August 26/27 2017 Yellowstone Adventure 2017 Begins (Holiday RV Park, North Platte NE Sat night) (Wind River RV Park, Riverton WY Sunday night)

Saturday morning (Aug 26) we were on the road shorty after 8 a.m. This is mighty early for us!  Gary had been up since 5:30 a.m.--much too early for us!

We went north through Kansas City, into Iowa for a few miles, crossed the Missouri River into Nebraska at Nebraska City, and headed west!  Nebraska can give Iowa a run for the money in acres of corn and soybeans!  

We stopped in North Platte, Nebraska at Holiday RV Park Saturday night.  After a good meal at a local steak house we found the Walmart and made a few purchases.

Today--Sunday--We gained an hour by driving into Mountain Time Zone.  Western Nebraska scenery is similar to The Badlands.  There are lots of rock formations and eroding hills.

We were able to see Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock from Highway 26 near Bridgeport NE.

Rock formations like these were used by the wagon trains and gold prospectors traveling west on the Oregon Trail.

A few more miles west we stopped at the Visitor Center for "Chimney Rock".

 We looked, but didn't find any rattlesnakes.

 This is "Chimney Rock"11half a mile around the bottom, and 300' tall.  This landmark was used by travelers to the west--to California and Oregon.

These wild sunflowers decorates the highway right of way.

We are stopped in Riverton Wyoming at "Wind River RV Park".  

It is 165 miles to the south gate of Yellowstone National Park.  Marcella and Jeff tell us to arrive early to miss the late afternoon wait to check in at the campground.

We have seen many pronghorn antelope and prairie dogs this afternoon.  

August 24, and 25, 2017 Local Eats

Thursday
It is good to know the local, best places to eat!  You know the ones: the converted filling stations, the one which hasn't been painted in years, but the one with the filled parking lots, the lots with the muddy or dusty pick ups, or local law enforcement vehicles, and  the farmers wear overalls or cowboy boots/hats!

We met Gary and Evelyn yesterday at "Gray's" for lunch (get there by 11:30 or the fried chicken will be gone!).  We were there in time for fried chicken. The plate was filled with two pieces of white meat, mashed potatoes and gravy and your choice of two sides---for me, applesauce and green beans. All for $7.29. Yummy!

Gary was busy Wednesday with members of the "Cattlemen's Association".  They were smoking flat rounds/briskets for 1000-1100 members of the Osage Valley Electric Cooperative's annual meeting.  

Thursday morning Evelyn assisted the group in slicing the smoked flat rounds.

Last evening we attended the Osage Valley Electric Cooperative annual meeting.  A brisket sandwich with chips and ice cream was served to each attendee.

Entertainment before the official meeting was a musical trio called "Sons of Britches".  They performed with a fiddle, and two guitars.  The music was 1950-1960's era country.  They were a talented trio!

Friday
Glen worked on scrubbing the roof of the motor home.  I didn't see the roof but understand there had been some bird deposits!

Glen washed/brushed and I rinsed the entire motor home.  Boy, does it look better!  

Have you figured out eating out is an important activity for us?? We met Gary and Evelyn for a late lunch at the local bakery!  Not only do they have delicious baked goods, but they make a delicious deli sandwich!  

We parted our ways to finish preparations for departure in the morning.  We stopped at Walmart--prescription refills and more groceries!

Unplug the electric, and detach the water hose, and we will be ready.

We are looking forward to traveling and exploring Yellowstone NP.

August 18-23, 2017 Activities and Travel; A Day Late (Departed Cape Girardeau, MO, and Arrived Passaic MO)

August 18-21, Friday through Monday

Daily: 
Deliver Ashlynn to Middle School and Zade to Clippard Elementary.  Reverse the routine in the afternoon!  

In between we kept appointments with family doctor and dermatologist; both went well.  Glen went to the GMC dealer to have tread replaced on left running board--under warranty.

Thursday night Glen, Zade and I watched Ashlynn at Gymnastics.  
Saturday: Ashlynn and Zade played with children in the neighborhood.  
Sunday:  Ashlynn accompanied a family from the neighborhood to church to show them where the appropriate classrooms were for the daughter the same age/grade as Ashlynn.  

Glen, Zade, and I also attended church.  We dined at "QDoba's" for lunch.  It was such a hot afternoon that Ashlynn and Zade were content to play indoors.

Monday:  the Big Day of the Eclipse
Ashlynn and Zade were able to see the eclipse at their respective schools, complete with appropriate glassware!

Darin and Sarah arrived at the Cape Girardeau airport at 12:30 p.m. just as the eclipse was beginning.  We had attempted for a week to find "solar eclipse glasses" but had been unsuccessful.  

A policeman was on duty at the airport and had extra glasses.  He gave Darin four pair, one for each of us.

We immediately went to Darin/Sarah's home to watch the Eclipse from their back deck.  I must admit being in the "Totality Zone" was awesome.  It was eerily impressive to see the moon block the sun; the outside lights came on, the street lights came on; headlights on cars were lit.  

Darin and Sarah had been on a ten-day business trip to Brazil.  Sarah attended seminars and fitted hearing aids on the people of Rio de Janario from the poor areas of the city.  They had a blast seeing the sights of the jungle, waterfalls, toucans, monkeys.

They were happy to be home.  Their children were happy to see them.

Tuesday:
Darin remarked that we had a package at the office that he forgot to bring home.  We couldn't figure out what it was as we couldn't think of anything we had ordered.

The repairs/painting on the motorhome was finished last yesterday afternoon.  We picked it up today (Tuesday morning).  Glen was pleased with the painting; the paint matched very well.  All other items on the list were also complete: replace skylight over the shower, repair left rear brake light, etc.  

Today--Wednesday Morning:
We went by the office to pick up the package.  Yes!  It was from Amazon.  

Recognize what these are?  "Eclipse glasses" that were ordered in July; I had been notified they wouldn't be delivered until August 20 to September 15 so cancelled the order.  Then, Amazon refunded the purchase price on all glasses as they couldn't verify that the glasses were certified safe to view the eclipse.

Yes...three pair delivered the day AFTER the eclipse.

We departed Cape Girardeau this morning, traveling to Passaic MO.  We are just five miles from Gary and Evelyn's, preparing for departure Saturday morning for Yellowstone NP.  

I didn't have the desktop computer with us these past days.  I just downloaded pictures (from the good camera) from the ferry trip across the Mississippi River.  Here's a few pictures.

August 17 2017. Gymnastics

Ashlynn goes to "gymnastics " on Thursday night.  Zade was a supportive brother tonight and went with us to watch!  Ashlynn will never be in the Olympics but does quite well.  She is flexible and has learned lots! And always has fun.

Glen and I have visited with several doctors this week!  We have no issues but it seems as if there is always another appointment for six months later! Glen did see a dermatologist and had several "sun damage spots" burned, frozen or scraped!  All just preventive!'

Ashlynn was chef tonight as we made a peach cobbler!  I just gave directions and advice.  She is getting quite good at reading recipes and following directions.  Peach cobbler is her daddy's favorite!  We might have to make another Sunday for him!

August 15 2017. Keeping Company. (Home away from home)

Saturday Ashlynn and Zade played with friends next door!

Sunday they wanted a "mystery trip" where we choose the destination and they don't know where we are going!

We started south along the Mississippi River!  The destination was Dorena Hickman Ferry, one of the few ferries that crosses the Mississippi River! 

We chose to cross the river, turn around, and come back to the Missouri side. Returning to Cape Girardeau through Kentucky would have been a much longer trip.

This is the first full week of school for Ashlynn and Zade.  Afternoon traffic for picking up the kids has been a mess but it is about to get smoothed out.  They are in two different schools this year but school dismissal time is only five minutes apart.  

Glen went to the motor home yesterday to pick up some items that we needed. He says work is underway on painting prep.  

August 9, 2017 Getting Ready to be without RV

Yesterday was spent getting prepared to turn the motor home in to the Paint Company for two weeks.

Yes, we had to pack--sorta!  It took a suitcase to hold all our medicine, sad to say.

We ate dinner with Darin/Sarah, Ashlynn and Zade last night.

Today we turned the RV into Hawk Engineering, then came to our home-away-from-home, Darin/Sarah's home, unloaded the items needed for the next two weeks!

Today is the last day Ashlynn and Zade will be with Emily, their summer nanny.  They will start school tomorrow.

August 5 and 6 and 7, 2017 Travel (Saturday Night: Cracker Barrel Lee Summit MO; Sunday night: The Landing Point RV Park, Cape Girardeau, LMO)

After our visit with friends Jim and Sandy on Friday, we were ready to head east to Missouri.

We left the Air Force Academy Saturday morning, and traveled, and traveled, and traveled across the state of Kansas on I-70, around Kansas City MO, and stopped at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant near Lee Summit, MO.  It was about 11 hours of driving time!  I had a tired driver.

After breakfast at the Cracker Barrel we headed east, again on I-70, across Missouri, until we reached I-64 E, going to I-270, then to I-55.  Southbound, we headed to Cape Girardeau!  This was ONLY about 7 hours!  

We are parked at our favorite RV park in Cape Girardeau, The Landing Point.

We will be here until Wednesday, the 9th, when we deliver the motor home to "Hawk Engineering", an RV builder/designer/repair business, just north of CGMO.  

Glen has a list of projects for them, the biggest is the re-painting of the front and rear caps of the motorhome.  The clear coat is deteriorating; the paint is fading and showing age.  This project will take about two weeks.

During those two weeks we will be "living" at Darin/Sarah's home.  This means we will have to "pack" clothes and medicine.  We aren't in the habit of having to pack, so this seems like a big job! Ha!

Ashlynn and Zade start school Thursday.  Ashlynn will be at Middle School in fifth grade; Zade finishing elementary in fourth grade.  

Trisha and Tanner will start a week from today on Monday.  Tanner will be finishing high school--12th grade/Senior; and Trisha is teaching 7th grade "geography".  

August 3-4, 2017 Repairs and Friends (Last night at Air Force Academy!)

Thursday
Reminder....hot smoky brakes on the motorhome on Wednesday.  Appointment made for today (Thursday) at a Spartan dealer.

We arrived at the dealer at 8:15 and at 8:30 the motorhome was taken in to the repair bay.  At some point we received a call that both the left and right brakes as well as the drums and seals needed replaced.  

We were told the left seal had leaked and soaked the brake shoe; making the right brake work harder.

We waited in the truck with our Kindle and I-pad and phones.  

There was a small worry that the drums might have to be ordered but were found.

At 5 Thursday afternoon all of the replacement parts had been installed.  We left shortly thereafter.

Shortly after lunch we received a call from our friend Jim Freedman who lives in Castle Rock, just north of Colorado Springs.  We were on our way to visit with Jim and wife Sandy.  We first met Jim and Sandy in Poplar Bluff when our daughter was an infant.  Though Jim and Sandy left PB and moved several times we stayed in touch and remained close friends.

Sandy's health is not the best.  Yesterday was not a good day for her.  After Jim's call we postponed our visit to Friday.

Friday
We waited to talk to Jim after Sandy had a meeting with a physical therapist, and learned she was ready for a visit.  Hurray!!

After exchanging hugs and greetings we sat down for a wonderful visit with Jim and Sandy.  We also got to visit and see son Kyle and his wife Jennifer, and their four children.  

Jim and Glen drove to "Five Guys " to pick up our favorite burgers.  They brought the burgers back to the house and the four of us "picnicked" in their suite.  

We were blessed to be able to spend some hours catching up with our friends Jim and Sandy.  

Back in the 1970's there 4-6 couples that were in the same area, the same age, all having kids, that spent lots of time together.  We shared meals, babysat for each other, helped when there was painting to do, played lots of cards, Charades, other games, and helped each other whenever and however was needed!! Friendships were formed that have lasted for more than 40 years.  

This is bringing this visit to Colorado to an end.  We have seen beautiful scenery, enjoyed the cooler temperatures, and shared time with friends.

Tomorrow we will head east!

Glen standing under a B-52 bomber displayed at the Air Force Academy.  The bomber has a wing span of 185 feet, height of 45 feet, length of 156 feet, and could carry a bomb load of 60,000 pounds  

August 2 2017. Stressful trip (Back at Fam Camp, Peregrine RV Park, Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO)

It's never a good day when you are pulled over on the side of the road for an hour waiting for the hot smoky brakes to cool off.

We were just twenty miles from the RV park in Colorado Springs when Glen and I started commenting on the smell of hot brakes, thinking it was vehicles passing us that was the culprit. A passing truck driver signaled to Glen he needed to pull over.

After getting on the side of the road we quickly discovered the right rear brakes were Hot and smoky. We decided a fire extinguisher wasn't necessary.  Glen talked to the roadside service company, and then a Spartan dealer who installed the brakes. Final decision was to sit long enough to let the brakes cool down.

After an hour we drove on to the RV park with no more issues. However we do have an appointment in the morning at the Spartan dealer to have the brakes checked.  A good idea, I think, with the trip to Missouri ahead of us on Saturday.

It all turned out okay. There was a place to get off the road, there wasn't a fire, and an appointment for a check was available in the morning!!  Road side service did not come out.

We are looking forward to seeing long time friends tomorrow afternoon!!

August 1, 2017 Tuesday Day Trip Highway 82, west to Aspen CO, over Independence Pass (Last night in Buena Vista CO--Arrowhead Point RV Park)

Up, up, and Away!

Up to 12,112 feet!  We traveled west on Highway 82, just north of Buena Vista, over Independence Pass, and on to Aspen Co.  This is a beautiful drive.  It reminds us of driving the "Going to the Sun Road" in Glacier National Park.  This drive is not as narrow, but curvy and beautiful scenery.  Vehicles are limited to 34' for a reason.  There are some curves a longer rig couldn't manage.

A picture is worth a thousand words!  As always, you can click on each picture to enlarge.

I can't resist a babbling brook!

Looking over Twin Lakes

Blooming fireweed frame this beautiful water.

This says it all at the Continental Divide: 57 degrees, 12112 feet

The hiking stick makes it look like I had been hiking: NOT!

"Rocky" mountain

I would like to see the leaves on this aspen changing colors.

Do you see anyone?

Going east on Highway 82

Do you know what this beautiful flower is called?

Ghost town of Independence (CO), location of a gold mine in the 1890's.

Can't resist the mountain streams.

These rocks tumbled a long distance a long time ago.

We didn't spend much time in Aspen.  We did enjoy lunch at the #1 restaurant according to Trip Journal, "The White House".  The carnitas (pulled pork) sandwich may have been my all time favorite sandwich.  Aspen was filled with tourists; it is an upscale ski town.