Prescott is one of those places that I feel people try and keep to themselves. The beauty of this area is impressive. We have spent our time here exploring the town itself, the mountains around town and the state within 150 miles. WOW!!! We are staying in what I will call a "reasonably priced" RV resort. Most of the people here have planted roots. With the cheap price to live in such a place, I can understand. They keep to themselves and leave us alone, so I won't complain. We are staying at the edge of the Willow Dells. This is an area that is full of rock to climb and trails that take us all around the area. We have hiked a ton and are now starting to run the trails. The red rocks with the pinyon pine and Alligator Juniper are magnificent. All about a 30 second walk from our door.
We headed out to Sedona Saturday the 8th and was blown away by what was there. That is the real red rock. As deep a red as I have ever seen. The natural beauty is amazing, the tourist trap that it is, is not. That place is running on tourism. It was a bit disappointing to walk the town and get mostly tourist oriented shops. We headed out south of town to a Frank Lloyd Wright cathedral. It is a chapel built right into the red rock countryside. I pulled into a parking spot at the bottom so we could walk around and decided to get a picture. As I walked to the area I wanted to photograph a man asked if I could get his picture. Being the nice guy I am I said "sure". We exchanged names and began talking. His name was john. John asked if I was a "god fearing man"? I told him that I was and this spun us off onto a great conversation about how great the lord is. He told me about his troubled, jail filled, miserable life he once had and how the lord had delivered him from it. He now does Prison ministry work. I told John about our trip with the kids and why we want them to see what the lord has here for us. It was one of those moments in life where you can feel the lords power touching you. He asked if he could give me a hug. I said sure and we said our god bless yous. He introduced me to his girlfriend and we went our separate ways. (After a second hug) It was a moment that just struck me. Here we were, out where we know no one and I meet someone that has the word of the lord spilling out right when I need to hear it. No one will ever convince me that that was anything but the lord. We hit the road up to Flagstaff for the rest of the day. It was a great day to drive. We were able to see such a wide range of terrain. From the dry desert too the beauty of the red rocks, all the way up to the wonderful, snow capped San Francisco Peaks.
Wed. the 12th saw us at the Grand Canyon. I had flown over this magnificent hole in the ground many times. This was the first time that any of us had ever seen it up close. I think we all just stood and gazed out at the great unbelievable size of the thing. Never could I have imagined just how BIG it is. We decided to hike the South Rim trail over too the Bright Angel trail head. It was a grand hike. We walked for about 2.5 miles and around every bend was another vista that would take your breath away. We all wanted to do a hike down into the canyon, but I didn't want to kill the kids. The bright Angel was perfect. 1.5 miles down is a rest hut and a bathroom. We ate a light lunch and began the 1.5 mile and 1200+ vertical foot ascent. Lowman and I went pretty fast up the trail. A bit of competition. Hailey was the one that I was worried about. The was a champ. I think she only stopped once and was even passing hikers going slower than her. She too is a competitor. Another 3 miles back to the truck and we were done. And I mean DONE. We hiked about 9 miles that day. Beautiful weather and the dry air. DONE.
We had our first visitor the weekend of the 15th. Tres' sister Ginny (G-G) came down from Vegas to spend a few days. We had a great visit. We had not seen her in a few years, so it was good to catch up on things. We took her out to Montezumas Castle, Montezumas Well and back up to Sedona. Being able to see the Cliff dwellings was a treat. It is what Hailey has been studying in History, so she could put it all together. The Well was another interesting site. There were cliff dwellings in the sides of the Well. Around the rim were more dwellings. You walk the site, around the well it is bone dry. You walk the trail from the rim of the site and down to the creek. HUGE Arizona Sycamore trees all along the creek bank. There is an outlet from the Well underground. It spills into a canal system that enters the creek. The temperature change is so nice. Shade and cool. Stark contrast too 25 feet above you.
On Wed. the 19th We headed out to Wickenburg. It is a small town about 60 miles to the S/SW of Prescott. This town was the center of mining in the area for some time. It just missed being the territory seat by a few votes. Great Museum, and some of the best home made ice cream I have had in a while. Sweet cream ice cream. Again, great weather. 90 and sunny. Getting spoiled. They have some of the coolest cacti scattered around the town. Big, old cactus. Taller than two men and bigger around. Beautiful.
We got the Crapper back on this weekend. I fiberglassed the crap out of it and Tres, Lowman and I reattached it. Hopefully it stays on this time. I put extra screws in the brackets. Pray!!
Just a few more days and we are moving east. A quick stop in Santa Fe and off for a Visit too the place of my birth. TX.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Prescott, AZ 10/04/2011
Well folks we are officially back out on the road. We have been in Bakersfield, CA for the last month. What an experience that was. During our time in Bakersfield we had some crazy things to take in. I will tell ya'll a few stories. One that stands out, is my need to get my thyroid medication. I had about one week of meds left so I called in my prescription to the pharmacy like I always do. It is usually ready that day if I call it in early enough. When I went to pick it up I was told that it was denied. They asked if I wanted to resubmit it, I said sure. Second day, same result. I called my Dr. the morning of the third day and was told that it was "all good" and it would be ready the next day. Went back in the next day (day 4), same result. Denied! Now I call the Dr. office with a bit more, we'll say, "enthuiasm". The nurse on the line says,"I will call the pharmacy and call you right back". No call back from the office at all. Day 6, I call the Dr. office and get the famous answering machine. I left a nasty message about the length of time it was taking to get this done, where I am in the country and the need for my medication, as I am now on my last day of meds. No call back. Now my lovely wife gets on the phone with the Drs. office. I am completely out of meds. They inform her that since it has been so long since I have been in, that I need to be seen before they will fill my prescription. SWEET!!!! I am in Southern California with no meds and the need to see a Dr. No way I can get in to an Endocrynologist in any less than 2-3 weeks. Only other option is to go to the County Health Clinic. If you have not experienced an "Inner-City" clinic, you ae truely missing out on one of the craziest places you can visit. I had to go in as a walk-in and wait,and wait, and wait. In my two days I am waiting I am one of maybe 5 people there that speeks english and one of 3 that is white. Was everyone staring at me or was it just my emagionation? Two days later I see an old school Dr. that after asking how I feel, how the meds are doing and any health problems associated with the meds, fills my meds at the same dose. I needed to get my blood work done so he sends me down to the "real" ghetto clinic. Now we are in it. Roll up the windows and don't stare at anyone. In my travels I have found that most places I visit if there is a "Martin Luther King" Dr., Ave., Blvd. whatever, it is usually on "that side of town. Yep, the clinic is off MLK, big fences, bars on windows and doors. Two young black men helping another black youth get over one of the big fences into someones yard. Sagging pants and bad intentions written all over them. When we get done, we find out that this is the area where most of the murders in Bakersfield happen. Super fun. Blood work comes back good and I am now set.
We also made a trip up to the State Capitol, Sacramento. I have some great memories of Old Sacramento from my youth, so we took the kids to see what it was like. First stop was to get some of the saltwater taffy that I love. $15 later, we had a big bag. Tres and the kids had never been on train so we hit the old train that takes you along the Sacramento river. It was a beautiful day and the train ride was wonderful. On the way back to Bakersfield we stopped and had lunch with my Sister Pam and my nieces, Kaitlyn and Amber. We hadn't seen each other in years so it was a great visit.
We started to get the itch to get back on the road. The visit with the Jerrolls was fantastic, but we are meant to travel.
Back on the 58 at 0630 the morning of the first. Up and over Tehatchape pass and straight into the Mojave. What a landscape. We live in the high desert, but nothing like this. Miles and miles of some of the driest country I have ever seen. Still beautiful but no place to plant roots. I find it amazing that people could eek out any kind of existance in these kinds of places. We motored right into AZ., past Kingman and headed to the 89. After turning south on the 89, I hit the worlds largest bump in the road. I didn't even see it comming. The trailer actually got airborne. I should have stopped to check everything out, but didn't think anything felt wrong. Soooo not the case. We hit the Chino valley and a man pulled up next to me and said that I had lost my sewer line. I thought that the hose had come out of the bumber. That is where the sewer hose is stored. I pulled over to check and it was still there. I peaked under the trailer and noticed that the sewage holding tank was not where it was supposed to be. It is a 40ish gal black tank, its pretty hard to miss. I bungied the line to the tank in place and drove the last 8 miles to our campground. We dropped the trailer and headed back down the highway to find what was left of our crapper tank. About 15 miles from Prescott we saw our tank. Laying right beside the southbound lane. Other than a few holes in the tank it seemed fine. Most of the "goodies" were out of the tank so Tres and I threw it in the bed of the truck and headed home. I am now patching the holes and will hopefully get it fixed and get it reinstalled here in Prescott. Oh the life of the traveler. Yes folks it IS as glamerous as you think.
We are enjoying the Prescott area. It is a neat little city, centrally located to so many things. We will spend a month here and venture out to the sites.
We also made a trip up to the State Capitol, Sacramento. I have some great memories of Old Sacramento from my youth, so we took the kids to see what it was like. First stop was to get some of the saltwater taffy that I love. $15 later, we had a big bag. Tres and the kids had never been on train so we hit the old train that takes you along the Sacramento river. It was a beautiful day and the train ride was wonderful. On the way back to Bakersfield we stopped and had lunch with my Sister Pam and my nieces, Kaitlyn and Amber. We hadn't seen each other in years so it was a great visit.
We started to get the itch to get back on the road. The visit with the Jerrolls was fantastic, but we are meant to travel.
Back on the 58 at 0630 the morning of the first. Up and over Tehatchape pass and straight into the Mojave. What a landscape. We live in the high desert, but nothing like this. Miles and miles of some of the driest country I have ever seen. Still beautiful but no place to plant roots. I find it amazing that people could eek out any kind of existance in these kinds of places. We motored right into AZ., past Kingman and headed to the 89. After turning south on the 89, I hit the worlds largest bump in the road. I didn't even see it comming. The trailer actually got airborne. I should have stopped to check everything out, but didn't think anything felt wrong. Soooo not the case. We hit the Chino valley and a man pulled up next to me and said that I had lost my sewer line. I thought that the hose had come out of the bumber. That is where the sewer hose is stored. I pulled over to check and it was still there. I peaked under the trailer and noticed that the sewage holding tank was not where it was supposed to be. It is a 40ish gal black tank, its pretty hard to miss. I bungied the line to the tank in place and drove the last 8 miles to our campground. We dropped the trailer and headed back down the highway to find what was left of our crapper tank. About 15 miles from Prescott we saw our tank. Laying right beside the southbound lane. Other than a few holes in the tank it seemed fine. Most of the "goodies" were out of the tank so Tres and I threw it in the bed of the truck and headed home. I am now patching the holes and will hopefully get it fixed and get it reinstalled here in Prescott. Oh the life of the traveler. Yes folks it IS as glamerous as you think.
We are enjoying the Prescott area. It is a neat little city, centrally located to so many things. We will spend a month here and venture out to the sites.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
In California (9/4)
We left Boise on a hot Morning. It was the 25th of Aug., headed thru the desert. We didn't even make it past the Owyhee mountains and the truck was getting hot. One pullout to let her cool and we were back at it. The rest of the drive down thru OR., and NV. was fairly uneventful. Just HOT. We rolled our way south hitting a few stops along the way, one stands out for utter filth. There is a rest stop out in the middle of nowhere in NV., I think that it is near the Fallon exit. No running water in the bathrooms, open pit toilets that would make a skunk gag. There was something like 15 individual bathrooms and they were all nasty. Thankfully we were in and out in a hurry. We were heading to Reno for the night. Again, we just can't seem to get the concept of making a reservation or at the least researching the location we would stay. Well a sweet tour of the side streets of Reno with the trailer and I was ready to BLOW. I had to pull over into a parking lot of a small appliance store and grab the iPhone and find a KOA. Found one in Boomtown that was closed but we could use the night box. Thank heavens.
The plan for Friday was to be up super early to tackle the pass named Donner. This is the one I have been dreading for weeks. Just not comfortable with the combination of small motor, big load and one hell of a pass. We headed out at about 0600 with a temperature of 50 degrees. Prefect for the climb over the Sierras. Not one time did the truck give us any trouble. I nursed the brakes on the downhill and we were rolling thru California. (HE is watching out for us.) One big loooong drive south and we were in Bakersfield. Our home base for the next bit.
We have spent the last week up in the Lake Isabella/Wofford Heights area. If any of you have driven the Kern Canyon road you know what a "fun" drive that can be. We have done that drive 3 days now. Countless near misses. It is insane!!! NO shoulder to take shelter on, river or cliff. Those are your two choices. Well there is a third choice....that would be a head on crash with both cars doing about 40mph each. Ugly. The canyon is super steep, dry grass and oak trees everywhere. It really is a contrast to home. Like Riggins with more vertical feet and taller grass, minus the beautiful fir and pine. It does have a few huge palm trees growing in the river bottom, and the white water is something to behold. Almost constant. We are enjoying our time with Shilo, Brennan, and the rest of the family. They have made us feel right at home.
The plan for Friday was to be up super early to tackle the pass named Donner. This is the one I have been dreading for weeks. Just not comfortable with the combination of small motor, big load and one hell of a pass. We headed out at about 0600 with a temperature of 50 degrees. Prefect for the climb over the Sierras. Not one time did the truck give us any trouble. I nursed the brakes on the downhill and we were rolling thru California. (HE is watching out for us.) One big loooong drive south and we were in Bakersfield. Our home base for the next bit.
We have spent the last week up in the Lake Isabella/Wofford Heights area. If any of you have driven the Kern Canyon road you know what a "fun" drive that can be. We have done that drive 3 days now. Countless near misses. It is insane!!! NO shoulder to take shelter on, river or cliff. Those are your two choices. Well there is a third choice....that would be a head on crash with both cars doing about 40mph each. Ugly. The canyon is super steep, dry grass and oak trees everywhere. It really is a contrast to home. Like Riggins with more vertical feet and taller grass, minus the beautiful fir and pine. It does have a few huge palm trees growing in the river bottom, and the white water is something to behold. Almost constant. We are enjoying our time with Shilo, Brennan, and the rest of the family. They have made us feel right at home.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Aug. 22
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.
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.
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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