a town that looks to be as old as dirt. I mean that in a good way. These folks here have definitely been around a while. Toured the country on the way back and walked around the park with my 10 year old daughter to cap off the night. Life is truly GOOD!!
Monday was a big work day for Tres, almost nine hours of work. That meant that I needed to get things ready for our departure the next morning. Not bad under normal circumstances, but when it is as hot as the sun and the air is saturated with moisture, anything done outdoors is a chore. To top it off the generator providing power for our A/C took a crap. Great, a brand new generator with maybe three hours on it is now a lead weight. I called the manufacturer and did some trouble shooting but it would not give the juice. We decided to make a stop by Camping World on the drive east the next day. The night would have to be a hot one (and it was).
We said our good-byes tuesday morning. Again, it was bitter sweet. We had grown pretty fond of the family we have in IL. They are a very genuine bunch of folks. Down to earth and just really good people. They showed us around and made us feel right at home. We enjoyed the kids, I even got to teach the boys how to cast a fly rod. Hopefully it is something that they can continue and find their own joy in it. Watch out IL, those kids are going to do some great things. Artists one and all, each in their own right. From photography to drawing. The thirst for knowledge to the curiosity to see what is out there. Amazing group of youth. Once the tears were shed, we headed south thru IL and then east into IN, headed for Indy. We hit the Camping World like a tornado. Four sweaty, stinky travelers that wanted to get the generator issue handled and be back on the road. I spoke with the sales manager and he called his people who said lets fix it. I said you give me the part and I will fix it. I fixed my generator right in the Camping World store, about twenty feet inside the front door. Five minutes later we hooked it up to the trailer to double check and we were out. East thru the rest of IN and right into OH. We are on a mission to be in Gettysburg. No time for most of OH right now. We boondocked in a town, St.Clairsvill, just inside the OH border with WV. It was comical to see the want to be studs cruisiung the Walmart parking lot. Really?? Small towm americal at its best.
Happy Birthday to Hailey today!!!! My little girl is 10 today. We woke her up with some gifts and a breakfest on the go. Still trying to get to where we want to be for the next week. As we have been driving these last few days it has been a cool sight to see, the country changing with each mile. It was the flat farm fields of IL and IN, then into the gradually rolling hills of OH, now it is the tree covered hardwood hills of WV, PA and MD. What a glorious transformation. We chose a park that was out of the way for our base for the next week. Centrally located so we can get to all of the great battlefields of the civil war and drive easily into our nations capital. Well we found it. We are in the sticks now. We took the trailer up roads I never would have dreamed of before this trip. Narrow and steep. Hopefully the drive out in a week will be boring. Our park is nice, it is just not an easy place to get into. Nothing ventured nothing gained. We dropped the trailer and headed back into town for laundry and a birthday meal for the little sis. We ate in a neat old diner in a town that looks to be as old as dirt. I mean that in a good way. These folks here have definitely been around a while. Toured the country on the way back and walked around the park with my 10 year old daughter to cap off the night. Life is truly GOOD!!
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